2011 Chevy Volt- Yay or Nay?

[silverblk mystix]

This just won the Motor Trend and Automobile Car of the Year.

Can be used electrically and/or with the gas engine to re-charge the battery.
Can also be plugged in to a regular electrical outlet.

The word is that this is a game changer for Chevrolet and GM...possibly saving and/or catapulting GM back from bankruptcy.

What say you....????

Here are some specs;

Overview
The most anticipated new car in years is not a hybrid. It's not a pure-electric car. The Chevy Volt is what GM calls an "extended-range electric." It uses a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a naturally aspirated version of the premium engine in the new Cruze, to recharge the car's 16-killowatt hour, T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack. Yes, those are the same kind of batteries that power your Mac or PC.
On average, in normal driving, the Volt will be able to go 40 miles on a single charge without using a drop of gasoline. Once you run the battery pack down below a certain level, the 1.4-liter engine kicks in, not to drive the wheels, but to supply power to the battery pack by powering a generator. You can refuel the engine at any station using unleaded regular or E85 ethanol.
The Volt is built on the same Delta global compact platform and 105.7-inch wheelbase as the new Cruze sedan, though the Volt is about four inches shorter overall and is a hatchback, with seating for four.
The Range
Bodystyle: Four-door hatchback
Motor/Engine: 1.4L I-4, 16 kWh Li-Ion battery pack
Transmission: Single reduction ratio
Models: N/A
What's New
Unveiled as a handsome concept in 2007, the production Chevrolet Volt is more rounded and aerodynamic, but is also more amorphous. Chevy says the car has no competitors, though it will be compared with hybrids and pure electrics. Expect very limited volume for a few years, at a $41,000 price (or $33,500 less $7,500 in tax rebates), to serve mostly as a showroom-builder for the new Cruze.
Exterior
Thanks to the familiar grille and taillamps, Volt is unmistakably a Chevrolet. At just 56.3-inches tall, it's also lower than many modern family sedans. With its smoothed edges, the design values aerodynamics over all.
Interior
The interior reflects the high-tech values of the car, with a Mac-inspired brushed chrome center stack and blue-green ambient lighting in the door panels. Expect base to premium trim packages, likely LS, LT and LTZ.
Performance & Handling
Chevy promises sporty handling and good straight-line performance. It rates the powertrain at 150 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque. Suspension is MacPherson struts front, compound twist axle rear. Brakes are four-wheel disc and fully regenerative. Chevy claims operation costs one-sixth the cost of a conventional 30-mpg car.
Safety
Chevrolet has not yet released the Volt's list of safety features. Expect similar equipment to the Cruze, with 10 airbags, including front, side curtain bags and knee bags, plus StabiliTrak, traction control and anti-lock brakes.
EPA Fuel Economy
NOT YET RATED
You'll Like
Fuel economy
Cutting edge technology
Lithium-ion batteries
Drivability
Torque
You Won't Like
Price
Availability
Exhaust note
Sum Up
Possibly 2011's most important car.

[Bender]

didn't we already do this recently?

[CubanMustGo]

Yay if you're buying it for me. Nay if you're not. There are a whole lot more appealing cars for $40K.

[Das Texan]

Wake me up when gas gets back to 4 bucks a gallon or when the price drops to the 25k range.

[EricB]

Wake me up when the Car is actually something that isn't something my tax dollars aren't wasted on and actually gets the MPG they claim it gets.

[DJ Mbenga]

when i read 33 grand i though they definetely need that 7k discount. too bad when i re read it the discount had been applied. 40 k? damn hell no.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

For that price, hell no.

[Drachen]

Wake me up when the Car is actually something that isn't something my tax dollars aren't wasted on and actually gets the MPG they claim it gets.

what MPG is that?

[silverblk mystix]

when i read 33 grand i though they definetely need that 7k discount. too bad when i re read it the discount had been applied. 40 k? damn hell no.

I believe it is 40k...minus the tax credit...to bring it back to 33k...

[Dr. Gonzo]

Wake me when it's featured in a rap video.

[MannyIsGod]

Wake me up when the Car is actually something that isn't something my tax dollars aren't wasted on and actually gets the MPG they claim it gets.

Considering the battery charge can take you well within the average commuters daily range and then some the MPG is infinite. What more do you want?

[MannyIsGod]

Infinity plus one!

[MannyIsGod]

That being said I don't have 40k for a car and if I did I'd probably buy something cheaper anyway.

[silverblk mystix]

Wake me up when the Car is actually something that isn't something my tax dollars aren't wasted on and actually gets the MPG they claim it gets.

That is what Motor Trend & Automobile are claiming....that unlike the recent hybrids that will get you 30-40 mpg while costing more than regular gas engine only cars, this car will actually be able to be run without buying any gas-depending on your driving habits.

Thinking bigger picture-they are also saying that this car is actually the start of vehicles that will be good enough to start a trend AWAY from gas engines, less dependence on oil,etc...

