Chevy Volt photos leak early

General Motors

Intentionally or not (GM cites "human error," for the record), several official photos of the 2011 Chevy Volt were posted to GM's media site on Monday and quickly made their way to enthusiast websites, giving us the first clear look at the car that the automaker views as a "game-changing" entry into the marketplace.

Much more should come next week, when the Volt is expected to be formally unveiled as part of the General Motors centennial celebration.

Unlike the blockier, more muscular-looking Volt concept car that made its debut in 2006, the production car's shape is softer and more rounded, an aerodynamic necessity, since the point is to maximize its efficiency.

A lithium ion battery pack will power to the electric motors that propel the car, which can be plugged into an outlet and charged overnight. GM's stated goal is to provide a 40-mile operating range on a full charge.

Supplementing the battery is a small gasoline engine that is not connected to the drivetrain in any way. When the battery charge is exhausted, the engine will act as a generator that supplies power to the battery, allowing the car to continue operation well beyond its electric-only range. Basically, its a series hybrid setup, though GM promotes it as a renge-extended electric car.

Powertrain development is still under way, and final, official numbers have yet to be published. As for price, the Volt is expected to carry a sticker of around $40,000, which could be pushed down into the $30Ks with the help of government tax incentives that are being pushed for.

Expect to see much more on the Volt next week as The General gets its centennial fiesta underway. Hopefully, we'll get some news on the specs and get a good look at the interior, too.

Alex Nunez is Associate Editor and contributor at Autoblog. His blog posts are provided by LifeWire, a part of The New York Times Company.