VISIONARY CHEVROLET VOLT DEFINES THE AUTOMOTIVE PATHWAY FORWARD

The Chevrolet Volt has become the icon for the automotive pathway forward and today made its Canadian auto show debut in Toronto. Recently recognized with the Green Car Journal's `2009 Green Car Vision' award, the Volt is planned for production beginning in late 2010.

The Volt creates a new class of vehicle known as the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle. Using electricity to move the wheels at all times, it delivers up to 65 kilometres of all-electric, no-emissions driving with the peace of mind of hundreds of kilometres of additional range when required.

"With the Volt, GM sparked the entire focus that the industry is now putting on vehicle electrification," said Marc Comeau, GM of Canada's Vice President, Sales, Service and Marketing. "While others scramble to get on board, GM's commitment to vehicle electrification now totals more than $1 billion."

GM's has developed an extensive network of battery suppliers, universities, governments and industry organizations to advance the development of hybrids, plug-ins, electric vehicles and the related electric infrastructure, and is working here in Canada in a partnership with Ontario Power Generation, as well as several other EPRI-member power generators in Ontario and across the country, to help ensure that Canada is plugged-in to the new era of automotive transportation.

New era in automotive transportation

The Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds using GM's Voltec electric propulsion technology. For trips up to 65 kilometres, the Volt is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. When the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the Volt's electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range of the Volt for several hundred additional kilometres, until the vehicle's battery can be charged. Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Volt eliminates "range anxiety," giving the peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery.

The Chevrolet Volt can be plugged either into a standard household 120v outlet or use 240v for charging. The vehicle's intelligent charging technology enables the Volt's battery to be charged in less than three hours on a 240v outlet or about eight hours on a 120v outlet. Charge times are reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted.

Form follows function

Working closely with GM aerodynamicists to shape the Volt, design and engineering teams developed one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in GM's history. They spent hundreds of hours with the Volt in GM's wind tunnel, testing and re-testing parts such as the front and rear quarter panels, rear spoiler, rockers and side mirrors. Aerodynamic improvements enabled GM to reach the Volt's target of driving up to 65 kilometres without using gasoline or producing emissions.

Inside, the Volt offers the space, comfort, convenience and safety features that customers expect in a four-passenger sedan, and it delivers them in a variety of interior color, lighting and trim options unlike any offered before on a Chevrolet sedan. Modern controls and attractive materials, two informational displays, and a touch-sensitive infotainment centre with integrated shifter distinguish the Volt's interior from other vehicles in the market.

Some of Volt's interior technological features include:

• Driver-configurable, liquid crystal instrument display
• Standard 178 mm (seven-inch) touch screen vehicle information display
• Touch screen-style climate and infotainment controls
• Optional navigation system with onboard hard drive for maps and music storage
• Standard Bluetooth for cellular phone and USB/Bluetooth for music streaming

Charge out of driving

The Chevrolet Volt offers spirited driving performance in a remarkably quiet interior. More than 220 lithium-ion cells contained within the Volt's battery pack provide ample power. The Volt's electric drive unit delivers the equivalent of 150 horsepower, 273 lb-ft. (370 Nm) of instant torque, and a top speed of 160 km (100 miles) per hour. The lack of engine noise, combined with special sound-deadening materials, make the Chevrolet Volt an extremely quiet vehicle to drive.

The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility, subject to GM successfully negotiating satisfactory government incentives. Production is scheduled to begin late 2010 for models in the United States. Pricing has not been announced. Visit media.gm.com/volt for more information.

General Motors of Canada (GMCL) is engineering and manufacturing advanced environmental technologies ranging from Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and hybrid systems to E85 biofuel and fuel cell vehicles - more than any other auto company right here in Canada. Headquartered in Oshawa Ontario, GMCL employs 12,000 people nationwide. GM of Canada manufactures vehicles, vehicle powertrains, and markets the full range of General Motors vehicles and related services through approximately 700 dealerships and retailers across Canada. Vehicles sold through this network include Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, Hummer, Saab and Cadillac.

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For media enquiries contact:
General Motors of Canada
Product Communications
Tony LaRocca
905-644-1804
tony.larocca@gm.com