Quote:
Originally Posted by Ecky
I wonder why the Volt gets "such low" highway mpg. Did GM go with a relatively inefficient powerplant? Is it the tires? How efficient is the 1.4? I seem to recall reading that the related hybrids (Malibu?) had higher combined ratings on gasoline.
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Thermal efficiency is only 10% less than the Prius (35 vs 38.5). For the most part its because:
Drag area is: 23.7 x 0.285 - 6.7545sqft
Prius DA: 23.4 x 0.25 - 5.85sqft.
So the Volt has on top of 10% worse thermal efficiency, it has 15.5% more drag, and weighs 24.6% more (3790 vs 3042) and required wider tires to drive like a normal car etc...
Big bummer with the V1 Volt is it also recommends Premium fuel while the Prius will run on regular.
So its like its a huge car but has the same interior space as the prius but one seat less.