GM has just released a video of and blog post by Andrew Farah, the Volts chief engineer. Andrew demonstrates one of the new pre-production genuine Chevy Volts that has rolled of the assembly line. He reports he drove the first one on Tuesday, Integration Vehicle #1, more than a week ahead of schedule, and drove it again today.
He writes:
I adjusted the seat and mirrors, pressed the POWER button, moved the shifter to D, and then took it on a few laps around our Technical Center campus in Warren, Mich. This was the moment I’d been looking forward to and it was exhilarating. And when I was done, I pulled it into the garage and charged it with the production intent equipment.
As Andrew says, the preproduction properties “are the Volt” He notes this new era is not the end but the beginning of what he calls “the most important part of the process.”
Farah says the fundamental issues of the car are under control, but at this point his team needs to go into the refining the vehicle and make it something people “want to drive.”
Its the little things he says like “the ways the blinker sounds, the way the door sounds, and the way the steering responds.”
People, he says rightly, expect all of that to be flawless and finish developing. You can see the new location of the charging port door.
What makes it wonderful is that they are a few weeks ahead of schedule. And so the next major phase of the Volt coming into begin has occurred, 2 years 5 months, and 8 days after this site began as little more than a hope and a dream.
Source (FastLane)
GALLERY:
This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 at 6:09 pm and is filed under Production, Prototypes, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
+6
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:13 pm)This is all pretty breathtaking for me. Just getting into a new Malibu at Henna Chevrolet here in Austin has me ready to buy a Volt.
The Volt (Malibu body), is just the right size for me (6-2) , and, it is very comfortable too.
Go over to your Chevy store and sit in a Malibu, and, you can very easily imagine yourself in a Volt.
You’ll get that breathtaking feeling too.
Dan
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:15 pm)It looks pretty nice actually! The design could have been a little better than this but it looks alright.
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+2
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:24 pm)What a great day! we are seeing the future happen!
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+8
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:25 pm)Bring on a small pickup with this type of drivetrain and HURRY!
Dreams into reality- how electrifying!.
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:27 pm)The car looks great (but)…..
1) Does anyone know if the silver spoiler on the rear is standard or optional?
2) Ditto the projector headlights with blacked-out surrounds?
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:28 pm)I tried to buy a car last weekend. I could not find the car that met my various needs/wants (although the Jetta TDI Sportwagen came close). The Volt looks like something I want; performance, fuel efficiency, comfort, quiet…If priced right, the Volt is the car for me.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:29 pm)Ditto the fake grill?
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:31 pm)Congrats to the Volt Team for bringing the car out ahead of schedule in some very difficult times. They should be very pleased with their performance!
Also congrats to Lyle for creating this site, which has done a lot to keep the enthusiasm for the Volt rolling. It was a kick to have Lyle mention how the first Volt wold roll out of the door in his still photo in the morning and then have this video showing the Volt rolling out of the exact door in the afternoon.
This is quite exciting. I’m more or less a “pretty is as pretty does” kinda guy — so looks aren’t that big of a deal for me — but this is a nice looking car. More like an Insight than a Prius, it looks better than those vehicles and is definitely distinctive, which is important. While some may be disappointed that it doesn’t look like a Fisker Karma, this car will have plenty of exceptional things going for it under the hood. Also, it could be my imagination but it seems to have pretty snappy handling in the video.
NPNS!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:31 pm)Test…
So why were all my posts getting deleted?!?!?
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:33 pm)Is $40,000.00 the right price?
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+13
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:33 pm)What a day for Farah (i.e, a Farah-day)!
He gets to be first.
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:34 pm)Hey, the next time you guysand Gals do a reply, Read the red text that pops up. It say’s “new comment is submiting, please wait a comment…”
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:37 pm)I put a picture of the Volt and the Insight next to each other and it looks like the Volt is shorter (bumper to bumper). Their silhouette lokks the same though….
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:37 pm)this is pretty legit but a few things that i noticed. at least to me, how the steering feels is not a “small part” it is very important to me. I hate dull steering as it is very boring. another thing; there was no Chevy badge on the front and that silver spoiler on the back just looked weird. also, the headlights looked much worse than when the car was unveiled back in, i believe it was September.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:37 pm)My first reaction is that $40k is too much. But, I’ll wait to see what actually happens, price-wise. Maybe incentives and fuel prices will make a Volt pencil out.
I forget, what kind of maintence does a Volt need? Regular oil changes at 3k miles?
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:39 pm)In reviewing the technology behind the grille, it looks like that there is in the very front of the chassis, the battery cooling system heat exchanger, then, you get cooled with the air conditioning condenser (for the A/C refrigerant to be cooled), then, the engine coolant gets cooled with a radiator.
So, it looks like the grille is likely and certainly a highly functional open one for the Volt.
Dan
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-4
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:39 pm)I gave myself a -1 for that
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:41 pm)I think the spoiler in th back is a decoy/camouflage to some small extent.
Just IMHO.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:43 pm)WOOHOO!
Great job guys – bang out as many as you can and start polishing every minute aspect with the time you have left.
I can just see all the documentaries that will be made about this development effort. Fr. Staudemeier of the University of Detroit could write a piece, being an historian of tech development and its impact on society.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:45 pm)Lucky SOB. When can I get mine!
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:45 pm)Back on November 3rd, 2008, Lyle posted
http://gm-volt.com/2008/11/03/volt-lead-designer-on-the-production-volt-front-grille/
That post says,
“There has been some public debate about the appearance of the production Chevy Volt’s front grille. It is unique in that it isn’t a series of bars across an opening, but rather a closed but very firm and strong panel with openings around the sides. The panel has etchings that simulate a true grille.”
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:48 pm)Which will be easier to get: a Chevy Volt in Nov 2009 or a liver transplant?
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:48 pm)OK, in #16, is there a viral BOT that automatically goes out and post stuff like that on site “Content”?
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:48 pm)Ahead of schedule…and under budget? If so, lower the selling price.
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+5
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:50 pm)Lyle – do you know / can you establish whether or not there is any anti-tamper feature for the re-charge connector?
From these shots it appears that when the flap is open it then stays that way during recharging. Hence anyone can come along, unplug you and/or rip off that open flap.
Citroen got it right on their Berlingo EV which has a ’sub-flap’ on the main flap. This means that after you plug in you can RE close the flap, leaving just the handle portion of the connector (and cable) protruding from the sub-flap. The flap can only be released by a pull handle on the interior, rendering the whole arrangement tamper proof .
