2010 Volt Revealed...just now!

[revat619]

New photos revealed....and there's a corky lookin douche bag in EVERY photo. Thats fucking irritating.

oh and why do all hybrids have to have that stupid squished, boxy, spaceship look?

The mpg is awesome and all, but if every time i walk out to my car in the morning i'm thinking "holy shit, this thing is heinous." its not worth my money.

[SimpleSexy180]

it looks decent. I'm sure families around the US would jump on this car.

[axiomatik]

Originally Posted by twistedsymphony

This is what the Malibu interior looked like of the car I drove...

I'm 99% sure it was an 08, that's what was on the key chain I got and all of the paperwork I've got. and this was in July and it only had 18 miles on the clock... certainly doesn't look like the "award winning" interior photos I've seen though.

Was the new interior only part of certain trim levels? Either that or enterprise is daft and cataloged a left over 07 as an 08.

god, that interior was horrible. talk about monotone. My friend had the 'first-gen' malibu, and the interior was way better looking than that.

I'm pretty sure that the new malibus came out in the middle of the model year, so early 08's are the 2nd-gen, late 08's are 3rd-gen.

[twistedsymphony]

Originally Posted by axiomatik

I'm pretty sure that the new malibus came out in the middle of the model year, so early 08's are the 2nd-gen, late 08's are 3rd-gen.

ah-ha... that explains it.

I remember driving the thing and hearing all sorts of buzz about how great the 08 Malibu was supposed to be and I kept thinking "how could anyone like this turd?" that's why I was so sure it was an 08 I checked the paperwork several times over to be sure...

I swear that 2nd gen interior was designed by little-tyke

The new dash and the CTS-V look 10000000x better. Hopefully the Volt has something equally as classy.

[exitspeed]

Originally Posted by future240

If this was 30,000 I would seriously consider gettin it when I graduated college. For 40,000 I could get a bmw 328I. (Yes the gas mileage would be quite a bit less, but its a bmw so its worth it.)

I'm curious mod wise what could one do to this car

Different cars. That's like saying, instead of a Elise I'm going to just buy an Escalade.

Originally Posted by DrtyRat

Why is Yuri's car @ the top of that website?

He's one of the writers of the site with me, Dorki Dori and Drift Freaq.

Originally Posted by twistedsymphony

Part of the reason it's so hard to break the dependancy on oil is that oil must be produced and delivered in a very specific way. it needs to be harvested and then refined and then distributed... it requires a tremendous infrastructure to get that fuel from it's original place to your vehicle.

Even if you run an electric car off of power from your home, which comes from a power plant that's just as pollutant as your car was, it's a step in the right direction...

The reason being is that it's a whole lot easier to swap out that coal plant for a wind farm than it is to completely replace the oil infrastructure. Electricity can be produced from many many many sources, some good some not so good, but moving everyone to a more versatile and more easily transported power source. Consider that we have power lines to transport electricity a short distance from the plant while oil must be trucked and shipped in from half way around the world.

Nothing is going to give you instant gratification, you're not going to build _A_ car and solve the pollution and oil issues in one shot.... but if you know your ultimate goal and map out a path with achievable milestones you can probably reach it in a decade or two.

Shifting dependency from oil to electricity is the first step... electric motors can be just as powerful an fast as combustion engines, they're also smaller, lighter, and way more efficient (in terms of how much potential energy is actually converted to movement).

Once we've started that we can work on shifting electricity producers from not so green methods (coal) to more green methods (wind, solar, etc)...

while battery capacity is a big issue, and so is the effecency of solar panels, increasing their use will only make them better. Necessity is the mother of invention and if there is money to be made in better battery and solar tech then the big corporations will throw their resources towards finding those better methods and making them cheaper and more marketable...

Great post. Posi rep awarded....

