[Glen M]

http://jalopnik.com/388160/2010-chevrolet-cobalt--spied

Lyle had posted a picture of a disguised new Cobalt before. The link above has a photo of a new Cobalt which is less obscured, for those interested.

 

[Tagamet]

I hope the Volt will look a LITTLE more sporty than the Cobalt. I guess we (sigh) have to wait and see.

 

[DaV8or]

I think that's pretty close to what we're getting. I would expect a little different belt line, smoothed over grill and flashier wheels. I think GM has done themselves a bit of disservice by showing the Volt concept so much to the public and press. I think when the production concept is shown (at Paris maybe?) there is going to be a fair amount of disappointment and critical press on the way it looks. I know that it will be different from the Cobalt, but it does give us an idea of their thinking on sedan styling over there. And then there's the damn wind tunnel...

 

[Cybereye]

I do not think GM is that dumb to be close to the Cobalt. GM wanted to make the car standout the rest of the cars. If I remember correct, that it an insult to Bob Boniface saying that the volt look like a Cobalt. Bob Boniface clear says that it not to look like others cars.

My guess, they are going to show pictures of what the final car of the volt look like or the news that claim that it the volt, but another car that use the E-flex drive system at Paris.

 

[Koz]

Sure does look a lot like the shape of the 1/3 scale model Volt seen a few weeks ago. I guess they'll use design elements in parts of skin, headlights, rear view mirror, etc o differentiate. They are going to have to provide a bit more luxury on the interior to help support the expected price premium. I know some may not want to hear this, but it will not be a sub $30K car regardless so it needs a little more luxury. There will plenty more economic E-FLEX vehicles in later generations but the first one cannot be cheap. I think the should have at least considered a separate brand to push these technologies. One that co-marketed with Cadillacs distribution at first but broke off as the brand was filled in. This could have been a luxury, halo brand that led with technology.

 

[pennor1]

Huh? It looks like an '08 Camery to me. Has GM fired all of it's designers? If I wanted a Camery I'd buy a Camery now. GOOD GREIF (as Charlie Brown would have said)! How about something that looks American at least.

 

[MetrologyFirst]

I agree. Just another nondescript sedan. Take the name badge off and you'd have no idea who made it.

If the Volt looks anything like this, it will be a crying shame. And a failure, IMO, if GM truely wanted to change the game.

<still rubbing the rabbit's foot....>

 

[MetrologyFirst]

Just why does an economy car have to look like an economy car? That just drives me nuts. Do people who drive these really want a car with no imagination or pizzazz? Or is that all they have to choose from?

As much as a hate to dole out credit, I think that Mazda at least has designed some small cars with a little creativity. Every time I see one of them, I wonder why GM doesn't follow suit.

 

[DaV8or]

Just why does an economy car have to look like an economy car? That just drives me nuts.

Me too. There is no reason for economy cars to look so crappy other than it gives incentive for buyers to move up to a more expensive car... in theory. Problem is, the more expensive cars look pretty crappy too. After having finally getting to meet some modern day car designers I realize that part of the problem is that they don't really necessarily hire car guys/gals. They just hire industrial designers that don't really care if they are designing toasters or cars it's all just a job.

A true car designer is someone who lives and breaths cars and has probably always done so from birth. I would suggest to GM and others to skip hiring a percentage of new designers from the usual design schools and go straight to the internet. The are amature car designers on the internet that do it just for the love of cars that are creating designs that blow away almost every concept show car that is put forth each year. I believe that if even a percentage of this true love for cars was implanted in the GM studios, they could make big strides in recapturing market share. There is real talent in passion and unfortunately, too much weight is given to pedigree and status quo.

Yeah, this next gen Cobalt looks to be pretty lame too.

 

[MetrologyFirst]

I would suggest to GM and others to skip hiring a percentage of new designers from the usual design schools and go straight to the internet. The are amature car designers on the internet that do it just for the love of cars that are creating designs that blow away almost every concept show car that is put forth each year.

