test drive of the Volt

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:50 am

What is it?

The revolutionary Chevrolet Volt, a mainstream electric car that goes on sale in the US later this year and hits the UK in late 2011.

Based on the Vauxhall Astra platform, the Volt is a four-seat hatch powered by lithium ion batteries that can be recharged by plugging into the mains, or on the go by a 1.4-litre petrol engine.

GM is confident the Volt will be capable of up to 40 miles' range on a single charge, although accepts that heavy usage - such as climbing or high-speed running - will reduce that.
Although unlike every other EV, fluctuations in range don’t really matter, because the Volt can fire up its petrol engine to ensure there’s always drive to the front-wheels.

The electric motor is rated at 110kW or 150bhp, and delivers a healthy 273lb ft of torque, about the same as a 2.0-litre diesel.

The lithium ion battery pack is water-cooled and heated. Cooling is particularly important, because excess heat can kill lithium ion cells. GM is promising the battery pack will last the life of the Volt, which is interpreted as 150,000 miles.

Given the battery capacity and the Volt’s range, the engineering spec allows for 6000 full charge or discharge cycles, events that eventually will reduce the battery’s storage capacity to 70 to 80 per cent of what it was capable of when new.
What’s it like?

The most significant point is that the Volt is just like a normal hatchback to drive, with the added significant benefit of being very quiet.

We had a short drive on a simple, flat test circuit and found that the Volt steers, rides and handles in a very similar manner to the Chevy Cruze saloon. That means it’s more comfort-oriented than the sportier Vauxhall Astra.

Driving the Volt is very simple. With the ignition on, press a starter button and the dashboard lights up and bings into life, just like a PC. In the centre console there’s a PRND selector exactly where the gear-shifter is on a regular car, and in the footwell are two pedals: accelerator and brake.
Slot the shifter into D and the Volt glides away with no hint of engine or motor noise.

Acceleration is similar to a 2.0-litre diesel-powered hatch, with the benefit of a linear power delivery, which builds speed very smoothly and is helped by the fact that there are no gearchanges to interrupt progress.

To boost performance, there’s a sport button on the dash that increases the flow of electrons out of the battery by 20 per cent. And the effect is noticeable; if you could turn the turbo on a combustion engine on and off, it would be a bit like this.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:51 am

As the speed rises, the main driver feedback comes from the tyres and suspension. With no engine noise in the background, tire roar and bump thump from the suspension take over.
Steering is linear and faithful and cornering is accompanied by body roll. The Volt is definitely focused on comfort, rather than sporty handling.

Less impressive is the cabin space. Although the car is based on the Astra platform, its rear legroom feels more like the Corsa's and the headroom is more like a coupe's than a saloon's.

Compared with the nearest competitor, the Toyota Prius, the Volt sits a full class size below.

This largely comes from the attention GM has paid to minimising losses from aerodynamic drag. The Volt has a lower roofline and to accommodate the battery pack, the rear seats are slightly raised compared with the Cruze.

Together these force a more stretched-out seating position, which eat into legroom. And because the battery is packaged down the central tunnel, the Volt is only a two-seater in the back.

Fuel economy on our short test was a bit tricky to assess, although the dashboard told us the battery drained a little and recharged as we braked. Because the battery wasn’t close to being drained, the petrol engine didn’t cut in.
In the context of the £5 gallon of petrol, the dashboard trip meter reading of 963mpg was more than just a bit encouraging.

Should I buy one?

Yes. On this brief drive, the Volt appears to live up to the hype. It drives smoothly and needs no special driving techniques. Even the most novice driver will be able to jump in and drive off.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:51 am

Given the growing interest in fuel economy, there’s so much technology in the Volt to keep an enthusiast fully engaged. Although the straightforward driving manners won’t engage drivers looking for the most exciting driving experience.

Julian Rendell

*Come back tomorrow (Thursday) to see our full photo gallery from the test First drive data

How much?

Price as tested TBA
Price as tested TBA
How fast?

0-62 mph 8.5 sec
Max speed 100 mph

How big?

Weight 1600 kg
How thirsty?

Combined 176 mpg
CO2 emissions no data

Engine

Layout no data
Max power 150 bhp
Max torque 272 lb ft

Matthew Fortner · **Joined:** Sun Mar 21, 2004 12:21 am **Posts:** 384

I may have overlooked it but could you provide the source and maybe even a link to the source at the top when you post these?

