Grab our RSS Feed
Follow us on:
AND 
AND
BREAKING: Production VOLT Spied!! The REAL DEAL!!
The Chevy Volt production design car is scheduled to appear in the upcoming film Transformers2.
It turns out the vehicle has been caught by video camera on the movie set.
Unbelievable, this is the real deal folks!
This is the first time in history the public has a view of the car.
And here is the VIDEO:
Thanks to Chris N again for the tip!
Source (Transformers Movie Blog)
Posted by: Lyle
August 28th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Wow! Great looking car! I like the black roof treatment… sheet metal or glass I wonder?
It appears that the mirrors are continuing the “white” theme of the interior.
August 28th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Looks very unique.
August 28th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Ugly as all heck.
August 28th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Wow! Of course I’d like a closer look, but as the first impression of the overall vehicle, Wow! Great body lines. Look out Prius!
August 28th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I like it.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Closer side look.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/volt-in-transformers-2/1005132/
August 28th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Thats Hot!
Pay no attention to the blind man that has no taste. (#3)
Sweet Mamma!
Heads are gonna roll for this one leaking. (or is it a plan)
August 28th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Awesome!!
Amul #3, maybe we could gold plate it for you?
August 28th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Is this the Prius?
Looks smallish.
Is it an old Hardtop?
Great car I was just joking!
I am among the first 100!!!
August 28th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Wow. Very nice. Like they said. It isn’t like anything else on the road… except maybe a scion tC with four doors. Anyways, great looking car that will be memorable and help ensure that the electricity surrounding the production version will continue as people see it on the street. Sorry about the pun.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
unbelievable!! it looks FANTASTIC. does GM know about this!?
August 28th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I “production” car is one you can buy. Until one is for sale, they are all engineering prototypes. I absolutely guarantee that:
1) This is not a production Volt; and
2) The car will change between now and the creation of a production Volt.
A company like GM has maybe 5 prototype phases. True, the later ones start to closely resemble what will become a production model. But they’re not production.
I would guess this one is maybe 2 or 3 more prototype phases away from production.
Phrased another way, as between the automotive media and the automobile, at least one of them is evolving.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
yeah I was wondering about how this got out. You could tell that it was under wraps, I don’t understand how such a clear shot was obtained unless GM approved it. You don’t even see this on cars with more following than the volt.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Sharp! I can definately see that Volt in my garage! Come on GM, get crank’in those things out!
August 28th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Matt, You have to admit though that after all of the comments about the design being finalized and seeing how well this version lines up with the pics released by GM, this is very close to a production shot. I imagine the mirrors and silver behind them may change, but who knows
August 28th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Is the black roof solar panels?….looks like it to me.
I even like the color… I’ll take it…..
August 28th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
If the pics vanish from this you will know it’s trouble real fast. They had the new ZO6 pics removed from the corvette forum super fast when they leaked. Stay posted and copy them now.;)
If they stay they staged it.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Whoa!!
I like it. GM – well done.
I believe I will want mine in the concept version’s steely silver color however.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Deposit time!!!!!!!
Can’t deny it now, especially with the teaser shots. And remember, in Transformers Bumblebee looked remarkably close (97%) to the production version. Well, if James Bond (Brosnan & Craig) can debut new BMWs and Aston Martins then Transformers 2 is a 2 hour GM commercial. But the first movie built up so much hype for the Camaro. I guess the second one will build hype for the Volt.
Deposits down…
August 28th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
What exactly is going on? People are applauding…that? Just exactly what part of that looks like anything special?
If that was a ’spy shot’ of the 2010 Prius I guarantee you everyone would be saying it was trash. Sometimes we really need to look at some things objectively…even if it’s not what we really, really want to believe.
We better pray that is not it. That is worse than the Chevy Cruze. That car looks like it would retail for about $15K…max. That is not a $40,000 car. That is not anything like the concept, there isn’t any shape to it…it’s a jelly bean.
Imagine that same car, but with the badge of a car company you don’t like…then critique it again, you might get a more honest reaction.
Some people need to go check the photos of what we were shown to be ‘near identical’ to production when they rolled out the concept and compare.
http://www.gm-volt.com/galleries/album/72157603653293621/photo/2172214421/Chevy-Volt-2007-Chevrolet-Volt-Concept.html
August 28th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Nice, I like it better than the original design.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I think it looks fantastic!!!
I was wondering when pictures were going to surface of the Volt on the Transformers movie set!! I’ve been visiting this site often to read about the Volt!
This is a fantastic site also!!!!!
August 28th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Looks very different from the original. I don’t really care, but that’s not recognizable as the Volt we know. It also doesn’t look like a $40,000 car. It looks like a Prius with a sunroof. Will be interesting to see if that’s a thin film solar panel.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
#20
Actually Statik it does look a lot like the photos in your link. The paint job is different, the exterior mirrors are back a bit, the hood is a little shorter but that’s about it. I’d buy it in a heart beat.
Hey gas is only $3.99 in Petaluma CA. WHAT A DEAL!!!!
August 28th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
The side shot make it look s l i p p e r y to the wind.
Yes! Good-bye Oil or how was GMs commercial to start (which they chickened out of)?
Ah yes, Dear Oil, …
OK, let’s get down to business, where to sign-up for test ride/evaluations?
August 28th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I would still like the one posted at the top of this web page.
Reality is these new photos show a car that looks good and does have to slice through the wind.
I’ll pay $40K to get the darn commie arab’s off our case.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
[...] Someone is getting fired! Leaked shots of the production Volt… Video Here GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site Blog Archive BREAKING: Production VOLT Spied!! The REAL DEAL!… [...]
August 28th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
i’m a fan…definintly cannot wait for it to come out…i’m said i’m 30-something thousand on the list =(
August 28th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Wow!
May we be blessed with victory in our war with oil.
http://www.oiljihad.org
August 28th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Angles and resolution are the best but beggers can’t be choosers. The shot that has a good angle is mostly blocked the bushes but what can be seen looks pretty good. I wouldn’t call this a game changing unique look but it ain’t a Prius either. Sorry Statik, a statement that this would make an unacceptable Prius design deminishes your credibility in judging other’s objectivity.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
absolutely awesome looking for an electric vehicle!!! this is the car that will lead the way for all future electric vehicles
and I could not be happier that it is coming from domestic general motors chevrolet!!! none better 
GO VOLT TEAM, GO!!!! 
August 28th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
#24 Whistleteeth
“#20
Actually Statik it does look a lot like the photos in your link. The paint job is different, the exterior mirrors are back a bit, the hood is a little shorter but that’s about it. I’d buy it in a heart beat.”
——
It does does it?
I will give you that they both have 4 wheels…but thats about it. The ‘production car’ shown here has big time cab forward, the front glass probably has twice the surface area as the concept. As we already know it has a completely different front end configuration…different air vents/headlights/scoupe. There is no longer any side wheel wheels or shape moulding. There is no integrated glass on those doors, as you can see in the video. There is no moonroof (as we knew). The hood is a good 2 feet shorter. It has reverse angle rear windos now like the old Prius.
Other than the icon on the side and the the somewhat unique side mirrors, there is nothing left.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
20 Statik: “Imagine that same car, but with the badge of a car company you don’t like…then critique it again, you might get a more honest reaction.”
I can understand some of that happening around here, but there are also die-hard fans of other car brands that will blindly buy anything made by their favorite car company. Honda and Acura comes to mind with their recent turds that they pinched off.
I think I threw up in my mouth a bit. Ew. Gross.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I don’t care if it was as ugly as a Prius. As long as it doesn’t burn gas…I’m all for it!
Rashiid @ 3, perhaps it’s the purple paint?
August 28th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Hhhmmm… I can’t cay I’m sold with the look from overhead shots but the profile pic looks sharp.
The movie clip where the guy opens the door makes the door look kinda small (whole car looks smallish really). I hope I won’t have transform my body too much to get in and out of it.
I think the final mirrors will be a little more integrated inot the body for more aero than the car in the movie.
But THAT is hands down the color I want my Volt to come it. That blue almost matches my 2005 Yamaha FZ1
Overall I think I give it a 7 out of 10. It it moves like a bat outta hell I’ll bump it up to an 8. If it is spaceioue on the inside I’ll give it a 9. And if I can afford it I’ll give it a 9.256 LOL…..
August 28th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I think that it looks nice and sleek, especially the profile shot. I expect that when clear pictures are released it will look even better, since we’ll be able to see the details like the crease in the side of the body that was visible on the GM teaser pics.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Well, I for one was excited about the Volt and was going to purchase one or 2 for the wife and I. However after seeing these photos, I’m out. It is really ugly and I guess we were wishing for a good looking car. I would sacrifice at least 5 mile range for looks. Please remove me from the waiting list. Front end is nothing close to the concept (which I loved) and the rear looks like crap. Thanks for the ride.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
It looks good, but I honestly don’t know why there’s so much fuss about how it looks. If it will help keep terrorists from being able to blow us up, I don’t really care what it looks like. If it can keep us from sending $700 Billion a year to countries that are hostile towards the U.S., it doesn’t have to be cute.
But hey, I like the color of the Volt in the spy photo…
August 28th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
#29 koz
” I wouldn’t call this a game changing unique look but it ain’t a Prius either. Sorry Statik, a statement that this would make an unacceptable Prius design deminishes your credibility in judging other’s objectivity.”
Hehe…I expect to get ‘alot of flames’ on this thread. This is the first of the threads that have to be defended at all costs by those who have their whole heart solely into this EV project.
I can take it. I don’t think it does diminish my credibility at all. This is the hardest time to stand up and be counted. But time will tell. The next gen Prius has yet to be ‘leaked’ other than a few shots of the 09 refresh. We will see what the reaction here is to that…I personally don’t think it has to go far to compete with this, and I doubt this particular forum will be receptive to just about any incarnation we might see.
Also, this forum has a specific bias, which I would expect being fan site specific. We will see over the next few days what the mainstream press have to say about it compared to the concept.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
#33 Dave B
“I don’t care if it was as ugly as a Prius. As long as it doesn’t burn gas…I’m all for it!”
This is a good point.
I should clarify my stance on this. I detest what they have done to the car I love, but as long as it is the first one out the door, I’m still going to buy one…even at 40K.
If this was the car they showed in 2007, I still would have said, “that car is not bad looking, but it’s a EV and has 4 seats, sign me up”
….I don’t want to sound like I’m am just ‘poo-pooing’ and telling people to run for the hills in horror, lol
August 28th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
The news sure is coming fast and furious these days. What’s going on?
August 28th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
#33 Dave B
“I don’t care if it was as ugly as a Prius. As long as it doesn’t burn gas…I’m all for it!”
I totally agree with you there. ( I have a son that has done 1 tour in Iraq and is now currently in Afghanistan)
HOWEVER, to be successful it’s going to have to get the attention of everyone (The Heartbeat of America). Being ugly up front and stubby in the back isn’t going to impress many. This isn’t europe for christs sake.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I personally like it, but I don’t care what it looks like, I’d be buying it for what it can DO.
Why is the roof a different color then the rest? Is it the much-speculated solar-panel, a removable sunroof, or just a different color for no reason at all? Can anyone tell? We had an old X1-9 that had a similar look, the whole roof popped off and stored under the hood (the engine was in the rear).
August 28th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
@Statik #38
“Also, this forum has a specific bias”
Listen, the fans of this site aren’t just thinking about a car. If they are anything like me then they are looking toward the future while keeping an eye on the past. I have been seeing nothing but darkness and evil for along time. I keep running the equation, billions of US dollars going over seas to counties who’s population hate us, through my head and guess what…..it doesn’t make sense. Then I focus on our government and how little they do to fix this problem. The hum hawing around that is done day in and out over the situation. When a simple answer can be seen…..stop using oil, replace it with the multitude of alternatives that we have at our disposal. The idea that our entire economic structure is in the hands of our enemies…..scared the holy ghost straight out of me. So, if you want to call me bias then go ahead but fact is an American company is trying to turn it’s direction around. It is trying to do something big and make a change for the better. I don’t know if they see this as a service that could, in time, be for the better good of our country or not. They have to know that it’s possible and I’m behind them 100%. I guess you could say I am with the rest of the bias opinions around here when I say….I don’t give a sheeeottt what it looks like….if it can get us off of foreign gasoline dependency. Now, instead of all that darkness, I see a slight glow out there in that harsh world……and I don’t care what shape it transforms into.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Two Great News for the day.
Prod Volt Photos and almost hitting 40000.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
ZENN motors makes an EV with competitive looks. Sorry for being so negative but I had this huge bubble blowing up the past 6 months only to have it completely deflated tonight.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I’m on the fence with this one. I’m not either overly excited or turned off with the styling shown in this video and pictures. But, styling has never been #1 priority with me even though it is high on my priority list. EV range & total range are far more important.
