ROTFL!!!

If I ever bought a car that made some artificial futuristic sound while moving, the first thing I'd do is find a way to disable it.

Nope.

You're forgetting that the function of the gasoline engine in the Volt is not to directly drive the wheels, but to keep the battery in a certain state of charge. The battery is the source of power for the electric motor driving the wheels.

I think you're missing the whole point of the Volt. The Volt is not to make money, at least in the short term. Perhaps down the road, the technology, when utilized in other vehicles, will make money for GM. The point is to displace our reliance on foreign oil. As long as we continue to throw money at OPEC, we leave ourselves vulnerable to terrorist attacks and wars on the other side of the world. The Volt is a stepping stone to a new world of motoring. While it is true that electric vehicles are not new technology, and also true is the fact that electric vehicle technology has been suppressed by oil companies and car companies for decades, better late than never, in my opinion. We have needed these cars for a long time, and I believe the Volt to be the first of many such vehicles.

People keep mentioning the $40K price tag for the car, while ignoring two points: One, the car will qualify for a $7500 tax credit for the first 100K units sold, effectively subsidizing much of the cost of the vehicle, and two; first generation products always command a higher price than subsequent generations, after the technology has been refined and the manufacturing process made more efficient. Costs WILL come down with further generations of the vehicle, especially if the Voltec engine is used in other vehicles, such as the Cadillac Coverj.

As for your statement about buying 2 1/2 tons of masculine SUV for the same price? That's the very sentiment that got us into this mess in the first place; buying gas-guzzling SUV's for no other reason than as a status symbol. I'm driving a big vehicle, therefore I'm somebody. That sentiment is now passe; why do you think HUMMER is now a giant anchor for GM, losing money every day it remains in operation?

Ulimately, the world only contains so much oil. We WILL run out someday. Electrical energy can be renuable, clean, and will never run out, so long as we're smart. It only makes sense to support ANY effort by a car company to push away the ICE engine as our only means of transport.

BTW, even if the Volt is nothing more than a PR stunt for GM to repair its image after the EV1 fiasco, I present the following: "So what?" If that's what it takes to get GM, at least, to pull their head out of the sand and look around, than so be it. Check out all the other manufacturers doing the same. BMW, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Tesla, Aptera, Ford, even Chrysler are all working on electric drivetrains with an eye to release to the public in a few years. We are at the turning point for motoring; just as CRT televisions gave way to plasma and LCD flat panels, so too will the internal combustion engine give way to alternatives, including electric, biofuels, and maybe, even hydrogen.

*Steps off soapbox*

Try to keep things in perspective. The Volt is a compromise; it is a way to introduce people to the advantages of electric drive without the worry of the disadvantages (range anxiety). For my part, 40 miles AER would be great for 80% of my driving, and when I want to take longer trips, I can without having to worry about recharging for 6 hours every 200 miles. Now, if you feel that 40 miles electric range is too short and you want to completely get rid of any gasoline usage, then by all means, save up for the Model S. It's a gorgeous car! But for many it's still outside the range of their budget. Many more people can afford something like the Volt than the Model S. There is room for both in the market place.

As for the battery, remember that the pack being put into the Volt would indeed be capable of more electric range, probably twice the 40 mile goal. The engineers are maximizing the life of the battery by installing more battery than is needed, since Li-Ion batteries like to operate within a "sweet-spot". They don't like to be kept in a state of full charge or discharge for extended periods of time. Computer software in the Volt will limit how much capacity in the battery is actually being used, thereby ensuring that the 40 mile range is maintained for the life of the vehicle, and won't drop over time.

My respect for Letterman went down a notch when he started passionately ripping on the Volt; I don't feel that such strong comments were justified, especially when they are misrepresenting what the Volt is. Saying it's only capable of 40 miles is utterly absurd. It went down another notch when he made like the Model S was electrocuting him; that was just embarassing.

And is now discontinued, with a new model to follow. Let''s home the next is as good/better, and reviews come sooner!

Looks hot! I probably should've waited before buying my car (Fit), this vehicle seems pretty awesome. Admittedly, though, I wouldn't buy anything before a test-drive.

Too bad about losing the LED headlights, though. Maybe there will be an HID option.

On what Gordio said: I don't think they can do a manual transmission in a hybrid electric drive train, it uses CVT does it not?

It's fashionable to hate on GM because of the way the company has historically been run. I'm not advocating admonishment of their sins, as GM certainly has made a lot of bad decisions, but at the same time, the problem with simply letting it die is the affect it would have on the rest of the economy. Many smaller suppliers are supported by GM, from whom GM buys parts. If GM simply folds, many of these companies will also fold, and the unemployment rate coule skyrocket. Things look bad now for the economy, but if that happens, I wouldn't be suprised to see The Great Depression No. 2.

These are the coices as I see them.

1: Let GM die, put thousands and thousands of Americans out of work until some other company restarts the American car industry.

2: Help GM get back on its feet, perhaps put it under new management, and move forward.

If you can afford it, get the Pioneer KURO. You will not regret it.