Last week, 10 winners from the GM-Volt “Why I Want a Chevy Volt” contest got their chance to test drive a Chevy Volt prototype. Here are three reports, including a video from the overall contest winner Major Jason Cullinane.
1. Maj. Jason Cullinane (aka Harier1970)
2. Robert Hooper (MINI E driver)
As regular readers of this blog know, I’m very interested in the chevy Volt. I had been reading everything I could about it since well before the MINI E was even announced, and it was one of the reasons I decided to sign up for the MINI E.
A few weeks ago Lyle at gm-volt.com offered a contest entitled “Why I want a the Chevy Volt”, with the 10 winners being invited to test drive the Chevy Volt. I submitted my essay and was lucky enough to be one of the 10 finalists.
I only live 40 miles from NYC, so my first choice was whether to drive the MINI E, into the event. Its been warmer lately and it has the range, but honestly I hate driving into the city, especially during rush hour which is when I’d have to go, do I took a different electric vehicle, the train in.
GM started with a presentation giving us a look at its new fuel efficient up and coming cars, first was the Spark, an all electric compact car, about the size of the MINI, with nice styling that seemed to take ques from the Scion, no mention of its range or when it would be released. Next up was a Ario RS (SP?) a sporty traditional compact car, then the Chevy Cruise a treditional mid to small size car, which shares many of the same components and is the same size as the Volt, and finally the Volt.
The Designers talked about the engineering, and showed off key features that increased its aerodynamics on a non-functional Volt prototype. Then we got our chance to see the real thing. The first thing I thought was wow it actually looks cute, this doesnt come across in pictures but its length seems a little compacted, and the lines seemed to flow together very well, something that wasnt obvious from either pictures or even the prototype. There was a silver and a dark gray version, and although I’ve told my fiancée again and again how much I hate that 90% of the cars on the road seem to be silver, I have to say it looked good, much better then the dark gray, where all of the cool black accent panels blended into the gray.
It was a rainy day as we got into drive and I had a big shock when I say the wiper blades, each of them was twice as long as a normal cars wiper blades, we had no troubles seeing through the light rain while driving.
At first I had to sit in the back seat, and I’m afraid the limited leg room in the back was my biggest disappointment from the whole experience. Luckly I dont plan on sitting in the back when I get a Volt, thats going to be someone else’s problem, still 2 more inches would have made all the difference in the world.
I got to drive second and it was a very pleasant experience it was all in pure electric mode, unfortunately we didnt get to experience range extending mode. The car was so quite inside, I couldnt hear any road noise from the tires or wind or the electric motor, it made the MINI E seem down right noisy, something no MINI E driver would normally imagine.
The car has two modes an economy, or normal mode, and a sports mode, we got to try out both, and even in normal mode, it was quite peppy, with no hesitation from the dead stop, but when you kicked in sport the car jumped forward and I couldn’t keep the accelerator floored for long, on the short course.
Handling was fantastic, the Volt has some very wide tires, and a very low and balanced center of gravity, and it held up to some tight weaving and sharp accelerations, and a wet track without any tire slippage, or spin outs, or even a traction control system kicking in. This car is a pleasure to dive.
In low gear you get regenerative braking when you let off of the accelerator, but even in normal Drive gear you get regenerative braking when you press lightly on the brake, and friction braking as you press harder.
We folded down the rear seats and this give you a lot of room in the hatchback, enough room for a bike, or two, or over 4 full backpacks. Well thats what I’m planning to put in there.
Yes I’m hooked, this is a pleasurable full featured car, that just happens to be electric, and I’m going to buy one the first chance I get.
3. Roger Barr (aka RB)
Today I went to test drive the Volt. The test drive had been arranged by Lyle Dennis. Outside in NYC it was raining and about 45 degrees F, not great weather. Walking to Pier 92 we came to a large industrial building with various freight and service vehicles around it (picture 0136). Boldly making our way to the entrance, the guard waved us to the service elevator, and we went to the 2nd floor. When the elevator door opened there were GM people.
Bob Boniface emphasized the importance of the details to the aero. Then everyone headed outside. There were 2 Volts. Each was in turn filled with 3 gm-volt visitors and one gm rep. In turn each driver drove one long loop. A loop was up and around the ramp, 100 yards along a straight stretch, down one floor, zig-zag through cones, and back to the starting curb. Uphill acceleration was strong. Acceleration on a straight line, already strong, was markedly increased when GM Volt Product Manager Cristi Landy pressed “sport mode” . PRNDL selection, done with a huge but very comfortable shifter, then was used to select L instead of D. In L mode there was a lot more drag (presumably more regen) as one let up on the gas pedal. Mode L was great on the steep downhill of the ramp.
As a fun car to drive, the Volt is an A+. Special strengths are acceleration, responsive handling, the absence of body lean, and a beautiful crisp finish, both inside and out. As Mr Boniface mentioned, it is particularly attractive from the rear, the perspective that most people have most of the time, where its appearance is distinctive and even muscular.
Limitations were few and far between. Four adults fit comfortably for short trips if the front seats are mid-position, but not if they are far back. There are a lot of controls on the dash. The access to the electric plug-in receptacle is relatively small and low, so one wonders if it will work smoothly when lighting is not so good. These are all minor.
