Autoblog

VIDEO: GM commissions Chevrolet Volt dance to go with song. Yes, really.

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet, GM, Humor, Electric

Chevrolet Volt Dance - Click above to watch the video after the break

"E for electricity, V for Chevy Volt and me..." Catchy little diddly, sure. But we were mostly willing to let the Chevrolet Volt song make the deep, dark trek into obscurity with nary another mention. That is, until today. What made us change our tune, you ask? Boy, are you in for a treat.

Witness the Chevy Volt dance. Yes, it is an official routine apparently commissioned by GM. Showgoers that meandered near the GM area at the LA Auto Show may already be familiar with this little number, but the video's just too good not to share with the rest of the class. We especially like it when the four-person crew stops whatever they're doing to throw us an "E" and a "V."

Trust us. You owe it to yourself to click past the break and watch the video. Here's hoping The General antes up to send these dancers around the country for the rest of the auto show circuit.

[Source: GM-Volt.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: GM commissions Chevrolet Volt dance to go with song. Yes, really.

VIDEO: GM commissions Chevrolet Volt dance to go with song. Yes, really. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt: The Song

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:32:00 EST

Chevy Volt and Me song -- Click above to watch the video

The Kraft company recently held a competition inviting the public to name its new Vegemite cream cheese spinoff. The name that won, and made it to shelves, was "iSnack 2.0." Really. It took one day of public cacophony to encourage Kraft to change the name to "Cheesybite," but we hear you can still find jars of iSnack 2.0 if you're inclined. Why do we bring this up? Because sometimes we wonder what insights marketers are using to make product roll-out decisions.

And what's that got to do with the Chevy Volt? The Chevy Volt's new theme song, Chevy Volt and Me. In this case, we know what the thought process was. Said the Volt's director of global marketing,

Our goal is to craft that education [about the Volt] in a manner that is family friendly (as it should be because we are America's original mass /heart brand), entertaining and simple to understand for a rather sophisticated product.

A Volt song helps us to achieve those objectives. 'Chevy Volt and Me' explains what Volt is all about as a better EV in simple friendly terms.

All right then. So it ain't Eye of the Tiger or Diesel Power, but it is catchy. Fast-paced, too, so you better pay attention because there's a lot in it. Follow the jump to watch a video of the Volt's gestation, made by the folks at the GM Volt site and set to the new tune. We dare you to listen to it once and not find yourself humming for the rest of the day, "It's so simple like a dimple plug it in and see."

[Source: GM-Volt.com]

Continue reading Chevy Volt: The Song

Chevy Volt: The Song originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM confirms Chevrolet Volt to be introduced in California before nationwide rollout

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Chevrolet, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

If environmentally-friendly transportation is your thing, there's no place like California. Not only is the state home base to Tesla - the first company to genuinely demonstrate that hugging a tree and hugging the road needn't be mutually exclusive - it was also chosen by General Motors as the launch site for its EV1 and by Honda for the FCX Clarity. It should come as no great surprise, then, that GM has just announced that its latest earthmobile - the highly anticipated Chevrolet Volt - will launch in California first before being introduced in markets across the country.

Not only with the Volt be available in the nation's largest car market before any other, but The General is also partnering with a number of local electric companies to accompany the rollout. Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and Sacramento Municipal Utility District, together with the non-profit Electric Power Research Institute, will help demonstrate the benefits and practicality of the Volt's hybrid powertrain, thanks in part to a $30 million grant from the federal Department of Energy's Transportation Electrification Initiative. Follow the jump to read all about it in GM's full press release.

Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM confirms Chevrolet Volt to be introduced in California before nationwide rollout

GM confirms Chevrolet Volt to be introduced in California before nationwide rollout originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"Viridian Joule" picked as winner of Chevy Volt Paint Color Contest

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt in Viridian Joule - Click above for high-res image gallery

The votes have been cast, the tallies tallied and the winner determined: Viridian Joule will be the official name of the silvery-green hue as seen on a slew of Chevrolet Volt marketing material for what seems like the last decade or so. So, um, what does Viridian Joule mean? We'll let the winner himself, 40-year-old David Thomas of Sanford, Florida, explain:

I looked at the photo of the Volt on the contest web site and thought it looked emerald in color, which led to jewel and then to an alternate yet appropriate play on that word - joule.

We needed a bit more help, so we looked up the word 'viridian'. So says Dictionary.com: a long-lasting, bluish-green pigment, consisting of a hydrated oxide of chromium. OK, fine. Joule wasn't so hard to figure out, but here's the definition anyway: a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere is passed through a resistance of one ohm for one second. So, there you have it.

Want to know more? Click past the break to read the official press release, and see the image gallery below for more views of a Viridian Joule Chevrolet Volt.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

[Source: Chevrolet]

Continue reading "Viridian Joule" picked as winner of Chevy Volt Paint Color Contest

"Viridian Joule" picked as winner of Chevy Volt Paint Color Contest originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Initial Chevy Volt launch will be in select U.S. markets only

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Undoubtedly, the 2011 Volt is one of the most hotly anticipated new model launches in Chevrolet's long and storied history, and it will likely be seen as a halo model of sorts for General Motors as a whole. As we experienced first hand when we slid behind the wheel of a preproduction Volt the other day, the car is well on its way to becoming a production reality, but actually getting the vehicle into the hands of customers will be another matter entirely.

According to a report from Automotive News, GM is currently in the process of selecting which markets will get first crack at the Volt when it finally goes on sale in just under one year's time. Chevrolet division President Brent Dewar said that the automaker is looking at a number of factors to determine those unannounced target markets, including the existence of an EV charging infrastructure and available tax credits. After this initial launch, the rest of the citizenry will get its chance to see the USA in an electric Chevrolet.

Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

REPORT: Initial Chevy Volt launch will be in select U.S. markets only originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz: High-performance Chevy Volt SS a "possibility"

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Electric, Electric

2011 Chevy Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Electric cars are for those who would rather drive slow, boring commuters that don't consume fossil fuels and therefore don't spew pollutants from their tailpipes. Gas-powered cars - and especially those wearing time-honored badges like SS, R/T or GT - are for those who prefer fire-breathing, tire-screeching performance and care much more about nitrous oxide than nitrogen oxide. Right? Not so fast, says Bob Lutz.

When asked whether or not Chevy could shock the performance crowd with an SS version of the upcoming Volt, Lutz said, "I would not discount that possibility." That's as close as you're going to get to an admission of intent this early in the game. Lutz goes on to suggest that the Voltec powertrain will allow for plenty of on-demand power. "[I]f we want to sacrifice a little bit of fuel efficiency in the interest of performance and still get over 200 miles per gallon, we can do that any time."

Following the same logical train of thought, we could certainly see a V-Series of the Cadillac Converj. If you're interested in hearing the news straight from ~~the horse's~~ Lutz's mouth, click past the break for a video.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

[Source: Fox Car Report via GM-Volt.com]

Continue reading Lutz: High-performance Chevy Volt SS a "possibility"

Lutz: High-performance Chevy Volt SS a "possibility" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posawatz: Volt range-extended mileage to be "better than any conventional car." But what about hybrids?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

So, plenty of time has passed since General Motors first made the announcement that its Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle would score 230 miles per gallon on the yet-to-be-completed EPA testing procedure for such vehicles. Still, plenty of questions remain, such as How many miles per gallon with the Volt achieve after it has traveled the 40 or so miles necessary to deplete its battery pack?

Well, we still don't have an exact answer, which is partly due to the fact that GM hasn't yet finished developing the vehicle's complex software systems. In an interview with Fox Car Report Live, vehicle line directory Tony Posawatz sheds some light on the topic, saying that the Volt's sustained mileage will be "better than any conventional car, and we're trying to figure out how close, or if it will actually be better than any hybrids."

To put that figure into perspective, we'd imagine that means the Volt would fall somewhere between the 32 mpg rating of the Toyota Yaris and the 50 mpg rating of the Toyota Prius when running under charge-sustaining mode with an otherwise depleted battery pack. Whatever the case, don't expect this hot-button topic to go away any time soon. Click past the break to see the exchange on video.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

[Source: Fox Car Report]

Continue reading Posawatz: Volt range-extended mileage to be "better than any conventional car." But what about hybrids?

Posawatz: Volt range-extended mileage to be "better than any conventional car." But what about hybrids? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM's Lauckner wishes for bigger incentives to get drivers out of gas-powered vehicles

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Electric

At this point, it's no secret that the Chevy Volt and other plug-in vehicles are not going to come cheap. About the least pricey full-speed electric vehicle may very well be the Nissan Leaf, which after incentives may be in the $27-28,000 range before the extra cost of leasing the battery. While the operational costs of these cars should be substantially less than any internal combustion vehicle, customers rarely think that far ahead when signing up for a car loan. That's especially true when gas remains well under $3 a gallon here in the US.

Speaking at the Business of Plugging In Conference in Dearborn, Michigan this week, GM's VP of Global Program Management told the audience that incentives will need to be increased for plug-in vehicles to start gaining a real foothold in the US market.

Although GM won't announce pricing until its launch a year from now, most observers expect the Volt to run about $40,000. With a $7,500 federal tax credit, it will still be well over $30,000, which is very expensive for a compact car. Unless gas prices get significantly higher or incentives are increased, most buyers are unlikely to find this or other plug-ins to be a good economic proposition.

[Source: Detroit News]

GM's Lauckner wishes for bigger incentives to get drivers out of gas-powered vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Chevy Volt will start at $32,000 after tax credit?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:55:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, Rumormill, Electric

While we know a good bit of information about GM's upcoming range-extended electric automobile, one major question lurks high above the rest: how much with the Chevy Volt cost? Well, that's a tough nut to crack. There will be a sticker price plastered on the car's window when it finally goes on sale in November of 2010 that may very well be at or near the $40,000 mark - pretty pricey for a car wearing the golden Bowtie - but that's not the end of the story. In a bit to sweeten the pot a bit, the U.S. government has promised to offer a $7,500 rebate in the form of a federal tax credit.

Though there's been no official price point announced by The General for its upcoming electric as of yet, there are clues. For instance, what appears to be a GM-approved survey recently sent out by a company called Gongos suggests that the Volt "will effectively cost between $32,000 and $38,000" after the tax rebate. It's not an official pricing acknowledgement or anything like that, but it's an interesting tidbit nonetheless, and we think it's a reasonable asking price - especially after the expected runnings costs of about 2 cents per mile are factored in. What say you?

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

[Source: GM-Volt.com]

REPORT: Chevy Volt will start at $32,000 after tax credit? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt and 230 mpg: Negative reactions abound, but not from Bob Lutz

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

GM CEO Fritz Henderson was all smiles when he announced the Chevy Volt's 230 mpg city rating yesterday. But the Internet digested the news in its own way, and there was some understandable confusion and criticism of the very big, very bold mpg claim. While the EPA put a damper on GM's numbers, that was mostly a way to say that it's too early to tell. GM representatives made it clear that they don't see the 230 number as unrealistic or setting Volt fans up for disappointment when the agency finally gets to test actual vehicles sometime next year. However, others were less diplomatic.

Darryl Siry, EV aficionado and former CMO at Tesla, was quick to call the 230 number "unrealistic," adding that, "the problem is that anytime you try to get to 'miles per gallon' using vehicles that don't necessary use 'gallons' you end up in a very strange debate with very strange outcomes." Indeed. Siry made sure to say that it's the EPA method (still in development, and one we don't know much about yet) and not only GM that's to blame here.

Over on What is 230?, someone who claims to be a "GM employee who works directly with people who work on the Volt" wrote in to say that the number is a "mis-leading gimmick of a marketing tactic."