Perhaps the Volt styling is as #12 Matt P said – “I would guess this one is maybe 2 or 3 more prototype phases away from production.”
I’m going to wait for the official GM unveiling to make any further judgments.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Ok, maybe I’m seeing things. The profile shot, when looking at the driver position of the car, it appears to have a sunroof, but also look back along the inside of the roof (ceiling) of the car. Doesn’t it look as if a chunk of the roof is a darker glass or some transparent covering. The palm tree fronds don’t line up, but they don’t line up in the sunroof to match the palm tree because of the angle we are seeing in the sunroof and back transparent panel…. does this make sense…anyone else see it? The side profile when looking at the ceiling indicates that most of the roof has transparent panels. ???
Not a clear polycarbonate roof but something similar?
August 28th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
#43 everything.imp
I respect your opinion on the subject, everyone’s got one after all, hehe. Everyone is going to have very specific reaction to this car and for alot of different reasons.
And to tell you the truth, we are both still going to more than likely buy this car regardless…maybe for different reasons, but same end result.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Good job Mr. Boniface, it looks better than I was expecting.
Then again, it could look like the Aztek and I’d still buy it (if I could afford it).
August 28th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
It’s hard to tell what a car looks like from the street when seeing it from the top. I’ve seen a prototype volt from a shot from above and this still has some of that look. I own a prius and I have no preference for any company based on emotion, unlike many other people (who get attached to a company) and this is much better looking than the prius. I also don’t think the prius is ugly, but just that if this is the production volt, it is better looking and more trendy and it will sell.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I love it!!! I was a little worried what it would look like and am now pleasently surprised. Great job GM.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Statik:
If you don’t like it I guess you have no reason to keep posting on this site. It is funny how people keep saying how they are not going to buy the car for what ever reason …but for some reason keep coming back to this site and sounding interested.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Sweet! An electric car that actually looks cool. Some very positive news lately…looking forward to owning one.
BTW, any of you who also ride motorcycles – “Zero” motorcycles plans to have a street legal dual-sport motorcycle out soon, which would make a nice “sister vehicle” to the Volt. It’s motocross bike is apparently doing well already. Check it out at: http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/
Imagine having the Volt and the Zero Dualsport in the garage…One could avoid gas stations for months!
August 28th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I think the angles are tough to really judge the styling from…clearly this is the car that will appear in the movie though!
August 28th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I LOVE it!!!!!!!!! I like it much more than the concept. I fell in love with the concept and this really doesnt remind me of it, but I have already fallen in love with this one! I really like the color too.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I’m glad that Kevin, Amul, and Statik hate it. More Volts for me!
Seriously though, how the hell can anyone be so critical from these shots? You can’t even see the whole car from a normal viewing angle.
I’m wondering if the whole roof is still translucent. In the side view it looks like it might be. I like the translucent concept, and tinting/mirroring the roof should help reduce or eliminate the greenhouse affect that would otherwise be a concern.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Maybe in the movie (first Transformers movie was very entertaining, IMO) the Volt can transform into a robot that blows a Prius Transformer into smithereens…LOL.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
#41, Thank you son for his comittment to his country, it is very much appreciated.
Now for the car. I think it looks good. The concept was too angular to be a mileage champ. The Prius looks like a Prius because it places aerodynamics above all else to achieve the car’s designed goal, maximum fuel economy. If the Volt looks similar that is a good thing for two reasons: 1, Similar aerodynamics means a similar low drag body, 2, A unique body that screams “I’m Green” may help it sell.
The Prius outsells the Honda Civic hybrid 4 to 1 because the Honda Civic Hybrid looks like a,,,,, Honda Civic standard. There is nothing unique about it to get people to spend 3000.00 extra on it. The Prius is a status symbol for a greenie the way a BMW is a status symbol for a yuppie. I just hope the Volt catches on with the green crowd and they overlook that it is made by an American manufacturer. I’m not slamming GM by saying that but I’ll tell you right now, there are millions of people on the left that refuse to buy American even if they like the car because they would face riducule and criticism from their peers. I have seen it over and over. I was a piriah at my company in Suburban Chicago for driving a Saturn. Lets hope the hollywood crowd that slammed GM for crushing the EV-1 (big mistake on GM’s part) will warm up and buy the Volt in large numbers.
I did notice the Volt pictured here has big, Big BIG!! wheels which makes it look very appealing.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
It’s as ugly as all get out, but I’d still support it because of the technology and the fact that is is not a foregin owned company. Depending on the price, I’d still buy it.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Oh boy, where is that partially chew’d lithium battery….
Where are the door handles?
Watch the video as they take the cover off of the car. As soon as the cover is removed, don’t watch the cover being removed, watch the drivers side door. You’ll see a sliver of dark appear then a guy walks up and grabs the edge of the car door to open it…. anyone see that?
(chew, chew chew) Looks like the car door popped open remotely. (chew chew…) anyone else see it…??
August 28th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
#37
I couldnt agree more. Most of us on the wait list arent buying it because its a “sharp car” but rather because it doesnt require arab gold to run (at least for 40 miles). I am more interested in finding out more on the technical aspects of the vehicle. Granted, if I fork down 40k I would appreciate at least some agressive styling interior and exterior, and the features that come in a premium car (leather, nav, hid (or led) lights, etc.)
With that said, 7.5 out of 10 on looks for me. Its not horrid like the dook on wheels prius, but its not a BMW M6 either…
August 28th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I like those tailights. (Red LED)
Low Profile windows (like Chrysler 300) and tires (possible stiff ride)
Looks like color changing glass roof (I would have preferred a lightweight aluminum)
Aerodynamic side mirrors. (Preferred No Mirrors just hidden cameras all around with inside display)
Looks like it might be narrower in rear than front (like EV1).
Small (slightly bigger than Honda Civic but much bigger than EV1)
Overall Impression: Not Bad for a 4-door SEDAN (its not supposed to be sports car folks)
August 28th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
#28 “May Arabia and Persia be liberated from the tyranny of oil and gas, and return to life as it was before their discovery. ”
Yes. Let those bast**ds implode upon themselves in a new era of “no demand” for their oil. They didn’t build anything. They didn’t create anything. They didn’t find a solution to anything. They didn’t cure a disease or fix a problem. They have done nothing, and contributed nothing, to the world, except tyranny, war, destruction, violence, terrorism, and oppression.
Their royal families just rape the earth of its natural resources, and profit immensely from it. While at the same time, oppressing their subjects to a life of poverty and filth.
Why is it just fine with environmentalists to have massive drilling and oil extraction from the middle east and other parts of the world, but to have it off the coast of Santa Barbara or in a small portion of the wasteland of Alaska, absolutely intolerable….? If you’re an environmentalist, doesn’t that mean that you care about the WORLD environment? If you care about the toxic SF Bay with its oozing-sore striped bass, then don’t you care about the e-coli filled Mediterranean sea? The deserts of Arizona? The deserts of Iran?
But I digress, and apologize in advance to those who are easily offended by wandering-topic posts.
At least we are all enthusiastic about the Volt! (well most of us).
August 28th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I am sorry, but I’ve got to join the list of those who are totally unimpressed. Of course I will reserve ultimate judgement until I can see it unveiled and up close. What disappoints me is, why can we not have the best of both worlds? I want both style and efficiency and, quite frankly, am not going to shell out that kind of money until I can have both.That car looks stubby and generic. I would gladly sacrifice those 5 miles to have the original concept design (Which I absolutely love BTW). If I had a choice of the production model with electricity or the concept with a big honkin V-8, I would choose the concept with the big V-8. Call me what you want, but I like what I like. I just wish we could have both, instead of one or the other. Frankly, that car is ugly.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Home run out of the park cool!!! Love it!!!
Nice color too, what a hook up Chevy’s got with T-2. Love it!!!
Rock and Roll Cool!!!
Like I’ve said here many times -Two please and maybe one in that awesome blue!!!
August 28th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
…and does anyone recall the item, on this blog, which asked us to pick the color we most wanted? Does anyone recall what color was the clear winner?
Did anyone notice the color chosen for this car???
At the other end of the spectrum, I hope HOPE HOPE that that glass top isn’t a transparent roof. Think SOLAR HEATER for a car that could well have cooling challenges in sunny climes (like mine). Hopefully, it’s merely the covering for a solar panel.
And yes, you can’t really get a complete aesthetic assessment from overhead. I was pleased with what I could see.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
I think the car looks fantastic, the lines and interior design are modern,stylish and fresh. It’s going be a huge hit for GM!
August 28th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I want this car!!!
And blue is my favourite colour!
August 28th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
When did they get Palm trees in Detroit ?
Oh man, that must be Hollyweird. I bet that Volt is a slightly modified movie version. Those wheels don’t look right.
The only really new feature I notice was, as previously mentioned, SHAVED DOORS (no handles).
August 28th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
This is so tantalizing, just enough to make you want to see more, a lot more. I particularly like the shot from behind to berm.
gime more, gime more
August 28th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
THe grille on this car doesn’t look at all like the one we saw in the sneak peak last week. That one had a honey comb faux grille. This one seems to have a more conventional Chevy grille.
I don’t think the back look much like the ones GM showed us last week eiiher.
My guess is that this is some sort of hypothetical “future” Volt that was put together for the movie.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Check out the tires on the side angle shot – all you see is wheel. I bet those are not going to be cheap tires to replace!
Overall, I like it alot better than the concept, to be honest.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I luv this car. I am going to order a fleet of Volts to be used to deliver my wonderful pizzas. My partner Luigi loves this car also. I know what you are thinking, NO we were never plumbers that inspired a video game that shall remain nameless.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Geeez, so much about appearance ….
Long time ago we were told that the concept car has aerodnamics of a brick! Of course, the eventual design must be different, even substanitally different. There is a single basic shape for low CD. You can have many variations, but the basic shape remain the same.
At the end of the day are you paying $40K for electric propulsion or the appearance. I am thinking that there are many other nice or better looking cars being sold for $40K today and without a wait lists.
90% of the folks here put the 1st priority on electric drive and battery. So Statik and others dissapointed by the actual appearance, well you are a minority.
Regarding CD and claims like “I would give up 5 miles, or X CD for better looks”, it doesn’t work that way. At some point above 40mph the CD starts to have a substantial impact on energy consumption. Therefore, when you drive at highways speeds, 60-70 mph, then the range might be cut in half for the sake of a good appearance.
The fact is that cars use a lot of energy so engineers in every car company work very hard to get the maximum utility from the limited battery capacity. That means CD always wins over the appearance, within the reason of course. Otherwise who is going to pay $40K for a car with a 20 mile electric range?!?! Even the 40 mile range is no that exciting.
So forget the looks and be thankful they still managed to make it look nice enough to turn heads. Besides silent drive and zero emissions alone will turn even more heads.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
#71 – I actually think that the front and rear look exactly like both the official shots and those that have leaked of the front and rear (as seen in this thread: http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1289). I think that the grille only looks different because of the height and low quality of the pics. The only real difference from the earlier pics is in the exterior mirrors (and the much larger Volt logo!).
August 28th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
All the naysayers are just so clazy. You want style, buy a eflex Caddie. You want something that looks like a roadster buy a Tesla. If you can afford a honking v8 then buy that. After all this is America, you can buy what you want and burn the flag on Veterans Day.
But its the eflex design thats the game changer, not the outer body. The plan is to get Americans off oil, not to build cars that appeal to only a few.
The Boeing 787 is soon to launch and its design is to save jet fuel and make flying more affordable, not to look pretty.
A Chevy Volt close to generic design but high end quality looks great to me. Americans have been buying million of Toyotas for years that look generic.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I’ve got to say that I don’t think the angles or color in these shots do much for it, especially the top-down shots. From the side, I think it looks pretty good, and it’ll feel pretty good driving to work and back sans Opec.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Oh My Gawd, what have those bastards done to my car !, I am going to have a talk with that Mr. Lutz and give him a piece of my mind. Ooooh NO, this just won’t do. I am going to need some pills to sleep tonight. This is my worst nightmare. Shame on you GM. My dream car has been ruined.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Is there a post between the side windows ?
August 28th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Ed M #78
With that plexiglass roof and for rollover strength there almost has to be. It looks though like it’s camouflaged in with the tinted windows.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I wonder what it would look like in white. Probably like a pimped out Police Cruiser.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Statik
I agree that while it takes some cues from the concept car it’s not that close to it. On the other hand I was ambivalent about the concept. I liked it and it was attention grabbing, but perhaps too aggressive for the target demographic. This one seems better. Still distinctive but not as aggressive (remember I have an Aptera on order so my attention grabbing quotient is oversubscribed as it is).
A different color scheme and lighting may also change the look. The black roof, dark windows, and dark blue body, together with the low res and low light shot, erased the detail making it blob like. We’ll have to see.
