Chevy said they’d do it and they did. Despite a barely averted economic meltdown, vague, almost disingenuous advertising and nearly insurmountable technical obstacles, the 2012 Chevrolet Volt indicates that the plug-in hybrid hatchback sedan is here to stay. A somewhat subdued 2011 debut, not to mention a hefty introductory price, resulted in merely average sales of this 4-passenger ultra-hybrid. Rising fuel costs, however, plus a high-tech cabin, heady styling, and a well-wrought electric drivetrain, as well as an average of 92 mpg (in ordinary driving conditions) and an almost nonexistent environmental footprint, ought to see a boost in sales for 2012. The fact that Chevy has dropped the MSRP of the Volt’s only trim, known simply as the Base, by over $1,000 (to $39,145) doesn’t hurt, either. Beware, however, that the still-sizeable initial outlay on the 2012 Volt purchases only a 2-passenger rear seat, no power-adjustable front seating and fewer standard features. The Bose premium audio system and voice-activated navigation suite are no longer standard; instead, each is offered as a standalone option. Also, cargo space in this high-tech hatchback is a mere 10.6 cubic feet, though the folding rear seatback mitigates this lack of space to an extent.
Though king of the U.S. plug-in-hybrid hill in 2011, the 2012 Volt now faces some serious competition in Toyota’s new plug-in Prius PHV. Nissan’s all-electric Leaf, also a Volt rival, boasts zero emissions and no pesky gasoline-burning engine, but has a range of only 100 miles. The Volt, for which a home-based charger is recommended, can be recharged in an average of three hours with a 220-volt system and has a range of some 380 miles with judicious use of both gas and electric power.
A 111-kilowatt electric motor and single-speed direct drive power delivery system put out 149 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque in the 2012 Volt. A 1.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) gasoline engine recharges the 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack when needed on longer trips or when the daily plug-in is neglected, and the four-banger can also assist in providing power to the front wheels when cruising at higher speeds. Depending on driving habits and destination, the Volt can accelerate up to 100 mph for distances ranging from 25 to 50 miles on electric power alone. Should the battery become depleted, the I4 kicks in to recharge, while regenerative braking also adds some marginal charging power. Fuel efficiency, with conservative use of the I4, is estimated at a mighty impressive 95 mpg city/90 highway, though, again, these numbers reflect optimal driving conditions and habits.
Standard appearance features and creature comforts in the 2012 Chevy Volt, while abbreviated, remain impressive nonetheless. Outside, this hybrid hatchback sports a rear spoiler and 17-inch painted alloy wheels, while the cabin pampers with premium cloth upholstery and simulated alloy accents. Remote power door locks, heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, cruise control and air conditioning are also standard. Techno-gizmos include OnStar Directions and Connections service utilizing Bluetooth hands-free technology, while standard entertainment features include a single-CD player with six speakers, satellite radio and a USB connection.
Standalone options in the 2012 Volt include voice-activated navigation, Bose premium audio and Chevy’s touted MyLink voice-activated audio and communications system. One of two available packages is the Rear Camera and Parking Assist Package, including a rear-view camera and front and rear parking sensors. The Premium Trim Package, meantime, offers perforated leather upholstery, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and upgraded door inserts.
For 2012, Chevy’s cutting-edge Volt carries such standard safety equipment as 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags and front and rear head airbags. Also standard in the Volt Base trim are daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, a remote antitheft alarm and a post-collision safety system. As is traditional in GM automobiles, OnStar Emergency services, including Stolen Vehicle Tracking and Crisis Assist also comes standard.
Besides its burdensome price tag, owners of the 2011 Volt complain about its tiny cargo capacity, the necessity for a home recharging system and poor rearward visibility. The lack of standard leather upholstery and power-adjustable front seating also irks a number of owners, many of whom feel that, in this lofty price range, such items ought to be included as standard equipment. Owners do, however, give the Volt kudos for its laudable mileage, ultra low emissions, snappy looks, high-tech cabin and plethora of standard interior amenities. Acceleration, ride and handling all come in for their share of praise, as does the notable lack of engine racket engendered by electric power.
Hello I am from Portugal and I have a Chevrolet Volt 2012. I need the repair part 24252233 which is replaced by 24266096 (both are discontinued) . Can you help me to arrange this repair part? The solution that the representent of Chevrolet in Portugal says is to put in trash my Volt with 9 years old. The repair part is not available. Is it possible this happens. The problem is that i love my car and it's sad to get rid of it . Sincerely Yours Rui Pires
I want to sell my car and I put in my vin and it said: CarGurus Instant Market $8,513 Private Sale Estimate $7,393 Trade-in Value $4,328 When I put in the information and that I wanted to ask, it said it was a fair deal. Where does it calculate that? How can I get the CarGurus Instant Market price of $8,513?
so my car is up / I can see number of view's number of save's / Why can I not communicate with prospective byer's I can read there questions there is no place for me to send a response. the only option I have is to arrange a test ride. I can not share my phone number I can not get email at my at my address . It's like a joke CarGurus
I am listing a Chevrolet Volt which is a Plug in Hybrid. If you are searching by car type SEDAN and select Hybrid in the "Fuel Type" the volt does not show up. Also there is no selection for electric vehicles.
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Hard Drive: 30GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · Bose premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Sunshade: windshield · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.16
Engine
EV battery capacity: 16 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 3.3 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 149 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 111 · Electric Motor Torque: 273 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator Displacement: 1.4 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator HP: 83 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator Number of Cylinders: 4 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 4 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 35
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Header
Geographic Region: Other
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: front and rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Hard Drive: 30GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · Bose premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: rear seat · Sunshade: windshield · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.16
Engine
EV battery capacity: 16 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 3.3 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 149 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 111 · Electric Motor Torque: 273 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator Displacement: 1.4 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator HP: 83 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator Number of Cylinders: 4 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 4 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 35
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Header
Geographic Region: Other
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: front and rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: polished aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse