Chevy Volt
AUSTIN – As part of one of the first groups of automotive journalists to test drive the 2011 Chevy Volt on the open road, I marveled at the floating green ball on the dashboard screen that jumps up or down depending on your acceleration.
It reminded me of an early New Year’s Eve in Times Square.
You maximize your mileage by keeping the ball in the middle.
Volt is the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle with extended range, providing a total range of up to 350 miles.
Volt is not a hybrid. It delivers between 25 and 50 miles of fuel - and tailpipe emissions - free electric driving, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature. A 1.4-liter gasoline-powered engine extends the range up to an additional 310 miles on a full tank of fuel by operating the vehicle’s electric drive system until the car can be plugged in and recharged or refueled.
This distinguishes the Volt from electric-only vehicles, which cannot be operated when recharging is not immediately available – such as during a power interruption or on a long-distance trip.
We drove the Volt in hill country on an 80-mile route to feel what it was like when the battery energy is depleted, and Volt seamlessly transitioned to extended-range mode.
We felt no range anxiety, knowing we were now in gas mode.
Charging the Volt’s battery is simple and intuitive and can be done through 120-volt conventional household electrical outlets or through an optional dedicated 240-volt charging station. The vehicle is completely rechargeable in about four hours using the 240 outlet and 10 to 12 hours in a 120.
Engineers estimate the cost on your electricity bill to charge the Volt at $1.50 per day.
Volt has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on the lithium-ion battery pack.
Even in the gas-only mode, drivers can achieve approximately 37 miles per gallon.
Volt has extensive use of high-strength steel and a full suite of vehicle safety technologies providing occupant protection before, during and after a crash.
Volt has eight standard airbags.
Its stiff structure accommodates features that help to isolate engine and wind noise for a whisper-quiet cabin.
Inside, Volt offers the space, comfort, convenience and features that customers expect in a premium five-door sedan – including storage compartments and 40/40 rear-folding seats.
Because the Volt operates so quietly in all-electric mode, a driver-activated feature sounds a noise to alert pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairments, in an intersection. The alert was developed in conjunction with the American Federation of the Blind.
Technologies include the OnStar Mylink Mobile App for Chevrolet and the MyVolt.com Web portal to enhance owner experience.
The navigation system is standard as is a 30-meg hard drive for music storage.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $41,000, dropping to $33,500 with a $7,500 federal tax credit.
Volt will roll out in Austin, the District of Columbia, California and the New York metro area by the end of the year.
In early 2011, it can be found in dealerships in the rest of Texas, an extended New York market and Michigan. In the next 12 to 18 months, it will be in dealerships in all 50 states.
Volt is the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year.
Published in December 2010
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by Mary Ann
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