In case your pessimistic self — “they’ll never hit the deadlines” — missed this from the last thread, Talks cited an interview with Maximum Bob which reads in part: “The actual production of production vehicles may be earlier,” Lutz said. So now we have a fleet of vehicles on the road in 2009 and production may be moved up slightly. (Arch also has some interesting cites as well).
On a different note, I’m assuming you’ve seen that Chrysler is selling off the Viper operations …
August 28th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Every new development brings us closer to the day when we can actually by an E-REV. You lusters of physical beauty will never be satisfied. Beauty comes from within. Beauty endures. I will love my Volt for more than her outward appearance. I want her to bear my children.
Edit: Whoops! I got carried away.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I love it! We need a poll to get everyone’s votes down.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
If that is a standard-width parking lot space, the Volt is much narrower car than I expected. I assumed it was going to following design queues from the new Camaro and have a wider stance. This car is skinny.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Kevin Says:
August 28th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Well, I for one was excited about the Volt and was going to purchase one or 2 for the wife and I. However after seeing these photos, I’m out. It is really ugly and I guess we were wishing for a good looking car. I would sacrifice at least 5 mile range for looks. Please remove me from the waiting list. Front end is nothing close to the concept (which I loved) and the rear looks like crap. Thanks for the ride.
———————————————————————————
Goodbye!
Maybe the serious ones of us can move on up the list now.
If you looked at the leaked pics for months and months and did not see that the front end would be different, then you must be one heck of a deluded gentlefellow.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Holy crap, it’s gorgeous! No wait… that orange car with the black racing stripe in the video is actually a 2009 Camaro (?). Once I got to the end of the video and saw the Volt I was less impressed. But this is about the technology, people! The aerodynamics will require some aesthetic sacrifices.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Statik Says:
August 28th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
#33 Dave B
“I don’t care if it was as ugly as a Prius. As long as it doesn’t burn gas…I’m all for it!”
This is a good point.
I should clarify my stance on this. I detest what they have done to the car I love, but as long as it is the first one out the door, I’m still going to buy one…even at 40K.
If this was the car they showed in 2007, I still would have said, “that car is not bad looking, but it’
s a EV and has 4 seats, sign me up”
….I don’t want to sound like I’m am just ‘poo-pooing’ and telling people to run for the hills in horror, lol
———————————————————————————-
This is the problem when non-car enthusiasts flood a forum like this.
Anybody who was ever really into cars could look at the concept and tell you exactly what would make it and what would not.
You don’t get “something for nothing”.
GM NEVER promised the car would look exactly like the concept. NEVER. You had a NONSENSE expectation, and now you are predictably disappointed.
(The concept was nasty-looking anyways. That is something that is unpopular to say!)
August 28th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
From the side shot it looks like the roof is mostly glass. The top view seems to have super heavy tinting. Maybe with electrochromatic tinting like on the Boeing 787. I like the car but I’m not a fan of aggresive styling. I drive a Ranger. Yeah.
I’d like to propose a marketing slogan. “RECONNECT”. Works on a few levels.
1 – reconnect with the plug, yeah that’s obvious
2 – reconnect with the driving experience. Quiet drive, all glass, sweet.
3 – reconnect with the environment, yada yada
4 – reconnect with Chevy, the American Car.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Even my dog thinks its butt ugly. He is now licking his behind to get the bad taste out of his mouth.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Kevin Says:
August 28th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
ZENN motors makes an EV with competitive looks. Sorry for being so negative but I had this huge bubble blowing up the past 6 months only to have it completely deflated tonight.
—————————————————————————————–
What?!!!
ZENN:
http://www.gm-volt.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/zenn.jpg
Get a load if this insanity! That thing is better-looking than a Volt?!!?!
Some people here need some serious sleep. The car is stressing people out! They’re losing their minds!
(“Competitive looks!”)
August 28th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Jimmy Says:
August 28th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Statik:
If you don’t like it I guess you have no reason to keep posting on this site. It is funny how people keep saying how they are not going to buy the car for what ever reason …but for some reason keep coming back to this site and sounding interested.
—————————————————————————————-
Since people here love a conspiracy anyways, Statik is probably a Toyota operative or something.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Well, it looks like this really is a legit picture and video of the production Volt! Why? Well, I tried downloading the video, and it is already unavailable. Technical difficulties, or a very fast GM legal team going after it? Less than an hour online. Very fast indeed. I am sure a few sites will have it posted online soon though.
Genie is out of the bottle, unfortunately for GM.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
For a small car it looks like a pretty long wheelbase, usually that gives a more big car ride.
Maximum Bob does it again.
+1
August 28th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
lookin’ alright, i’m sure its pimped out a bit more than normal with the tinted windows, but i mean its next to the crazy looking sports cars in the video. I was worried it was going to be too sedate and plain, with nice wheels and the roof, it looks pretty good
I like that two tone look with the black roof, gives it a nice sporty look. I do wonder if that is a sunroof in the bottom picture, but don’t see the lines on the top, could it just be a close-able shade kind of thing on top, i’m sure that keeps drag down
to those of you who hate the look, luckily this is the first of many electric cars once the Volt leads the way, so you’ll have your day. Plus fuzzy pictures can’t be great for everybody’s first impression of the volt
can’t please ‘em all just most
August 28th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
John #87
I’ve always wondered whether some people were actually kidding themselves into believing they wanted an EV just because of the looks of the concept. If that’s true for some, I don’t know why they don’t just plunk their money down on the new Camaro. They’ll be married to Opec, but it seems in the end they’ll get what they really wanted.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I really like it. I really didn’t care for the concept volt as far as real world use was concerned. This looks much more usable. I really hope the back is like the prius, as the hatchback is incredibly functional.
GM has a real winner here, can’t way to pay them for mine.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I wish it were in my garage now!
It’s not the hottest thing on the road, but it’s much better looking than I thought it would be. I’d be proud to own one.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:00 am
______________________________________________________
Great job VOLT design team!!!
I VERY much like the looks of the VOLT (per the above Transformers set video link). I would without hesitation choose the production VOLT in the above video over the original concept VOLT if both designs were available to me.
The VOLT is going to be an absolute home run for GM.
______________________________________________________
August 29th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Right…
I guess we will just have to learn to love it…..
It will never be a muscle car, why do they pretend?
August 29th, 2008 at 12:02 am
[...] promised myself that the next car I bought would be a real electric production car. Is this my next car? More importantly, can I afford it? Likely not, but that’s not the issue here. Pictures and [...]
August 29th, 2008 at 12:09 am
#99 bruce g
If the Volt proves successful, I have no doubt there will be a sports car edition (aka Tesla Killa) that descends from this car. Be on the lookout for SON OF VOLT.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:10 am
GREAAAT NEWS.
That looks so different than any Chevy product ever.
Which means, Chevy can finally attract new buyers, like myself, who were embarrassed to even rent from Avis for fear of being stuck in a Lumina, Impala, Baretta, ugh. Thank you Bob Lutz, for not making Chevy blow so much. You are my hero.
This car is actually sexy.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:16 am
After watching the vid. This car definitely does not have four wheel steering. It is going to be a real mutha to parallel park this baby.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:18 am
The wheels jut out a little. I thought they’d be smooth for aero’s sake.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:20 am
I am liking this ride.
My brother from another mother likes it too.
My sister from another mister likes her some Volt.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:21 am
[...] promised myself that the next car I bought would be a real electric production vehicle. Is this my next automobile? More importantly, can I afford it? Likely not, but that’s not the issue here. Photos and info [...]
August 29th, 2008 at 12:24 am
So much for the Volt having some kind of exterior styling advantage. I hope it is ugly just because it is “blinged up” for transformers, but to my eye it is not an overly attractive car. Certainly nothing that would put it ahead of what we have seen of the Prius or Honda’s GSH.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:34 am
A lot of people here, complaining about those who are NOT impressed by disrespecting their valid opinions, are REALLY missing the point they are making.
I have no comment at all yet. Other than my head hurts and I’m going to bed. Good night.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:37 am
cool looking car !!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 29th, 2008 at 12:40 am
#81 Don C
“In case your pessimistic self — “they’ll never hit the deadlines” — missed this from the last thread, Talks cited an interview with Maximum Bob which reads in part: “The actual production of production vehicles may be earlier,” Lutz said. So now we have a fleet of vehicles on the road in 2009 and production may be moved up slightly. (Arch also has some interesting cites as well).
On a different note, I’m assuming you’ve seen that Chrysler is selling off the Viper operations …
———-
Yeah, I seen the selling off of the Viper ditty, I posted a link about it a few thread back actually.
As for the ‘hitting deadlines,’ while this may actually be a ‘functional production-esque Volt,’ although I wager it is not. The initial timeline was to have a working prototype by the end of 2007, so…deadline missed.
http://gm-volt.com/2007/03/06/gm-reiterates-2010-target-launch-date/
August 29th, 2008 at 12:45 am
I’m with curt. I want an EV but I’m not willing to do without performance and at least some style. It also has to fit me and the major sloping windshield that it looks to have in the pictures worries me. I don’t fit in most cars (most are too short seat to roof or have too little windshield rise to see out safely) and I hope to fit in this one.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:48 am
With all these buyers dropping out, maybe I can move up the list!
I miss the hood of the concept, but I love the NO GAS feature. Ok, maybe a gallon every month or two! I’m buying it for what it does more than what it looks like!
GO GM, GO VOLT for 2010!
August 29th, 2008 at 12:48 am
Woow hoow,
well I for one like it, I would have liked it to have more of a hatch back than a coupe look (more Flexstream like) at the rear. But it will look even better with huge decals on the side “Powered by electrons”, like I’m planning to put on mine.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:04 am
Friggin outstanding. One of the days we’ve been waiting for. Can’t wait for the full production tests. Bring on the powertrain!
Unrelated topic: Anybody else think Chrysler should electrify the Viper?
August 29th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Definitely not final production. Careful viewing shows the rear is diff from GM’s released pics. Volt badge is different. Detail is different. Not even a 3rd brake light on this car.
Opened door looked awful thin for a $40K car. Tires too thin. Something is not right here.
There is still hope………
August 29th, 2008 at 1:10 am
#87 john (in response to me)
This is the problem when non-car enthusiasts flood a forum like this.
Anybody who was ever really into cars could look at the concept and tell you exactly what would make it and what would not.
You don’t get “something for nothing”.
GM NEVER promised the car would look exactly like the concept. NEVER. You had a NONSENSE expectation, and now you are predictably disappointed.
(The concept was nasty-looking anyways. That is something that is unpopular to say!)
————-
Non car enthusiast? Flood the forum? Seems a bit over the top.
I realize GM never predicted EXACLTY like the concept, as I have stated more than a few times, but we were lead to believe it would be VERY close. Here is a quote,
Mr. Zielinski (Chief Engineer of the Volt ) noted the enthusiastic response the concept vehicle appearance has gotten, more than GM expected, and he plans to keep it as close to that appearance as possible. They are testing a variety of materials in the structure of car to balance out weight and function as much as possible.
http://gm-volt.com/2007/06/07/gm-volt-exclusive-part-2-interviews-with-nick-zielinski-chief-vehicle-engineer-of-the-volt-and-gary-smyth-director-powertrain-systems/
Last year when mentioning the Volt redesign, saying it was 90% complete, the only mention of changes was this:
“He (Lutz) noted that the exterior design is 90% complete but that the final product will likely have a more subdued or less aggressive front-end”
http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/04/bob-lutz-interview-on-design/
One more, “He (Zielinksi) noted that GM if very pleased with the public appeal the car has and will try to keep the final production model as true to form to the prototype as is possible” in Aug 2007
http://gm-volt.com/2007/08/09/exclusive-interviewpodcast-with-chevy-volt-chief-engineer-on-current-state-of-volt-development/
Ok, one more:
“The Volt, is meant to be differnent. Not frumpy, but camaro-esque, and bold-grilled, with its unique glass dropped into the doors and windows up high.”
http://gm-volt.com/2007/09/02/green-car-design-and-the-volt/
I could find you another dozen links just like those…and NOT one that says the production vehicle will be a significant change from the concept. So yeah, my expectations were that it should be pretty close to what we saw. I don’t think I was expecting anything more than I was lead to believe.
——————
#91 John
“Since people here love a conspiracy anyways, Statik is probably a Toyota operative or something.”
/over the top
Side note on your: “The concept was nasty-looking anyways. That is something that is unpopular to say!”…hrm, not really now that this ‘probably production’ car is out. I’d say that would be the company line now.
It would have been the ‘unpopular’ thing before we started going throught the ‘dumbing down’ expectations phase of the last few months leading up to this. I don’t suppose you have a link to a older post on the site that might show you had that negative opinion before you seen this? I’d be interested to see that.
————–
/this is a action thread!
