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Nov 11
Report: Lithium-ion battery packs being investigated after Chevy Volt catches fire
in - Electric Cars, - Hybrid Cars, Chevrolet
Electric powertrains are by no means new to the automobile industry because Toyota had invented the gasoline electric hybrid back in 1997. And although their functionality has been undoubtedly successful, a new investigation has popped up involving electric powertrains, more specifically with their battery packs.
This new investigation pops up after a Chevrolet Volt battery caught fire three weeks after a side-impact test at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s testing center in Wisconsin. The fire engulfed the car and others surrounding it.
You may be thinking, well, what could’ve caused that and how come it hasn’t happened to other cars such as the Toyota Prius? Well, for starters, the Toyota’s hybrid powertrains have been utilizing a nickel-metal battery. The Chevrolet Volt on the other hand uses a lithium ion battery. That said, the Volt’s incident has forced a team of investigators from the NHTSA to conduct a private and thorough investigation of lithium battery packs in the application of automobiles, which means the Nissan LEAF will too be scrutinized.
Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Volt.
“As manufacturers continue to develop vehicles of any kind — electric, gasoline, or diesel — it is critical that they take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of drivers and first responders both during and after a crash,” said the NHTSA in a statement.

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Electric powertrains are by no means new to the automobile industry because Toyota had invented the gasoline electric hybrid back in 1997. And although their functionality has been undoubtedly successful, a new investigation has popped up involving electric powertrains, more specifically with their battery packs.

(more…)

Sep 03
Chevy Cruze Hatchback coming to Europe not U.S
in Chevrolet

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The Chevrolet Cruze, which will go on sale in the United States later this month, is already a pretty huge success in other parts of the world. General Motors will now be expanding the Cruze lineup with a new 5-door hatchback variant that will go on sale across Europe in mid-2011, followed by other global markets. (more…)

Aug 27
Spy Shots: Next-generation Chevrolet Camaro Convertible in Australia
in Chevrolet

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A total of 8 next-generation Chevrolet Camaro Convertibles were spotted outside GM’s Holden plant in Fisherman’s Bend, Australia. All, but one, had a silver exterior with a tan roof – which is a very awkward combination so we’re hoping that they are just prototypes. (more…)

Aug 21
Whompin’ Stick: Geiger churns out 568-hp, 195-mph Chevrolet Camaro SS Kompressor
in Chevrolet

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German-American automotive collaborations can go well, or they can go wrong. On the one hand you’ve got the Chrysler Crossfire, while on the opposite side stands GeigerCars.de, the German tuning house devoted to modifying American muscle, from the Ford GT and Corvette Z06 to the Hummer H2 and Ford F650 Super Duty. Okay, so sometimes Geiger goes a bit off the deep end with their aesthetic modifications, but we’re willing to give them the benefit of the doubt here. After all, with Chevy’s new pony car on the market, we couldn’t expect them to keep their hands off it, now could we? (more…)

Aug 21
First Drive: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
in Chevrolet

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Going into the 2010 model year, the Corvette lineup is growing to four models with the revival of the Grand Sport nameplate that slots in between the base and Z06 models. This is the third iteration of the Grand Sport, the first being a run of just five race-ready cars built by original Vette chief engineer Zora Arkus Duntov. The second batch was a run of 1,000 cars built in 1996 to close out the C4 generation. This time around, the Grand Sport is a regular production model and General Motors promises to make as many examples as customers demand. (more…)