pow

I don't know... practically every battery I've seen loses its ability to store energy after many charge and discharge cycles. Perhaps one day, there will be batteries that last forever, but in the meantime, having a reserve makes sense. And anyway the Volt needs a buffer to perform well, since the generator makes less power than the electric motor needs. I don't see how the Leaf will be in trouble if suddenly batteries last forever. In fact, I think EV cars will be even more compelling. The Prius can easily change to the Volt's design, because they both use planetary gearboxes and two electric motors to create an eCVT; Volt just adds a couple of clutches to completely decouple the engine with the electric motor.

Battery will draw deeper into its reserves with more use, to maintain a similar level of range over time.

I'd get the Focus, because that's the only car of the three that I like and could see myself driving. Well, minus the orange paint.

I think for most people, who just look at the facts and figures and want a practical, efficient, and green vehicle, the PIP is a better choice than the Volt: * Lower price * Cheaper to run / uses less energy * Less pollution (AT-PZEV) * More space inside * Carpool lane privileges However, as a car enthusiast, I'd pick the Volt, simply because it's a fantastic looking vehicle, the interior is sportier, the driving dynamics are likely to be superior, and its made in the US. Toyota is on their fourth generation of the Prius, while the Volt is still brand new. By the second generation, I'm sure they'll find ways to make it cheaper and more efficient. I applaud GM for making this vehicle, and considering they started with nothing back in 2007, it's a great effort. This is a wonderful addition to the marketplace and it'll provide more options for those who want an alternative fueled vehicle.

I chose 70 miles because that's roughly when the Prius Plug-In overtakes the Volt in cost per mile. As GXT pointed out, it's actually earlier than that, but 70 miles made for easier math. Prius's battery is 3 kWh total; it's 1.6 kWh bigger than the non-plug-in model. It takes 3.5 kWh to charge a plug-in Prius, because 0.5 kWh is lost in the conditioning and charging process. LINK. The size of battery doesn't correlate to range. There are many factors involved. Prius is a lighter and more efficient car, and it uses more of its battery, so its range is 13 miles, not 7. I assumed just 10 miles to make the math easier. Prius Plug-In gets higher MPG than regular Prius even when it's not plugged in. MT averaged 57.5 MPG; I assumed 60 MPG just to make the math easier. If we assume 35 mile EV range for Volt and 10 mile EV range for Prius Plug-In, and 35 MPG for Volt and 60 MPG for Prius Plug-In at battery depletion: VOLT 13.4 kWh * 12 cents = $1.61 for 35 miles .14 gal * $3.00 = $.43 for 5 miles TOTAL = $2.04 for 40 miles PRIUS PLUG IN 3.5 kWh * 12 cents = $0.42 for 10 miles 0.5 gal * $3.00 = $1.50 TOTAL = $1.92 for 40 miles

Some rough calculations, for those deciding between Volt and Prius Plug-In. Basically the Volt, because of its larger EV range, has an advantage up to about 60 miles on a full charge. After that, the Prius Plug-In catches up with its better ICE efficiency. VOLT Electricity: 13.4 kWh * 12 cents = $1.61 for 35 miles Gas: 1 gallon * $3.00 = $3.00 for 35 miles Total: $4.61 for 70 miles PRIUS PLUG-IN Electricity: 3.5 kWh * 12 cents = $0.42 for 10 miles Gas: 1 gallon * $3.00 = $3.00 for 60 miles Total: $3.42 for 70 miles

At the auto show yesterday, there was a CTS-V coupe and an S5 sitting right across from it. Interior-wise, there was no comparison, IMHO. I found the Audi's interior to be much richer, higher quality, more comfortable, with more attention paid to the details. The build quality on the Audi was better, too; the doors slammed with a solid thunk, whereas the door panel on the Cadillac shuddered each time. The CTS-V does stand out in traffic, though!

Well, at least they've made the thing, and it's refined and it works well. I think they'll really start focusing on efficiency with Volt 2.0.

The article says that the ICE is "programmed to allow rpm to track acceleration in town to meet customer expectations" and that it maxes out at 4,800 rpm when trying to generate as much electricity as possible. But even if it did stay at a certain RPM level, that's not necessarily more efficient than a Prius, which does vary RPM depending on speed and load, because the engine doesn't directly power the wheels except when the clutch engages at 70+ MPH. That's why the plug-in Prius gets 65 MPG with the battery depleted compared to the Volt's 35 MPG.

