Frank Weber

The various designs were tested in a wind tunnel, sort of a gigantic cave with a 13-meter high fan. Wind force can reach up to 300 kph.

GM took this opportunity to show journalists how a 50-kph wind could present problems in terms of aerodynamics by throwing smoke on a scale model. "Engineers and designers spend a lot of time here to come up with the perfect balance between styling and aerodynamic efficiency," explained Nina Tortosa, Aerodynamic Development Engineer for the Volt.

Deadline: November 2010
Everything seems to be in place for GM to go ahead. Of course, there are some questions still unanswered. "Most of our tests are currently performed in a virtual environment, which saves us time and money. We'll have to follow that up with extensive real-world tests, but we're confident that production will indeed start in November 2010, as promised," said Mr. Weber.

«The E-Flex system we're developing for the Chevrolet Volt will have to be highly effective and durable in order to position General Motors as a technological leader," added GM's Vice-President, Bob Lutz. We know we can't afford to make mistakes, so we're putting it all on the table to achieve our goals. The development process is so advanced now that skeptics no longer have anything to fear."


Photo Credit : General Motors