Holden Volt tech specs

The Holden Volt has been revealed at a media event in Sydney, Australia. Essentially a re-badged version of Chevrolet’s extended range electric vehicle, sales are expected to begin in late 2012.

Estimated range from its lithium-ion battery pack when driving in pure electric mode is a decent 80 km (50 miles). After that, the Volt’s petrol engine kicks in to act as an onboard generator that recharges the batteries and provides power to the electric drive system.

And therein lies the Holden’s USP - its Voltec drivetrain offers the environmental and running cost benefits of an electric car, but without any range anxiety.

Alternatively, the Volt can be recharged using a domestic 240V socket, a process which takes around four hours. So, with the right journey patterns and driving conditions, it should be possible to make the need to refuel with petrol a very rare occurrence.

According to Mike Devereux, Holden Chairman and Managing Director, “Volt is the no compromise electric car. It’s electric when you want it and petrol when you need it.

“It’s among the most technologically advanced cars on the road anywhere in the world and spearheads Holden’s push to become a leader in technology and sustainable motoring. Volt will make driving more economical, more environmentally-friendly and will fundamentally change the way Australia thinks about alternative transport solutions.”

2013 Holden Volt - Technical Specifications
Battery system
Type	Rechargeable energy storage system comprising multiple linked modules
Battery	16 kWh lithium-ion
Thermal system	Liquid active thermal control
Cells	288; prismatic
Size / case	1,676 mm-long T-shaped; glass-filled polyester structural composite with aluminium thermal radiation shield and steel
Mass	198.1 kg (436.7 lbs)
Electric driving range	60 - 80 km (37 - 50 miles) depending on temperature, terrain and driving technique
Extended driving range	More than 500 km (310 miles) depending on conditions
Recharge time, using 3 kW recharging station	Approximately 4 hours
Recharge time, using 1.2 kW portable charge cord	Approximately 6 - 10 hours
Electric drive system
Configuration	Front-wheel drive
Motors	Drive motor and generator motor
Transaxle	Voltec electric drive system
Power	148 bhp (111 kW / 150 PS)
Torque	370 Nm (272 lb/ft)
Petrol engine
Type	DOHC in-line four-cylinder
Displacement	1,398 cc
Bore and stroke	73.4 x 82.6 mm
Block material	Cast iron
Cylinder head material	Cast aluminium
Valvetrain	Overhead camshafts; four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake and exhaust cam phaser
Ignition system	Individual coil-on-plug, cassette type
Fuel delivery	Sequential multi-port fuel injectors with electronic throttle control
Compression ratio	10.5:1
Power	84 bhp (63 kW / 85 PS) @ 4,800 rpm
Maximum engine speed	4,800 rpm
Dimensions
Overall length	4,498 mm (14’ 9”)
Wheelbase	2,685 mm (8’ 9”)
Overall width	1,788 mm (5’ 10”)
Track width front	1,556 mm (5’ 1”)
Track width rear	1,578 mm (5’ 2”)
Height	1,430 mm (4’ 8”)
Weight	1,696 kg (3,739 lbs)

Images © GM Corp.

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