In August, a video preview of the production car was released by GM, and was followed by a few official photographic teasers shortly after. A spy video shot on the set of the upcoming Transformers movie even showed a look-alike mule in action. These leaked official photos, courtesy of The Car Connection, show the vehicle in its expected final production form, and though it retains several of the high-tech design cues of the original concept, it has adopted a significantly more mundane profile in efforts to improve aerodynamics.
Those aerodynamic improvements have reportedly greatly increased the car's electric-only range, however. Getting the most out of what's available will be essential as the company has recently revealed that Toyota will likely beat GM to market with its own plug-in hybrid solution, making the Volt's arrival less impactful and meaning it will have to survive more on its own merits than its novelty.
Reader Comments
Mon Sep 8 2008 2:22 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
If this car packs the punch it claims then Prius is in trouble!! Which is a good thing...
Mon Sep 8 2008 2:22 PM
Laz says
I've said this before and will say it again, I hope this works out for GM.
Mon Sep 8 2008 2:51 PM
Leigh Taunton says
Looks nothing like the concept. What's the point of showing a concept if you're going to bring a hybrid Chevy Cruze with better paint to market?
Mon Sep 8 2008 3:03 PM
raptor says
Not as cool as the concept, but still kinda futuristic. To be honest I was expecting something more than this. But it still beats Toyota.
Mon Sep 8 2008 3:21 PM
james says
i think it looks great. much better than any other hybrid only that's out. i love those LEDs on the bumper. this will work, be optimistic guys
Mon Sep 8 2008 3:23 PM
Guillem says
I love this car...I know it might sound strange, but I actually like the production version more than the original concept!
Mon Sep 8 2008 3:35 PM
Laz says
If it is a hybrid Cruze I find it tough to pay $40k for it.
Mon Sep 8 2008 3:37 PM
PJE says
I think I'll hold off judgement until I see how the large area of black under the windows look in a more representative setting. It looks like they were trying to keep the look of the concept but technology failed them so they simply painted the top 1/3 of the door black!
I hope it works, as at the right price I'd be interested in getting one...
Mon Sep 8 2008 4:16 PM
Gus says
Compared to most cars - ho-hum.
Compared to the Prius it's an Enzo.
As far as comparing the Prius to this in terms of functionality, no comparison. The PiP (Plug-in-Prius) will only manage a few miles on electricity alone. Only another vehicle that is similar in size and which can go a similar distance on batteries and can ALSO go from anywhere to anywhere using gas stations can be compared to the Volt, and so far there is nothing like it.
Mon Sep 8 2008 5:12 PM
Tokugawa says
This looks like it's shaping up to be a winner so far, but again we don't have the final product in front of us.
Mon Sep 8 2008 7:20 PM
bambam says
I guess they are planning a variety of the volt, because this one so far does not look like the overall killer. However its a killer for its type and style.
Tue Sep 9 2008 1:26 AM
absi says
ugly as hell...
GM is pushing very hard for the Volt to be a success, I just hope its half as good as they claim... altho with recent discussions of changing the EPA standards etc etc, it looks like Volt is probably going to fizz out...
Much prefer the newly launched Honda Insight..... probably a lot more reliable too.
Tue Sep 9 2008 2:07 AM
amac says
It's really tacky of them to mimic the concept by blacking out the area below the windows. And those side-view mirrors... WTF? The rear reminds me of an old Subaru SVX. Over all it looks like a Honda Civic. Ho hum...
Tue Sep 9 2008 4:05 AM
Will says
Why do we needs those guys standing in front of it? Get rid!!
Poor, poor colour choice! I was impressed by the blue/purple colouring of the car used in the Transformers 2 movie. I think that made the GM badge and grille stand out better. Made it look more futuristic. Re-think the colour before revealing the car to the World.
Is it just me or does the car sort of have a retro look about it? It works whatever is going on. The Prius is nothing overly inspiring, nor is the new Insight. We will see this type of shape dominate until such times that Honda or Nissan release more adventurous shapes.
7/10
8/10 With a colour change!
Wed Sep 10 2008 10:21 PM
howard Duffy says
C.R.A.P. Chevy Races to Avoid Production. Another blown opportunity by G.M. Looks dated before it hits the street. WTF?!
Wed Sep 10 2008 10:24 PM
howard Duffy says
Should let some Art Center College students do this right off the CNC, instead of these suits. Not a lick of creativity between them.
Wed Sep 10 2008 11:45 PM
Ann says
Where is the Volt? This is not the car I've been dieing to see on the road, please tell me it's not true. Another big mistake.
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