Segment: Compact
Production years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
After the world started to recover from the world economic crisis, the car-manufacturers started to recover. In 2011, GM introduced the Chevrolet Volt, also known as the Opel Ampera.
The world economy was not completely recovered, but GM didn't want to wait any longer. It already showed the concept-car in 2007. It was the first plug-in hybrid on the market and it didn't want to lose that advantage over one of their competitors. To cover a bigger part of the pie, GM introduced the Chevrolet Volt as Opel Ampera in Europe, Vauxhall Ampera in the U.K., Holden Volt in Australia and New Zeeland and Buick Velite 5 in China. It was the first plug-in hybrid world car.
The exterior design featured an aerodynamic silhouette, with flushed to the bodywork elongated headlights and raked grille. The grille design was more of a look than of an opening. Since the gasoline engine was a small, 1.4-liter unit, it didn't need a big radiator. The battery pack ran through the center of the car, thus preventing a rear bench seat.
Despite being an expensive vehicle, the Volt featured a cheap interior that affected the sales. The technology inside the car was expensive so, in order to keep the price as low as possible. Chevrolet didn't pay too much attention to the details. But the car featured all the comfort elements for a modern car fitted as standard, including a climate control system, heated seats and two displays for the instrument cluster and for the infotainment system. The latter was also used for power management.
ENGINE SPECS - Electric + 1.4L range extender (147 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1398 cm3 |
Power: | 108 KW @ 4800 RPM 147 HP @ 4800 RPM 145 BHP @ 4800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint injection |
Fuel: | Electric |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 100 mph (161 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.3 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | single gear |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | P215/55R/17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 177.1 in (4498 mm) |
Width: | 70.4 in (1788 mm) |
Height: | 56.3 in (1430 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.2/62.1 in (1,554/1,577 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 105.7 in (2685 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.7 in (119 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.6 cuFT (300 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.287 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3781 lbs (1715 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4583 lbs (2079 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 35.1 mpg US (6.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 39.9 mpg US (5.9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 36.8 mpg US (6.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 27 g/km |
Notes |
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inline-4 engine range extender: 84 HP (83 bhp) Electric motor/generator: 147 HP (145 bhp) and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) |