[Shannon1]

I actually just wanted to see how many people would get their feathers ruffled. Seems the global warming arguement is falling apart and the greenies have nothing left to cling to. Me personally...I drive a V-10 gas guzzlin truck with 40" tires that is anything but energy efficient. For those that like the Volt, knock yourselfs out for a 40k or higher toy car. It's not got enough balls for me and I'm sure it will end up in the final phase looking like an egg or something as did the other hybrids.

 

[Grizzly5]

N. Riley #90

"Remember, by 2010 or 2011, the Prius will be a plug-in with good EV range and very good MPG. Price of the Prius has not been discussed by Toyota, but I think it will exceed $30,000 although I don’t know why it should. Battery cost should be much lower for Toyota by then. We will have to wait and see. But, I am pulling for the Volt."

*** *** ***

We'll have to wait and see. The down side to the PI Prius is that it's still
a hybrid so it's married to that complex tranny. If they continue to work that technology you've got to wonder how effective it will be for AER compared to BEVs and RE BEVs.

 

[Grizzly5]

57paf #91

"Follow-up to #69: In addition to the headlights, will the Volt be using LED tailights, side markers & turn signals?"

*** *** ***

Sure looks to me like the front blue side markers ARE LEDs.

 

[Grizzly5]

Jackson # 94

"Is an HCCI cycle being considered for the ICE?"

*** *** ***

From what I have read recently about HCCI is that due to the complexity of programming involved it's at least 5 years from being viable. In fact there was a very good article just a couple months ago in Pop Science (or was that Mechanics?...I get both) about this. So if they're planning to use it in the ICE for the Volt it probably won't be any of the first few gens.

 

[R._Santos]

God, I love the headlights....I am done in a good way. I want more. This is like being in south beach where you see a nice girl walking on the beach and all you could say is that I want to see more...I want more.

 

[kubel]

Looking better and better. I love those red and blue accent lights in the front, unfortunately, I don't think those are legal in the US.

And my eye spies a driver-side mounted charging port.

Questions for Lutz:

1) Will this be available to BUY (not lease, I don't want to lease this car, I want to buy it and own it myself)?

2) Will these be limited to only a handful of dealerships? Will all dealerships handle repairs necessary to Volt electronics/batteries?

3) Are plant retoolings and shift changes on schedule for future production of the Volt?

4) Will the Volt contain Ultra Caps?

Finally, I would mention to Lutz that their marketing department did a good job on the Olympics gas station ad. Whoever was responsible for that should come up with some more like it.

 

[Jim I]

I was not able to log on for most of the afternoon.

I missed a lot.

I like it!!!!

Off to the next post.

 

[K Newman]

I am impressed with the progress. I have a few questions, one I of which has been asked before but not yet answered...

1) Can potential buyers who live in states besides the top five (California, Texas, etc.) be able to buy the first production run? (or like Nissan with their Altima Hybrid) will only buyers that legally live in pre-designated states (like California) only have the ability to buy the Volt? How far away can the Volt Service repair facility be located from the Buyer's residence?

2) Regarding options: Will the standard Volt offer amenitites similar to the Toyota Prius (back-up camera, side air bags, Bladder-style Gas Tank, etc.) Wi-FI is going to be offered on some Chrysler models--Suggestions: a USB port located in the Glove Box of the Volt as well as WiFi and Bluetooth, would be a great option!

What about getting Steve Jobs at Apple involved with a iPod/Sound System to compete against Ford's Sync?

3) If GM could get potential Volt Buyers pre-qualified when placing a deposit on the Volt; this would assure GM of firm Buyer commitments, be a great time saver and a way to verify a smooth transaction for both GM and the Buyer.

I look forward in any GM responce

 

[darladeena]

The grill looks like they used chicken wire. Did they? lol

 

[Cire1]

161, Ill answer what I know so Bob Lutz doesnt have to.

1) Will this be available to BUY (not lease, I don’t want to lease this car, I want to buy it and own it myself)?
Yes, its going to be a real car.


4) Will the Volt contain Ultra Caps?
Not the first generation volt.

 

[Frank_the_brilliant!!!!]

Shannon is a dillweed. Ha Ha there I said it......

 

[Jim_in_PA]

#156 Shannon,
Unfortunately what you don't realize is that a car like the Volt will have better acceleration, better cornering, and better handling than a lumbering beast like the one you drive. So if you think "having balls" means easing your truck up to 65 mph over the course of 15 seconds, and then taking it down to first gear to take a corner, then have fun driving your glorified school bus, Mary.

And have fun sending all that oil money overseas to Saudi Arabia and their Jihad friends. Funny, I always thought that V-10 truck guys hated terrorists. Silly AM radio man.

 

[Noel Park]

#141 Plug Free Volt:

Well maybe now it will have better aerodynamics going forward than going backward, LOL!

 

[Toby]

I said it before (in another thread)... The front of this thing looks extremely similar to the front of the current model Acura TL. Very sexy, and very exciting!!!

 

[europa67]

Questions:

What kind of provisions have been designed into this car for protecting the occupants from EMF's. And what are the results of crash test? Curious if the battery pack will explode or spray acid everywhere. For the record, I love this car and think it's great but I'm probably not the only one thinking about these issues.

 

[Drew]

While I think this is a great concept. I doubt GM will make it to market on time with this car. It's all in the batteries. And they're nowhere yet on those. Even Toyota is having problems with Lithium.

I hope I'm wrong.

Cool car.

 

[mitch2]

Shannon = Troll..

#170 - Agree...V10? must be a dodge boy ahhh HAHAHAHAHAHA

#174 spray acid? Lithium ion..not acid lead batteries

 

[Cliff1]

How about a convertible version (that doesn't consume the trunk space)? The lines are good for a convertible (and I personally ONLY buy convertibles).

And is it front wheel drive? The fanaticism about real-wheel drive for sporty cars is really stupid. Front (or all) wheel drive is the only thing that makes sense for those who want to be able to drive reliably in moderate snow, especially on hills. Just because real wheel drive is a little better at 150 mph doesn't mean it makes sense for sporty cars for daily street use to have real wheel drive.

 

[Jake]

I guess Shannon hasn't been around here enough to notice that we're not all "greenies" in the traditional (derogatory) sense of the word. I certainly am, but I'm encouraged by the number of eager Volt enthusiasts on here whose politics are (as far as I can tell) relatively right-leaning. Ideally this site would transcend politics anyways. We are united in our support for the Volt despite our diverse backgrounds.

I agree with Cliff #176 regarding front wheel drive. That would be much more useful to me during a New England winter. I wonder if you'd get more noticeably torque steer than with an ICE, though, due to the electric drive?

I also just realized that the front grille is probably needed to cool the motor controller and whatever other power electronics are under the hood. It's not just the ICE that will produce heat.

 

[Xebra]

The Volt is very much looked forward to in the EV space, what with the prices of oil being what they are and environment concerns being at an all time high. The EV industry as a whole will benefit from the development and production of the proposed Volt as of course will be the people interested in buying EVs