The Chevy Volt made an appearance at the New England Auto Show and I was there to experience the new icon firsthand.
The test drive was very limited but I did get to take it for a quick spin and get some impressions on the Volt. My first thing to say is that this car is dead quiet.
I jumped into the car and was instructed on how to start up the car by a GM product specialist and then proceeded to ask : "Is this car on? " Yep it was and the Volt is one quiet car.
Fit and finish on the Volt on the exterior and interior are superior. If this was made by Chevy 5 years and on the market place people would think it was a spaceship. The materials on the interior are solid and being inside the Volt is a great place to be and you won't want to leave.
[Photo credit Chevy]
Back to the exterior:
The car itself blows away the Prius in the looks department. The Volt is exciting to look at and you find yourself looking at the Volt and all of the exterior details. It is sporty yet also modern and those are welcoming characteristics. My photos don't really do the car justice but you can check out Chevy's shots at their website.
Now what about all that technology?
The Volt has got lots of it and the one you were first ask about is the engine. Chevy is calling the Volt the future of automobiles and this is because of it's combination of a 1.4 liter internal combustion engine rated at 80 horsepower and a electric drive unit rated at 150 horsepower. The Volt can drive up to 35 miles gas free meaning those with a short drive to work have a car that won't need refueling. Combining the engine together the Volt can go up to 375 miles on battery and gas power.
Other features for the Volt include (but not all):
Regenerative braking system
Stabilitrack with traction control
3 Aux power outlets
7 inch LCD display
Bluetooth
XM Navtraffic
USB Port
Bose premium speaker system
Remote start
I reserve further judgement on the Volt until a complete test drive. The Volt seems to be quite the package when you figure in the government tax credit of $7500. The final price rings in at $32780 after that.
[Editors note: All other photos credits go to the site]
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