Originally Posted by mRclARK1

We'll be one of the generations saying "I remember when cars ran on stuff that could go boom!"

haha

Don't worry, Hydrogen cars are going to start getting a lot more attention. In 15 years hydrogen cars will be on the road. It's funny that some people fear them becoming hydrogen bombs. They forget that they drive to and fro in a car filled with one of the most flammable liquids on the planet. lol

[sub9lulu]

Originally Posted by revat619

oh and why do all hybrids have to have that stupid squished, boxy, spaceship look?

aero dynamic

[twistedsymphony]

Originally Posted by revat619

oh and why do all hybrids have to have that stupid squished, boxy, spaceship look?

yeah, as sub9lulu said, aerodynamics.

weight, aerodynamics, and gearing are the three biggest factors towards improving fuel economy.

consider that a 6-speed camaro with an LS1 gets over 30MPG highway all day long.

now consider that a slushbox chevy pickup with the same motor, driving the same roads at the same speed would get 15MPG if it's lucky...

What's different? weight, aerodynamics, and gearing.


I agree that some of these hybrids are downright goofy looking though. IMO despite the huge benefits that can be achieved by better aero design auto makers need to make these things look like normal cars at least at first and warm people up to more efficient exterior styling.

[DrtyRat]

Originally Posted by exitspeed

He's one of the writers of the site with me, Dorki Dori and Drift Freaq.

I saw your SN on there, but just thought it was a type of forum response.

[ryguy]

One would have to assume that the government is going to give some hefty tax credits to the early adopters of this technology. Considering that current hybrids get a tax credit towards their purchase based on how good their MPG is, and that incentive currently tops out at just under $4,000, I would guess buyers of the Volt would get an even bigger incentive. 35k doesnt sound too bad considering how cheap electricity is in relation to gas.

I have to say though, the Volt looks much better than the Prius, even in production spec.

[exitspeed]

The reason these cars look the way they do is because they've found that Hybrid buyers want a car that LOOKS like a Hybrid and not just a regular car. That's why sales of other hybrids like the Accord, Altima are so poor.

[S14DB]

So, I have to spend $40k on this car and then another $40k for a solar/wind setup for my house so that it doesn't produce 2x the greenhouse gasses as my current car?

[axiomatik]

you can just purchase clean energy credits instead.

[S14DB]

Only gets 48mpg off the plug.
EPA confused by Chevy Volt's fuel economy | Car Tech: An automotive blog from CNET - CNET Reviews

Originally Posted by axiomatik

you can just purchase clean energy credits instead.

That's just moving the ball...

[The ROMAN]

It's interesting for the technology, maybe I would buy one in ten years as a used model. 40k is only the starting point anyways, it should come down in price over time. Why those guys are standing in front of it in every single picture is beyond me, though. That one guy looks like he has an evil plan to rule the world.

[ryguy]

Originally Posted by S14DB

So, I have to spend $40k on this car and then another $40k for a solar/wind setup for my house so that it doesn't produce 2x the greenhouse gasses as my current car?

Harbor Freight sells a $2k off-the-grid 2 solar panel system, with a 12 volt inverter and battery.

Originally Posted by The ROMAN

Why those guys are standing in front of it in every single picture is beyond me, though. That one guy looks like he has an evil plan to rule the world.

They're standing there because those pictures werent supposed to be released, somebody fucked up, they were just supplemental material about the designers that was supposed to be presented when the Volt is officially unveiled.

Originally Posted by S14DB

Only gets 48mpg off the plug.
EPA confused by Chevy Volt's fuel economy | Car Tech: An automotive blog from CNET - CNET Reviews

Did you even read that article? That was with the engine running the entire time. The vehicle isnt meant to ever use the gasoline engine except for the rare time you run out of charge. 90% of Americans drive less than 40 miles round trip to get to work, and most people don't drive 40 miles in one day.

[Rayne]

Originally Posted by ryguy

LIKE A PHOENIX RISING FROM THE ASHES
HERE COMES GMMMMM!!!!!!!
Picture

If the current GM advertising campaign can't help them, a car like the Volt will not do much either.

Originally Posted by S14DB

So, I have to spend $40k on this car and then another $40k for a solar/wind setup for my house so that it doesn't produce 2x the greenhouse gasses as my current car?

The solar/wind set up would be a better choice. No more electrical bills, plus you can sell a portion of the energy to the eletrical company if you so desired.

[blackrms13]

Originally Posted by ryguy

Did you even read that article? That was with the engine running the entire time. The vehicle isnt meant to ever use the gasoline engine except for the rare time you run out of charge. 90% of Americans drive less than 40 miles round trip to get to work, and most people don't drive 40 miles in one day.

sadly i do

LA sux

and commuting from school to home is like 55miles...

