Rolling silently down the road, the Chevrolet Volt still manages to speak loudly with its clean lines, futuristic shape, and piercing LED headlights. And while it’s only been on the market for roughly two years, its heir is already taking shape in the design studio.
While he didn’t spoil the surprise, Chevrolet exterior design director John Cafaro told Autoblog that we can expect “a little more monochromatic, a little more road-hugging” next-generation Chevrolet Volt compared to the previous model. It might be just us, but we are real fans of the glossy black exterior trim accenting the rest of the Volt’s body. The “road hugging” quote may suggest a wider track for the next-generation model, as the Volt is plenty low to the ground as it is.
Cafaro also elaborated on the approach of the Volt 2.0’s design, being one of a very broad scope. “We’re getting some feedback. We’ve already built a body of research. There are a lot of different camps. From a design perspective, people want an exciting vehicle. Now, what does exciting mean? A lot of zoom-y lines? Deep cut forms? A lot of muscular shapes? We are looking at all the different kinds of design DNA for how we proceed with this technology. Nothing is left off the table. No idea is a bad idea.”
Anybody want to make a bet that it will feature Camaro-inspired taillights?
Comments
Version 2.0, should try to be a range of vehicles. Both normal sedan style and today’s fastback. If it can lose the center console or shrink it down, that would help greatly. Hopefully the interior design will lose the 1980s lego block appearance.
Wonder if GM will look at making an electric AWD type system
I really like the Volt’s clean, clutter free styling. It’s as timeless a design that we’ve seen in the last decade, IMHO.
If they’re on the fence as to which direction to head with the design, e.g, more futuristic or more mainstream, my vote is for futuristic.
^ Jeez, the thumbs down I get sometimes. 🙂
I have always thought the Opel Flextreme GT-E Concept (2010) was the clearest indication to the future design of the next Volt. it is lower and wider and longer than the current Volt and seems to fit the description that Jeff Cafaro eludeded too. I would be very happy to see the new Volt with the Flextreme’s proportions and a Chevrolet face. it certainly would not hurt to have a sleek and sexy Volt that looks like this.
See Opel Flextreme GT-E Concept here: http://www.netcarshow.com/opel/2010-flextreme_gt-e_concept/
I really like the Volt design but please do not have a round shape head
….And it’s a hatchback!
There they go, making it look better, when all Volt really needs is a 2.3L or so turbo to hook up to that wonderful Voltec transmission. The one that allows turbo cars to have 0 to 30 mph times consistent with their 30 to 150 mph times.
At least post some Volt 2.0 design treatments that carry the roofline back to the hatch door. Consider a hard surface treatment of the fold down back seats which provide a continuous flat floor behind the front seats to the ( almost vertical ) hatch door . (see Pontiac Vibe )…try built-in roof racks…with that I can put a dog crate in the back and take my Airedale out for a swim, I can take the canoe down to the river…I can move my wife’s pottery wheel…and I can park anywhere and pitch the “Volt lifestyle ” to anyone who is looking at it with a question on their face… just post a schematic for feedback from this forum…adb