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You’ll have to wait until Detroit to see the Full Monty.
So far, we know that the Volt will have a larger 1.5L engine and an electric drive unit weighing 100 lbs less than the current one. No word on range figures or whether the price will come down.
45 Comments on “Los Angeles 2014: Next Chevrolet Volt Partially Revealed...”
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Who slapped a bowtie on the first generation Acura TSX? That was my first thought when I saw this.
It made me think Corolla with fake plastic grille addition.
I like that they kept the “Volt” grill. Coming at you, I think the current Volt looks great.
Looks like Andrew Farrah standing next to it.
I find that ironic since the latest Camaro face-lift made me think of Corollas.
Looks more like the second generation than the first.
I was going to say it’s more Acura CSX than TSX
That fake grille business would probably be better in black.
“You’ll have to wait until Detroit to see the Full Monty.”
Not a problem.
So the “next generation” Volt is all about drive train improvements? I was expecting a larger sedan platform that would be shared with Cadillac, or at least Buick, with a longer wheelbase and more rear leg room. The platform is now a smaller compact hatchback, while the ELR coupe is 9 inches longer with less than an inch longer wheelbase.
Like the current Volt, the 2nd Gen will also use the same platform as the Cruze. I would have liked to have seen a unique platform for the Volt but cost was most likely the issue. At least this time around the platform was designed with the Volt in mind versus taking an existing platform and making it work(Gen 1).
Spy photos have suggested seating for 3 in back. The battery layout will be the same but I suspect they may have managed to lower it in the car and run the 3rd back seat over the top of it. But that is just a guess on my part. Regardless the Gen 2 will be larger and roomier than the current model.
Who knows maybe GM will actually try to sell this one. But I won’t hold my breath on that. Right now I’d say the biggest thing going against the new Volt is cheap gas.
A Volt would be the perfect car for me. I drive just 14 miles round trip to work and back, but I have to drive about 100 miles one way on the weekend X2 – this would exceed the range of a Leaf, Soul, 500, or other pure electric EVs, and a Model S doesn’t make economic sense.
But the Volt’s backseat is a borderline torture chamber and there is minimal cargo capacity.
Build a Volt as a CUV or with a more Prius V profile, color me interested — in a two year old used one where someone else takes the 60% depreciation hit.
Seems like a no brainer to stick the voltec in a CUV chassis.
I agree with you, and have wondered why GM didn’t do a voltec CUV. I came to the conclusion that with the current state of technology, GM can’t make any money on a voltec powered CUV. Sure they would sell alot of them, but they would make more money selling them with a normal ICE.
>> but I have to drive about 100 miles one way on the weekend X2 – this would exceed the range of a Leaf,
I have a 20 to 35 mile round trip commute with an occasional 100 mile round trip. I’m having no problem with a Leaf on any of those trips.
However, on the 100 mile round trip, much of it is at 25 to 35 mph in heavy traffic and at those speeds the Leaf can exceed 100 miles of range. I also have the option of 3 or 4 different SuperCharger/QuickChargers along the route and charging at the destination. It works for me, but I can see where it isn’t for everyone.
Am I trying to save the planet – no, not really. I like the quiet and the torque. That’s the biggest factor. Also, with several ICEs back at home, I have less maintenance to deal with – one less oil change etc.
No – not 100 miles RT – one way. Leaf is DoA as is any other semi-reasonably priced pure electric.
At 3mi/kWh, the 50mpg equivalent cost of gas for the Volt is about $1.80/gal. That’s pretty “cheap”.
I reckon the next Volt will be pretty nice, but I would much prefer an Equinox or Traverse with Voltec drivetrain.
Of course, electricity varies a lot regionally. That same ~17kWh would cost you $2.87 in Boston, about on par with the current price of gasoline. Doubtful that price will last, but still, it makes for a long payback period.
The volt is a great, economical commuter car after rebates and if you have a charger at home. My opinion is that gm made a huge mistake with the elr. They should have gone for a full sized luxury voltec sedan with 60 to 80 miles plug in range, something to compete with Tesla for those who can’t live with electric only.
A more sonible line extension would be a Voltec CUV.
