Chevrolet Volt

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FreewheelingScotland.com — Driving the way forward

November, 2011

Hi-Tech Volt setto charge aheadHi-Tech Volt setto charge ahead

CHEVROLCHEVROL EE T VOLT VOLTT

THE ELECTRIC REVOLUTION IS now well under way, and with itthere’s already a choicebetween hybrid technologyand full EV models from araft of manufacturers.However, each and every

one of the vehicles currentlyon sale have their short-comings, either because oftheir limited range or thefact that they did not reallydeliver what was initiallypromised on the tin.But how things have

changed, for American giantGeneral Motors are set toraise the bar by a hugeamount when they introduce

EE T VOLT VOLTT

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CHEVROLCHEVROL EE T VOLT VOLTTtheir Chevrolet Volt electricvehicle next February.What makes this machine

so different from the rest, isthe Volt is powered purelyon electricity, which comeseither from the chargestored in the car’s battery orvia a generator which ispowered from an on-board1.4-litre petrol engine.With the battery topped up

– it can be charged in onlyfour hours from a 16Apower supply – the Volt hasa range of up to 50 miles,more than enough to seethe majority of UK driversthrough their day.But, when the battery has

reached its minimum stateof charge, the engine kicks in to power up the generatror which then provides charge to the battery. Simple yet highlyeffective.And in this “extended

range” mode, the Volt canrun indefinitely just by fillingup the petrol tank.


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The Volt has already beenon sale in America for somemonths now, and surveysalready show that the average owner travels morethan 1000 miles before having to top up with fuel.And trust me, that is not

just some high-poweredsales patter conjured up byGeneral Motors’ executives.For I can vouch for theseclaims after putting the Voltthrough its paces oversome pretty demandingSwiss roads.Driving steady and

sensibly, there’s little doubtthat the 50-mile range isachievable – especiallyround town when the carshuts down while in stationary traffic or at trafficlights – but pushing on a bitand taking on Alpineinclines, that magical figurewas never going to happenfor me.However, I still managed to

cover the first 100 miles ofmy journey using less thantwo litres of petrol – a phenomenal fuel



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consumption figure by anystandards and not too faraway from the 235mpg official figure claimed byChevrolet.Out on the road, the Volt is

not so much a mini marvelbut a family-sized one. Thelarge lithium-ion batterypack which extends throughthe centre of the carrestricts it to just four seats,but for those travellingthere’s masses of space allround.Ultra quiet and silky

smooth on the hoof – wellonly tyre and wind noise are

heard unless the petrolengine is engaged – theVolt’s top speed has beenhemmed in to a maximum of100mph, while the standardzero to 60mph dash takesaround nine seconds.Relying solely on the

battery, the Volt is emissionfree, but allowing for someinput from the enginemeans the official figure isstill astaggeringly-low27g/km.Like all new high-

tech

products, the Volt does notcome cheap, but Chevrolethave priced the Volt at£33,545, but once the UKgovernment’s £5000 electricvehicle subsidy is taken intoconsideration, the £28,545on-the-road price tag doesreflect excellent value.


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ucts, the Volt does note cheap, but Chevrolet priced the Volt at545, but once the UKernment’s £5000 electriccle subsidy is taken intoideration, the £28,545

he-road price tag doesct excellent value.

OLOLTT

REEWHEELINGscotland.com

Beautifully finished outsideand in, with its ultra-modernexterior design and luxurious interior, whichincludes full leather trimwith heated front seats, twinseven-inch screens whichreplace traditional instrument panels, parkassist with rearview camera,MP3 CD sound system andair conditioning, the Volt

certainly does stand outfrom the crowd.The Volt goes on sale in

spring of next year and withits clever extended rangetechnology offers a fantasticcompromise to both theinternal combustion engineand full electric vehicleworlds.



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