The hype around the Chevrolet Volt is growing faster and faster now that the car is closer to its production debut. And while official pricing is still far from being released, former GM car czar "Maximum" Bob Lutz revealed that the Volt's price tag will sit "around $40,000." This detail was leaked during Lutz's appearance on the David Letterman show recently.

General Motors was originally hoping for the Volt to come in below the $30,000 mark, but Lutz says that consumers can expect to pay around $32,500 when the car actually hits showrooms, thanks to a $7500 federal rebate for the purchase of advanced, plug-in vehicles. No official details have been released as to when the Volt will hit showrooms, Lutz says that we can expect to see a few examples dropping near the end of 2010, with full production to ramp up in 2011.

Would you pay $32,500 (or more) for a Chevy Volt? Let us know what you think, in comments.

+ Motor Authority: Lutz gives $32,500 ballpark price for Volt