automotivetrend... Brandon Dye takes the 2011 Chevrolet Volt out for a spin. He also gives a little tutorial on how to charge up your plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
Great video. All 100% true. I especially agree with the lead-in words: "This is the most advanced vehicle certainly that we have ever had, and I put it to you that it's probably the most advanced vehicle on the road today." My Volt (VIN #541) has over 8,000 flawless and nearly gas-free miles. Yes, it is better than my prior BMW!!!
Thx 4 a great review. I'd like to know if this car has any problem during its "range extending" mode. e.g. if you need to drive this car from New York to California non-stop except for fueling and switching drivers, will you be stranded on the inclines to one of the big mountain ranges along the way? How is the overall fuel efficiency in such a trip when the plug-in advantage is removed. Do they have 10 yr / 150K mile warranty on the battery like Prius does? If not, how much to fix the battery?
That's funny. I picked up my friend from the BMW dealer. He dropped off his BMW 3 for mtc. After a few starts and stops, he asked why the car was so smooth on take offs. The answer is, there is no vibration period. All ICE motors have a little more vibration under 5000 rpm. It's just the nature of the beast. I had two beautiful caddys and this car reminds me so much of their ride ... just a little smoother.
The Volt goes 40 miles on Pure Battery Electric. That's $.02 cents a mile, 175 MPG. $1.75 to Fully Charge. The Volt is equipped with Push Button Start, Touch Screen Navigational System, Blue-Tooth Technology and Key-less entry.
I got over 150 MPG in my Volt last month without compromising my lifestyle. That's for 1250 miles of combined city and highway commuting. It's my first American car. This car is very fun to drive and in my opinion handles as well as a BMW 3 (in the same price range). The quiet ride and acceleration in Sport Mode is remarkable! Safety was a big draw for me as it has the highest safety ratings and 8 airbags. The car is very solid, the seats very comfortable. I'd prefer knobs to touch ctrls, but eh
I thought all the EV1 were leased. They were never sold, because GM lost money on each and every one of them. I wonder if other GM models have to subsidize the Volt in order to bring the overall mileage of the entire product line down to meet government mandates.
I am the Freelance designer of many vehicles including the EV1 and the Volt. The EV1 was my first all electric vehicle design hence the name EV1. Although I have never seen one in real life, the car was great challenge for me to design. My Volt design took more time and energy than many of my supercar designs. That is why I only let the best at GM work on my Volt! So people should at least go test drive this car, even if you don't want to buy it. It is an Eco supercar!
True ... it takes 70 billion kilowatt hours of ELECTRICITY to get gas to the pump. EVERYTHING takes energy to make. The differance is ... it costs about 1/4 less to drive an EV.
I'd bet the volt's acceleration will be much smoother than the BMW 3 due to its motor torque. The Prius runs with one continuous gear ratio. I assume the Volt's motor does not require gear shifting either, does it?
Just a FYI, I've noticed that the heater takes more juice than the AC. I noticed very little difference in range with the AC on, but I do experience a loss a couple of Kwh of juice running the heater in comfort mode.
True but it takes much more electrical energy to refine gas and diesel from crude than it does to charge EV's EVs use that electrical energy directly. Oil needs to be pumped from port to refinery, or well to refinery, and the refineries take a shitload of electricity to run them, and then oil is burned to run the trucks to deliver the finished product to the gas station, and then more electricity needed to pump the gas into your tank. No matter how you spin it,oil used more electricity than EVs
Did you watch the review? You obviousely have not ridden in a Volt. I have been in about 5 Prius's and I would never put down anybody's car, regardless, but this car is so much a nicer ride. People have sticker price anxiety. My total cost is now under $31,000 after the tax credit and my gas savings, charging costs factored in. Next year, my Volt will be under the $30,000 price. As Bob Lutz (developer of the Vipor) said, the Prius is a gas hog compared to the Volt.
Sounds like a lot of problems down the road. GM can't even get a normal car right. I would love to chat with the owner after five years of ownership. GM has some great designs right now, but what is under the cars are still shit over time of ownership. I'm going to pray for first year owners. God be with you guys.
So you think there is a shred of truth to a $42,000 car (starting price) having a $40,000 battery? If that is an accurate gauge of your comment, then yes it is complete BS.
You keep getting down on the Prius. But you never mention that the Volt cost almost $8000 more than the Prius. Throw another $8K in the Prius, and you will have a different car.
Great video. All 100% true. I especially agree with the lead-in words: "This is the most advanced vehicle certainly that we have ever had, and I put it to you that it's probably the most advanced vehicle on the road today." My Volt (VIN #541) has over 8,000 flawless and nearly gas-free miles. Yes, it is better than my prior BMW!!!
