Chevrolet has published a series of informational videos illustrating how the Chevrolet Volt dashboard screens and controls work.
Green Leaf Button:
Audio System:
Climate System:
Getting Started:
Driver Information Center:
Configurable Cluster Display:
How to Charge:
OnStar Mobile Apps:
The Chevy Volt comes equipped with two bright high resolution 7 inch LCD displays, one in the dash behind the steering wheel and the other atop the center stack. The screen on the center stack is touch sensitive.
Over the years we’ve seen bits and pieces of these informational screens which are also highly configurable. GM has gone out of their way to make these displays and their graphic themes both beautiful and compelling while at the same time useful and informative.
GM has just released a series of photographs illustrating exactly how these displays will look and convey data.
The main driver informational display reveals a large white MPH indicator in the center and an efficiency driving style feedback meter to the right. Odometer and range are nicely displayed black on gray. Whether the car is in EV or generator mode is indicated on the left where either a gas pump or battery icon will be shown along with that modality’s total remaining range. It can also be configured to show both EV and CS range simultaneously as seen below.
When the car is plugged in and charging the dashboard screen can display that it is taking place, even when the car is shut down. It also indicates how much battery range has accrued and at what time charging will be complete.
A delayed charging screen accessible on the touch sensitive center stack let’s drivers program in delayed charging, to take advantage of nightime utility rates, letting the car know what times it will be needed each day.
Owners can choose one of three different charge modes; immediately, delayed based upon departure time and delayed based on both rate and departure time.
The center stack is also capable of providing the driver information about his or her energy usage. One display shows how the driver’s style and climate control choices affected energy use. A link to efficiency tips is provided.
Another display shows the energy usage and miles per gallon used since the last charge.
Cabin climate control can be set from a special screen in the center stack.
The Chevrolet Volt is going into production with several different interior and exterior options visible in the image above and gallery below.
Previously I reported that I had ordered my Chevrolet Volt, but chose the white as opposed to dark console because though I’d prefer it, the dark console wouldn’t be available immediately at launch. How could I not be the first guy on my block without a Volt?
This led to some confusion and speculation both on this site and others as to exactly what options will be available at launch.
Volt marketing director John Hughes was kind enough to shed some exact light on this issue.
“Looks like AFI interior will be limited for the first three weeks of production and then should be okay after that,” said Hughes. “Not a real big deal.”
The AFI interior is specifically the jet black leather seats with dark console.
It is not the leather seats themselves that are delayed nor apparently the neutral leather with black console combination (AFF).
Hughes did not say why the delay is taking place. It is possible this combination is proving most popular, and/or that it was added latest in the development cycle.
Angie is a Customer Service Advisor who regularly checks in and posts on the GM-Volt Forum. She offers the following comment on the matter:
Chevrolet is working hard to have all interior color options available at start of production. At times there may be a delay with various vehicle options. When the dealer submits an order for production, they will be made aware of any options that are not available at the time. The dealer will be able to consult with their customer accordingly before the order is placed. The Jet Black Seats/Dark Accents Interior (AFI) was added to the vehicle build plan earlier this year, and we are working to have it available at start of production or shortly thereafter.
So what combination did you order? Take the polls below:
Now that dealers in the launch markets are able to order Chevrolet Volts for customers, they have been given copies of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt Initial Ordering Workbook. A copy of the document can be downloaded here.
For the first time we are able to see the interior design options that are available on the car.
The standard is a “premium cloth” dark fabric with white accents, which includes the white center console.
The dark charcoal center console is only available if the buyer pays for the premium trim package which includes leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and graphic door inserts.
The options with leather include black seat and white center console, black and green seats with dark center console, black seats and dark center console, or light neutral seats with dark center console.
Personally, I like the dark center, black seats, and cyber gray metallic exterior paint.
Other neat features included a 30 Gb hard drive for music file storage and a “timeshift function” that lets users record audio broadcasts similar to how a DVR works.
Can you believe we’re talking about real ordering options?! 90 days to November 1st.
A lot of thought went into the paddle shifter found in the Chevrolet Volt.
Lead interior designer Tim Grieg noted back in 2008 when the car was first unveiled that because the car has no transmission and is purely electric, it gave designers the opportunity to “re-invent the shifter.”
The group chose to go with a large flush-mounted paddle placed very forward and actually within the center stack. The unusual forward position gives extra room along the top of the center console for such things as the cupholders.
Indeed over the years since the unveiling many people have commented about the shifter, though often finding it too large for their taste.
GM has apparently been listening and adapting.
An astute GM-Volt reader named ‘baltimore17′ discovered that in the latest Volt prototype in red photo, the shifter appears to be thinner.
It turns out he was correct.
According to director of Voltec design Bob Boniface, the design has been changed.
“The shifter design has changed a bit during development in order to provide more thumb clearance for the user’s hand,” he said. Putting it more bluntly, Volt vehicle line director Tony Psawzt said “it’s thinner to avoid any thumb pinching.”
Boniface explains how the decision was made and how GM feels about it.
“It was something that we, along with our HMI engineers, felt would be the most comfortable solution for the customer,” he said. “It still looks very modern but it is now a more
pleasent experience to use.”
The Chevy Volt has two configurable LCD screens, one behind the wheel where traditional gauges are typically found, and one atop the center stack. The latter will also be a touch screen. I have seen it in person in a pre-production car and was very impressed with its crispness, vividness and high definition.
We understand a lot of information will be available on those displays, they are configurable, and the driver will be able to choose among many options.
A primary function will be to provide the driver with feedback on how fuel efficient he/she is driving and utilizing accessory loads such as HVAC.
As anyone who like to hypermile hybrids knows, seeing real-time instantaneous MPG is a useful measure to adjust driving behavior as one moves along varying road conditions.
I asked Tony Posawatz who is the Volt vehicle line engineer if that value will be provided while the car is running in charge-sustaining (generator) mode.
“I don’t think we will show instantaneous mpg,” he said. “We are working a lot on what information to show and how to present it right now.”
“The OnStar capabilities with VOLT will be mind boggling,” he said. “Stay tuned.”
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