2011 Chevrolet Volt - Driver Information Center demo

A descriptive tour of the Chevy Volt's instrument displays and driving modes. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt in a wonder to behold. It's a tight, quick, comfortable car. And by the way, it's propelled by an electric motor powered by lithium ion batteries. When the battery charge is depleted, a gasoline powered generator seamlessly generates electricity for the drive motor.

As one of 16 lucky people, I in October 2010, was invited to drive a pre-productiion Volt for 3 months prior to product launch. I also drove GM's previous electric car, the EV1, from 1996-2003.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Volt
• Chevy
• Chevrolet
• electric car
• EV1
• General Motors
• Kris Trexler

[Volterrific]

GM told us and the media that the Volt is the first of many cars that will use this technology in the future. It won't be soon though, maybe in a few years when they get more experience with the technology. GM needed to start with one car, and the Volt is that car. Someday...

[Volterrific]

Yes, in L gear, the Volt applies more regen on deceleration as confirmed by GM engineers. The EV1 had a button on the shifter that did basically the same thing. You can feel a strong pull, slowing the car down when you release the accelerator.

The Volt I am driving is on loan from GM. I am one of 16 people in the USA who were invited to be on the Volt Customer Advisory Board. We're driving pre-production Volts for 3 months and giving feedback to GM.

[Volterrific]

The EV1 was an awesome car, but sadly most have been recycled. Fortunately, my EV1 in this video was one of the few saved. It's on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in LA. Rather than weep for the deceased EV1, I'm proud of GM. Everything they learned in the EV1 program is in the Volt, refined to the highest standards. GM is hell bent to prove they can lead the pack again, and the Volt is their crowning achievement. As Steve Jobs said about the iPad, "it's magical." So is the Volt.

[GuruMN]

Thanks for the EV1 footage, love that car and wish I could buy one except with a lithium pack installed to make for a lighter car versus the original.

[qualia006]

There are a lot of cars that could be called "better" than the Volt. It depends on whether you want to burn petroleum products or not. I don't unless I need to drive beyond the range of the Volt's battery charge. So I'm not interested in the Mercedes. I haven't purchased fuel for my Volt for months. My workplace installed a charger where I get free daily electricity. No one gives me free petroleum products.

[Kassowar65]

Have you ever tested the new 2011 E Class from Mercedes Benz ? The E 250 CGI hybrid is the better choice by far .

[gregorypierce]

Thank you. This was an excellent view of the Volt and the platform which supports it. Very very informative as my next car is either a Volt or a Model S... likely a Model S though. I want something that is far simpler than the ICE and while the Volt has a gas engine generator - one thing that isn't being made clear is how much different that architecture is from being the worst of both worlds of ICE and Electric.