Volt To Go To Trend Setters First?

Implications: GM executives said last week they are confident they can hit the ambitious target of 40 miles of battery-driven range for Chevy's new high-profile Volt "extended range" electric vehicle. Are they now suggesting that "trend setters" will get first crack at it?

Analysis: General Motors executives are discussing launching the Chevrolet Volt first in politically important and trend-setting markets on the coasts when the vehicle makes it to market in late 2010.

Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told the Free Press on Monday that the early plan for distribution of the Chevrolet Volt is to begin with California, followed by Washington D.C. (currying favor with the politico's?); Florida, New York and elsewhere on the East Coast.

"Of course that's only current thinking, and the plans could change" as the electric-drive car is still more than two years away, Lutz said.

The Volt, introduced as a concept car in Detroit in January 2007, is expected to get 40 miles of range from a overnight plug-in charge., followed by by more than 400 miles using a gasoline generator to charge the battery.

The concept has caught the imagination of car buffs who otherwise would never consider GM in their buying plans. Now some of them are even posting "spy photos" of a 1/3 scale version of the Volt camouflaged in masking tape, and a poor quality photo of the car's front cockpit.

While the final design remains under wraps, it is suggested the latest remake of the Volt features a shorter hood, and there's a bit more wedge to the overall stance.

What difference does the final tweaking make? While GM officials are cautious about specifics, they suggested that cheating the wind more efficiently could boost Volt's city-cycle range from 40 to as much as 44, solely on battery power.