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Lately, it’s hard to go anywhere in the automotive world without hearing excitement (and, to be fair, the standard dose of criticism) about the forthcoming Chevy Volt. People -car types in particular- are excited about this car, and with good reason: more than just picking up where the famed EV-1 left off, it’s coming at a time when people are more receptive (and enthusiastic) about alternative propulsion than ever, and it’s addressing a lot of the fundamental issues that the EV-1 had.

But foreign-oil-dependence, carbon footprints and super-cool interior features aside, there’s one aspect of the Volt that slipped by my radar completely: the fact that when you hit the accelerator pedal, it’s going to give you a ride that’ll make even the staunchest V8-head gasp in delight.

While I was cruising through a Volt fact sheet today, I discovered an interesting tidbit: while the Volt’s electric motor only turns out 150 horsepower, it delivers a tongue-slacking 273 ft-lbs of torque. And we all know the old saying: horsepower sells cars, but torque wins races. In this case, that torque is instantly available at just about any wheel speed, so prepare for your posterior to get very well-acquainted with the Volt’s seats!

As a point of reference, the V-6 engine in my Saab 9-3 Aero – which will get you to 60 in just over six seconds – only gives you 258 ft-lbs of torque. And that still gets to go through a 6-speed transmission (which steals a bit of oomph) before it gets to the ground to propel the 3,400-lb sedan. Given my presumption that the Volt will be lighter – it is, after all, smaller and powered by Lithium-ion batteries – combined with the higher torque figure and we just might have an eco-sleeper on our hands!