This also provides an extra barrier to water ingress in the event of torrential downpours.Simple, practical and much more TIDY.
GM engineers please take note – it isn’t too late to put this right. PLEASE do so or you WILL deter potential cusomers – myself included.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:50 pm)ThombDdbomb
Don’t do it. Don’t get a VW. Unfortunately, I can’t list here the reasons why you ought not get one.
Go over to the Chevy store and sit in a Malibu. You’ll see right away how luxurious and how far more solid it is, and, then, I’d bet you’ll be happy to wait for a Volt.
Dan.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:50 pm)doesn’t it look great driving around on the road??
its very distinctive and eye-catching. from the front, i dont know why, but it kind of looks like a CTS.
i think i like the charge port better too. it doesn’t really matter, i don’t guess though.
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+9
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:50 pm)That depends on your Jobs.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:50 pm)@ThombDbhomb 19
“Ahead of schedule…and under budget? If so, lower the selling price.”
Yeah right. I/We wish.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:52 pm)Black, Statik is going to like it. So when do we see a Victory Red one? Anyway we still can not see the head lights and tail lights. We are talking LED’s her are we not? Yes what is up with the white spoiler?
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Jun 24th, 2009 (6:54 pm)@Red HHR 23
“We are talking LED’s her are we not?”
Someone correct me here but those are standard Halogen type headlamps right? I think LED sets were considered “cost prohibitive”.
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (6:57 pm)If it is still every 3K miles and you rarely use the ICE, you’ll have to change oil maybe 1 – 2 times a year.
Nice, huh?
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+30
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:01 pm)Nothing but good news here. It is nice to finally get to see a actual operational Volt. The glass is definitely half full for me on this one. (first time for everything I guess)
Congrats to the Volt team on realizing the finished product (more or less) and good luck on bringing it home on time.
I give them use of Tagamet’s song for the rest of the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_v468ptuXw
———-
Also, a big gratz to Lyle on sticking with it/us for ‘2 years 5 months, and 8 days’. I’m sure when you started out you had all the energy and enthusiam in the world (and probably still do on most days), but I’m also sure there have been a lot of days/weeks that were just a grind, and you really wanted a break. Cheers.
+1 to Lyle
+1 to Andrew Farah and the team
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:03 pm)I gave you a bump. Very punny.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:05 pm)The Chevy Volt can just as easily be called the American Independence day car. This is the beginning of independence from terrorist funding by Americans who buy middle-east oil everyday. A great day for America – November 2010 and from that day forever onward I pray. God bless this magnificent country and GM for spiking the world’s interest away from foreigners using our cash to buy our country.
US Air Force (retiree)
And to think, the I-Miev is $47,000, the Volt, the better car, will be $32,500 after the tax credit. This is a no brainer folks.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:05 pm)Stop it! Stop it! You are on a roll.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:07 pm)Probably a Kamm-Tail….
Just enough aerodynamic improvement to keep the cell count under 300.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:08 pm)I’d assume some kind of personal grudge against you by Lyle.
/anti CaptJack day
(=
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+5
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:09 pm)The video is great.
Though I’d really like to see a video clip of a Prius being “T-Boned” by a “Pre-Production” Volt.
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-1
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:09 pm)I have to say, after reading all the posts here, I’ve become a permanent Democrat. That party actually believes government can play a positive role in people’s lives.
Let the mud flying begin. I turned in my Republican card last Fall.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:10 pm)Well, it seems that the various heat exchangers and the devices to have the heat extracted from three different systems essentially appear to need about two square feet of ram air. Although some vehicles like the Vette scoop up air from near the road, I am thinking that to exclude undue risks to new designs which may need higher tolerance-margins of cooling air volumes, that the grille might need to be a truly functional one.
Maybe there could be some sort of spring-loaded door that opens at lower speeds (below 40 mph) on hot days (it was 105 degrees in Austin today), and have it close when coefficient of drag would benefit at higher speeds.
It would not surprise me that we might get Summertime temperatures in the mid Hundred-Teens toward the end of the useful life of the Volt, which I would hope to be 25 years/well maintained/gently-driven.
Dan.
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-2
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:13 pm)…I have it on good authority/inside ’source’ that only mental patients order Victory Red
/black is awesome
…that Robin’s Egg Blue we have been forced to look at the last 9 months is the exact opposite, and the source of many sleepless nights for me. I still hope the first car (and all subsequent cars) crash tested are in Robin’s Egg Blue…clearly the Volt team has been reading the forums and learning.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:16 pm)Yep, CJS.
They axed the LED’s long ago. I do not think they really seriously considered them, but they looked cool.
Cost of LED headlamps would add several hundered dollars. I forget the exact number, but I think it was closer to a grand?
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:18 pm)Hah! Best laugh I had all day, and boy-howdy, did I need it. I. too. give you a thumbs-up!
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:18 pm)I think both the Volt and IMiev have different markets, and I hope for the success of both.
Does not the IMiev get to partake in the tax credit? So, $47,000 is not a fair number, and I am not sure if I have heard a firm US $ price yet.
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-5
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:19 pm)Last month the wife and I go down to the local GM dealer to look at the new Camaro. Because my wife commutes 80 miles a day we test drive an Chevy Avio. So we go talk money, we have a pile of GM card rebate dollars (we built our house with credit cards) well they will only give us a grand off. I told her to wait.. we will get them dollars yet. so she gets mad and we go buy a Prius, the next day we get a letter in the mail say we can use all of our GM rebate dollars… Then we get another with additional owner loyalty rebates…
Is all pretty funny, So if I use my GM rebates and Tax rebates the Volt could be affordable. However I believe supply and demand along with additional markups would leave me out for a while. i am just hoping when Volt generation two rolls out I will be able to get a first generation Volt?
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:23 pm)The Genset in my old Winnebago has an hour meter, and, the oil gets changed every 150 hours (equivalent to 3 months if it were a car’s engine hours if it were driven every day).
But the Volt might only need an oil change once a year.
I don’t like an oil to be represented to last 15,000 miles as it depends on what gets into the oil that matters more. Oils are so extremely good nowadays, the oil molecules themselves hold up that great, but its what gets into the oil that damages the rear oil seal and the valve seals. Long term acid buildup might also be a concern to have an oil change need twice a year depending on your Volt Genset hours, it seems to me.
Dan.
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+3
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:23 pm)AWESOME! I do hope some of the cosmetic things we are commenting on are just camo tho.
Not to make another Prius comparison, but I’ve seen a lot of new 3rd gens now out here in silicon valley and, while VAST improvements on the 1-gen Priuses and incrementally better than the last in terms of styling, they don’t hold a candle to the Volt.
That said, Volts aren’t 10k better in terms of styling, but then again gas-free operation is worth much, much more to many people than looks.
While certainly completely different vehicles from a technical standpoint, in the public’s mind they are competitors. I am worried that green-niks out here may not accept the Volt, just because it is made by GM and not Toyota. GM needs a SUPERB marketing campaign out here on the left coast to win them over and an equally superb vehicle. If it can’t win them, only a major price slash can get others to buy it before the next couple gens come out at reduced price.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:23 pm)Touche!
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+2
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:23 pm)Amen brother, preach on!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:25 pm)Half full? Nice spin. We know that half full means half empty.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:29 pm)Thanks Mr. Petit. I will probably trade my “clunker” ‘99 Dodge Grand Caravan for a 2010 Chevy Equinox.
I’m about to pour some money into my ‘92 Honda Civic to get a few more years out of it. Then, it’s Volt time!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:34 pm)Some Cadillac & Prius both use LED headlights, extra cost option though. I do not know about BMW and Audi.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:35 pm)I like the sound of silence at the very end of the video, only the tires against the road!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:36 pm)I wonder if when the price is set Lyle will be reporting on the $50 per car ThombDbhomb official discount! GM does read this site don’t-cha-know!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:37 pm)Nice car.
I hope it comes in a good choice of colors.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:38 pm)Do you have something against fire trucks? Every kid/adult should have a fire truck! preferably a convertible.
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+2
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:38 pm)It really does look like its worth every penny. Go over to the Chevy store and get into a new Malibu, and, you’ll immediately know that you are getting every cents’ worth for your money.
And, it is just the right large size for me, because I’m a 6′2″ tall.
It is not a small car. I don’t even consider it a mid-sized car.
You can have a larger car with as smaller interior. My Element is as large inside as a Yukon, but it is called a Compact Utility Vehicle.
Go to the Chevy store and find out for yourselves. That’s the best way to find out.
Dan.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:41 pm)Stick with the colors black, white, and red for the first run of 10,000 Volt.
Make some profit with a high sticker price for these.
Reduce the sticker to under $40,000 for the next 60,000 (2011).
I still believe the Volt will be competing with 6 to 10 year old conversions. Vehicles like the CR-V, Altima, Aztek, Vitara, and Forester will make nice retro conversions.
Great to see the wheels of the Chevy Volt on the road. A bit of good karma to GM.
=D~
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+4
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:43 pm)Wow. Awesome. It’s finally here! The production intent Volt … the real deal. I guess if the Volt was software, this is Volt beta 2 and they’re getting closer to the release candidate phase.
All that’s left for them to do is to optimize and tweak the various systems under the hood and maybe do a few other things to the interior and exterior to make it even better. Kaizen … constant and continuous improvement. I read a story today about GM’s new product chief, Tom Stephens. He’s a guy who’s always looking to make an already good product a little better somehow. He wants to make GM cars as good as they can possibly be … the best in the world. Look out Toyota and Honda! GM just might be “blowing your doors off” in the next couple of years with their new models.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10270192-48.html
I like the spoiler on the back. They ought to think about making it standard on the Volt. Make it look sportier and all that. Optimize the look of the Volt with those little tweaks. Try out different things. They could get a few ideas from the people who do modifications on cars all the time … like in the movie “The Fast and the Furious”. Stuff like that can sometimes make all the difference in the world if you don’t overdo it.
So far, I like what I see with this production intent Volt. I would like to see more videos like this of the Volt driving around on the streets and maybe going a little faster on the track on curves, etc. Maybe they’ll have some different exterior colors soon. I liked that super shiny silver model I saw a few months ago. I’d like to get a cameraman inside the car with audio to get the full Volt driving experience too.
Way to go GM Volt development team !! This is a big milestone for you guys I’m sure. Your vision and all your hard work is REALLY starting to come to fruition now. I can’t wait to test drive one in the next year or so.
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (7:43 pm)US Air Force (retired) and stating your political switch? You are a brave man.
Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, there are some things that just make sense. The Volt seems to make sense to both sides. There are many different opinions on how to get to the mountain top. But, we need to get there ASAFP. Despite all the armchair quarterbacking, the decision makers are moving the Volt along. Way to go USA (warts and all)!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (7:55 pm)Pete,
I’m really glad you brought that up. With the tens of thousands of details going into the Volt, anything anyone can bring up right now that would help the final product is
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helpful to the extreme
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and, I’d bet GM engineering appreciates you as well.
Dan.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (8:00 pm)JEC, good question, I don’t think the I-miev will be here in the USA for awhile. I think there is a $1500 tax credit in Japan, and the other point of sale location in Europe none I’m aware of.
We’re lucky to be here in USA.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (8:01 pm)OMG that’s hilarious! I don’t care if it’s CG or real, I want to see that!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (8:02 pm)Both parties have positives and negatives.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (8:03 pm)November 2010. Wait your turn…
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Jun 24th, 2009 (8:05 pm)What is the black box looking thing in front of the front wheels? It looks rather non-aerodynamic and low enough to be taken out by speed bumps or entry to a steep driveway. Is it there for test purposes only?
Unfortunately I can’t watch the video, but from the image supplied, the passenger window looks much smaller than I thought it was (I can see the door line appears to angle up now), and I take it the glass cover over the lights will be in place for the production model. I don’t think the image is all that flattering for the Volt, but I’m more interest in the technology, not the overall looks.
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (8:07 pm)Since this is still a pre-production prototype (and the very first one, at that), I would imagine those headlights are temporary, until they get the finalized versions installed.I’m looking forward to watching details like this get polished in the next year!
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (8:09 pm)So far, I like what I see with this production intent Volt. I would like to see more videos like this of the Volt driving around on the streets and maybe going a little faster on the track on curves, etc.
___________________
I’d like to see a lot more video also. I could watch it on and on. I do hope they get a chance to tune the suspension though before they go trying to tip it over!
Perhaps using the oft noted professional driver instead of Mr. Farah. After all, so far these cars are coming in at several hundred-million-dollars-a-piece, with all development costs included.
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+2
Jun 24th, 2009 (8:26 pm)Naw, not for Statik. When Statik says the glass is half full, it means he is absolutley XStatik. Something about that British culture up North being a little understated.
