The Chevrolet Volt is inching towards in late 2010 introduction date, with the EV’s testing regimen getting more difficult by the day. We have already seen the Volt out for a leisurely stroll on city streets, but now the Volt’s engineering team has really upped the ante – taking the plug-in out on an impromptu road course for some hot laps.
The General hopes to have the Volt, which is based on GM’s Delta/Global Compact Car Architecture platform, on sale in late 2010 as a 2011MY model. Early production will likely be extremely limited, but the latest video indicates the Volt will make its late 2010 launch date.
Thanks to a number of federal and local incentives, GM will build the Volt at the Hamtramck, Michigan, plant that currently builds the G-body Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS.
Price wise, GM was initially hoping for an MSRP of around $30,000, but it now seems that number may be closer to $40,000. The Volt will be eligible for a $7,500 tax credit for the first 250,000 units sold.
Background
The Volt project is an ambitious one. The aim is to create a vehicle that can deliver the equivalent of over 100 miles per gallon, while offering a top speed of 100 mph, and a zero-to-60 time of 8.5 seconds. GM claims the Volt actually returns the equivalent of 230mpg, but its final EPA rating will likely be less than that.
The Volt will be capable of reaching a full charge in 6.5 hours, delivering an all-electric range of 40 miles. A small gas generator is also aboard, netting a total range of several hundred miles. For many customers, this means that the daily commute would require no gasoline.
As with any hybrid, an on-board generator recharges the batteries when the gasoline motor is running. What makes the Volt unique is that’s the only thing the gas motor does — in other words, it never drives the wheels directly.
The biggest news on the Volt’s development thus far is that engineers have come up with an algorithm for testing the durability of the batteries that can simulate 10 years of use — 150,000 miles — in just over two years of testing. Tests using the new algorithm are now going on around the clock in Detroit and Germany.
Looking ahead
In an interview with Leftlane, Volt director Tony Posawatz indicated that several variations of the Volt could be in store for the future. Not only is the Volt platform being engineered to accommodate a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain in the future, but interchangeable bodies remain a real possibility. Since the hydrogen layout keeps every component in the same location, it makes it possible for GM to design different body styles — such as a sedan or van — that can be placed on the platform. This versatility means your Volt could be an SUV one day and a two-door coupe the next.
Volt will measure 177 inches long, making it a little shorter than the current Cobalt. The electric drive unit (utilizing a 220-cell, 16 kWh lithium ion battery) will put out 150 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque and will top out at 100 miles per hour. Chevy says the Volt is especially quiet to drive thanks to both the electric motor and extensive sound insulation.
GM estimates that the Volt will cost about two cents per mile driven under electric power, well under the 12 cents per mile when using a gasoline engine. Volt will plug into either a standard 120V household outlet or a 240V outlet. It takes about eight hours to charge the Volt on a 120V outlet and three on a 240V. GM estimates that charging will cost about 80 cents based on current energy costs, less than a household refrigerator or freezer.
On an annualized basis GM believes the average driver will save $900 in gas savings, which will be partially offset by an additional $300 in power consumption.
GM says that the interior will also be a strong point for the Volt. A driver-configurable, liquid crystal instrument display, seven inch touch-screen vehicle information monitor and optional navigation system will all highlight GM’s technologies. Bluetooth for cell phones and USB/Bluetooth for music will be standard.
12/23, 5:13 PM
posted by:
Borat
You think it will make debut on the set of “Curb your enthusiasm”?
12/23, 5:52 PM
posted by:
AFSOCSARGE
Wow, that vehicle under-steers so bad I felt it sitting right here. There appears to be way too much front end weight. Ploying through those corners on dry pavement seemed horrid. There will be issues in bad weather. I hope Chevy has a plan for this before it hits the market.
-Sarge
12/23, 6:02 PM
posted by:
ICEMAN
Awesome video, I now have no desire to buy this car what so ever.
12/23, 6:10 PM
posted by:
Architect
Strange not hearing any motor sound whatsoever…only the wind (and tire) noise.
