Lutz Update: Volt moves from Malibu to Cruze mules

[FenwickHockey65]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/l...o-cruze-mules/

Things are moving along quite nicely with the development of the Chevy Volt. According to Bob Lutz, test mules of the extended-range electric vehicle are now being built atop the soon-to-be-released Chevy Cruze. This is a logical progression since the production Volt will share its Delta underpinnings with the new compact from General Motors when it finally goes on sale in 2010. Prior to these latest mules, the test cars used last-gen Malibu shells that Lutz and the team affectionately referred to as "MaliVolts." Predictably, Mr. Lutz praises the new Delta platform, and we have every reason to believe that it will be leaps and bounds better than its Cobalt forebear, just as that model is light-years ahead of the Cavalier it replaced. Lutz goes on to say that the battery pack, motor and internal combustion engine are all working very well together, even in the freezing cold temperatures around Detroit these days.

[crooner214]

Hmm, I think I just realized why they introduced the Cruze so soon....




...Oh, wait, so why did they also show us the production Volt???

[zete]

It must be surreal at GM at the moment. Some cars are getting customer attention -- CTS, CTS-V, Camaro, ZR1, Malibu -- while others languish. The hype surrounding the Volt is unbelievable and the US media seem quite taken with the idea of the Cruze. More than a dozen new vehicles coming out next year and no one knows if GM will make it through next year.

It just has to be utterly and totally surreal.

[Buick Riviera]

Gm will be here next year, and so on.

[frenstall]

Dear GM: The Volt sounds wonderfull, I'm sure Tom Cruise and all the hollywood wannabees will love driving it and providing great PR for GM. For those of us who cannot afford a Volt, and can actually calculate that there is zero to no savings in buying one, could you please turn your focus to rushing the Cruze to market?? And while your at it, could you perhaps offer a diesel?? I know Lutz says diesels will never work in NA but VW seems to make it happen, why not GM? Why not just the option to get one? Make it factory order only if you like, I can wait. Also, you mind offering something of the Honda Fit sized vehicles? I know Bob says those won't work in NA either but there seem to be a lot of other companies that think they can sell some... hey wait a minute, didn't you do a bunch of concepts of that sized vehicle, one of which looked really good? Why don't we sell that here? We could probably build it in one of those plants your shutting down. Of course we wouldn't want that tho, to invest in the viable future of GM, naw, lets divert all our funds to GMs holy grail, the chevy volt.

...Seriously, nothing against the volt or it's purpose but I think GM is putting way to much of their future into this vehicle alone and not enough into everything else. Also, I'm sick of GM releasing vehicles 2-3yrs before you can buy them because it totally kills the excitement of owning it and it makes the designs feel old only a year after they're in dealer lots ... *cough* camaro *cough*

[BlackGTP]

As great as the Volt is - how will it fare in the face of gas at $1.99? Can GM be a master of marketing like Toyota and sell a large amount of Volts? Everyone was excited by the Volt when we were hearing gas could go to $5, $6 or $7 a gallon...

GM just has the worst timing - and it's not even their fault. Please don't get me wrong - I love the idea of the Volt and GM - I'm just concerned over the timing (but who knows - gas could be back to $5 a gallon in six months).

[fp115]

Originally Posted by BlackGTP

As great as the Volt is - how will it fare in the face of gas at $1.99? Can GM be a master of marketing like Toyota and sell a large amount of Volts? Everyone was excited by the Volt when we were hearing gas could go to $5, $6 or $7 a gallon...

GM just has the worst timing - and it's not even their fault. Please don't get me wrong - I love the idea of the Volt and GM - I'm just concerned over the timing (but who knows - gas could be back to $5 a gallon in six months).

The Volt still costs 15-30 cents per 40 miles. If you car gets a combined mpg of 40 mpg then it will cost you the price of gas, currently around $2. The Volt will always be cheaper until it gets down to a few cents per gallon.

