GM set to unveil Volt, new Delta platform world car at Paris Motor Show
05/19/2008, 8:59 AM
By paulee
The long-awaited Chevy Volt electric hybrid may be making its world debut at the Paris motor show in early October, reports say. Alongside the revolutionary vehicle, GM will also show off a replacement for the small sedan known as the Chevrolet Lacetti in Europe, Optra in Canada and Suzuki Forenza in the U.S. The yet unnamed car will also apparently replace the Chevrolet Cobalt in North America.
The Volt is said to launch in Paris in U.S.-spec, with left-hand drive and a powertrain that is close to the concept car’s. According to Channel 4, an Opel- or Vauxhall-badged version of the Volt would substitute the auxiliary gasoline engine with a diesel and be sold in Europe. The Volt is due to launch in 2010, although GM is struggling to meet the date.
In contrast to the low-volume, cutting-edge technology Volt, GM is set to launch a new Delta-platform car that will be sold in global markets. The current Delta platform underpins the Chevy Cobalt and HHR, Saturn Ion, Pontiac G5, Saturn/Vauxhall/Opel Astra, among others so the new will have vast effects, although it will be produced as a four-door sedan only. The next-generation Saab 9-3 will also be built on the new Delta architecture. The new world car will be close in size to the VW Jetta, with five-door hatchback models coming late in 2009, with more variations after that.
In related news, the Chevy Camaro is expected to be offered in right-hand drive versions as well, with the official announcement possibly coming in Paris as well, alongside the left-hand drive car shown there.
05/19, 9:32 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
I hope this thing is as revolutionary as everyone is hoping it to be. Any replacement for the Cobalt is a good one…
05/19, 10:15 AM
posted by:
xyunya
True, over 40K Cobalt is somewhat revolutionary.
05/19, 11:29 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
Great… nice job at taking away any personality and uniqueness that the Cobalt did have. GM has already ditched the supercharged LSJ in favor of a turbo mill shared with several other vehicles… why not the body panels too eh? It’s just going to be another badge-engineered everyman car.
05/19, 11:34 AM
posted by:
xyunya
DO you live in Saudi Arabia to have “everyman car” starting at 40K? Then why Volt or Cobalt?
05/19, 12:40 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
So is GM planning a diesel Camaro for the european market? That would be pretty sweet.
05/19, 12:48 PM
posted by:
DialM4Speed
Why unveil it now when it WON’T be ready for several years from now??? Makes no sense!
05/19, 12:58 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I’d be a little PO’d if I found out my 9-3 was pretty much a Cobalt underneath. Can you say too much of a good thing?
05/19, 1:09 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
So you aren’t mad that your 9-2X was just a WRX, or that your 9-7X is just a Trailblazer?
GM badge engineers everything… why should Saab be any different?
05/19, 1:18 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Correct me if I’m wrong, RaineMan, but a 9-7X doesn’t cost 2 or 3 times as much as a comparable Trailblazer.
05/19, 8:59 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Sounds like GM is ready to pull a boner, as the Prius will bow in January in Detroit, ripping away any buzz the Volt may generate this fall.
If GM was “schmart”, they release in New York, next April, and steal the Prius’ thunder!
But this is a GM production, so…..
DrFill