Maybe it’s a stretch to refer to Chevrolet’s plug-in vehicle as a luxury generator on wheels.
But there are similarities between the 2012 Volt and the reliable current producer, a prized machine during major power outages.
The Volt carries a heavy-duty bank of batteries as well as nine-gallon gas tank. the four-cylinder engine racks up 149 horsepower; the Volt can travel from 0 to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds. the motor can switch from standard to sport mode for a more speedy ride.
Electricity makes the car go: that differs from a hybrid where gas and batteries combine to power the vehicle. the Volt’s gas supply kicks in on the road to generate more current, said Chris huge, sales manager at Crews Chevrolet.
As a comparison, he cited an emergency generator. even though a generator produces electricity, fuel is used to run the motor.
Chevy’s system, according to huge, reduces the worry for car buyers that an electric car like the Volt can’t travel very far without a jolt — a car can typically go no more than 60 miles on a charge — and will run out of juice on a lengthy trip.
Actually, an efficient driver can travel without filling up at all, he said. the only boost is to plug in the vehicle overnight — more precisely four to seven hours — to recharge the batteries. and in an emergency, the motorist can refill the 9-gallon pressurized gas tank.
The EPA-estimated fuel economy is a whopping 94 mpg for standard electric power use. if the gas kicks in, the rating drops to 37 mpg.
The dealership received its first models earlier this month. the price of the four-door Volt at Crews Chevrolet was $45,710 (base price is around $41,000). rather than expecting buyers to pay a premium for an electric car, Chevrolet installed high-quality features commensurate with a $40,000-$50,000 sedan.
“With a hybrid, you wouldn’t give up the a.c,” huge pointed out. the Volt, likewise, has a climate control system. In addition, there are heated, leather seats; Bluetooth connectivity; OnStar emergency response network; high-end Bose stereo; ports to run iPods; digital information center that displays mileage, distance, tire pressure and the relationship between battery and gas usage at any given moment; and center console and steering wheel buttons to operate the audio-navigation system, which also works by touch-screen.
Another highlight is a rear camera that not only shows the back view in reverse; it has lines superimposed on the navigation screen that indicate the direction that the car is heading.
Available Volt upgrades include a DVD player and a 30-gigabyte hard drive.
Motor Trend magazine’s 2011 Car of the Year, the Volt seats four and has more than adequate headroom and legroom. One day recently, huge slid into the driver’s seat and showed how much space there is between his pate and the roof top.
“I’m not a small guy,” said huge, who is more than 6 feet tall.
Meanwhile, the vehicle has plenty of room for luggage and other supplies. the Volt is “a legitimate hatchback,” he said. Cargo volume is listed at 10 cubic feet.
When parked, the Volt can be recharged via a standard three-pronged plug such as in the garage or elsewhere at home. Cords are supplied.
“It’s not just a new, eco-friendly thing,” he said. “It’s something you can use for your life.”
On a more than hour trip recently, the Volt accelerated, handled and felt like a genuine, moderately luxurious car, with one or two exceptions.
Interior trim is stylish. Leather seats were comfortable, and there was ample space for the driver or passenger. While not gadget-filled, the Volt offered a goodly number of perks such as satellite radio on the audio system and power mirrors.
The sedan handled smoothly, and pick-up was sufficient in traffic and on Interstate 26 even responsive in sport mode. it had no trouble keeping up to speed on the highway.
One minor complaint: seats must be adjusted manually. for a $45,000 car, power seating is almost a must nowadays at least for the driver’s seat.
Nonetheless, the Volt is a very good car, electric or not. the battery-powered feature is a bonus, and the way the gas supply backs up the engine is a major plus — even a necessary component if the vehicle is to be used for more than trips to work and back.
Most anyone should get a charge out of driving the Volt.
Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or [email protected]