Thx 4 a great review. I'd like to know if this car has any problem during its "range extending" mode. e.g. if you need to drive this car from New York to California non-stop except for fueling and switching drivers, will you be stranded on the inclines to one of the big mountain ranges along the way? How is the overall fuel efficiency in such a trip when the plug-in advantage is removed. Do they have 10 yr / 150K mile warranty on the battery like Prius does? If not, how much to fix the battery?
That's funny. I picked up my friend from the BMW dealer. He dropped off his BMW 3 for mtc. After a few starts and stops, he asked why the car was so smooth on take offs. The answer is, there is no vibration period. All ICE motors have a little more vibration under 5000 rpm. It's just the nature of the beast. I had two beautiful caddys and this car reminds me so much of their ride ... just a little smoother.
The Volt goes 40 miles on Pure Battery Electric. That's $.02 cents a mile, 175 MPG. $1.75 to Fully Charge. The Volt is equipped with Push Button Start, Touch Screen Navigational System, Blue-Tooth Technology and Key-less entry.
I got over 150 MPG in my Volt last month without compromising my lifestyle. That's for 1250 miles of combined city and highway commuting. It's my first American car. This car is very fun to drive and in my opinion handles as well as a BMW 3 (in the same price range). The quiet ride and acceleration in Sport Mode is remarkable! Safety was a big draw for me as it has the highest safety ratings and 8 airbags. The car is very solid, the seats very comfortable. I'd prefer knobs to touch ctrls, but eh
I thought all the EV1 were leased. They were never sold, because GM lost money on each and every one of them. I wonder if other GM models have to subsidize the Volt in order to bring the overall mileage of the entire product line down to meet government mandates.
I am the Freelance designer of many vehicles including the EV1 and the Volt. The EV1 was my first all electric vehicle design hence the name EV1. Although I have never seen one in real life, the car was great challenge for me to design. My Volt design took more time and energy than many of my supercar designs. That is why I only let the best at GM work on my Volt! So people should at least go test drive this car, even if you don't want to buy it. It is an Eco supercar!
True ... it takes 70 billion kilowatt hours of ELECTRICITY to get gas to the pump. EVERYTHING takes energy to make. The differance is ... it costs about 1/4 less to drive an EV.
I'd bet the volt's acceleration will be much smoother than the BMW 3 due to its motor torque. The Prius runs with one continuous gear ratio. I assume the Volt's motor does not require gear shifting either, does it?
Just a FYI, I've noticed that the heater takes more juice than the AC. I noticed very little difference in range with the AC on, but I do experience a loss a couple of Kwh of juice running the heater in comfort mode.
True but it takes much more electrical energy to refine gas and diesel from crude than it does to charge EV's EVs use that electrical energy directly. Oil needs to be pumped from port to refinery, or well to refinery, and the refineries take a shitload of electricity to run them, and then oil is burned to run the trucks to deliver the finished product to the gas station, and then more electricity needed to pump the gas into your tank.
No matter how you spin it,oil used more electricity than EVs
ps ... best review on the Volt I've seen yet! Good job!
Did you watch the review? You obviousely have not ridden in a Volt. I have been in about 5 Prius's and I would never put down anybody's car, regardless, but this car is so much a nicer ride. People have sticker price anxiety. My total cost is now under $31,000 after the tax credit and my gas savings, charging costs factored in. Next year, my Volt will be under the $30,000 price. As Bob Lutz (developer of the Vipor) said, the Prius is a gas hog compared to the Volt.
This guy seems to know his stuff about a great car, but I would be able to hear his words better if his ring wasn't so loud.
Sounds like a lot of problems down the road. GM can't even get a normal car right. I would love to chat with the owner after five years of ownership. GM has some great designs right now, but what is under the cars are still shit over time of ownership. I'm going to pray for first year owners. God be with you guys.
So you think there is a shred of truth to a $42,000 car (starting price) having a $40,000 battery? If that is an accurate gauge of your comment, then yes it is complete BS.
Dude. batteries operate better in hot weather
Advanced Touch Screen Navigation System. Blue-Tooth Technology. Push Button Start. GM Voltec Drive Train.
i rarely use the ac and i never use the heater + weather doesnt effect me so im good
I dont trust GM to build something like this. T minus recall plus massive consumer complaints
wronger!
You keep getting down on the Prius. But you never mention that the Volt cost almost $8000 more than the Prius. Throw another $8K in the Prius, and you will have a different car.
Batteries might, but people don't, and A/C sucks power like a Hoover!