//see you tomorrow
August 29th, 2008 at 1:16 am
#88 Cautious Fan
Could be a future in marketing. I like your “Reconnect” idea.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:34 am
I like what I see so far but I better get see one in person at the Dallas Car Show next year. It doesn’t have to be the final production car. I’ve been selling the Volt ‘concept’ to family, friends, co-workers, customers and total strangers for awhile and they’re all ready to get me drug tested. Just a small picture of me standing next to the Volt will save me from having to pee in a cup.
If GM really thinks they have a winner in the Volt they need to take my deposit. Now, not later. Confidence breeds confidence.
You people ahead of me on the waiting list go ahead and drop out if you want to. I’ll be more than happy to move up in line.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:38 am
omg! I want to buy one now! That looks awesome
August 29th, 2008 at 1:38 am
It’s beautiful and sensible … much better than the concept … I just wish GM’d get rid of the fake retro grille!
GM, what ever happened to the sleek front end of the 90’s Sunfire and Firebird? I had a ‘91 Formula and loved it … kept it for 16 years and 460,000 km. Now I can’t find a GM product (except the Vette) without one of those ugly retro grilles.
It won’t stop me from buying the 88th Volt off the production line, but I’d be a bit happier if GM gave me an option for a GRILLE-LESS FRONT END!!!
Hmmm … maybe a can of spray paint …
August 29th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Rashiid Amul, your just mad cause no ones going to want to buy your oil anymore
August 29th, 2008 at 1:49 am
if it were for sale already, id be at the dealership first thing tomorrow!
August 29th, 2008 at 1:56 am
This Volt is just fine. I personally don’t like the Prius design. This Volt is much better looking.
I am very encouraged that GM will expand this platform into different vehicle designs.
If you don’t like this car, then wait for the next one! Every manufacturer will provide an extended range electric vehicle in the near future.
Wishing GM the best as they bring the Volt to the world stage.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:57 am
Wow!! I love it, except for the side mirrors.. they are ugly! Everything else is awesome!!
Jay
August 29th, 2008 at 2:11 am
Well the concept certainly looked better than that.
On the other hand, the car is purple, thats why it might look less attractive.
Now GM gotta show us real pics of the car.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:17 am
I think everyone here is far too hyped up. Take a deep breath and re-look at the pictures. It looks pretty common people, like almost any Toyota, Nisson or Honda. I’m really excited about the Volt, the whole idea of it is just fantastic, but look hard, there’s not much unique about the outside. It’ll get lost in the parking lot among the sea of very similar cars. I feel let down about the looks, but I’m still hyped about the rest of the car.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:31 am
AWESOME! I’m glad Chevy kept the aggressive look of the concept. The wheels and black roof are sweet and need to be options on the car when it hits production. I love the overall design and cannot wait until I can actually buy one. That split-window Vette in the video was also pretty sweet. Now if Chevy could only make one of them into a electric car!
August 29th, 2008 at 2:45 am
This makes me hot and horny.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:46 am
That’s a sharp looking car! Home run GM. Besides, I look at it like I would a dancer. Her face may be average but the things she can do with her fit body…
August 29th, 2008 at 3:03 am
Voltzilla,
Im personally hoping “Son of Volt” will look like a mini Malibu.
I do wonder if the car for Transformers 2 is really a mutation of the true Volt that some how escaped.
A “prancing daschund” springs to mind, but I do’nt know why.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Black roof = photovoltaic option? I wouldn’t mind extending my range with a few solar cells on the roof. =-]
August 29th, 2008 at 3:29 am
hope thats not a souped up version just for the movie
August 29th, 2008 at 3:56 am
[...] promised myself that the next car I bought would be a real electric production car. Is this my next car? More importantly, can I afford it? Likely not, but that’s not the issue here. Pictures and [...]
August 29th, 2008 at 5:16 am
This looks nothing like the car I wanted to buy. Count me out if this is the real Volt.
August 29th, 2008 at 6:14 am
Tim Miller Says:
August 29th, 2008 at 5:16 am
This looks nothing like the car I wanted to buy. Count me out if this is the real Volt.
—————————————————————-
The waiting list is being freed-up. The serious buyers are being consolidated.
August 29th, 2008 at 6:17 am
I love the headline, “BREAKING!” lol – not enough excitment there – you think? Still looks like every other Chevy POS thats out there.
August 29th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Looks nice, but it does look rather prius like. I like it and as long as it’s an EV with a RE I want one. For me it’s more about the tech than the styling.
August 29th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Agreed,
I do like the look,
HOWEVER,
It’s what’s under the skin that matters to me.
August 29th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Black roof? I hope that’s not on the production unit. The roof should be stark white to reflect the hot summer sun. The Volt doesn’t need to waste any of its precious electrons on additional air conditioning due to a dumb roof color.
Are those roof windows I see on the profile shot? Sure, throw more heat into the interior. I’ll just blast the A/C to cool it back down. Never mind the catastrophic affect that will have on AER.
The more information that comes out, the less I want one of these cars. It’s not really a full function, four door sedan. It can’t climb long mountain grades. It can’t seat five. The dash looks like a video game, and a cheap one at that. The overall looks is, well… underwhelming. But at least it costs more than nearly every car built by Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Scion, Cooper, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai… That’s sure to help keep our American dollars on American shores!
August 29th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Matt # 120 says,
Rashiid Amul, your just mad cause no ones going to want to buy your oil anymore
——–
Thanks. I am born and raised, 2nd generation American.
It not my oil. I hate those ba***rds. We need to get off of oil.
I don’t like the looks of the car but maybe Dave B #33 is correct when he said maybe it is the purple paint. The wheels are strange also, along with the body shape. Hey, there is no accounting for taste, right?
August 29th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Hermant, #137.
How about white in summer and black in winter?
August 29th, 2008 at 6:50 am
hermant # 137
Are you sure you didn’t leave anything out?
Different storkes for different folks.
God Bless America:
Tom
August 29th, 2008 at 6:50 am
I think I will wait for the official pictures from GM to figure out if I like it or not. Honestly though, even if I don’t like the looks, it is what the car can do that is important to me. We need to bring our troops home and let the Middle East go back to the way it was before oil was discovered there. I will buy the Volt no matter how ugly it turns out, as long as it works like it is supposed to, and the price isn’t $40K
August 29th, 2008 at 7:00 am
At a distance it looks good. At a closer distance, it’ll look great.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Form follows Function. I can appreciate the fact that GM needed to smooth the form of the concept if the function was to achieve a suitable all-electric range. I both liked and disliked certain aspects of the concept vehicle, therefore some changes to that are more easily accepted from my point of view. Bottom line is, THIS is going to be The Volt—not the concept we all have in-grained in our minds. Therefore throwing tomatoes at GM because they rounded this corner or stretched that edge isn’t going to accomplish anything. Give it a chance and let it sink in for awhile. Also remember that even though it shares aero traits of many other cars today, it is still NOT like ANY other car today.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Not what I expected but I want a couple of them anyway! Thumbs up!
August 29th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Remember Folks it’s only a movie……. There have been a lot of GM fabrications. I’m not holding my breath. GM keeps extending the release of the car.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Schmeltz #143.
Those are good words to live by.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:07 am
I too will withhold judgment until the official, high resolution photos are released. It looks …..ok. I just hope I can get one by Dec 2011 at under $35k.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Sweet Baby it’s much better than I had hoped for!
I’m number #26 on the unofficial waitlist and am READY to put down some cash. Living outside of NYC I smile thinking how much fun it’s going to be to cruise down 5th Ave with my VOLT turning a few heads. Hahahahah….LOL
La Dolce Vita
August 29th, 2008 at 7:11 am
This side view (best resolution of any screen caps) clearly shows a large sun roof & large rear hatch window. Also, we now know what Boniface’s stalk-mounted mirrors at the front of the doors look like (BOLD!) and where the plug-in panels are —they’re the silver “arrowheads” joining the mirrors that extend the mirror’s bold styling theme into the front fenders on BOTH sides…..
http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/volt-in-transformers-2/1005132/
Very nicely done, unique design —I really like it from the side!
August 29th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Personally, i was never that into the concept car, so I’m glad it has been toned down. It is still a nice looking car, though, and much better than the Prius. For me, the looks would only be an issue if I were embarassed to drive it and I defintely would not be embarrased. Plus, with the driving that I do the most–rush hour in the DC suburbs–who really wants to stand out any more than necessary?
For those of you that aren’t going to buy the Volt because of its looks, are you serious? At worst, it maybe looks a little ordinary when compared to the concept, but it’s still not a bad looking car for it’s size. And don’t forget that it’s giving you 40 miles of electric range and 50 MPG of gasoline after that.
What are your alternatives if looks are all that matter to you, a gas-guzzling Corvette at $100k, a Camaro? If you were here purely for the looks of the car, then I’m guessing an E-REV was really never going to be for you–at least not until there are more choices. Just buy what looks good and forget about the other details. If your alternative is some other small Toyota, Honda, Mazda or whatever, then I’m really confused because, frankly, they all look about the same to me.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Looks like a typical asian economy car…wait maybe it is!
HYPE HYPE HYPE
A couple of weeks ago GM was not sure of body shape, engine type, battery supplier and now they have a “production” model ready?? THat would mean by years end they should be able to have at least 100 volts on the road ) and 3 years to test them to meet their 2011 release.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:17 am
#145 Brian
“Remember Folks it’s only a movie……. There have been a lot of GM fabrications. …”
eek! This comment just gave me a shiver down the spine … you don’t think … nah, couldn’t be … hmmm … you don’t think that the whole Volt situation is merely a viral advertising campaign for the movie, and not a real car … do you?
August 29th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Sad to see so many expressing disappointment over the look of the Volt. As someone observed above, if the concept was first shown in this color, and the production model was shown in the concept silver, perhaps more folks would like the look.
It does not appear to have much of a trunk, nor much head room in the back seat. Hopefully they will fix that when the Caddy version rolls out.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:23 am
John Says:
August 28th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Jimmy Says:
August 28th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
To Statik:
If you don’t like it I guess you have no reason to keep posting on this site. It is funny how people keep saying how they are not going to buy the car for what ever reason …but for some reason keep coming back to this site and sounding interested.
—————————————————————————————-
Since people here love a conspiracy anyways, Statik is probably a Toyota operative or something.
*********************************************************
This observation is quite obvious and I totally agree with it. Some are here just to get attention or disrupt the the postings.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Nice! The funny thing is that it looks very close to my current car, Scion tC RS2.0.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/scion-announces-pricing-for-2006-tc-release-series-20.html
August 29th, 2008 at 7:27 am
I also like the Volt’s blacked-out top and its rear-end, including the see-thru “trunk” and the taillight treatment. However, at a glance the grill looks like that on a Ford Fusion (yuuuuk!!!)….
http://forum.avtoindex.com/foto/data/media/37/ford_fusion_2006_5.jpg
……i.e., horizontal chrome slats! In fact, when I first looked at the grill I though I saw the blue Ford Oval (not a Chevy Bowtie) in its center! GM, you’ve got a lot of work to do on this grill in addition to making it functional!
August 29th, 2008 at 7:38 am
It would be nice if we could see side by side pictures of the concept and this unit. (concept pics from the SAME ANGLE, then we could really see the differences.
I doubt this is the final version though..GM only needs to get the NAME out there..LIke transformers 1, the Camero was rushed out for the movie and it was close,
From the top soso, the side looks better, so I say, can anyone post side by side of these and the concept? Honestly cannot see how the concept looked from above..could be close
August 29th, 2008 at 7:39 am
MDDave Says:@150
“What are your alternatives if looks are all that matter to you, a gas-guzzling Corvette at $100k, a Camaro?”
****************************************************************
I have to pick on this quote because it is so wrong. With my new Corvette I can get 32 MPG with highway driving. This car can really coast w/o losing momentum!
The manual recommends high octane but I use regular with no noticeable difference.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Damn Americans are whingers…
“It’s too small/too plain/different to the prototype/this isn’t Europe/ugly/etc”…
GM never made a secret of the fact that the prototype was an aerodynamic disaster, and that the production car would look VERY different…
You want sustainable transport that’s going to mean freedom from dependance on oil? Then you’re going to have to adjust the greed and irresponsibility that seem to be cornerstones of American culture. And I promise you that if you open your minds the experience won’t be too painful. We only get a handful of American-made cars here: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Hummer are about it. The best of the bunch is the 300C: It looks great and you’re expecting something special – but when you get close it feels cheap and is thunderously mediochre to drive. I just don’t get why Americans are so attached to their land-barges.
You don’t need a 2+ tonne car to get to work, people. I don’t care how much of a big strong man you are – you’ll still fit in a VW Golf. In fact, I reckon you’d need to be about 6′6″ before you’d run out of room in a Golf. That is, unless your one of those peole contributing to America’s ranking as the most obese nation on the planet. But of course, it’s your god-given right to be a lard-arse, so don’t take any responsibility for yourself. Just sit in front of your plasma tv and make bigoted remarks about ’sand-farmers’ and ‘commos’ while waiting for someone to deliver to you on a platter, a Hummer that runs on magical fairy dust.
