Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts

Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts

GM visited Washington to show off the Chevy Volt.

Photo: Wayne Rash / eWEEK

Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts – Volt on Display

General Motors displayed the new Volt concept car in Washington at the trendy Washington Harbor area of Georgetown. While this car is capable of being driven, the car that appears in dealer showrooms will probably not look quite like this.

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Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts – Going Away

The Chevy Volt will look as sleek from behind as it does coming at you.

Photo: Wayne Rash / eWEEK

Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts – Plug in Hybrid

Legendary car designer Bob Boniface shows how the Volt gets its 40-mile range on batteries – you just plug it in to household power where it takes about six hours to recharge. Boniface designed the Volt shown here, and is in charge of design for the

Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts – Concealed Power

A hidden access port flips open to reveal the charging connector. The Volt also includes a three-cylinder turbocharged engine that will charge the battery when the car’s 40 mile range is exceeded. The overall range for the car, including its 13 gall

Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts – Inside the Volt

A look inside the concept Volt. Note the lack of a shifter in the middle. That space is designed for docking personal electronics. Because the car is powered by an electric motor, no transmission is necessary.

Photo: Wayne Rash / eWEEK

Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts – Electronic Ink

The Volt features overhead switches that are printed on the car’s transparent roof using electronic ink. The ink pads sense touches which are used to control features such as interior lighting.

Photo: Wayne Rash / eWEEK

Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts – Wheels within Wheels

The car’s steering wheel is unlikely to see production, due to the lack of an airbag. However, the transparent hub, beneath which you can see binary code printed, is another way to make the car look high-tech.

Photo: Wayne Rash / eWEEK

Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts – Directions

The Volt’s directional control. Note that you have two choices. Forward or backward.

Photo: Wayne Rash / eWEEK

Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts – Things You’ll Never Really See

Some things that make the Volt look cool will never make it to the car you may drive. These include the snazzy seats, and the concealed hinges (lower left). Likewise, the polycarbonate transparent panel that forms the top of the door may cost too much for

Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts – The Driver’s Position

Despite their looks, these seats will never see production because they don’t meet safety standards. Those metal supports, for example, would be a crash test nightmare.

Photo: Wayne Rash / eWEEK

Chevy Volt Concept Car Debuts – Looking Ready

The four-door Volt looks poised for take-off for a local television crew during the car’s Washington introduction.

Photo: Wayne Rash / eWEEK

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