The car is much better than I expected, more nearly comparable to a small Audi or BMW than to Prius or to Cruze, nice though they may be. I want one.
+5
Apr 3rd, 2010 (8:51 am)I’ll take mine in “Transformer Blue” please ( with the solar roof and voice-activated HVAC , nav and audio ).
RECHARGE! James
IF YOU BUILD THEM THEY WILL COME.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (8:53 am)Terrific stuff, guys!
Your professionally-done video saves me the trouble of posting mine, Harrier1970 (which only shot forward thru the windshield anyway)! Mini-E Driver, your comments are great and valuable because of your Mini-E driving experience! And RB, your writeup is just as objective and insightful as we’re all used to form your posts here. Super!
+3
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:01 am)PS: For anyone curious, I’m the big guy in the light grey sport jacket leaning backward right in the middle of the top picture. I had just noticed (in real life!) the cavernous space in the Volt’s hatchback —it really did “take me aback” a little! This car can “haul” in more ways than one!!!
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:10 am)To see the full set of photos from Snowlet go to these links:
Stills: http://www.flickr.com/photos/seasnowlet/sets/72157623731693090/
Slide show: http://www.flickr.com/photos/seasnowlet/sets/72157623731693090/show/
These are excellent photos.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:14 am)Ok James, your picture got me… make mine transformer blue also
.
+2
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:16 am)Thanks guys for the great report!
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:19 am)This was fantastic for all us who weren’t there. Thank you guys!
+4
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:22 am)We have yet to get a bad review from anyone this is good.
Tom
+4
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:29 am)Great job guys. Very informative. It seems like, from what all the test drivers so far are saying, is that the Volt is a totally new and awesome driving experience.
I’ll bet that when a potential customer test drives one at a dealership it will be an instant sale. These cars will sell themselves.
I can’t wait to get one of my own.
Great job GM!
+3
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:50 am)Did anyone ask if a subscription to OnStar was mandatory with the car? I know the car has Bluetooth connectivity with your phone – but can the phone be dialed hands-free as on my Prius ( without OnStar, that is )? A Sync-type system would be amazing.
I notice in the video the shifter has an almost clunky “clunk clunk” action kind of like an old Turbo 400 automatic with the hoop shifter from the ’70′s, only maybe a bit notchier sounding? Was the shift action smooth-ish?
The Prius’ shifter has mega short throws and my version’s is on the dash right near the wiper stalk ( very handy – no looking away from the road ). The 3rd gen Prii have the shifter on a raised console maybe a couple inches further away – but not low down in the center like the Volt. I don’t see the multitude of steering wheel remote switches as on the Prius either – those are a feature on the Toyota that really help keep your eyes on the road, as the HVAC, Voice-Activation for it, and nav and audio buttons on the wheel have nubs or detents that you learn in about a day so it’s pretty much like controlling those accessories by brail. These were some of the features my car had that proved very satisfying in the long run.
Did anyone ask if the shiney silvery, graphics-laden door panels come with all interior colors, and the grey center stack? Body color coordination like this photo would be nice, and lose the graphics -for my taste.
Seriously though, because the car does what it does – losing some of my neato Prius features and gadgetry wouldn’t be a ***huge*** deal….Though a less generic Chevy/GM steering wheel would be a plus.
Green latest version interior, color coordinated with a bit more detailed wheel (not plain white):
http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/los_angeles/2009/2011_chevrolet_volt/photo_38.html
Ampera (mockup) interior with black console (fingerprint heaven! – but nice looking ) older version-red door panels and accents:
http://cdn-www.greencar.com/images/gm-combines-electric-drive-e85-flex-fuel-opel-ampera.php/ampera-cabin.jpg
Current interation ( a tiny bit cheap looking, just my opinion ) with plain white wheel, silver door panels with gimmicky graphics and plain seats with less detail:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=2011-Chevrolet-Volt-interior&FORM=IGRE2#focal=ce9e54f4680897a0b0857bfeb3419949&furl=http%3a%2f%2fimage.motortrend.com%2ff%2ffuture%2fmichigan-to-join-california-as-initial-launch-market-for-chevrolet-volt%2f27757402%2bw750%2f2011-chevrolet-volt-interior.jpg
Which do you prefer. Which would you like GM to offer?
RECHARGE! James
IF YOU BUILD THEM THEY WILL COME.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:54 am)Thanks for yor reviews guys, and congratulations!! I am so jealous!! I liked the comments about the vehicle lines and the hatchback room. Good features are important. Small back seats may be a drawback for those looking for a typical GM family sedan.
It still sounds GREAT for a daily commuter car. I’ll get one when released as well.
+2
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:15 am)Nicely done reports. Thanks everyone for taking the time. It was also great that we had a mini-E driver who had some context for a comparison. (I’d mention how great Harier1970′s video was but that was discussed yesterday).
There isn’t much new here — not surprising given how short the drives were, which will have to be the norm until the cars are street legal or you can drive it on a proving grounds — but it’s encouraging that all the reports are consistent in their description of the performance and handling. Seems like GM has a winner. Congrats to the engineers and designers!
