Chevrolet Volt (second generation)
| Chevrolet Volt (second generation) | |
|---|---|
 2016 Chevrolet Volt | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Model years | 2016 (proposed) |
| Assembly | United States: Detroit, Michigan (Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly) |
| Designer | John Cafaro |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact car (C-segment) |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | GM D2UX platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.5-litre I4 (gasoline) |
| Hybrid drivetrain | GM Voltec powertrain |
| Battery | 18.4 kWh |
| Range | 420 mi (680 km) - estimation from manufacturer |
| Electric range | 50 mi (80 km) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 106.1 in (2,690 mm) |
| Length | 180.4 in (4,580 mm) |
| Width | 71.2 in (1,810 mm) |
| Height | 56.4 in (1,430 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,543 lb (1,607 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Volt (first generation) |
The second generation Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid debuted at the 2015 North American International Auto Show to replace the original Volt, on sale since 2010. Sales are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2015 in the U.S. later followed by Canada.[1]
Featuring a restyled exterior and interior, the Volt's revised battery system and drivetrain allow a projected all-electric range of 50 mi (80 km) and a fuel economy in gasoline-only mode of 41 mpg-US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg-imp).[2]
Specifications
The Volt's revised batteries and Voltec powertrain feature a larger 1.5-liter range extender engine tuned for regular gasoline instead of premium required by the first generation.[1][3]
The second generation battery pack was developed in partnership with LG Chem and its new chemistry reportedly stores 20% more electrical energy, uses fewer cells (192 vs 288), weighs 29 lb (13 kg) less and features a capacity increased to 18.4 kWh.[1][4] The battery pack is projected to use a power controller integral to the motor housing with electric motors weighing 100 lb (45 kg) less while using less rare earth metal.
According to General Motors, the 2016 Volt delivers an all-electric range of 50 mi (80 km), up from the first generation's 38 mi (61 km) and a combined fuel economy in gasoline-only (charge-sustaining) mode to 41 mpg-US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg-imp), up from the previous model's 37 mpg-US (6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg-imp). The 2016 Volt's combined city/highway fuel economy in all-electric mode are projected at 102 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPG-e), up from 98 MPG-e for the 2015 first generation model.[2][1]
Production and sales
Production of the 2015 model year Volt is scheduled to end by mid-May 2015, while manufacturing of pre-production units of the second generation began in March 2015.[5] Sales are scheduled to begin in the United States during the second half of 2015 as a 2016 model year.[1] In April 2013, CEO Daniel Akerson announced that GM expects the second generation Volt to be priced on the order of US$7,000 to US$10,000 lower than the 2013 model year with the same features.[6]
In July 2014, Opel announced that due to the slowdown in sales, the Ampera will be discontinued after the launch of second generation Volt, and between 2014 and 2018, Opel plans to introduce in Europe a successor product in the electric vehicle segment.[7] In April 2015, General Motors confirmed that it will not built the second generation Volt in right-hand-drive configuration. Due to low sales, only 246 units had been sold in Australia by mid-April 2015, the Holden Volt will be discontinued once the remaining stock is sold out.[8]
At the Volt's debut, GM engineers said the second generation Volt was developed using extensive input from first generation owners.[9][10]
See also
- Cadillac ELR
- Chevrolet Bolt
- Chevrolet Spark EV
- General Motors EV1
- Genset trailer
- Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles
- List of modern production plug-in electric vehicles
- Plug-in electric vehicle
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Mike Millikin (2015-01-12). "Next-gen Chevy Volt EREV is more efficient, with 50-mile electric range". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 2015-01-12.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brian Thevenot and Jerry Hirsch (2015-01-12). "Chevy Bolt electric car targets Tesla with low price, long range". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-01-12.
- ↑ Carroll, Rory (2015-01-05). "2016 Chevrolet Volt revealed early at CES". Autoweek. Retrieved 2015-01-05.
- ↑ Holloway, Hilton (2015-01-05). "All-new Chevrolet Volt previewed". Autocar. Retrieved 2015-01-05.
- ↑ Eric Loveday (2015-03-30). "Pre-Production 2016 Chevrolet Volts Now Being Built – Pricing Announcement Expected Next Month". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 2015-03-31.
- ↑ Cole, Jay (2013-04-30). "GM CEO: Chevrolet Volt Price To Drop By $7,000 to $10,000 For Next Gen". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
- ↑ Staff (2014-07-23). "Opel plans 'electric' successor to Ampera plug-in hybrid". Automotive News. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
- ↑ Mike Costello (2015-04-25). "The Holden Volt is dead". Car Advice. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
- ↑ Lindsay Brooke (2014-10-28). "New Volt Will Have Improved Powertrain and Longer Range". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-11-15.
- ↑ Mark Phelan and Greg Gardner (2014-11-01). "GM CEO: 2016 Volt gets U.S. drivetrain, Detroit debut". Detroit Free Press (USA Today). Retrieved 2014-10-28.