Chrysler showed something similar to this with their electric minivan. I wouldn't expect 40 miles like you should get with the Volt, but I guess there are two questions:

1) I would think that GM could sell a Lambda like this, but for less of a lost than a Volt. What could be the expected MSRP on something like that be?

2) Would this be a better alternative, given GM's current estate, than what the Volt program is? (Being more in hindsight now)

 

Couldn't GM just stick the Volt powertrain in a modified Orlando and sell it pretty easily? They are both Delta based.

 

Forgot about that. That would be a lot more viable and also possible cut production costs if you could run the two down the same line. It could also be a huge marketing possibility.

 

As I recall the next iteration of E-flex will be an Opel minivan/crossover.

The Volt is just the beginning.

 

The problem being though is that the Orlando is not suppose to be coming to the US.

 

I believe you're thinking of the Opel Flextreme.

But wasn't the plan to develop the Opel Flextreme for North America as a Saturn?

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/01...xtreme-e-flex/

 

That would be a much better idea. Weight is a big enemy of electric vehicles.

 

My bad. I thought the Orlando was on the e-flex but is on the delta.

Still would you rather spend 40k, or so, on a Lambda, SUV, or any large crossover that gets low 20s on average or on a EV version that goes 20 miles, depending on the load, and gets low 30s in mileage? You want an advantage in a market? I've heard from more than 1 woman that they like the high seating positions of these large vehicles because it helps them see the road and things around them better.

 

What not? Simple - I don't think any of us could afford to buy just the pack required to make this happen, much less the rest of the vehicle. We'd be looking at $30-40K just for the batteries, and then perhaps another $15K for the motor and generator.

If people want to drive without using fossil fuel, then they need to do it in vehicles that don't weigh 5000 lbs and have the frontal profile of a small bus.

A much more economical solution for the Lambda would be GM's excellent Two Mode. The fact that it's far more affordable than the ER-EV architecture means that more consumers could take advantage of it and more fuel would be saved.