Quick Ride: Chevrolet Volt IVER prototype (w/VIDEO)
by Sam Abuelsamid on Aug 13th 2009 at 11:58AM 
Chevrolet Volt pre-production IVER prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery
While visiting General Motors' product technology showcase this week, we had the opportunity to take a tour through the pre-production operations area where the integration vehicle engineering release prototypes (IVER) Volts are coming together, and then later we went for a ride in one with chief engineer Frank Weber. GM started building these integration prototypes in late May and is currently finishing them at the rate of 10 per week. By the time the whole fleet is done later this summer, 80 Volts will be running through a battery of tests to evaluate all aspects of the car. There are currently about 20 IVERs running at Milford, Warren and elsewhere.
After the tour we went over to the Milford Proving Grounds and Weber brought out the newest Volt to take journalists for quick rides around the loop on "Black Lake", the vehicle dynamics area. Unfortunately, only Weber was allowed to pilot the Volt and since it arrived with a full charge, we didn't get an opportunity to experience the charge sustaining mode. Read on after the jump for more about how the Volt feels from the passenger seat and to watch a short video of our experience.
Gallery: Quck Ride: Pre-production Chevy Volt
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
We can make a few preliminary comments on the car though. Since we weren't allowed to drive, I decided to hop in the back seat. The Volt is considered a compact, but in spite of the sloping roof-line, it still felt surprisingly roomy. Both leg and headroom were more than adequate for this journ's long-torsoed 5'10" frame. While most small cars are outfitted with three rear seatbelts, the reality is that none are actually wide enough for more than two adults. Thus, the four seat configuration mandated by the center tunnel mounted battery is not a problem for most practical purposes.
Behind the seats there is plenty of room for cargo under the tall rear deck, and storage cubbies and cup-holders molded into the console covering the battery will prove handy for rear passengers. When Weber took off around the loop, the Volt accelerated with authority even with four adults on board. The relatively low profile and concentrated battery mass down low meant body roll felt minimized around corners. From the back seat at least, the two LCD screens appeared to be relatively resistant to glare. Hopefully we'll soon have a chance to get behind the wheel ourselves and experience the charge sustaining mode, as well. Stay tuned.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Ed 12:06PM (8/13/2009)
I can't wait to see what Cadillac will do with this platform.
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Brian 12:21PM (8/13/2009)
Since it is going to cost $43k as a Chevy, what do you think the Cadillac version will be? $100k? Ridiculous.
Ed 12:27PM (8/13/2009)
I meant from a styling standpoint.
Lemon 12:37PM (8/13/2009)
Brian,
You are so right! GM should focus on the towing capacity of the next Suburban not this pos! There's no future in these electric vehicles anyway. Who cares about 'mpg'? You should start a car company! You could call it ChevySucksAndIKnowEverything Motors.
leunamme 12:51PM (8/13/2009)
sorry to play devil's advocate, but at $43k, it's a little excessive for a chevy. It should be touted like the corvette, a chevy nonetheless, but something more special and desireable. Granted, once the technology becomes more common place, the forthcoming generations should see a significant price drop and the price may finally be in line with the badge.
Because in the end, no matter how much money you spend on a car, when you put forth the cash, you're also paying for the badge and the prestige.
Ed 1:02PM (8/13/2009)
Theoretically this car should be marketed as a GMC "Halo" car - General Motors Corporation Volt.
Or just "The GM Volt"
Steve 1:07PM (8/13/2009)
$43k is a made up number, no pricing has been released.
Matt 1:11PM (8/13/2009)
Well how bout we first hope that Chevy doesn't completely eff-up an otherwise nice looking 'concept' that is being production-ized as we speak.
Check out the cut lines on the hood and lack of fuel door on the front fender here:
http://www.netcarshow.com/chevrolet/2011-volt/1600x1200/wallpaper_03.htm
And now look what they've done with it in these latest shots:
http://green.autoblog.com/gallery/quck-ride-in-the-pre-production-chevy-volt/full/
Hood cut lines now fold over ungracefully onto the fenders and the charging/fuel door looks awful where it's at. Can't they do a better job of hiding that?
MoonRover 1:20PM (8/13/2009)
I heard yesterday from a GM ex that the price could come in less than $40,000, no price has been set, but it won't be over $40,000.
Photo Phil 1:39PM (8/13/2009)
Brian, I thought this was finally a neutral or somewhat positive post from autoblog about GM and the Volt. Good job Sam.
I knew I could depend on people like you to bring the negativity. Funny thing is your prod at GM is only a rumor anyway!! Give them a chance, and base your opinions on fact, ok?
BTW there's also rumor that the Volt will cost $25k (or about $5-8k more than a standard compact car costs, from a GM rep a while ago). $40k is a rumor just like $25k.
Evan 1:39PM (8/13/2009)
"It should be touted like the corvette"
The difference is, the corvette has great proportions, it looks exotic and special because it's designed from the ground up as a true sports car. Even if you never heard of the Corvette, you'd know it's special at first glance.
The Volt is based on the Chevy Cruze's platform, and as such, it has typical economy-car proportions (too tall, flat sides, small tires). There's nothing special about the outward appearance of the Volt.
AMcA 8:12PM (8/13/2009)
Why are you people complaining that it isn't the hottest looking car on the road? That's not the point of the Volt. The point of the Volt is that it's a technological tour-de-force.
They had to compromise its looks to make it (1) producible and (2) efficient. You want the Volt to be unproducible and inefficient?
RK 9:24PM (8/13/2009)
Someone should make a movie "Who brought back the electric car"
Thunderdome 12:14PM (8/13/2009)
I take it from the oblong steering wheel that this is a widescreen video that's been crammed in to a 4:3 ratio window? That's why the car looks really short from the side and really narrow from the front or rear.
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VW GTi 12:24PM (8/13/2009)
I would say so. You can tell that the other cars in the video also look a little squashed.
ben 12:14PM (8/13/2009)
i saw one of these prototypes cruising on i-75 somewhere in kentucky or tennessee last saturday.
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Brian 12:18PM (8/13/2009)
This car will either be the Vega for the 21st Century, or GM's Edsel.
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MajorGeek 12:26PM (8/13/2009)
Edsel. Look how far we have come from the 30's to today. Difference is that in only 20 years the Volt will look like a Model T. Slow, outdated from every angle but still cool. 20 years in the technology world is like 100 years in the auto world.
Danimal 12:36PM (8/13/2009)
Just because you repeat the same things over and over and over doesn't make them any more relevant.
Chris 12:44PM (8/13/2009)
Go jump in a woodchipper, Brian.