[Scotsman]

The Chevy Volt Interior and How it Will Start

It has been a whirlwind day through the Volt battery lab, wind tunnel, VR studio, and design studio. Lots of information to get out there. Considering I was in the accompaniment of 80 other journalists, expect a flurry of articles from many sources.

The first new thing I wanted to share was what we were told about how the Chevy Volt will start. First of all, the design freeze has essentially been reached. the exploration phase is over and only minimal changes could take place from now on. I saw a large photo of the finalized interior, and it is beautiful. Lines will sweep out from the center display, and will give a spacious and comfortable experience. It is futuristic, high-tech, and speaks eloquently to the electrical nature of the car.

To that end the car will start uniquely. There will be no key or ignition!

You will have a fob, and the car will recognize you as you approach, it will give forth visual and audio signals, "come to life" as designer Tim Creig says.

Once inside you will push a start button on the enter console, which will depress. To begin driving, there will be a paddle-type shifter in the console. One squeezes the lever and engages the drivetrain.

The interior will feature ambient lighting, and use a bounty of recycled and recyclable materials, and conceivably biofabric seat covers.

The center display I saw showed options for radio, back-up camera, navigation, and internet access. The seats will be wider apart then the conventional delta compact platform to accommodate the battery pack running down the center of the car from front to back.

Overall a very pleasing and exciting interior. Sorry, but they would’nt allow us to take in any cameras.

http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/03/the-ch...it-will-start/