First Images of Production Chevy Volt

GM has launched an entire page dedicated to the upcoming Chevy Volt on its press site. Here are the first two images of the production version of the 2010 plug-in hybrid gas-electric sedan (one above and one below).

They certainly don’t reveal too much about the car, but we’re at least a little more excited that the Volt is actually approaching reality; it will likely debut at the 2009 Detroit auto show in January.

More Chevy Volt News (KickingTires)

Comments

I like the lower front light thingy. I'm still withholding judgement, particularly compared to Honda's upcoming MUCH cheaper hybrid in April.

I guess 33,000 have unofficially signed up for the Volt. However those that did are only willing to pay an average price of $31,000 for it. Won't they be disappointed. The Volt is being heralded as the vehicle that will save GM...good luck with that.

The honda's cheaper hybrid will have just average mpg when compared to the Volt, so I don't think that's a valid price comparison. A better comparison would be between the honda and Prius, which are similar in size and will have similar mpg.(but evidently the honda will be thousands cheaper) The Volt if used in normal commutes will basically have unlimited mpg, or extremely high mpg when used to go longer distances. I think the average commuter would do well. I hope the rumors of Ford and GM come true and Ford will market it's own "Volt" like vehicle so they can spread the cost so GM can bring the price down. Also, I hope Congress acts and adds higher tax incentives for those buying hybrids, especially the volt that would at least double mpg.(again, unlimited mpg if on normal commutes) I think it would be awesome if malls, shopping centers and even local dealerships add charging stations as a green effort. Provide the service free of charge in the beginning. The possibilities are endless.

If it got the max tax credit it would help bring the price down a bit into the $30s. But lets just say it will cost $40K for the sake of argument. If you just commute 40 mils a day you'll basically never pay for gas. the annual cost to fill up a pretty fuel efficient Chevy Malibu is $2287 w/gas at $4. So in five years you're saving roughly $10K on gas. Granted you've got to pay for electricity. But the difference is you're not paying for gas at all if you drive within its electric range.

Ziggy,
those people are "handraisers" not folks who have put orders in with their dealers. I wouldn't expect that to happen until at least late 2009. GM will announce when it will start taking orders for the Volt.

I agree with Tim that the possibilities are endless. I hope the realities aren't a disappointment! I have a feeling they will be, and I sure hope I'm wrong.

I've seen reports that the new honda hybrid might get over 70mpg and the gas engine of the Volt will get about 30mpg. So if you have a 70 mile commute the honda is a better option at $18,500. Then there is always the quality issue.

Dave-
I know that.

Ziggy,
The new Honda Hybrid will not get that kind of mileage. My sources at Honda have said repeatedly the web spec"best in class," which to me means it will beat the Prius by a few mpgs. My guess would be 50 mpg combined.

So 50 for the new Honda hybrid. My guess is the new Prius will beat that and offer a plug-in as at least an option. Never count Toyota out.

On top of that their system is proven reliable. One misstep and GM is toast.

Volt also has a one up on emissions compared to the Prius and "Insight" replacement. It will be a greener vehicle and people who can pay for that premium will gravitate towards the Chevy because it makes a bigger statement.

Bottom line there's plenty of space for each of these vehicles to be successful in the market.

Think Accord vs Camry vs Malibu...only now its Prius vs. 'Insight' vs. Volt.

Yeah and the ironic thing is that the people that buy the Volt will park it in the garage next to their Hummer or Suburban. Some green statement they'll make.

DT-
I have read on some sites that "Honda Insiders" (whatever that means)are reporting as high as 71mpg and other sites report that the Fit hybrid will be near 100mpg. We'll have to wait and see.

Ziggy,
No, those are wrong. That's why we don't put speculation on this site without clearly saying it is speculation.

100 mpg is crazy. I expect the Honda hybrid to get 55 hwy 48 city since Honda's hybrid system does better on highway than toyota's. The next prius will probably get 50 hwy 53 city (10% more than what it gets now). The median is the same at 51.5 mpg. That's kinda what I'm expecting. Like the whole Camry vs Accord thing, where the specs are nearly identical and the choice comes down to styling and driving dynamics. The Volt is in an entirely different league. It's price alone is going to be double that of the Honda and Toyota. But it likely won't stay up there by itself for long. As mentioned the next Prius will have a plug-in model at about the same price or more than the Volt. So at the bottom the Honda and base Prius will be the 2 entry-level hybrid choices, and at the top the Volt and the plug-in Prius will be the 2 (or more) plug in options.

A plug in hybrid sounds like a wonderful idea. I have a "fueling station" right in my driveway ... an electrical outlet. The problem I see is if enough of these meet the market, demand for electricity will be high and the cost for electricity will skyrocket.

I also say bah on the tax credits. It all comes from one source, the taxpayer. With such great mileage, these cars could essentially commute every day and not pay any gasoline taxes to help maintain the roads. Where will the money come from? GPS pay per mile tax as they have tested here in Oregon? Ugh. It will have to come from somewhere.

The other question would be if the Volt has a battery range of 40 miles is it the same range if you are in bumper to bumper traffic for 30 minutes with the air on? I would guess that the battery would drain and it would switch over to the engine. If this is the case then it wouldn't make much sense for those in large metropolitan area that drive on the interstate to own one. I would also like to know if you can manually switch it from battery to gas.

Dave-
Almost everything about a vehicle is speculation until it actually rolls out of the factory and is tested.

ziggy,
good point on the gas tax impact.

As for how it works...the PHEVs like the Volt and prototypes from Toyota and Ford ALWAYS run the car on electric power. The gasoline engine works as a generator to recharge the batteries that power the electric motor which then powers the wheels.

Good question on the accessory use too. I have not heard word on that.

Hey Ziggy, get over it. It's a good, innovative product from GM and that pisses you off. We get that.

Guys,
The law of nature is "nothing comes out of nothing and nothing goes into nowhere".

Volt will use less gas - more electricity. The batteries will be in need to be recycled and on, and on...
It is all about efficiency. What pollutes more?
If you thinking about your personal cost - don't worry. This way or another, someone in some business, government, etc. - they gonna get you $$$$.

I hope they sell a million of them, that way it'll drive the price of gas down and I can get my Camaro.

Boyrider-
I agree that it's innovative and I can't wait to see it come out. It's just that I don't see a major economical value for only a 40 mile range at a price of $40k - especially with long range travel, interstate travel within major cities and bumper to bumper traffic. It's a start though.

BTW -
I am far from pissed off because I know it will receive a lot of media attention but sales will not be that great. Besides Honda and Toyota will produce something better and that will piss you off.

It's true that using the accessories while the car is not moving will shorten the range before gas needs to be used, and this could lead to more gas being used. However the same thing happens in all other vehicles as well. Running the air conditioner while not moving in a Prius, for example, requires either burning gas or using the energy that came from burning gas.

The Volt gives you 8kWh of energy without using gas. It doesn't matter how you use that energy, compared to a similar car that can't be plugged in the Volt will use less gas and cost less to operate.

It won't piss me off. As a matter of fact, I might buy one and park it next to my International MXT that I use to pull my 27 ft boat with twin 300 hp V8s. I park them in my barn that is behind my 5000 square foot house in which I live alone in Miami, FL where I keep all three of my air conditioners set on 69 degrees. I love America!

Subtract the fleet sales from the Malibu and GM is barely selling 10,000 units a month. And you expect them to bring a viable electric vehicle to the marketplace!? GM has always been destined for failure and they never disappoint.