2011 Chevy Volt Will Start at $40,280, Ordering Open

The speculation is over. The price tag for a new Chevy Volt, the extended-range hybrid, will start at $40,280 before a $720 destination charge brings the total to $41,000. If you qualify for a full tax credit of $7,500, it will cost $33,500, which is a price GM likes to point out. However, not all buyers will qualify for that credit, which is based on a sliding scale of $0 to $7,500 depending on the buyer’s income.

Leases will also be available for as low as $350 a month for 36 months with $2,500 due at signing, which includes the security deposit. That’s a pretty good lease deal.

Finally, interested buyers can go to a participating dealer starting today to begin the ordering process. You can visit GetMyVolt.com to find a participating dealer.

The Volt will come with a lot of standard equipment at that price, including many high-tech features. Chief among them are a six-speaker Bose stereo system with navigation, XM satellite radio, USB port and 30GB of audio storage. There is also a 7-inch LCD touch-screen to display basic in-car features such as entertainment information but also Volt-specific needs. Also standard: remote starter, keyless entry and start, Bluetooth, auto-dimming rearview mirror, programmable garage door remote, LED daytime headlights, 17-inch wheels, steering-wheel audio controls, cruise control and adjustable drive modes for normal, Sport and Mountain.

There’s even a special “pedestrian-friendly alert,” which emits a horn chirp (instead of a horn beep, we assume), using the turn-signal lever.

Only 600 dealers will be equipped to sell and service the Volt when it launches in seven states at the end of 2010. That is roughly 90% of the dealers in the launch markets.

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