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:21 am)The Volt really isn’t that “Prius-like”. As one of the reviews mentioned, in person it strikes you as more BMW-like (I didn’t think Audi) as much as anything. It may be too sporty for some. Pictures really don’t do it justice in this regard. I also think that if you like tech you’ll be quite impressed by the Volt’s offering. Considerably more advanced than anything you’d find in a Prius.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:23 am)I suppose now the next big thing will be the “first drives”. Meaning, no constraints, on public roads ,and 400 or so less pounds of passenger weight. I’m thinking that all test drives so far have been with approx. 400 lbs of passenger weight.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:34 am)Thanks for the very detailed reviews of your experiences! They truly are the next best thing to experiencing it personally.
+2
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:35 am)Great reviews! I’m really looking forward to seeing some on the road and perhaps get to drive one to test it out.
One thing that I would hope that is settable is to the ability to turn off all the animations with the displays. While the animation and screen transitions make the displays look cool, but after a while, I imagine I would only want functionality. Thus the ability to turn them off would be a plus as it would enable me to get to the information that much faster.
+8
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:36 am)If we want a true opinion of the Volt GM needs to give Lyle one for a week…. if they haven’t already.
. Your test drives and reports are great guys and these 300 yard drives are nice but let Lyle live with it for a few days and give an honest everyday report.
+8
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:55 am)From all the reports I’ve seen, GM has perhaps unknowingly stumbled upon the beginnings of a new class of sport sedans. The battery placement gives it the center of gravity of a mid-engined exotic sports car; the instantaneous torque of the electric motor gives it the potential for neck-snapping acceleration…. and the bonus of regen braking – unavailable with standard ICE cars- is a feature that as time goes on, engineers are going to learn all the ways it can be tweaked for maximum performance especially over roads and courses with lots of corners and switchbacks.
Performance sells cars. The Chevy SS models of the sixties and seventies created a positive aura for the entire brand, keeping Chevy sales at the top.
GM must not let this opportunity pass by. To be the leader in green tech AND at the same time create a new class of automotive performance is IMO the guarantee for success and a prosperous future for both electric power and GM itself.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:56 am)Nice report an congratulations for being selected to have this preview.
One point you should work on is the sound quality of your video. Is there something like a wireless microphone out there for use at these short ranges (Bluetooh ?).
The world will change with this kind of vehicles – great outlook.
GM is compensating for what happened when they scraped the EV1.
Nice job GM.
+2
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:58 am)“Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.”
Apr 3rd, 2010 (11:13 am)#1
Ths is the best and most flattering photo of a Volt I have seen yet. It really does look like a true “sports sedan”. BMWs will hang their heads when this thing comes by. +1
And I don’t even like blue, LOL.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (11:15 am)#20
I sure hope so. +1
+2
Apr 3rd, 2010 (11:49 am)Pure awesomeness.
I in no way should be buying a new car right now, but I really, really want to drive a Volt.
Maybe I can convince some of my relatives to buy one… my 88 year old Grandfather is dead set on buying one. He asked his dealer a year ago if he could put in a deposit (I’d never even mentioned the car to him) and they’d never heard of a Volt.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (11:55 am)I’m sure you will be able to select/deselect many things in the displays. One of the GM Reps mentioned somewhere this week that you could deselect the economy display, i.e., the “green ball.”
At 4:40 in Jason’s (Harrier1970) video above, she says, “this is reconfigurable. You can choose to view it with or without the efficiency gauge.”
Apr 3rd, 2010 (12:15 pm)I also plan to get a blue volt. I just hope that have it in blue!
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (12:16 pm)Thanks Gang for sharing. Sounds like the Volt is a true blue, pride for one’s country, American winner. Open bay in my garage ready to go.
+2
Apr 3rd, 2010 (12:23 pm)Fantastic reports…with luck my wife and I will be driving one next year. I had the same experience; I talked with my local Chevy dealer over a year ago and they had not heard of the Volt at that time. I’ll bet they have by now!!!
+3
Apr 3rd, 2010 (12:28 pm)“GM started with a presentation giving us a look at its new fuel efficient up and coming cars, first was the Spark, an all electric compact car…”
Are you saying we have confirmation that the Spark is all-electric? Woo-Hoo! Yeah!
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (1:06 pm)Well, this 80 year old Grandpa is sure ready to get one! I’m even willing to trade in my 535i BMW. BTW I got the bimmer because GM just didn’t have anything to replace my ’91 Cad Seville, the best, and sportiest sedan, I had ever owned. Getting into the driver’s seat of that car was just like slipping on a comfortable glove. From the descriptions of the test drives, the Volt has the attributes I’m looking for – instant torque and excellent handling and ride. I hope the seating comfort is comparable to my old Seville. The seats in the BMW are OK, but not as comfortable as the Seville – but hey, the bimmer is a performance car and sure lives up to its name. It’s just that these old bones of mine like a little more comfort.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (1:25 pm)#28
Yeah, we can hope, can’t we? +1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (2:20 pm)There was some discussion here earlier today or yesterday about Volt vs Prius controls and
controls on the steering wheel vs on the console or dash. Could any of you who got to take the test drive tell us what controls were on the steering wheel?
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (3:00 pm)Yeah, the graphics are a little “in-you-face” for my taste. Perhaps if they made them a lot subtler, serving merely as a texture rather than drawing so much attention to itself?
I do hope GM will offer different color trim for the seats and the door panels. The photo of the Amerpa with red trim is pretty hot!
