Here's the second installment in a short series of posts on GM's recent Volt electric car launch.

Talk to the designers of the Volt and you get a jolt of their enthusiasm and passion. I had the opportunity to speak with three very smart people; Anne Asensio, Executive Director of Advanced Design, Wade Bryant, Design Manager Advanced Interiors and Mathieu Boimare Senior Creative Designer Advanced Interior Studio. I got engaging conversations not only about the Jolt, but about the subtle and no-so-subtle design changes that are winding their way through GM. The Volt is at the vanguard of these changes, a bellwether. The car's interior tells the story best. Designed by a multi-national design team from various design disciplines, it features aesthetic and functional elements that are inspired by materials and design not found in cars, but in our daily lives. From furniture, a car seat inspired by chairs and upholstery with large stitching, and from luggage, zippers that are backlit for various compartments throughout the interior as well as new materials found in modern "shell" backpacks. All inspired by the various works of Ron Arad, Phillipe Starck and other well-known object designers. See more of the features close-up after the jump.

Volt interior with dash and front seats.



Volt front seats.



Close up of upholstery stitching.



Volt's zippered glove compartment, unlit above, lit below.