RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Ahh, I missed the round trip part Huey.

Baron, I believe the 40 mile range is spec'd at up to 75 mph or so. So, if GM has the numbers right, it's good to go.

mysql

I bet it's going to be in the 40k range. Especially as our dollar starts to go into hyper inflation as we print money to buy AIG and these other failing companies. We do not have the cash to pay for these purchases and we cannot borrow these sums either. So it might be quite a bit higher than 40k.

Deathcraft

Heyy..look...Furturistic mazda 3!!!!

JRichter

To quote myself I said "doesn't make that much of a difference". Just because it has a measurable factor doesn't make it significant. How many extra MPGs does this equate to hitting a max speed of 35mph say on a car shaped like a Prius verses a car shaped like an RX-8 both having the exact same powertrain, stopping and going periodically during an average in town trip? Not enough to justify an egged-shapped car that will turn off potential buyers who wouldn't mind owning a car like this but want something that looks a little better IMO. I still think part of the styling is making it look green.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Does anyone here honestly think that this isn't a significant improvement over the Prius, inside and out, appearance wise?

bulletproof21

Not the way it looks now, no. The original concept, yes.

ANZ

I actually don't like the prototype look. I like the production version better. The prototype looks like an offspring of a Chrysler 300 with its small windows and aggressive look. Totally contrary to the spirit of efficiency.

I agree that GM made it look too much like the other hybrids. Still it looks a lot better than any other sedan/wagon they currently make.

ASH8

I think there are many who say great GM, but, how many of these followers will actually purchase the VOLT is another matter again.

In 2 Years time what will the actual cost to buy be, how long will batteries last for , their replacement cost and what is the real MP Charge rate?

Design1stCode2nd

Plenty of people with money that can buy a $40k car and will be dying to be seen as Greenest of the green. GM will sell a ton. When gen 2 comes out in say 2015 that will bet he one average people can afford and they will have worked out the bugs.

I'm hoping battery tech will be like computer tech so that 5-7 years is like 2 lifetimes.

Is anyone here really suprised that the Volt doesn't look like the concept? One of the most important things for a fuel efficient car is CoD. The concept had crap aerodynamics so it was changed.

JRichter

Absolutely not. Even with conventional cars the production version very rarely looks like the concept. Something interesting though is a quick check on production cars with the lowest coefficient of drag (depending on how reliable this source is). Note a 2001 Lexus LS430 w/ air suspension is better than a Prius and the 2002 Infinity G35 w/ aero package matching a Prius. (check out the 08 Mazda 6 and I threw the 8 in there for kicks) A car doesn't necessarily have to be ugly to be aerodynamic but I think with something like the Prius and the new Honda they tried to package as much interior volume as possible on the smallest footprint and still be aerodynamic so this is where the egg shape comes in. One thing I notice in my city is every Prius I see usually only has one person driving it. Some variants with better looking styling at the sacrifice of smaller interior volume should be considered. Haven't seen what the cod of the Volt is yet. Anyone know?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automob...g_coefficients

DemonRX-8

Pretty cool - I'm actually watching Bob Lutz talk about the Volt on Colbert Report just as I'm reading this!

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

im sure the CoD would be around .26

interestingly, the ferrari f50 has a CoD of .43 if im not mistaken. but its all that aerodynamic downforce.

pimp20g

I love it. There is no way i would pay $40k for it though

robrecht

Future generations will be AWD, with 4 electric hub motors, eliminating the need for a transmission or conventional brakes (except for when the car is parked).

I think the center stack looks hokey.

robrecht

I'm not so convinced about the solid state reliability thing. Seems like the solid state electronics are more likely to fail on lots of modern appliances. We needed to buy a new dryer that mechanically was working fine because it would cost more to replace the electronic control module than to buy a new dryer. We purposefully bought a new one that had the least amount of electronic gizmos.

I think the center stack looks hokey. Apple has some much nicer designs. This looks like a 1st generation iPod on steroids.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Aerodynamic plays a very important role as long as you go faster than 10-15 miles an hour. Drag = needs more power to push it forward = more gas/battery.

The steering wheel looks EXACTLY like Honda's steering wheel. I was like what da fuxk .... ?

the interior ... kinda plastic feel, I mean it is plastic. looks cheap, although it has some nice "touch" buttons.

the new chevy looks alright I Guess, but I still would not consider buying it. First of all its a Chevy, GM! Quality = -1 . Plus Im pretty sure Toyota already have something much better than Chevy in their labs, Toyota, like any Japanese companies are always like that, first they release some product that no other people be able to offer for a while, in this case, the Prius. it doesnt mean they will stop there, they keep updating the current product WHILE having another new project in the lab. then when the technology gets old or the competitor release something else, they will push the "completely new" stuff out from the lab and crush the opponent.

kvndoom

Glad to see that GM found a use for the leftover Saturn Ion chassis... (j/k)

Concept looked really sporty. That would've at least made hybrids seem less boring than they are right now.