Though not electrifying, the car's acceleration is explosive and lively thanks to the electric motor, which produces significant torque almost right off the starting blocks. Sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in under 9.0 seconds, a feat claimed by several journalists, therefore seems realistic.
A four-seater
The configuration of the chassis and battery makes the Chevrolet Volt a four-passenger sedan only. And with just 300 litres of cargo capacity, the trunk is not particularly accommodating. The Cruze's, incidentally, can swallow up to 425 litres. Fortunately for the former, the rear seatbacks fold forward to increase the available room.
Elsewhere, technophiles will love the two animated digital displays which dynamically present a host of vehicle data – not just basic parameters but also readouts that will encourage owners to drive more efficiently and save fuel. If you ask me, though, most users will drown in this information overflow and spend less time watching the road.
Will you buy one?
In the end, there's the matter of pricing. At US$ 41,000 minus federal incentives (the Canadian MSRP has yet to be announced), the 2011 Chevrolet Volt won't join the Ford Model T and Volkswagen Beetle in the People's Car Hall of Fame anytime soon. It's a fact that you can purchase two Cruzes for the same amount of money.
For sure, the low costs in electric mode have many potential customers drooling. Imagine, you could drive to work and back for just a few pennies a day. What's more, long-distance travel requires on average 5 to 6 litres of gas per 100 kilometres, at least according to Joel Ewanick, based on his cross-country adventure, and our very own Michel Deslauriers, who performed an extended road test back in October.
 |
| With the exception of two rotary dials, the centre console is buttonless, almost like a giant touch screen! (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
A four-seater
The configuration of the chassis and battery makes the Chevrolet Volt a four-passenger sedan only. And with just 300 litres of cargo capacity, the trunk is not particularly accommodating. The Cruze's, incidentally, can swallow up to 425 litres. Fortunately for the former, the rear seatbacks fold forward to increase the available room.
Elsewhere, technophiles will love the two animated digital displays which dynamically present a host of vehicle data – not just basic parameters but also readouts that will encourage owners to drive more efficiently and save fuel. If you ask me, though, most users will drown in this information overflow and spend less time watching the road.
Will you buy one?
In the end, there's the matter of pricing. At US$ 41,000 minus federal incentives (the Canadian MSRP has yet to be announced), the 2011 Chevrolet Volt won't join the Ford Model T and Volkswagen Beetle in the People's Car Hall of Fame anytime soon. It's a fact that you can purchase two Cruzes for the same amount of money.
For sure, the low costs in electric mode have many potential customers drooling. Imagine, you could drive to work and back for just a few pennies a day. What's more, long-distance travel requires on average 5 to 6 litres of gas per 100 kilometres, at least according to Joel Ewanick, based on his cross-country adventure, and our very own Michel Deslauriers, who performed an extended road test back in October.
 |
| The trunk isn't particularly accommodating, but the rear seatbacks fold forward to increase the available room. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |