Drew Dowdell

General perception seems that this is a step above the Prius in technology. (which I think is true) I'm guessing there is a bit of a "New Star" status as people here in Pittsburgh are seeing it in the wild for the first time. Pruis is "just another car" and there is nothing perceived to be special about it. No one has brought up the Leaf yet.

Lots of questions about how it drives. Does it feel like a normal car? What kind of fuel economy am I getting. People know what this car is. They recognize it very quickly and they know it by name. There are no questions of who makes it. Most telling quote so far: "Not something I'd ever expect from a Chevy"

I don't down rate a post often... but that one gets a -1 from me.

Why would they do that? They just updated their logo to include it!

There was 0% left on the battery indicator. I understand that GM builds in a reserve under that as well... but as received, I had no EV range left when I got in it the first time. Still, the engine ran for about 5 miles out of the city and after climbing the last big hill, it would start to cycle off on the downhills and on climbing back up hill. Half way back from the airport, it cycled on and off a few more times till about 5 miles out of downtown where is cycled off and I was in regen mode from inertia for the rest of the trip in. It didn't cycle back on for the remainder of the trip. Yes, I did reset the trip meter. I'm using the "A" trip meter for single trips and the "B" trip meter will measure my over all mileage during the eval. When I plugged the Volt in this evening at 7:30, the battery registered 4% and 0 miles of EV range. GM included a Verizon Droid with the MyOnstar app installed and connected to this car so I can monitor the vehicle remotely.

You want to try to explain to your grandmother how to use Pandora (can I give a thumbs up from the steering wheel control?) and why it's different from XM?

For a silver 4-door hatch back, it certainly turns a lot of heads. I get people slowing down to pace me. I had 3 Pittsburgh police stop what they were working on and watch me drive by saying "That's the new Chevy". People know the car.

You'll get to find out when the Verano eAssist comes out.

Well I've only had 30 miles behind the wheel so far, but as far as how it drives... it drives like a normal car. It's got really good "kick" when you need acceleration around town. NHV is less than the already quiet Cruze. As far as reach, everything is good there. I'm not yet convinced about button layout, but again, my time so far has been limited. Seats are right out of the Cruze right down to the stupidly located seat recline lever. However, once you're in and adjusted, the seat is seems VERY comfortable. I plan to do some longer distance driving this weekend, so I'll follow up with you again. Visibility is excellent. The center rear view mirror is oddly small.

just... barely. At highway speeds it's transparent enough that you need to look at the energy management display in order to see what is really going on. I'm charging on 110v. If you can plug in your laptop, you can plug in the Volt. the touch sensitive center stack is fine... it's the layout of the controls that I'm still learning. It doesn't feel like the same layout as other vehicle. Will get back to you.

This Just In: 2011 Chevrolet Volt This week's interactive review if of the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year - The 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Hit the jump to ask questions or request pictures and video. Interactive Review: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

This Just In: 2011 Chevrolet Volt The 2011 Chevrolet Volt joins us for a week long interactive review. The Volt was delivered to me with a completely depleted battery because the hotel where it was plugged in over night cut power to the outlet it was using. Still, on a 30 mile round trip run to the airport, the Volt was able to recharge via regenerative braking and the onboard regenerator so that much of the return trip was using electric only. According to the onboard energy meter, I got 77.3mpg out of the Volt despite the depleted battery. So gear up your questions for this week's interactive review of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Related: Chevrolet Volt named 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year The Volt: Still not a Hybrid

If/When they do a 300C SRT-8 in AWD, there is going to need to be some serious financial discussions happening at my house.

How is it that 2 years ago Chrylser couldn't BRIBE me into their cars and now.... now I'd have to pick between the Charger and the 300C and the Durango and the Grand Cherokee......

I think Dodge should do one about Audi claiming to be able to operate the A8 with an index finger.

Awesome commercials.... and having Dexter narrate them makes it even better!

