Autoline Daily provides first look at production Chevrolet Volt in black [w/VIDEO]

By now, we've all seen plenty of images of the production 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Up until this point, though, all of the shots that General Motors have let out have been of the car in a happy shade of silver. Not any more, as our friend John McElroy from Autoline Daily managed to score the world's first shots of what he says is the final production design of the Volt in stealthy black paint. The shady motif is broken up somewhat by a chrome accent that runs down each side of the car and flips back near the side-view mirrors and the large faux grille, which still bears a patterned appearance that mimics the look of a standard opening.

2011 Chevrolet Volt final production design

McElroy also got the chance to spend some time behind the wheel of GM's latest Cruze-based Volt mule, and he plans to add his initial thoughts to his Journal later today.

[Source: Autoline Daily]

Video:

2011 Chevy Volt one step closer to being rated at 100+ mpg

According to General Motors E-Flex spokesman Rob Peterson, the automaker has reached an agreement with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that would see the 2011 Chevy Volt get a unique classification different from other current hybrids. This new classification takes into account the fact that the Volt's 40-mile battery range allows it to complete the bulk of the emissions and economy test procedure without ever running the engine, which would likely give it a mpg rating of 100 mpg or better.

This is problematic for the EPA, which considers dual-power vehicles like the series hybrid Volt no different than a parallel hybrid like the Prius. Currently the EPA is expecting the Volt to complete the test cycle with a charged battery, which means the engine would have to run a lot more and essentially kill the charge sustaining control plan. According to Peterson, GM is still a long way from reaching an agreement with the feds on how to test the Volt, despite what the Detroit Free Press says. However, having CARB consider the Volt essentially an electric car is certainly a bargaining chip in GM's favor.