In the least surprising response, Bob Lutz has nothing but good stuff to say about the 230 campaign and the rating. He says the hype was made "For one simple reason: We're proud of it."

[Source: Darryl Siry, What is 230?]

Chevy Volt and 230 mpg: Negative reactions abound, but not from Bob Lutz originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Production Chevy Orlando spotted in promo vid? [w/VIDEO]

Chris Shunk — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Videos, Crossover, Chevrolet

Click above to watch video after the jump

We're not entirely certain, but it sure looks like it. General Motors recently released a YouTube vid explaining what makes a Chevrolet a Chevrolet that shows a series a of sweeping shots that catches bowtie specials like the Corvette Grand Sport and the 2010 Camaro. At around 1:05, the camera focuses on the C-Pillar of a Camaro, and as the shot pans across the coupe's greenhouse, a quick glimpse of two production-ready Chevy crossover vans is given.

The crossover on the right looks a whole lot like the Chevy Orlando concept debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show last fall, which also looks an awful lot like the vehicle captured in these spy photos below. The Orlando is set to replace the HHR in Chevy showrooms by 2011 with seating for seven and car-like fuel economy.

The crossover on the left could be even more interesting, as it appears to share styling cues with the Volt, an example of which is parked next to it. Could this be a crossover with the automaker's extended range EV Voltec hardware underhood? Is it the Chevy version of the plug-in Buick crossover we heard about last week? Again, we can't be sure with just a few seconds of video as evidence, but we're willing to wager that the Volt styling cues signifies that there is likely an electric motor and batteries somewhere under that hood.

GM likely has managers and ad execs who scour these videos before they ever see the light of day, so we should assume that the company is simply giving us a cryptic peek at what is to come. Follow the jump to view the vid for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Ted!

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Orlando - spy shots

[Source: Cheers and Gears]

Continue reading Production Chevy Orlando spotted in promo vid? [w/VIDEO]

Production Chevy Orlando spotted in promo vid? [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EPA backs away from GM claim of 230 mpg for Volt

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevy Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Apparently, we're not the only ones trying to figure out the exact methodology that was used to determine the supposed 230 mile per gallon city rating claimed by General Motors for the upcoming Chevy Volt. In response to a query from the boys at Green Car Advisor, the EPA issued the following statement:

EPA has not tested a Chevy Volt and therefore cannot confirm the fuel economy values claimed by GM. EPA does applaud GM's commitment to designing and building the car of the future - an American-made car that will save families money, significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create good-paying American jobs. We're proud to see American companies and American workers leading the world in the clean energy innovations that will shape the 21st century economy.

Although it deserves noting that GM CEO Fritz Henderson didn't exactly say the 230 mpg rating was an official figure from the EPA, it sure is being bandied about as if it were gospel in the huge marketing campaign launched ahead of today's announcement.

When contacted for comment, GM told AutoblogGreen that the EPA is not backing away from the 230 numbers and that it's unlikely that the EPA will come out with a much lower number when they actually get to run a Volt through the official cycle. Further, GM believes that coming out with the 230 rating at this point in time is one way to change people's perception of what kind of car the Volt is.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

[Source: EPA via Green Car Advisor]

EPA backs away from GM claim of 230 mpg for Volt originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuning Chevrolet's Volt, GM engineer says: "We've got the feel of a sports car"

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res gallery

We don't have to tell you how important the Chevrolet Volt is to General Motors. Even if the model isn't likely to turn a profit for many years, the plug-in electric car's success or failure is likely to be seen as a crucial indicator of GM's post-bankruptcy prospects in the eyes of many. This being the case, it's not surprising that automaker is practically throwing everything it's got at the project. According to Chief Engineer Andrew Farah, the Volt team is currently working on getting the sound and feel of the driving experience just right. Speaking to Automotive News, Farah said:

The engine, not being directly connected to the foot, is one of the things we continue to tune. We don't want it to be discomforting to people. There is an expectation of what happens when you put your accelerator to the floor in the way the car sounds and feels. We've got the feel. We've got the feel of a sports car. The sound part and the way the engine plays into that perception is one of the areas we have to work on.