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (8:35 pm)Ask your questions to AF tomorrow at 4pm on the FL chat. I have a lot of the same ones that were posted above (and more) but it will be midnight here in Moscow and I’m sure I’ll be at a bar.
Oh, and congrats all!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (8:39 pm)This car is going to look awesome in white.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (8:54 pm)“That depends on your Jobs.”
Now that…is nice.
Certainly a +1 for that.
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-1
Jun 24th, 2009 (8:54 pm)“Both parties have positives and negatives”
Let the ions flow!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (8:57 pm)In the picture, the rear door looks a lot shorter than the front door. That might make it though to get in/out…and it doesn’t seem like something that can refined for production.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (9:02 pm)I may try to get my done in an American Flag color theme. Cost hopefully is not to high.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (9:02 pm)BTW I deleted all my opinions and kept it in the understated form you see above!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (9:17 pm)Great idea! Hookup the Dems on one side of a Volt battery, and the Reps on the other side, and let the electricity flow!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (9:20 pm)JEC, full LED headlights are very, expensive…a lot more than a grand. You frequently see them as just DRLs.
Just as a example, on the R8 it is relatively new option last year…to the tune of €3590, about $6000 USD. Now that is a very high end automoblile.
It is hard to price it out as a ‘new’ option on the Cadillac, because it only comes on the ’super tricked’ out Escalade Hybrid Platnium Edition, which is tens of thousands more than the standard version…same goes for the Lexus LS600h (starting at just over 100K)
“Mr. Goodwrench charges” you $3,044 for each headlight to replace. Of significance, the headlights in the Escalade have 5 LEDs for low beam and an additional 2 LEDs for high beam.
The new Prius does come equipped with low beam LEDs under the ‘option 5′ w/Advanced Tech package package, , which bases out over $32,000…again hard to strip out what costs what, but they did make a significant improvement to the tech, so much that only 3 LEDs are necessary over the traditional 5.
Simple/crude math says costing is around $2,609 using Toyota’s new ‘hotness’ on low beam LED technology ($3,044/7×2x3)
Sidenote: It is actually a company called Seisakusho Ltd. (manufactured by Nichia Kagaku Kogyo KK) who are the players here…if anyone cares.
/apologies, I bored myself with that post…sorry about that
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Jun 24th, 2009 (9:44 pm)“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning”.
Sir Winston Churchill, Speech in November 1942
Churchill said that after the victory at El Alamein.
Andrew Farah nearly paraphrased Churchill
It is a very emotional time for everybody.
Congratulation to Lyle and the GM engineers, you have got us this far.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (9:48 pm)Somehow I like the looks of the near-production Volt better than any other I’ve seen so far. I can really see myself owning one of these and driving it to work and around town.
I’m not so sure I can see myself *paying* that much for one since I’ve been very happy for years driving a Honda civic and getting a consistent 40MPG, but the Volt is the first American car I’ve ever considered buying and I’ve now decided my next car *must* have 40+ miles all-electric range.
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+2
Jun 24th, 2009 (9:52 pm)If only we knew someone at NASA who could comment on those self-actuating grill slats, Dan …
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Jun 24th, 2009 (9:57 pm)Lyle, thanks for getting the “charge port” pictures as requested. That answers a lot of questions.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (9:59 pm)I actually stopped by a Chevy dealer tonight (after they had closed, unfortunately), and looked at Aveos, Cobalts, Impalas and Malibus that they had on the lot.
I couldn’t imagine thinking of the Malibu as a small car. It’s bigger than my wife’s Solara convertible: acres too big for me. I’ve had two Saturn SL2s, a Plymouth Horizon and Valiant, and breifly, my Mother’s 1970s vintage Buick Century (which felt like an aircraft carrier compared to the other four).
The V6 Malibu got 22 MPG City (the only number I generally look at), and the sticker was over $22,000; but on the windshield, they’d painted a price under $17,000. I hear the 2.4 4 cylinder gets something like 24-25 MPG City (same as the Aveo, hard to imagine), though I’d think that (perhaps paradoxically) they’d be in higher demand than the V6.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (10:06 pm)Most likely later.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (10:09 pm)I like it. Not as aggressive as the prototype, but stylish, clean and a little aggressive looking in a euro sort of way. I wish I could afford one.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (10:10 pm)I’d fully expect the ‘ordinary’ red and yellow brake / turn signal indicators to be LEDs which are much less expensive than full headlights (but save 9/10ths of the electricity used by incandescent bulbs).
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (10:12 pm)Been visiting this site daily for over a year and this is my first post.
I think the IVs look awesome, can’t wait for mine, definitely in black!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (10:13 pm)Actually, IMO, both parties are composed mainly of negatives.
I’m standing here all forlorn, with my positive cable in hand,
My electric circuit is all torn, with no “+” socket in the land.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (10:16 pm)You can compare IMiev’s Japanese price and think thats the price here. The price depends on tax breaks – and in Japan they are higher.
Pricing here will depend on competetive environment too.
But I’m waiting for Nissan’s “Competetive with gas cars” prcing on their EV ….
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (10:23 pm)Wow this is such good news!
For the last two weeks the main headline news has been the Iranian dictatorship cracking down on the Iranian people. Its fitting that today we see the first pre-production run of a truly mass produced vehicle that will help free the US (and many other countries) from tyrannical oil.
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (10:23 pm)Well, since the Volt is going to share it’s platform with the Chevy Cruze and the Cruze is the replacement for the Cobalt not the Malibu, I would say that the Volt will be closer to the Cobalt in size than the Malibu.
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (10:23 pm)No steering wheel to shimmy around or dash board to slip under in the back?
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (10:26 pm)Wow! A production Volt. This car is definately on its way. I can’t believe this is really happening. And a few weeks early! At this rate, they almost have to be the first major car company with any version of an electric car in the North American market. Not that being first is everything, but it definately gives them a extra edge.
Congratulations Lyle! And to the Volt production team. And GM.
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+2
Jun 24th, 2009 (10:26 pm)Slightly off-topic, but related: My wife test-drove the new Camaro yesterday. It’s a home-run for Chevy for sure. I’ve never seen her get so excited about a car. Unfortunately, it might mean I need to wait a few extra years before I get my Volt. We can’t afford both…
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Jun 24th, 2009 (10:35 pm)I believe Mitsubishi just announced $21k in the States
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Jun 24th, 2009 (10:42 pm)??? Are you saying that the Democrats are responsible for the Volt? I hope not. Are you saying you just totally disagree with the conservative folks that post here? Actually, I’m not sure what you mean.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (10:48 pm)I like the projector blacked out head lights a lot. I think they would be cool in body color though, so it matches what ever color people order. The clear chrome smeared eyeball look is played out. Time to retire it.