+3
Apr 3rd, 2010 (3:17 pm)Well, I’d be inclined to take this one with a grain of salt at this point. The Spark is being produced for other markets as a small ICE vehicle (down below the Cruze – i.e. where the Toyota Yaris is) based on the Beat concept – maybe Chevy is thinking of “Ford e-Focus’ing” the vehicle and dropping batteries into the back and selling it as an EV in the US, but it doesn’t sound right. GM was also talking about the Cruze and other ICE vehicles at this get together where this was heard, so maybe it was a mis-communication.
IMHO, this would be quite disappointing if they were really doing this with the Spark (making an EV version of it) as opposed to taking all the ICE plumbing out of the Volt, increasing the battery size and using the Volt platform as their EV vehicle in addition to EREV vehicle (I remember Lutz talking about making this recommendation to GE management to meet the pure EV requirement for California and that there was a battle with the Hydrogen wing as to which one GM would choose – since I haven’t heard anymore I assumed the Hydrogen feifdom had won, cried and moved on).
An EV Volt would shame the Leaf (just compare the looks), an EV Spark would be looking up to the Leaf and the e-Focus and the Volt in the marketplace – I’m sure it would sell, but an EV Volt would sell alot better and get some more scale on Volt component production. God, wouldn’t that be awesome for GM to surprise rollout an EV Volt when production starts? Talk about saying we’re going to own the market… (Okay back to reality)
+18
Apr 3rd, 2010 (3:18 pm)“This car is a pleasure to drive.”
“…the lines seemed to flow together very well.”
“…couldnt hear any road noise from the tires or wind or the electric motor.”
“…but when you kicked in sport the car jumped forward.”
“…responsive handling, the absence of body lean…”
“…comparable to a small Audi or BMW.”
Last month I mentioned that many BMW owners will be heading to Chevy dealers. I got a minus 2 for it. People buy BMW because they are safe, dependable, peppy, well engineered, and cool. The downsides are initial cost, maintenance cost, and fuel mileage. I believe the Volt will satisfy the needs of many BMW owners and their teenage children.
=D-Volt
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (3:39 pm)Thanks for the great report and video.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (3:50 pm)#33
Alas, that was my impression as well.
The Spark would be perfect for me as a commuter car. Small and light is beautiful in a BEV, IMHO.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (3:52 pm)#34
I sure hope so. See #21, LOL.
Although there’s no accounting for snob appeal, unfortunately.
+2
Apr 3rd, 2010 (4:16 pm)I wish I remembered them more clearly. There was a set on the left and a set on the right. As I recall, the set on the left had to do with driving the car, such as cruise control The set on the right had to to with the telephone, radio, temperature. We did not have a chance to look at them one by one. My overall impression was that there was a lot more there, and conveniently at hand, than any other car I have driven.
On the displays, on factor to keep in mind was that the displays were still a work in progress. Not everything worked right. Not everything may be there on the production cars. There were a lot of items and choices, but it was mentioned that most everything could be reduced or turned off if the driver preferred a simple clean display. I think we were seeing display to the max, maybe for shock and awe, and maybe to let us see the possibilities. Again, we had only a minute or so to try to get a picture of numerous items and choices. The ones I remember had to do mostly with electric and gas range, remaining miles, and average performance to that point. We drove on an overcast and rainy day, but on such a day the controls were easily visible and easy to read.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (4:23 pm)That was my conjecture in comment #24.
That is great information. Thanks.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (4:28 pm)I was going to add another image but do not understand how to do it. Help anyone?
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (4:40 pm)Shift action seemed to me to be very smooth. I got the impression that the shifter was not doing anything mechanical apart from closing a few switches and that the smooth feel and virtually no sound simply reflected what the designers thought the driver would like to feel. The barrel handle, which is about the width of a hand, is very comfortable. There is none of the resistance or mechanical vibration of a car with a manual transmission.
An unusual feature of the shifter is that in park one moves it all the way into the dash so that the shifter’s backside becomes flush with the dashboard, so (in park) the space between the front seats is unimpeded. You get the shifter into reverse and drive by inserting your hand into a space left above the shifter.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (4:56 pm)Plug-in — Obviously plugging in is a critical Volt task. Unfortunately, one thing that we did not have an opportunity to do, but I wish we had, was to try plugging in the Volt. The plug seems to be an unusual size and shape, and the place it goes into is an unusual size and shape, with several (maybe 5) recessed pins to be connected. The place one plugs in, on the side of the car, is about at the level of the top of the wheel, that is, relatively low. The question of interest is how easy it is to get this plug inserted correctly.
I hope the answer is that it is so easy you really have to try to get it wrong. The reason it is a question in my mind is that it is a multi-contact recessed receptacle, and sometimes these are not so easy. Also, I saw on gm’s poster that the plug-in mechanism is rated for a lifetime of 10,000 plug/unplug cycles. That is about 3 per day for 10 years.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (4:57 pm)On the car I drove, the door graphics were subtle, fading into the background, but a nice touch when you realized they were there.
+2
Apr 3rd, 2010 (4:58 pm)You were right
Apr 3rd, 2010 (5:47 pm)Terrific reviews. I was wondering how big some of you fellows are so that I can get an estimate of how I would fit. It seems a real pleasure to drive or even sit in. Harriors high end description sounded much like a top quality car for a very good price, (32500). Can’t wait ti see some of these babies hit the showrooms.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (6:33 pm)The reports were all excellent. I was most struck, like DaveK, by RB’s luxury car comments. This is what I was hoping for given the price range GM has quoted. If the final production version delivers this (and I can’t imagine it won’t at this point), then the Volt will offer real world value beyond green tech on day one for those seeking a refined vehicle.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (7:08 pm)Hey DaveK,
You’re right that it is even better than a BMW, waaaay better. No comparison even.
Once very many Volts are out there, and a “competitor” gets to drive one, those that think they may still be “competition” before the drive, will have second thoughts after the drive for the reasons that Volt driver’s already know.
I just wish everyone that posts here regularly could have gotten the chance to drive it. Maybe there might be a chance for others to drive it when it comes to Austin, TX. next month. GM does have relentless and continual ways of pleasantly surprising us here.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (7:19 pm)I am 5’9″ and I had plenty of room. As for luxury… it delivers. I was concerned before the drive that the interior would feel like cheap plastic but it certainly matches the extra cost. Everything about this car says quality. I liked the feeling of the seats and the texture on the steering wheel. I would have liked to have seen how the sound system works with an iPod but I guess I will have to wait. Knowing that it is set up for it and seeing where they put it was quite reassuring. I just hope that future exterior designs of the Volt are as sexy as the Tesla models
.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (7:29 pm)Hey Ed M,
I am 6 foot three inches tall. I’m also still 6 pounds heavier from last holiday season
(yikes, 224). When I drove the Volt, I was so perfectly comfortable, it felt like I was
just floating on air. There was still some room above my head, and, the seat was not all the way back. It could have gone back another 5 or so inches, so, I am certain that if you are not very much taller than me, you will just love the car.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (7:54 pm)I really like the road manners as reported.
I love a vehicle that sticks to the road and curves as we have lots of crooked roads in my part of the country.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (7:56 pm)First, I would like to thank everyone for their reviews. It’s certainly nice to start hearing about the Volt from fellow enthusiasts.
For those who mentioned the Transformer Blue Volt, if you haven’t already seen it, there is a video of it in motion on the GM website (looks really sexy when it’s in motion).
http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/videos.html
Click on the Chevrolet Channel, and then go back until you get to videos 33-40 (of 66). Click on the “Chevy Transformers Vehicles Premiere”. Neat soundtrack as well. Enjoy!
+7
Apr 3rd, 2010 (8:08 pm)The intangibles of the visit of “Lyle’s group”, as they called us, to NYC also were remarkable. We were not received as strangers — the gm people knew a lot about Lyle’s group, knew posters by name, several saying they were frequent readers. It seemed to me they were about as anxious (and perhaps a little nervous) to see what we thought of “their” Volt as we were to drive it, especially the people who had put hours and hours of their own time into developing and testing the car.
It was on the one hand sort of strange that we, a group of no-name people coming from all over the place, should be making them nervous, even if only a little bit. Then again, I think we knew more , much more, about the Volt as a car, coming in to the visit, than did any of the other groups visiting that day, so in that sense we had standing.
In the event, I think they were first relieved and then excited to see that we really liked the car when we saw it and drove it. Then I thought they were a little taken aback that we started talking about Volts as compared to little BMW’s, that is, Volts as special cars with luxury-car features and fun to drive, something to drive because you want to, not just a car you accept because you have to serve some other good cause. I think that sense of a great car that is fun-to-drive is what they really think too but do not actually say, except quietly, perhaps because it is a bit beyond what seems to be the corporation line.
Whatever, the whole Volt saga is an amazing story, and it was one more chapter. A relatively few gm people create something and then Lyle and the group respond with honestly and energy, both positively and negatively, but overall with encouragement and enthusiasm. Then the people creating the car take it up another level, and now it is almost out the door. Obviously getting to this point would not have been possible without the gm creators. Still, my sense from the meeting is that the Volt project really has fed off the energy supplied by gm-volt.com, Lyle, and the excitement of the body of posters and readers in a more ongoing and powerful way than I ever would have thought possible. Just amazing.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (8:23 pm)“Stay tuned” (g).
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 3rd, 2010 (8:29 pm)Very well-said and every syllable matches my experience from earlier in the day.
I (finally) got my submission to Lyle today, but it may need to be “cropped”. We all know how long-winded shrinks can be.
Be well,
Tagamet
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (8:34 pm)Great notes, RB,
When I introduced myself to the Volt team three weeks ago, one of the members of the team said,
“You’re Dan Petit?”.
(I was surprised that my name was asked in a question like that. So, I replied,
“Yes, I’m Dan Petit”. There was a quiet pause, and then I asked permission to go see the
Volt a little closer, and, got a “Sure! There it is!”.
“The back looks like a Porche”. I said. “It does”, a team member agreed.
Sometimes people forget that this company is comprised of very caring, dedicated, and professional people. I always think it odd to hear someone refer to GM as “it”/”corporation”.
