Is this the Start of Google Motors? Google Tech to Connect Chevy Volt Customers

General Motors has announced that OnStar will be working with Google in order to help connect the Chevrolet Volt even more.

Google has some add-ons in development for version 2.0 of the upcoming Volt app. There will be a navigation tab that uses Google Maps with a lojack-type setup, showing owners' proximity to the car (and possibly solving the Seinfeldian parking problem for good).

Users will also be able to send a desired destination to the car and have OnStar directions ready before they get in.

All this to make people feel even safer about trying something as progressive as the Volt. After all, we don't want to let them too far out of their comfort zone.

Onstar president Chris Preuss says, "While OnStar will never lose sight of our core focus on safety and security, this relationship is an example of how we're evolving our leadership position in connected vehicle technology. What we're talking about today is only the beginning."

If GM is partnering with Google, I guess the only way to be fully connected Volt owner will be to have Google's Android.

For a list of all the features available at launch, scroll on down.

By Phil Alex

Launch features of Smartphone mobile application for the Chevrolet Volt:

-Charge status display – plugged in or not and voltage (120V or 240V)

-Flexibility to "Charge Now" or schedule charge timing

-Display percentage of battery charge level, electric and total ranges

-Ability to manually set grid-friendly charge mode for off-peak times when electricity rates are lowest

-Send text or email notifications for charge reminders, interruptions and full charge

-Display miles per gallon, electric only miles, and odometer readings

-Shows miles per gallon, EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime

-Remotely start the vehicle to pre-condition the interior temperature

First Pre-Production 2012 Opel Ampera EV Rolls off the Line

The first pre-production 2012 Opel Ampera, or the European market version of the Chevrolet Volt, rolled off the line at GM's assembly plant in Warren, Michigan, on Friday, April 23, marking an important milestone in the project.

General Motors said that the it build more pre-production Amperas in the coming months. The pre-production vehicles will not be sold at dealerships, but used for testing and validating the production intent design as well as developing the final vehicle software and control.

"We're right on target for producing the Ampera for European markets later next year," said Andrew Farah, Vehicle Chief Engineer for the Ampera "There's still work to be done, but being able to drive an Opel Ampera off our pre-production line is a great accomplishment for the teams here and in Europe."

The Opel Ampera is the sister car to the Chevrolet Volt sharing the same extended-range electric drivetrain, interior and basic sheet metal, but with some minor unique styling cues up front and at the back of the car.

Like the Volt, it can deliver up to 60 kilometers of pure electric
driving before a small displacement petrol engine /generator kicks in to recharge the battery and extend the range to more than 500 kilometers. It is scheduled to go on sale in Europe by the end of 2011.

2010 Beijing Auto Show: Chevrolet Volt MPV5

After we showed you some of the designs a few days ago, the plainly-named Chevrolet Volt MPV5 crossover concept has rolled silently out of the gates.

Big things first: power comes from GM's lithium ion T-battery and a 1.4 liter engine generator, as one would expect. The battery will provide 51.5 km / 32 miles per charge, while the gasoline generator contributes an extra 482 km / 299.5 miles.

So, what is it other than a smaller Orlando with a Volt nose-job and power train? An expander, that's what. This model is GM's next step in creating a new sub-brand within GM, much like Audi's upcoming e-tron line.

Other fun facts: the Volt MPV5 sits on 19s, seats 5, and is extra aerodynamic "thanks to its closed grille and aero-optimized lower air dam,...a full-underbody belly pan, along with rocker claddings, creased tail lamps and specially designed blades on the rear quarter".

It also offers more passenger space all-around, a glass-panel roof, and even provides up to 1,764 liters / 62.3 cu ft of cargo space with the back seats down (863 liters / 30.5 cu ft seats up).

While this new Volt vehicle is neat (and definitely important), it would have been nice to see a modern take on the Volt's face (which is SO 2008).

By Phil Alex

GM Readying Chevrolet Volt-esque Extended Range Electric Minivan? Official Patent Designs

These here are official trademark designs of an unnamed Chevrolet compact minivan with very a Volt-like front- and rear-end styling cues - notice the shape of the headlamps and tail lamps.

As noted by our friends over at GM Inside News, the compact people carrier depicted in the drawings appears to be the same vehicle seen standing alongside the forthcoming Chevrolet Orlando MPV in a leaked video last year (see photo on the right).

It's been rumored that GM is planning to introduce a compact crossover prototype equipped with the Volt's extended range electric / gasoline powerplant at this month's Beijing Auto Show.

If true, it's almost certain that is the crossover we'll see at the Chinese motorshow that runs from April 23 to 27.

Via: GMI

GM Builds First Pre-Production Chevy Volt EV

In an important milestone for GM's much-hyped Chevy Volt project, on Wednesday, March 3, the first pre-production Volt rolled off the assembly line at the firm's Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant. The previous examples of the Volt had been built by hand.

These pre-production models will not be sold at GM's dealerships, but will be used to assess and fix any problems in the production system as well as to train the workers in order meet the quality targets set by the engineering team.

"We have a very experienced workforce at this plant and through all of their preparation and training workers here have been given the privilege to take GM into the future with this car," said Detroit-Hamtramck plant manager Teri Quigley.

Expected to go on sale by the end of fall, the Chevy Volt offers up to 40 miles of pure electric
driving before a small-displacement gasoline engine/generator kicks in to charge the car's lithium-ion batteries extending the range to about 300 additional miles.

GM's happy-moment with the first pre-production Volt coincides with Nissan's announcement on the pricing for the all-electric Leaf that will sell for $25,280 ($32,780 minus a $7,500 tax credit).

The General has not released official pricing for the Volt, but unofficially, word has it that the car will be priced somewhere in the mid-$30,000 range with the federal tax credit.