Gallery: Chevrolet Volt - Live Shots and Impressions

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Chris Paukert on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 10:42
Filed Under: Manufacturers, Chevrolet, Greenformance, Fuel Types, Spy Shots, Hybrid, Automakers
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We’ve just returned from the belly of the Renaissance Center in Detroit, where General Motors celebrated its centennial with the unveiling of its keystone future product, the Chevrolet Volt.

This is the first time that the Volt has been seen in production form, save the few photos that were inadvertently leaked to the internet in the last week or so. In the flesh, the Volt is much more rounded and friendly in its appearance than the concept Volt that first got GM’s plug-in hybrid ball rolling in 2007. Part of that shift towards a more conservative appearance is undoubtedly out of a desire to attract more customers, but the production-ready Volt is also a much more aerodynamic shape, a factor that’s particularly critical for a car that prioritizes fuel economy.

Despite being slipperier, there are still plenty of details to catch the eye—the unusual mirrors, for instance, or the faux grille (metal on this example, but undoubtedly plastic on actual line-production cars). There’s also the thorny issue of the indented band of black trim that surrounds the greenhouse and disguises the rather shallow side glass. We think it looks gimmicky and is likely to be very color-sensitive.

As previously stated, GM says that the Volt will be capable of running 40 miles on battery power alone, and be capable of 100 miles-per-hour. If it can negotiate various piles of red tape (namely, managing to procure government incentives), the five-door will be built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant and carry a 2011 model year designation.

All-in, the Volt manages to look forward-thinking and Chevrolet familial. The key, of course, will be how it looks against a landscape of new hybrids from other automakers when it finally comes to market in a couple of years.

Click here for a gallery of stock shots and GM's official press release

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Comments

Rod Panhard

I'm shocked. It's styling needs to be more electrifying. Instead, it looks like a Prius that got a Hoffmeister kink and was then put in the microwave oven, set on "distort" for a couple of seconds.

Good luck, GM. I think you'll need it. By the time the Volt hits the streets, the playing field with Toyota and Honda will change, again.

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 11:38
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TheStig

Amen

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 15:49
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Paul H

Not only does it scream Prius based on photos I saw on another site, it appears to be four passenger. Same size and shape as a Prius, much higher price and one less seat. Not in my garage. I'll stick with my Honda.

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 11:59
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Scratch

Yeah, it's not as flashy as the concept, it seats four instead of five... so what.

There's still nothing else on the road that can do 40 miles on electric only, save the Tesla, and that only seats two. All GM had to do was make it not ugly, which they did. Really, now... how often do you cram five people into your Prius, and how comfortable is it? Be honest.

I still want one. And just like when the Prius was introduced, people like me will buy it for what it is and what it does, not for what it looks like. That may change when the Prius II and CR-Z hit the market, but for now, I've still got my sights on the Volt.

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 12:44
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Mark

It looks good. Distinctive and more upscale compared to the competition. Price is my only concern regarding is success.

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 12:48
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Reilly Brennan

I agree. The production version looks pretty good, in my opinion. But at what price (tax break will be key here)?

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 13:03
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Anonymous

It looks bad.

I wanted a Volt, not some damn Honda . . .

And what's with that front overhang?

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 16:29
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Anonymous

This is the knight in shiny armour for GM; LOL LOL what a joke, a toyota prius on steroids!! HA!! HA!! I'm buying Japanese, AGAIN!! GM is still in the Dark ages. They should scrap the whole company and start all over again. Starting with building reliable cars!! You buy Japanese, you change the oil, brake pads and keep on truck'in. Good luck with this one GM.

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 13:08
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Anonymous

You said it buddy!!!! I agree 100%.

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 13:11
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Anonymous

LOL. LOL. Get over the LOL already.