[exitspeed]

Originally Posted by ryguy

Did you even read that article? That was with the engine running the entire time. The vehicle isnt meant to ever use the gasoline engine except for the rare time you run out of charge. 90% of Americans drive less than 40 miles round trip to get to work, and most people don't drive 40 miles in one day.

Yea, I drive 20 miles a day, 10 miles each way. Even when i have running around to do to the grocery store or wherever I'd probably still not put 40 miles on in a day. I could run the car on the electric engine 99% of the time.

[S14DB]

Originally Posted by ryguy

Harbor Freight sells a $2k off-the-grid 2 solar panel system, with a 12 volt inverter and battery.

I doubt that shit can charge the volt overnight

Originally Posted by ryguy

Did you even read that article? That was with the engine running the entire time. The vehicle isnt meant to ever use the gasoline engine except for the rare time you run out of charge. 90% of Americans drive less than 40 miles round trip to get to work, and most people don't drive 40 miles in one day.

I would have had to read the article to get the facts. Where did you get "90% of Americans drive less than 40 miles round trip to get to work"?
Why put a gas motor in something that runs off batteries? The EV1 was thrown in the can because you will use the gas motor.


They are still hoping to have this out by late 2010 as a 2011 model. Most analysts seem to think this is a pipe dream time line.

The power consumption stats aren't out for this but, based on previous electric vehicles. This can produce more emissions(up to 2x) the average car. Based on the current power grid/production. I don't see the power grid changing by 2010.

I would rather get this for $20k TODAY and get 30 mpg / 41 mpg.
Jetta TDI Clean Diesel

[exitspeed]

I don't think anyone, even GM, is claiming this to be the end all be all solution. It's a step in the right direction though.

[boro otaku]

Originally Posted by twistedsymphony

GM's lame interior design

I am impressed with the company's new design team. 2008 & up interiors (with the exception of full size trucks) are decent. MUCH better than Dodge, Honda and Mitsu.

[Future240]

Originally Posted by exitspeed

I don't think anyone, even GM, is claiming this to be the end all be all solution. It's a step in the right direction though.

I think right now being fairly new tech is goin to suck a bit of ass and be kind of expenisve, but much later on this(or refined technology similar to this) might become the industry standard.

So yea I agree with Mel, its definitely a step in the right direction

[Yuri]

My AE86 is a zero emissions vehicle.

[Antihero983]

Originally Posted by boro otaku

I am impressed with the company's new design team. 2008 & up interiors (with the exception of full size trucks) are decent. MUCH better than Dodge, Honda and Mitsu.

it doesn't take much to be better than dodge and mitsu in anything.

[boro otaku]

To all the interior design critics: what do you consider "good" mid-level interior design? Remember, the Volt is a pretty basic car. You're paying for the tech, not luxury.

No Ferrari or Lexus photos please.

[Antihero983]

^well I would say Toyota (Camry), Subaru (Legacy/Outback), Honda (the new accords are amazing inside)

[boro otaku]

Don't get me wrong, I am not challenging your opinion, I am just trying to understand what people like. Design is an art form, and art is highly subjective. I am an artist, so I'm always interested in hearing the "critiques".

[Dutchmalmiss]

It's surely a step in the right direction. The hybrid in general is still a relatively new technology, and it shows in the current models. I'm sure a huge majority of hybrid owners even know how to drive one correctly. I see people in Hollywood in their Priuses jackrabbit-starting all the time forcing them out of electric mode prematurely, thus destroying the purpose of driving one.

The Volt will definitely be more "user-friendly" in that department as it will obviously have an efficient, more-powerful electric motor. This should be more forgiving for the more americanized driver.

[Antihero983]

Originally Posted by boro otaku

Don't get me wrong, I am not challenging your opinion, I am just trying to understand what people like. Design is an art form, and art is highly subjective. I am an artist, so I'm always interested in hearing the "critiques".

as a musician, I'm the same way. I was just answering your above post as if it was an interrogative statement. that's all.

[boro otaku]

Originally Posted by RedEvilRPS13

as a musician, I'm the same way.

You better stop being so cool, or I will add you to my friend list Hehehe...