Jeez, and you all wonder why the rest of the world doesn’t take you seriously…
August 29th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Personally, I like it.
The concept car was nice, it was a very agressive design, but as you examine it (wheelbase as long as a Tahoe) it was impractical.
The new design does look similar to other small sedans in the marketplace, but I’m sure it will be distintive.
I concur with others, that the car needs to be aerodynamic, as GM will be demonstrating that they can build the most fuel-efficient car on the market. By the same token, they will make it look appealing (maybe not stellar), design it for 0-60 times of 8 seconds or less, and make it a well-handling vehicle.
Bottom line: you get performance, efficiency, and style, only without the aggressive looks that came with the Electric Camaro (concept car).
August 29th, 2008 at 7:41 am
While looks are not of the utmost importance to me, I don’t care for this one. Mind you, I can’t really see it that well in these shots (well, not the side view, anyway). Of course, I didn’t care for the concept vehicle, either. This one is less distinctive than the concept to me, but I didn’t find either particularly attractive.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:59 am
I wrote here months ago that if you want to buy a Mustang or a Camaro, you need to BUY a Mustang or Camaro or whatever, because the Volt will not be a Camaro. It won’t be a 60’s flashback muscle car, and it WON”T cost the three thousand dollars that you made in the summer of 68 mowing lawns.
If that’s what you wanted, you are a minority because not THAT many people care what a car looks like to that degree. Maybe in 10 MORE years GM will have perfected the drivetrain to build your dream car with all the anti-efficiency anti-aerodynamic, and testosterone-inducing curves that you want in your car. Meanwhile, buy a new Camaro if it will make you happy.
Just because the Volt is designed to sell to the masses, does not make it the car for you. You are much too discerning.
Based on the Pontiac piece of garbage I drive today, that now needs another 325 dollar repair on top of the THOUSANDS I’ve spent to keep it running, I have no love of GM. But if this concept vehicle becomes a million-car reality, the world will be different. And it will not look like the past.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Ouch! There’s a lot of disparaging stuff being flung around today from all angles. Can’t we all just—git alooong???
August 29th, 2008 at 8:04 am
So much better than the concept cars, which embodied everything I dislike about Detroit designs.
It’s not a design to die for, but it’s one I can certainly get excited about (especially when considering what’s underneath the hood).
Put me on the list!
August 29th, 2008 at 8:05 am
It looks like a four door Scion C… a $40,000 Scion C. I wouldn’t complain except that they are calling this $40,000 Scion C their car for the masses. Which masses? The skinny import on this forum? The tree hugging California geeks? This is a Chevrolet four door sedan, right? Most folks know what to expect from a Chevrolet four door sedan. And yet it costs more than a Cobalt, more than a Malibu, more than an Impala, damn near as much as a base Corvette and you don’t understand why some of us lard arses are disappointed? Designed for the masses? Seriously? I think that it is now officially time for GM to rethink their marketing.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Joe @ 157,
OK… I’ll admit that 32 MPG is much better than I thought a new Corvette gets; however, the Volt may get infinite MPG… The worst case scenario with the Volt is that it gets twice what your Corvette gets (50 MPG plus 40 miles from the battery equals ~60 MPG over a full tank/charge).
Luke @ 158,
There is nothing that annoys me more than being talked down to by stuck-up Europeans that think they have it all figured out (if you are not European, then insert your country of origin).
First of all, I find it offensive and it shows that you are totally cluesss when you claim that “greed is a cornerstone of American culture.” Americans are no more greedy than people anywhere else, and in some ways they are far less greedy. If you are trying to portray America’s disproportionate consumption of energy as a sign of greed then you are totally wrong; Americans have been blessed by abundant natural resources and work hard to buy the resources they don’t have. The rest of the world uses less resources because they feel pinched in this regard, not because of some altruistic virtue. If their economies allowed them to use the resources that Amercians use, then I guarantee you they would use the same amount or more.
You seem to have an attittude that Americans ought to settle for less and solve the world’s problems that way–apparently, the way you think Europeans would solve a problem, but why should we have to settle for less? Americans will innovate, the way GM is innovating with the Volt, so that we don’t have to settle for less. And then Europe and the rest of the world can reap–and in some cases steal–the benefit of American inginuity and hard work again. How’s that for American greed?
August 29th, 2008 at 8:19 am
It doesn’t matter what this Volt iteration looks like – the creation of Transformers 2 must go on. If the final production Volt does not look like this iteration, I’m sure that the movie production people can alter the Volt’s appearance as necessary using CGI.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Nice, clean rendition of the contemporary euro-sedan look. Nothing extraordinary, nothing wrong. I like it.
Wanna Camaro? Buy a Camaro.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:23 am
#53 Chris2 Says: “… any of you who also ride motorcycles – “Zero” motorcycles plans to have a street legal dual-sport motorcycle out soon, which would make a nice “sister vehicle” to the Volt. It’s motocross bike is apparently doing well already.
…
Imagine having the Volt and the Zero Dualsport in the garage…One could avoid gas stations for months!”
————————————————————————————–
Thanks for the link! They are already taking deposits here:
http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-s.php
- Miles per charge: 60
- Top speed (MPH): 70
- Less than $.01 per mile
I would never buy a pure BEV car, but a pure BEV motorcycle in addition to a car is a great idea.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:26 am
It is somewhat of a unique look (does not match the Scion) and I think this will be good. It should stand out as a Volt in some way. People like that in a car and I think it will help the car sell.
If the engineering and interior are right, this thing will be a winner.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:28 am
I guess I “Ecoed” Eco’s comment in #161.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:30 am
It looks like the Volt almost stalls out at the end of the video. I hear what sounds like a poorly tuned engine and then the car seems to start slowing down. Anybody else notice this?
August 29th, 2008 at 8:35 am
nice body, but but no proof this is running on a battery. Lutz is still waiting for a battery that doesn’t burst into flames.
Personally I would like to see hydrogen vehicle.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:37 am
One other thing…you know there isn’t an endless supply of lithium for those batteries. We will have to import all the lithium to make them.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:38 am
#158.
I have been to Europe many times and see the crappy little cars that you guys drive at 30-50 mpg. Big deal. We have had the option to buy these little things and did not want them when gas was less than $1 per gallon. You guys have been paying alot for gas for years and the best you could do was your little VW golf. If you guys were not sitting on your arses you would have developed somthing much better a long time ago. Now that Americans have high gas prices, we will adjust and do somthing about it. Batteries will be developed and the electric cars will become a reality within 10 years. The rest of the world, once again, will benefit from american ingenuity and will follow our lead.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:50 am
#161 Eco
Thousands in repairs to your Pontiac? You must drive an Aztek. Oh, the wheel bearings. Oh, the speed sensors. Oh, the rear differential. Oh, the humanity…
My Grand Am (110,000 miles) is solid. The Aztek… not so much.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:51 am
I could not tell as much about the pictures or video as I would like because of the color of the car and the lighting. But, what I saw was interesting.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:52 am
I will take two please!
August 29th, 2008 at 8:58 am
UGLY! Keep working on the design. I was so excited when I first heard about this car. I am wondering now if GM is going to make a big mistake by dramatically changing the way it looks. I think so. They have a chance to corner the market if they come out with a great looking vehicle that delivers on the fuel economy projections, but if it is viewed unfavorably in appearance it will not be accepted by the masses. You do not get a second chance to make a first impression. (I hope GM does not let their great idea go to other competitors because they understood this point.) People want to buy American, but if they get a choice between two vehicles that will do the same thing at comparable pricing–the sharper looking car will sell more. Unfortunate, but just a simple fact. I hope GM sees these posts, just look at how many are saying they “really do not think it looks good, but I can not wait to get one.” ??? Does this sound like a winning marketing strategy? “You can feel good about driving an ugly car.” Sounds like a good window of opportunity for your competition.
Keep working on the design. (Hermant, you make a great point.)
August 29th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Staik,
Go start a website that demands the concept volt be built, while your at it make daily post about how GM won’t make it another 6 months finacialy. I origionally thought your post were factually refreshing in contrast to all the GM junkies here. But honestly your becoming a nusiance, your like that kid we all knew growing up that just wanted to take the fun/excitement out of everything. Can’t think of to many other posters on here that go out of there way to go against the grain, just for the sake of doing it.
Unlike you i follow this site because i’m into the Volt, you follow this site just like probably alot of others you subscribe to because you enjoy making STATIK.
PS save the “let me say for the record i’m going to buy a volt” crap. Man up and admit your a troll who thrives on conflict.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:59 am
You know…..I don’t think it has door handles….Maybe it has a corvette type door opening system. Cool!
August 29th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Well….I’m not blown away by these pics and the video….but I knew I wouldn’t be either….I’ve had some time to prepare for these ‘design changes’…. and my mantra has started to take hold…
mantra again was:
“this is more about the electrification of the car – not how cool it looks – forget about the concept”
…. repeat
… over and over
…. calmly
… both eyes closed…
I did look at this thread and the video with ONE eye closed at first….and after looking at them about 20+ times I can say this….
I loved the concept but also fully understood that it was just that – a concept….while I’m not blown away, I’m also not running away.
I’m going to lower my excitement level on my wait-list record from a 10 to only a 9 … which clearly means I still want one.
I’ll wait for GMs offical design release before making a full and final judgement.
I desperately want to be a GM customer for the first time… it will take a LOT of prying to get me out of my BMW that I love so very much, I will miss it ….BUT this technology, this country’s needs, my long commutes are just a few reasons why I’m still very much looking forward to getting this car.
I also dont get the purple color thing for the movie?? I guess it makes it ‘pop’ more?? I remember a movie called ‘Fast and the Furious’ and I am a bit scared that this purple car reminded me of that movie…I think its just the color though….oh geez….back to the mantra………………………………………….
August 29th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Great looking car. I love it. I love it. I love it.
For those those who are complaining it is too small…
You KNEW the concept was a sporty 4-seater. What made you thing the production version would be any different?
August 29th, 2008 at 9:01 am
#174 Nuclear Boyd
Well actually, the Europeans have been a hell of alot smarter than us with overall transportation policy. Ponder this the next time you are waiting in line for 90 minutes at the airport an hour outside of town on your way to 2 layovers just to fly 1000 miles. Your European counterpart is comfortably taking a 200 mph train in half the time. In the area of high speed rail technology the Europeans eat our lunch. And I’m not sure too many people can seriously accuse European cars of being “crappy”. A little turbo charged Mini Cooper can kick the snot out of any American pickup truck in acceleration, stopping, and cornering (pretty much every aspect of driving). And I say this as a life-long GM customer, not some latte-sipping, beret-wearing, surrender monkey.
Also, keep in mind that they pulled numerous European engineers over to work on the Volt project, and that the Saturn E-Flex will really just be a re-branded Opel (yes, GM owned, but German designed).
The whole “Europe sucks” thing is so 2003.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Not the greatest pictures, but what it shows makes me want one even more.
Edit:
Missed the video just watched it. Man I want one so bad
August 29th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I don’t know if its the birds eye view, or the color, or what, but the look that made the concept car special doesn’t seem to be there. The front end looks short/stubby and the whole body is like a blob where the concept looked long and swept back. T
August 29th, 2008 at 9:15 am
183. I travel in Europe frequently and do like the trains. They are, however, not ideal. I am heading over in 6 weeks again. I will look forward to long walks to stations or taxi rides and then sitting on a bench for an hour or more while I wait for the next train. I do love riding the trains but once I arrive I will again walk or taxi for a while before I arrive. Taxis suck in much of Europe by the way. Walking is usally the best.
All of this walking and biking is good for people but frankly, I like my car. And who cares if an overpriced min cooper can corner well. A $500 go cart corners well too. I want to haul stuff around on the weekends and trucks do that.
I am not saying Europe sucks but they definitely have the attitude that the US sucks and that we are fat, greedy etc. I mainly wanted to point out that as gas has rised in price, we will do somthing about it. They have had decades of high gas prices and they came up with the Mini cooper and walking to the train station. Big deal.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:20 am
#52 Jimmy
#87 John
#91 John
#153 Joe
#179 John P
To Statik:
If you don’t like it I guess you have no reason to keep posting on this site.
—————–
This is the problem when non-car enthusiasts flood a forum like this.
—————–
Since people here love a conspiracy anyways, Statik is probably a Toyota operative or something.
———————
This observation is quite obvious and I totally agree with it. Some are here just to get attention or disrupt the the postings.
—————–
Staik,
Go start a website that demands the concept volt be built, while your at it make daily post about how GM won’t make it another 6 months finacialy.
