GM: Leaked Production Volt Photos Were Unflattering
I am here in Detroit on the eve of the dawn of GMs next 100 years, and the revelation of the production Chevy Volt.
In passing today I had a conversation with Bob Boniface chief of E-Flex design. He confirmed the leak of the Volt photos were unintentional. He also indicated that the cars appearance in them was very unflattering. He explained the angles and lighting were inappropriate and the car was not captured properly. In fact, those images had never even been approved by GM.
This sense was also conveyed by Ed Welburn, GMs VP of design who in a separate conversation said those photos were "terrible."
Boniface also said the "Transformer Volt", which many thought looked better, was actually a vehicle of identical design.
We shall soon see…Remember to tune in here tomorrow by 8:30 AM EST.
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Related posts:
- BREAKING: GM Releases New Production Volt Photos
- BREAKING: New Full Production VOLT Studio Pictures Leaked!
- Interview with Chevy Volt Chief Designer About the Production Car: Plus Leaked Pictures and Video
- Spy Photos: Chevy Volt Mule on the Test Track
- On Public Opinion About the Production Chevy Volt (and Another Poll)
(4 votes, average: 4.25 out of 5) 
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57 Responses to “GM: Leaked Production Volt Photos Were Unflattering”
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September 15th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Wish I was there in Detroit! One more question Lyle. In regards to the charging of the Volt, Will the Volt have a timer to start charging after midnight and stop after it is fully charged? I don’t mind staying up past midnight to plug her in, but as i get older, it’s getting harder to stay a wake! I know our local power company will prefer to charge electric cars at night. Better price per KW too…Have a great time and I look forward to see the webcast!
September 15th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Well, lets hope for the best response possible from the public. I see the gm-volt daily visitors as a little outside the normal. They are people with a bit more interest than the everyday joe. On the other hand though, there is no reason on earth that the everyday joe wouldn’t love this car. It means so much to this country at this point in time…..I hope it spurs a movement.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
#1
I doubt it will have a timer but you can buy one at a hardware store for about 30 bucks (Make sure you buy one that can handle the current). Do you pay more for electricity during the day? That requires a special meter. Most people I know look at me like a cyclops when I ask them because they never heard of such a thing.
My house is occupied 24/7 so I don’t want a tiered electric bill unless the utility will install a seperate meter for the garage (free of charge!). We know that isn’t likely…….
September 15th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Photos don’t do me justice either. You should see me in person. I’m eagerly awaiting professional photos from tomorrow’s (hoped for) debut.
Go Volt!
September 15th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
I hope that any streaming video will be archived for those of us that cannot watch live.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
The angles and lighting were inappropriate? So no one will ever see these cars in low light at odd angles?
I think the car should be able to stand on its own, no need tailored lighting or a choreographed photoshoot.
Still looking forward to getting one though.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
The blue one shown above has flared wheel wells and a better look.
Flat sides with zero depth and even fender lips with uninspiring flat wheels spell E-C-O-N-O B-O-X (as seen in leaked shots)
lets hope it looks WAY better than the leaked photos. Yes I appreciate the technology. No I will not spend 40K on a cheap looking car.
I can also appreciate lighting and photo shooting. It took a very well respected photographer an entire day and then two days of photo shop work to make a product I make look “Perfect” for “publicity purposes”. Plus $10K
However the Volt in the pics “leaked” was unanimously disappointing.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Lyle, Enjoy the 100th anniversary and thank you for GM-VOLT news that keeps us informed and encouraged in our desire for electric cars.
PS: Thanks to GM for the luxury our family continues to enjoy with Cadillac purchases since 1955. (Many Chevy, Buick, and GMC utility vehicles too.)
September 15th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Here all the way in the Bermuda Islands……, I’m very…, very…, excited about what I’m going to see tomorrow morning. I’m over the shock of the leaked photos and I’m back on track for really…., really wanting a “Volt” in my driveway plugged in at night…, every night. However, with only 10K units being produced in the first run the question that I have is, “Will any of these units be available for guys like myself that are not on US soil…???”
