Lately, Maximum Bob Lutz was reported saying that the price of the Chevrolet Volt could reach about $48,000. Lutz said that $40, 00 would be possible only if GM doesn’t make a dime on the car. Government incentives are expected to bring the price closer to the $30,000 range.

GM-Volt.com, a site not owned by GM, is running a virtual waiting list showing the interest that people have in purchasing GM’s upcoming electric car. As of May 5th, 20,000 people have signed up saying that they would purchase the Volt when it arrives in 2010.

When it arrives in 2010, the Chevrolet Volt is expected to be powered by a 160-hp electric motor that will allow it run on electricity for up to 40 miles. With the use of gasoline, the car can travel a range of about 400 miles.

Over 20,000 people have expressed their interest in purchasing GM’s electric car, the Chevy Volt when it arrives in 2010. They have all signed up on the grass-roots waiting list managed by the Volts’ leading enthusiast website GM-Volt.com.

The Chevy Volt concept was first unveiled by General Motors in January 2007. It is a sleek and sporty 4-passenger car than can drive for up to 40 miles on pure electricity, powered by a 160 hp electric motor. Beyond that distance, the car uses an on-board back-up gasoline generator which will keep the batteries charged for a total range of about 400 miles.

GM-Volt.com was created in response to GM’s initial announcement to concentrate public opinion on the Volt’s development and to help ensure the concept didn’t die.

The site’s founder is Dr. Lyle Dennis, a New York area neurologist who advocates the country shifting from petroleum use.

Source: GM-Volt

Resourceful Chevy fans at Camaro5.com have come through again with some more sneaky handiwork. Just when we thought the Camaro madness was about to die down..

This time the fan site has posted pictures of a completely undisguised Camaro convertible, with the top down and everything. The roofless pony car is a natural extension of the coupe, though lifting the lid has a bit of a lengthening effect, somewhat negating the standard car’s aggressive lines.

With the luxury of four seats, and the advantage of being box-fresh, we don’t doubt that if the price is in line with Ford’s Mustang, Chevy will be able to sell a boatload of these ragtop Camaros.

I’ve been a pony car guy, covering 1960s models to the present. The Ford Mustang existed as the more refined of the two in its classic guise. Its engine and options roster weren’t as wide as the Camaro’s, but the Mustang’s road manners (in the small-block trim) were calm and disciplined.

By the 1970s, however, the Mustang’s obesity (1971-73) and then shrunken size (1974-78) cost it in contrast to the single Camaro line that aged in he 1970s, but kept its same character from 1970 to 1981. It’s fair to say the Gen III Mustang and Camaro had a tough shootout in the 1980s, but the ’90s Gen IV Camaro easily outperformed the Mustang in handling, speed, and (in my books) styling. The Camaro’s one flaw, by this time, was its limited trim options.

The Gen V Mustang may be the best since 1970, but it’s become the target by which GM seems to have outperformed. Judging from GM’s family sedans (Chevy Malibu), trucks (GMC Sierra), compacts (Saturn Astra) and full-size sedans (Pontiac G8), I think the General will have no problem spanking Ford’s stallion.