PS save the “let me say for the record i’m going to buy a volt” crap. Man up and admit your a troll who thrives on conflict
———–
I knew I’d get the love. This is a very personal thread, so I can understand it.
Disagree with me all you like, but it doesn’t matter how much I am cajoled, I’m going to speak my mind. And I won’t retort to ‘low blows’ like I am don’t like am not a car enthusiast or I work for Toyota because of my viewpoint, or I shouldn’t be able to give my opinion.
(and I have toned back my ‘financial links’ to almost none…other than when someone asks me directly, for the record)
It would seem my discontent is not isolated issue to me either. Actually I’m quite surprised at the number of people here who say they are either not happy or unimpressed.
If only 2 out of 3 here think it is a success, the real world will be less kind to it after having to watch a dozen concept Volt commercials a day for the last 3 weeks. I have no clue why GM would run that ad at all. If no one seen the concept, this would fly alot better.
GM execs say they read this site for grassroots feedback all the time, there is no way they are happy with the reponse…maybe there is still time for change?
August 29th, 2008 at 9:22 am
#174
”. A little turbo charged Mini Cooper can kick the snot out of any American pickup truck in acceleration, stopping, and cornering (pretty much every aspect of driving)
How would your mini pull my boat? An important aspect of driving.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:24 am
If its going to be in Transformers II, then these photos are indeed what the final production version for the first model year will look like.
Anyone notice the passenger side charging port in front of the side mirror?
I really don’t think its ugly, to me it looks like any one of the multitude of modern cars that basically resemble electric shavers.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:25 am
#187 Statik
If anyone on this forum has earned the right to have a different opinion than the majority of posters without being criticized unnecessarily for it, that person is you. I will defend your right to the death. Just not my death, as they say.
You are closer to being correct about this than most of the ones criticizing you. I withhold my opinion of the pictures and video until I can see more. Keep up the good work, Statik.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:26 am
THIS is it??!?!? bleh. Just another me-too small sedan.
The concept had me *excited*. I must have emailed the pictures around to dozens of friends… have openly bragged that I’d be right there on the day they started taking orders.
Now? You blind fan-boys have my place in line.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:26 am
#188 Starcast Says: “How would your mini pull my boat? An important aspect of driving.”
————————————————————————————–
I don’t think the Volt will tow your boat. You’ll need another car for that.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Make mine electric blue …
August 29th, 2008 at 9:31 am
This is the sweet beginning of the end for all world’s oil-turds!
August 29th, 2008 at 9:39 am
#186 nuclear boyd Says: “I travel in Europe frequently and do like the trains. They are, however, not ideal. I am heading over in 6 weeks again. I will look forward to long walks to stations or taxi rides and then sitting on a bench for an hour or more while I wait for the next train.”
————————————————————————————–
We’ve been to Europe a few times as well. We always rent a small hatchback or station wagon.
The European countryside is beautiful, but every time you come to a town with a train station, it all changes to a mob of foreigners selling foreign made trinkets to foreign tourists. If you want to get out of the city once in a while an experience the real Europe, you’ll need a car.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:40 am
For all you people that were to buy because of looks instead of performance, GREAT !!!
I wasn’t to far off on the wait list so this just moves me closer to the front, THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!
God Bless America:
Tom
August 29th, 2008 at 9:41 am
#190 N. Riley
Agree with you completely. Additionally, if Statik wasn’t present, who could we tease when GM delivers the car on time?
BTW did you notice reports that Toyota has a “death watch” out for the Volt?
I actually feel worse about Rashiid. No reason he needs to put up with DAPs like #120. He handled it with grace though.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Well….a fair compromise between practicality, aerodynamic effciency, and design.
However, the concept will always be my first love and I would gladly have sacrificed some range to the “aerodynamic train wreck” as GM called it.
I know I know…get over it!
August 29th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Well folks, GM has done it to us again, shown us the great concept car and produced something else. I have hoped that at some point GM would realize that we the consumer public would like to have a really sharp car full of new technology! This seems too much to hope for and GM is going at some point get burnt by this type of bait and switch marketing. Maybe the Japanese or Germans will have a better idea as to what the people what and we will buy it in great numbers and where is my flying car that I was promised in the 1960’s?
August 29th, 2008 at 9:46 am
I didn’t read every post, but has no one considered the fact that Production Volts, (even Pre-Production Volts) don’t exist yet. That car was probably a Fiero with a body kit on it. It may not be even close to the final size, shape and design.
Still it’s beautiful to see a car driving around with the Volt logo on it, and the blue is beautiful!
August 29th, 2008 at 9:46 am
#187 Statik
If anyone on this forum has earned the right to have a different opinion than the majority of posters without being criticized unnecessarily for it, that person is you. I will defend your right to the death. Just not my death, as they say.
You are closer to being correct about this than most of the ones criticizing you. I withhold my opinion of the pictures and video until I can see more. Keep up the good work, Statik.
————
Thanks.
/where do I sent the $20 to again?
SIde note:
I’m a big boy, and I will admit I got uncharacteristically over-animated in post #20. Obviously not everyone if they saw this footage as ” spy shots of the 2010 Prius would be saying it was trash,” that was a exaggeration, maybe 85%. I still think the message rang true, but it was delivered in a fashion that certainly was not illiciting calm response, or open minded thinking… so thats my fault.
I had a strong reaction to something I was following/invested in for a very long time and it was expressed ‘unfiltered’ to the site. I did temper myself and tried to bring it back into context in post #38,#39, but perhaps too late….so I will take the heat on this one, hehe.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I have watched the video over and over for the past hour. I have read comments from the good, the bad and the ugly. I have now looked at the pictures over and over. The pictures are not from a very good angle and are somewhat dark. I can not tell if the color of this car is purple or midnight blue. I don’t care for the purple hue but this could be due to the lighting at the time of the pictures.
At first I was in the middle as far as how it looks. After analyzing the pictures further I found myself liking it more then disliking. I was like a kid in a candy shop. Each time I looked at it I found something else to like.
I am excited about what this car represents to the future of the automobile and security it will help bring to this country. I look forward to getting my hands on one. This is a Revolution and I am proud to be part of it.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:48 am
#183 Jim in PA Says: “Well actually, the Europeans have been a hell of alot smarter than us with overall transportation policy. Ponder this the next time you are waiting in line for 90 minutes at the airport …
Also, keep in mind that they pulled numerous European engineers over to work on the Volt project, and that the Saturn E-Flex will really just be a re-branded Opel (yes, GM owned, but German designed).
The whole “Europe sucks” thing is so 2003.”
————————————————————————————–
In general, I agree. We live in a world economy. American isolationism went out with World War II.
But all isn’t great in Europe. We need to learn from what they do well, but not copy everything they do.
As for the engineering team on the Volt, the fact that German engineers are moving to Detroit is significant. It means that the majority of the engineers and technicians are American. Otherwise, they would have American engineers moving to Germany.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:49 am
#199 Donc
“#190 N. Riley: Agree with you completely. Additionally, if Statik wasn’t present, who could we tease when GM delivers the car on time? ”
——
I look forward to being mercilessly pounded. I’m sure some members of the board will have some pent-up feelings they would like to express to me, lol. Hopefully, I will be reading the comments from the inside of my Volt. Although being near Toronto (where Toyota Canada HQ is incidentally, hehe), I know that is not going to happen, sigh. (For the record…I do live closer to GM HQ in Oshawa, but no one is accusing me of working for GM, lol)
August 29th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Statik and Amul,
How did I guess that you would poo-poo any pics of the new Volt? Your rage tells me all I need to know.
Bob Boniface has done an outstanding job of taking the irregular shape and making it look sporty / sexy – Toyota should be taking notes.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I Would have prefered RED, loll, but the car still looks nice
August 29th, 2008 at 9:53 am
#186 nuclear boy
The only problem with criticising European designs is that a lot of those cars are made by Ford and GM.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Nice… bad color, but nice…. The video has been removed? Can’t find it.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Video is still there…
I’d bet money this was a planned “leak” just to give some free advertising to the upcoming official release of the Volt.
Chevy is still test driving mules, how could a Volt be driving around on the street? This has to be a Hollywood fabricated replica.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:03 am
#187 Statik:
Nice to see you seem to have a thick skin. Stick around. Your viewpoint is as valuable as everyone else’s here.
As far as the looks of the Volt, the appearance is a very, very subjective thing. Some people will love it, others will hate it. The cold hard reality is that the Volt will not be all things to all people. I really want the Volt to be eye catching and cool. With that said, if it falls short of my expectations in the appearance, I can still find solace knowing that the technology the Volt possesses is game changing. The video, although relatively good footage, is not really close enough for me to fully evaluate the appearance and the details. I am holding out for the actual GM sourced pictures and video before passing judgement.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:03 am
#214 jscott1000
Video is still there…
I’d bet money this was a planned “leak” just to give some free advertising to the upcoming official release of the Volt.
Chevy is still test driving mules, how could a Volt be driving around on the street? This has to be a Hollywood fabricated replica.
——————-
I would assume this is just a shell replica. If what we are lead to believe is true and this is in the next Transformers movie…we have to assume it is near identical (ala Camaro/Bumblebee in TF1)
Side note: Jason M. Hendler, I like you use of my ‘poo-pooing’ reference, it’s just fun…not enough ‘poo-pooing’ in this forum, lol. Sometimes I can’t help but switch over into ‘daddy speak,’ it’s a curse of fatherhood. My son is just turning 3, I’m going to have to up my vocabulary soon, lest he be ridiculed in kindergarten.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:06 am
The VOLT looks good to me in the video but I can’t wait to see it in person. I know it would look great in my garage
August 29th, 2008 at 10:08 am
#215 Scmeltz…
Agreed on all counts….
Statik adds great value here (he’s not going anywhere)
Full and final judgement cannot yet be made and even then… the technology is the game changer.
Well put.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:11 am
[...] of Volt GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site Blog Archive BREAKING: Production VOLT Spied!! The REAL DEAL!… __________________ 2003 Black SSR #1256 1sb 100000 miles (02/04/07)…..143,000+ [...]
August 29th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Beauty is more than skin deep. (yeah, I just made that up) Seriously though, I don’t really care too much what it looks like. I want a no gas using vehicle that I can drive back and forth to work and run errands around town. If it looks okay – fine, if it looks good – that’s even better and if it looks really cool – well that is just too much.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:24 am
The design of this car is okay. It has lost a lot of the dramatic styling the concept had and has become more like a common place sedan. This could hurt GM and interest in the Volt.
The Volt is a vehicle that has revolutionary technology and should show off that in a revolutionary desgin. The Prius does so, whether you like the styling or not, and is unmistakable.
People who have been following this development or are interested in electric cars will no the Volt and will want one based on the technology. For the general public who isn’t up to speed the car styling that will pull them in. Making this look like another ordinary sedan will not make people stop and stare and want to know more.
The concept had styling that would grab people.
Without bold styling this might as well just be another regular small sedan sitting in any parking lot.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Keep in mind folks that these are shots from the Transformers2 movie set. So what does that mean?
[1] – GM plans to use the Volt’s appearance in Transformers2 to help sell the car. It’s marketing.
[2] – So that means that the release date of Transformers2 should line up to help sell the Volt or at least help the “buzz” get traction. When’s the movie release date? 26 June 2009 so that sounds like appropriate timing to me. See the movie in the summer, buy the car in the fall.
[3] – Since this is 100% marketing you can be absolutely sure that the version of the Volt in the movie will be VERY close to the intended final design of the production model. If people are going to see the movie in the summer and buy the car in the fall then it better the hell look like the same car.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:41 am
#89 John said “GM NEVER promised the car would look exactly like the concept. NEVER. You had a NONSENSE expectation, and now you are predictably disappointed.”
Yes, and yes. Before I was in love with the styling and attracted by the high-tech. Now I’ll consider buying one for the technology, if the price is right, but no more love affair.
#97 Grizzly Form can follow function in such a way that outstanding function is accompanied by outstanding styling. That didn’t happen this time. The car is fine, 6 of 10, essentially a plain jane 4 door sedan.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:43 am
The styling and other product placement variables should reflect what mgmt thinks the target mkt would like. Especially in this case, the target mkt is more than just the prospective buyers of this car; i.e., this is a halo vehicle. Transformers2 movie and evidently modern design say a lot about who they’re targeting and who they’re not. Lincoln Town Car owners will have to wait for another style.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Looks good to me! Nice color too.
Sorry for those of you who were expecting some kind of miracle radical style but I believe when it comes to creating an electric car, efficiancy (aerodynamic, weight etc) will have to prevail over everything else… And the price-tag is relevant to the technology and “guts” of the car much more than “Ferrarri” design. I suspect the car was mostly designed by computer, “tuned” to favor aerodynamics. As was the Prius and any fuel-efficient car you’ll be seeing on the road in the near future.
