Heard from an inside source: Chevy Volt is real

[naterprius]

Okay, pardon the pun, but I just heard from someone on the inside that the Chevy Volt is actually coming to market, and soon. Basically, as soon as they possibly can, using nex-gen LiIon batteries available now.

The 2012 date being spouted out is just to keep the other carmakers at bay.

The biggest issue is crash testing, the batteries are indeed good enough and will be the safer LiIon style (no thermal runaway).

The timeline is three years, but is likely to be accelerated to two. Basically, GM may have this thing on the road in mid 2009.

It is a real project, a real platform, with the enough resources committed to making it happen.

Frankly, I wouldn't believe it myself if I hadn't heard from a trusted source.

All of you know how much I hate GM. I'm still trying to get over my initial shock at hearing this information.

malorn, you may see me driving a Chevy after all.

Nate

[Beryl Octet]

Rock on! Competition is always good. I fully expect a plug-in of some sort to be my next car, so I'm hoping they succeed and get these out there sooner than later.

[malorn]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Jan 25 2007, 02:51 PM) [snapback]380767[/snapback]</div>

Okay, pardon the pun, but I just heard from someone on the inside that the Chevy Volt is actually coming to market, and soon. Basically, as soon as they possibly can, using nex-gen LiIon batteries available now.

The 2012 date being spouted out is just to keep the other carmakers at bay.

The biggest issue is crash testing, the batteries are indeed good enough and will be the safer LiIon style (no thermal runaway).

The timeline is three years, but is likely to be accelerated to two. Basically, GM may have this thing on the road in mid 2009.

It is a real project, a real platform, with the enough resources committed to making it happen.

Frankly, I wouldn't believe it myself if I hadn't heard from a trusted source.

All of you know how much I hate GM. I'm still trying to get over my initial shock at hearing this information.

malorn, you may see me driving a Chevy after all.


Nate
[/b]

I told someone on here it was real, and promised from on high. I have been telling you that GM has drawn a line in the sand on every front. GM and Toyota will be duking it out in the US and around the world. Ford and DCX I am very worried about, at least in the short-term.

[richard schumacher]

Kewl! Now if they can only achieve and maintain a high level of quality...

[SomervillePrius]

If this is true and thy deliver the car around 2009/10 then they will have a killer car on their hands! I hope toyota is having nightmare about it right now and decide to make the 09 prius plug-in as well.

I wonder what price they will be looking at?!?

Still vague rumors always float on the internet and I have little trust in GM as they already have destroyed on of the coolest cars on the market.

GM, if you're listening: "I WILL NOT LEASE A CAR FROM YOU!"
That said if you bring this to market then you will have a killer product!

[naterprius]

I've said this before, so I'll say it again:

If GM comes to market with a plugin before Toyota does, and it has reasonable specs (how to define this? Let's say about a 40 mile range), I will buy it.

NO, I will not lease it. Sorry GM, I don't lease cars.

Nate

[SomervillePrius]

I agree the first reasonable speced car (say at least EV20, preferably 40) and under 45k I will buy! We're looking at replacing our 2nd car in 2-4 years and this car is def. making the list!

[BORNGEARHEAD]

I don't understand the "over the top" look of the car. It doesn't seem practical for the people that would be interested in buying it, starting with the 21" wheels, extravagant interior, and the complicated glass. If this car were to be put into production, I believe that the real thing will look completely different from the prototype pictures we see. Or maybe Chevy will put a huge price tag on it, nobody will buy it, and they can say"see, nobody is interested in this technology." If Chevrolet truly wanted to redeem themselves, they would bring back the EVs. I'm not buying it, figuratively and literally. I'm waiting for the 08 Prius.

[hyo silver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BORNGEARHEAD @ Jan 25 2007, 08:39 PM) [snapback]380883[/snapback]</div>

I don't understand the "over the top" look of the car...
[/b]

Ya, it's kinda...um...revolting, isn't it?

[San_Carlos_Jeff]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BORNGEARHEAD @ Jan 25 2007, 06:39 PM) [snapback]380883[/snapback]</div>

I don't understand the "over the top" look of the car. It doesn't seem practical for the people that would be interested in buying it, ....... [/b]

Not sure what you mean by this. A sporty four door sedan with the effeciencies they are claiming would sure interest me, and I suspect many other people.

I agree that the production model would probably look a lot different, but that's frequently the case with show cars.

If this thing truely pans out I will have to seriously take a look at a GM car, something I thought would never happen.