GM's Chevy Volt finally really unveiled, for real
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted September 16th 2008 3:04PM
posted September 16th 2008 3:04PM
The 2011 Chevy Volt has been officially unveiled this morning and we are pleased to note that the new pictures are much more flattering than the "glamour shots" released a week or so ago. The interior of the Volt features a driver-configurable LCD instrument display, 7-inch touch screen information display (for climate and "infotainment" control), Bluetooth, USB and optional GPS. Of course, what makes this vehicle noteworthy is the sheer plug-in-hybridness of it all: the car runs entirely off of its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. For trips up to 40 miles, the battery's initial charge will suffice (granted you remembered to plug it in overnight). After the battery is spent, the gasoline generator provides electricity to the Volt's electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery for a range of "several hundred additional miles," according to GM. Hit the read links for far more info. and check out a drool-worthy interior photo and video walkthrough after the break.
Read - Autoblog, "Officially Official: 2011 Chevrolet Volt finally revealed!"
Read - Autoblog, "Walkthrough of 2011 Chevy Volt interior"
Read - Autoblog, "Officially Official: 2011 Chevrolet Volt finally revealed!"
Read - Autoblog, "Walkthrough of 2011 Chevy Volt interior"
This thing needs to come in at $20K because, under the skin, it's a $15,000 Cobalt with an electric motor!
Until they solve the charging problem, pure EVs will be limited to use as city cars. Who cares if the range of your pure EV is 200 miles when you have to turn around and go home after 100? The brilliance of this particular vehicle is that it'll run on batteries for 95% of the trips people typically take, yet can fall back to using gas the few times a year a longer trip is required.
WHY! in the name of the most Holy!!! WHY all the new hybrids need to look like the PRIUS WHYYYY!!!!!
HONDA INSIGHT COPYCAT
GM VOLT (just look the back of the car) COPYCAT
Some one said o me, "It's because to speed up production you have to use what you have already, so same production facilities, molds, anything too exhuberant will skyrocket prices and production"
That answer pissed me off too because GM had the EV 1 and at that time their design was from another world, why not using the same reasoning ARGGHHH!!!
Ugly Volt Ugly!!
Yes people we are pissed, this auto companies need to look toward TESLA. I bet my soul that TESLA will become the next GM in 20 years.
You sure like to bitch. :)
To me warm colors does not equal white
Touch surfaces are downright DANGEROUS in cars! Drivers will have to take their eyes off the road to look at what buttons they are touching on the center console.
I studied tactile feel of controls for airplane cockpits in a coarse in university. A pilot (and by extension, a driver) needs to be able to find and identify many buttons by feel without taking his eyes off the road. That means buttons should be raised (or indented) and some buttons should have a texture (like how the "F" and "J" on a keyboard have a raised bump) to help orient the user.
Absolutely right. Give me simple controls I can find and operate by touch alone. Putting a touchscreen in a car's dashboard is a terrible idea.
I had pretty high hopes for the Volt, and this alone will prevent me from buying one.
Why is there a Chevy badge on that sweet-looking Acura TSX? ...What?
Why is there a Chevy badge on that sweet-looking Acura TSX? ...What?
Why is there a Chevy badge on that sweet-looking Acura TSX? ...What?
Goddamn some of you people would complain about a free BJ
I know that's right! :)
$40K is a little steep for a BJ.
Engadget doesn't like me...
Does Anyone?
No, sorry mate. :P
I will be buying one. I which it was available today. Now if I only could get planning permission to install my solar panels.
I've been waiting for electric for a long time, but it really doesn't look as good as a prototype. At least with electric, you are future proofing yourself to whatever they may come up with to create electricity.
You guys are crazy. This looks great!