Would say at least 100 units be set aside as right hand drive cars..?? To be exported internationally for a chosen select few. There could be at least one unit in every country that had someone on the wait list, with money in hand of course. This would give folk the chance in other countries the chance to walk up and see and feel the real thing. They could talk with the owner about their daily commute in silence and so on. This would assist in building the “WOW” factor within that location spreading the love of this great new car that you must have also. BTW…., a gallon of gas in Bermuda goes for more than $8 bucks.
Any chance this is a possiblity. As it stands now I will have to wait until maybe 2013 or 2014 before I see the car in Bermuda and I’m able to make a purchase.
At the moment I have a 15 year old 1993 Mazada 323 that I am nursing through every year. I don’t GM to forget about the rest of the world on Nov. 2010. We love the “Volt” too.
:) 
September 15th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Frank a standard AC outlet at your house can handle 15 amps. The Volt designed to plug into a standard outlet will not draw more than 15 amps or it will trip a breaker or blow a fuse. There is a large assortment of timers at your local hardware store that can be programed to go on or off and some can handle 15 amps of current so you are covered already. And I cannot believe that the parts dept. at your Chevy dealer wont come up with a fancy timer with a Chevy logo on it.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
#6 Marcus
Maybe they didn’t like the color of the Volt that was leaked. Maybe they have a better color to show tomorrow??
September 15th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Lets just hope its better quality than most GM vehicles.
I;ve owned both and my 96 4Runner is a far, far better vehicle than my 99 Yukon, All you gotta do is sit in it and flick the turn signal lever to feel the difference. Plus the windows in the rear doors of GM vehicles on go down about 3 inches.
They go all the way down in the 4Runner.
All vehicles are nice when they are new, but the true test is when its 10,12, or 15 yrs old.
Toyota will probably come out with one, before GM does, and anyone thats owned both, will know that the Yota will be far superior quality.
GM and Ford cant seem to make a small efficient quality vehicle, and sell it for a profit.
They can make a 6000 lb 12 mpg truck and make $10K profit on it, plus they sell all the good stuff in Europe but refuse to offer small vehicles with turbodiesel engines in the states.
Geeze they even had to import rear wheel drive cars from Australia to sell in the states.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Vincent:
Ditto. I doubt that the production photos were wrong, though. I smell a dog.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
The recently released production photos of the Camaro sure are truer to the concept car, but hell, with 400+ hp pushing it, I suppose aerodynamics is inconsequential. Still, GM were to make the Volt truer to the concept, and perhaps add clear panels over the boxier surfaces to smoothen out the airflow, perhaps that would be a good overall compromise. I’d buy auxiliary batteries to get the 40 mile range and have ti truer to the concept which was surly a head turner
September 15th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Well…. I was one who was liking the transformer Volt more than the leaked shots, so I’ll just have to wait and see I guess.
I just hope the performance specs are there and the car can MOVE from 0 to 60.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Statik, don’t you live near Detroit? Are you going?
September 15th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
#4 ThombDbhomb Says:
Photos don’t do me justice either. You should see me in person. I’m eagerly awaiting professional photos from tomorrow’s (hoped for) debut.
—————–
I hear you. The camera adds 50 pounds to my frame…..oh….er….or maybe I added the 50 pounds to my frame.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I’d rather see a bad photo than one that makes it look too good.
I still wonder when the logo above will be corrected.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I will not be able to watch the webcast, unfortunately. You guys enjoy it
and please do a good job of covering it for those of us that will miss it.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Lyle,
Don’t forget to ask them about the type of transmission / gearbox they plan to mate to the electric motor.
(even with a totally linier toque curve, and the ability to start off from 0 RPMS, there still advantages to some torque multiplication at start up vs. direct drive, else your will have to use more battery draining current to try and make up the difference….just my opinion)
Thanks!
September 15th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Our local NPR station just did an nice blurb on the 100th anniversary, the featuring of the Volt there, and the Volt in general. It sounded like it came directly off of GM-Volt.com. I wonder if they’re following this too? Public awareness is clearly growing apace.
Other than that, I am trying to take Rashiid’s good advice at #66 on the previous thread and either be positive or shut up, so TTFN.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I know this comment is down on the list now but I have a great idea for GM.
Free bumper stickers to all those on the Volt waiting list that say “My next car will have a plug!”
I am trying to get the most out of my 95 Saturn SL2 before getting something new. Trying to hold off for the Volt.
