OFFICIAL CANADIAN VOLT THREAD

[VoltChick]

I can live with that. My sales rep told me Aug 10, but that was back in May and unaware of GM's plans. Besides, I'd rather share the joy. It's gonna be a party!

Well, they're certainly working on it. My Ottawa dealer received their training this week. My rep sent me pictures of three Volts that were used for the training; they had Ontario plates. It also happens that the GM Test Drive events are taking place in the area over the next three weekends, so I'd say it looks like the same cars are being used for dealer training during the week. They will certainly have gone through all the dealers by then.

My dealer also acknowledged that there was a hold on cars being produced, but he does not yet have a reason as why this is happening. This is as per GM internal order management. My dealer already has one customer Volt produced (I'm pretty sure it's VoltChick's), and mine should be produced next week.

[Rusty]

It also happens that the GM Test Drive events are taking place in the area over the next three weekends, so I'd say it looks like the same cars are being used for dealer training during the week

It'd be *really* interesting to see what the VINs are on those test/demo/fleet cars. Since they're demos, I'm guessing:

1G1RD6E4xCU1000yz

The interesting bits are if the D is really an A, B, or C. The big guess is that the C in my guess might be a B, but I would hope not. And the yz is my guess as to where some of the first hundred MY '12s went. It'd also be interesting if the last bit is CU09wxyz....

[therfman]

I will check for sure, and try to take a few pictures. I'm willing to bet that the demos are 2011s though, so the C is probably a B. I have a hunch from the pictures of the Volts for training that the training/demo fleet is the same one that was used to lend out to journalists in May/June. There's no way those would be 2012s.

[kickincanada]

P8051475small.jpgHi all - I did do the test drive of the Leaf yesterday - here's a pic of the kids. Will be driving volt this weekend as well. Obviously the Volt is the choice for me but it is great to see another option available for those who support electrification of the automobile. Will post more fulsome review later this weekend.

[wainair]

Looking forward to your comparison review kickincanada. It will be interesting for sure!

[kickincanada]

Just drove the Volt at Bayshore mall in Ottawa. It was a 2012 model - keyless entry #125. Took a pic of the serial number (attached). It only had 12kms of range left so was able to deploy mountain mode and the engine came on while I was driving. It was imperceptible - awesome!. When I gave it gas however, the engine did rev quite a bit and sounded like your typical 4banger. But test drive simply reconfirmed why I am buying the Volt - even after my test drive of the Leaf. Again more to come on the Leaf. I also included a pic of the charging station at GM headquarters in Oshawa. Took this when I passed by there last weekend.
Ottawa-20110806-00139.jpgOshawa-20110730-00103.jpgOttawa-20110806-00141.jpgIMG-20110806-00137.jpg

[therfman]

I arrived at Bayshore just before they got started today and was the first one out with that volt. It only had 22km or range, so someone obviously forgot to charge it overnight. It was a no-options 2012, which was a bit disappointing. I would have liked to hear the Bose stereo and see how the leather seats felt.

This car is not part of the group that was used for dealer training in Ottawa this week, so I was wrong on that front.

I very much enjoyed the way the car drives. It is very smooth and quiet, with exceptionally linear power delivery, which certainly cannot be said of my current car. The climate and radio controls aren't very intuitive at fist, and I'll probably have to spend some time with them to be able to operate them while driving. L feels very much like engine braking with my 6-spped manual, but somewhat out of character for a car that riders most situations. The brakes did not feel different that what I'm used to.

I'm very glad I drove the car, but in a sense, I wish I hadn't. I absolutely loved it, but the next 6 weeks or so until GM releases the Volts will seem very long...

[WopOnTour]

It'd be *really* interesting to see what the VINs are on those test/demo/fleet cars. Since they're demos, I'm guessing:

1G1RD6E4xCU1000yz

The interesting bits are if the D is really an A, B, or C. The big guess is that the C in my guess might be a B, but I would hope not. And the yz is my guess as to where some of the first hundred MY '12s went. It'd also be interesting if the last bit is CU09wxyz....

I will check for sure, and try to take a few pictures. I'm willing to bet that the demos are 2011s though, There's no way those would be 2012s.

They will be 2012 models that were "pre-built" for this purpose BEFORE the shut down.
WOT

[Rusty]

They will be 2012 models that were "pre-built" for this purpose BEFORE the shut down.
WOT

The picture by kickincanada shows a VIN a 1G1RA6E42CU100125. That would be a cloth seat no-nav 2012, apparently full production car. I would have expected a pre-built to have a CU99xxxxx VIN like the 2011 pre-builts had (or something like that, I'm going from memory).

How are the Volts built before the shut down disambiguated from the full production Volts built after the shut down on the full production line?

[kickincanada]

I promised you all I would give my impressions of the Leaf test drive which I did at Nissan Canada HQ in Mississauga Ontario last Friday. I drove the vehicle for about 5-7 kms at speeds up to 80kph.

Let me begin by saying the Volt is for me and this was reconfirmed when I drove the Volt again yesterday in Ottawa. Overall the Volt has a more refined, luxurious and sporty feel - it is "fun to drive" and looks a lot better as well. You won't have people comparing the Leaf to a BMW but I have seen many previous BMW owners here in the forum say that they like their Volt better.

Handling is far better in the Volt although I found acceleration to 80kph about the same in both vehicles. In ECO mode the Leaf regen is not as strong as the Volt in low gear (regular drive mode there is no difference between the two vehicles). I actually prefer the Volt's more aggressive regen when in Low and will likely be using this gear most of the time. Leaf cornering is a bit more sluggish in my view and it has feeling of a more practical utilitarian vehicle. Compact feel yet electrically driven - but solid and well built at the same time. Honestly, I don't think range anxiety will be a big deal for Leaf owners. 170kms range in Summer - probably 110kms in Canadian winter - should be plenty if you use this as a practical second vehicle. Also, nothing but tire changes and maybe a brake job every 100,000kms to worry about.

The Leaf does have a few features absent on the Volt (instantaneous KW usage info, heated rear seats, mini solar panel and of course room for an extra person) but the advantages of the Volt extended range make up for these in my view. No options like leather seats etc on the Leaf that I know of although GPS is included in base price so the Leaf has a pricing edge when you look at a similarly equipped Volt. That said, Nissan should be able to generate sales here - it is a nice vehicle (I was pleasantly surprised) and I see this almost as a soccer mom car in a two vehicle household.

It did strike me as a bit worrysome that GM doesn't have plans (that I know of) for a zero emission vehicle. Nissan has a head start here and I think the GM portfolio would benefit from a similar type vehicle. GM has essentially ceded this segment of the market to Nissan - not the best thing to do in my view from a competitor standpoint as potentially hundreds of thousands of Leafs (and newly minted Nissan customers) will be on the road by the time GM gets into the fully zero emission game.

What did the kids think? They love the Volt! But not so much love for the Leaf and think Volt is far better looking (this was just spontaneous feedback on their part). For me, it was almost a surreal experience to have driven two production electric vehicles back to back. Finally, consumers have a choice to get off petrol. Personally, I love the idea of not being held hostage to buying gasoline - and better yet I get to do it in a fun to drive great looking vehicle like the Volt!

Although I have never driven a plug-in Prius (regular Prius only), as far as I'm concerned the only thing a plug-in Prius will have advantage wise over a Volt or Leaf is price (and that remains to be seen). Only the die hard's or highway drivers need be bothered with a Prius - there is simply no comparison to a vehicle with Electric drive as its primary means of propulsion. And better yet - I get to support a North American made company and vehicle.

Any questions just ask!P8051467small.jpgP8051466small.jpgP8051472small.jpg