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Marty Padgett
Earlier this week, we showed you the first photos of the 2011 Volt and unleashed a whirlwind of coverage that--to our surprise--has led to a lot of speculation on the Volt's appearance. It's turned into a mini-consumer clinic on the new gas-electric hybrid, which GM says it will launch for sale with a 40-mile electric driving range that can be extended when its small gasoline engine is running.
The Detroit News' Manny Lopez connects with the issue: "It shouldn't come as a surprise that the production Volt isn't charged with the stylish sex appeal that many had hoped. But it shouldn't be devoid of it either. Unfortunately, it is. The Volt looks like a GM Prius, which followed the rollout last week of the Honda Prius, all paying design homage to the real deal, the Toyota Prius."
Whether the photo release was intentional or not, here's your chance to take a look at the concept version and decide for yourself if the Volt has met, exceeded, or fallen short of your expectations.
Here's a sample of the comments on its styling so far:
"WOW!! What was the point of showing the concept car to the public? To prove they’re just like the rest of Detroit and that they’ll never make a good looking, well styled, green car? They went from something up there with Tesla in terms of coolness and style, then re-designed the concept to be about the same as a Prius…"--Thom
"The styling changes are not only making the Volt more slippery and energy efficient, but also giving it more polish, sophistication, and presence than the Prius by a long shot. What’s most important, though, is what’s under the hood — world-class technology that you’re not going to find under the hood of a Toyota or Honda for years. The production Volt is going to be a home run. Go GM!"--Jay
"Well, it is not horrible. But, seriously, why can GM not make a car that makes me want to buy it! If GM is going to expect people to throw down even $30K for a car, they are going to have to come up with something beyond average. If not, I will just buy something else and pay $6 a gallon. I am not mad, just a little disappointed."--Ben Simon
"FOUL! We’ve been robbed! That looks like all the other econoboxes on the road. The technology in that ugly duckling had better be decades ahead of it’s time. Another car maker is gunna’ one-up you in curb appeal, just watch."--Rik
"To all of you negative responders out there GM got it right. The styling of an Acura and the smooth lines of a Civic. Now if they can get the fit, quality and finish correct it will be a winner. I see this car appealing to many markets. The ooops release photos (really now - oops) could have been with the the vehicle it a better color - looks like a ‘66 Bonneville. I’ll sign-up today for one!!"--Roger M.
2011 Chevrolet VoltEnlarge Photo The 2011 Chevrolet Volt doesn't look as much like the concept version, and that has potential customers complaining. Earlier this week, we showed you the first photos of the 2011 Volt and unleashed a whirlwind of coverage that--to our surprise--has led to a lot of speculation on the Volt's appearance. It's turned into a mini-consumer clinic on the new gas-electric hybrid, which GM says it will launch for sale with a 40-mile electric driving range that can be extended when its small gasoline engine is running. The Detroit News' Manny Lopez connects with the issue: "It shouldn't come as a surprise that the production Volt isn't charged with the stylish sex appeal that many had hoped. But it shouldn't be devoid of it either. Unfortunately, it is. The Volt looks like a GM Prius, which followed the rollout last week of the Honda Prius, all paying design homage to the real deal, the Toyota Prius." Whether the photo release was intentional or not, here's your chance to take a look at the concept version and decide for yourself if the Volt has met, exceeded, or fallen short of your expectations. Here's a sample of the comments on its styling so far: "WOW!! What was the point of showing the concept car to the public? To prove they’re just like the rest of Detroit and that they’ll never make a good looking, well styled, green car? They went from something up there with Tesla in terms of coolness and style, then re-designed the concept to be about the same as a Prius…"--Thom "The styling changes are not only making the Volt more slippery and energy efficient, but also giving it more polish, sophistication, and presence than the Prius by a long shot. What’s most important, though, is what’s under the hood — world-class technology that you’re not going to find under the hood of a Toyota or Honda for years. The production Volt is going to be a home run. Go GM!"--Jay "Well, it is not horrible. But, seriously, why can GM not make a car that makes me want to buy it! If GM is going to expect people to throw down even $30K for a car, they are going to have to come up with something beyond average. If not, I will just buy something else and pay $6 a gallon. I am not mad, just a little disappointed."--Ben Simon "FOUL! We’ve been robbed! That looks like all the other econoboxes on the road. The technology in that ugly duckling had better be decades ahead of it’s time. Another car maker is gunna’ one-up you in curb appeal, just watch."--Rik "To all of you negative responders out there GM got it right. The styling of an Acura and the smooth lines of a Civic. Now if they can get the fit, quality and finish correct it will be a winner. I see this car appealing to many markets. The ooops release photos (really now - oops) could have been with the the vehicle it a better color - looks like a ‘66 Bonneville. I’ll sign-up today for one!!"--Roger M. 2007 Chevrolet Volt ConceptEnlarge Photo
Responses (16 total)
By Ben #11, Posted: 9/13/2008
What a dissapointment! I was holding off on a new purchase or lease and waiting for the Volt. No longer.
I was ready to spend $30 - $40 K for a car with substance and style.
But why do that when you can purchase the new Honda Insight or the new Prius for around $20K.
GM's product development is still a bloated bureaucracy led by an idiot who thinks he's cool because he flies a fighter jet.
The company has systematically failed since the last oil "crisis," and left a trail of wreckage of closed plants, plummeting share value, laid off workers and crappy cars and trucks.
Wow, you're PR department got great coverage of your "transformation," in the Atlantic.
Too bad it was simply PR BS.
Your lunch and that of your shareholders and workforce is about to the eaten once again by Japanese brands.
By Rico #12, Posted: 9/14/2008
c'mon chevy you can do better than the ugly,look like everything else car,your showing. The concept was something to be proud of this translation of that concept(to put it mildly)blows!!
By Anon #13, Posted: 9/16/2008
It reminds me of a Ford Tempo that we had decades ago... It seems that most American car designers don't get it... Japanese cars look much better.
No matter how good the internal specs are but if the external presentation looks undesirable, not many people will like it. Just like passing up an ugly looking/coffee stained/crumpled resume from the best employee you could have hired. Or ignoring a software application because it has too many buttons, yet it would have been the best application to aid you at work.
By jimmy james #14, Posted: 9/17/2008
"Concept car...? What concept car? We never made a concept car of the Volt. If we did, we certainly would have styled it after the concept car if people were receptive to it." <- What GM is saying with this ugly production Volt..
By gregoryshin #15, Posted: 9/18/2008
Boy, have I got to eat crow. I have been claiming to everyone how sharp and hot this new Volt is going to be and that my next car was going to be the Volt and that everyone should wait in their next purchase and check out the Volt. Then this happens! Now I'm having to apologize to everyone that I was telling to wait on the Volt and now I look like a heel and am embarrassed that I had so much trust in GM. I should have known better. Thanks GM.
By card #16, Posted: 10/13/2008
Let's assume we are all somewhat reasonably intelligent people and make intelligent use of our money. Prius offers a proven hybrid which gets 50 mpg for around $25K. Honda has a new offering which will have similar capability for even less money. Now GM gets into the game and offers a soccer mom car for $40K.
What happened to American ingenuity. This is a flat out embarassment for the American car industry.
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