But sexy looking Mazada 6 cars and the new A4 are very appealing to my ego. (sad truth). I hope the volt looks better then those leaked pictures. I was hoping I could have both worlds! Sexy electric car… or is that tradmarked by Tesla?
September 15th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
“He explained the angles and lighting were inappropriate and the car was not captured properly.”
Has anyone at GM ever said that about a photo of a Corvette?
The production Volt looks entirely fine and also entirely ordinary. There is nothing distinctive about it. That doesn’t make it bad, just similar to millions of Honda Civics and soon-to-be Chevy Cruzes. Most people will never recognize the Volt as an unusual car, even though it actually is, unless they have enough previous background knowledge to look for little details that are going to go right by most people. When the Volt is shown in ad photos, it will look nice, and just like all the Honda photos, which also look nice.
It is really too bad that Mr Boniface and GM did not have the opportunity (or choose to take the opportunity) to design an outside that somehow reflected the extraordinary drivetrain. As its chief designer, I am sure he feels bad about it. No doubt he was handicapped by the many constraints that GM put onto what could be made.
September 15th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Keith,
Not sure if you are aware: You can get a “My Next Car will be Electric” bumper sticker from Lyle! Just click on “Gear” at top of page. It’s a modest $7 donation.
September 15th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Well I wish GM luck tomorrow. This whole thing has turned into a bad dream for me. I live in the boondocks in the middle of the country. I live 100 miles from a city with a population of 50,000. There has only been one small story about the Volt in our newspaper. I have seen one ad on TV. I have ask several friends about what they think of the new Volt. Nobody knows what I am talking about. I hope GM has done a better job on the coasts where they plan the first sales. I can tell you all that there has not been much action in the rural Midwest. I wish them GOOD LUCK.
Take Care
Arch
September 15th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Arch
GM did have a nice story about the Volt in the New York Times yesterday and in the Wall Street Journal today. That’s far from everybody, and of course they were competing against other news, but it is not too bad for a car that still is 2 or more years away from delivery.
September 15th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Lyle,
My first post was to you directly to ask the folk at GM about the possiblity to set aside maybe 100 units for limited exclusive export.
This would be for those persons who’s names have been registered on the “Wait List” and are residents in a country outside of US soil. These persons would of course have to have an authorized “Chevy Dealership” in that listed country and have the financial means to pay for the car themselves as normally would be expected.
That first post BTW was #9 in this thread.
Also…, could some of my fellow bloggers respond as to whether you think this would be a good idea for GM to do…??? After all, the rest of the world wants to stop drinking gas daily too.
As I mentioned in my previous posting, gas maybe $4 bucks or so a gallon in the US but in Bermuda and elsewhere outside of the US it is $8+ USD bucks a gallon.
I need a “Volt” sooner rather than later and so do all of my neighbors. I mean…, what does GM think of that idea..??? It would really help get folk excited like myself in other countries. Folk would be beating the doors down at Chevy dealerships all over the world.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
http://greenlight.greentechmedia.com/2008/09/15/the-future-of-auto-industry-up-for-grabs-tomorrow-when-volt-debuts-574/
Take Care
Arch
September 15th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
http://blog.mlive.com/businessinnovation/2008/09/chevrolet_volt_to_dominate_spo.html
Take Care
Arch
September 15th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
#23 RB
“Has anyone at GM ever said that about a photo of a Corvette?”
Ouch! Good point!
September 15th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I’m so glad to hear those photos didn’t do it justice. In those pictures you couldn’t see the huge wheel flares, the glass panels at the top of the doors looked like plastic, the roof line looked pretty high, the tires didn’t look to be low profile or 20″, and the grill seemed almost as fake as that hood contour. I’m sure 5 degrees to the left and it will look just like the concept!
The reason that the transformer volt looked better is because it was fuzzy. So far it has been correct to say that everything about the Volt gets uglier as it becomes clearer.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
#31 GXT
I read your post to my wife, and we both were laughing out loud. Yes, just “5 degrees to the left.” Thanks for a great sense of humor.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I don’t think that it looks that bad. Besides I’ve been looking at the worst looking car on the planet (the preius) for a few years. It can’t be any worse than that ugly thing. I think that the Preius is great technology, but I wouldn’t but one simply because I couldn’t stand the look of it in my driveway. GM will come back swinging, they alway do!!! Anyone remember Japanese car bashing????
