A recent post about the much anticipated Chevrolet Volt generated an unusual number of comments, and most readers seemed pretty optimistic about the battery powered car. I'm sure this makes the beleaguered executives at General Motors (NYSE: GM) breathe a little easier. But I wonder if those readers will maintain their optimism now that photos of the actual production Volt have been revealed.As you can see, the production Volt doesn't look much like the original concept (see below for the original). The real world Volt looks much more like a Japanese hybrid (I see a Honda crossed with a Malibu) -- which is to say it looks like a smooth jelly bean that somehow got wheels.
I'm sure the design makes sense in terms of efficiency and air flow. But this Volt is far from what was implied by the original model.
The Volt concept looked something like a Camaro or even a Corvette charged by lightning. I suspect that its aggressive looks had a lot to do with the excitement it generated. But the actual Volt sends a very different message, one that emphasizes efficiency and safety over speed and power. Again, that may make sense for an electric car. But it's quite a switch, and given the likely price tag of the car -- now rumored to be in the $40,000 range -- it's not clear how the Volt will be able to compete with the equally efficient and cheaper Japanese models.
Any ideas? Maybe we should ask Tony Posawatz, the dapper gentleman smiling in the photo at top, who is the Volt's Line Director. For GM's sake, I certainly hope he knows the answer.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-10-2008 @ 4:52PM
gumbo koontz said...
There is nothing like Volts. Not even hybrids or plug in electric cars. Volts is one of a kind as far as mechanically considered. Volts is a stand out. Most people dont realize that Volts is a different car. Volts is closer to plug in electrics than hybrids, but it is not to be compared with anything out on the road yet. I wonder if GM already took out patents on Volts. Dont you understand what I am saying, huh?
9-11-2008 @ 4:37PM
Ohio said...
The Volt is a giant step towards the future as far as the green theme goes, but what average American can realistically afford $40 grand for a car? In order to be green you have to live green and if you can't afford to, it kind of defeats the purpose of the research and technology.