Archives

The reaction has been anything but electric. (http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/OPINION03/809100339/1148/AUTO01)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Volt_Clean.jpgManny Lopez - Detroit News - Sept. 10, 2008

The Volt -- A single picture stirring up controversy.

As long as GM sells the Volt in a color of power rather than fluff, does not put PLUGIN decals down both sides, and keeps it under $32K, it is going to do great :) -- Ed.

Photos of the much anticipated Chevrolet Volt hit the Internet Monday after they were "accidentally" posted on GM's media Web site -- and an external site. But the debate that's waged since, between those who think it's not true enough to the concept car unveiled at the Detroit auto show last year and those who don't care what it looks like as long as it's green enough to satisfy the Goracle, is about as uninspiring as conversation about a sedan.

Which is exactly what it is, and what should have been expected.

Shape is no accident

General Motors Corp. strayed from the muscular design concept that has defined the Volt, and arguably GM, in ads and promotions for the past year and a half because it had to.

Nothing that stands as wide with such distinct lines and untested shapes as the Volt concept gets even average fuel efficiency, never mind 40 miles on an electric charge alone, as is promised for the extended range vehicle from the Detroit automaker.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the production Volt isn't charged with the stylish sex appeal that many had hoped. But it shouldn't be devoid of it either… http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/OPINION03/809100339/1148/AUTO01

Anyone what to take a swag at the cost of ownership of a $32k volt over 10 years to a ICE or hybrid? I think I figured at todays ele and gas cost the Volt will get about 250mpg when on battery ie charge Eng off......

As fas as what to use, looks like a big car to me?? so to a preus maybe the insite II that's smaller????

Looks fine to me, assuming I can get it in something other than a pastel.

As long as the car doesn't look completely ridiculous (okay, maybe even then -- I considered driving a Corbin Sparrow!!) I don't really care that much as long as it performs. A 40mi range is most likely calculated at low highway speeds which means an average of 30mph could net upwards of 70mi on a charge -- more than enough for my commuting and a short errand or two (most shops I visit are within a 3mi radius). My goal is to avoid fuel usage -- not to make a statement or appear "cool." Not that I would complain if the cool factor was there but it is so low down on my priority list it effectively isn't there at all.

With that said, this is an attractive automobile to my eye and it really doesn't resemble the Prius nearly as much as some people seem to think it does. Even if it looked very much more like it (as the InsightII does), that wouldn't bother me either.

I neither like nor dislike the final design and would consider purchasing it as long as the EV range is reasonable and the car is reasonably priced.

However, my complaint is how different the final version is to the concept model GM has been parading around for over a year. I understand minor tweaks to deliver from concept to showroom but to design the concept Volt and then find out the design is all wrong when you finally put it into a wind tunnel is a prime example of why GM is floundering.

If the final design is totally different than what has been represented do we still believe the EV claims GM has been touting as well (40 mile range).

The Volt looks fine, and doesn't resemble a Prius. In fact, I'm sure GM could have gotten a lower drag coefficient, but conciously avoided having it look like a Prius, a car they've been bashing for years. Notice that GM refuses to call the Volt a hybrid, which it is.

Harry

Interesting no comments on the economics.

MG $32k strikes me as a huge cost barrier and one that will hurt sales with other alternatives and wise buyers looking.

However, my complaint is how different the final version is to the concept model GM has been parading around for over a year. I understand minor tweaks to deliver from concept to showroom but to design the concept Volt and then find out the design is all wrong when you finally put it into a wind tunnel is a prime example of why GM is floundering.

If the final design is totally different than what has been represented do we still believe the EV claims GM has been touting as well (40 mile range).

GM IS a flounder, but that doesn't mean they would put the concept vehicle into production. It was designed in 2006 when the thinking was do a slow marketing approach to "make a sexy, sporty hybrid" in order to cover the (still) very high production costs. Some things have changed; they can better gauge the market now and acess whether a $35k PHEV will work

Right off, though, the concept's roofline would not play in Peoria. You'd have to limbo to get in and out of that thing and the interior is claustrophobic. The production rig skips the 'green' Caddy CTS type-market and goes straight for the upper mainstream. (There is risk to the exposed market position of plug-ins until they can save money as well as save gas.)

A friend was a test engineer on the EV1 and says that they were getting 40 miles from it ~'96, so I can't imagine it being lower. Range has to be practical, or it's a non-starter for the car.

The market is far more focused now that it was 2 years ago. It will be interesting to see how they do. They have to get it right.

I am actually looking forward to seeing this car come out, if it meets its claims.

I can't wait to see some reviews in the vein of "The electric range is lackadaisical, and under our driving tests we only managed to obtain a 25-miles range before the engine started up. GM certainly didn't deliver." With the way people drive currently, I wouldn't be surprised if many are "disappointed" by the low electric range, all the while racing down the freeway at 85 MPH :D

As much as I would like the price of the Volt to be lower, I don't think they will have any problem selling everyone they make. You guys remember the Harley craze 10 years ago. My local dealer would let me wait 6 months for an FLHT that he would sell to me $8,000 above retail. I still have my money and he sold the bike to another sucker. The point is that GM isn't marketing this car to people that compare a new car to a used Malibu. They are not marketing this to the transportation/cost equation folks. I think that they will find 10,000 to 15,000 people that don't like Iran threatening Isreal. Or Saudi Arabia executing homosexuals. Maybe some dedicated Greens, or the "first guy on the block" types. They will sell everyone they make, and this will drive the cost down. I never did get the Harley, the fever passed.

I don't think it's a bad looking car. It sort of looks like a very upscale Cobalt (which, IMHO, is a very pretty car). That said, I like the looks of the Insight-II better.

If I was going to buy a car on looks, I'd choose Insight->Volt->Prius. However, since the Prius will probably have $3k-$5k added ripoff, my economic choice will ALSO be Insight-> Volt-> Prius.

I never thought it would look like the show car. That car looked to much like the new retro Camero.

The bow tie on the front ruined the whole design. Im sure it will turn out to be typical GM junk.

"Unfortunately, it is. The Volt looks like a GM Prius, which followed the rollout last week of the Honda Prius, all paying design homage to the real deal, the Toyota Prius. "

First time I've noticed up but is seems "Prius" is becoming a generic term for a hybrid car. Just as Xerox = photostatic copier, Kleenex = paper tissue etc.

Then again the author could be using it as a way of making his point about the generic appearance of hybrids.

:cool:

I think the new Volt sedan is nice looking, way practical compared to the prototypes because it's a sedan, and I hope it works out for GM to put the heat on Toyota and Honda to get way better.

GM has made some beautifully styled cars, and some Toyotas and Hondas are ugly. Like the new Chevy Malibu looks way better than a Camry or Accord.

I want one! I wonder how much I could get for trade-in value on an '07 Prius?:D