Chevrolet PelEton.com

I moved this from GMInsidenews.com because of a malware warning. This was in 2008 and it was done for a fun design contest! Behold my awesome MS Paint skillz! Enjoy

The Chevy PelEton

Welcome to 2020 and the introduction of PelEton.com. 

Michael McWilliams

15 August 2008

     Run across the beautiful city of San Franciso, the Chevy PelEton is powered by the people. Sitting 2 abreast and three long, on removable hand-made carbon fibre pods from Aegis, riders pay an annual fee for membership on the city network. 

     Each rider can determine the level of effort via adding or reducing resistance on the fly, of their individual pedal unit. Therefore they can pedal independent of the speed of the vehicle. Each rider can see, via a small PelEton LCD at the centre of each pair, their contribution in relation to other riders and power usage of the vehicle. 

     To aid in efficiency, the PelEton is made of an ultra light weight composite of reed, which is hand weaved in less fortunate countries, then heat pressed in resin, helping to provide a sustainable future. 

     

     The PelEton is introduced in concert with SFs latest investment in public transport infrastructure, the Generate Network. The Generate Network is a grid of charging points located across the city. Each point has a deposit of super capacitors housed below the street and coincides with bus stops as identified by signage. Interface between the PelEton  and charge points is via contacts below the PelEton  and on the street surface, which is activated by the PelEton remote pilot from SFs traffic control centre, the same way that SF’s new Etrolleys operate.

 

      In addition to rider generated energy and charge points, regenerative braking of the vehicle also contributes to the short range battery which is smaller than the commercially available personal vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt.  When the PelEton generates more power than is required before the next charge point, the additional energy is deposited into the stationary super capacitor charge points. If there is no PelEton due before the minimum discharge time of the super capacitor, the energy is deposited back into SFs power grid.  Likewise, if a charge is not available, it is taken from SFs grid.

      Where normally, there would be a driver, there is a bench seat which is available to senior citizens and differently-abled persons whom have booked their seat via PelEton.com.

       To create interest in the project, PelEton.com will be offering annual prizes for riders. When you ride the PelEton, your personally generated energy will be recorded by PelEton.com, with stats available on all your competitors. Weekly winners will be sent a Yellow jersey that you can wear during your journey for that week. There will be additional prizes each month such as free charges for your Chevrolet Volt, customised  Aegis pods, custom compression suits and more! 

      The great thing is if you get together with colleagues and book a PelEton, because you aren’t limited by set out bus routes, you can "race" your friends to work and get dropped off right at your office door.(conditions apply)

       At the end of each year, online stats will not be available for the final week, as we hunt for SFs greatest rider, who will be awarded the Golden Gate award, comprising a unique pod, compression suit, riding shoes and Blue Tooth and iPod integrated helmet/visor, all in resplendent Golden Gate Bronze, as well as a trophy awarded to you by our new Mayor Escuro!

And don’t forget, if you don’t contribute, you can’t ride. 

SF Chevy PelEton. Catch it if you can (tm).

GMI Drives: Holden VF Calais Sportwagon

Wagon Feast Part 5: Equilibrium

14 August 2013

Michael McWilliams
GMInsidenews.com
Australia Correspondent

I made up a word the other day: homogenuity. It happened when I was looking at the latest crop of SUVs and how their proportions were as similar as their specification. That has made it awfully easy for car companies to now make new models. To be popular you just need to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Get the focus group results and collate them on a global scale. Add them all up, divide by the number of participants and voila: Mr and Mrs. Average. The result is an average motor vehicle. This has been demonstrated in the Australian market with SUVs taking up a massive portion of the new car market, yet barely a single model in this segment ever makes it to the top ten. Why? Because the design of each new SUV is driven by the same thing: Mr and Mrs Average. You don't even have to engineer the new model because it's on the same platform as last time. Play it again Sam, ad infinitum. Homogenuity. 

This VF Calais, however, is honed by local tradition, still free from the global average. Exclusive only due to circumstance, not capability, this is the cherry that I believe GM needs to share with the world. In the mean time, I'll just share it with you.

Have you ever heard the term, "there's no point re-inventing the wheel"? Essentially it means, do not invest more resources in a project when the result is more or less going to be the same. It is the catch cry of business efficiency and lean managers everywhere particularly when times are tough, and also echoes my new word, Homogenuity. This lean management reduces development costs and ensures that new products can get to market with less investment. 

Often however, in application it stifles progress, lets sleeping dogs lie and essentially removes any chance at innovation. 

Read More HERE

Wagon Feast Part 4: ZETA HD

14 July 2013

Michael McWilliams
Mark Cadle
GMInsidenews.com
Australia Correspondents


The VF Commodore has hit showrooms and the changes are impressive. It's high class, high tech, high quality advancements and lower price go head to head with mikmak's own VE Series II to see why this Commodore is the one to change minds. Meanwhile Mark Cadle takes his trouble and strife to the nations capital to test how well he gets up and running on cold mornings..... and shows the cost benefit of the VF Commodores LPG system

I love my car. I don't mean like "I appreciate the practicality, the space, the low servicing costs and the eager performance". I mean, I catch myself staring when I don't mean to. I find excuses to spend time together, and, my instagram and Facebook feeds are littered with pictures and messages of adoration. I'm not the sort of person to have a wandering eye, however, the VF Commodore is testing my resolve. 

Read MORE

Video: Chasing Strippers in the Holden Barina CD

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Holden Cruze Sportwagon Twins

Wagon Feast Part 1: Blue Collars and Silver Spoons

26 April 2013

Michael McWilliams
GMInsideNews.com
Australia Correspondent

I currently own my third wagon. My parents had a wagon, my grand parents had wagons and even my sister in law has had 3 wagons. It's fair to say, that the traditional format holds plenty of favour in my family. Holden still provide plenty of choice when it comes to wagons and it all starts here, with the Cruze CD Diesel and CDX 1.8 Petrol Sportwagon twins. Will they erode the market share of their flag ship Commodore range or broaden the appeal of the Holden fleet?

We here at GMInsidenews Australian Bureau are pretty fortunate. Our exposure to new product often allows us to compare similar models, and to detect the little things which can make one version superior to it's stable mate. What I found with the Cruze Sportwagons, however, is that looking similar does not equal similar products. In fact I doubt the CDX would even appeal to someone considering the CD diesel. One body style, two engines, two trim levels, massive difference. 

Read the rest  HERE