Shortly after getting our first two Volts in 2012, I attended the Chicago Auto Show, as a member of the media. Since then, I have only attended auto shows in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Well, it’s time to dust off the travel gear, as I am headed to the media preview of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Yes, Detroit.
In mid-January.
I am looking forward to seeing many of the new plug-in vehicles that will be on display, but am especially curious about the new iteration of the Chevrolet Volt. I am gearing up to be able to shoot lots of stills and video for you, my dear readers, but my trip is self-serving as well. My 2012 Volt’s lease will be up at the beginning of August 2015 and I’m trying to determine what viable choices there are, for my next vehicle. My wife Bonnie is pretty sure she’ll be getting another Volt, when her lease ends in late December 2015. I think it’s important that at least one of us has an extended range hybrid for longer trips, but am open to the idea of one of our vehicles being totally electric. I really like the Cadillac ELR but cannot justify the price tag. That being said, I have seen dealers drastically reducing the price of ELRs in order to move them and I’m tempted. From my review of the ELR, you may have gotten a sense of how certain features really appealed to me, especially adaptive cruise control. I also likes its looks. However, the new Volt will leapfrog the ELR in drive train capability (if statements from GM are to be accepted at face value) and I’m an early adopter. I want the newest, coolest stuff out there…
I’m also looking for a plug-in vehicle with style. I definitely have strong opinions about vehicle appearance and want a car, for whose appearance I won’t have to make excuses. If I could imagine anything I want, it would be an all-electric Corvette Stingray with a price tag around $40K. Yeah, well, people in Hell want ice water…
My dad had a saying I never fully understood until years after I was out on my own. I’ll paraphrase it here, since this blog is meant to be family-friendly.
“Wish in one hand and poop in the other and see which one fills up first.”
(I have not experimented with this concept, as I am a fairly fastidious person. I just thought about it and believe I understand the practical nature of its sentiment.)
That being said, I’m filling one hand with lots and lots of wishes and hope to see those wishes granted, in the form of my next vehicle. I’ve never owned a vehicle I have loved as unreservedly as my Volt, so I am predisposed to getting another one. However, here’s my message to manufacturers: Knock my socks off and I may be your next customer.
And I’m very, very vocal in my praise.
Just give my socks back to me, before I venture back out into the snow…
Would love to see photos and brief descriptions of the new offerings. It will be interesting to find out if auto makers will introduce new plug-in hybrids or if they will go all electric in anticipation of new battery breakthroughs.
I think that plug-in hybrids have a better chance to sell in the hinterlands than EVs.
That’s the plan. Got a Solo Stick, S1 Smartphone Rig, Quadlock Case & tripod mount as well as a Olloclip lens set for my iPhone 6. I should have all sorts of stills & video. I’m hoping to be able to post from my hotel room, but failing that, will put it all together when I get back.
BTW, the Renault Zoe looks impressive. I assume it will be sold here at some point.
http://insideevs.com/updated-2015-renault-zoe-coming-more-range/
How about a table showing Make/Model, EV/PHEV, max electric range, and MSRP (anything else?)?
That would be a handy comparison.