Maybe in a couple of generations, once you have a charge station for your Ultra-capacitors on every street corner and efficiency isn’t as big an issue anymore, only then will you see “RAD” desings.
Remember, we all wanted 40 miles electric range minimum! You were expecting a miracle? Miracles take time on earth…
August 29th, 2008 at 10:52 am
#18 Drake
“Whoa!!
I like it. GM – well done.
I believe I will want mine in the concept version’s steely silver color however.”
Exactly! Love the car but NOT the purple color.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:00 am
#215 Scmeltz… & #218 Murray
“Full and final judgement cannot yet be made and even then… the technology is the game changer.”
*************
I totally agree. We all need to take more of a wait and see attitude.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Ugly as heck. Aptera is way more unique and pleasing to look at.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I haven’t read all the comments but did anyone notice that all the shots are from above except for the one that has the undercarriage obstructed by a berm? A lot of spy photos are done with the knowledge of the spied upon company, so is it possible that there is a design feature (aerodynamic treatment of the under carriage possibly) that GM doesn’t want revealed too soon?
All in all, not as gorgeous as the original Volt design but given the improved aerodynamics, I like it a lot, but I will take mine in metallic silver for a ‘cooler’ car in July of 2011…
August 29th, 2008 at 11:08 am
It’s like I said on the previous topic. Style/design is important, it just is NOT #1 on my priority list. EV range, getting rid of our dependence upon foreign oil and the Volt suiting my automotive needs are far more important.
I’ll wait until the GM official production Volt unveiling before making any final judgment on style/design.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I love this site! truly – great stuff. I’ve just spent an embarassing amt of time reading through about 6 million posts on this string, but I love the new Volt. It brought a smile to my face just to see the thing completed and rolling quietly away on video. I am not a person who buys brand new cars, typically it will be 3 yrs old because I’m too cheap to swallow that kind of depreciation in such a short time and do my own maintenance on vehicles. I think that once I do test drive this completed version it will be game time. Few brief items:
First – whoever it was with the mantras earlier that will now be a first time GM buyer from a BMW – that speaks volumes about the potential marketing. I’m finding that some here are in this because of how the original concept looked, a larger majority (phew! – relieved) are continually commenting on how the exterior does not matter – they’re in it because of what this is, fundamentally.
Second – reminder on aftermarket upgrades. I am continually amazed at the huge difference in stance and overall perception of a vehicle when it comes to certain changes. Wheel packages, grilles, rear deck spoilers – these upgrades if done correctly can make or break my impression of a car. Chrysler 300C. Stock – 30% in favor of it, with the correct rims that bring the rim and tire profile out to the edge of the fender flare with a nice mesh grille – nearly 100%. I’m just saying, for the T2 movie, this likely has some nice upgrades that will definitely improve our perceptions should we make them either OEM or aftermarket.
Third, alot of dudes on this forum! It shows the target market being so far the 20-50 yr old male if my guess is correct. I’m curious how we get an accurate picture of how the women both professional and/or soccer moms are going to feel about it – both from the environmental standpoint as well as affordability and style?? I’d be extremely curious how many of our 40000 on the wait list are women? I know it would take some doing for my wife to see the same $40k worth of value that I and many of my male counterparts are seeing??
August 29th, 2008 at 11:11 am
‘Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder’. It kind of looks like a squashed grape to me, not that I have anything against squashed grapes – made $billions for the Gallo family!
August 29th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I thought it would be interesting to do a quick tally through 232 posts, my unoffical count on appearance goes as follows
Great: 38
Good: 39
Ok or withholding opinion: 27
Ok/Meh, but I’m in it for the EV anyway: 13
Don’t like/underwhelmed: 25
(I tried not to double count anyone, I think it is fairly accurate, when on the fence I tried to round up. It’s political season so I give it a error range of 2-3%, lol).
No commentary from me on this one…just a little FYI, interpret them as you will.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:13 am
This is exactly what GM said they would produce, a Chevy sedan for the average person. And looks wise that is what they are showing us, an average looking economy car. The concept was never realistic and was only used to grab attention.
That being said, the posters claiming this is a “homerun”, “hottest car on the road”, “better looking than the concept” are perhaps being a little too enthusiastic, would these same posters say that the Malibu is a far better looking car than the Corvette?
August 29th, 2008 at 11:15 am
#154 MDDave said “For those of you that aren’t going to buy the Volt because of its looks, are you serious? At worst, it maybe looks a little ordinary when compared to the concept, but it’s still not a bad looking car for it’s size.”
“a little ordinary” and “..not a bad looking car, for its size”
Yes. Did it have to be this way?
August 29th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I like it better than the concept, and I guess I had the concept grow on me…..but the new volt looks much cleaner, and more practical….the windows are not too high.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Disappointing. Looks very small and the shape is, well, for lack of a better word, odd. It’s aerodynamics aren’t that much better than an 09 Audi A4 or a Corvette coupe, why does it have to look so plain? And at 6′3″, I doubt I’m going to fit.
Oh, and I too don’t think it looks like a $40,000 car. Look at the cars that cost that much and do the comparison yourself. At $20k to $25k, sure. But not at $40k.
Mike
August 29th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Works for me. Just get on with it.
“Let’s just get the Volt’s wheels on the road!”
BTW, Where’s Tagamet now that we need him?
Statik:
I have always thought that your financial comments were one of the most informative features of the blog. If GM isn’t around, or doesn’t have the development money, no Volt. Don’t stop on my account.
Lyle:
226 comments at 8:50 AM PDT? Amazing!
August 29th, 2008 at 11:31 am
My Vote: Great!
August 29th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Let’s say that is a thin film solar panel on the top of the car. I would estimate the area as 4ft x 7ft = 28 square feet.
Assuming 11 peak watts per square foot, a typical capacity factor of 17% (available full sunlight time over the course of a day), and a charging efficiency of 86%, then the sunlight would deliver 1.1 kilowatt-hours of energy to the battery per day.
Since 8 kilowatt-hours takes you 40 miles in the Volt, the daily sunlight would take you 1.1/8×40 = 5.5 miles. Not too bad. That may be enough to get a significant number of people home or a good part of the way home.
If your battery was depleted and you parked it outside at the airport, it would take about a week to fill the battery up again.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:36 am
#233 Statik
Useful and interesting tally. It would be interesting to know if there was a difference between how posters who own or have recently owned GM cars came out as opposed to those who have not.
This car is aimed at the second group so the styling success should be judged on how members of that group react.
#153 nasaman
In looking at the side view it does have nice lines. The overhead views don’t give a sense of that. Nice catch on the chargers and the mirrors. I’m glad they went with your idea of two, one on each side (I think we can assume that though we’re only seeing one side). In the thread that asked for our opinions I first thought one in the front would be best, but your comments turned me around completely. Very persuasive.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:37 am
All I have to say is wow!!!
I have been REALLY REALLY REALLY hoping that GM would hit a home run with the exterior design of the Volt. It sure looks like they did it. The exterior looks VERY nice. Much better than the prototype design.
All I can say is this … GM better start ramping up their planned factories for the Volt. This car is going to be in HIGH demand. People really WILL be mad at GM if they don’t make enough of them in 2010-2011. Hat’s off to the Volt exterior design team. Great work! Watch your back Toyota! GM is coming on very strong these days. They might dominate in the green car segments because of the Volt.
Thank you again Bob Lutz for getting the Volt program going. I think this Volt car is going to be HUGE for GM.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:42 am
#213 Sam in MN:
For what it’s worth, my wife is very interested in the Volt, and is fine with buying one. She’s just not a blogger.
In my experience, women are in many ways the strongest environmental advocates. Many of them were early adopters of the Prius. IMHO, they will form a strong market opportunity for the Volt.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Hey! I changed the color from grape to silver and I have to say it looks much, much better to me now!
August 29th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Is that a mirror, or a Transformer’s arm?
August 29th, 2008 at 11:45 am
210 Jason M, Hendler says,
Statik and Amul,
How did I guess that you would poo-poo any pics of the new Volt? Your rage tells me all I need to know.
——-
What rage? And what do you need to know? I only mentioned it was ugly. Sorry, but I don’t like how it looks. Please excuse me for being wrong in my opinion of the pictures.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:48 am
#240 OhmExcited:
I love it! 1500 free miles a year. How can you beat that?
August 29th, 2008 at 11:49 am
#240 OhmExcited
The PV would be too small to charge the battery pack. Even if the car was parked outside the whole day in a sunny climate I’d doubt you could get more than .7kWh/day out of it. More likely it would be less than .5 kWh.
I’d assume it would be used for moving air through the car as a safety feature for ensuring that infants and pets weren’t accidentally cooked.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Statik. You are really getting bashed today.
Let it be known that you and I stand shoulder to shoulder.
I’m glad you are here. Please keep posting.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Volt does not have to be “cute”.
All it has to be is bearabe and cheap enough to sell.
It can even be a little more expensive, as a little more affluent freedom-loving people all over the world will snag it up anyway – just to say a big polite F*** Y** to all the oil countries.
It’s even better that Volt and GM are now tied for the future, as this will prevent any profits from buying up GM and shutting down or delaying Volt.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:57 am
DonC #202 says,
I actually feel worse about Rashiid. No reason he needs to put up with DAPs like #120. He handled it with grace though.
———–
Thanks DonC. I’m not offended really. I am used to be teased about being Arab. Mostly by my close friends and co-workers. I actually make fun of myself too. But thank you for the support.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Anon #228
Sir, if a three wheel motorcycle at $30 K two place is what you want, more power to ya. This rig doesn’t even have a range extender. I want to see you on a Ice covered road with that one wheel drive.
Your comparison is not even close, but again the VOLT is not going to be for everyone. That’s what makes America great, you pick what suits your fancy.
Go VOLT !!!
God Bless America
Tom
August 29th, 2008 at 11:58 am
#246 Rashiid Amul:
I too was disappointed to see you subjected to that ignorant “comment” about oil. I agree with the previous commenter who complimented you on your graceful response.
You are a great asset to the blog, and I honor you for it.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:59 am
#248 DonC
0.7kWh/day is still 3.5 miles per day, which happens to be my commute one way. Remember, it takes 8 kWh to go 40 miles. The 16 kWh battery is not allowed to deplete less than 30% or more than 80%.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
#244 akojim says,
I changed the color from grape to silver and I have to say it looks much, much better to me now!
———
Great. Can you post a link to it? From the top, the car looks like a PT Cruiser. That was the first thing that caught my eye and I immediately thought it was ugly. I realize now that the color purple had a lot to do with that.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Too much noise here….
The VOLT looks beautiful – GM will SELL everyone they can build – to thousands (hopefully hundreds of thousands) of consumers who want to invest in their personal transportation, spend little to no money on gasoline, and truely make a difference to our environment, economy and national security. This is THE breakthrough product that GM needs. The VOLT will change America’s (and the World’s) perception of GM.
If everyone on this site that currently drives a Honda, Toyota, Nissan or other import took an honest look at the products GM is building today (yes…I know….you all have war stories about past GM products….but I can guarantee what GM builds today is totally different than what you may have experienced in the past) – you would realize that you can buy a GREAT car like the Chevy Malibu for between $19 and $25,000 – at least $2,500 less than any comparable Camry or Accord.
As for the ultimate price on the VOLT, its all speculation at this point. Yes, this car will cost more than a conventional gas-engine sedan. Look at the engineering costs. And yes, over the next few years after the VOLT comes out, GM will likely continue to introduce other models with similar technolgy – and over time you will see the cost come down. Look at any other consumer electronics device (iPhone anyone?). Manufacturers must recoup some of their R&D and design costs when they introduce a new product. Then as their investment gets paid down, they can afford to begin lowering costs.
As a consumer, you will have a easy choice to make: Step up and buy a VOLT early on – be a VOLT pioneer – and start driving GAS FREE . . . or . . . keep driving a gas-engine or hybrid car, paying for gas, and wait for the VOLT prices to drop down. No one will have a crystal ball to know what will make the most economic sense, but I can guarantee there will be enough consumers who want one and will pay likely something like $35,000 for it.
If you don’t want to spend that much, I’ll help you buy a new Chevy Aveo for around $14,000, or a Chevy Cobalt for around $15,000, or a new Chevy Malibu for around $19,000 right now – TODAY!
August 29th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
253 Noel Park.
Thanks Noel. But no issues here. Honest.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Well day 2 and I can now look at these photos without being so angry at the GM design team and I am able to keep my lunch down. I guess that I had set high expectations on looks over form/function. I will still go ahead and buy one only because it is a step in the right direction. The technology will get better and once a Lithion-Ion alternative hits the market then GM can start thinking about a sporty looking car (ie. the concept). Right now it’s an electric Scion. Break through technology in a tin can.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
THIS IS AMAZING!!!!!!!! I’ll buy that one!!!
