Video: Chevrolet Volt road course testing in LA

By Matt Brogan | December 29th, 2009

The Chevrolet Volt’s engineering team has taken the plug-in car for an impromptu hot lap of Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium.

Piloted by Andrew Farah, vehicle chief engineer for the Chevrolet Volt, the car was driven entirely in EV mode – impressive when you see the speed displayed.

From the video it would appear the Volt is nearly ready for production with pricing suggested as being ‘close to US$40,000′. Fortunately Volt will qualify for US$7,500 in tax credits which will help bring that figure in-line with GM’s original hopes of a near US$30,000 RRP.

The Chevrolet Volt is due to go on sale across the US in late 2010.

Shak

All the more promising for the Holden Variant. At least all the Holden/Daewoo haters wont have much to fling at this one. Although i reckon they will find something to pick at.

Baddass

Yeah, as much as I hate GM (especially for what they did to SAAB) the Volt does seeem to show some promise, with good clean looks and what seeems to be good driving dynamics.

Jarrod

Yeah that was quite promising – More then anything – AN ELECTRIC CAR THAT DOESNT LOOK LIKE HOT WHEELS!!! Finnaly a “hybrid” you’d want to be seen in!!!
Wheelnut

The problem with Plug-in Hybrids is that there will have to be a network of kerbside re-charge stations throughout the metropolitan area which will most likely become a target for teenage vandals etc…. Then what do you do?

Andrew M

Wheelie,
prob not so much an issue of valdalism, I’d be more worried about being able to get a parking spot with one, aswell as the price you will have to pay to park a few hours

talk then think

Y not make dedicated parking spots in shopping centres and largely car populated with parking spots that have a connector to recharge with. This would allow a slow phasing out of petrol cars and electric cars becoming more and more common therefore adding charging parking stations. is the black back of the volt a solar panel? Why not head up an engineering department for solar panels making them cheaper and more efficient. My opinion isn’t going to make a difference but with the amount of money and effort that is put into design it would be great to see sum real developments in self sustainable electricity (not saying that it will be an easy thing to do). Like having a few fans that conduct electricity while driving similarly to a wind farm (smaller obviously) in the bonnet that could be used to charge the accessories of the car. Looks great though!

Andrew M

My point is in the metro area it can be hard enough to score a parking meter as is, let alone if your fuel/power level depended on you finding one.

It would be like lapping the block trying to get in to the servo when your light is on.
Watto

A mini wind farm on your EV to power accessories or charge the car?

All that would do is create drag, and you’d get less out than you put in due to frictional losses, etc.

Perpetual motion would be wonderful if it weren’t impossible.

Will

Still looks like an Impreza suffering an anaphylactic episode.
Robin Graves

Probably needs a recharge after that hot lap! I dont see the point if they are going to be recharged off the grid that is powered by coal-fired power stations, just another vehicle for the ‘sniff my own farts’ brigade to chest-thump with. Also being a GM car, it will probably have endless problems with reliability that the dealers will deny exists until the owners are fed up and sell it.

Greg

Yes, coal-fired stations have to go (but I’m not sure you’d care, with your general attitude shown here). You know that coal-fired power stations produce power, whether there is demand for it, or not, pollution without an upside. That’s when you charge up the ev.

Re GM, I’m inclined to agree (add Ford, please).