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 20:57
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Uragan

Considering the risks taken by GM, it is understandable that the style is rather inoffensive. See, it had to look like the Prius, the only "successful" hybrid so far, so people like "Anonymous" who would buy anything Japan has to offer and whose favorite sport is to mock American cars, may consider taking a look at it. The style is not so great, but the interior looks promising and it's probable that all the quality issues have been solved by now. If only the price could be 10 grand less...

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 14:35
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Anonymous

Except for the grill that is likely to look really cheesy in final plastic production form (and even looks cheesy in this picture here), overall I don't think it is a bad looking vehicle.

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 15:05
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Mena

Looks good but I'll wait until I actually see one in person before make a final judgment. BTW, how many of you guys are actually buying one?

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 18:21
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J1

I agree, it looks good, and the description sounds good. I wouldn't mind driving one, but I won't be buying one.

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 21:02
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87ninefiveone

I don't know how anyone can pan that shape in comparison to the Prius or Honda's Insight. It's actually a rather handsome little car with the exception of the weird black window trim.

And, as previously noted no one is going to buy this car for its utility, so the complaints about it only carying four passengers seems a moot point.

Michigan Volkswagen Enthusiast (www.michiganvw.org/forum)

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 18:28
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Uragan

Will Hollywood stars buy it? Let's remember that, in my opinion, a huge part of the appeal of the Prius is that it is a fashion statement, a "look at me" accessory. If GM can convince fashionistas that having a Volt is "in" they will sell tons of them, no matter the quirky the window, side mirror or grill are. We may even see some of the "I (heart) Japanese cars" seeing it objectively.

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 22:55
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ben

How boring! Can Toyota sue GM for making a slightly bigger plug-in Prius? They should.

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 06:42
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Scratch

Hey Ben, have you seen the new Insight? I think Toyota might have a better case there. At least we know the Chinese aren't the only ones who know how to reverse engineer their competitors' stuff.

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 10:53
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Rick Allen

If I was younger and needed a commute car this would be it....
BUT at 65 and simi-retired and drive 5,000 miles a year there is no reason to have such an expensive item in my garage. My 2000 Olds Van will get 25 mpg in town and 30 mpg highway ( has digital mileage readout and fuel useage shows this). By he way GM Bashers - I have had GM and Ford Products all my life and found them to be very reliable over all. The Olds has 140K on it and only have replaced the front brakes once. Change oil and filters and drive. Same with ny 2000 Ford F150. My purchased new 1974 Suburban is still on the road with only minor maintenance and 1964 Corvair takes me to car shows through-out the summer. How many imports of this age are still on the road ?????

Wed, 10/01/2008 - 09:06
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Anonymous

Styling of Volt, Prius and the new Honda all dictated by the wind tunnel. They could make them look different but then it wouldn't be at the ideal shape for the aero requirements!

For the Honda see CRX, original Insight and FCX Clarity for shape references!

Tue, 10/07/2008 - 10:29
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Sat, 05/09/2009 - 18:46
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silver92b@gmail.com

I too was an Anti-Detroit person for amny years and closed my eyes and ears to any facts that would contradict my beliefs. Sure, I had good reasons for feeling that way because of my experiences with Detroit iron vs the Japanese cars I owned during the '70s and '80s. However, I've come full circle and found that the American brands do make excellent, reliable and economical cars. During the '90s and this decade, I've seem first hand that the hallowed Japanese brands like Honda and Toyota make their fair share of lemons and have plenty of reliability issues. Sure, some of the models of American cars are pretty ugly and badly designed. However, they are quite reliable and relatively cheap to own. The more upscale models are quite reliable and the fuel economy is not much different from the Japanese equivalents.

I think that GM can and does produce good products. The Volt appears to be one of them. The troubles of Detroit are not due to their inability to produce and sell good products. They made some poor choices by building and pushing the behemoth SUVs and trucks but guess what? The Japanese manufacturers followed suit. Just look at the humongous SUVs and trucks they now have languishing in their lots... The big problem with GM and the other American car makers is that they buried themselves under a mountain of debt.

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