Holden Volt

The incredible future of automotive propulsion is here right now.

Holden's Volt is on sale in Australia for the first time.

It is truly an amazing vehicle... about the size of a Mazda 6/Holden Cruze or Honda Accord, the technology and fuel saving is astonishing.

The 1.4 litre petrol engine comes from the Cruze.

But it is only aboard to generate electricity for the twin electric drive motors, it's not connected to the drive wheels at all.

The Volt can be charged from a domestic power point overnight, a full charge giving an endurance of about 80 kilometres before it runs flat. 

But before that happens the petrol engine kicks in to start recharging it. 

As with other hybrids from Toyota and Honda the large T shaped battery when braking or descending a hill the battery is charged by a regenerative system through the electric motors. (The battery situated in what would normally be the transmission tunnel.)

So if you only used the car for a weekly commute the petrol generator/engine will never be needed! 

Just plug in overnight and you're ready to go for another 80 or so kays. On one gentle morning commute I saw a range of 93 kilometres.

It takes about four hours or so to fully recharge from empty.The cost? about $2.50.

On the highway after the battery nears its low point the generator starts and keeps the charge up to the battery. 

The range is about 600- kays before you need to even think about refuelling with petrol on a long highway run. 

Or you can just plug in to a socket wherever you might be staying overnight before resuming your journey.

The handling is very surefooted through corners.

The 1700 kg weight of the car barely noticed, although the low rolling resistant eco tyres don't feel to have as much grip as regular rubber.

The trend towards electric steering in many of today's cars is repeated in the Volt.

The effort to turn the wheel feels firmer than a hydraulic system but it's very accurate nonetheless. 

The fascia is ablaze with two colour information screens providing a myriad of information, including how efficiently you are driving, as well as Sat nav, audio, car settings and more. .

Despite the Volt's weight, acceleration is brisk, the only sound a slight whine from the electric motors and a whisper of wind and tyre noise once rolling.

The seats are quite firm but not uncomfortable and the ride is pleasantly smooth and absorbing.. most bumps passed virtually without notice.

It has a reasonably roomy interior but there are just four seats. There's enough room for most people.

Headroom in the rear is tight.

Rearward vision is not so good despite small quarter windows in the c pillar, and rear seat passengers heads are exposed to the sun though the large, almost overhead back window. .

For around sixty thousand dollars it's well worth a look and test drive, even if you are not an eco/hybrid car devotee. I was surprised at how well it goes about delivering what it does, exactly as advertised.

40 were sold nationwide in its first month in showrooms in December 2012.

Cars at similar prices simply can't match the Volt  for economy,versatility and features.   
Peter Sellen

Peter Sellen