September 15th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
So if these photos were not approved, I guess that means the other released photos (the ones with the execs) were approved. Pretty obvious anyways.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Arch #28
This quote is from the article you linked: ” If A123 is part of the winning bid, its coming IPO looks a lot better. GM owns around five percent of the company so they tend to be favored.”
Does anyone remember it being reported before that GM has 5% stake in A123? This explains their apparent favoring of A123. I hope it’s true, and I’m also hoping GM does select A123.
September 15th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
For those that don’t believe camera angles make much of a difference. Look at these Lexus page for their IS series first and then look at the Wickepedia link. The Volt photoshoped pic w/o Tony Pasawitz removed is unflateringly inaccurate and at a worse (higher) angle, yet it looks a LOT like this $32+K well received car. I bet you could find a similar angle for Mercedes, BMW, and other luxury cars that will also look very similar to the Volt. Strangly enough, these cars aren’t maligned for their looks. Even though it has lost much of the concept’s edginess, I’m betting that unbiased opinions will find the Volts design a lot closer to these vehicles’ level than to a Prius, Carolla, Cobalt, etc.
http://www.lexus.com/models/IS/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_IS
Clearly, there is no possible way for GM to convince American buyers to break their wealth hemmoraging, oil addicted ways and abandon their Acuras, Mercedes, Lexi, BMWs, etc. Only a fool would think people that want to use the least amount of gas possible that have been willing to pay a premium for the Prius and other hybrids could possibly be willing to pay a higher premium for a car that can use NOOO gas and looks better (to most) and performs better. You’re all sooo right. Give it up GM. What were you thinking?
No plug, No sale! LJGTVWOTR!
September 15th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Maybe the pictures were bad, but they can’t be that much off. There was no distortion or anything else going on. the car is just plain common and ugly. You can’t sell ugly for $40k, no matter how good the idea is.
GM blew it, plain and simple.
September 15th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
“Boniface also said the “Transformer Volt”, which many thought looked better, was actually a vehicle of identical design.”
Why would he say this? Anyone can plainly see they’re not the same, as #7 Vincent has already pointed out. The wheel well flares on the transformer Volt are clearly not on the production model.
# 22 Keith - I’ve got a bumper sticker on my car that says “My Next Car, No Plug - No Deal!” from Plug in America.
http://www.pluginamerica.org/
September 15th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Perhaps some of the negativity comes from the fact that this will be an expensive ($35,000 - $39,999) “Chevy”. People don’t have a problem paying more for a Corvette but that could be because this model transcends the brand. Perhaps those with negative reactions saw the concept on it’s own and now they “see” a Chevy. Somewhat understandable, in a narrow minded kind of way. This, of all vehicles, should be seen on it’s own. The EREV is game changing technology that can revolutionilze the automobile. Perhaps it looks more like the Lexus than the Prius when viewed from this perspective (or maybe it just does look more like the Lexus).
September 15th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I WANT TO love the VOLT. I want to BUY a VOLT. I drive 20 miles to work and 20 miles back every day. NO GAS!!! But 40K for UGLY just isn’t going to do it. I thought the concept was a little pimpy looking for my momish tastes, but the production model needs SOMETHING - and this doesn’t have it.
PLEASE let it look better in the morning.
September 16th, 2008 at 12:02 am
Maybe if they just show the back of the Volt! Then it would look pretty cool. After all, who really looks at the front or sides of the car? Those were just unflattering pictures - not really representative of the car. Those aren’t the droids you’re looking for! Wanna buy some swamp land?
September 16th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Can somebody please remove all the pix of the original concept car from this site? It makes me sick to be reminded of what might have been!
September 16th, 2008 at 2:47 am
Let me say it again: the important thing about this car is WHAT IT DOES NOT HOW IT LOOKS!
There are plenty of cars out there TODAY which make their appearance their first (or one of their most important) selling point. Go buy (for probably cheaper too!) one of these cars and don’t waste your time here if looks are what’s paramount to you!!
