2011 Chevy Volt Review : It's just one of the many good things Motor Trend magazine had to say about Chevrolet Volt when it was named "2011 Motor Trend
Car of the Year®." The annual award is one of the most prestigious honors bestowed in the auto industry and further proof that it's a new day for Chevrolet, not to mention the entire auto industry. Powered by electricity without being tethered to electrical outlets, the Volt does everything a great
car does and, according to Motor Trend, better than any other. It's further proof that today, tomorrow and on into the future, Chevy Runs Deep. Available to order at participating dealers. Quantities limited.
Volt, Chevrolet's electric vehicle that can use gas (but only if you need to). Volt will take you wherever you need to go - whether it's to the corner store or on a long-distance road trip. Check out the video to get an overview of Volt from the minds behind its creation.
2011 Chevrolet Volt EXTERIOR
By its very nature, Volt is engineered to change the face of transportation as we know it. Nearly every component of Volt has been selected to get the most out of every charge, including:
- Aerodynamics that maximize the distance per charge and miles per gallon of fuel
- A closed grille and aerodynamic back edges that contribute to its fuel efficiency
- Energy-efficient Bose® Sound System
- Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires
2011 Chevrolet Volt INTERIOR
Volt has two LCD screens that display speed, battery power, range to recharge or re-fill as well as an efficiency gauge that gives you real-time feedback. On the center console you'll find a seven-inch diagonal high-resolution screen with touch-sensitive control that helps you get the most out of your Volt.
2011 Chevrolet Volt PERFORMANCE
Power from an exceptional battery
The Volt battery has gone through numerous environment-specific tests, including corrosion and hot- and cold-weather testing and the results were so promising that the 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is backed by an 100,000-mile/8-year limited warranty.
Here are a few more notes on the battery:
Volt offers an EPA-estimated 35 miles of initial EV range offering a gas-free and tailpipe emissions-free commute for about $1.50 of electricity per day
When the battery is depleted, a small, quiet onboard gas generator creates electricity that powers your Volt as you drive for hundreds of additional miles
Lithium-ion cells outperform nickel-metal hydride cells (found in today's hybrid vehicles) in terms of life cycle
A liquid thermal cooling and heating system keeps the battery at a comfortable temperature as it's being charged and discharged
2011 Chevrolet Volt SAFETY
Making the future safer, Volt drivers and passengers will be wrapped in a cocoon of standard safety. With eight air bags ready to deploy in an emergency, it's obvious safety is of the highest priority. Joining this built-in safety is an unprecedented five-year subscription to OnStar® Directions and Connections® including Automatic Crash Response. In the event of a collision, built-in sensors can automatically alert an OnStar Advisor, who is immediately connected into your vehicle to see if you need help sent to your exact location - even if you can't respond.
2011 Chevrolet Volt TECHNOLOGY
Pick your mode, The Volt has been programmed with three unique driving modes to accommodate different driving styles. Normal mode is the most efficient setting that takes the electricity and focuses it on operating the electric drive. Sport mode sacrifices a small amount of efficiency for more responsive acceleration, and Mountain mode makes sure the battery has a bigger energy reserve for driving up long, steep inclines.
Simply put, the Volt charges up for a range of about 40 miles on battery power only; then the gasoline engine allows another 300 miles or so on top of that.
The sole fly in the ointment is the inevitably high early adopter price: $41,000. New auto technology always costs a lot when it first hits the market, and the Volt's lithium-ion battery pack all by itself likely costs half the price of a new 2011 Chevy Cruze subcompact. We've heard word that GM is planning to up production of the vehicle to 12,000 units by 2012, which means that the automaker is anticipating steeper demand connected to ever loftier fuel prices. Though the Volt seems to be serving as the missing link between our transportation right now and full electrification, the price will have to drop before we see them wheeling around every corner.