August 29th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I love Bob Lutz’s latest quote in the Detroit Free Press here:
“The Volt is real … and test work is progressing nicely,” Lutz said. “We haven’t hit any obstacles so far for the batteries. They are all performing flawlessly. It’s almost scary we are not seeing any problems with the batteries.”
Scary indeed …. for Big Oil, Hugo Chavez, and the Middle East oil sheiks. It won’t be long now til their worst nightmare hits the road … the Chevy Volt. Excellent news for us car buyers. It will mark the beginning of the end of the internal combustion engine and the polluting carbon based fuel it has been using the past 100 years. That’s progress. I love it that an American car company is leading the way in this first practical, mainstream electric car (ER-EV).
GM better get in “kaizen mode” though and STAY that way, because the competition for the Volt IS coming. It looks like Mazda is getting very serious about a series hybrid coming out in a few years.
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/080829-Mazda-May-Be-Testing-Chevy-Volt-Competitor/
GM better not get complacent about the Volt and E-Flex research and development. They better be constantly looking for ways to refine and improve their technology wherever possible. The goal is to have excellent exterior/interior designs and win lots of awards from the automotive press, JD Power and those guys for reliability, quality and so forth.
Get ‘er done GM! Get ‘er done right! The next decade might be a big renaissance period for GM if they play their cards right. I hope they do.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
@246, Rashiid,
You seem to be getting a bad rap today, man!! Ignore it. Your opinion is as valid as anybody’s on here (maybe more so). And I say that despite the fact that I think it looks fine!
Edit: PS. I agree with DonC and Noel. You *are* an asset here. Don’t take any sh** from the trolls.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
#238 noel park:
“Statik:
I have always thought that your financial comments were one of the most informative features of the blog. If GM isn’t around, or doesn’t have the development money, no Volt. Don’t stop on my account.”
————
Thanks, I’m saving it up though. August sales numbers are out next week..should be interesting. I figure Gm will be off around 20%ish, which is actually a liitle more optimistic than the consensus….the deep discounts may have won over a few people.
Side note, A fellow I know at GM HQ got a ‘early retirement’ package this week…guess that is the start of the ‘15% reduction in management’ movement.
——
Side, side note: If you drive a 2008 Buick Enclave, 2006-2008 Buick Lucerne, 2006-2008 Cadillac DTS, 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT, 2007-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban, 2007-2008 GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL, 2006-2008 Hummer H2 and 2007-2008 Saturn Outlook.
….or any car with a heated windshield washer fluid system, it apparently starts fires, GM recalled about a million of them, so go back to your dealer to get it fixed. (In June, the highway safety agency upgraded its investigation into about 2.7 million 2007-2008 GM trucks and SUVs and reported allegations of 41 engine fires.)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080829/gm_recall.html?.v=6
August 29th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Rashiid Amul:
Noel Park said,”You are a great asset to the blog, and I honor you for it.” I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes a lot of disparaging remarks are spouted around here. There is never a good reason for them and they serve no positive purpose. Good to see a thick skin and the fact that you ignore some of the garbage people throw around.
Regards,
Schmeltz
August 29th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
From a design point of view it is very disappointing. Looks like another upside down bathtub. Not something I would be interested in driving. Great concept but lacking in what GM seems to have been lacking for some time, an interesting design. Needs to be sporty.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
#249 Rashiid
“Statik. You are really getting bashed today.
Let it be known that you and I stand shoulder to shoulder.
I’m glad you are here. Please keep posting.”
———–
It’s ok, it’s a lively topic…very sensitive. If your a contrarian on a fan site, it happens. I understand it.
You are taking some nice heat yourself! I’d be a little upset about the racial undertones myself, but you seem to handling the odd dig from day to day pretty well. Some people have difficulty adjusting to what ‘American’ (or ‘Canadian’) really means when it doesn’t fit their personal viewpoint.
/oh your feeling the love now too, hehe
August 29th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
261 Mike-o-Matic says,
You seem to be getting a bad rap today
————
Tell me about it. Now I know how Statik feels
Apparently it is not a good day to go against the majority.
But like I said in #145: I think I will wait for the official pictures from GM to figure out if I like it or not.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I can’t get the video to load from the link in the original post. It seems like the source is overloaded.
Does anyone have it somewhere else? Can somebody stick it on youtube?
August 29th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Personally, *I* don’t find these images, nor video, to be of sufficient resolution or clarity to really let me make any decision. All these folks saying “Oh, it’s so much better!” or “Oh, it’s so much worse” are really baffling me. I wonder what sort of computers & displays they are looking at these pictures on?
Plus, although I was joking about it in my post #156, we need to recall that this *IS* a car that is apparently playing a significant role in a major Hollywierd movie … *I* find it very difficult to put any credence to the thought that this is basically what the final production Volt will look like (not that I can really tell much from this anyhow!
).
August 29th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Hmmm … acknowledging that the aerodynamics of the concept were so bad that it may have performed better driving backwards …
I still find myself nostalgic for that glorious, shark-like concept design. I love the notion that an ecologically-conscious car can also be (and look) fast and aggressive.
A few quite noticeable differences:
The grill is much more ordinary …
The headlights, which were previously quite small and shallow, seem now big and ordinary …
The side windows were very short. Now big and ordinary.
The wheelbase also seems shorter, and the wheels stick out less.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
RB @235 Says:
“a little ordinary” and “..not a bad looking car, for its size”
Yes. Did it have to be this way?
No, it didn’t have to be that way, but GM was working with a bunch of sometimes opposing parameters, such as the looks, aerodynamic efficiency, and cost, while appealing to the widest possible audience. The concept probably failed on all of those points except for the looks, so they compromised on the looks to gain some ground in those other areas.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Everyone needs to realize that the Volt is just the first of SEVERAL ER-EV “E-Flex powertrain” cars that are on the drawing board. They are probably already well into the design phase for an E-Flex Cadillac that will have all the bells and whistles you can imagine … at a higher price of course. They might be designing an E-Flex pure 2 seater sports car a bit like the Tesla Roadster.
The Volt is just the beginning. I’m sure GM will have a design with the specs you are looking for at some point in the next 10 years. The future looks bright for GM … ya gotta wear shades … like that old song goes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvIAyxpjEuc
I bet GM gets a surge in their stock just based on this spy video leak. I’m sure GM wouldn’t mind that. I’m sure they won’t mind having GOOD problems like too much demand for the Volt in 2010 either. I bet they’d prefer to make those cash registers sing at the dealerships though. They need to get those E-Flex Volt factories up and running. I want them to be the most productive, high tech factories in the world … to build the most advanced cars in the world.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Love all the cars in that little video. They all looked like cool hot wheels. Go Chevy Go!!!!
August 29th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
#221 calgaryvolt said “The Volt is a vehicle that has revolutionary technology and should show off that in a revolutionary desgin. The Prius does so, whether you like the styling or not, and is unmistakable.”
Yes, the Prius is a brilliant design. Whether we love it or hate it, we notice it, and we notice its driver and owner. Its owners like their Prius in part for that reason.
The Volt is going to blend in to the crowd much more, I think. If you tell somebody you bought a new car, they will say ” I didn’t notice. What kind was it? ” That’s not a very rewarding response if you’ve just spent $40K.
It’s not that the new Volt looks bad. It just looks a car that could be mixed in with the Cobalts at the dealer without anyone noticing.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I’m a little disappointed, but this certainly isn’t the disaster some people seem to think it is. At worst it looks a little to average, but with the right paint job the volt could look great.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Ho hum, looks like any other car on the road today
August 29th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Did you see it? ! 40,000 on the wait list!!! Wooo – hooo!!!
GO VOLT!
August 29th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I found 2 cents on the floor so I thought I would throw it in.
This car looks ordinary. Nothing like that sleek, muscle bound concept car.
does it look butt ugly? No.
Does it look like a $39,999.99 car? No.
But, the ultimate question is:
Will it sell? Yes
So, for GM this is a winner. I always held the belief that the car must first perform, then you can put the lipstick on the pig. I think that is what GM is doing.
If you want to ruin the aerodynamics by adding fins, hood scoops, spoilers, etc then go ahead.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Looks like a Cadillac CTS on the front and a Dodge Caliber on the back. Let’s hope there are better options for paint on the production model. The black roof looks cool for the movie but isn’t very practical for general use.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I’m pleasantly surprised by how good it looks, though I don’t know to what extent Americans share my taste. For example, I despise the design of the Chrysler 300, which to me screams ‘arrogant SOB’.
Understatement that conveys quality beats bling and aggressive styling for me any day.
StephenB
August 29th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Looks like an Infiniti G35 and a Scion tC mated. And has an E-REV powertrain.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I’d drop 35K on that…….seeing as how I might never put gas in it…..
Its about GD time BTW, it’s only taken 100 years to rethink the Internal combustion engine…
August 29th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
#262 Statik:
“Heated windshield washer fluid system”?? I have to confess that I have lived my whole life without the benefit of one of those. I thought that the blue stuff you put in the tank kept it from freezing? Of course, as a life long SoCal resident, how would I know?
According to the wire this morning, 875K vehicles involved. I wonder how much that costs?
Sounds like the best argument I have heard this week for :
“Keep It Simple Sweetheart (Stupid?)”
“What ain’t there don’t give you no trouble.”
Someone on the last thread more or less said it in French! Well done!
August 29th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
#280 Aspherical — Yes, pretty much the same as Scion tC.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Regarding the color, it looks to me like the Honda Goldwing color – Illusion Blue. The Illusion Blue motorcycle appears to be a different color in every different lighting situation, from blue to purple. I like that a lot.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
My mental image of the Volt concept car is the one at the top of every forum page. Since the video came out I went to the gallery and looked a all of the others. I think that a picture of the concept car from the same vantage point as the video would look pretty much the same. Sure the wheels don’t protrude and the sides seem to be less sculpted than the concept but the overall silhouette is really quite close.
I like the looks of the concept as seen at the top of this page. I’m less thrilled about it when I look at the other views.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Here are the cold facts: Toyota can afford to build the Prius on its own unique platform and body. GM can’t afford to do the same with the Volt. It rides on the Delta II platform, along with the future Cruze and Astra. It almost certainly shares many/most hard points of the body with them too. The overall shape (not surface texture) is very similar to the Cruze and next Astra, except for the tail, which appears unique to the Volt. This totally explains the mediocre aero Cd of .28., probably only slightly better than its Delta stablemates.
The problem I see (and I’m trying to be objective here), is that the Volt pretty much looks like any other compact car, for better or worse, depending on your taste. BUT does it look dramatically distinctive enough, given it’s unique mission in life and high price tag?
Regardless of whether you like or dislike the Prius, its shape is very distinctive, and speaks of its features (aerodynamic, high-tech, efficient, etc.). I would have expected the Volt to speak its unique features (and price) more…strongly, and eloquently.
The production Volt looks nice/cute enough, but it has a huge mission in life. This isn’t very distinctive.
Meanwhile, the 2010 Prius will likely be more expressive, unique and aerodynamic than ever. That’s the advantage of not sharing a platform and body with the Corolla.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Statik,
#209
“I look forward to being mercilessly pounded.”
I bet you do! LOL
Your a TROLL, admit it and stop trying to play nice guy.
——————————————————————————
#216
” I like your use of my ‘poo-pooing’ reference, it’s just fun…”
Like i said your a troll, you just want to cause “static”.
You talk to much and think people care about your opinion, living in the middle of nowhere canada i’m sure you have your finger on the pulse of America. I’m from NJ, you know right next to the center of the universe (NY) so at least when i give my opinion it is based of experience gained from a very wide swath of people.
Congrats, from this point forward i’m the anti-statik, and i’m not new here either. Every time you post i’m gonna be all over it to remind you nobody gives a sh*t what some yahoo from the froozen tundra of greenland thinks.
NRiely, Rashid, and the rest of you guys who make a life out of making 35 post for each topic save the cheerleading and wipe your chins.
NOTE TO GM:
Statik (aka mr nobody from nowhere) thinks GM sucks, you won’t make it till 2010, and the production volt compared to the concept volt is a show of your styling incompetence. So if you do honor the waiting list, remember him!
LOL You want statik you got statik
August 29th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I thought it would look more like this photo. It looks like GM was just messing with us with this car. I didn’t like how this car looked from the side too much.
http://www.hybridchat.com/files/images/volt_tunn2.jpg
Or like the Honda “Sports 4″:
http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/112_05tokyo_honda_sport4_gall/index.html
I like how this new one looks much better. I like that sleek look … kind of like the new Mazda6 MPS that comes out next year. Like a lot of people, I thought the concept car looked fine. It just looked a bit too much like an older Camaro with the rear end chopped down a bit too much. Not too aerodynamic on the front end either. For Volt 1.0, I didn’t really want GM to get TOO radical with the exterior styling just so it would look unique. Cars that look totally unique and stick out