The New York Times recently carried a review of a pre-production model of the Volt. It’s one of the first times that a journalist has been allowed to drive the car in range-extending mode – with the onboard generator running. It’s well worth a read if you are interested in this car, but here are the main points:

• It really works…
• The engine generator cuts in very smoothly and provides seamless drive – it isn’t an engine, just a generator that charges the cars batteries, from which all drive is powered.
• It seems to offer real potential as it could be used as a household’s sole car – unlike all-electric cars (in most cases)
• The reviewer finishes up by describing the current Volt as “an extremely refined vehicle”.

As I have said before, I would seriously consider one of these (if the price/fuel consumption figures stacked up) but would not consider an all-electric car. How many other people must be in the same position as me? I can’t wait until this comes to market, which is scheduled for around 9 months from now, in the US.

Note: The New York Times has now published a followup article in which the reviewer, Lindsay Brooke, answers some of the questions submitted by readers in response to his review – click here.