Volt to wear Lion badge

 

"There's a lot of speculation about what brand that car would be but I can tell you it will have a `Lion' on the front of it," GM-Holden managing director, Mark Reuss, says.

"It's going to be a Holden Volt."

Last week the petrol-electric Volt shot to international prominence when General Motors CEO, Rick Wagoner, drove a prototype mule of one part way to Washington to help secure funding for the US car industry.

The car is being developed in Detroit for GM's global markets.

General Motors describes it as a "range extending electric vehicle" that will be powered by batteries with a small four cylinder petrol engine used as a generator for the battery pack.

Initially likely to be available as a hatch, the green car will spawn a range of models, including wagons and possibly a two-door sportscar.

GM-Holden unveiled the Volt locally at the Sydney Motor Show early this year, confirming that it would be on sale here around 2012.

It will be able to travel up to 64km purely on its electric batteries alone.

Owners can expect to save thousands in petrol costs.

GM also expects to have a range of powertrains to back up the electric batteries.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed but it is tipped to cost about $35,000 and go head-to-head with the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

The car is similar in size to a $20,000 Toyota Corolla.

The Volt will be an important part of Holden's `Ecoline’ strategy to push fuel saving measures and alternative fuels.

Ecoline is designed to deliver fuel savings across all Holden models with high-tech alternative fuelled cars, active fuel management and other technological advances.

Active fuel management, which shuts down cylinders when not needed, becomes available on V8 Commodores from next month.

The company also plans to have an E85 Commodore on sale by 2010.

GM-Holden already sells an E85 compatible Saab through its Premium Brands, which includes Cadillac and Hummer.

 

 

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