Pricing for the all-new Holden Volt has been confirmed at $59,990 and the extended range electric vehicle goes on-sale at 49 national Volt dealers on 1 November.
The news comes as Holden also announced the Volt had achieved the maximum five-star safety rating from Australasian NCAP. With eight airbags (a first for Holden), reversing camera, Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert, the all-new Volt certainly raises the bar for Holden on the safety front.
Holden Volt is the first extended range electric vehicle launched in Australia, offering a total range of more than 600kms and capable of being re-charged from a normal household power outlet. In normal driving, the first 87kms is covered in pure electric mode and then the petrol-powered generator engine (rated fuel consumption 1.2l/100kms) kicks-in to provide battery charge.
So your normal weekly commute could be done emissions-free on battery power alone (re-charged at night in your garage) and your Holden Volt will have plenty of range for weekend escapes.
“Australians are spontaneous, often making plans at the last minute. With Volt they can hop in the car and head interstate if they want. You can’t do that in a pure-EV (electric vehicle) due to range restrictions,” explained Holden Australia chief Mike Devereux.
But owning and driving a Holden Volt isn’t a science experiment - inside are leather seats (heated fronts), climate-control air-conditioning and satellite navigation. A seven-inch LCD colour touch-screen on the centre console provides details on current power use and energy flow as well as tips to reduce energy use.
“Volt is a new kind of flagship for Holden and it is already a proven world beater, having taken out both the North American Car of the Year and European Car of the Year awards and winning fans around the globe,” Mr Devereux added.
In North American where the Volt is sold as a Chevrolet, around 70 per-cent of buyers have never previously owned a Chevrolet.