Clearly, creating a plug-in car with mass-market appeal isn't as simple as bolting an electric motor and a bunch of batteries into an existing chassis. People have come to expect certain things to happen as an automobile is driven, and GM needs to find the right compromise between zero-emissions technology and time-honored driving dynamics. Further complicating the issue is the tremendous weight of the car's T-shaped battery pack. Farah explains:

Here's the thing to remember: When you put the battery in, it actually lowers the center of gravity of the car. There are a thousand reasons why heavy is bad, but a few why it is good. And so we are getting those advantages of the good heavy, and the disadvantages we are managing.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Tuning Chevrolet's Volt, GM engineer says: "We've got the feel of a sports car" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM: Volt to be sportier alternative to Prius and Insight

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Chevrolet, GM

2011 Chevy Volt - Click above for a high res image gallery

Now that the Chevrolet Volt has progressed to the point where vehicles with near-production bodywork are running around, the time has come for the crew to begin ironing out details like the ride height and spring rates that will directly influence the plug-in hybrid's handling.

Regarding these points, chief engineer Andrew Farah has some interesting things to say about the Volt and the way GM will position it against its competitors. For instance, Farah notes (in reference to the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight), "Our chassis is much more sporty than either of the other vehicles."

Farah also comments on a couple of changes to the car's exterior design that eagle-eyed parties had noticed, such as the relocation of the plug from the front fender to under a flap in the traditional location for a gas cap. Other changes, such as the headlamps and taillights, may merely be present because the Volt is still early in its development cycle and there are some pre-production bits that aren't yet necessary for testing purposes.

Spy photographers take note: Farah also says the car is set to undergo some hot-weather endurance testing out west this summer.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

[Source: Inside Line]

GM: Volt to be sportier alternative to Prius and Insight originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoline Daily provides first look at production Chevrolet Volt in black [w/VIDEO]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Chevrolet

2011 Chevrolet Volt final production design - Click above for image gallery

By now, we've all seen plenty of images of the production 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Up until this point, though, all of the shots that General Motors have let out have been of the car in a happy shade of silver. Not any more, as our friend John McElroy from Autoline Daily managed to score the world's first shots of what he says is the final production design of the Volt in stealthy black paint. The shady motif is broken up somewhat by a chrome accent that runs down each side of the car and flips back near the side-view mirrors and the large faux grille, which still bears a patterned appearance that mimics the look of a standard opening.

McElroy also got the chance to spend some time behind the wheel of GM's latest Cruze-based Volt mule, and he plans to add his initial thoughts to his Journal later today. Hit the jump to watch the video after the break.

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Volt - Final Production Design

[Source: Autoline Daily]

Continue reading Autoline Daily provides first look at production Chevrolet Volt in black [w/VIDEO]

Autoline Daily provides first look at production Chevrolet Volt in black [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM plans upgrades to Chevy Volt throughout lifecycle

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Chevrolet

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2011 Chevy Volt

One intriguing prospect of GM's upcoming Voltec technology -- the drivetrain used on the 2010 Chevrolet Volt -- is the ability to drastically alter the vehicle's dynamics through a software update. Such improvements will be implemented on the fly and they won't need to wait until further versions of the vehicle are introduced. Future implementations of the Voltec powertrain will likely appear in higher-end vehicles, as foreshadowed by the Cadillac Converj concept from this year's Detroit Auto Show.

When the time finally does come to introduce a second generation of the Chevy Volt, the biggest area of improvement may be made to the battery pack. In lieu of crafting a pack that allows for more electric-only range, GM's engineers will reportedly focus on reducing its size and cost. Since the battery is easily the most expensive single piece of the Voltec pie, this should help GM turn a profit on the second-gen. Volt.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

[Source: Reuters]

GM plans upgrades to Chevy Volt throughout lifecycle originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Chevy gets shutter happy with 2011 Volt

John Neff — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Chevrolet, GM

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2011 Chevy Volt

Look! It's a Chevy Volt in someone's driveway. While this scene isn't likely to occur in reality until some time in late 2010, General Motors apparently wants you to start dreaming about it now. We're dreaming about buying the home in the background of the image above, but for the sake of this post let's focus on the high-profile series hybrid parked in the drive. GM just released a bunch of new high-res images that show the Volt interacting with the world that exists beyond the photo studio. The extended-range electric vehicle looks like a high-tech, futuristic and, most importantly, real sedan when seen staged against the backdrop of suburbia, in front of a coastal village and hanging out under some palm trees. Check out the Volt's new glamour shots in the gallery of high-res images below and let us know if one will be in your driveway come 2011.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

Pics Aplenty: Chevy gets shutter happy with 2011 Volt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM vows to deliver Volt, bailout or no

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Chevrolet, GM

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2011 Chevy Volt

Will they or won't they build the Chevy Volt? That question has been asked repeatedly and taken on new meaning since General Motors released details of its current financial situation. Another question has popped up as a result: should they? It's no secret that GM is quickly running out of cash, and the Volt program is extremely expensive to maintain. Regardless, GM will continue pressing forward with its extended-range electric car. If engines can't be built in the United States, they'll be imported from Europe. According to top brass at the ailing automaker, under no circumstances will the Volt program be put on hold or delayed.

Of course, questions remain. What if GM doesn't get the money from the Feds that it needs to stave off bankruptcy? That's the big one, but GM believes that it can keep development of the Volt on time regardless. It seems that General Motors will do nearly anything to keep another EV1-sized disaster off its hands.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt - Live Reveal

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

GM vows to deliver Volt, bailout or no originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM delays Volt engine plant, car still on track

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet

Click above for a gallery of the 2011 Chevy Volt

General Motors has said that it won't allow ongoing financial hardships to put a damper on the Chevy Volt development program, but a recent announcement that its plant in Flint, Michigan may be delayed could have cause for some worry. The Flint plant is where the 1.4L four-cylinder engine that will be used as a range-extender in the Volt is scheduled to be built. This plant is also expected to assemble powerplants for the upcoming Chevy Cruze that will replace the aging Cobalt when it goes into production at GM's Lordstown, OH plant in April 2010 as a 2011 model.

Because the Volt and Cruze are still so far away, this plant's delay isn't likely to have any effect on either car's proposed production dates. Regardless, expect to hear plenty of doom and gloom-style news over the next few days regarding the future of The General's new fuel-saving hotness on account of this plant's delay. The reality, though, is that there won't be a Volt program to worry about if GM is unable to keep its doors.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

[Source: AP]

GM delays Volt engine plant, car still on track originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automotive X-Prize recommends EPA adopt MGEe rating

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Contests, Government/Legal, Green, Chevrolet, GM

Click above to view high-res gallery of the 2011 Chevy Volt

Now that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has an agreement with General Motors regarding how to measure the fuel mileage of the 2011 Chevy Volt, our attention turns to the EPA, which now has to decide what official mileage rating will appear on the new car's window sticker and how to determine what that number will be. The first recommendation comes from the Automotive X-Prize, the foundation of which will award $10 million from Progressive Insurance to the winner of its competition to design a production-viable car that people would want to drive that gets 100 MPGe or more.

What's with that little 'e' after the familiar miles per gallon? Basically, the X-Prize crew wants to convert all units of energy to a figure that's equivalent to the power from a gallon of gas. That way, a car's powerplant - regardless of where it gets that energy from - earns a rating that can be easily compared with everything else. So, EPA, the ball's in your court... still.

Psst - GM, maybe you should enter the Volt in the X-Prize competition. Just a thought.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt - Live Reveal

[Source: Automotive X-Prize via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading Automotive X-Prize recommends EPA adopt MGEe rating

Automotive X-Prize recommends EPA adopt MGEe rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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