So we were incredulous when we heard the 2011 Chevrolet Volt would be crashing the weekly classic car night at Bob's Big Boy, a old-timey hamburger joint in Burbank, California. Bob's isn't the friendliest place to roll up in modern machinery. Yet, we had to see the spectacle for ourselves (and have a burger and chocolate shake).
We arrived to find the Volt nestled between a '69 Camaro and an Impala SS. We weren't surprised to find it in the care of its own social media crew, who were keen to throw around the term "electric car," which always bothers us a bit since the Volt isn't in fact an electric car, but a series hybrid with plug-in capability.
The Bob's diehards mostly took a live-and-let-live attitude toward the Volt, sticking close to their restored Chargers and rat rods. We expect they'll start taking the bus before they start driving hybrid cars.
GT5000 says:
01:29 PM, 11/28/09
"We expect they'll start taking the bus before they start driving hybrid cars."
It might just be me, but I see a Volt and a classic as the perfect combo. Forty free miles plus fifty MPG during the week; then you could afford to put gas in the (insert gas-gulping classic here).
120mmgun says:
03:23 PM, 11/28/09
My buddy has built both a 540 c.i. Camaro SS and an S-10 converted to electric with a generator in the back as backup - kind of a home made Volt - and uses both as daily drivers. Just because someone's into muscle cars, it doesn't mean they can't be into other kinds of cool technology
uncanny_man says:
03:34 PM, 11/28/09
Okay, your bothering me now! It is an electric car with hybrid capability, not a hybrid with plug in capability. Had its normal function been as a hybrid with the ability to plug in to top off the batteries, I'd say you were right. However, because it is set up to not use the engine at all until the large battery is depleted, I'd call it electric! I know most of you guys don't like chevy, but no reason to start your negative spin so soon!
uncanny_man says:
03:39 PM, 11/28/09
Okay, you're bothering me now. It is an electric car with hybrid car functionality, not a hybrid with a plug. If it ran as a hybrid but had the option of plugging it in to top off the batteries, I'd say that you were right. However, since it solely runs off battery power until the large battery pack is depleted before kicking in the engine, I'd certainly call it electric. I know most of you guys don't like chevy, but no reason to start your negative spin so soon!
slickersdrip says:
04:31 PM, 11/28/09
Love that Camaro, but I'd have to tear off the OU badge. Awful.
I think people who love cars appreciate all sorts of vehicles and their various strengths...
wrinklebump says:
06:23 PM, 11/28/09
Does anyone else actually like the look of the Volt? I think its pretty sweet like all high tech and junk
1487 says:
06:15 AM, 11/29/09
"We weren't surprised to find it in the care of its own social media crew, who were keen to throw around the term "electric car," which always bothers us a bit since the Volt isn't in fact an electric car, but a series hybrid with plug-in capability."
What? It is not a hybrid. A hybrid uses batteries and a motor to propel the car. This car only uses electricity to drive the wheels. This is not a plug in hybrid and that is why its not referred to as such. I mean sometimes we just have to trust in the fact that manufacturers know more about their products than cynical, often inaccurate, IL writers. Then again, IL doesn't accept anything GM says at face value and is always inferring that some sort of dishonestly or hyperbole is in effect whenever GM releases vehicle information.
roadburner says:
07:23 AM, 11/29/09
Yawn.
firstwagon says:
03:03 PM, 11/29/09
I agree it's not a conventional hybrid (as the term is now commonly used) but it is also not an electric car as it will rely on it's gas motor a lot.
It really needs a new term but if you have to choose between calling it an electric car and calling it a hybrid I would say hybrid is more accurate. Even though only the electric motor propells the car it does require the gas motor to provide the energy for it much of the time.
Either way it's spitting hairs and considering that great shot of a classic Camaro and Impala the argument that IL is anti-GM looks really weak... as usual.
1487 says:
05:52 PM, 11/29/09
no, its an electric car with a gas generator that can extend range. It is an electric car in every sense of the word. A standard electric car operates just like the Volt but lacks the ability to continue driving once the battery runs out.
"Either way it's spitting hairs and considering that great shot of a classic Camaro and Impala the argument that IL is anti-GM looks really weak... as usual."
What the hell does the picture above have to do with IL having any journalistic integrity? Nothing. They captured two old Chevy's in a picture and that proves they are objective? Are you serious?
firstwagon says:
06:39 PM, 11/29/09
"Are you serious? "
Are you?
I get it that you think everything is a conspiracy against domestic cars. I get it that you can't accept any criticism of anything domestic or any praise of anything imported.
I understand your bias. I'm just tired of you trying to turn every post into a domestic vs import debate.
You can debate old hot rod types vs new high tech eco types if you like but there is nothing anti-GM here to complain about.
BTW: An electric car by definition does not have a gasoline engine. That seems fairly simple to understand.
1487 says:
05:46 AM, 11/30/09
" get it that you think everything is a conspiracy against domestic cars. I get it that you can't accept any criticism of anything domestic or any praise of anything imported."
You don't get squat. It's not about "everything" being a conspiracy. Just read my comments and try to comprehend what I was saying. Their statement is false, period. IL tends to try and "correct" certain manufacturers more than others. You be the judge of the reasons for that. This is not a debate, and this has nothing to do with "import vs domestic"- in fact I said NOTHING about imports in my post. Just give the comment policing a break and refrain from responding to anything I post unless you have something cogent and intelligent to add to the conversation. You are so busy jumping down by throat that you have no clue as to what I am actually talking about.
"BTW: An electric car by definition does not have a gasoline engine. That seems fairly simple to understand."
An electric car is a vehicle that is PROPELLED by an electric motor- like the Volt. How hard is that to understand? Please show me the "official" definition that says an electric car cannot have an on board generator? Since the Volt is the FIRST car of its kind its sort of ridiculous to say "no electric car has an engine"- that's the entire point sir. It's the FIRST electric car with range extension capability- that's why they are calling it groundbreaking. It is NOT a hybrid under any circumstances because it cannot propel the front wheels with the gas engine.
mrryte says:
07:12 AM, 11/30/09
Any comments/opinions/first impressions from the hot-rodders on the VOLT?
wowpeter says:
04:52 PM, 12/14/09
"We weren't surprised to find it in the care of its own social media crew, who were keen to throw around the term "electric car," which always bothers us a bit since the Volt isn't in fact an electric car, but a series hybrid with plug-in capability."
What is the writer smoking?
Also some of the comments talking about this is not an electric car because it has an engine?
Electric Car is simply vehicle driven by batteries... Volt is an electric car for the first 40 miles when it is driven purely by batteries... once the batteries is depleted, then it became a series hybrid, as the gasoline engines kicks in...
So in fact, Volt is actually both an electric car and a series hybrid... if for whatever reason, the gasoline engine is broken or the owner does not have any gas in the gas tank... Volt will still be able to drive because it is indeed an electric car at it most basic form... Simple as that...
Plus, this is a smarter way to build an electric car anyway...