I regard GM as a group of highly dedicated people who want more than anything else, to make us all happy with all their products. That’s why I relentlessly defend GM as a group of hard-working and highly-talented professionals, and not think of GM as a corporation as many or most people do.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (8:47 pm)I do not recall being told that the Spark was to be an electric car. In fact, the whole theme of the event was “From gas-friendly to gas-free;” this last referring to the Volt. They described the Spark as “the first mini-car to be offered in the US by anyone” (not sure what this makes the Mini, unless Spark is considerably smaller than it looks in the few released pictures).
Apr 3rd, 2010 (8:51 pm)I suspect you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I had the opportunity to play around with Coulomb’s J-1772 charger and was very surprised — almost shocked actually — at how light and supple the cord was. It looked large, probably because it’s thick, but it was easier to handle than a standard outdoor extension cord.
As long as the charger isn’t on the wrong side of the car it should be easy to plug in.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (8:51 pm)It’s really hard to see all those tiny “dots” that make up the bigger picture, but without them – no picture. GM is really high resolution. Lot’s of quality dots!
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 3rd, 2010 (8:57 pm)So very true, we all do our little part. the most important being to offer encouragement.
The Beauty of a Volt…
Peace
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:04 pm)Once again, so very true. I have said it before and I will say it again. GM knows how to build cars! Sure others may know how to build cars, but GM can build them at a reasonable price.
My job as the customer is to choose the color…
The Beauty of a Volt…
In Red
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:11 pm)Couple of quick questions for those that attended. Did anybody check the ground clearance? Were the “projector” headlamps finalized? Just thinking about those dark nights and muddy roads.
The Beauty of a Volt…
Peace
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:27 pm)Love it! Some very good information here. Keep up the excellent feedback guys!
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:29 pm)What I *didn’t* notice was any trouble getting in or out of the Volt. I realize that that doesn’t answer the ground clearance question, but it’s important to those old folks out there.
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 3rd, 2010 (9:52 pm)My neighbor paid me a visit today in his electric cart (I didn’t know he was there until he was almost on top of me!). He is thinking of installing geothermal heating (me too). When the subject turned to cars, I told him I was looking at getting an electric car, the GM Volt. That was actually was to say! He’s a nuts and bolts guy and was very interested in what I told him about the Volt.
Of course, there is much we don’t yet know (ICE mileage for one, price another), but it was great watching the videos and reading the driver reactions. Perhaps 7-8 months from now I’ll be deciding on a color.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:02 pm)Super Cool.
GM is getting back in shape.
+1
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:15 pm)There is a chine or guide on the outer plastic cylinder that prevents the plug from being inserted incorrectly:
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:17 pm)There is a “tag” you can use (img?), but I find it easier to post them to my (free) photobucket.com account. From there you get links that can be cut and pasted here.
HTH,
Be well,
Tagamet
PS My photobucket pictures are all “public” so anyone can go to the Tagamet account there to view my pics. Not too many Volt pics yet though. I haven’t uploaded those from the recent trip.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:24 pm)I wish that at least one of the Volt test drivers had commented on the Volt suspension. OK, it has no body lean, but I want to know how well (or poorly) it soaks up bumps in the road.
I know small cars don’t have the ride quality of a Cadillac Deville or Lincoln Town Car, but how close does the Volt come to their quality of ride ? I figure the battery adds a substantial amount of weight, smoothing the bumps a little more than the average econobox. It would be nice to have a little independent confirmation. Thanks !
BTW, did Lyle ever admit the 100 Obama Volts story was a April Fools day joke ?
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:32 pm)Glad to see you’re back in touch.
You know what they say, “a day without the sun is like – dark.”
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:36 pm)I thought it was true. I would have gone with the Volt convertible for April 1st.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:40 pm)Throw out all of your experiences with this size car regarding ride. It felt like the concrete was polished glass. I’m assuming that the concrete *had* to have seams, but if it did I could neither hear them nor feel them. I fully realize that if I’d read that a week ago, I would think “Yeah, right. What’s HE been smoking?”. All I can say is “Wait until you feel the ride”. In fact, it rides so well, I’m a bit worried about my optimistic low price estimates. They could end up pricing it like a Tesla. (Sigh).
Be well,
Night all,
Tagamet
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:43 pm)Like REALLY dark! Thanks for the kind words.
HAPPY EASTER!
Be well,
Night,
Tagamet
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:44 pm)LOL, like TWICE!
Tagamet
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:53 pm)As for the April 1st post. I forgot to add the photo of the “Volt” convertible.
Ain’t she a Beauty?
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:55 pm)I was very impressed by the ride, which managed to be smooth without loss of ‘road feel.’ No one should think that the Volt ‘floats’ like a big old Buick; but it isn’t harsh like some sports cars either. I felt completely in control, more so than in other cars I’ve driven.
I’ll admit I was a little afraid of the “efficient” tires, but the wide treads were deep and gripped well in the rain without destroying the ride. Obviously the state of this art has improved as well.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (10:59 pm)Same here, I think It will be priced like a BMW, not a Chevy. However the Chevy Corvette is *Much* cheaper than its peers…
The Beauty of a Volt…
It’s a Chevy
Apr 3rd, 2010 (11:02 pm)I owe someone on this forum an apology.
I don’t recall who, but someone was telling me that the Volt’s engine does not warm the passenger compartment with waste heat: I refused to believe him.
