NEXT CHEVY VOLT TEASER PHOTOS

The next incarnation of the Chevrolet Volt concept, first revealed at the 2007 NAIAS last January, is currently being developed at GM's new studio dedicated to next generation electrically-driven vehicles.

Located within GM's Advanced Design Center, which was responsible for the first Chevrolet Volt concept car, the new E-Flex Systems Design Studio will be charged with developing a variety of vehicles using the E-flex propulsion system. It will be the only studio specifically designated to designing a wide variety of electric plug-in vehicles with a range extender.

"As soon as the project kicked off, I knew we needed a dedicated team focused on the development of E-Flex based vehicles and that team needed its own creative space," said Ed Welburn, Vice President of Global Design. "To accelerate the program, we needed the right mix of designers and engineers from the original show car team and people with experience from the production side."

Bob Boniface, Design Director for the E-flex Systems Design Studio and the Chevrolet Volt, is responsible for a team of approximately 45 creative designers, sculptors, design engineers, scientists and administrative staff. He was the lead for the exterior design of the Chevrolet Volt concept. According to Boniface, this historical program offers a new set of challenges and opportunities.

"We handpicked a team of both young and experienced designers who are enthusiastic, eager and believe in the cause as I do," said Boniface. "They want to find a better way, a solution to our dependency on petroleum, and that's what this car is about."

The design team has been working with engineering, aerodynamicists and other scientists to develop an energy efficient Chevrolet Volt by optimizing aerodynamics.

"One of the ways design can contribute to the efficiency of any vehicle is through the aerodynamics of the body shape," said Welburn. "The collaboration between a designer and an aerodynamicist can not only contribute to improved fuel economy or extended range, but can produce beautiful and different body shapes."

The studio renovation, which began last June, places the new E-flex studio in a space that was once used as an auditorium for product reviews and special events. As an adaptive reuse of the existing facility, the new studio features sustainable and energy efficient materials.

DaHarder - 12/31/2007 12:46:07 PM

+2 Boost

The 'new' face of Chevy really works well...

Aggressive/distinctive without looking too truck-like

Note: Are you listening Dodge?

The design of the VOLT need not stray one inch away from the very nicely drawn concept, and it'll be a great looker!

pacotacolol - 12/31/2007 1:04:10 PM

+1 Boost

thats the same thing with the LF-A. the concept is very good looking.

i said this about the LF-A, and i will say it again about the Volt. "the [Volt] can be a great car, or as generic as a Kia"

drew630 - 12/31/2007 7:44:51 PM

0 Boost

Sadly, the Volt won't look like the concept. When GM took the concept to the wind tunnel they found that the Volt was about as aerodynamic has a Mack truck.

BigShow50 - 12/31/2007 12:50:17 PM

0 Boost

GM has alot to prove in this hybrid game. The problem with GM is that when a vehicle comes out and going into production even before production for that matter. It amaze me as to how much they think their cars is the greatest since slice bread. And us consumers don't even have a chance to tast it before hand. But to only experience a half-ass product that is not even close to any concept they build. They have evidently proven this habit in all concept cars they have wasted time & money on as they debut @ the North American International Auto Show for how many decades now? And if you look back what happend to all that talk with previous concept models...equals nothing positive that's for sure, even a hand ful of them don't make it into production. So I hope they do not shoot themselves in the foot with the Chev Volt for the 2nd time around as we all know "who killed the electric car?"...aka Saturn EV1...All the best to GM in the New Year!!!...b/c it ain't going to be easy, that's for sure!!!

maximafan1 - 12/31/2007 1:10:41 PM

-2 Boost

ive seen this pic before

nothing new

CarANDdriver - 12/31/2007 1:26:37 PM

-7 Boost

i don't like the volt

masaman23 - 12/31/2007 1:48:58 PM

0 Boost

i do ' like the volt

EL34 - 12/31/2007 4:17:07 PM

0 Boost

This car is a clean car ;-)

pacotacolol - 1/1/2008 10:07:21 AM

0 Boost

Happy New Year!

Lexus - 1/2/2008 1:10:54 AM

+2 Boost

American are definitely borrowing many of their new design from Japanese cars. Especially, from the Honda and Acura design front long and narrow running lights.

Porschinator - 1/4/2008 5:35:47 PM

+1 Boost

Nice. May be my next car!