See, the problem isnt the car. I am taking a strong guess here, But i think most people who dont like the car are people who perfer Honda Civics and Priuses. Honestly, id rather be seen driving a Volt around than a damn prius. The things are ugly. I dont care for asian-made cars. They are hyped up. If anyone has driven an american car lately they for the most part know they are very good cars that are more powerful than most hondas and toyotas, AND, The gas milage is the same if not better. Ill always buy American because i believe in supporting the AMERICAN economy....not japan.
FUCK YEAH AMERICA
USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA
sorry, but thats ugly as sin, i was thinking more like the concept pics, you know, low to the ground, sleek, coupe, thats fat and ugly, but at least its a step forward for american motoring.
Oh My God, It's Full Of Buttons!
The design looks great. It's modern and reminds me of a lexus type look. I don't personally want a hybrid that looks so different that it shouts "look at my hybrid I'm better than you!" and at least GM is moving more towards innovation rather than relying on their gas guzzlers. Cheers to them for making progress right?
I am waiting for the hybrid that runs off of poop...that or at least runs off of the hubris found on engadget comments!
I am waiting for the hybrid that runs off of poop...that or at least runs off of the hubris found on engadget comments!
Rad! If I get all A's on my report card this year my mom is going to buy me one of these when I turn 16 in two years.
Does this have a bad asss spoiler???????????
Is it just me or the front resembles the new Civic Coupe?
I wonder how much they could have shaved off the cost by going with a more generic interior. I'd be a bit more enthused if it was a pure EV since that gasoline generator is bound to require maintenance sooner or later. As for the design, it doesn't really matter if some people decide to chide it since keeping the concept design would have meant less than 40 miles on charge and then these same people would be complaining about that. I can see the comments now "30 mile range?! I'll ride a bike!" Yeah... sure you will.
Let's put some meat on this debate:
Uglier than the Volt : http://www.venturi.fr/electric-vehicules-eclectic-design.html
Too cool to be real : http://www.eliica.com/
Make you drool but it's too expensive:http://www.venturifetish.fr/#
Let's wait till that miraculous year 2010 when all major car makers will bring an electric car, then we can pick an choose, till now keep biking, walking, using transit or well your Prius or civic hybrid like mine no more than at 40KM/h so we don't kick in the gasoline engine.
Trust me.
Electric cars is not for the future and they are not more environmentally friendly. They will be a part of the solution. But not the solution.
Anyone who starts off with "trust me"... that's the last thing I do.
My god that thing is ugly. How did GM take a 21st century concept and wrap it in a 19th century steam train aesthetic?
Can you say Acura TL?
http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/izp/acura_tl_5spdat_2008_exterior_angularfront_640x480.jpg
http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/izp/acura_tl_5spdat_2008_exterior_angularfront_640x480.jpg
So, $40K gets me a 4-passenger, 30mpg gas burner with a fake grille in front and a twist axle in back?
And I'll be able to buy a 50mpg Jetta TDI wagon for around $30K?
Um...
40 Miles to a charge is a joke. They are just pacifying the legislators. In the 1990's GM has the EV1 all electric vehicle that got 160 miles to a charge. How is this progress? They are still sleeping with the oil executives.
This vehicle is meant to do one thing, prove that no one wants an electric vehicle.
I know it's not true, but the truth is no one wants an electric vehicle that only goes 40 miles per charge.
But GM will turn it into poor sales, and no public interest.
I hope Toyota comes out with a 160 mile per charge vehicle to prove that GM and the big three have sold their competitive edge to the oil companies.
The EV1 was an impractical, outrageously expensive and ugly two seat experiment. The Volt has a purely electric drivetrain with a backup gasoline generator for range. The limiting factor is battery technology and expense. Toyota doesn't have alchemists and magicians on its payroll so don't hold your breath for a comparable product in pure electric form.
GM needs to drop the ugly badges from their cars. I would pay a premium for a GM car without the GM or GMC or Chevy logos. More importantly, I wouldn't even consider buying the car with the ugly logo. Try it GM, you might get some additional sales and a few extra bucks for coffers.