Volt Concept styling won't make it into production

[Buick61]

The production version of the Chevrolet Volt won't look like the popular concept by the same name, General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said during a dinner event with members of the press yesterday evening.

GM had hoped to keep the Volt's exterior true to the concept, but wind tunnel tests proved the design was anything but aerodynamic; an essential characteristic for a vehicle that focus on efficiency.

Lutz characterized the wind tunnel tests as a cruel disappointment. He joked engineers could have probably put it in the wind tunnel backwards and got less wind resistance.

Nonetheless, Lutz says GM is 100 percent behind bringing the electric Volt to market in the next few years. He said GM was first 90 percent committed to the project, but its confidence has risen to new heights.


http://www.leftlanenews.com/producti...e-concept.html

[johnstarnes]

Plus I never understood how those cool but bizarre windows could have opened and closed. Will be cool to see the sneak peeks at how it WILL look.

[Cloudydaysbehind]

I bet it turns bland and ugly and looks like a prius.

[darndot]

I figure is would end up as a Malibu variant.

[uboys]

I like this:

The concept promised a range of 640 miles with charged batteries and a full tank of gas. It also touted a range of 40 miles on batteries alone. Lutz said prototypes in early 2008 might be able to exceed that figure, running 45 miles on battery power.

I hope it continues to go up--that figure.
I had always hoped that they could significantly underestimate the range, making it 60 to 100 miles on battery alone. They need a truly shocking number to get people's attention.

[HoeyHimself]

Cant be any worse than a Jeep Wrangler...The Volt looks fine.

[chakis24]

as long as it doesnt turn into an ugly prius clone (or any type of hatch like that) its fine. it needs to be stylistically distinct, and if they can make it not look like a buble that would be great.

[minnfang]

I think it's kind of cool not knowing what the production Volt will look like. That works to rebuild some of the anticipation and provides future auto show fodder. Let's just hope it looks better than the production version of Honda's FCX "Clarity".

[GMJoe]

Probably will be a Malibu derivitive.

[T-Type]

No surprise here that the production Volt won't look exactly like the concept. Although I didn't expect that it would be because of aerodynamics. It makes perfect sense though. Good move on GM's part to make it functionally correct and forget the unique design. I would bet that a lot of the styling cues from the concept will be in the production vehicle.

BTW - I still think we will see a Camaro variant with the Volt powertrain.

[ZORA1]

When it comes to wind tunnel efficient design, gm has two vehicles to look at. The EV1 was the best coefficient of drag followed closely by the c5 corvette. I think the c6 vette might have exceeded it though. Either way a sleek nose is the way to go, not dodge style with the block nose. I swear the Charger looks like it could barely hit 100 mph from all the drag that the nose has on it.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by Cloudydaysbehind

I bet it turns bland and ugly and looks like a prius.

Why?

Has GM been introducing "bland and ugly" vehicles lately?

[emh]

I think this change is a good thing. The Volt concept didn't look like a practical daily driver at all, which is what it needs to be.

[Evo69]

I knew it wouldnt look anything like the concept but I really hope they dont make it look boring or bland.

[minnfang]

Originally Posted by GMJoe

Probably will be a Malibu derivitive.

Isn't Volt being built on Delta II? Probably more like a Cobalt or Astra derivitive (or even HHR - ha ha). I'm guessing it will be more original though.