Chevy Volt named Motor Trend's car of the year

A car that has yet to hit the North American market has been named Motor Trend magazine’s 2011 car of the year.

The Chevrolet Volt, General Motor’s electric hybrid car that is not expected to hit U.S. showrooms until next month, beat all contenders in the publication’s annual choice for its prestigious honour – the 61st time the title has been bestowed.

“This is a fully developed vehicle with seamlessly integrated systems and software, a real car that provides a unique driving experience. And commuters may never need to buy gas,” a post read on the magazine’s website today.

“I expected a science fair experiment. But this is a moonshot.”

The Volt can reportedly run up to 50 miles strictly on electricity before a gasoline engine takes over. At $33,550 US – including a federal tax credit – the new EV hybrid stickers for less than some traditional models and is expected to do well in the sales race when it lands in showrooms in December.

“The Volt started life an old GM project, then arrived fully formed as a symbol of new GM, carrying all the emotional and political baggage of that profound and painful transition. As a result, a lot of the sound and fury that has surrounded the Volt's launch has tended to obscure a simple truth: This automobile is a game-changer.”