GM: Chevy Volt's Cd is 0.28, Prius is 0.30 (tested in multiple tunnels), EV1 is 0.21

[MetroMPG]

GM has tested the Volt, the 2010 Prius (with 17 inch wheels/tires - that's a key point) and Honda's 2nd gen Insight in the same wind tunnel:

Their results:

• 0.28 Chevy Volt
• 0.30 Toyota Prius (2010)
• 0.32 Honda Insight (2010)

Regarding the Prius,

That was a number that was verified in our tunnel, in Chrysler’s tunnel, and in Ford’s tunnel.

The base Prius with the smaller wheels may come in lower, but we don’t offer 15 inch wheels.

That second point is a giant cop-out. Feel free to discuss.

Interesting comments were made about the EV1 as well:

EV-1
According to GM’s aerodynamics engineer Nina Tortosa, the old method of testing yielded .19, but with current testing methodology it would equate to .21.
“But that vehicle didn’t have a rollover and frontal impact structure of today’s standards,” said Boniface. “You could not sell that car today. That’s not to say we wont get to .21 again with another car. We always try to get drag down but we have to protect our styling flexibility.”

Source:

Chevy Volt’s Coefficient of Drag is 0.28, Beats Prius and Insight

[tasdrouille]

Typical GM BS...

You have to compare your offering to what others offer, not fudge things up to make you look good.

The Volt is a nice effort, just present it for what it is. I've a feeling trying to make it look better than it really is will be detrimental to GM in the end.

[MetroMPG]

What they really ought to do is produce a "Volt XFE."

With tweaked software and few more aero concessions (like, say, narrower tires?) they could court the tiny but vocal community of hard-core efficiency nuts with a car that stands on its own merit.

Constant marketing crud just breeds more cynicism.

[Sorrow Six Star]

agreed!
"styling flexibility" lol las thing GM built with any style would be the Camaro and they actually styled it in the 60s

doesn't a prius have LRR tires? I know one of my customer put bridgestones on his pruis and couldn't figure out where he lost 2 MPG... I asked him with the car gripped better... then he got what I was trying to tell him...

the volt is a nice looking car with great features that should be able to stand on it's own merits. not try and bring everyone else down.

thanks for the info!

[tasdrouille]

I honestly would have expected the Volt to be XFE by default.

Who will buy this car? I've a hard time imagining someone will buy a Volt over a Prius because it has 17 inches air blenders.

But if they insist on making one with all the bling, I agree that they should also sell a XFE variant.

[MetroMPG]

Sounds to me like there are bigger sales to be had in the "bling" eco-marketplace than the "efficiency" eco-marketplace:

According to [chief Volt engineer Andrew] Farah, the intent is to make everything as transparent as possible for the driver. He tells us that the Volt team is designing the car for mainstream audiences rather than the hyper-miling crowd. - source

So they're going to need an XFE.

Either that, or send one over here and we'll mod it for them. I've got lots of cardboard left over!

[JonnyG]

Toyota's website says the 2010 Prius CD is .25 for all versions, even the Prius V with 17 inch wheels. Very interesting how GM is so desperate to look good that they will lie!!!

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by tasdrouille

I honestly would have expected the Volt to be XFE by default.

Let's not forget the "styling DNA" for the original Volt concept car came from the Camaro. That speaks volumes.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by JonnyG

Toyota's website says the 2010 Prius CD is .25 for all versions, even the Prius V with 17 inch wheels.

Interesting! I wonder what they did to the car to compensate for the increased CdA of the wider tires. (195 mm base vs 215 mm with the 17 inch wheels).

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...g-cd-7475.html

I'm not giving Toyota a free pass on marketing fudge either!

[MadisonMPG]

I think it's a poor idea from the start, but it really needs to be done better if they are going to do it.