Turns out, this other poster was correct; the heat is provided by an electrically driven heat-pump, and not waste heat from the engine. It seems intuitive that the engine would be used directly as a source of heat, but apparently this would have resulted in a ‘plumber’s nightmare’ of valves and hoses.
Whoever says “simplify and add lightness” has been listened to.
Apr 3rd, 2010 (11:11 pm)OK last try,
Or http://ahyup.com/Volt/Tucker.jpg
Apr 3rd, 2010 (11:18 pm)Well, I guess it is better than a pellet stove…
Any idea on BTU output? Heat pump. I do not know any other automotive applications..
The Beauty of a Volt…
Warmth & Coolness
-9
Apr 4th, 2010 (12:14 am)Ordered my Nissan Leaf today from Southern California (friend of the dealer).
Taking my 4KW Honda generator down there to drive the Leaf back to Washington.
Dealer will show me how to hack it to charge while driving.
heh, get that Government Motors. Volt – DOA.
+5
Apr 4th, 2010 (2:08 am)Ass
+2
Apr 4th, 2010 (3:55 am)Hey Mohsen, you should go haunt the Leaf boards.. really harp on the lack of battery thermal management and the true range while hauling a load of concrete.. I’m sure they would appreciate it.
+2
Apr 4th, 2010 (5:05 am)Mohsen, you want to drive the Leaf all the way from South California all the way to Washington. The Leaf isn’t even intended to go that long a distance nonstop. You want to circumvent it’s lack of range by bringing along a generator.
Gee, I don’t know, but it seems that the Chevrolet Volt would be the better answer to what you are doing. The Chevrolet Volt allows you to drive electrically most of the time, and on gas when you go long distances. Besides, bringing along a Honda generator would still burn some kind of energy (probably gas).
Your plan doesn’t really make much sense…
On the reader-test drive reviews, that’s great news!
I keep reading of good reviews, and barely any negative comments. The only negative I remember reading of is the somewhat lacking rear legroom. That’s fine, its a compact after all. I remember being in the backseat of a Toyota Matrix once, and I felt cramped. I’m 5’9″.
A person on this forum linked to this picture:
When I saw this picture, I fell in love with the Chevy Volt all over again. This picture of the Volt interior in green looks fantastic! It looks warm, racy, inviting, young, cool, and forward-looking all at the same time. The green makes it feel like the interior wraps and molds around you, with the bold contrasts of the green/black on the dashboard. I love it! I certainly hope to see this in a production Volt.
Right now, I don’t have the money for the Volt. I think I might wait a year to get the Volt. In that time, they should have some improvements and fixes for the Volt design anyways. I don’t think availability will be much of a problem for me. I live in the Bay Area, basically the mecca of all-things-environmentally-friendly.
If the car is as luxurious as it sounds, that’s great! I’ve always wanted a entry-level luxury car. In my opinion, full on luxury cars for triple the prices of normal cars is just too much and not worth it.
Go Volt! I hope the dealers don’t put their stupid $5000 markups on the Volt when it comes out. They still have a $3200 markup on the Buick Lacrosse! I remember a few months ago, they had a $7000 markup on the Chevy Camaro.
They can dream about the day I ever pay that unnecessary markup.
Apr 4th, 2010 (6:44 am)Good luck with that. What’s the tank size on that puppy? Those little generators run most efficiently with the windows rolled up. *Kids, don’t try this at home!*
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:05 am)Good job on these reports. Good to hear production cars coming off the assembly line in Detroit.
Just think .. in less than a year thousands will be driving the VOLT.
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:06 am)RB, Three questions that I would like to know or have you try to address:
1) Does the Volt have “keyless” entry and engine start capability–is a key required to open the doors or to unlock the steering column?
2) Is the Volt turning radius small enough to make a “U” turn on a small street (curb to curb) without having to place the Volt in reverse?
3) Are the seats designed to offer long-term comfort/ventilation when in a HOT Desert climate (100 degrees+)?
Thanks for your comments!
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:11 am)Wow,
Jason, what an amazing video!
And great reviews from the other test drivers as well.
I’m going to see if my dealer will take an advanced deposit.
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:05 am)Is there maybe too much wishful thinking that GM’s quoted $40K will turn into sub-$30K in short order? I think the Volt will start at $39,825 and go right up to $53,540 fully loaded. There’s a pdf file with the likely options list at http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4246 That really is BMW price territory.
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:01 am)When I got into the car the Fob was already sitting in the center console, so I’m not sure if it unlocks the doors just by approaching the vehicle (but I’d guess that it does).
It’s tough to judge the turning radius, but the curved ramps we went up and down were extremely sharp. I know I looked out the SIDE window going up, so I’m very sure that a U-turn in a street would be no problem.
No idea about the seats other than that they are warmed electrically. They certainly are comfy though!
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:06 am)Given my optimistic bent, I had been quoting <30K after tax credit. I know that the team doesn't set the price, but if I were in their shoes I wouldn't let it be sold for less than 50K (g). Seriously, I hope GM "invests" in it by selling it at a reasonable "Chevy level" to get the ball rolling.
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:10 am)In the video I distinctly hear multiple “thump thump” sounds as rough spots in the concrete were crossed. At the time I was thinking, “that’s not good”, because it was probably felt. Evidently nobody felt it. That’s good.
