GM: Volt to be sportier alternative to Prius and Insight
2011 Chevy Volt - Click above for high res image gallery
Now that the Chevrolet Volt has progressed to the point where vehicles with production-looking bodywork are running around the automaker's testing grounds in Warren, Michigan, the time has come for the crew to begin ironing out details like the ride height and spring rates that will directly affect the car's ride and handling.
Regarding these points, chief engineer Andrew Farah has some interesting things to say about the Volt and the way GM will position it against its competitors. For instance, Farah notes (in reference to the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight), "Our chassis is much more sporty than either of the other vehicles."
Farah also comments on a couple of changes to the car's exterior design that eagle-eyed parties had noticed, such as the relocation of the plug from the front fender to under a flap in the traditional location for a gas cap. Other changes, though, such as the headlamps and taillamps may merely be present because the Volt is still early in its development cycle and there are some pre-production bits that aren't yet necessary for testing purposes.
Spy photographers take note: Farah also says the car is set to undergo some hot-weather endurance testing out west this summer.
Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ronEbear 7:54PM (6/29/2009)
Our motors are 17.9% more motor-er than our competition. Plus, our tires are more tire-ey than Honda and Toyota COMBINED!!
See, I can shoot out claims that my product is better than my competitor. Also note that the claims are from an unfinished product.
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Bip-D-Bo 9:04AM (6/30/2009)
Don't forget when figuring price that this is unlike any car ever put into mass production. Like the Tesla, you could own it your whole life and never put gas in it, if your work commute is fairly short. You pay a whole lot less than the Tesla, though. The prius and insight are gas burners, just like every other car out there, except only a little more efficient than a diesel. The gas costs involved in buying one should be factored into the price. Like the Prius, it has unlimited range, thanks to gas, and when in gas mode will get same or better mpgs. On top of all of that, the Volt is bigger, has higher power to weight ratio, and is much better looking than Prius or Insight.
ShaunneyCakes 8:15PM (6/29/2009)
I don't think that there is any doubt that the Volt is more sportier, but if you think about it; how tough is it to be sportier then the Prius and Insight?
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occ 8:34PM (6/29/2009)
LOL. I love the prius for its technology and economy, but well said!
IMHO, the Volt is just a slight step up in style than the two said competitors.
AutoCritical 9:07AM (6/30/2009)
Oh I'd agree with that. A step up in style is what is needed in such a fashion conscious society. If someone had a choice, and they were undecided on two options, would they choose something that didn't look as 'nice' to them?
How to measure 2:28PM (7/14/2009)
For the 2010 Prius, 22% harder than it was for the 2009 model.
win39 9:00PM (6/29/2009)
Geez. What are these guys smoking? Has the price dropped from the anticipated $40 thousand? The Volt is not in competition with the Insight and the Prius, or even the Ford Fusion or the Camry Hybrid. It is not an alternative for anyone who would buy one of those cars, because of its cost. It will be competing with diesels from MB and BMW and probably a Passat/Audi A4 TDI. Very likely they will face a hybrid small Lincoln based on the Fusion.
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ufgrat 9:53PM (6/29/2009)
Yes, the Volt will be expensive. But compare a fully-loaded Prius III ($32k) (No tax credit-- they're used up) to a Volt ($40k - $7.5k tax credit), and you're talking a few hundred, maybe a thousand difference. If the Volt has significantly more "Sport" and "Zip" to it, the Volt wins.
For that matter, if the Volt is built well enough, why shouldn't it compete with the "entry" European sedans? Don't expect the Volt to be like any other car GM has ever sold.
Raffi 12:32AM (6/30/2009)
Sorry but that logic is ridiculous. The primary selling point of this thing is it's supposed to be economical to own, yet it's priced like its a luxury car.
James Rane 8:56AM (6/30/2009)
I guess I disagree with the notion that "economical to own" is the selling point of the car. Every used Honda Fit/Toyota Yaris will trounce even the Prius on this criteria. I think that the primary selling point of this car is that it is uniquely sound from an environmental standpoint and that it has a cutting edge technology. It has the benefit of being cheaper than other cars that are similarly positioned (e.g., Tesla Model S and Fisker Karma).
I have 77 solar PV panels on the roof of my house, and I believe they have the same selling points as the Volt. I don't delude myself into believing that solar panels actually save me any money.
Rain 9:12PM (6/29/2009)
If GM loved us then They would bring out a retro EV roadster,They could call it CorEVair.
Hmmmm.
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jpm 9:52PM (6/29/2009)
Agreed! But it'll never happen. Bunch of old clowns running the company.
ufgrat 9:57PM (6/29/2009)
Search for 'ElectroVair' I & II. Then there's the ElectroVan, a fuel-cell van. Built in 1966.
joegibes 10:43AM (6/30/2009)
I've seen the Electrovairs and the Electrovan at the GM Heritage Center... I wish GM would've invested in battery technology earlier. The argument is made that battery-powered vehicles have not been viable until recently due to cost issues, but it would've helped had GM increased research earlier.
fnc 9:54PM (6/29/2009)
Hmmmm, trying to sprinkle a bit of Tesla on it I guess. I think it's the best looking among the three mentioned. That snout on the new Prius is just, ugh.
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Looking to the Future 10:04PM (6/29/2009)
HOLD ON! Is GM crazy? (OK bankruptcy answers that question.)
The Volt may have started out as a cool car, but it ended up in the GM'd Chevette styling category. Hmmm. $40K for a Chevette, or $50K for a Tesla S?
Great that the young turks rule. I'll save for the Tesla S.
I don't think my tax dollars are safe in Michigan.
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Ignatius 10:28PM (6/29/2009)
Well, on one hand, you have a good vehicle for about 300-350 miles, on the bad side, that 350 miles might end up on the side of the road 10-15 miles from any civilization and thus, a plug.
If you're going for long-distance travel, the gas generator will still do better for that.
Throwback 8:29AM (6/30/2009)
Since you are deducting the $7,500 from the Tesla you should do the same for the Volt. The price difference will be more like $20K. Assuming the Tesla comes in at $57,000 k base. If the roadster is any guide I doubt the sedan will be under 60K before the tax credit. Not to mention the Volt will be able to be serviced at any Chevy dealer.
john 10:42PM (6/29/2009)
please ...using no gas for 40 miles will recoup any aditional cost in a short time ...and the sooner you get it the better because local states and municipalities will then say they are losing too much tax money from the non use of gasoline and start cahrging a fee to buy one or worse register your mileage and bill you in addition....
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paulwesterberg 10:00AM (6/30/2009)
You are right, the idea of putting a toll tax on all roads is being pushed through astroturf campaigns by oil companies who are loath to see anyone use an alternative fuel for transportation.