The clay model shows that designers have stayed true to the original concept, with some minor cosmetic changes to the front grille. These changes include a modified headlight cluster, with an indent on the bottom-middle section of the headlights, rather than a smooth line as shown previously.
Additionally, the air intakes that straddled the grille of the concept have been removed and replaced with indicators that stretch from the front to the side. While the car is never fully revealed in its production trim, the outline of the Volt can be seen through the cover, and reveals a high-waisted profile that bears some 'family resemblance' to the Volt concept.
Original: Larry Burns, VP of Research and Development at GM has confirmed the carmaker has settled on a final design for the much anticipated Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, the car GM hopes will bring it back into competition against Toyota's Prius and a host of new hybrid and electric cars.
While the production version won't look exactly like the stunning concept, Burns has stated the production Volt will definitely bear a "family resemblance" to it. Reportedly, drag on the production version is 30% less than the hard-edged concept Volt, suggesting it has taken on a more rounded and friendly appearance. Pictured above is an official teaser that hints at the design of the final version.
The Volt is powered by an 'E-Flex' plug-in hybrid system, consisting of a lithium-ion battery with an electric-only driving range of around 40 miles. It also has a small, flex-fuel engine to recharge the battery on the road. So far the biggest hurdles for GM was shoehorning the large batteries and engine into the car and still having enough room for four adults and their luggage, reports The Detroit News.
With production expected to begin in just a couple of years, GM seems well on the way to ironing out any issues the Volt may have - batteries have already been produced that satisfied safety and size requirements but long-term durability testing is currently under way to determine their life expectancy.
The Volt is shaping up to be the car that will make or break GM this decade, with Vice-Chairman of GM, Bob Lutz, recently expounding on the massive opportunity that GM missed by not developing a hybrid program earlier. But the mistake seems to have strengthened Lutz's resolve, who stated in a blog entry that GM "are going for the brass ring" with the Volt.
Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid concept
Via: Autoblog.nl
Reader Comments
Thu Apr 3 2008 10:33 AM
Gus says
Gee, isn't it sad that Toyota and Honda will now have to play "catch-up" to the Americans, who will be bringing the first plug-in hybrid to market?
Hmmmmm...
Thu Apr 3 2008 11:07 AM
Delby says
"Catch Up'' Really? GM Has had Hybrid/Electric technology since the 70's but they never capatilized on it. Probably one of the biggest automotive blunders of the 20th century. If anything the industry as a whole should 've been playing catchup to them decades ago. (think about it , it makes sense)
Thu Apr 3 2008 12:28 PM
chris says
delby; they had the technology to make a nuclear car in the 50's... but that didnt happen.
if you're prepared to be cramped, you can also have a solar powered car.
lots of "what if"s.
look at hybrid technology being the same as cylinder deactivation. they had it in the 70's, but it was mechanically controlled. it was junk, and it never worked right. sure they COULD have made a hybrid back then, but it would have been with lead acid batteries and using rediculously complex mechanical controls instead of a small microprocessor that todays hybrid controllers would use. once again... if cylinder deactivation didnt work in the 70's... why would this have?
Thu Apr 3 2008 2:09 PM
Gus says
Because, Delby, a plug in hybrid is the only kind of hyrbid that makes any sense whatsoever...
Fri Apr 4 2008 2:32 PM
Delby says
okay a plug in hydrid is not the only type of hybrid out there but i dont mean that they should have made the damn technology but i mean develop it so they wouldt have to be playing catch up now i mean l GM was just coming off a decade of high prosperity they had the extra cash to make that possible a little bit a foresight was what was needed and what im saying is the lack of them wanting to take chances is what got them in the type of deep hole that they were in about 5 years ago but see GM is taking chances NOW and with its new design concepts i.e. cadillac,pontiac & chevy.... and its new found awareness for consumer wants and needs is whats propelled them to this point and what im saying is that they should have not waited until the euros and asians to take over their market shares before they started bringing out desireable products p.s. the future of alternative energy will be solar energy ........FIN......
Sun Aug 10 2008 9:26 AM
bambam says
Its a nice exterior design and great thinking about that indicator lights when it comes to aerodynamics. But you still have to be smart about the overall size and weight.
by the looks of this clay version. It looks like it has grown in size compare to the previous concept.
Sun Aug 10 2008 10:24 AM
Gus says
Now it's appeared in a few commercials on TV.
Looks good. Unique, which is important to the greenies.
We'll see what happens...
Sun Aug 10 2008 11:58 AM
Bender says
Good luck to the world's biggest polluters finally doing something right.
Sun Aug 10 2008 1:18 PM
worldbfree4me says
Mr. Lutz has also suggested a more “realistic priceâ€
Sun Aug 10 2008 4:22 PM
Guber says
Gus, GM had EV1 back in the 90's, So this is their second time around. Hopefully they learnt their lesson and not sell the technology, especially to the "oil people".
Sun Aug 10 2008 8:16 PM
Gus says
True.
For that price, I don't think people will buy it.
Mon Aug 11 2008 1:32 AM
InkMaster says
PS everyone; if you click on the video to go to youtube to watch the video, add &fmt=18 - much higher quality then the embedded one
Mon Aug 11 2008 1:36 AM
InkMaster says
oh yeah and having watched the video, my comment...
Great to see they didn't screw this one up - I mean if the back and the interior of it look as good as the front, this is one sexy little car, especially when compared to the Prius. Only thing I'm having my doubts about is the claim of 400 mile range between gas fullups... I mean don't get me wrong I would love to see that, but somehow I doubt it...
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