[ss925]

Originally Posted by frenstall

Dear GM: The Volt sounds wonderfull, I'm sure Tom Cruise and all the hollywood wannabees will love driving it and providing great PR for GM. For those of us who cannot afford a Volt, and can actually calculate that there is zero to no savings in buying one, could you please turn your focus to rushing the Cruze to market?? And while your at it, could you perhaps offer a diesel?? I know Lutz says diesels will never work in NA but VW seems to make it happen, why not GM? Why not just the option to get one? Make it factory order only if you like, I can wait. Also, you mind offering something of the Honda Fit sized vehicles? I know Bob says those won't work in NA either but there seem to be a lot of other companies that think they can sell some... hey wait a minute, didn't you do a bunch of concepts of that sized vehicle, one of which looked really good? Why don't we sell that here? We could probably build it in one of those plants your shutting down. Of course we wouldn't want that tho, to invest in the viable future of GM, naw, lets divert all our funds to GMs holy grail, the chevy volt.

...Seriously, nothing against the volt or it's purpose but I think GM is putting way to much of their future into this vehicle alone and not enough into everything else. Also, I'm sick of GM releasing vehicles 2-3yrs before you can buy them because it totally kills the excitement of owning it and it makes the designs feel old only a year after they're in dealer lots ... *cough* camaro *cough*

First, the Volt is one of a kind technology. It will come down in price if the concept of extended range stays around and moves to other outlets (picture Silverado extended range). Second, it does not make sense to me to have a diesel option for Cruze. Be happy it will be standard with turbo. Third, though I don't feel it is marketed correctly Chevrolet does offer the Aveo (Fit sized). And the 2009 is a really good car. And Lastly, while you are correct in saying that GM does release designs a little early, the latest in offerings have been anything but "old". CTS, MALIBU, THE LAMBDA PLATFORM VEHICLES (especially the ones that are here to stay Enclave and Traverse), and TAHOE and like vehicles still look way better than the competition and they are from 2007. I still believe (granted with exceptions)that from the mid 80's on, GM has built some of the best vehicles on the road.

[tom3]

Let's get back to basics. The Volt will use no gasoline, none, for the first 40 miles or so. There's no comparison to anything else out there right now (Tesla excluded at $100k) to this car. If GM can put this technology in the lineup with reliability at an affordable price, it will be a rebirth of the company. We'll see.

[mbukukanyau]

GM must have a plan to stay in business. They are just looking to get some dough from congress. I do not buy the notion that they will be out of money come Jan 1st. They may be tight, but not to a point of no cash.

[WishIhadatruck]

Glad to see the Volt is progressing well. I can't wait to see it on the market. I don't really care if it makes financial sense to drive a Volt, it will be important for GM regardless. Especially if they can get the price down soon. The Prius never made financial sense for the first couple of years it was available either but look at its success.

I think GM must have some plan to survive. Didn't they come to within days of running out of money back in '92?

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by frenstall

I'm sick of GM releasing vehicles 2-3yrs before you can buy them because it totally kills the excitement of owning it and it makes the designs feel old only a year after they're in dealer lots ... *cough* camaro *cough*

The 2010 Camaro went from concept to production in less time than the original 1st gen Camaro.

[1931Chevy]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

The 2010 Camaro went from concept to production in less time than the original 1st gen Camaro.

yes but that was 40 years ago in todays market It would be good if they showed the concept about a year or some months before the production its ready to start

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by fp115

The Volt still costs 15-30 cents per 40 miles. If you car gets a combined mpg of 40 mpg then it will cost you the price of gas, currently around $2. The Volt will always be cheaper until it gets down to a few cents per gallon.

You seem to be completely oblivious to the fact that it's going to be a much harder sell [*cough* 30-40K mid-compact 4 seater] now that gas is back at levels seen 3-4 years ago.

[1931Chevy]

Originally Posted by Aprime

You seem to be completely oblivious to the fact that it's going to be a much harder sell [*cough* 30-40K mid-compact 4 seater] now that gas is back at levels seen 3-4 years ago.

the thing is that for how long gas can stay this low, as fast as it has come down it can go up that fast too