[Dr. Gonzo]

I think I can see where this is all headed.

[eyeh8u]

16 kWh Li-Ion battery pack, imagine how expensive thats gonna be when replacing a laptop battery is like 100 bucks

[CosmicCowboy]

16 kWh Li-Ion battery pack, imagine how expensive thats gonna be when replacing a laptop battery is like 100 bucks

$10,000 to replace the battery at 100,000 miles.

No thank you.

[monosylab1k]

$10,000 to replace the battery at 100,000 miles.

:wow holy shit! :lmao yeah fuck this car. get the price down and I'll consider it.

[Mark in Austin]

It would have to have damn good performance to get me to buy it over a Ford Fusion Hybrid. That Ford is an amazing car. (And this is coming from a Chevy guy)

[silverblk mystix]

$10,000 to replace the battery at 100,000 miles.

No thank you.

I haven't researched this but I am guessing that THIS is the perfect car to LEASE for say 36 months...or 48 months max.

This would mean a smaller monthly payment...practically no GAS bill...and at the end of the lease...turn it in without having the headache of replacing the battery pack.

Big picture again...I am imagining a few years down the line ...there will be other carmakers improving on this model...bringing the prices down...improving the user-friendliness and putting a little or a lot of pressure on OIL companies to change THEIR game-instead of having the world by the balls.

[Slomo]

I'm a little surprised since I always thought that this is a real hybrid. What they sold so far was a normal car that was somewhat assisted by an electric motor.

This concept is much better, but as many have pointed out too expensive and even with the savings an investment that will be difficult to recuperate.


Considering the battery charge can take you well within the average commuters daily range and then some the MPG is infinite. What more do you want?

Excatly.


$10,000 to replace the battery at 100,000 miles.

No thank you.

Well think about it if this is the cost after 100.000 Miles, it should be easily covered by the gas savings - if the starting price of the car wasn't already so high.

Also to consider is that the price of these batteries is rapidly going down so I guess a couple of years from now (when you reach the 100k Miles) you should be more in the 1000$-2000$ range.

[CosmicCowboy]

And this benefits the environment how?

Fossil fueled power stations are major emitters of greenhouse gases which according to the consensus of scientific organisations are a major contributor to the global warming observed over the last 100 years. Brown coal emits 3 times as much GHG as natural gas, black coal emits twice as much per unit of electric energy.

[Sportcamper]

The car will sell in Cali...With the government tax credit I give it a thumbs up...:tu

[silverblk mystix]

The car will sell in Cali...With the government tax credit I give it a thumbs up...:tu

Agree.

There are some test cities (Austin included) that will get the first batch...

I think it will do well also.

If the technology is as good as advertised-and proves to be the game changer that is being predicted....imagine throwing this technology into a Corvette or a Camaro in the near future? :wow

[CubanMustGo]

I haven't researched this but I am guessing that THIS is the perfect car to LEASE for say 36 months...or 48 months max.

This would mean a smaller monthly payment...practically no GAS bill...and at the end of the lease...turn it in without having the headache of replacing the battery pack.

Big picture again...I am imagining a few years down the line ...there will be other carmakers improving on this model...bringing the prices down...improving the user-friendliness and putting a little or a lot of pressure on OIL companies to change THEIR game-instead of having the world by the balls.

Your lease price will include the depreciation on the battery pack. More miles = higher lease payments, too, because a car with high mileage loses more of its value.

[CosmicCowboy]

:lmao @ a battery powered corvette.

[silverblk mystix]

Your lease price will include the depreciation on the battery pack. More miles = higher lease payments, too, because a car with high mileage loses more of its value.

True, but even then, a lower lease pymt-as opposed to a purchase pymt- to go with no gas bill, and no battery pak replacement...might just make a lot of sense.

The clincher for most people I would imagine will be if it is true what the magazines are saying;
that this is no boring hybrid ridin' car but rather a sporty non-boring car to drive...a smart,fun, daily driver.

[MannyIsGod]

:lmao @ a battery powered corvette.

Well, eventuallly. But yeah, right now its pretty LOL.

[silverblk mystix]

Well, eventuallly. But yeah, right now its pretty LOL.

damn...hate to agree with you...but...+1

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I'd rather buy a diesel that gets 40 mpg:

http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/reviews/car/09q2/2010-volkswagen-gtd-diesel-first-drive-review/2010-volkswagen-gtd-diesel/node_282183/2671009-1-eng-US/image_cd_gallery.jpg

[Fpoonsie]

How has no one posted a pic yet?

http://i.treehugger.com/files/chevy-volt-a01.jpg

http://i.treehugger.com/files/chevy-volt-a03.jpg

http://cdn.venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/chevy_volt1.jpg

http://www.gadgetreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2010-chevy-volt-interior-ipod.jpg

Pretty sleek, tbh.

[silverblk mystix]

How has no one posted a pic yet?

http://i.treehugger.com/files/chevy-volt-a01.jpg

http://i.treehugger.com/files/chevy-volt-a03.jpg

http://cdn.venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/chevy_volt1.jpg

http://www.gadgetreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2010-chevy-volt-interior-ipod.jpg

Pretty sleek, tbh.

yeah...thanx!

[Das Texan]

looks like a low roof.


awesome. would never be able to even consider buying one then i suppose.

[phyzik]

How has no one posted a pic yet?

http://i.treehugger.com/files/chevy-volt-a01.jpg

http://i.treehugger.com/files/chevy-volt-a03.jpg

http://cdn.venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/chevy_volt1.jpg

http://www.gadgetreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2010-chevy-volt-interior-ipod.jpg

Pretty sleek, tbh.

yeah, unfortunately it doesnt look anything like that. That was the prototype several years ago.

this is what it actually looks like....

http://www.techvenkat.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/2011-Chevy-Volt-3.jpg

Doesnt look bad, but definately not the sporty look they had on the prototype.

[Fpoonsie]

yeah, unfortunately it doesnt look anything like that. That was the prototype several years ago.

this is what it actually looks like....

Aw, lame. Well, then, consider me much less impressed...

[boutons_deux]

Until the bleeding edgers have been completely haemorrhaged, I'm sticking with a Jetta or Passat 4-cyl turbo-diesel. getting 40 mpg, with some owners of older Jettas claiming 50+ highway. (and no batteries to replace)

[CosmicCowboy]

If you want a sporty electric car just get the Ferrari...

http://cdn3.ioffer.com/img/item/127/935/805/4iWb.jpg

[ChumpDumper]

Chevy came out with an electric Altima?

Awesome.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Yeah, and on the road the Volt looks a lot like a Prius.

http://image.motortrend.com/f/30818008+w750/2011-chevrolet-volt-turn-in-motion.jpg

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Cool interior though...

http://image.motortrend.com/f/30817867+w750/2011-chevrolet-volt-cockpit-2.jpg

[Soul_Patch]

Yeah, and on the road the Volt looks a lot like a Prius.

http://image.motortrend.com/f/30818008+w750/2011-chevrolet-volt-turn-in-motion.jpg

looks like a cross between a prius and a nissan altima.

[CosmicCowboy]

looks like a cross between a prius and a nissan altima.

Sure doesn't look like $40,000.

[MannyIsGod]

Wow they fucked up with that look. Bleh.

[Cane]

The prototype kinda looked like a 4 door Camaro.

The production model looks like a big Civic with Chevy badges.

[CubanMustGo]

What is it with GM and having to put plastic molding on their cars? Get rid of that nasty looking tacked-on grey shit around the bottom of the car and the black crap around the windows.

OK, you may want the ground effects stuff on the bottom to lower wind resistance, but it shouldn't look like it was added at the last second.

[Duff McCartney]

I'd rather have a Prius which costs about 15K less than that. Not to mention I wouldn't take an American car unless it was a gift and I wasn't having to fork over a single penny for it.

[phyzik]

I'll personally wait about 5-10 years, or when Tesla can come out with an affordable version of their roadster. There's an engineer at Southwest Research (my workplace) that converted a toyota MR2 to electric.... I told him, when his electric car can beat my car in performance, and cost the same or less, I will consider it.

Tree huggers can hate me all they want, if I cant do 13 seconds or less in the 1/4mi they can kiss my cars ass, which is all they will see as I pull away laughing.

Currently, my car is a gas guzzling V8 and can do 12.6sec in the 1/4mi. and I wouldnt trade it for anything except a faster car. Its a 4-door BTW. M3's aint got shit on me, M5's give me a good run and barely beat me out.

For the record, I average about 14.6mph between home and work.... If I reset the trip and travel to Austin and back, I average about 27.2mpg.

Not bad for a V8 with a few mods.

[CuckingFunt]

The prototype looks like a cool car I wouldn't be able to fit in. The production model looks like a car I could probably fit in, but wouldn't want to.

[Taco]

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=427134035475&id=0521a78ad881e4512432eb5d847b64ff

[CosmicCowboy]

16 kWh Li-Ion battery pack, imagine how expensive thats gonna be when replacing a laptop battery is like 100 bucks

$10,000 and only warranted for 100,000 miles.

HELL fucking NO.

[Creepn]

The prototype looks like a cool car I wouldn't be able to fit in. The production model looks like a car I could probably fit in, but wouldn't want to.


http://www.thosefunnypictures.com/resize.php?file=pictures/6308/Funny_Pictures_6308.jpg

[Nathan Explosion]

I'd rather just get a gas powered Cruze is I'm going with a Chevy car. Now that's actually a nice looking care. Couple that with the Ford Fusion, and American mid-sized sedans might be on the road to recovery.