Chevy’s hybrid offers a glimpse at the new age of autos
By Ed Nadolski
Editor in Chief
While it only goes about 30 miles on pure electric power, the Chevy Volt has more than enough staying power to transport its drivers far into the future at speeds up to 100 mph.
At least that’s the lingering impression after test-driving General Motors’ one-of-a-kind gasoline/electric hybrid:
Simply push the glowing blue button on the tech-heavy dashboard, apply a bit of pressure to the accelerator and off you go – smoothly, quietly and powerfully…with none of the usual engine whine, transmission vibration or gearbox shifting.
It’s a futuristic rush unlike any other car driving experience.
The Standard Press got a chance to take that spin thanks to an invitation from Lynch GM Superstore of Burlington, which has been able to offer its customers a demonstrator 2012 Volt for a little more than a month now.
For the uninitiated, the Volt is not a pure electric car (even though its name may imply it). It also isn’t a traditional hybrid vehicle along the lines of the Toyota Prius. It’s essentially a plug-in hybrid, meaning it has the ability to run much faster and farther under just electric power than a normal hybrid, according to the auto rating firm Edmunds.
The Volt can go anywhere from 25 to 50 miles without tapping the gas tank. That sets it apart from most hybrids.
What sets it apart from all-electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf is the fact that it has a four-cylinder gas engine that extends its driving range to 300 miles.
And while there will certainly be technological improvements in future models of the Volt, it already distinguishes itself from the competition because of its useful mix of next-generation economy and practical driving range.
If by chance you’re lucky enough to have a daily commute of 30 miles or less, the Volt has the ability to handle the task without using a drop of gasoline. Just plug it in to a regular outlet at night (at a cost of about $1.50 per charge, according to Car and Driver) and you’re good to go in the morning.
However, if you’re like most people, that 30-mile roundtrip stretches to 50 miles after a stop at the grocery store and a detour to school to pick up the kids after practice. That’s where the Volt’s versatility shines.
Once the car’s battery pack is depleted, the internal combustion “generator” engine kicks in to provide power to the electric motors that turn the wheels.
In a test conducted by Edmunds, a Volt running on engine power averaged 31.4 mpg in mixed driving. That’s not bad for regular gas vehicles, but significantly less than the mid-40s achieved by many standard hybrids.
However, factor in that the first 30 miles of each day’s driving is done on battery power and the need for gasoline is eliminated or significantly reduced depending on the car’s daily mileage and the ability to recharge between trips.
John Fischer, sales manager at Lynch, said the demo model is averaging 117 mpg in a combination of battery and gas power.
“We’ve been putting anybody and everyone in it to get the word out,” he said of the test vehicle.
The dealership has already sold two factory-ordered models based on those test drives. Fischer said interest in the Volt is running high both from those considering buying it and others who are simply curious to try out the new technology.
Toward that end, the Volt doesn’t disappoint.
The centerpiece of the car’s dashboard is a seven-inch LCD touchscreen that offers most of the vehicle’s controls as well as navigation and system monitoring. The center screen above the array of touch-sensitive controls on the dash keeps track of electrically and gas-driven miles separately, displays fuel economy and rates the efficiency of your driving.
The car’s performance is also very un-hybrid-like. According to Car and Driver, the Volt does 0 to 60 in 9.2 seconds, which is nearly a full second better than a Prius or Leaf. Perhaps most impressive, however, is the smooth, consistent and stable feel of the direct-drive acceleration.
While the car is a technological marvel to be sure, it has some drawbacks. The front window pillars obstruct sight lines and the battery array down the center of the car means there are bucket seats in the back as well as the front – limiting seating to just four people.
Regardless, Fischer said feedback has been largely positive. The greatest concern is over the price of the car, he said.
Chevy’s suggested retail price for the base model is $39,145. A federal tax credit effectively lowers that by $7,500, but even at roughly $32,000 many consider the car too pricey for a debut model.
Fischer said he’s been able to counter that by offering a $399 per month lease deal.
“You don’t know what they’re going to have in three or four years in terms of new technology,” Fischer said. “The lease helps alleviate those concerns.”
Whether or not the Volt has what it takes to appeal to the masses remains to be seen. However, the car undoubtedly represents a serious foray into the brave new world of automobile manufacturing.
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