GM launches Mylink System to compete with Ford's Sync and Toyota's Entune NEW YORK – Consumers who seek a higher level of in-vehicle wireless connectivity and customized infotainment options, plus the unmatched safety and security of OnStar need look no further than the 2012 Chevy Volt and Equinox. When these vehicles go on sale later this year, they will be the first to offer Chevy MyLink – an in-car infotainment package that builds on the safety and security of OnStar and seamlessly integrates online services like Pandora® internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio® using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth device connectivity. “There is a new generation of car buyers who don’t want to settle for mass market radio,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “They want to create their own individual stations and have access to them wherever they are. Chevrolet vehicles have offered customers the ability to use portable media devices since 2006 and the introduction of MyLink takes media personalization to a new level. ” MyLink adds stereo audio streaming and wireless control of smartphones, building on the voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free calling capability already offered in most Chevy vehicles. MyLink also includes a seven-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display that makes media selection easy to navigate. “Chevrolet MyLink is the next logical step for in-vehicle connectivity,” said Karl Stracke, vice president for Global Product Engineering. “MyLink leverages the mobile broadband capability and the sophisticated, online services made possible by today’s smart phones.” MyLink retains all the capabilities of today’s entertainment units, including AM/FM/XM tuners, CD player with MP3 playback, auxiliary and USB inputs. But, Stracke says, “These are the essentials and we’re building from there.” Among the new benefits provided by MyLink: Enhanced hands-free voice control system powered by Nuance®, which allows simple voice commands to initiate phone calls and select radio stations or media from portable MP3 players and smartphones. A tap of a button on the steering wheel enables intuitive verbal control of smartphone applications like “play (artist name)” or “call (name of contact)” to keep the driver’s hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Pandora® internet radio allows users to create personalized radio stations based on favorite artists or genres and Stitcher SmartRadio® enables access to thousands of audio programming choices allowing customers to build a personalized listening experience. MyLink integrates control of both of these apps for a driver directed listening experience. Gracenote®: identifies the music collection on the driver’s smartphone or MP3 player and presents information such artist name, genres and album cover art on the MyLink screen and enables users to select similar music to the tunes they love. Gracenote also improves the accuracy of MyLink’s voice activation system by allowing users to access music using artist nicknames, such as “The Boss,” “G.N.R,” or “The Fab Four” simply by using MyLink’s touch-screen or steering wheel buttons and voice control interfaces. Upgraded USB connectivity: While Chevrolet has offered auxiliary device connectivity since 2006, MyLink adds flash memory capability to its USB device connections. This provides users with the ability to access approved applications that will make their MyLink system even more functional, while assuring that driver’s maintain eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. The debut of Chevy MyLink extends the OnStar experience from safety and security to information and entertainment by seamlessly integrating the capability of a smartphone into the vehicle so that hand-held phones may be safely stowed while driving. When OnStar debuted in 1996, it pioneered in-vehicle connectivity with the auto industry’s first embedded telematics system. It has grown from primarily offering automatic crash notification and security features to include remote vehicle diagnostics, turn-by-turn navigation and the ability to slow down stolen vehicles. In November 2010, OnStar released a smartphone application for all 2011 Chevy vehicles that incorporated remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle status checks as well as battery management functions for Volt owners. Volt owners also have the MyVolt.com website to provide those remote management features and other Chevy owners soon will have access to similar web-based OnStar services. The combination of MyLink and OnStar will soon be joined by the integration of the Powermat® charging system – eliminating the need for charging cords. Chevrolet MyLink will be available beginning with the 2012 Chevrolet Volt and Equinox this fall before expanding to other vehicles in the Chevy lineup over the next 18 months.

How is the exterior all new beyond the fascias?

Same as the "new" Corolla reveal 10 months ago. At least Honda has a better base to start from.

The new terrain and the baby enclave will not be sharing the same platform. Basically, this generation will be the final generation for the "pure" Theta platform. The Acadia is moving to the Theta-Epsilon platform which is the melding of the two. The Terrain will be going on an CUV variant of the Delta 2 platform (I explain earlier why the Cruze isn't Delta 2). The Baby Enclave is going on the Gamma platform. At the GMC-Buick dealership, it's entirely possible that you'll leapfrog from brand to brand as you move up the CUV ladder. Granite - HHR sized on Gamma - still not certain to be built Baby Enclave - nothing currently comparable in size at GM. Think slightly larger than a Nissan Rogue GMC Terrain - Delta 2 platform, smaller than current Terrain, closer to CR-V in size GMC Acadia - Look at the 9-4x then stretch it a bit to fit a 3rd row. Buick Enclave - similar to today.

No... just moving to a newer platform.

The new Acadia will be a 5 + 2 which the Terrain isn't. The Terrain is much larger than it's competition and will be moving to a lighter platform.