So I guess that British magazine that said the Ampera's acceleration starts to go flat after 60 MPH and that there's a clutch that engages the engine to directly drive the wheels was right after all. This is really exciting, btw; it appears the embargo has been lifted, and all the magazines are starting to reveal more information about the Volt than we've ever known before.

I looked at one at the OC auto show yesterday, and as a driver of the 1999-2003 model, it still feels like the same car, just more refined. You can legitimately seat 8 adults comfortably in the new van, and there's a ton of storage and clever little spaces they've carved out. By keeping the sliding door track low, outward visibility from the third row is great, and there's more shoulder room, too. Outboard passengers can now sit closer to the side of the car, leaving more room for the middle passenger, without feeling cramped. Rear center armrest is a nice touch. That said, it is pricey, and Honda forces you to go for the posh models to get certain features. Leather is a must. I sat in a base 8-passenger Sienna LE, and preferred that interior to a cloth EX. I love the Sienna's second row; it probably has the most rear legroom of any car. SUPER comfy.

Yeah, they stopped offering alloys as a cheap factory option on the Golf. The $1,000+ price for 17s are for port-installed accessory wheels, which are always pricey. Best to find a set off eBay or something.

He had a Rabbit, and you can get all that (and more) on a Golf, albeit for $800 more.

You also have to realize who actively looks for these articles and posts them here. The whole point is garner a particular type of response wanted by the OP. Frankly most of the outrage and knee-jerk reactions to many threads at C&G are the result of lousy, low-quality journalism. And they only serve to reinforce our current beliefs.

Kizashi. I'd take one over Cruze and maybe even 2011 Jetta.

As usual, another poorly researched article by the National Review. Government policy has never been targeted against large vehicles; in fact, thanks to the lobbying efforts of the AAM, there is no penalty for making larger vehicles as manufacturers each have different target MPGs based on their average vehicle footprint (external size). What the government has focused on is reducing the number of inefficient and polluting vehicles, and that's to minimize the externalities they have to pay off down the road. But there's no focus on size per se. The US isn't Europe. Our roads are much wider and can accommodate larger vehicles. Smaller cars don't always get better fuel efficiency; a Civic is more efficient than a Fit, and a Cruze Eco is as efficient as a Fiesta SFE. So if we do go gaga for small cars one day, it'll be because of their performance or style, and that's why I think cars like the MINI or Fiat 500 will still remain a niche. I think you'll find the Fusion Hybrid and F-150 EcoBoost to be all quite large, and those will be the vehicles of the future.

Jetta looks fine with the 17" wheels and chrome trim, but the S and SE models are pretty bland. Instead of having a standard cheapo navigation in the SEL, I'd rather see VW offer the higher quality dash that will be on European models and the equally-impressive RNS-510 touch screen radio. Make navigation an option instead.

Phone pics...