AFSOCSARGE – I think a low-res, YouTube video is probably not the best way to judge a car’s handling. I’m not saying it won’t be an understeering hog, but let’s wait and see the final product.
12/23, 6:31 PM
posted by:
MHW
Several magazines that drove the Volt reported that the handling was actually very good for its class. A significant amount of the Volts weight is positioned low in the chassis thus making for a good handling car.
12/23, 6:37 PM
posted by:
SomeGreek
Wasn’t impressive at those corners. Hope it’s closer to production.
12/23, 6:46 PM
posted by:
oldraven
Did Borat write that? My four year old daughter has better grammar than you’ll find in that article. You’re not even trying.
12/23, 6:47 PM
posted by:
oldraven
Four errors in the first paragraph. FOUR!
12/23, 7:01 PM
posted by:
tcj103
Looked like a typical mid-sized sedan wallowing around an autocross course. I’ve heard they design for understeer, as that’s easier to recover from than bringing the back end around. With all those batteries, I wonder how heavy this car is compared to a conventional car in the same size range?
12/23, 7:19 PM
posted by:
RICERisNICER
Are we really complaining about the handling? It’s a volt. Do you see Prius drivers going crazy on the road? Yes?! Where?!
Let’s be honest, handling could be worse than a truck and the people who want it will still buy it. This car has no purpose, it’s 40k, you’re buying so you can say you’ve got a volt and for no other reason.
12/23, 7:25 PM
posted by:
Borat
dear oldraven, I had nothing to do with the article. Your daughter is not entirely my fault either: madam oldraven insisted on no protection; she wanted to feel the real thing.
12/23, 8:14 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I’m sorry, but the way I see it, there is not a lot of room for success with this car for gm. How can they guess it was going to come in at 30k, then bring it in at 40k? Did they realize the gov. was giving 7500 in credit and jack up the price so they can make more? I also didn’t know this was going to be shorter than the cobalt…..WTF!!!
12/23, 8:15 PM
posted by:
ochy38
Lets not forget this thing might have garbage super-low rolling resistance tires on it… so that may impact what may be a respectably handling car. You can never tell anything with youtube though.
12/23, 8:16 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
this thing better have some good interior quality with that price tag!
12/23, 8:22 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
The prius needs a royal ass whoopin!
12/23, 9:17 PM
posted by:
reedfast
guys, i have something i need to get off my chest,
today i saw, sniff sniff, a prius with RACING STRIPES, sniff sniff,
and i did nothing, i didn’t even try to talk to the driver. I didn’t throw eggs, or biodegradable stink bombs, i just drove past it on the highway. I am shocked that this could happen, who would put racing stripes on a Prius, for heaven’s sake! If one of you guys see a prius with racing stripes, please put the driver out of their misery,
THEN WRITE ABOUT IT RIGHT HERE ON LLN.
12/23, 9:17 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
That jerk went through a stop sign! What a ****er!
12/23, 9:47 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
@idrinorbarsaku,
I think the VOLT will be just vindication and I don’t think they are going to rush the car like they did the CAMARO. This car is too important to GM in the long run to be anything but A+.
That little running demo, was impressive. Though I doubt most people will ever push the car that hard. Still it just shows GM is giving something for the $40K besides sheer F/econ. If anyone was expecting a sports car, brother were they looking up the wrong tailpipe.
As for the price escalation, GM underestimated the cost early on or the Auto press reported information that was not secret but did not reflect what GM was working on and with. After all, most will agree that about $15K of that $40K price tag is the battery array. Still there seems to be a growing willingness by the affluent to buy very expensive little cars. After all, 20-somethings just out of college are not the one’s buying LANCER EVOs, and BMW 3’s easily $30-$60K cars and they are not very big. Then there is the push for “compact luxury”, and for city dwellers performance is not the biggest thing in world.
I, myself, have argued that if GM dropped the battery array they would have a car that got at least 60mpg, some have said as much as 80mpg, cost $25K, and “go like stink”. I have little doubt that some enterprising tuner will do just that and drop in a more powerful motor or a second one for the rear axle.
