Take a Lap in the 2011 Chevy Volt

[focuspark]

Finally, something innovative from GM!

Just so everyone understands this is is an electric drive train with a built in gasoline generator which is the primary way most owners will recharge the car's batteries.

[SHiKAMARUo7]

كس اختك يا امريكي

[heartlessvietboy]

Not many cars can fit tall adults in the back. Materials are NOT low grade on the Chevrolet Volt. I myself would lessen the cargo area by 1/3 and add in a larger generator so that it can take you longer range. Most of us don't even use the trunk. GM is a great company and has been building great cars for a long time. They are now focusing on cars for customers and fans. You buy what you like, if you don't want to buy a GM that's up to you.

[heartlessvietboy]

How does an electric motor respond to driving conditions where the vehicle is put through extreme forces such as racing sharp turns and often going up hills for a long time? What is the electric motor warranty on the Volt?

[nomainreason]

cool or not, it's expensive. Tone down by 10k and you're golden..-ish

[EnigmaNZ1]

The 40 mile range will mean I would never have to use petrol going to and from work each day. Even my days off would be catered for. I can see the tank lasting for several months in fact. Plugging in before going to bed to take advantage of cheaper night power is no big deal. Weird really, imagine the sales pitch for a second hand Volt down the track. Car is 15 years old and in good condition. Only driven round town by elderly driver. Petrol engine has never been run since new!

[heartlessvietboy]

I guess things are not far where you live. Or that you don't go out much or there isn't much to do where you live.

[hoffa1968]

all i want to know is can i use this car to drive 100 km a day at normal highway speeds to and from work or does speeding up suck the juice that much faster, i wish i could see some real numbers instead of all the smoke and mirrors, its costing me around 400 a month in fuel , id rather just put a solar panel on my roof and laugh as i drive to work free, can i do it with this car?? somebody at chevrolet please what are the numbers? b the way i drive a 2007 new body style 1500 sierra and i love it

[VeeKain]

300miles+

With fully charged batteries, enough electrical energy will be stored to power the Volt up to 40 miles (64 km), a distance longer than the daily commute for 75% of Americans, whose average commute is 33 miles (53 km). After 40 miles (64 km), a small 4-cylinder internal combustion engine using premium-grade gasoline creates electricity on-board using a 55 kW (74 hp) generator to extend the Volt's range to more than 300 miles (483 km).

[hoffa1968]

@VeeKain hey thanks , any idea how big a gas tank its supposed to have

[Porkywuzhere]

@hoffa1968

9 Gallon Gas Generator.

[CAESARbonds]

@hoffa1968

The range is ~65 km, so you can drive to work on EV mode, and recharge it at work and drive back on EV mode. If you can't recharge it at work you will have to use gas for ~35 kilometers. The consumption would be less than with a normal car because it operates as hybrid, with regenerative braking.

Every car uses more gas/energy when speeding.

I drive a Prius and I love speeding with it. Intelligent speeding. Keeping the pace and using regen going downhills. So I speed & save gas :)

[Porkywuzhere]

@hoffa1968

Getting a new 2011 Sierra 1500 gets you up to 21 miles to the gallon now.

But as for the Volt, yes you can go 100+KM a day at normal highway speeds easily, for multiple days on that gas generator. Since the battery takes you up to 65km, approx, you will only be using up 35km worth of premium grade gas, which should equate to - using the Volt - only about 2 gallons, not even. That will save you probably 200 easily a month, maybe more.

I highly recommend it as a commuter.

[gesnarfel]

I hope the Volt and other electrics make it in the market. I was very disappointed to see the latest production model. The wheels are no longer "on the corners" like the original. The greatly shortened wheel base and narrower stance are negatives to me. The car has lost it good looks and so much chassis overhang is really nuts. Who re-engineers something to be a lesser product? Look at the pitch and roll on the corners. Yikes!

Who makes these dumb decisions at GM? Find them and fire them.

[Porkywuzhere]

@gesnarfel

All of the structure changes were actually made to increase fuel economy and extend the battery life of the Volt. What it does is make it lighter, faster and far moire efficient than it's original concept design - after all, the original was indeed just a concept.

The pitch and roll in the video are actually normal by car standards. It stays stable in every turn, and runs through the course with relative ease for the most part.

[lilgman191]

I love American cars, I just don't understand why some American bash an American firm for doing business. This car is cool.

[Deanzsyclone]

So odd to see it and not hear a motor. Something to get used to.

[freeeurop]

my God i want to buy an electric car. I wanna stop making those arabs rich with all their oil

[Porkywuzhere]

@freeeurop

lol. We don't make 'em rich silly.

[lukasj224]

wheres the "burning rubber" cause when i hear that i think burnout. other than that it's a cool car, i probably wouldn't buy this though. just a personal opinion

[scottw86]

I'm still trying to figure out how much you are paying for the battery technology. If you take a $15k entry-level sedan and add $25k worth of battery technology.... it doesn't make sense as a car. The only way that you could justify buying a Volt instead of a $15k sedan would be with environmental concerns.

Having said that, the car looks like it is in really good shape, and it is definitely a step in the right direction. I just hope they can solve this "paying more to save money" irony.

[SmashBrosBrawl]

yes,

40k for a car?

PLus the retailers are probably going to bump it up to 50k.

[Deanzsyclone]

@SmashBrosBrawl I'd imagine that the dealers will be locked into a price by GM. For good PR. You will probably see them on ebay for allot of money though, new owners reselling for a profit. Like they did with the Prius. But who knows.

[Emil1787]

new technology my friend always like that. Ipod or PS3 is no different i bought my PS3 for 600$ when it came out now you can buy it for 300 or maybe if you luckyfor 250. cars are no different.

[Porkywuzhere]

@SmashBrosBrawl

40,000? Who told you that?

The Volt should be coming out between 28,000 - 37,000, pending negotiation. Retailers are never supposed to bump prices either, and most don't, contrary to popular belief.

[SmashBrosBrawl]

@Porkywuzhere

i guess chevy realized that it would never sell at 40k,

but ya thats what they were aiming for a few years back.

This Car Needs to hurry up and come out!!

[74stang2togo]

Big deal? You can squeal tires around an autocross-style course like that on a bicycle. This proves nothing. Proving something would've been pitting against something remotely sporting, and I do mean remotely, like a Ford Fusion or Chevy Malibu, and turning in times. The likely reason something like that wasn't done is because the Volt likely couldn't compare to something with a traditional powertrain in performance.

[JulianoChannel]

PEREFECT

[jpmorgan187]

well hopefully it still has some momentum

[DocWolph]

It's certainly quicker and more nimble than I though it would be... and GM is mulling over making and SS version already.

[ZE0SPantera]

It should actually burn rubber if they are going to say it does.. And the car has a gas engine generator so some gas will be burned eventually.

Make an 80,000 version that can RWD burnout properly.

[DocWolph]

@ZE0SPantera

One should hope that would be the CADILLAC CONVERJ, although that one is said to be about $50K not $80K.

[madchef]

Looks fun.

You should bring it to a local autocross, that would be a great way to promote it. Maybe a local vette one, or a scca one?

[tomdorosz]

Looks pretty good.

[spmlincolnnavigator]

i hope it kicks toyotas ass :)

[jpmorgan187]

@spmlincolnnavigator

nah, the volt will fail miserably

[DocWolph]

@jpmorgan187

And what makes you say that?

[Illankid]

its missing the sound that george jetson's ship makes

[GuardianAero]

Looks promising. Hopfully once it comes out some after market tuners will give it a stiffer suspension. But looks far better doing that than a Prius or Insight.

[rueben44]

Sweet!!!