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:22 am)I have to say that these reports are just incredible. Thank you so much, fellas. I know that this is what some people would call a “fan site”. But it is also expected that we are perfectionists and therefore easily disappointed when the real thing does not live up to our idealized expectations. Seems like the real thing is even better than expectations. That was my experience with my “close encounter” (OK, all I got was to sit in it). The truth is that pictures just do not do justice to it. There is a “whole is greater than the sum of its parts” thing going on. I thought that I was going to be disappointed at not getting to do a drive myself. Not at all. You guys have given us (me at least) the next best thing to being there. But please, folks, if you get the chance, drop what you are doing, and do the drive or the close up look, whatever is available. I did that about 9 months ago when the Volt was present at a conference called “The business of Plugging In”. I felt like a fish out of water. But it was really great.
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:03 am)You’re right. The Pier 92 parking garage had many, many short, harsh speed bumps. I mounted my HD video camera on the Volt’s dash aimed forward, just behind and thru the windshield (because I felt there had been enough other videos made of the driver, etc inside the Volt —but few, if any, that recorded what the road looked like and what the driver saw). There was an added unexpected bonus to this —the camera’s sensitive, wide-range stereo mikes accurately captured the sounds thru the windshield (as well as inside the car). In replaying that video/audio, the unusually narrow, harsh speed bumps were VERY apparent as an audible “thump” (and an accompanying visual “bump”) each time I encountered one. But my brain almost subconsciously ignored them, largely, I believe, because the Volt’s suspension absorbed them so well and because the subsequent pavement between these harsh little devils seemed so silky quiet.
Apr 4th, 2010 (11:51 am)Thanks JohnK,
The more I think about the drive (and I do a *lot*), the more I wonder if given a month or so of “settling”, I got another opportunity to drive it, would I feel the same? Granted, that sounds like I’m lobbying for another ride, because that would be correct (lol). Seriously, the experience was pretty dramatic for me, so how much of the experience was “shock and awe”? Under stress (good OR bad) humans tend to get very focused to the exclusion of other things. As a poor example, a horrible part of my job used to be sharing the news with parents that their child was retarded. Even though most of them, on some level, knew that already, they all were hoping not to hear the “R Word”. As soon as I said that word, I knew that they would hear little else that I said. Well, once our butts were *finally* in the Volts’ seat, each of us brought a different unique set of emotions to the experience. Having said that, I know that pre-drive, I was focused on the “instant torque”, simply because I’d never experienced it. Almost immediately, I was blown away by the QUIET. In my experience, things that are that quiet, are not bumpy. It’s possible that given a “second” ride, that I’d experience many things that I’d missed. I was very glad that I got to ride with other drivers, because the one drove like a madman. He blew the stop sign and took the S-curves really fast, so I got to experience how stable the Volt is (as opposed to that driver).
Well, GM, if you are reading this, how about testing the construct? You buy, and I’ll fly!
Be well,
Tagamet
LJGTVWOTR! NPNS!
Apr 4th, 2010 (1:47 pm)Late model Priuii have a heat pump and resistance heat so they warm without having to run the engine more than necessary.
-1
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:20 pm)Herm – your point is well taken – but. EV LFP or newer batteries do not need thermal management because the internal cell resistance can be as low as milli-ohms. I suspect Nissan’s batteries are much more advanced than GM’s Korean LMS batteries and do not have a thermal management issue.
The battery pack for the Leaf will probably have to be replaced after 5 years, while Volt MAY last for 10 years, if you believe Government Motors. I have already figured in the cost of replacement at $200/KWh, which is what batteries will cost in 5 years.
-2
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:24 pm)Tank size? Heh – I carry some gas containers. $10 each for 5 gallon containers.
Exhaust? Heh – it will be vented out. I guess you clerical or artsy types have never seen an alu flex duct have you?
Noise will be a problem though – but its just temporary. Earplugs.
-3
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:33 pm)heh – I am not trying to be gasless. I am trying to be pure serial. From all indications, the Volt is just another glorified parallel hybrid with a larger battery. Why is GM hiding the transmission specs?
I dont want to carry a useless transmission and engine around like the Volt, and I dont want to pay twice for service and maintenance (once for an electric drivetrain and another for a ICE drivetrain).
I will use my genset for long distance, and pure electric for city. Best of both worlds. I also have an SUV and an Off-roader, and a sportscar, so its not like I need the Leaf to do other things.
Apr 4th, 2010 (6:07 pm)Looks like a Tucker to me.
Apr 5th, 2010 (9:19 am)Late in getting here to read your reports, but wanted to say great job guys, and thanks for sharing!
Apr 5th, 2010 (7:14 pm)The Volt has low ground clearance. Look at the Hooper picture in the post. The hood is low, and then the front of the car is low. I’m sure this is good because it gives better mileage with little air getting under the car, but it will scrape at many locations.
Apr 5th, 2010 (7:18 pm)Ken
Just in case you check this thread again —
(1) The ignition was keyless (key in console tray), and I assume doors are likewise but did not see that demonstrated.
(2) No problem with tight turns. We were doing sharp zig-zags across only half of the Pier 92 driveway.
(3) I didn’t hear anything about hot weather and the seats, but they mentioned gm people testing the car in hot weather, so they are aware of whatever happens.
Sorry for the late comments. I’m glad Tag responded in a timely way.