Photo: SB-Medien
GM is hard at work on the development of a brand new Chevy Volt range-extended electric vehicle and our latest spyshots give us some idea of what to expect.
The Volt II is expected to be based on the D2XX platform as the all-new Cruze sedan. This is expected to underpin production of 2.5 new vehicles by the year 2018, keeping costs down to a minimum.
New from the ground up, the new Volt also looks different, which is no insignificant thing. There's no confusing this for anything other than a Chevy Volt. The aero look and distinctive front end already make it as recognizable as a Toyota Prius. However, this new Volt looks a little longer in the wheelbase, maybe something they wanted because of the legroom in the back of the current car.
The Chevy Volt has been locked in battle with the Nissan Leaf since production started in December 2010. However, since that time a number of other electric cars and plug-in hybrids have been launched. To keep up with the times, this new Volt will get a higher capacity electric battery that we expect will have 60 miles (97 km) of zero-emissions range. Details about the new battery pack are not available right now, but GM announced that it will invest $384 million at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant on new equipment, body shop tooling and additional plant upgrades. An additional $65 million will go into the Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant on research & development of next generation lithium-ion lumps, which will also go into two other EVs.
In America, the range extender is expected to remain a 1.4-liter four-banger, though rumors have emerged suggesting a 1-liter similar to the one fitted to the European Opel Adam will be introduced. That engine might still be possible for a slightly different Opel/Vauxhall Ampera model. A significant weight reduction should also help drop improve efficiency in a big way.
New from the ground up, the new Volt also looks different, which is no insignificant thing. There's no confusing this for anything other than a Chevy Volt. The aero look and distinctive front end already make it as recognizable as a Toyota Prius. However, this new Volt looks a little longer in the wheelbase, maybe something they wanted because of the legroom in the back of the current car.
The Chevy Volt has been locked in battle with the Nissan Leaf since production started in December 2010. However, since that time a number of other electric cars and plug-in hybrids have been launched. To keep up with the times, this new Volt will get a higher capacity electric battery that we expect will have 60 miles (97 km) of zero-emissions range. Details about the new battery pack are not available right now, but GM announced that it will invest $384 million at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant on new equipment, body shop tooling and additional plant upgrades. An additional $65 million will go into the Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant on research & development of next generation lithium-ion lumps, which will also go into two other EVs.
In America, the range extender is expected to remain a 1.4-liter four-banger, though rumors have emerged suggesting a 1-liter similar to the one fitted to the European Opel Adam will be introduced. That engine might still be possible for a slightly different Opel/Vauxhall Ampera model. A significant weight reduction should also help drop improve efficiency in a big way.
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