[CarGarage]

Originally Posted by CarGarage

I was told by my insider that is has to do with aftermarket support

*cts LWB

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by hotlapZL1

Put the current Camaro front and a Stingray inspired rear on it and I say winner. The side profile is really nice. The dished in doors look similar the the current cars lower door section.

Rear hatch like gen 3 and Stingray would be an improvement over the current car

Hatchback's don't sell well in the US market.

They are noisier and have much less structural rigidity which hurts performance as well.

I'd be shocked if we see one. Heck I'd be shocked if we got a Cruze hatchback which is available in other parts of the globe.......just not here.

[McRat]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Hatchback's don't sell well in the US market.

They are noisier and have much less structural rigidity which hurts performance as well.

I'd be shocked if we see one. Heck I'd be shocked if we got a Cruze hatchback which is available in other parts of the globe.......just not here.

The Volt is based on the Cruze, and it's a 4 door hatchback.

Pretty sure the Prius is too, which unlike the Volt, is a huge seller.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by McRat

The Volt is based on the Cruze, and it's a 4 door hatchback.

Pretty sure the Prius is too, which unlike the Volt, is a huge seller.

That's more out of necessity than anything else. The aerodynamic shape of high efficiency cars like Volt and Prius dictate that.

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by McRat

The Volt is based on the Cruze, and it's a 4 door hatchback.

Pretty sure the Prius is too, which unlike the Volt, is a huge seller.

There is one example................doesn't make it true in the big picture. Sorry, but I can usually find one data point to prove any case as long as I ignore all the other data.

Aero, as Fen points out, drove the Volt shape. The slightest hint of a notchback ruins performance.

Yes, Mazda and Ford and Subaru sell hatchbacks. Not in high numbers and not enough to entice GM into that market segment.

For a performance car it's not worth the trade off. And before you go, "yeah but Corvette", you have to consider that cars body........completely different structure. Not impossible, just not worth it IMO.

[McRat]

I never could understand the poor Volt sales compared to the Prius. The Prius is ugly, slow, poor electric range, dirtier, and handles like a dumptruck.

I guess that whole Toyota is better crap is still in force. It is the iPhone of economy cars:



disclaimer, our whole family has iPhones, but that's still a good analogy to the Prius.

[FenwickHockey65]

Because at introduction, Volt cost $40k. Prius starts in the 20s.

[McRat]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Because at introduction, Volt cost $40k. Prius starts in the 20s.

I paid $25,800 out the door including all taxes and rebates. which is the norm.

But, it's technology level is wildly above anything Toyota has been able to put into a showroom. There is a reason it's more. It's a much better car with much lower operating costs, and much better performance.

One thing that really hurt the Volt was the Feds. They gave the gas-only Prius hybrid HOV stickers but not the Volt until 2013. Even though many Volt users never drive on gasoline at all. In our case, 6100mi used 20 gallons of gas. Most of those gas miles were driving long distances to the track on gas, so we could race it on electricity-only.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by McRat

I paid $25,800 out the door including all taxes and rebates. which is the norm.

But, it's technology level is wildly above anything Toyota has been able to put into a showroom. There is a reason it's more. It's a much better car with much lower operating costs, and much better performance.

One thing that really hurt the Volt was the Feds. They gave the gas-only Prius hybrid HOV stickers but not the Volt until 2013. Even though many Volt users never drive on gasoline at all. In our case, 6100mi used 20 gallons of gas. Most of those gas miles were driving long distances to the track on gas, so we could race it on electricity-only.

Yeah I'm going to call BS on mid-20s being the norm to buy a Volt. If that was the case they'd be flying off dealer lots. Right now I could get a Volt for $31,515 before taxes and that's with manufacturer incentives and employee discount, plus the price cut for MY2014.

Edit: California has a state tax rebate. That's not the norm. Most states don't have something like that in place and the only tax incentive on Volt is the $7500 federal tax credit, which varies wildly depending on your taxes. Also, HOV is mostly a California thing. It's not a nationwide program.