Next generation Chevrolet Volt gets 1.5 litre range extender, set to debut at NAIAS 2015

The next generation Volt will debut at the 2015 NAIAS

GM’s Chevrolet Volt extended range electric car will be getting a second generation model at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in January next year.

An extended range electric car is basically a car that uses an electric motor for propulsion, just like a regular electric car. In the Volt’s case, the electric motor component of the car’s Voltec system draws its power from the car’s batteries, which you charge via a charger point.

But in the case the batteries run dry, an internal combustion engine starts up to provide additional power by recharging the batteries. It does not drive the wheels directly. According to GM, 80% of all Chevy Volt trips are completed without the range extender starting up.

2016 Chevy Volt Voltec Drive Unit and Range Extender

The second generation Volt will get a more efficient battery pack developed in conjunction with LG Chem, with a 20% increase in capacity on a volume basis, while the number of cells have been reduced from 288 to 192. The cells are positioned lower in the pack for an improved centre of gravity, while the pack itself has had its weight reduced by 13 kg.

The range extender itself has had its cubic capacity enlarged from 1.4 litres to 1.5 litres. The four cylinder engine features direct injection, a 12.5:1 compression ratio, cooled exhaust gas recirculation and a variable displacement oil pump.

This second generation Voltec system could see itself introduced in other GM extender range electric car products such as the successors to the Cadillac ELR and the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • gaviny on Oct 29, 2014 at 3:17 pm

    seriously i would buy ANY range extender in malaysia now, traffic is so bad, 14kms of literally crawling home, one tank can easily last 1.5 to 2 months

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • enjin proton iriz lagi bagus!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
  • This has to be the best ‘hybrid’ idea out there. Now when are we going to see this in Malaysia?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • kzm (Member) on Oct 29, 2014 at 6:42 pm

      Technically this is not hybrid…but EV or more precise RE-EV..the engine does not involve in moving the car..hybrid engine n motor moved car

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
      • Obviously (Member) on Oct 29, 2014 at 7:35 pm

        I think it is still considered a hybrid, but it’s a different hybrid than what most people are used to. The most common hybrid now are petrol-electric hybrids where the petrol engine has the dominant role. REEVs or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) have the electric motor as the dominant motive force. Depending on the design, the petrol engine’s presence is sometimes just as a generator or provides extra power to aid the electric motor when more performance is needed. The presence of the electric motors and petrol engine makes it a hybrid.

        Another interesting hybrid mentioned recently is the petrol-air hybrid passenger car being developed for mass production by Peugeot. I hope that project gains traction as it looks very promising…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
        • kzm (Member) on Oct 29, 2014 at 10:22 pm

          Maybe u r rite as many people refer REEV as ‘series hybrid’..but still feel this is pure EV.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Blue-traveler on Oct 29, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    To any Chevrolet malaysia personals that do read here, please, please, please bring it over to bolaland. As MD to 2 companies here with um numbers of senior sales people that travel a ton a year. And appointed to 2 more. I can tell you that we are very very very interested in this car. As many more companies in the same industry do. Screw 408 and 508. ( I so regret ever ever recommending them, even the company guest relationship Toyota camry does a better mileage return in real life)
    We are alway look for ways to reduce fuel claim.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Bajetchantek on Oct 30, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Fellows, it is a family member of EV…driven by electric motor…engine only to charge up battery when battery flat or tech term arrived to S.O.C. in fact the article clearly spell it out. That’s y known as EV with range extender not hybrid whatsoeva.Btw, I think Proton also has some prototype of same technology if i’m not mistaken. Read it here too..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • shawal on Oct 30, 2014 at 10:15 am

    would it still be a strict 4 seater d/t battery placement in the centre of the car…

    they should follow tesla’s footsteps in making the battery arrangement in flat plane together as a structural component to free up space in the interior , boot size is not that great either…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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