Yesterday I went to the AltCar expo in Santa Monica, CA, where manufacturers were showing off their alternative fueled vehicles: GM - Volt, Cruze LTZ, Silverado Hybrid, Equinox Fuel Cell Nissan - Leaf Honda - Civic Hybrid, Civic CNG, FCX Clarity Toyota - Prius Plug-in, Highlander Fuel Cell Mercedes - B-Class Fuel Cell Kia - Borrego Fuel Cell CODA - EV sedan Ford and Toyota dealers - their respective hybrids VW dealer - Jetta SportWagen TDI and Golf TDI Others - EV fortwo clone, X-Prize vehicles, etc. GM had two Volts there, one silver and one black. They were offering test-drives, but there was a 100 person waiting list, so I only rode in the backseat. Overall impressions: * Great looking car with interesting details. The projector headlight fixtures, the unique LED tails, the center mounted reverse light, the piano black window trim, the black room, and the silvery metal grill pattern made the car look far more expensive and original than a Prius. The profile is quite sleek, and it's far sportier than the plebeian Cruze that was nearby. The styling is definitely appropriate for a $33,500 car. * Great interior. Both had black leather interiors. There's a decent amount of soft-touch materials in the front (upper dash and door panels), and the perforated leather was a nice touch. In pictures the interior looked a bit cheap, but in black at least, it wasn't. I was pleasantly surprised by the white center stack, which looked like a Chinese Apple knock-off in pictures, but it works in person. I'm 5'11" and found the rear seats comfortable. The overall driving position is quite low, so it feels like a fairly sporty car. Build quality was good; the doors slammed with a solid thunk, though some of the exterior panels on this "non-saleable" production model weren't aligned perfectly. Overall, I found the interior appropriate for a $33,500 car. * I rode in the black Volt, which had lime green interior accents and gray center stack; I prefer the other one. The car had just switched into E-REV mode when I climbed in, so it was interesting seeing how the generator worked. At parking lot speeds, the generator switched off, so it was still quiet and EV like. When it got to cruising speed, the generator kicked in seamlessly, giving a low-pitched slight drone. It's not unpleasant, but running completely silently in pure electricity is far more preferable. The rep says it gets about 30-50 MPG in extended range mode. No squeaks, rattles, or creaks that I noticed, and I didn't notice anything wrong with the ride quality or wind noise, etc. The car had 2500 miles on it. We were mostly in stop-and-go traffic, so we were going pretty slow... Overall I came away impressed by the Volt. I like how it looks different from any car on the road today, and I liked the comfort and practicality of its interior. There were tons of people gathered around it, in contrast to the handful in the Toyota booth. Definitely a very polished and refined vehicle. I got a chance to test-drive the Leaf, because Nissan had brought a dozen or so. Whereas the Volt is sporty in a traditional low-slung, big wheels sort of way, the Leaf is more like a pleasant, stress-free transportation pod. I thought it looked pretty good in black and red, and it's certainly distinctive, like a mystical little jewel or something. The interior is roomy; you sit upright unlike in the sporty Volt, and there's excellent visibility all around. The cabin is bright and airy, the center stack is lovely, and the materials are fine -- not as nice as the leather-lined Volt -- but it's appropriate for a $25,000 car, which it is. The whole interior ambiance, whether it's from the light fabrics used or the organic shape of the dash and doors, makes it the perfect antidote to the stress of commuting and routine life. It lowers your pulse, and really it's the complete opposite of the Volt. The biggest impression I got from driving the Leaf was how quiet, seamless, and stressfree it was. The power comes on silkily, the electric steering is light yet accurate, and the regen brakes feel completely natural. I prefer it to driving a Prius. The car comes with an excellent navigation system that shows the radius you can travel on the remaining charge, and overall, the reps from Nissan did a good job alleviating the issue of range anxiety. This is perfect car for those who live in urban areas, have a smart phone, live in states that have a public charging infrastructure, etc. I thought it was clever how Nissan utilized advanced telematics to make 100% EV viable, and I think for some, that's preferable to having to lug a rarely-used ICE around. I also drove a Golf TDI. I have to say, in these stop-and-go environments, the internal combustion engine, even a clean diesel, is completely outclassed. Whereas the Leaf was completely smooth and seamless, you could feel the DSG working as the clutch engaged and disengaged, or the turbo kick in at 1700 rpm. In the loop we drove around in, I averaged 14.5 MPG. This is more a car for the highway. Lastly, there's the CODA EV sedan, and what a joke. Its internal electric bits may be fine (bigger battery and longer range than Leaf), but the build quality of this modified Hafei Saibao was atrocious. It's like a 150K mile 1988 Camry inside. And they're trying to sell it for $44,900 before tax credits. Keep dreaming...

The primary reason I upgraded to Office 2008 was for Cambria... soo much more pleasant than Times New Roman. And I couldn't stand the OpenOffice stuff because it just looked so unfinished.

I'm quite partial to Gill Sans MT, or the official Saab font.

The wagon looks hot, and while the inside remains mostly the same, it's still the best non-luxury midsize interior you can get. Hope the NMS isn't much worse.

Yeah, for those reasons (and others) I'd get a 335i coupe instead. Too bad it looks like a whale. Hmm, maybe 135i then?

Thank goodness you're okay. Car accidents are no fun, but at least you were in a very safe car.

I've test driven a base-ish model with only 16" alloys and a manual. It definitely feels like a solid, well-constructed car that's bigger than it actually is. The clutch was super light, if a bit vague, and the gearing seemed well-suited for driving around town. It would work as a surprisingly competent family vehicle.