Let the 5 rich old guys who wanted to pay Tesla money for a 2-door volt get theirs from a custom hotrod shop. Cadillac could have even licensed the logo for an official conversion.
I’ve seen maybe three of the original volts. not exactly a design everyone was growing tired of
Come to Puget Sound – see them EVERYWHERE.
Along with the Leaf, and the Model S, and the Prius C, and any other, “look at me, I work at a tech company and I’m saving the planet,” statement vehicle you can think of.
I’d love to spend a day there with a brotruck and roll some coal just for giggles and grins
I know, I’m bad ;-)
Volts are all over the Northern Virginia suburbs. I see at least one a day..
I’m seeing more and more around Chicago’s Northshore.
I think there are some great off lease deals to be had these days.
Around here, 50% to 55% depreciation from sticker in two years. Two year old low mile off lease CPO sell for $19K to $23K here.
Pretty nice car for that money, plus most of the factory warranty remaining.
Yup, I picked up a loaded 2011 Volt with 17k miles on it about a month ago for $19k. Buying it used was the only way it made economic sense to me.
@crazycarlarry, love your pics from my neck of the woods, thumbs-up!
“You’ll have to wait until Detroit to see the Full Monty.”
Hey now! It’s not a name to be bandied about as if it’s a book or movie title, oh wait a…
Nevermind.
I’m not sure we want to see your “Full Monty”, um, Monty
I regret clicking on this. Where are the Kardashian pictures? Much more interesting.
Check the piece on the new Maybach, you’ll find some references there
So the producer of the Acura beaks for the ILX found a new buyer in GM and the Volt?
I hope they keep the utility of the hatch and the price point while cleaning up the dash and interior trim.
Totally agree, though it would be nice to be able to set a stop on that hatch. The thing opens really high and I’m constantly having to watch out when I open it. It gets old having to empty the trunk outside the garage, then driving the car in.
They’d better lower that price. They’re having a hard time shifting them at $35K – $7500 in tax credits. I don’t think volume will increase much if all we get are incremental improvements to the car.
Volts here go for 31k plus credits of 10k. A screaming bargain!
Resources would be better spent on building a class leading mid size car.
Please, oh please, let there be a new Volt Dance.
Thinking the same thing. How can you have the Chevy Volt in Los Angeles and not have the dance? Or maybe they guy on the left who looks like he just got out of bed will dance for us.
Really looking forward to this. Hoping for a decent size rear seat/cargo area and a way less chintzy center console.
A major issue with the current Volt is the slow 3.3kW on-board charger. They need to go with 6.6 kW or better.
Mine has served me well so far: 17K miles total, 14,600 mi on electricity and an equivalent of 258.4 mpg (0.91 l/100km)
One recall for an issue I did not experience, done in less than an hour to my surprise.
Most of my driving is single occupancy and when the whole family decides to go out it is not an issue as we are only 3 + a small dog.
The heater is an area that needs to be revised and vastly improved.
I haven’t had a problem with the heat, though I remote start any time it’s exceedingly hot or cold out. A heat pump with auxiliary strip would be better though, for power saving.
Like the previous Volt the design just confuses me, why have a big grille up front if you’re just going to block off 80% of the opening?
Heck the Citroen DS has a pretty small grille and despite being an old design it managed looks pretty futuristic, even more so than the new Subaru Leg…Chevy Volt.
Just test drove a 2015. I like. A lot. Sportier and way nicer riding than the Prius and solid, solid solid. I couldn’t believe how smooth it was, it cruised like a luxury car on the freeway.
I’m intrigued with what they will to with the 2016. I think if they shaved another second or two off of 0-60, increased the battery only range even 20 miles and continued bringing the price down, I would seriously consider. Also, maybe round out the the squared off gauges and center console pods to flow with the swoops that run along the doors and onto the dash, to tweak the pretty decent interior.
I’m ready for electric as long as it has some performance. Much as I’ve loved the rumble of the muscle cars I’ve owned, I’ve been driving BMW sixes for years also and appreciate smoothness and efficiency.
Its interesting to hear the passion on both sides of the argument, owners seem to love their electric cars, dyed in the wool internal combustion fans aren’t getting it yet. But people are talking, which is a good thing. Its the future, its kind of exciting.