Thoughts from the Curb

Sep 23, 2008 - 2011 Chevy Volt : Only Four Seats? Tim Gunn Doesn't Approve

Well, I already know one of our "Cons" for the 2011 Chevy Volt: Only Four Seats. According to Dan Pund's take in Inside Line, the Volt's large T-shaped battery pack slices through the car's center. Placing a seat on top of it would either force occupants' heads into the roof or force engineers to raise the roof -- and not in a "my dad's trying to be hip but doesn't realize that went out in 1997" sort of way.

GM needs to make the Volt a five seater, however. Four seats is OK in a Volkswagen CC -- it inherantly is designed to trade style for utility with full knowledge that it will result in fewer sales than more conventional sedans. Given the Volt's wind-compromised styling and company messiah potential, it's pretty obvious GM isn't going for this. I've always contended the Prius has been such a success because of its extremely space-efficient interior -- people had to make very little compromise in terms of utility for maximum fuel efficiency. With only four seats, the Volt is forcing buyers to sacrifice practicality for maximum fuel efficiency. When that fuel efficiency is potentially infinite (depending on how far you live from work), that sacrifice may be acceptable for many, but it could be a deal breaker for many others.

I don't think GM should handicap the Volt in such a way right off the bat. They need it to have five seats. In the words of Tim Gunn, make it work.

-James Riswick

8:33 am | Categories: car news commentary Permalink | Alert Administrator

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