Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrids/Alternative, Chevrolet
Spy Shots: Chevy Volt caught testing for the first time
by John Neff on Apr 16th 2008 at 11:40PM 
Click above for high-res gallery of Chevy Volt mule spy shots
Today the Chevy Volt passes from the vaporware stage into the physical manifestation of GM's efforts to bring the series hybrid to production as promised. Though what you're looking at is the body of a last-gen Malibu, we have confirmation that underneath is the Volt's E-Flex powertrain being track-tested for the first time, or at least the first time in front of a spy photographer's zoom lens. Of course, there are still a lot of questions surrounding the Volt, like whether or not GM will meet its self-imposed deadline of late 2010 for production, or if the price will continue to rise above the estimated $35,000 we've heard thrown around. What we do know is that the E-Flex powertrain will be paired with the next-generation Delta chassis. Two suppliers, Continental Automotive Systems and A123 Systems, are tasked with developing the Volt's all-important lithium-ion battery pack that has to achieve the difficult mark of allowing the Volt to operate for 40 miles on electric power alone. There's still a lot of work to do and not a lot of time left to do it, so it's good seeing GM finally driving the Volt around.
Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt - spy pics
[Source: Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy and Co.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Torrent 12:01AM (4/17/2008)
....But it's good to know the Volt is making some progress.... I hope GM comes through with at least a 4 1/2 star vehicle.
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EVan 12:09AM (4/17/2008)
Awesome!
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8189720 12:17AM (4/17/2008)
Did anyone else notice the plastic added on to the wheel wells that protrude much more than the actual old Mailbu's? I wonder what their purpose would be.
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fm 2:13AM (4/17/2008)
Aerodynamics?
amnigo 2:10PM (4/17/2008)
Suggestion taken. You're crazy.
Stuka 12:26AM (4/17/2008)
Its great that the car is being readied for production, but DAMN is it ugly. It reminds me of late 90's GM's that were just hideous to look at.
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EVan 12:35AM (4/17/2008)
Re-read the article... that's not the body the Volt will have
Torrent 12:37AM (4/17/2008)
Dude. It's a MULE... which in this case is the Chevy Volt's engine inside of an old Chevy Malibu to test the specs.... and stuff...
Stuka 12:38AM (4/17/2008)
oops, somehow I skipped over that part. Never mind then, carry on :)
Toy Yoda 1:17AM (4/17/2008)
Maybe they are hiding the Volt's good looks lest Tesla sues them.
Borger 9:28AM (4/17/2008)
Ummm, what you see here is just a mule, using the last generation Malibu body, that is not the production car. :-)
Stuka 9:39AM (4/17/2008)
Ok people... perhaps you should read my *LOWER COMMENT* before continually blasting me over the same thing. And yay, I am lowest ranked *cheers*
Derek 12:00PM (4/17/2008)
Call me crazy, but I like the looks of the last-gen Malibu more than its replacement.
Yar 12:33AM (4/17/2008)
Better be able to do burnouts...
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Derek 11:59AM (4/17/2008)
Yes, because that's on the top of the list for any green car buyer.
Besides that, electric motors develop peak torque at very low or even zero RPM so burnouts should be even easier.
blogged to death 12:38AM (4/17/2008)
Yep - that's proof all right. I love backing up my points with complete hearsay and conjecture based on hearsay. Now if they had some shots of...well under the hood showing an actual powertrain - that'd be more proof. It's not like we shouldn't trust GM - they've never lead us astray or lied before - have they?
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Lithous 12:38AM (4/17/2008)
There is probably no e-flex under there at all. And that two mode hybrid, it doesn't exist. You think you test drove it but you didn't autoblog. I have proof that hybrid doesn't exist: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/general-motors-death-watch-49-paranoia-rules/
Of course, a little common sense like BMW and Daimler being mentioned as involved in the development and neither of those two legit car companies denying the existence of the hybrid system might, just might, give you an idea that the system really did exist. Or maybe the bus with the system already on the road for years may have given a clue that it wasn't a fake. But hey, I'm no *cough* legit car blog like the Lies About Cars.
Dear TLAC: http://www.someecards.com/upload/encouragement/dont_ever_give_up_on_trying_to_blow_yourself.html
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valenr 1:25AM (4/17/2008)
Don't know what that blog is getting all worked up about but they're full of it. I've seen the two mode hybrid Tahoe in person and I can assure you it's not just an engine cover. GM had it on display along with the Astra and a few other vehicles at my college with the hood open, probably should have taken some pictures but the camera on my cellphone sucks.
mwells 3:07AM (4/17/2008)
You really chose to link to TTAC to try to prove some kind of point? That's rich
jake 3:08AM (4/17/2008)
Don't know what you are all up in arms about because the Volt was pretty much just "vaporware" before this mule, since they didn't even have a working prototype of the full drivetrain. It was just a concept prototype with a very crude EV drivetrain. Ask them to open the hood of the Volt concept and you will see what I mean...
http://sirymarketing.blogspot.com/2007/03/more-on-volt.html
I don't think John mentioned anything about the two-mode being fake or anything, so I don't know what that has to do with anything.
Special note before you go ahead and attack me, but I realize that given the Volt started as a concept, it's expected the display vehicle won't have everything ready in it. I actually had confidence GM was serious about the program given I followed it's development on Autobloggreen and how GM hired battery companies very early on to develop the packs and how later it developed into a full engineering team dedicated to make this car happen. I've been waiting for news of the mules and it's good to hear they are finally testing. But really chill out a little.