Just rode in a VOLT!

[tjts1]

Volt = compact
Prius = midsize

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by tjts1

Volt = compact
Prius = midsize

Until you compare their prices.

[RobertSmalls]

The Volt may be compact on the outside, but subcompact on the inside.

[MetroMPG]

Great vid, Ben.

FYI, another car that has an unusual, semi-hidden, exhaust tip (no conventional bumper "cutout" obvious from a regular view angle) is the 1st gen Insight.

Matt: " That thing needs a fart can with a chrome tip." = good chuckle.

[ZOMGVTEK]

I really dont see the big advantage of the VOLT over the Prius, taking cost into consideration.

And the under hood area looks extremely cluttered and almost 'home made' with some snazzy plastic covers.

$23K vs $41K? Id rather have TWO Prius's...

[Automcdonough]

Got anything to say about it besides interior design? Any dirt you could tell us that isn't in a promo flyer? Not trying to be a jerk but on an FWD car the first thing I do is romp on it and get a feel for how much torque steer there is. I'm after the technical stuff.. Thanks for not spending half the video fiddling with the radio.

[bennelson]

I've got another video coming of riding in it. Sorry, I just haven't had any time to edit and post it. (New baby, work, etc.)

Acceleration was really good. The cabin was really quiet. At 70mph, you could carry on a normal conversation just fine. Very smooth ride.

I was surprised at the "unfinished" look under the hood. Also, all the wire harness under the back by the gas tank looked like rather untidy as well. I don't know if the final version of the car will be just a tad different or not. I was told that this was the production version of the Volt, but I can't help but think that they missed the zip-tie guy on the assembly line.

The one technical question I did want to ask the tech guy was about the whole "does the engine drive the car mechanically above 70 mph?". The guy got very serious, and said that he could NOT comment on that at this time. He did say that there is a lot of mis-information out there about that right now.

During the drive, there was one point where he asked me to turn the camera off to talk about something, which of course, the pack of GM lawyers standing over my shoulder prevent me from talking about...

We also did do something during the drive to intentionally cause the generator/engine to kick on. It was seemless. You couldn't hear it or tell that it happened without the guy specifically pointing it out.

The other odd/cool thing that I remember is that the AC drive makes a really cool little whine for just a moment as the car pulls away from a dead stop. I SO want it as a cell phone ring tone.

[NeilBlanchard]

From the video that Nick Chambers posted, the engine only drives the wheels above 70MPH *if* the demand for torque exceeds the two electric motors.

[robchalmers]

so with the battery brimmed and the tank full, whats the max range and whats the fuel tank size?

EDIT: 350miles!!!!! so let me get this right. IF you fork out 41 grand you get:

a 12 year old Opel/vauxhall astra chassis

a 17 year old opel/vauxhall corsa engine

all for what would be a $190/year tax-dodge over here.

if I were to buy a 1998 1.4 astra it would cost me sub $2000 (easy) and I would have:

15bhp more (75-90)
average 40MPGus across total range (not 38, battery+tank)
have a 52litre tank instead of 35
and get a range of ......... 458miles

apart from the tax dodge - there isn't much of a pro case for it!!!

[Automcdonough]

yeah unless you're like most of us and drive less than 100 miles a day, that tank of gas will practically be stale by the time it's spent.

I don't blame them for having a mechanical connection between the motor and road, but I really feel that it's a continuation of failing to think outside the box. A motor designed to run purely as a generator could be VERY efficient. Without the need for high rpm range, high max power, any throttle response whatsoever.. it doesn't even have to be a piston engine.