Clean Green Cars: GM: Volt to be sportier alternative to Prius and Insight

GM: Volt to be sportier alternative to Prius and Insight

2011 Chevy Volt - Click above for high res image gallery

Now that the Chevrolet Volt has progressed to the point where vehicles with production-looking bodywork are running around the automaker’s testing grounds in Warren, Michigan, the time has come for the crew to begin ironing out details like the ride height and spring rates that will directly affect the car’s ride and handling.

Regarding these points, chief engineer Andrew Farah has some interesting things to say about the Volt and the way GM will position it against its competitors. For instance, Farah notes (in reference to the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight), “Our chassis is much more sporty than either of the other vehicles.”

Farah also comments on a couple of changes to the car’s exterior design that eagle-eyed parties had noticed, such as the relocation of the plug from the front fender to under a flap in the traditional location for a gas cap. Other changes, though, such as the headlamps and taillamps may merely be present because the Volt is still early in its development cycle and there are some pre-production bits that aren’t yet necessary for testing purposes.

Spy photographers take note: Farah also says the car is set to undergo some hot-weather endurance testing out west this summer.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt