Poll: 2011 Chevrolet Volt - which do you prefer, concept or production?
Now that you've had time to digest the look of the production Chevrolet Volt in a somewhat more flattering environment, it's time to have your say. Obviously it changed a lot, but that was a necessity to get this first one out the door and meet the performance targets. The wheels shrunk, the greenhouse grew, and the transparent shoulders are now opaque. But this is now a real and buildable car. You've all been having your say in the comments, now let's get some numbers from a thoroughly unscientific, self-selecting poll. Did Bob Boniface and his team break it or fix it?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Double-J 10:57PM (9/16/2008)
Though I really like the power train concept, think the front looks like a Honda or Acura, the back looks.... just ugly.
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Paul 6:55PM (9/17/2008)
It looks better than the concept but there is too much glass for a southern climate. The air conditioner will not be able to cool down this greenhouse.
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Bill 11:22PM (9/16/2008)
The concept was butt ugly. The production car looks much more mainstream - very important if they want to appeal to the average car buyer. A big improvement!
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Steve 11:36PM (9/16/2008)
Needs to be more cutting edge. At 35-40k this isn't going to be a mainstream car, no one is going to buy it to save money on gas. People (like me) want something cutting edge and are willing to pay for it. The whole "it needs to look like this for aerodynamics" argument is a crock, my Lexus IS350 has a Cd of 0.28 (same as the Volt) and it's an attractive car. They should have outsourced the design to Pininfarina.
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Mikeeeeeeeeeeeee 8:57AM (9/17/2008)
If you think your Lexus is good looking, you need glasses.
Erik 11:40PM (9/16/2008)
I just wish they'd take some photos in ANY other color. That light blue green color really turns me off.
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Paul 12:03AM (9/17/2008)
The concept looks edgier and I'd drive it as is. I suppose some people wouldn't as it's too flashy?
I'm completely fine with the production version and think it maintains the general look of the concept - more so than many concept to production transformations. I think it looks cool enough that I'd consider it even if it were a gasoline powered car.
I'm just waiting on final specs and pricing at this point but you can count me as officially "in line and waiting".
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Derek 12:16AM (9/17/2008)
Production rear looks better, but the concept nose is much more aggressive looking.
Of course, since I only see the interior and hood of my car while driving, I'd probably take the production version due to lower drag.
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Scott 1:08AM (9/17/2008)
Wow.... once again Chevy displays its innate ability to screw up something good. How much more vanilla could you have made this car? It used to be that the Japanese would rip us off...if you slapped toyota emblems on it who would know the difference.
What a TOTAL disappointment!
It's like they made it ugly on purpose so you won't go out and buy one
just like the last electric car they made.
Kinda makes you wonder
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ltclloyd 1:35AM (9/17/2008)
I think the more conventional styling does wonders for the car. the old car looked too much like they shortened an old Cadillac sixteen mock up they just had laying around.
and the car needs to perform while that huge flat nose might have been "aerodynamic" for a 1954 Chevrolet Delray (there is one for you history buffs) it's just not what a car that needs a CD as close to a EV1 as possible can look like.
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TIMMAH! 1:52AM (9/17/2008)
What's the point of the survey? You're comparing apples and oranges. The concept was a concept and not really feasible from an aerodynamics standpoint. The production version is what is possible to produce given the power and distance operational requirements.
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GoodCheer 9:08AM (9/17/2008)
Another poll:
Do you prefer
A) Apples
B) Oranges
It's a perfectly legitimate questions, that's the beauty of polls.
Luke 2:24AM (9/17/2008)
The nose of the production car looks a little like the Civic (but better), and the butt of the future Civic looks like the Prius, and the Prius look like a POS.
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Noz 3:20AM (9/17/2008)
Some parts of the car look good, others don't. The interior is more disappointing than anything else frankly. Mundane and mainstream IMO.
But one thing can say for sure...this car AIN'T gonna be below $30K...it's going to be quite a bit more.
My cutoff is $25K for a new car....so forget the Volt..ain't gonna happen for me.
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Noz 3:28AM (9/17/2008)
Let's also hope that if the technology does actually work well, someone out there may source it and put it in a nice shell....frankly I'd love to have a Clio hatchback that has this technology in it...even in Cup trim... I don't care.
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ryan 5:14AM (9/17/2008)
The concept looked like a penis. The production version looks like a car that could save an automaker. Haha, well, probably not THAT good, but good enough to help ole GM start moving some cars.
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tankd0g 9:18AM (9/17/2008)
It looked like a penis? You're right, I also agree it should have been sold as a Corvette sub brand :)
S. Baker 6:50AM (9/17/2008)
Oaky all you american haters and Toyoduh lovers, get with the program. The prius is a hybrid that uses fossil fuels, you know that stuff we are addicted to! Where as the volt does not, for at least 40 miles. That is a game changer. Besides what is the difference between addicted to oil or addicted to imported asian cars? There is none!
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Jude Brown 10:26AM (9/17/2008)
While I do think the new Volt is great, comparing asian imports (friendly nations) to oil imports (nations who openly despise us) is ridiculous. Especially when all of us, myself included, depend on China for seemingly everything. I realize China is no Saudi Arabia but we are fooling ourselves if we think sending them tons and tons of cash every year for their cheap imports is helping us in the long run. Furthermore while the Volt is, IMO, a far superior Hybrid both in style and technology; it will most likely be priced out of the market for most. I don't expect much to change in the way of Hybrid sales anytime soon - except that if Honda really does get a sub $20K mid-size car that gets 45+mpg combined they will become a big player as well.
dsuupr 8:52AM (9/17/2008)
Well put! :)