the electric "Vibe" -- Volt MPV5

[mspalmer]

Volt MPV5From the front looks pretty good but the rear picture looks horrible. I am seriously thinking about a Volt in about 3 years when my niece can take my Vibe from me and it will be about time for a new car. I would consider the MPV5 if they modify the hatch area; it looks pretty bad. I would love to get another hatch back in the future; very functional. http://www.wired.com/autopia/2...29%29

[midnighthunder89]

it will probably be much bigger than the vibe since it is being described as a crossover. But looks nice.

[ponta2147]

I kinda like it. Larger electric vehicles will probably have a bigger market, just because more people need larger vehicles. Perhaps when it is time to replace the Vibe 10 years or so down the line, they will have a comparable electric option (or at least a really sweet hybrid option similar to the Volt)

[Kincaid]

I like the rear view. In fact, I like it better than the front. Makes the front looks a bit dated, plain and average IMO. Only problem would be in hiding your stuff from view.

[ponta2147]

The rear window reminds me of this:

[waveresponder]

this reminds me of the Chevrolet Orlando Electric Version that was rumoured....

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by midnighthunder89 »it will probably be much bigger than the vibe since it is being described as a crossover. But looks nice."The Chevrolet Volt MPV5 is essentially a Chevrolet Volt stretched and squared to accommodate five people and more cargo. It’s a little bigger than the Volt in all dimensions."Electric range is 32 miles down from 40. That would still probably cover 90% of my use - just would have to remember to plug it in every time it goes back in the garage. Now - if a significant number of people start driving electric (or natural gas) powered cars, the govt. will have to increase the gasoline tax to still maintain highway construction and repairs. So those with conventional fueled cars will be subsidizing the affluent who can afford the new electric vehicles.

[ponta2147]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Now - if a significant number of people start driving electric (or natural gas) powered cars, the govt. will have to increase the gasoline tax to still maintain highway construction and repairs. So those with conventional fueled cars will be subsidizing the affluent who can afford the new electric vehicles.I thought the plan at that point was to introduce some sort of "mileage tax" where people pay based on how much they drive, regardless of fuel source.

[Vibe_dude]

I like it.would love to get one..but would like the Caddy version even more..now that is one sexxxy looking ride.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »I thought the plan at that point was to introduce some sort of "mileage tax" where people pay based on how much they drive, regardless of fuel source.1. Congress can't even get it's act together to resolve the estate tax mess - prior law repealed the fed estate tax in 2010, it automatically comes back in 2011 with a $1 mil threshold instead of the former 3.5 mil thresholds.2. A mileage tax would create a lot of jobs - would need people to verify your mileage periodically. What about vehicles where the odometer no longer works. 3. Knowing the current tax philosophy in Congress I expect that owners of higher value cars will pay more cents per mile than those driving a Accent.

[Bastranz]

Intriguing! I just heard a radio ad from the CEO (?) of GM, where he was telling us how they paid back their gov't loan early, and were looking forward to a future of high quality cars.I wondered if they were going implement some of the lessons they learned from their days as a partner at NUMMI. I also wondered if they'd continue to make a rebranded Vibe.And then...tada! Here comes the MPV5! The propulsion technology sounds very interesting, though! You could run on electric for about 300 miles...the range of one tank of gas for many small cars...and THEN it turns into a gasoline car to generate power?! That's pretty nifty...I just hope it's reliable (which it should be since electric motors have less moving parts).The rear looks...different, yet interesting. Is that entire hatch made up of glass? If so, is that safe? I'd hate to be rear-ended in that car (well in any car, but especially with this one).Also, ponta is quite right about the "mileage tax". In fact, this became a hot topic last year when gas went up to 4-5 dollars a gallon and people started to drive much less than beforehand. Last I heard, they would put some sort of mileage odometer on the axle of the car or something like that, similar to what many transit buses use.

[Bastranz]

Quote, originally posted by Vibe_dude »I like it.would love to get one..but would like the Caddy version even more..now that is one sexxxy looking ride.The Cadillac does look very interesting. It reminds me of something out of Gotham City, though .

