Chevrolet Promises More Efficient Volt

We know the 2016 Chevrolet Volt will debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but other details are slim. Today, Chevrolet released a bit more news concerning the updated version of its gas-electric plug-in car. It’ll use a new extended range electric vehicle propulsion system and be “more efficient and offer greater EV range and fuel economy compared to the current generation,” the automaker said in a statement.

Related: More Chevrolet Volt News

The automaker didn’t release figures but the current Volt gets an EPA rating of 38 miles of EV-only range on a full charge. Chevrolet said Volt owners complete more than 80 percent of their trips in EV mode and the move to increase the new model’s EV-only range came from owner feedback.

A revised battery makes up part of the new propulsion system. Chevrolet says the new battery has a 20 percent greater storage capacity compared to the original battery, and the pack itself is lighter, weighing 30 pounds less than the old unit. The two-motor drive unit also gets an update; Chevrolet says the new unit will be 5 to 12 percent more efficient than the outgoing one and weigh around 100 pounds less.

Lastly, a new direct-injected 1.5-liter four-cylinder replaces the old model’s 1.4-liter four-cylinder; the new engine takes regular gas versus the outgoing model’s premium needs. The automaker promises increased efficiency from the 1.5 liter, but didn’t release fuel-economy specifics; the 2015 Volt has a 37 mpg combined EPA rating.

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