CNN's Peter Valdes-Dapena was given the opportunity to test drive one of the Chevy Volt mule vehicles. Since this is likely to be one of several we will see published I think it would be helpful to cover these individually. Have no fear faithful readers, I too had a test drive opportunity as well. GM though has placed an embargo on my experience and will not let me publish it until a certain number of journalists have had the chance. If they change the rule I will publish it ASAP.The CNN review broke down into 4 sections:The vehilce is a mule, about 80% true Volt. It is a Chevy Cruze both on the interior and interior, except for a big red Kill Switch. The reporter took it for some laps around the Milford proving ground but was not allowed to experience the generator going on.He noted "Under full electric power, which is how most owners will experience it most of the time, the Volt proved surprisingly potent."The reporter was struck by the car's quietness noting "the silence was still surprising," and that "the car feels particularly muscular" due to instant torque. 0 to 60 he reported was a little over 8 seconds. He found the car to be silent and vibration free and that "when Volt owners get in their cars in the morning, the gasoline engine will not rumble to life." The absence of a transmission wasn't needed to keep the electric motor in the performance "sweet spot." He confirmed the car felt like driving a 250 hp V6.The reporter thought the front wheel drive car felt surprisingly heavy when he went into turns. The presence of the 400 pound battery pack was considered to be part of the reason why. The reporter said "It felt almost like the small Cruze had turned into something more like a Cadillac the moment I turned the steering wheel." He said Tony Posawatz assured him this would be refined with suspension tuning by the final cars.The reporter confirmed as we know GM is already working on 2nd and 3rd generations of the Chevy Volt that will continue to offer 40 miles electric range. He says the next generation of Voltec cars, from 2015 and beyond will be "lighter, roomier and will cost less than the Volt." He concludes "In the end, the Volt won't be a huge seller or a big money-maker for GM. Its value lies in changing perceptions. A test drive in this early version is one step in the process."I personally asked Mr. Valdes-Dapena for his overall impression of the drive just for us here at GM-Volt.com. He wrote back "Except for the added weight of the battery pack, I found it surprisingly fun to drive, at least at around-town speeds."I would keep in mind that these Cruze mules are test cars and the engineers are using them to learn how to refine the final Volt experience. All the bells and whistles are absent. But this report and mine and others when they are published confirms the the Volt program is real and far along and GM is ready to start showing off the fruits of their labor.Within a few weeks the production version Volts will come off the technical center assembly line and shall offer a far more refined experience.Embedded video from CNNMoney.com Video Source ( CNN