Volt Concept styling won't make it into production

[K-1]

Originally Posted by GMJoe

Probably will be a Malibu derivitive.

Isn't E-Flex going initially be Delta-based? Why would it derive from the Malibu then?

[macphisto]

It's going to look a lot like the next Cobalt. See the WTCC Ultra concept to get an idea of its cues.

They'd like to get E-Flex in different sized vehicles. The CTS may get one down the line.

[stevecmh]

i cant wait to see this car on the road.. no matter what it will look like

[big swede]

How do you predict battery range of an electric vehicle without knowing how aerodynamic it is up front.

[vsd]

Since function will be winning over form, I bet it ends up looking like a fish, much like the Prius.

[chevydlrmn]

it'll still be hot hot hot!
bet it'll be badged as a Cobalt to increase market share.

[MelvinJ]

This is isn't a surprise given how impractical the shape looked from a space efficiency standpoint. I hope the Volt's front end ends up on some Chevy though, because it's the best one I've seen in a long time. I would have liked the new Malibu to have the Volt's front end. Hell, I would have liked the old Malibu to have the Volt's front end.

[pinyon]

There was an interview with the design director about a month ago

GM Volt Design Interview

Here's one quote from the article.

He says the design goal was to make the car something people wanted to own from both an emotional and visual standpoint, beyond it’s sensibility, and not just be “a science project”. They wanted to steer clear of the “sensible shoes” or “Brussels sprouts” (good for you but you don’t really like them) look of the current hybrid crop.

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

Originally Posted by darndot

I figure is would end up as a Malibu variant.

It might carry similar lines, since the tooling is already there. But doubt it would be a variant. Tough to say.

In this one case, I think the technology is more important than the looks. Style should play a role, however. It's tough to not come up with any design that is more appealing looking than the Prius.

I just hope we see this baby make it to production, close to on time, and with appealing style, inside and out.

[01cavalier]

I'm not surprised that the styling would have to change, I jsut wish they would have made it more practical when coming up with the concept.

[camaro_freak]

Originally Posted by 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.

well you have to consider coefficient of drag. The more "bubbly" a car, the better it will move through the air giving it less wind resistence and better milage ... hence the Prius's boring blob-like shape.

I hope GM does do something worthwhile with the design of the VOLT and makes it unique but still "Chevy". It is a shame that VOLT face won't make production. The rest of the concept I didn't like so it is no big loss from the front fenders on back IMHO.

[PontiacBixler]

This isn't really encouraging words from Lutz.

I can't believe that designers didn't take one of their small clay scaled designs and throw it in a wind tunnel or water tank to see what it did before this.

Hope they tested out the Camaro... The Volt had some similar styling cues; big strong front end, shouldered fenders, brick-like body shape. But I guess aerodynamics doesn't matter when you are blasting through the air with a 6.0L V8 huh?

[footney]

Use the "Volt" design for something--small car, sports car, large car, etc. Do not just take some elements. I know all of the exterior design was not feasible, but the design was uniquely "Chevrolet."

[Chaz_23]

Then make the next Cobalt look like the Volt and the Volt like, well, whatever an aerodynamic car looks like- just not like a Previus. Don't throw away the Volt design entirely, it looks too damn good.

[T-Type]

Originally Posted by big swede

How do you predict battery range of an electric vehicle without knowing how aerodynamic it is up front.

Who says they don't know. Lutz is talking about this now, but they probably figured this out a while ago. I'm sure that as soon as Lutz decided to seriously pursue this thing they put it in a windtunnel. Concept cars don't have to be practical, they only have to look good. No need to waste money by throwing a concept into a windtunnel.