egmCarTech

We keep getting invited from GM to sit in on one of their live chats over at GMNext.com Around 3pm EDT yesterday we decided to give it a shot because we were interested in what Bob Boniface, Design Director for the Chevrolet Volt, had to say about the upcoming plug-in hybrid.

What we already know about the Volt: We’re just going to go ahead and make a bullet list of all the things we already know about the Volt.

• - Unofficially, over 34,000 people are interested in purchasing the Volt seeing as the price is around $31,000.
• - GM will show the Volt to employees at its 100th anniversary celebration - an LA Auto Show debut is rumored.
• - The original fuel-tank capacity of the Volt has been shrunk to less than 12 gallons, cutting down the original target range of 600 miles to 360 miles.
• - It will make its on-screen Hollywood debut in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
• - GM plans to produce 70,000 units in the first 2 years.
• - It electrified Bob Lutz.
• - A price of $30,000 is not likely without tax credits and incentives.
• - The Chevrolet Volt will get 40 miles on electric charge alone and can be charged via any house socket.

Click through to read what we learned from Bob Boniface yesterday during the Chevrolet Volt chat.

What we learned from Bob Boniface:

• - One of the first questions we asked Boniface was the most obvious. When will we see the production Volt? Boniface gave the safest answer saying it will debut very soon but GM has not set a specific date.
• - When asked if the Volt will knock the Prius off the no.1 hybrid spot – Boniface replied: “If you define #1 as best fuel economy, best looking and best handling – yes.”
• - Boniface also told us that the aerodynamic discoveries made during the development of the Volt will be adapted to other GM vehicles.
• - We asked Boniface whether the interior of the Chevrolet Volt will offer drivers iPod connectivity, USB interface and Bluetooth. Boniface simply replied: “Yes, yes and yes.”
• - While the design team has significantly reduced the roof-line in order to improve aerodynamic and fuel-efficiency, Boniface said that four men with an average height of 6 foot 5-inches can easily fit in the Volt.
• - Storage utility of the Volt will be very innovative. Boniface said that the rear “seats do fold nearly flat” and that there is “plenty of storage and innovative interior features. Seating comfort and entry/exit were definitely a priority and will be competitive with others in the market.”

Check out the latest teaser shot of the Chevrolet Volt below.

Chevrolet Volt Official Teaser and Production Process Shots:

Related Posts:

1. Hyundai: We’re going after Prius and the Volt with the plug-in in 2012
2. Farah: Chevrolet Volt will be pitches a sporty rival to the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius
3. Leno: You’ll find that the Volt will be a superior package to the Prius
4. Question of the Day: Would you buy the Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius or Honda Insight?
5. iPod connectivity is a key sales pitch for auto makers