Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Chevrolet, GM
Lutz addresses complaints about Chevy Volt styling
Click above for live high-res gallery of the 2011 Chevy Volt
General Motors car czar Bob Lutz hopped online yesterday after the official unveiling of the 2011 Chevy Volt to address criticism of the car's design that began to surface after images of the series hybrid were leaked online last week. Most complainers have decried the fact that the production Volt looks little like the Volt Concept that debuted at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. This is certainly true, but Lutz points out on GM's Fastlane Blog that while automakers often use design to make an emotional connection with customers, the Volt will instead use the technology beneath its skin to make that same connection. What it looks like on the outside has been largely shaped by the "Form follows Function" rule, with designers given as much leeway as possible to add some style as long as it doesn't violate the Volt's prime directive of fuel efficiency.
We also went back to our coverage of the 2007 Detroit Auto Show and looked at comments left on our post covering the reveal of the Volt Concept and, as we thought, not many people were talking about its design at the time. We're not sure where all these fans of the concept's design have come from all of a sudden, but they certainly weren't around when it was debuted. Perhaps we couldn't hear them over all the talk about its technology.
Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt - Live Reveal
[Source: GM Fastlane Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Andrew L 10:33AM (9/17/2008)
Jesus how much Volt news is there gonna be?
we should rename this place VoltBlog
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Serge 10:48AM (9/17/2008)
So AutoBlog shouldn't post news on a truly revolutionary car?
MemphisNET 11:07AM (9/17/2008)
Obviously you're new to Autoblog. Based on your reaction, it should have been called CamaroBlog, MustangBlog, ChallengerBlog and ChryslerBlog.
Anyway. The styling of the concept was perfect -- for a concept. It did what it was supposed to do; get people excited about a new technology.
As a concept, I knew the styling would not make it into production. As cool as it was - it was too outside the box for the everyman to handle.
In production trim - it's still very good looking. I'm more excited about going to work and back and not burning a drop of gas.
Andrew L 11:18AM (9/17/2008)
it was sarcasm guys.... just like how everyone else says it should be called mustangblog etc
Tim 11:24AM (9/17/2008)
I more or less agree with Andrew. Why post news like this??? Where the hell is the Test Drive? On that day you can post 100 articles on the Volt. Lets find out how well the concept was executed and if it delivers all it promises.
Philthy 9:31AM (9/18/2008)
"I was just being sarcastic" - the reliable fallback for a lame comment.
Volt 10:33AM (9/17/2008)
I think it looks much better than the concept.
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Brent 10:41AM (9/17/2008)
I agree. The Volt concept looks like something from the 90s.
risingfromtheeast 11:14AM (9/17/2008)
I wish the interior was less ipod inspired.
But kudos to GM, I didnt like the concept much, this is good livable styling. Some people actually like things that dont scream look at me.
Kotse 11:20AM (9/17/2008)
Agreed. It looks alot better and more streamlined/efficient than the otherwise concept version...
Drive it out there...and it would still look years, years ahead, if you ask me.
elINDIANO 11:36AM (9/17/2008)
wasn't one of the points of this car was to create a stylish electric/alternative fuel vehicle?
if you wanted a fuel efficient car that looks like it was styled by Maytag, you bought a prius. even the new insight looks miles sharper than the volt.
One of the great things about the volt concept was that it looked sporty. Now it looks like the offspring of a wild, drunken night between a refrigerator and an egg.
given the exterior has some design challenges to overcome, the interior feels as if it has been designed by a collage of people who dont even work in the same state. the interior is a mix match assortment of materials, styles and shapes. there is little or no integration.
this exercise in the failure of the concept car to have a lower wind resistance of a brick wall shows that the concept car could have been any shape or size as long as it had 4 wheels.
in my opinion, this car is great from an engineering point of view. however i dont see how it will attract many younger buyers due to its eggplant styling and a price tag approaching 40k.
AZZO45b 11:45AM (9/17/2008)
INDI man... WTF are you talkin' about??? Most think the Prius & the "new" Honda Insight are basically TWINS. IMO non of them are Aztek Ugly... in fact if you look hard they ALL share the same basic "wedge" shape... the Volt hides that aero wedge better... but its there.
Torrent 12:22PM (9/17/2008)
I agree, the concept was sharp. literally.
Rman91Bird 6:00PM (9/18/2008)
I't looks so much better than the concept!!! And most importanty it's gonna kick prius butt!!!!!
Rman91Bird 6:06PM (9/18/2008)
Here's what they need to make:
Volt wagon
Volt roadster
Volt coupe
Volt convertable
Volt pickup
ES (Electric Sport) versions on all!!
zreeb 10:34AM (9/17/2008)
Wtf? It's not that bad looking.
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dd 1:38PM (9/17/2008)
In reply to: elINDIANO
Young people likely will not afford or actually go for $40k car, especially in 2010. I am in my late 20s and I did not like concept as much as I liked the production version. I would definetely get one if it will offer enough benefits for me, but it's a long ways from production and things can change... Right now I am enjoying styling of an Outlander.
stevereportdotcom 10:35AM (9/17/2008)
Not that the Volt looks bad (looks better then the Prius and concept Honda "Prius") its just that the concept Volt was much better. It just looks a little overweight. Now its no fat chick. More a less like a Lane Bryant catelog model (hot with weight).
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AZZO45b 11:15AM (9/17/2008)
Can Mr Lutz tell us why his CHEVY has an Acura look to it (mixed with a SMALL dash of Malibu)???
Totally gone is the unique dual DLO from the concept Volt (the lower glass element in the doors) Why show elements in a concept car & ignore them on the production model??? This was too expensive? Hurt the aero?? PLEASE!!! This car is going to start around 40K & GM dealers love to stock "loaded" cars (so the price will be HIGHER).
Its nice, but time will tell if its 40K nice. People shop price & the other two (from Honda & Toyota) are MUCH cheaper. GM better hope for that proposed tax rebate for hybrids (JMO)
Shipey 11:59AM (9/17/2008)
An Acura look to it? Really?
I'm looking at it, squinting, really trying... but I just cant find the squished face, vulture beak grille, or pick-up-sticks styling cues anywhere.