EVO-fighter that gets over 50mpg?
At any rate, what ever complains you or anyone has, we’ve heard it all before with the PRIUS, except the cost but then the PRUIS was supposed to be ignorable and now what car is the first word in Hybrids?
In a few short years, it’ll be VOLT.
12/23, 9:47 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
Aaaaand GM will be taking their 2nd hot laps this year around the bankrupcy office if they introduce this failure waiting to happen and waste of money to the market. I can already tell you its going to be a rare sight to see one of these in the streets. No one will buy this thing for $40K.
And another thing. 100 MPG is what GM claims. I’ll believe it when the reviewers say its true which probably won’t happen. Up to now, I’ve heard nothing but negative reviews from Motor Trend, Car & Driver, and Popular Mechanics. Not to mention the repetetive phrase they say at the end of their articles, “The Volt better be a success. GMs wellbeing depends on it.” Therefore, in the meantime, I will swallow their bullsh** claims.
12/23, 9:54 PM
posted by:
psiclone
RICERisNICER you make an excellent point.
12/23, 10:08 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
If those are supposed to be hot laps I’d say this thing needs a couple more minutes in the microwave.
12/23, 11:49 PM
posted by:
drewbyh
The Volt will be a big deal when it comes out. There will be social networks of people who get together online and in person to compare things like if you drive your Volt everyday when was the last time you had to by gas?, what kind of mileage have you been getting?, What’s the quietest road you’ve driven on in all electric mode?, etc, etc, etc. We all know that if something truly social can be made out of a unique product or service then it tends to do very well. If there are no huge miss steps by Chevy then this car will do just that.
12/24, 1:33 AM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Good handling is not important to the majority of drivers — otherwise, how would explain the success of FWD cars and monster SUV’s? If you want good handling and an EV, you buy a Tesla.
I’m hoping that Volt will be a success. I think that it will be. The days of the internal combustion engine are numbered. Most will embrace the new technology.
12/24, 4:33 AM
posted by:
orangecones
@howsmydriving
no doubt, but not at a $15k premium to comparable “old technology” model. Even in the worst case of you spending $100/week on gas, thats 150 weeks worth, or roughly 3 years. Mind you at todays prices $100 of gas buys you about 900 miles on an average “little better than 20mpg” car.
12/24, 4:01 PM
posted by:
Bosley
“It takes about eight hours to charge the Volt on a 120V outlet and three on a 240V.”
This is an electrician’s dream! Changing a 120V receptacle to a 240V, or adding a new one, is a reasonably easy job if you know what you’re doing and they’ll probably charge through the nose for it. I can feel my cell phone ringing already…..
Not to mention that the estimated sticker price of $40k is way too high. Unless it’s more like a Caddy in the interior and less like a Malibu or Cobalt. Even a fully loaded Prius tops out at just over $35K (Canadian), and that’s with every conceivable option selected and no deals.
12/25, 12:40 PM
posted by:
carstuff
Hope Chevy announces the price soon. Everyone keeps using the $40k number even tough price has never been announced.
And for those who keep saying $40k is too much. Yes it is for a volume compact but this will be a low volume segment for at least 4 years. GM will sell every one it plans on building.
Bosley, how do you change a 110 to a 220 using just a 110 receptacle? Different kind of wiring up there?
12/28, 2:13 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Have you guys even seen the interior of the VOLT? That’s the best part about this car, in my opinion. The VOLT interior has a better design than most cars in its price range, and makes the Prius interior look like the interior of a 1992 Hyundai Excel.
12/28, 2:17 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Carstuff, we are getting the pricing from this article:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-seeking-tax-break-for-volt-set-to-cost-near-40000.html
12/30, 6:37 AM
posted by:
nestle_s
Okay. Seriously, this is just my perspective, just sell the dang thing! Plop it into the market and see how it does. It maybe the best hybrid out in the market with a fun-to-drive characteristics. As for the interior, it reminds me of an iPod, which I think is a rather nice touch for a GM product. GM SELL IT NOW!