2011 chevrolet volt Price comes in a single form, a five-door hatchback, similar in size to the Toyota Prius. More precisely, the Volt measure 177 inches long, making it a little shorter than the current Cobalt.
The electric drive unit (utilizing a 220-cell, 16 kWh lithium ion battery) will put out 150 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque and will top out at 100 miles per hour. This powertrain allows the vehicle to travel 40 miles on electric power only, while for longer trips, the Volt's generator will kick in to provide for additional range.
Seating is perfectly comfortable, though it only seats four, not five, because of the massive battery hump running down the middle. The rear hatch offers plenty of room for various cargo. I loaded up stuff from the hardware store easily and carried passengers both front and back without complaints. In fact, everybody liked it.
The first thing I’d change on this car is that inane sound it makes when you get in and push the button--it’s a sort of Spaceman Spiff whooshing noise that is supposed to be all futuristic and high-tech, which annoyed the hell out of me immediately. After more than a week with it, I’d be baseball-batting that plasti-dash to make it stop. I might even go so far as to read the owner’s manual to see how to deprogram it, but that was more effort than I wanted to make for my three-day loan. The electronic gauges are all over the place. There is so much data available with this car. But the “Range” gauge is pretty obvious, and that was the one I was eyeing during my loan.
The Volt has an MSRP of $41,000, but the federal government offers a $7,500 tax credit that helps make the net cost to consumers $33,500. Chevrolet is also offering leases on the Volt for $350 per month for 36 months with $2,500 due at signing.
Engine & Performance
• Cylinders:
• Base engine type: hybrid
DriveTrain
• Drive type: front wheel drive
• Transmission: 1-speed direct drive
Suspension
• MacPherson strut front suspension
• Torsion beam rear suspension
• Front independent suspension
Fuel
• Fuel type: hybrid
• Fuel type: electric fuel
• Fuel tank capacity: 9.3 gal.
• Range in miles (cty/hwy): 883.5/837.0 mi.
• EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 95/90 mpg
