Volt is no electric Camaro: Be interested in what it can do, not how it looks

GM is on track to bring the Chevrolet Volt to U.S. roads by 2010. However, consumers should prepare themselves for something a little less aggressive than the concept car that was shown at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show.  The press was recently invited to GM’s Design Center in Warren, Michigan to take a look at life-size models of the exterior and interior of the production model, which GM says are nearly finalized for production.

Internally, GM refers to the Volt as the “electric Camaro,” however many are saying that buyers should be more interested in what the car can do rather than how it looks. GM has reportedly toned down the production model getting rid of the sharp angles, long hood and the body that looked like a future performance car.

Why? Well in order to make fuel-efficient efficient cars, automakers have to jeopardize the aggressive look for a rounded nose and tapered corners for better aerodynamic flow.

“We wanted to make sure the car had a good balance between aerodynamic performance and styling for the customer,” said Bob Boniface, director of design for the Chevy Volt.

The production Volt will be powered by a lithium-ion battery that gives it 40 miles on a single charge.

Source: CNNMoney

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