Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to HSD.

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

Ye of amazing hidden sources of information, post some numbers

I know that many so-called car enthusiasts do not "enjoy" the Prius ride, but do like the Volt ride. I have always guessed that GM spent a fair bit of 400 pounds extra on the car to make it appeal to its demographic and to car enthusiast magazines. I'd be curious to hear a comparison break-down of the Volt and Prius suspensions.

That aside, GM cars always strike me as expensive compared to similar competition, at least by msrp.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

Do you actually, truly believe MT or any other publication would purposely turn down advertising from a major company/client?

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

My error! I flipped quickly thru MT and my brain saw the "proof" it expected. Mea culpa. I'll be more careful in future posts.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

Is this the article from the December, 2010 issue:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1010_2011_chevrolet_volt_test/index.html

A nice read and a couple of charts. More practical than the old Honda Insight, it will join the top three:

• MPG ($/mile) - Volt
• MPG ($$/mile) - Honda Insight, size limited
• MPG ($$/mile) - Prius, most volume per MPG

The Volt is a new replacement for the 'original', two seat, Honda Insight. Larger and potentially higher MPG, it is pricy yet more practical than the original Insight . . . and 14 years late. It is the GM version of the NHW10, the first Prius.

In 2005, I had options:

• 2005 model Prius - waiting lists, dealer markups, and limited availability
• 2005 model Honda Civic hybrid - too small and rear seat frozen upright
• 2005 Honda Insight - two seat? Not in the inventory?
• 2003 model Prius, used - compact sedan still in the driveway

Looking at the Volt, it might fit in the 2005 list but somewhere between the Honda Civic and Insight. Nice effort but no cigar.

Bob Wilson

ps. One caution, the Volt traction battery is co-located with the passengers which I understand why but have a 'bad feeling' about. Hopefully, I'm wrong but only time will tell.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

I read elsewhere on PC that the EPA figures for the $19K Cruze have been released, and it's highway number is 42 mpg. Very interesting .... the Volt cost twice as much as the Cruze but achieves lower efficiency in gas mode .... and produces a heck of a lot more pollution.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

If GM were really serious about hybrids, they would market one that was price competitive with the Prius. 'Nuf said.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

As john noted the math that MT used was specious at best. To give the writer the benefit of the doubt in that he didn't intend to intentionally mislead the readership....maybe math was a 'problem' in school.

It is clear that the Volt gets in the 'high' 30's in CS mode. This was confirmed by the Chief Engineer for the Volt in his own personal commute in his own personal Volt. There is another thread that I started on this subject.

It's also clear that the Volt will get somewhere in the 30-40 mile range gas-free depending on the outside conditions and the driver. It's also clear that in CS mode the Volt will not be as efficient as the Prius, Gen 2 or Gen 3, in either emissions or fuel usage. In a way the Volt can be considered a one-trick pony. It's very good in what it does best but it's 2nd best in several other respects.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

If an ICE car can travel 800 mlles between fill-ups -- besting the Prius -- is it an achievement ? I say it depends on the tank size.

The Volt's CD range requires 10.4 kwh, or about 300 wh/mile. That is easily 20% more energy/mile than a plug-in Prius, so IMO the Volt fails every metric I care about.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

Deleted - Sorry.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

It's actually the same placement configuration as the EV1. As for a bad feeling, it's no worse than having the gas tank under the driver seat, like in the Fit.

That Cruze is great. As long as you can drive a stick.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

The powertrain has advantages from its clutches but also problems. Inferior is a hard thing to conclude given its much higher cost in what are essentially vehicles intended to be inexpensive, something the Prius has finally accomplished and which the Volt is $15-20k shy of.

I really wonder what MT will say about the Leaf.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

On March 12, 2012 I was able to lease a new, non-demo 2012 Volt from Serra Chevrolet in Michigan. With only $1564 down and no security deposit I was able to get a 2012 Volt for $280/month for 37 months and 30,000 miles.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

Odd place to post this.. but congrats. Good price!

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

Odd place? Not really. He's trying to say the Volt is better, because his price is lower than MSRP in essence. Whether the Volt is superior to HSD or not superior to HSD turns in HUGE part on whether it's affordable ... and that makes this fella's price relevant to the zombie thread. What's odd is that this zombie thread got resurrected.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

Too good, in fact; it's not representative of what most people will pay or even close. I've perused the lease rates people paid in the chevy volt forum before...

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

I have a Volt lease and its better than mine .

But I have seen some of these deep discounted units out there.

My lease is the advertised $350 a month, but I get 12,000 miles a year not 10.

Good on ya for finding a good deal.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

Not sure who is risking taking a loss on the Volt leases in Michigan. Could be a shared sacrifice. Who knows what the 2015 residual value will be if GM decides to discontinue the Volt before Gen 2. GM has sunk plenty of money in Gen 1 and it would take another large investment to redesign the Volt to make it a more practical 5 seater.

Several local dealers have the same deal. Me thinks it's because GM is "committed" to starting up production again next month and needs to clear some inventory before starting the Hamtramck line up again.
It's a great deal if you don't need to drive more the 10K miles per year.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

I was watching a show on the Velocity network last night celebrating 100 years of Chevrolet. When they got to the Volt there was some high up GM guy (I forgot his name) who said that a friend (co-worker?) of his claimed that he had put 8,000 miles on his Volt and had used less than 3 gallons of gas. Sounded like typical PR BS, unless the guy only drove to the limit of the EV range all of the time, then re-charged.

 

Re: Motor Trend: Okay, so Volt is not an EV. It's a Hybrid. But we think it's a superior hybrid to H

The original prius design goals were a 4 seater. I'm sure that was the volts design goal also. People harp on 4 seats but that's what all the market research says.

The other thing it says is price, dealers, and information are key things that need to be improved on the volt. I'm sure these leases are factory incentives. I would be gm has a number of 2012 volts they want to sell, and will try different incentives to get to that number, but they ain't saying what that number is.

Toyota did a major redesign on its gen II, and that's when sales started to climb. We don't know if gen II will be minor or major, but gm looks committed to the car.

Yep.