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-1
Jun 24th, 2009 (10:54 pm)At this point, I tend to agree with you. But then again, I tend to be a “glass half-empty” person.
But there are positives and negatives to every political party. And every politician. No one is all good or all bad. I’m not crazy about Obama. I prefer him to Bush, but that’s not saying much. While I agree with many of his stated goals, I think his execution tends to be majorly flawed. He’s completely controlled by special interests, although he does a much better job of faking it. He just has less (and more) leeway because of the mess he inherited.
But right now I have to give Obama credit for everything he’s done for GM and the Volt. I may not like how he did it. Or why. So far he seems to be pulling off the 363 government sponsored bankruptcy for GM. He did pull it off for Chrysler. (Although I think it was a mistake to rescue Chrysler.) And without him, there would be no Volt, and possibly no electric cars. And, IMHO, they are a crucial step towards the future. Of GM. Of America. And the entire world.
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Jun 24th, 2009 (11:04 pm)______________________________________________________
Wow….two thumbs up!
Way to go Voltec Team!
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Jun 24th, 2009 (11:07 pm)The lurker sees the IV and cannot contain his enthusiasm. He steps out of the shadows. He is truly one of us now.
Welcome Newty2727!
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (11:13 pm)Everybody overlooks the straightman. Thank you eightzero for setting it up.
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+2
Jun 24th, 2009 (11:21 pm)Indeed.
The i-MiEV certainly qualifies for the US rebate. And the $47,000 is a loose dollar conversion of a Japanese MSRP that is jacked up to cover off about $15,000 in rebates the consumer gets there (much like the US one will do/has done to the domestic MSRPs).
The $21,000 MSRP for the i-MiEV price (mentioned later in this thread by Herm) is a WAG from Mitsu about theoretical ‘future’ prices in the mid to later half of this coming decade, I wouldn’t put much stock into it.
(Ever notice how no one ever predicts things to get stay the same or get worse in the future?)
I’d wager that Mitsu’s cost will be somewhere in the low 30s by the time it lands here, and they price it around $35,000 (which would bring it to $27,500 post rebate)…I think they realize it has to be priced less than the Volt. (just my opinion though, I have no hard evidence/fact to back that up)
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Jun 24th, 2009 (11:25 pm)______________________________________________________
Lyle Dennis and Andrew Farah somehow related?
Lyle & Andrew need to compare their family trees….their Volt enthusiasm, mannerisms, speech, looks, and geek smarts are way too similar for their not to be some family tree relation…lol
______________________________________________________
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Jun 24th, 2009 (11:28 pm)jbfalaska:
$15,000 credit in Japan on the i-MiEV…and they have confirmed to have it for sale in the US in 2011 at the New York autoshow in April.
…it also gets a name change here, because i-MiEV is terrible
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/09/new-york-mitsubishi-confirms-i-miev-will-come-to-u-s/
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+1
Jun 24th, 2009 (11:55 pm)Nice to see things progressing.
I’m a little unhappy about the charge port location. 90% of the parking lots have nose in parking. This means that there will have to be a longer charge cord on public chargers. This will provide a tripping hazard for passers by. Also the longer cord will require more time to put away and therefor will tend to get left out to be driven or tripped over. The alternative is to provide a charger along side the stall which will reduce the possible number of cars that will fit in a parking lot.
Another problem is curb side parking. The cord will either have to be dragged over the top of the car scratching the paint. Or the cord will have to be long enough to go around the front of the car to the side. Or it will have to be fished under the car. All while standing on the side of a potentially busy street. A charge port on the front of the car with favoritism toward the passenger side would make life simpler with a short cord that is easy to stow and wont be left out to trip over.
Beside the drivers door is pretty convenient for home charging but will require major changes in public parking spaces to accommodate both charging and safety. Either there needs to be a single standardized port location on the front or 2 ports with the appropriate interlocks to keep both from being used at the same time.
Changing this in the future will be problematic. I would hate to see problems with personal injuries stifle EV use. Making these decisions now will cut down on the expense and confusion.
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+1
Jun 25th, 2009 (12:11 am)I want mine… electric blue.
Actually to be honest, I’d rather a coupe-style with half-doors for the back. One of the best ideas Saturn had, and other than the Mazda RX-8, one that seems to have been abandoned again.
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+3
Jun 25th, 2009 (12:21 am)So you got annoyed that you couldn’t get a discount on a $10,000-ish car, so you get all annoyed and get a competitor’s $25,000-ish car instead out of spite? Yeah, you shown your bank account who’s boss!
Why didn’t you get a Toyota Yaris instead? That’s more comparable to an Avio, er, Aveo.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (12:25 am)I wish that they made the cord on a spool inside the car. It would have to be pulled out like a tape measure. This way it would go everywhere with you, so you would only have to find an outlet, and pull out as much as you need.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (12:26 am)Yeah, for the new Camaro, the blue ones are something like 2% of sales. I’m not a fan of baby blue either.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (12:37 am)Speaking of fire trucks, do you think the Volt will have an automated plug eject function? We have them on our structure engines.
Initially, the public will not be used to having a cord connected to the vehicle on those bleary workday mornings…
Regards
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Jun 25th, 2009 (1:23 am)Can’t we wait a little on that. I would at least like to see a couple of production Volts on the road (including mine) before I have to figure out how to cut one up.
The Prius is tricky enough. As our Hurst tech said, “Don’t lick the big orange cable.”
Regards
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+3
Jun 25th, 2009 (1:42 am)Do you think these blokes at GM are abit too anal?
How many decades have GM been making econo cars…. you’d think they’d have blinkers and doors pretty much sussed by now. The Volt is just on a standard platform… it all sounds like BS excuses for why it takes a monsterous company years to get a new car out the door (and 9 times out of 10.. it still has design flaws anyways)
Just start making the thing…………………………
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Jun 25th, 2009 (1:43 am)Amazing, to finally see it alive is a thing of beauty. Excepth the headlights, and wheels, and unpainted lowers.
Still great to see, but damnit, I hope they listen to the people that bitch about the no sunroof option on the Insight and how many customers want all the normal conveniences that are on a gas car, ALSO on an alternative fueled vehicle.
Where the industry as a whole screws up is making alternative powered vehicles look so out of place with such boring styling and drab options.
Hopefully we see a fully optioned and styled Volt to come soon!
Excellent milestone!!
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+2
Jun 25th, 2009 (2:13 am)OH, oh, uhhhh.
Okay, Volt haters, I have to say it, the back end of the car IS out of proportion and looks terrible. The rear overhang (sheetmetal from the rear wheels) is SO out of proportion compared to the front overhang. Also, what a shame they abandoned the Volt badge charge port door and put in an UGLY round hole, sorry, door below the Volt badge. Truly a shame. I hope they will correct this oozing zit, sorry, design deficiency maybe for 2012.
And for all you Volt haters, SEE GM, bankruptcy and all, are bringing the Volt to production; EARLY.
TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Jun 25th, 2009 (2:27 am)Welcome Newty2727, and I thought my 5 months of lurking was a long time!
Damn, that car looks sexy.
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-1
Jun 25th, 2009 (2:29 am)Forget the Camaro then, it represents the best of the past, wait for the Volt it’s the future.
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+1
Jun 25th, 2009 (2:30 am)Exciting! The Volt looks awesome!!
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Jun 25th, 2009 (2:51 am)It’s really cool to finally see an actual \Volt drive around. After you watch the video a dozen times you begin to notice little details such as the car actually has the (airbag?) warning sticker on the driver’s visor and stuff like that.
I mean, if they’re essentially hand building prototypes and they’re prototyping the stickers, they’re serious about the details on this car, all right.
And you really get a sense of enthusiasm every time you read something or hear something from the people working on this car.
Not only is the reputation of GM riding on the quality of the \Volt, but to a large extent the reputation of electric vehicles in general will be riding on it as well.
Over the years, GM has had a lot of high and low points for cars but all things considered, I rather hope the \Volt goes down in history as one of the finest cars GM ever builds.
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+1
Jun 25th, 2009 (2:58 am)I’m not sure they’ve quite figured out econo cars yet even after all these years, at least as indicated by sales in the US compared to Civics or Corollas or something.
In any case, tuning the sounds of blinkers or doors isn’t probably easily done on a CAD system. I could readily understand having to put the whole assembly together to actually figure out what things sound like in comparison to everything else and cabin noises, etc.
They probably know what to adjust to affect it though; that’s where all those years of other car experience comes in.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (4:07 am)nasaman Says:
1) Does anyone know if the silver spoiler on the rear is standard or optional?
2) Ditto the projector headlights with blacked-out surrounds?
————————————————————————————–
1) It looks like the plastic part on the back is production, but hasn’t been painted yet.
2) The headlights appear to be missing their blue-ish plastic cover.
That’s what it looks like anyway.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (4:12 am)Right. The charge connector is a big deal, not only for theft and vandalism, but also for rain and snow. It would be MUCH better if the outer charge port cover could be closed and locked when charging.
GM – take note!
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Jun 25th, 2009 (4:27 am)I think most owners will be charging it in their garages..
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Jun 25th, 2009 (4:30 am)Congratulations to all the GM folks involved and thanks to Lyle for his long, tireless reporting.
If Volt is a “moonshot” then this first car is Apollo 1.
A ways to go yet, but outstanding progress and much to look forward to. Exciting times in automotive history.
(And for some reason, the car looks better in this report than it has in the past.)
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Jun 25th, 2009 (4:32 am)Now I noticed that lately on some of the europen cars, they no longer have those orange portions near the headlights, they are the same color as the headlights or they are inside the same glass of the headlight. It looks a lot better. GM should consider dropping that orange, it looks ugly.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (4:37 am)Looks like an air dam, there for aerodynamic reasons.. perhaps its made of soft rubber to survive road rash. The Volts mileage on the highway will depend on stuff like this.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (4:44 am)It is good to see that you are following the People’s car company during your absense, Comrade.
The Party will look favorably upon your decision.
Now enjoy the vodka!
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+2
Jun 25th, 2009 (4:55 am)Forget the Volt tax credit. The U.S. government has a part ownership of GM. Don’t waste tax payer dollars with the paperwork, time, mail costs and manpower needed to process tax rebates. Simply mark the sticker price as:
2011 Chevy Volt
MSRP $39,900 / $32,400
Instant green discount $7500
Let’s not fool around. It’s time to do something right.
=D~
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Jun 25th, 2009 (4:57 am)Seeing this car finally roll out the garage door was very exciting.
To me, this is similar to the moon mission years ago (I’m dating myself). We got to see history unfolding before our eyes, and it was a living testiment to what man can do when he applies time, resources, and intellect.
For me, this is automotive history in the making. A high volume, no compromise vehicle that will transition the automotive transportation industry (which is 96% dependent upon petroleum) into the next age of propulsion. Truly an exciting experience.
Congratuations to GM and the Volt team, and thanks to Lyle for giving us all the chance to be a small part of this amazing transformation in the history of the automobile.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (5:30 am)@58
Yeah indicators (blinkers) have been integrated into the main headlight on most designs since the milennium over here. I have a vauxhall(opel) vectra, and it’s all in one unit, so GM do do it outside of america. it does look like it’s a one piece headlamp on the volt/ampera, and if the indicator is LED then it won’t be obviously “orange” to the naked eye when unlit. although do you still have those horrible permenantly lit orange lights on your cars?
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Jun 25th, 2009 (5:40 am)Well put, Static! When you add your “half- full to my “full full” we have a wonderful mess (lol).
I’d echo the kudos to Lyle and add the majority of people who’ve been avid fans of the whole “science experiment”.
Maybe instead of the Sunshine, lollipops song you could give us a reprise of some of your all time historic negative comments? Naw, that’d take too long (lol).
One great day here.
Way to go Lyle!
Be great,
Tagamet
LJGTVWOTR!!
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Jun 25th, 2009 (5:59 am)Well, I guess that Charge Port picture answers my question from yesterday. I think it is much better to have it on the side of the car.
Nice job, GM team. Let the naysayers be your motivation to keep moving forward, along with us here of course. We got your back and many of us are ready to buy.
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+1
Jun 25th, 2009 (5:59 am)Or earlier, like say Independence Day, 2010. Wouldn’t that be a remarkable symbolic debut?!?
Be well,
Tagamet
Independence From Oil Day, 2010
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-1
Jun 25th, 2009 (6:10 am)Thomb,
Very diplomatically put!
Be well,
Tagamet
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Jun 25th, 2009 (6:18 am)Spooky, but I noticed the same similarities.
Be well,
Tagamet
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Jun 25th, 2009 (6:47 am)Never had a problem with comment moderation until I started my IV chant on a financial thread a couple of days ago (seems like light years now), so I’ll try it differently.
