It's just one of the many good things Motor Trend magazine had to say about the all-new Chevrolet Volt as it named the car the "2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year®." The annual award is one of the most prestigious honors bestowed in the auto industry and further proof that it's a new day for Chevrolet, not to mention the entire auto industry. Powered by electricity without being tethered to electrical outlets, the Volt does everything a great car does and, according to Motor Trend, better than any other. It's further proof that today, tomorrow and on into the future, Chevy Runs Deep. Now available at Dean Myers!
Overview - get plugged in
Say hello to the Volt, Chevrolet's new electric vehicle that can use gas (but only if you need to). The Volt will take you wherever you need to go whether it's to the corner store or a long-distance road trip.
Electricity - a more sensible primary fuel
Put simply, electricity is a cleaner source of power. And as technology improves in the generation of electricity, we will continue to see reduced carbon outputs. Advancements in electricity production along with reduction in emissions from electric-powered driving could help make our world a cleaner place.
Exterior - thoughtful efficiency
By its very nature, the all-new Volt is engineered to change the face of transportation as we know it. Nearly every component of the Volt has been selected to get the most out of every charge, including:
• Aerodynamics that maximize the distance per charge and miles per gallon of fuel
• A closed grille and aerodynamic back edges contribute to its fuel efficiency(9)
• Energy-efficient Bose® Sound System
• Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires
Interior - the dashboard re-imagined
Volt has two LCD screens that display speed, battery power, range to recharge or re-fill as well as an efficiency gauge that gives you real-time feedback. On the center console you'll find a seven-inch diagonal high-resolution screen with touch-sensitive control that helps you get the most out of your Volt.
Safety - Making the future safer
Volt drivers and passengers will be wrapped in a cocoon of
standard safety. With eight air bags(7) ready to deploy in an emergency,
it's obvious safety is of the highest priority. Joining this built-in
safety is an unprecedented five-year subscription to OnStar's®(12)
Directions and Connections® Plan including Automatic Crash Response. In
the event of a collision, built-in sensors can automatically alert an
OnStar Advisor, who is immediately connected into your vehicle to see if
you need help sent to your exact location — even if you can't respond.
Performance - more power from a superior battery
The Volt battery has gone through numerous environment-specific tests, including corrosion and hot- and cold-weather testing and the results were so promising that the 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is backed by an 100,000 mile/8-year warranty(3).
Here are a few more notes on the battery:
- Just plug it in to charge the battery, and most people can commute gas-free and tailpipe emissions-free for about $1.50 of electricity per day.
- A small, quiet on-board gas generator creates electricity that powers your Volt as you drive for hundreds of miles on battery and gas power.Lithium-ion cells outperform nickel metal hydride cells (found in today's hybrids) in terms of life cycle
- A liquid thermal cooling and heating system keeps the battery at a comfortable temperature as it's being charged and discharged
Here are a few more advantages:
- Commute gas-free on electric for an average of $1.50 a day
- Can be set to charge during off-peak hours for greater savings
- Your Volt will be fully charged in about 10 hours, depending on climate, with standard 120-volt line, or as little as 4 hours using a dedicated 240-volt line
- Some Volt owners may qualify for tax rebates on a SPX Service Solutions - installed charging unit
Volt offers the performance and forward-thinking you've come to expect from Chevrolet. Take a look:
- Instant, smooth and seamless torque right at the wheels
- Regenerative braking captures the energy from forward motion that would otherwise be lost when the car slows or stops and then converts it into electricity, helping to make the Volt even more efficient to drive
- When running on electricity, the Volt can reach a top speed of 100 mph in near silence. Free of the typical noise of the internal combustion engine, the Volt offers a quieter, more relaxing ride at any speed
Technology - pick your mode
The Volt has been programmed with three unique driving modes to accommodate different driving styles. Normal mode is the most efficient setting that takes the electricity and focuses it on operating the electric drive. Sport mode sacrifices a small amount of efficiency for more responsive acceleration, and Mountain mode makes sure the battery has a bigger energy reserve for driving up long, steep inclines.
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Volt Mobile App
Anywhere you get a signal on your smartphone, you can have total control of your Volt. Tap away and, with the OnStar mobile app, you'll be able to check the battery charge level, available range, tire pressure, remote lock and unlock and even activate the remote start to heat or cool the interior to your preferred temperature.
Navigate the interactive screens of the app, and you can change how and when you want your Volt to charge. You can even set up Alerts via text or email to remind you to plug in your Volt, when charging is complete or if charging has been interrupted. The app also provides a single button to access a Volt Customer Advisor who can answer vehicle specific questions.
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What makes the Volt different?
The Chevrolet Volt is an electric car that uses gas to create its own electricity. Plug it in, let it charge overnight, and it's ready to run on a pure electric charge for up to 65 kilometres1 — completely gas and emissions-free. Once the initial electric charge is depleted, the range-extending gas engine seamlessly kicks in to generate enough energy to power the car for hundreds of additional kilometres.
Why electricity?
Electricity runs clean in a vehicle — meaning zero tailpipe emissions. And if generated using wind, hydro, solar power or biofuels, there is the potential to significantly reduce your impact on the environment.
Is electricity more expensive?
Per kilometre, electricity is actually less expensive to use than gas. Charging the Volt will be about the same annual cost as running a common household appliance. And while the price of the Volt is yet to be announced, it will qualify for the maximum federal tax credit for plug-in electric vehicles — $10,000. To save even more, owners are encouraged to charge overnight for off-peak rates. The OnStar smartphone app that's launching alongside the Volt will allow you to remotely delay charging to correspond with grid-friendly hours.
How often will I need to charge it?
Getting the full benefits of the Volt means charging it routinely. By plugging the Volt in frequently, you'll experience the greatest gas savings and reduced emissions. While Volt has been designed to be the most efficient when it's plugged in daily, you don't have to. The Volt will run efficiently without being plugged in for days, weeks or even months.
Will I need a special outlet?
Absolutely not. The Volt is compatible with any standard 120V household outlet. You can, however, reduce recharge times by having a 240V charging station installed in your garage. This requires a dedicated electrical circuit similar to what is used for your clothes dryer and can reduce the charging time from eight hours to only three.
Will I need to fully charge it every time?
You'll never have to worry about having enough time to fully charge the Volt. A partially charged battery will work fine until it runs out, then the gas-powered electric generator will seamlessly kick in to provide electricity and extend your range up to 587 kilometres until you can plug in again or refuel.
What kind of battery does it use?
The Volt is powered by a Lithium-ion battery pack. While there are many different kinds of lithium batteries, like the ones used in computers and cell phones, the Volt cells are specifically made for vehicles. The Li-ion battery holds its charge efficiently and has no memory effect, which means you don't have to run it down completely before recharging.
Now the Big Question: What's it like to drive?
We'll let Steve Parker, blogger for the Huffington Post, answer this one: "Push the 'start' button and Volt springs into lifeĀ
All in all, it's an intuitive area for the driver… The car is quiet, smooth and fast off the line (electric motors have all their torque at start-up, unlike gas engines which need time to build power)."
If you still have any questions about the Chevrolet Volt, call or visit Dean Myers today!
1 Assumes fully charged battery. Actual range depends on driving habits, weather conditions, terrain and the operation of electrical features in the vehicle. Vehicle features and performance capabilities subject to change without notice.
