2011 Chevrolet Volt awarded Top Safety Pick by IIHS

Joining the 2011 Nissan LEAF, the Chevrolet Volt was also named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety today. The Volt achieved ‘good’ scores in four types of crash tests and offering crash-avoiding electronic stability control.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

“Safety remains one of the most important factors buyers weigh when purchasing a vehicle,” said Doug Parks, Volt global vehicle line executive.  “The IIHS designation reiterates the Volt as a safe, practical vehicle that can be a family’s only car – without compromises.”

The IIHS tests vehicles to determine how well they protect occupants in front and side crash tests, a rollover test, and simulated rear impacts to evaluate seat and head restraints for protection against neck injuries.

Click through to see a list of the Volt’s safety features.

Refresher: The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is powered by 16-kWh, ‘T’-shaped lithium-ion battery that powers the electric drive unit, which allows it to drive 40 miles on battery power alone. The system puts out 149-hp and a maximum torque of 273 lb-ft, allowing the Volt to go from 0-60 mph in about 9 seconds, hitting a top speed of 100 mph. The battery can be re-charged by plugging into a household outlet and takes 4 hours to recharge on 240 volts, and about 10-12 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet. The Chevrolet Volt also carries an 84-hp 1.4 4-clyinder engine that allows the five-door, FWD sedan to travel additional miles while averaging a fuel-economy of 50 mpg. A fully charged battery and full tank of gas will allow the Volt to travel 379   miles. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt gets an EPA estimated 93 miles per ’gallon-equivalent’ when driving under electric power only, 37 mpg when in gasoline mode and over the long term it is estimated to get 60 miles per gallon in combined gasoline-powered and electric-powered driving. Prices for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt start at $41,000 but with a full federal income tax credit (which range from $0 to $7,500), the Volt can cost a total of $33,500.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

Safety features on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt include:

• StabiliTrak electronic stability control
• Front side, knee and full-length side curtain airbags
• LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Top tethers for Children)
• Five-year subscription to OnStar’s Directions and Connections Plan including Automatic Crash Response, stolen vehicle assistance and connected navigation

– By: Omar Rana