IV chant!
We Just Got The Volt Wheels On The Road!
Next stop, ER mode operation.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (6:55 am)Completely agree, with enthusiastic congratulations to Farah, the GM team, and Lyle.!
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+1
Jun 25th, 2009 (6:59 am)I was just watching some Tesla videos on YouTube and observed that the roadster is not a well behaved (rather ugly) little car. It cannot take a corner with any aplomb, and one tester ran out of juice after 55 miles, which, as we know is impossible, no matter how hard you drive. I suspect some of those 15,000 cell connections failed.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (7:05 am)Super-smart system has learned your name and that you cause…..
Actually, you are putting in something dot com or some other little word or phrase that the super-dumb system has on its list of objections. There are a lot of great things about this site, but the system for automated moderation is not one of them.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (7:06 am)Yes, Farah-day.
We he (and his team) read that, they will enjoy it too.
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+3
Jun 25th, 2009 (7:07 am)The car is an advanced prototype but not a finished Volt.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (7:12 am)So here in the beautiful state of North Carolina, people say
“If God were not a Tar Heel, why is the sky Carolina Blue?”
Watch your tongue.
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+1
Jun 25th, 2009 (7:14 am)LED lights are going down in price fast.
They are cheap to make, once the process is established.
Prices are high for the moment because demand is outrunning supply.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (7:19 am)Just back in to the parking space.
It’s better in lots of ways, and charging will be another.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (7:26 am)I think the problem is that all noise is much lowder in a silent electric car. And I admit that I never gave any thought to the sound of turn signals being to lowd in an electric car.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (7:29 am)The Volt wont start until you unplug it.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (7:33 am)You know I love ya Tag…I’m just teasing with you.
/nice to have you back on a regular basis
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+1
Jun 25th, 2009 (7:38 am)Yeah, I know, Stat. I toyed with the idea of coming back with a chorus of “The Volt’ll come out TOO-MAH-ROWWW” but I’ll hold that for July 3rd, 2010…”
Be well,
Tag
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Jun 25th, 2009 (7:39 am)Dave,
I really agree strongly with you. Any benefit to be had ought to count equally to all as well. Assign the benefit to GM and let their computers do all the work.
Lots of business people like me must relentlessly cut costs and *eliminate totally* all taxable profit margins entirely to be able to get contracts.
This means that although we pay lower income taxes after required business equipment to be purchased every year (diagnostic equipment, etc), we are unable to make as much or any use whatsoever of a tax credit.
(We pay other taxes too that most others don’t pay, such as generated sales tax revenues for the State, to far more than make up for the lowered Federal Tax at “break-even” that would otherwise be offset by a Volt tax rebate).
So, I really agree strongly that there ought to be a provision in the law to make that $7,500 into an “instant green discount” for GM to be instantly credited that amount. Somehow, however, in such a way that it would not disrupt or slow down GM’s or the dealership’s needed cash flows or bottom line whatsoever.
Dan.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (7:44 am)Your size comparison makes sense, but I have to say that the Volt appears larger than a Cobalt….even bigger than a Honda Civic.
Looks more like the size of an Accord, but that’s just me.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (7:53 am)They are not related.
But if Andrew Farah married Farrah Fawcett, she’d be Farrah Farah.
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+1
Jun 25th, 2009 (7:57 am)The Volt is an electric car. It should look different than conventional cars. I’ll bet when you see it in the flesh you’ll like it.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (7:59 am)Funny, I thought the exact same thing. When I watched the above video I at first for a second thought it was Lyle. They could be brothers.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (8:00 am)The Volt is almost exactly the same size as the Honda Civic.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (8:03 am)I am not a Tesla fan, but I saw one up close in the flesh, and it is a gorgeous little car. They did that right. Looked well built too, body-wise. It’s basically a Lotus, and they know how to build bodies.
Hooking 6800 laptop batteries together to motivate a car down the road, however, will be a technology that will be relegated to the scrap heap of history in very short order.
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-2
Jun 25th, 2009 (8:05 am)I just ran that incredible video above, and, I now see what you mean about the styled grille.
I think It would not look as good, or , rather, it would look too different, too soon, if they didn’t have it there for what you might call a styling transition, it seems to me.
But, still, being a functional guy, I’d want all those systems to be just as comfortable from the Texas heat as I want to be with a truly open and functional grille for some added “ram air” for more cooling CFM’s. But I still have to keep in mind coefficient of drag.
So, as long as that adequate cooling of all systems happens here in the scalding Texas heat, I’m OK with whatever GM engineering and Style Design departments want.
It was 106 degrees where I was working yesterday, and today, the heat index is expected to reach 110 degrees. So, the AC system will be working hard in my Volt, as I believe Global warming as a trend is clearly showing up. The “historical average” for this time of year is supposed to average 92 degrees. That’s “history”. It just aint gonna happen nomore.
Dan.
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-2
Jun 25th, 2009 (8:12 am)The Volt looks a little like my 2005 Acura TL. It’s pretty sharp looking.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (8:22 am)Anyone seen a right side picture of the Volt? I was wondering where the fuel filler door is, and if it looks like the new charge port door.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (8:26 am)______________________________________________________
Historically Significant Voltec Photo:
That car hanging photo in Lyle’s above article is of the first production-intent Chevy Volt having its t-battery installed. I’d love to have a copy of that photo signed by the Voltec Team…I’d pay for that…I’d frame it and hang it up at my office…perhaps Lyle can arrange to make available in his gm-volt store? Or hi-res scan and make available by link for download.
“The first production-intent Chevrolet Volt is fitted with a lithium-ion battery pack at the General Motors Pre-Production Operations (PPO) building in Warren, Michigan Wednesday, June 3, 2009…”
Source:
http://gm-volt.com/galleries/photo/3658614390/preproductionchevyvolt001jpg.html
_____________________________________________________
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Jun 25th, 2009 (8:32 am)I can’t play the video for some weird reason. Tell me more.
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+2
Jun 25th, 2009 (8:34 am)Good point. But remember, NOTHING is safe from the sufficiently talented fool =)
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-2
Jun 25th, 2009 (8:40 am)“And without him, there would be no Volt, and possibly no electric cars.”
O may be a great speaker but he does not control the world. Electric cars will be built because people want them not because O did something.