[waveresponder]

definately the orlando...sorry but i like the orlando much better...electric fold out side assist steps/runningboards and the roof seems to be a combination of some type of solar power technology possibly IMO...i also like bigger headlights and more space behind the grille to mount sirens cough cough also the rear end of the MPV5 is fugly IMO much better with the Orlando..note the roof crossrails like our vibes have MPV5 also looks slightly smaller then Orlando judging by this picture...i just noticed the orlando in the pic is supposedy the BE version and im not liking how they changed the rear cargo window roof line, slopes different then the first pic

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by Bastranz » You could run on electric for about 300 miles...the range of one tank of gas for many small cars...and THEN it turns into a gasoline car to generate power?! The car will run for a shorter distance on fully charged batteries, 40 miles for the Volt, 32 miles for this MPV5, and then the gasoline powered electric generator kicks on to provide an additional 300 or so miles of range.The difference between the Volt/MPV5 and current hybrids, such as the Prius is the way gasoline is used to extend the vehicle range. In the current hybrids, such as Prius, power to the wheels is provided by either an eletric motor, or by a gasoline drive engine. In the Volt/MPV5, however, power to wheels is only ever provided by the electric motor. Gasoline is used to run an electric generator, which then powers the electric drive motor. The thought there is that the gas generator can be set up to run more efficiently than a gas drive motor, since it would have to operate over a smaller range of RPM/load conditions than a drive motor. I don't remember what the overall MPG ratings are for these cars. Total range divided by total gallons of gasoline. My daily commute would be more miles on generator than battery, unless I could figure a way to plug the car in at work (unlikely)Can't tell from the pic inthe Autopia article if that entire back window is trclear, or if some of it is painted black. If clear, that could be useful. I usually run around with the Vibe's back seats folded down, and having more of the hatch clear would improve rear visibility, especially when parking

[houseofbugs]

The rear looks kinda gaudy but the front is sexy as hell.

[Bastranz]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »The car will run for a shorter distance on fully charged batteries, 40 miles for the Volt, 32 miles for this MPV5, and then the gasoline powered electric generator kicks on to provide an additional 300 or so miles of range.The difference between the Volt/MPV5 and current hybrids, such as the Prius is the way gasoline is used to extend the vehicle range. In the current hybrids, such as Prius, power to the wheels is provided by either an eletric motor, or by a gasoline drive engine. In the Volt/MPV5, however, power to wheels is only ever provided by the electric motor. Gasoline is used to run an electric generator, which then powers the electric drive motor. The thought there is that the gas generator can be set up to run more efficiently than a gas drive motor, since it would have to operate over a smaller range of RPM/load conditions than a drive motor. I don't remember what the overall MPG ratings are for these cars. Total range divided by total gallons of gasoline. My daily commute would be more miles on generator than battery, unless I could figure a way to plug the car in at work (unlikely)Ah, thanks for the clarification. That's much less impressive, unfortunately. It seems like it's a "series" hybrid rather than the parallel hybrid which I believe most other cars are. Parallel hybrids, where the gasoline (or diesel engine) are both used to move the car, are best for longer distances that aren't necessarily stop and go. However, the series, where the vehicle is powered solely by the electric motor and the engine is used as a generator, is best for the urban environment. At least, that's the way it is with hybrid buses.

[ponta2147]

Quote, originally posted by Bastranz »Ah, thanks for the clarification. That's much less impressive, unfortunately. It seems like it's a "series" hybrid rather than the parallel hybrid which I believe most other cars are. Parallel hybrids, where the gasoline (or diesel engine) are both used to move the car, are best for longer distances that aren't necessarily stop and go. However, the series, where the vehicle is powered solely by the electric motor and the engine is used as a generator, is best for the urban environment. At least, that's the way it is with hybrid buses.Yes, that's exactly what the Volt technology is - a Series hybrid. And I personally feel that's the better way to go in terms of hybrid technology because it can work at maximum efficiency (until we can get all-out electric, of course).