That is an excellent idea. You are dead on. Creativity is not developed in the design schools. GM should put forth some internet based design challenges. Offer up some royalties or possible employment if diamonds are discovered. I am sure that working within available technology, existing component designs, etc. would put boundaries on some aspects of new designs. But the E-Flex chassis, to me, seems really flexible. Just provide battery, motor, generator volumetric/size requirements and let people have at it.

I don't dislike small economy cars, I just think the current state of their design is incredibly limited.

 

[DaV8or]

I don't dislike small economy cars, I just think the current state of their design is incredibly limited.

I completely agree. I have always been a big fan of the everyman's car. There is just no reason in Hell it has to look ugly and boring though. Good design cost just about the same a ugly design with today's manufacturing methods. I just believe that there is serious lack of leadership that leads to "clinics" and "focus groups" and "design studies" that then go on to bean counters for final reduction.

I don't get it. Out of the same studios that created the 2009 Camaro comes this lame Cobalt. From the creators of the Challenger, Charger and 300C comes the Caliber. The folks that reignited the pony wars with the Mustang give us the Focus. WTF happened?? Why??

 

[Tagamet]

Dav8or

I think it just comes back to the issue of drag. With powerful ICE propulsion, it's not as much an issue. Once we get to Volt V2.0 it may be less of an issue with ever-stronger batteries to maintain that 40 AER with less efficient drag.

 

[pennor1]

So PLEASE sombody explain to me why GM can no longer design a really nice looking car with curb apeal? 40 years ago they had folks who could do that. Even their small cars were sharp looking:

I owned two of the 66 Monza's and loved them both. They got 30+MPG on 29-cent gasoline. They seated 4 in confort and 5 in a pinch. Even 6 if you bought the front bench seat (but I didn't). It had good lugage capacity though I admit it did take a little getting used to opening the hood to put groceries in it. On top of all this it was a blast to drive. I put 110,000 miles on my first Monza then sold it to my brother who added another 60,000 and it was still going strong.

So darn it anyway GM... Get your act together, think outside the box or maybe even a little retro, and make the Volt something I want to be seen in!

By the way, for all you fanciers of huge wheels. This Monza had 13" wheels. It sure made the car look a lot bigger than it really was.

 

[MetrologyFirst]

By the way, for all you fanciers of huge wheels. This Monza had 13" wheels. It sure made the car look a lot bigger than it really was.

Touché ! Yes it looked good with smaller wheels. I always liked the Corvair's lines. I don't think it ever really got enough design credit. A lot of 60's chevy designs were my favorites. I think the 1961 Corvette roadster (in Jewel Blue) and the 1968 Camaro RS convertible (in yellow/black) were two of the most attactive cars ever produced. Wish I had one of each. The wheels on those were probably 14" max.

IMO, at the time, cars seemed to be designed to "sit on" the chassis. Tires were generally taller and cornering characteristics were not as important as today. Todays cars seem to fit into and around the chassis in a way that pulls the fenders up, the tires are getting thinner all the time and the wheels are getting larger. I have to admit, I like that look. Some would call it an "aggresive look", I would call it a "more exciting look".

To me, I want my cars to be exciting, inside and out. I am in them too much to be bored. I like to drive. I don't like to commute. I really want a manual shift. Those are also apparently going the way of the dinosaurs.

Why can't we have cars with these type of exciting designs and great mpg too? It doesn't have to go 150mph. 80 would do.

 

[DaV8or]

To me, I want my cars to be exciting, inside and out. I am in them too much to be bored. I like to drive. I don't like to commute. I really want a manual shift. Those are also apparently going the way of the dinosaurs.

Why can't we have cars with these type of exciting designs and great mpg too? It doesn't have to go 150mph. 80 would do.

Man! You and me are on the same page! pennor1: Love the Corvair! A '66 Monza convertible with a 4 speed would be sweet! Of coarse my love of old cars would fill an enormous garage, just like Jay Leno.

 

[DaV8or]

For pennor1 and fans of Corvairs and all things custom. I love America it's spirit and it's people.

http://www.corvaircorsa.com/V-12-01.html