I was told by a Volt advisor that the roof is fiberglass. I don't know why they are all black. Perhaps it is a vestigial styling remnant of the concept car's smoked glass roof.

GSP

 

The roof is steel painted black. I think the designers felt that it improves the appearance of the car. Your opinion may vary.

Many people have suggested here that one of the ways the cost of the Volt might be reduced in the future would be to delete the black roof to avoid masking and a second pass through the paint shop.

 

I was convinced the roof was not metal, so I just a finished a little Volt magnet inspection. Sure enough, the roof is metal. The rear spoiler is plastic, as are the door handles and various trim parts (front, rear, and sides).

Gues what? The hood does NOT attract a magnet. What the...?

 

They may have used black in order to warm the interior in colder climates as electric heat seems to be less efficient than electric air conditioning. We in the more southern latitudes will feel it in the summer.

 

No kidding. I'd never buy a car with a black roof.

 

The hood, front & rear bumpers are aluminum.

http://aluminumintransportation.org...ation.org/main/news-releases/2011-north-american-car-and-truck-year-winners-use

 

Roof is steel painted black to recall the black (glass) roof on the Volt concept car *and* because gloss black roofs (whether glass or paint) are a current styling cliche across the industry.

See, at the very least, Mercedes, Lincoln, Cadillac and Scion.

http://www.netguruonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Mercedes-C-Class-Coupe-5.jpg
http://www.toyotaautosinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Lincoln-MKX-3.jpg
http://www.carprices24.com/cars/cadillac/2009_cadillac_srx/2009_cadillac_srx_3.jpg
http://www.thetorquereport.com/2007/02/2008_scion_tc.html

 

I'm ready for the color of solar cells!

 

I'll second that emotion.. Concidering solar cells

 

My wife would love to have a sunroof. Her last 3 cars have had them and she is very unhappy that Chevy doesn't offer one. Has anybody thought about having an aftermarket sunroof installed?