As for me, apart from sport cars most cars today are looking blander and blander and more similar to each other. At today’s fuel prices, with today’s traffic congestions and with today’s highway code, very strict laws and inflexible enforcement I am not interested anymore in sport cars (I am writing from Italy where until 10-15 years ago you could still enjoy having AND DRIVING a fast car…).
I find the production Volt’s looks not exciting but definitely nice. The excitement about the Volt comes from what it does, not how it looks!!!
I would very gladly have a blander looking Volt if it gets me more miles of electric only drive (and, secondarily, better MPG in ICE mode), the more the better, that’s what I would buy the Volt for!!!
September 16th, 2008 at 7:09 am
koz,
I thought that GM had a much higher % of A123. I might be wrong (shrug)
The pregame film/infomercial is started.
Be well,
Tag
NPNS, LJGTVWOTR!!
September 16th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Congratulations on following through on this innovative and market driven product. However, please reconsider offering a model option, in the spirit of the original Super Sport Chevies, similar to the Concept Car’s Lines and Style. Throughout this rollout, there have been press reports of GM offering the sport model and a sedan model. Please do more research on this, because I believe GM could capture and re-capture a strong customer base if you would be responsive. Cars can still be a visceral experience. EV can still be cool.
Tom S. Minneapolis
September 16th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Congratulations on following through on this innovative and market driven product. However, please reconsider offering a model option, in the spirit of the original Super Sport Chevy’s, similar to the Concept Car’s Lines and Style. Throughout this rollout, there have been press reports of GM offering the sport model and a sedan model. Please do more research on this, because I believe GM could capture and re-capture a strong customer base if you would be responsive. Cars can still be a visceral experience. EV can still be cool.
Tom S. Minneapolis
September 16th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
At $40,000 looking like a mass production misfit I am not overjoyed. No wonder GM is sliding down the tube.
September 16th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
This vehicle will be in the nail in GM’s coffin. I would not by one…not because of the looks…but it’s still not cost effective, it still needs gas, and only saves about a dime per mile…no way is it worth the pricetag…unreal
September 16th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
The volt will be a much bigger success than any one thinks right now. It took Prius some years to really get rolling and it’s not even that good.
Once powering stations are more widely spread out and used, you may never need to use the gas engine except in desolate country side.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I am just stunned, seeing such a bold and exciting design for the Chevy Volt concept car turn into yet just another car on the road. I am so disappointed with the production version that I have lost all interest in purchasing one. This car will not appeal to the masses, only to those who are willing to turn a blind eye to styling in order to make a stament. Buy a Chevy Malibu today and drive it 150,000 miles and still spend less then getting the Volt off the dealer lot.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Hooray for chevrolet!!!
just joking……I wonder what the rate of warrantable failures will be.
Will GM release service campaigns at a low threshold? Chevy can package a car up to be green all they want. I’ll never buy a gm….ever. Their cars don’t last. And that’s a fact!
GM and their ilk are a bunch of pretenders now in the car market. Anyone with half a brain knows that the only way to go is Japanese. A japanes car built in Japan is even better yet!!!!
September 16th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
I have to agree. The photos you took definitely do a better job. While I will agree that the concept car was - dare I say it - sexy, it was a concept. The (finally) revealed production VOLT is a car I will buy.
September 17th, 2008 at 12:02 am
Wish people would stop being superficial about the looks of their car and start realizing the benefits of owning and operating these vehicles….
September 17th, 2008 at 12:12 am
There is some form of corporate death wish at GM. They excel at designing ugly cars. Its what they do.
September 17th, 2008 at 12:22 am
ugly car??? Who cares if it is ugly…..does it save you money??? What are you 19?!?!?!?
September 17th, 2008 at 6:50 am
Why does everyone always think in terms of cost to operate. Aren’t you concerned about wasting dwindling resources? I can’t afford a $40K auto but the my first sight of the Volt surely has my Focus looking like a Gremlin or Pacer or Pinto….
September 17th, 2008 at 6:53 am
It’s funny that people can put up with the looks of the Prius, and even put up with that retarded instrument panel in the middle of the dash, but then turn around and criticize the look of the Volt. At least it looks like a normal car that can be driven every day and it has the aerodynamics that give the car range. Not sure why people need to feel that this new technology should look like a gas hog sports car to be cool.