Talk:GM Voltec powertrain

Article needs diagram

If the E-Flex drivetrain is to be the basis for multiple vehicles with multiple different power options, this article clearly would benefit from the provision of a conceptual diagram of the principal interfaces, for mechanical power, electrical power, weight transfer of the batteries, etc.N2e (talk) 20:29, 16 July 2008 (UTC)

GM has published a few techncial diagrams. Should we link to the GM site? or embed them (unsure of copyright issue) WopOnTour (talk) 20:29, 7 November 2008 (UTC)

DONE!(with permissions) request artwork tag removed WopOnTour (talk) 20:53, 7 November 2008 (UTC)

Is this really a "platform"?

According to Wikipedia's Automobile platform article, a "platform" is defined by the chassis, steering, suspension, and other body components. From the sound of it, Voltec is a Powertrain and could be used in a number of GM platforms, although the first applications will use the GM Delta II platform (as noted in the article).

I would suggest that this article reconsider its use of the term platform, and not be included in the GM platforms box.71.134.245.164 (talk) 09:25, 17 February 2009 (UTC)

Removing from GM Platforms, adding to GM Engines category Atarivideomusic (talk) 05:19, 8 July 2009 (UTC)

Really no mechanical linkage?

"the internal combustion engine does not have any mechanical linkage to the wheels" - is there a source to this information or is it just a conclusion/ guess from the denomination as "serial hybrid"? Using the GM Power Split Hybrid Drive would be reasonable. I would be interested in more information about this. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 141.113.85.95 (talk) 14:19, 1 September 2010 (UTC)

We now know that the Voltec engine mechanically drives the wheels under certain circumstances. It does not use the electric motor as an electric transmission, the way a diesel-electric locomotive does. Clayfoot (talk) 14:26, 12 October 2010 (UTC)

The Voltec powertrain should now be reclassified as a power-split hybrid or series-parallel hybrid. The principle of operation is the same; only the range in electric-only mode is different.Clayfoot (talk) 14:40, 12 October 2010 (UTC)

I Disagree. While the recent revelation of a potential mechanical link betwen ICE and the Voltec EV-drive planetary gearset, it still operates as a pure electric vehicle in Charge depletion mode and as a pure serial in Charge Sustain save for the most narrow of conditions, when permitting ICE to partially contribute is more efficient. It is therefore unique and does not conform directly with OTHER vehicles recognized as being "power-split" or "series-parallel". WopOnTour (talk) 23:32, 20 October 2010 (UTC)

I Agree. To me, series-hybrid does not accurately describe the Voltec powertrain. A series-hybrid has NO MECHANICAL connection between the engine and the wheels. The Voltec has one, so its not a series-hybrid. Power-split seems more accurate to me. Perhaps the "power-split" concept needs to be expanded to include this unique new drivetrain. Zirconscot (talk) 21:10, 12 December 2010 (UTC)

Zirconscot, You say just because the Volt CAN have "a connection between the engine and the wheels" then it;s not a series hybrid? I disagree, because under the vast majority of conditions (once in CS mode) that's exactly how it operates!(ie WITHOUT any such mechanical connection) WopOnTour (talk) 09:06, 31 December 2010 (UTC)

GM continues to state (and correctly so) that "there is no DIRECT connection between the range extending ICE and the drive wheels". This remains true because given the powerflow layout and output power split configuration,the ICE simply cannot drive propel the vehicle using ICE sourced torque (unlike some series-parallel hybrids) So anyone saying that it's the same as the Prius, simply doesnt understand the relationship.WopOnTour (talk) 23:55, 7 May 2011 (UTC)

References