Video:CHEVROLET VOLT
 

Wind tunnel test of the VOLT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_8uF8QKfeI

The aerodynamics would be better if they did not have those big recessed divots in the nose. Have you ever seen a modern airplane with such recessed cavities? Me neither.

They're trying a different approach to hybrid/energy efficient cars.
It caters to the masses with it's design, I've had numerous conversations with my friends over this, most would own a Volt over a Prius because it looks more like a "normal car". I on the other hand find it too aggressive, but everyone's entitled to their opinion. I think anyone can agree it's a step in the right direction for bumbling GM.:thumbup:

That makes sense. The car looks like some sort of ******* Hummer/Escalade/Viper/Stealth aimed at the wannabe/macho/pimp crowd.

That's a shame, as good lines make good aerodynamics, per an old flier's maxim. Perhaps they should have farmed out the stylistics to Pininfarina or one of the good California design studios with a fresher perspective than common in Detroit. But, that's just my opinion, and the market may think otherwise.

I'm very happy to read that the designers are moderating on the car's design, in terms of aero. The car show concept was an aero disaster - which GM has since admitted.

We've seen with vehicles like the new Merc C class eco version, that decent Cd (.25) is possible without deviating far from what the average consumer considers "normal".

I'd like to see GM try to unseat the Prius' Cd of .26 - sparking an "aero competition" among automakers for the lowest Cd of a mass production car available in N.A.

I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that 4 or 5 guys on this forum could trim the Volt's CD to Prius (or lower) levels, in a weekend.

Well said:thumbup:

That's my plan when I get one.

Aha:

So the Prius is a benchmark. Good!

This is from an EV World article: http://www.evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=1428

Also:

And

I thought it was interesting that when the smoke was above the car it came off the back clean but when it went under the car it went straight up the back bumper with lots of turbulence.

I wonder if that is typical for cars. If the top typically has a lot better airflow off the back than the bottom?