Chinese and Japanese Electric cars will hit our country in force in a few years. Ford will have one. None of this has to do with the one…
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+2
Jun 25th, 2009 (8:56 am)I agree with avatar except I say make mine a bit more powerful and heavy enough to pull a medium weight boat.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (8:57 am)I was also a longtime lurker before venturing forth (or fifth, I forget which)
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Jun 25th, 2009 (8:59 am)As much as I liked the original (production intent) prototype’s blue-LED accents in the headlight area, I never understood how they would get away with it. I believe there is a law now restricting blue lighting on cars (for Police only, not yours). However, I’ve seen some after-market blue-LED things on cars, so maybe I’m wrong.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:01 am)… wait a minute. Has anyone ever seen Lyle and Farah at the same time?
Pretty good costume, though.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:03 am)From the photos with driver it sure looks like the cabin area is almost the same as a Malibu, but with very little trunk space.
Have there been any published figures for interior dimensions?
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:04 am)http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn15/sunpowr/2009_05_09_Tesla/chrgng.jpg
here is a picture of the Tesla charging cord, notice how thick it is?
from this thread:
http://www.gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3070&highlight=tesla&page=2
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:12 am)The boot (trunk) is 350litres according to Opel/Vauxhall.
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-3
Jun 25th, 2009 (9:13 am)The overall design doesn’t look as impressive as the prototype, but the production models rarely do. In the case of the Chevy Volt, the one feature that I’d like to see (as a consumer) is a solar charging system built into the roofline, trunk (deck lid) and even in part of the hood.
My reasoning is simple – stop trading one dependancy for another. Why stop short at using less (or no) gas if you still need to plug the unit in at night – a process that will still costs me money.
Instead, integrate a solar charging system into that car that can charge the car FOR FREE during the day while it’s parked in the parking lot at work. This option is something I’d even pay extra for if it were available. Get OFF the grid and back to basics…and a little common sense.
I’m not suggesting that the Volt do away with the plug (it’s still necessary), but just add the solar charging option…
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-1
Jun 25th, 2009 (9:15 am)Great news, we will all need VOLTS if Nancy Pelosi and her gang pass the energy bill they want to ram down our thoats in the next few days.
God Bless America,
Tom
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+1
Jun 25th, 2009 (9:21 am)You might get 500watts of usueable power by covering the roof, bootlid and bonnet. if you parked it in direc sunlight and moved the car on a turntable to catch the best light all day long it would take……….
16 hours.
So parked in one spot, with between 6 and 12 hours of usable sunlight in a whole day you may get a 25% charge. provided your panel is clean, you’re not near any tall buildings or trees and you’re not parked in a garage/underground parking/multistorey parking. so, if you only use the car once a week (or do less than 10 miles a day) then integrated solar cells could be a viable power source. instead of paying the extra $ on the vehicle you may be better installing a large solar/wind system at home, and actually charging your volt from that. driving on wind power would be pretty cool…
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:22 am)Good! I am happy to hear that they are ahead of schedule. That is evidence of committment to the project. Keep it going and don’t get derailed for I am sure there is things happening that would stop this project. Mother GM, has to protect the baby (i.e., Voltec) from much unknown factors, possibly the US Government itself.
Good report! That is what all of us supporters want to hear however, we still are indoubt about the executive pool and to who, is the I GOT TO TAKE HOME A LOT OF MONEY guy.
Considering greed, somebody at GM is taking advantage of the existing situation but hopefully, it does not affect the progress on the Volt project.
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+1
Jun 25th, 2009 (9:22 am)i agree that most recharging will be done in your garage, but the future goal of america (should be) is to have charging stations at your work or on the street in front of a restaurant. it would be simple now to engineer this connection now rather than just push it off and say it isn’t our concern just to get it out of the door into customers hands.
plus, marketing people from competitors will use anything they can to be better.
as electric cars become more and more in the next ten years, i wouldn’t want my $40k volt to be one of the ones that people don’t want because of the public connection isn’t secure.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:31 am)Brian, this is old ground that the technos on this site have gone over long ago.
It is simply not cost effective or feasible to get enough juice from the sun shining on you car to run anything more than a little fan to keep the car cooler while it is parked so you don’t need as much AC when you get in and drive.
That’s about it.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:31 am)Personally, I think that BEVS are doomed to remain a niche item unless and until battery costs come way down dramatically. Range anxiety is real. Charging time can is an issue. Not to mention the other assorted advantates of an EREV. (Battery conditioning, etc.) And for battery costs to come down to that point, we need EREV to bridge the gap. And GM is the only one building one.
Besides, the only reason Ford (and Chrysler) is jumping on the electric car wagon is because a) GM has the Volt, and b) the expanded federal tax credit. The Japanese car companies are, for the most part, very comfortable with the current status quo. Nissan is invested in BP, which IMHO is impractical anywhere other than Isreal. They only recently announced their own regular BEV.
Mitsubishi is the obvious exception. But they don’t have the resources to change the market on their own. Or spur this kind of investment in car batteries technology. And any shift coming from them would, IMHO, take much longer than the Volt.
China’s a different story. But I don’t see the American public accepting Chinese cars any time soon. Not with all the public health scandals coming out of China right now. It’s great for the Chinese market. The whole world will benefit from cleaner air and reduced gasoline usage in China. But that won’t help with the North American market. And, by the way, even they still don’t have the kind of resources for new battery technology that the US government has.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:32 am)They said they are already working on changing small things they found and they are not even supposed to have any IVER’s out yet until more than a week from now – hopefully you’re on to an ongoing trend in Volt progress Tag!
Every day of testing and improvement is a hard earned “free day” ahead of schedule and under budget!
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:36 am)That was so bad it was good!
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:36 am)Very cool! Can’t wait until I get the chance to experience a real ride in a Volt!
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:38 am)I definitely miss that little slider tool on the right side of this website. Its hard to find things now and you don’t know where you are in the comments portion or how long you need to scroll to get to the top or bottom of the site.
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:39 am)I bet you are right that it’s camo, along with the ‘bodged’ together headlight clusters. I wouldn’t build the rather expensive headlight assemblies until I knew the body lines were right either!
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Jun 25th, 2009 (9:44 am)LauraM
You are a formidable debater. I am very impressed. I wouldn’t challenge you unless I was very prepared. Even then, my fear would be my downfall.
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+2
Jun 25th, 2009 (9:47 am)Lyle,
I figured out how to make the new comment thingy better; put the “Recent Comments” box (found on the home page) on each of your posts. Then, everytime I refresh, I can see where new comments were added.
If you take up my suggestion, I would add that the list of recent comments be lengthened, maybe with a day time stamp.
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