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:50 am

Wonder if fuel quality will become an issue for folks who never travel more than 40 miles. I would think the gas would go bad at some point.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:39 pm

Matthew Fortner wrote:

I may have overlooked it but could you provide the source and maybe even a link to the source at the top when you post these?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/Fir ... ic/246503/

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:43 pm

At least GM is doing something out of the ordinary with that car. So kudos to them for that.

But from looking at those photos I have to say the biggest problem that car is going to face is that it is ugly with a capital U. It looks decent from head on, but from those photos, all other angles is not working for me.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:02 am

Did I miss the MSRP on this life changing car? Last time I looked price matters.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:58 am

Just announced....kind of:

The Chevrolet Volt will be an expensive car to produce. Cutting edge technology and large proprietary lithium-ion battery packs make up the lion’s share of cost. Another speculated element of cost is factoring in the possibility of some degree of warranty-required battery replacements. Long one of the most talked about Volt topics is what its price will be when it arrives later this year.

In the very early days of 2007, GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz had mentioned a goal of under $30,000. Eventually that target appeared to be moved higher, though never official confirmed by GM.

Along the way, the federal government passed legislation that will give initial Volt buyers a $7500 tax credit, and more recent media speculation has put the price closer to $40,000.

However, there have been new reports that GM may surpise the world with a lower number.

Also, though GM has plans to take the cost out in coming generations, it is often reported that the automaker will have to take a loss on each car of the first generation.
Now in an exclusive interview with GM-Volt.com, CEO Ed Whitacre speaks frankly on how much the Volt will be priced at, and for the first time ever says GM will actually be able to make money selling them.

He was asked whether it was true that GM will lose money on every Volt they sell.

“We’re not in business to lose money,” he said. “We did enough of that already.”

The Volt “is going to sell in the low 30s,” said Whitacre. “We’ll get a margin on that.”

http://gm-volt.com/2010/01/18/exclusive-gm-ceo-says-chevy-volt-will-sell-in-low-30s-and-for-a-profit/

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:52 am

Marty Howard wrote:

The Volt “is going to sell in the low 30s,” said Whitacre. “We’ll get a margin on that.”

Only the tree-huggers would pay that much IMO unless gas prices go north of $5.00/gallon.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:08 am

Unless that's 30k before the $7,500 rebate.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:08 am

Vincent Keene wrote:

Marty Howard wrote:

The Volt “is going to sell in the low 30s,” said Whitacre. “We’ll get a margin on that.”

Only the tree-huggers would pay that much IMO unless gas prices go north of $5.00/gallon.

low 30's for a car that may not use ANY gas depending on your commute. I don't find that a bad deal at all.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:15 am

Marty Howard wrote:

Vincent Keene wrote:

Marty Howard wrote:

The Volt “is going to sell in the low 30s,” said Whitacre. “We’ll get a margin on that.”

Only the tree-huggers would pay that much IMO unless gas prices go north of $5.00/gallon.

low 30's for a car that may not use ANY gas depending on your commute. I don't find that a bad deal at all.

$30K for a commuter car? Like one to get you to and from work?

You can buy a used car that gets 30MPG all day long for under $10K. I can buy a LOT of gas with that price difference.

Of course until I hit the lottery I can't see myself paying $30K for ANY car.

clinehall · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:20 pm

Marty Howard wrote:

Vincent Keene wrote:

Marty Howard wrote:

The Volt “is going to sell in the low 30s,” said Whitacre. “We’ll get a margin on that.”

Only the tree-huggers would pay that much IMO unless gas prices go north of $5.00/gallon.

low 30's for a car that may not use ANY gas depending on your commute. I don't find that a bad deal at all.

I just glanced over this, is there a number on the price of electricity for a charge? I would imagine it would be a pretty big drain, gotta cost something.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:34 pm

clinehall wrote:

Marty Howard wrote:

Vincent Keene wrote:

Marty Howard wrote:

The Volt “is going to sell in the low 30s,” said Whitacre. “We’ll get a margin on that.”

Only the tree-huggers would pay that much IMO unless gas prices go north of $5.00/gallon.

low 30's for a car that may not use ANY gas depending on your commute. I don't find that a bad deal at all.

I just glanced over this, is there a number on the price of electricity for a charge? I would imagine it would be a pretty big drain, gotta cost something.

8 Kilowatt hours. In Raleigh the average price is 11 cents

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricit ... 5_6_a.html

so about $.88 a "Fill Up".

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test drive of the Volt

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