When you want more range from a single charge and tank of gas, the new Chevrolet Volt is the right choice for you. With more efficiency and a better suspension, the Volt is an all-new car which makes it easy to enjoy driving a green car that saves money on gas. Even though gas prices have dropped dramatically we all still want the ability to save money and with the Volt not only can you save money but you don’t have to give anything up to enjoy a great car that offers plenty of features that make the car a better place to enjoy a ride from.
Making the car a great place to drive actually begins in the interior of the car. This new Volt looks great and offers a more conventional look than before. The steering wheel has a variety of functions built in to let you enjoy the control of all the systems from the driver’s seat without the need to take your eyes off the road. The front seats are sizable and give plenty of room while the back seats are a bit small, but still work well for a growing family with small kids.
ON the outside the Volt is attractive and built to look as much like other sedans while still offering a look that is aerodynamic to help add to the fuel range of the car. The look is of smooth lines and a few well-placed attention getting features on the body that make the Volt a great looking vehicle to drive. As many EV models are starting to look more futuristic this one offers you a different pace and a car that won’t get you strange looks when driving it, but looks of sheer admiration instead.
Under the hood of the Volt you see an 18.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine working together. The battery pack provides 149 horsepower while the combined effort allows for 294 lb.-ft. of torque. Even though a range of 53 miles doesn’t sound like a lot, most commutes and errands take less than this amount, allowing you to drive in all-electric mode most of the time. When the gasoline engine is needed the range increases to a total of 420 miles to give you a great time between fill ups. With a 240-volt charger you can charge your EV in only 4.5 hours making it easy to charge up overnight. All this adds up to a 106 MPGe for the all-electric driving and 43 city/42 hwy mpg when driving on the gasoline engine.
When you have a powertrain this dynamic you want some great features to love as well. The Volt LT shows up as the standard offering with push button starting, automatic climate controls, remote starting, keyless entry, the 4G LTE OnStar system with built in Wi-Fi, an eight-inch LCD touchscreen infotainment system that offers Apple CarPlay, a rearview camera, cruise control, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel with a ton of great controls. To keep everyone safe inside the car there are several airbags including a knee airbag for the driver.
With most EV models there aren’t a lot of options as most automakers try and package everything in the standard mode. The Volt gives you a break from that shopping experience and offers some great options for you to choose from. These include the leather seats, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded Bose audio system which can all be added to the base model. Of course if you choose the Premier model you will already have all these features included in the car along with blind spot monitoring, forward collision alerts and lane keeping assistance.
Of the features offered on this car the two that seem to rise to the top are the EV range of 53 miles and the Apple CarPlay. This range certainly makes the Volt a great choice if you know most of your driving won’t be over 50 miles in a day and with the backup gasoline power you can easily reach every destination. The Apple CarPlay makes it great for you to enjoy the features of your iPhone from inside the car through the infotainment system, a great way to keep your eyes on the road and stay connected at the same time.
As a car that enters its second generation the Volt offers you a better look than before and allows you to enjoy the drive of an EV car. When you know you want a green car that lets you be environmentally responsible this is the car to choose. With better styling than before and an increased electric range and fuel economy it’s easy to see why this car is the right one to choose for your around town driving needs.
The price for this new Chevrolet Volt comes in at a base price of $34,000 which is the price before the $7,500 federal tax credit that you can take full advantage of and reduce the overall cost of the car. The Premiere model, which is new for 2016 starts around $38,500 and adds a host of great new features that you will certainly enjoy on any road. The Volt is the most well-rounded offering in the market of EV cars which is littered with tiny choices or odd shapes that don’t give you what you will love from the Volt.
Of course you don’t want to drive a car that feels like an EV and the Volt makes it easy to obtain the driving feeling you want. The drive is dynamic and easily satisfying. Whether you have to navigate the city streets or take your Volt out for a pleasure cruise the instant power is evident from the EV powertrain that offers the immediate acceleration needed to be the right way to drive a car. If you are looking to go green but don’t want to give up the fun of driving, come visit your local Chevrolet dealership and see what the Volt can be for you.
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