AutoWeek editors don't think the Volt was the Best Concept vehicle at NAIAS
What do you think is the best concept vehicle at the NAIAS this week? Undoubtedly, based on reader comments, the Chevy Volt made the biggest impression on AutoblogGreen readers, but the editors of AutoWeek don't think it was the best. They gave their "Editors' Choice" award for Best Concept not to the Volt, but to the Ford Interceptor. Unverschämtheit, as they say in Germany. I'm not saying the Volt is the best possible car ever, but c'mon. The Volt did win AutoWeek's award for Most Significant, that award doesn't describe what the Volt was. It was the best concept, hands down. Here's what AutoWeek editor and associate publisher Dutch Mandel said about the Interceptor: "No matter what you call it, this Ford sports sedan based on a stretched Mustang chassis is one hot concept. We can only hope Ford takes the next step to put this pony car for the family man into production as soon as possible."
As for the Volt, Bob Gritzinger, AutoWeek Senior Editor-News, said, "The idea behind the car -- a pure electric powertrain that gets its energy from plugging in at home or work, or from an on-board generator powered by a small gasoline engine -- is surprisingly simple. GM says they'll be ready to build this car by 2010 or 2012, and unless battery companies can't come through, Volt and GM's E-flex System could spell the beginning of the end of America's addiction to foreign oil."
Maybe it'll also signal the end of AutoWeek being so enamored with muscle they don't care what comes out the tailpipe.
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Perry Kravec 9:33PM (1/11/2007)
The Chevy Volt is the best concept ever .. from any manfacturer. The idea is simple and decades overdue. I've driven the GM EV1 all over LA for two days when EVRentals was renting them in 2000. If this car is anything like the EV1 to drive...the Interceptor will seem like a model T Ford. One moving part in the engine and no transmission. It puts your head back like a first gear that never ends until the govener lets you sit back up. They took the govener off a EV1 and the little car with a little electric engine and drive that only weighs 150 lbs, went over 200mph!! I hit the governed 80mph in the HOV lane in LA and it felt like I was going 50mph. It was very apparent the car could go much faster with no effort at all. The all electric drive is the only way to go. Simple and efficient. Thousands less parts than the antiquated ICE vehicles and over complicated and unreliable Hybrids out there now.
Greatest vehicle yet...
Give GM a level playing field and they will out produce anyone.
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Alex Nunez 8:55PM (1/11/2007)
Hey, it's AutoWeek's award to give, and the Interceptor is cool and all, but Best Concept of the whole show? Ridiculous. It wasn't even the best Ford concept -- that distinction belonged to the fabulous Lincoln MKR.
No, the Volt was the Best in Show...period. Here you had a groundbreaking concept that was packaged in a practical shape that didn't sacrifice good looks at all. Brilliant. And it can accommodate any sort of powerplant to perform the charge functions, so if it debuts as a gas (or diesel or biodiesel) burner, it can be updated to support a fuel cell or whatever if the technology pans out.
I'm by no means a "Green First" type when it comes to cars, but the Volt is seriously great.
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J 9:37PM (1/11/2007)
can we consider for a moment that, while they dont think the volt was the best concept, they did think it was the most significant car at the show? To me, a concept is a car that is SOOOOO cool, but really doesnt have much of a chance at production.
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A5-14 9:00AM (1/12/2007)
Sebastian, it's kind of catty to chastise another automotive publication for its award choice. Especially, when the Chevy Volt wins the "Most Significant" award.
Typically, you write good entries. This one is a little out of sorts for you.
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cheezedog 10:55AM (1/12/2007)
Look kids, if you really like this car... And if you want GM to make this car... then you better tell GM to make this car. Otherwise, GM will just sit there, wonder what is wrong with us, and then go to work on there line of trucks, and Camaro platforms since thats what gets the public to write in, and buy from them.
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SherbornSean 11:27AM (1/12/2007)
Please remember that Autoweek survives on ad dollars from a variety of automakers. If they don't throw Ford the occasional bones, they aren't getting paid.
Personally, I thought the Mazda was extraordinary visually, although I'd have voted for the Volt for most significant and best in show.
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