Monday, July 2, 2012

Holden confirms Volt priced @ $59,990

Holden has confirmed our report of a fortnight ago officially pricing the Volt at $59,990 RRP (plus dealer delivery charges and related taxes) when it goes on sale in Australia later this year.

To offset its premium pricing, the Cruze-sized extended-range electric Volt will feature a comprehensive list of standard equipment including advanced safety features new to the Holden range.

Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning will be offered for the first time in a Holden, ensuring Volt offers some of the most advanced vehicle technology and cutting edge safety features in Australia.

The Volt’s Forward Collision Alert features front sensor indicators positioned on the windscreen alerting the driver via an audible alarm if they are travelling too close to the vehicle in front.

A Lane Departure Warning camera is also positioned on the windscreen and detects if the driver veers or swerves out of a marked lane without indicating.

Volt’s safety is further enhanced with the inclusion of eight airbags and a rear view camera.

The Volt’s infotainment system continues the theme of advanced technology, with a standard 7-inch colour LCD touch screen, satellite navigation, audio interface including voice recognition and Bluetooth®, DVD playback, MP3 plug and play functionality and USB input with iPod® compatibility.

A 30GB inbuilt hard drive enables users to store their own music tracks while audio is delivered through a six speaker premium Bose® audio system with amplifier and sub woofer.

Even Volt’s sound system is focused on minimising energy usage. The Bose® Energy Efficiency Series speaker system uses 50 per cent less energy than comparable Bose® systems but with a sound that remains 100 per cent crystal clear.

Holden Executive Director – Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, John Elsworth said Holden had highly specified the Volt for its launch in Australia.

“Volt will offer some of the most advanced electric vehicle technologies in Australia and has won a long list of awards and fans around the globe,” Mr Elsworth said.

“It is the perfect package of stylish design, advanced technology and premium features that proves electric cars don’t need to be quirky to make a statement.

“It’s a fantastic car to drive, with great handling and the performance you’ve come to expect from a Holden and it will have real appeal to buyers looking to drive the latest in technology, without having to compromise on either range or functionality.

“With all of the standard premium features, Volt makes a very compelling choice for car buyers who may not have considered an electric car before or may be looking at premium European vehicles.”

As with all new Holden owners, Volt drivers benefit from the peace of mind provided by the HoldenWise aftersales service. Capped price servicing of $185 (inc GST) is offered on the first four standard scheduled log book services for the first three years or 60,000km, whichever comes first.

Additionally Holden has today confirmed an eight year/160,000 kilometre warranty will be offered on the Volt battery and Voltec components. The warranty includes all 161 components of the Volt’s battery, its charging, thermal-management system and components of its electric drive system and is transferable to other vehicle owners.

Prospective Volt buyers can now place an order with their local specialist dealer with the first cars scheduled to be delivered to customers before the end of the year. A full list of Volt dealers can be found at theHoldenHQ blog or via the Holden dealer locator.

Holden Volt Specification and Feature Highlights:

Interior

Volt’s cockpit design creates a unique driving experience. The touch sensitive centre stack houses a 7-inch LCD colour touch screen which relays real-time information on energy use and power flow to the driver. It offers the driver efficiency feedback based on driving style and climate settings and will even give tips on how to reduce energy usage.

Voice recognition allows voice control on certain Bluetooth® radio, audio system and navigation functions, including selecting radio stations, audio tracks, navigation settings and preset destinations.

Range

Volt is powered by GM’s revolutionary electric propulsion system; it consists of a 16.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and electric drive unit that provide a pure electric range of up to 87 kilometres depending on driving conditions. (the 2012 Chevy Volt claims a maximum EV mode range of 38 miles - 60 km) A 1.4 litre petrol-powered generator extends the range by maintaining a charge in the battery to power the wheels until the car can be recharged, giving a total range of over 600 kilometres depending on conditions.

Drivers can choose from three driving modes – normal, sport and hold. Sport mode is designed to give the driver maximum driving enjoyment through heightened response times and sports feedback. Alternatively the driver can select hold mode, which conserves the power in the battery and maintains an electric charge from the petrol generator.

Engine and Transmission

Electric drive unit which incorporates automatic transmission – electronic ratio select

  • 1.4 litre DOHC petrol 4-cylinder engine
  • Battery - 16.5-kWh lithium-ion rechargeable energy storage system; includes liquid thermal management system with active control
  • Output 111kW @ 5000rpm (est)
  • Electric drive – 370Nm torque
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