Here at Spy headquarters, we have been keeping an eye on the happenings with what may be the 2011 debut of the year. And it should be, considering we all paid for it. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is finally getting first drives by the press and some are speaking up about their experiences.
However, there seems to be an interesting divide. Those who are impressed, those who are less than impressed and those are are just going to tell it like it is. You can consider us part of the latter.
Merely weeks ago, we were one of the few to be disappointed that General Motors' decided to back down from its claim of 40 miles on an electric charge. Now with the first reports streaming in, it seems pretty clear that this may not be the savior that Detroit was hoping for. With Popular Mechanics doing some testing, the results were not too mindblowing.
Not to mention, The Truth About Cars writes about Popular Mechanics' electric charge findings, "The results are spectacularly unimpressive: Three different drivers drove the Volt on three successive days, starting with a full charge. The EV ranges were 31, 35 and 33 miles, for an average of 33 miles. Normal driving styles were employed. That’s well below GM’s endlessly proclaimed 40+ mile range, but not exactly terrible."
Where YOU may be intrigued is when it comes to a writer from the Detroit Free Press who gives the Volt what 00R would consider "slam dunk status."
Carefully read all three stories and let us know what you think: Is the 2011 Chevrolet Volt off to a good start OR should Detroit prepare for the worst?
[Popular Mechanics] PM was able to measure fuel economy in the CS (charge sustaining mode) after the battery was fully depleted. In the city, the average was 31.67 mpg. On the highway, 38.15 mpg. That averages to about 35 mpg! And on premium fuel, which GM deemed necessary to try to optimize the efficiency of the gas engine. Adjusting for the higher cost of premium, that works out to an equivalent of 32 mpg on regular fuel. The Prius gets 50 mpg on regular, and many tests of the new Hyundai Sonata are coming in at 35 mpg on the highway. The new Cruze is to get 40 mpg. What happened to GM’s claims of 50 mpg for the Volt?
So what about the combined mileage, factoring in the EV range? PM’s number are 37.5 mpg city and 38.15 mpg highway...
[Source: The Truth About Cars]
After our three days with the Volt, we're certain of a few things: One, the car is a well-engineered piece that integrates the various powertrain components with a refinement we didn't expect. Except for some of the materials, the interior cocoon fits a $41,000 car, which in practice drops to $33,500 after the $7500 federal EV subsidy. As for the rather unremarkable fuel economy, it's useful to remember that the Volt carries two powertrains—electric and gas—and thus suffers a weight penalty that effects overall efficiency. But of course, those two powertrains are why the Volt can be a primary vehicle that doesn't ask the owner to compromise driving cycles like a pure EV. Consider the Volt a well-engineered first step on the path to electrified vehicles.
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
Its batteries' 40-mile range is expected to cover the daily driving of 60% of American motorists. An onboard generator — yes, it's gas-powered — produces electricity for longer drives, eliminating the range anxiety that limited the appeal of electric cars from the 1907 Detroit Electric to the General Motors EV-1 and Toyota RAV4-EV in the 1990s.
Based on my recent test drive, the Volt is up to the job. It's fun to drive, practical, good looking and in a league of its own technically. The sleek compact accelerates briskly. Its handling is responsive and sporty. The interior provides plenty of space and comfort for four adults...
[Source: USAToday VIA Freep]
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