Perhaps unexpectedly, enthusiasts will find things to like about the Volt, even if they don’t hack into its computer. But it illustrates the difference between the Volt and the Toyota Prius or even the more powerful Ford Fusion Hybrid. Rest assured, creative gearheads will get into the Volt’s programming as soon as the car falls into their hands, with the guaranteed result being garish burn-out videos posted on YouTube within days of the car going on sale in November. Its electric motor is so powerful that the car is programmed not to use all of the power available when abruptly accelerating from a stop because it could simply spin the car’s tires. The Volt, in contrast, stays in electric mode until the battery pack is drained. Today’s hybrids instantly fire the gas engine if the driver floors the pedal because their electric motors don’t make enough power to accelerate quickly in an emergency. Result: Anyone can get into the Volt and drive. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) Bill Pugliano / Getty Images North America GM announced that they will invest $336 million to build the new Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle at the plant. DETROIT - DECEMBER 7: The interior of a Chevy Volt is shown at the General Motors Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant Decemin Detroit, Michigan. A conventional console shifter slides between the common “Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Low” positions, and the “gas” pedal and brake perform their usual functions. The car powers up with the increasingly common keyless “start” button on the dash. The driver doesn’t wave a magic wand or operate some unfamiliar control device to drive the Volt there is no steering-by-joystick or other silly interface. In anticipation of the approaching launch of the car, GM provided a hand-built Volt prototype for a test drive around the former American Le Mans Series race track adjacent to Washington’s RFK stadium. So far, California, Michigan and the Washington D.C., area are the only announced markets where the car will be sold, but Volt sales will open up to the rest of the country next year. Those early cars will be offered only in limited markets which the company feels are prepared to support the special requirements of an electric car, Posawatz said. It will begin slowly, making preproduction models that will be evaluated for their quality and provided as test models for journalists and fleet customers through the Summer and Fall.īy November, GM will be ready to switch to high gear and begin mass production of cars for retail sale to regular consumers. The rest of the manufacturing supply chain is coming together so the factory will start assembling cars within a few months, he said. The company began manufacturing battery packs to go into the cars in recent weeks. General Motors is gearing up now to manufacture the Volt beginning this spring, reported Tony Posawatz, Chevrolet Volt and global electric vehicle line director.
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