Chevy Volt production model revealed
The real dealNo more fiber glass replicas. This is the real Chevy Volt, which I think looks far better than the original concept. I'm sure some will be disappointed that it no longer looks like an electric sports car, but I think GM nailed this vehicle.
Labels: chevy volt
posted by Dahcredyns at
3:51 PM
17 Comments:
That looks horrible.
GM,kiss it all good-bye if that is what you`re bringing to the market.
Fair enough. That's your opinion, but what were you expecting, an electric camaro?
What would have made you happy?
Many, especially those favoring GM products have greatly ridiculed the Prius shape for instance. This looks like a Chevy to me, kind of like the new Chevy Malibu, which is a hot seller.
Again, from a GM/Chevy perspective, I think they nailed it.
What a dissappointment, GM should be ashammed bringing a car that looks like a tweaked Cobalt to the arket after all the Volt hype. This American company has lost touch with the consumers. the volt should have looked much more like the prototype, and should be priced in the 20 to 25 range. I have a lease coming due in the spring of 09 and all I can say is good by domestics and Hello Toyota or Honda.
It's call got to do with the rims IMO. GM always puts stupid looking rims on their cars for some reason.
Look at the blue Volt that was on a movie set...looks like this one but the colour and the rims make a huge difference.
Not bad but just a little bland...but the Pruis isn't excitement on four wheels is it now. Neither is the Civic with it's antenna dish wheels.
I'm really surprised though for example they didn't put the Opel concept into action for this car. It would have been a perfect marriage of the two at the right time.
Noz,
that Opel flextreme concept is still somewhat of a possibility, though it was never intended as a production design, just as a design path for the future.
anon - a Volt in the 20 - 25 range? are you kidding me? first generation? do you have any idea of how much JUST the battery pack costs?
prius plug-in with even less range won't cost 20 to 25. how about an injection of reality, buddy?
more important, the look of the car is obviously very important, but its the performance that really matters. the volt is just one iteration of the E Flex drive. if GM can perfect the E Flex Drive with the Volt, many other body styles are possible, as well as cheaper, less battery intensive vehicles.
Yeah, not overly excited about the look, but at this point, just get the bastard out there I say. Yes, it would look pretty good with some rims, and maybe in black instead of that Ice Blue. I think it would be hilarious to put one of those giant rice rocket fins on the back...maybe a huge, fake blower coming out of the hood. Got a bit carried away. It's okay...I think it would definitely sell.
If the design of the Honda Insight hybrid remains the same, then the Insight will look very much like the Toyota Prius, and both will be extremely aerodynamic cars.
It just turns out the Prius-shape is very aerodynamic.
Unfortunately, GM was pushed towards these Prius-like proportions because of aerodynamics, an extremely important issue for the Volt and its ability to achieve 40 miles of electric range.
This Volt might have some hints of the Prius design, but it is still Chevy all the way, and it is the second most aerodynamic car ever created by GM (the EV1 was the first).
When everything is rationally considered, I think this is a home run.
I mean what's more important, a cooler, wilder design and less electric range and fuel economy. Or a clean, stable Chevy-look with better electric range and fuel economy?
I'm with the bait-and-switch crowd. Concept stole new Camaro lines and HUGE rims. At 40 grand, the crossing of a Malibu with an old Isuzu is a harder pill to swallow.
Due to aerodynics, friction, etc, sharp lines and large tires are out. Why over-hype with them? It only shows that GM itself doesn't get fuel efficiency from the beginning of the project. Granted, you can't do a Prius look-alike out of the chute, but aggressive sporty lines were never realistic.
"Due to aerodynics, friction, etc, sharp lines and large tires are out. Why over-hype with them? It only shows that GM itself doesn't get fuel efficiency from the beginning of the project. Granted, you can't do a Prius look-alike out of the chute, but aggressive sporty lines were never realistic."
That's a fair assessment. However, show concepts, as the Volt was at its debut, aren't usually considered finished products. This concept was never put in a wind tunnel before the show because part of the show is crowd reaction. What do people think of the concept? What do they dislike?
And if you believe GM, they were extremely surprised at how poorly the original concept performed in the wind tunnel.
So, part of this 'bait and switch' is a normal part of the show concept to production process. And GM warmed of this from the beginning. Still, I think you are right in believing that GM probably had a good idea such a 'sporty' vehicle wasn't going to survive.
Nonetheless, GM could have kept the original design, but it would have meant a significant decrease in efficiency. I'll take efficiency and performance over look any day of the week.
True, why screw with us...or did they really think that aerodynamics wouldn't be a factor? Seems like someone brought that up before...is that GM being stupid? They don't know anything about aerodynamics to start with a reasobly workable design? Or were they hoping it would perform better as a race car? Anyway, I'd still be interested...better not be no $40k though looking like a Prius. I know, different technology, but they gotta get it in line the the Prius, the new Insight, etc.
"Anyway, I'd still be interested...better not be no $40k though looking like a Prius. I know, different technology, but they gotta get it in line the the Prius, the new Insight, etc."
I don't see how it could be less. For the average commute, you're talking well over 100 mpg. And if you drive less than 40 miles between charges, the economics are even better.
That has a cost, especially initially. Still, I bet the Feds and many states will offer nice tax incentives for Volt buyers.
I mean what's more important, a cooler, wilder design and less electric range and fuel economy. Or a clean, stable Chevy-look with better electric range and fuel economy?
Dahc...come on...I think it's going abit too far when we talk about Chevy's looking good.
Let's be honest here...all of GM's good looking products are pretty much NOT sold here...and are all European designs.
And you know that's the truth.
The new Chevy Malibu has become an extremely hot car. Perhaps you don't like the design, or I don't like the design, but many consumers do.
This car fits within that mold. It says Chevy and that was an important goal for GM with this vehicle.
Still, my point is, if this car lives up to the hype, in terms of efficiency and performance, would consumers have preferred less performance and efficiency so that it could look like an electric camaro?
While this car will have great torque and a decent 0 to 60, its not a sports car. It's a very refined electric sedan and I think this body fits that functionality to a T.
Dahc,
That's not the point. The point is GM already has better designs. For us not to get them is ludicrous.
I'm only focusing on the Volt and in terms of the Volt there aren't better designs that are as efficient as the Volt.
In terms of small cars that GM offers in Europe, for example, I agree.
I remember this current body model being test driven by a journalist. Supposively it was the volt poperplant covered by a generic shell. . .I guess they kept the shell.
I'm disappointed how watered down this car ended up looking. Chevy should know americans by now. They know were suckers for flashy sporty looking vehicles. The only reason people jumped on the green bandwagon was because of gas prices.
I would not mind a 30mile range car. It would still be extremely good mpg on long rides and I dont have to mention short errands.
A lot of people were disappointed. I never liked the original concept, but I'm quite confident I was in the minority.
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