GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site

Many people have noticed the interesting “green leaf touch” sensor button on the Chevy Volt’s interior center stack.  To date we have not heard a good explanation of what function it might perform, although there have been some amusing guesses by commentators here.

I had the chance to ask this question to Volt lead designer Bob Boniface when I spent some time with him and the car in a recent NYC event.

What is the green leaf?
The green leaf brings up a Volt-specific page. It will give you charge rates which get downloaded through OnStar. You’ll be able to choose your recharge time. It will also give you recommended tips for efficient functioning. How to extend your range for example. It is Volt-specific information. All the things you can do to maximize your range and minimize your expenditure of energy.

You’ll hit that and it will say OK if you don’t use your HVAC, if you use your Econ mode, this is what will happen. Do you want to delay your charge?

What does the Econ button do?
It controls your HVAC, ambient lighting, other things. All the unnecessary electric usage will be reduced so that you can extend range.

Since it seems things aren’t completely finalized yet, what ideas do you have for other Green Leaf functions?

And if you are a US citizen, be sure to get out and VOTE today!

I was able to follow-up with Tim Grieg, the Volt’s chief interior designer via email to gather some more details.  Thanks Tim.

I asked him three questions:

1. What are the data options the center display will provide?
Too many to list in a single e-mail, but the CENTER display (on top of the Integrated Center Stack) will display audio, climate control, navigation, and the Volt page where the customer can program when to charge the vehicle, for instance. The display in front of the driver will show vehicle speed, total range (electric range and fuel range), total miles driven (total EV only miles and total fuel only miles), a trip odometer (again, with EV trip and fuel trip), and an efficiency meter, which will help customer fine-tune their driving to maximize their range. Other features that show up in the display in front of the driver will include information like tire pressure, etc.

2. Will the car have Internet access?
No Internet access, but I can say that GM will take advantage of what OnStar can do for our customers to expand the “experience.”

3. Will leather be an option and what is the other material?
The Volt will have 2 trim levels — one fabric and one leather.

“Space, comfort, convenience, and safety features” are how GM describes the rather futuristic interior of the Volt.

I had the chance to sit both in the passenger and rear sear of the vehicle.

The design encompasses the new dual cockpit theme that Chevrolet has adopted, which also appears in the upcoming Chevy Cruze.

The top of the dashboard sweeps to the sides and creates a nice flow. The doors contain unique and specialized inserts which can either have a graphic pattern or be chosen as a more conservative option.

The center console appears as a standard white surface, but Volt interior designer Tim Grieg also tells us it will be available in a “metallic black” option. Indeed multiple unique color options will be available throughout, including a deep, vivid red theme that Tim particularly liked.

There are two 7 inch LCD displays. The center display does not swivel, it is fixed. It is also highly configurable and touch activated. Customers can choose from simple basic to extensive data display.

The flush-mounted paddle shifter is also revolutionary and since it is so forward gives a lot of access to “properly placed” dual cupholders and center console. It was an opportunity as Tim says for GM “to re-invent the wheel” when it comes to shifters.

Within the console is an audio USB port. There is also bluetooth technology.

The controls on the center panel are “capacitive touch controls”. They engage by detecting electric current in the incoming finger which can be detected from a distance. The button will then provide the user audio and visual feedback. There is no haptic feedback. The dashboard glows quite strikingly at night.

We have heard before the car will sense a key fob’s presence, there is no ignition keyhole. There is a large VOLT button to turn the car on. The car also happens to have an “industry leading” 9.25 liter glove box.

The interior space is 24 mm wider than in the Cruze which also uses the global compact delta platform, thereby giving VOLT drivers extra space.

I found the back seat also quite comfortable and the roof appeared quite high internally. Rear visibility was remarkable due to the clear surface of the hatchback.

The rear seats folded down producing a very large cargo space.

Considering all of the color and design options that will be available for this interior, it will be hard to be disappointed. And overall it tells you loud and clear that you are driving a car that uses brand new groundbreaking technology.

My greatest applause to the design team. Check out the videos below:

[flash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cmQ4qhyB3w&eurl]

Before an audience of millions GM CEO Rick Wagoner introduced the full production version of the Chevy Volt, driven out before the crowd by GM vice chair Bob Lutz.

All interior and exterior photos can be accessed here along with press release.

Motive Magazine seems to have gotten hold of a picture of the Chevy Volt’s interior. It was posted today.

It looks different than the most recent clay mock-up Volt chief designer Bob Boniface showed ABC news.

When I was in the design lab I had seen multiple variants of the interior, and it wasn’t clear which was the one they chose to go to production with. Certainly this image shows a sleek and futuristic appearance with a vivid touch screen.

I cannot confirm the accuracy or origin of these images, but take note of the display stand upon which it sits. It is possible these displays are being prepared for GM’s upcoming Centennial event and some insider took the shot.

Here is the clip from the ABC news video:

Source (Car Lounge Forum ) Thanks to Chris N for the tip.

The other day, GM hosted a live online chat with about 50 people and Volt chief designer Bob Boniface. Some of the discussion highlights follow.

Asked what his favorite exterior styling feature is, Bob said he “loves the headlamps.” He addresses how different the Volt will be than a Prius saying “there many ways to make a car aerodynamically efficient, not one size fits all, all E-Flex cars will be unique from one another.” He assures us the Volt will beat the Prius in “efficiency, looks, and handling.”

He noted that surprisingly, aerodynamic performance is critical even at city speeds.

Our reader TallPete asked about maximum driver height. Bob noted the Volt (like all GM cars) can accommodate up to a 6′4″ male (95th %ile) in the front and rear, and assured him that even larger occupants will still fit.

Our reader Nasaman asked whether there would be movable front grill louvers and Bob noted that the grill panels are fixed.

We also found out that Volt weight will be slightly heavier than comparably size cars due to the “additional mass of the batteries” but that mass has less impact than aerodynamics on range.

Bob said the interior is “FANSTASTIC,” and indicates there will be ipod connectivity, USB audio ports, and bluetooth provided.

I asked if the bowtie was specially aerodynamically tweaked and Bob replied that the bowtie is “nicely integrated into the aero grille.”

Bob noted GM has developed a “good strategy” to address the stale gas issue.

I also asked whether future E-Flex vehicles might have different battery shapes so that 3 people could fit in the back seat. He said somewhat cryptically “obviously we’d like to use the battery in its current configuration in other vehicles where it fits.”

He mentioned the Volt will have a folding rear seat creating a flat cargo area. He also said seating comfort and entry/exit were definitely a priority and will be competitive with others in the market.

I asked about the percentage of components that have been sourced at this point and he said “many of the major components have already been sourced.”

Asked about the tires he said “low rolling resistance tires will be used” and that he’s not sure on their cost, “but to keep in mind that it has to be a vehicle for masses”