GM unveils Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 17 September 2008
GM has released the first official pictures of the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt - a car that GM is banking on to revive its flagging fortunes.
Times to coincide with the company's 100th birthday, the release of the Volt heralds the first effort of the American manufacturer to enter the petrol-electric hybrid market currently occupied by Toyota and Honda.
The Volt goes even further, however. Whereas the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight charge their electric motors from energy captured from engine overrun and braking, the Volt can be plugged in to a mains socket and the lithium-ion batteries fully recharged in three hours on a 240v outlet or about eight hours on a 120v outlet.
When the battery is depleted while driving, the combustion engine recharges the Volt's electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery.
GM says the Volt can travel 40 miles on battery power only and will cost around 80 cents - about 45p - to fully recharge and will be able to run on a mix of petrol and E85 ethanol. The car will have the equivalent of around 150bhp, 273lb-ft and a top speed of 100mph.
GM reckons the Volt will save US owners $1,500 a year (around £750 a year) at US petrol prices. However, with UK petrol prices far higher than in the States, the savings for a UK Volt driver could be much more significant.
Other details that emerged yesterday include the Volt's infotainment display, which will consist of a liquid-crystal instrument display and touch-screen-style climate, information and entertainment controls. Bluetooth wireless connectivity for mobiles and music streaming will be standard.
GM's 100th birthday and US market
Speaking at the event CEO Rick Wagoner put brave face on GM's stricken situation. GM posted losses of $38bn in 2007 and is currently burning around $1bn every month as the credit crunch and falling domestic sales hit the Big Three US manufactures.
"A lot has changed in the last 100 years – hell, a lot has changed in the last 100 hours," said Wagoner. "But our assignment is to show that we are more than a 100-year-old company, but a company ready for the next 100 years.
"The whole word is watching who will lead the reinvention of the motor vehicle and GM is going to be that leader. The Volt is symbolic of our commitment to the future."
The Volt is due to go on sale in the US in 2010 for around $40K and GM will be lobbying hard for the US government to provide tax breaks for US buyers.
The Volt will likely come to the UK under the Vauxhall badge, as the Chevrolet brand is seen as a budget badge in the UK.
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