Detroit Auto Show Reveal: 2016 Chevrolet Volt: Comments

[Drew Dowdell]

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At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit today, Chevrolet unveiled the all new 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The biggest news is the increase in EV range from 38 miles to 50 miles and an increased combined range of up to 420 miles on a full battery and full tank of fuel.

Under the hood is a new 1.5 liter, direct injected 4-cylinder producing 101 horsepower. The battery pack has lost 20 lbs and the range extender has lost 100 lbs. The battery capacity has increased to 18.1 kWh though the number of battery cells has dropped from 288 to 192.

The Volt now no longer requires premium fuel. There is a new 2-motor drive unit that produces 294 lb-ft of torque. Overall, the Voltec system is now 12% more efficient. Acceleration to 30 mph has improved from 3.2 seconds to 2.6 seconds. The system features a Regeneration on Demand control that allows the driver to increase the regeneration via a control on the back of the steering wheel.

2016 Chevrolet Volt interior, Click to enlarge

Inside, Volt effectively maintains the 2+2 seating arrangement with the console on the floor between the two rear seats, though Chevy says you could put a third small person back there if they are willing to straddle the cupholder. The dashboard is completely redesigned. It has ditched the capacitive touch controls in favor of physical knobs and buttons. Chevy's Mylink system is displayed on an 8.0" diagonal touch screen. Chevy reduced the number of icons on the screen for easier use.

The Volt will be built at GM's Hamtramck plant in Michigan with the batteries coming from Brownstown Michigan. The regeneration unit will initially be manufactured in Mexico before shifting to Flint Michigan. GM says that the Volt will be made of up to 70 percent US manufactured parts.

The Volt comes out at a time when gas prices are plunging all over the U.S., not the best timing for a car that is sold on the premise of saving money on gas. However, the Volt may make a compelling argument as just a car that happens to save on fuel.

The 2016 Volt hits the road this summer.

Press Release on Page 2

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Chevrolet Introduces All-New 2016 Volt

New model features expressive, sleek design and delivers 50 miles of EV range

DETROIT – Chevrolet today unveiled the all-new 2016 Volt electric car with extended range, showcasing a sleeker, sportier design that offers 50 miles of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration.

The Volt’s new, efficient propulsion system will offer a General Motors’-estimated total driving range of more than 400 miles and with regular charging, owners are expected to travel more than 1,000 miles on average between gas fill-ups.

“The 2016 Chevrolet Volt provides our owners with a no-compromise electric driving experience,” said Alan Batey, president of GM North America. “We believe our engineering prowess combined with data from thousands of customers allows us to deliver the most capable plug-in vehicle in the industry.”

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt’s technology and range advancements are complemented by a design that blends sculpted, muscular proportions with aerodynamic efficiency, and an all-new interior with seating for five and improved functionality.

Everything from charging the battery and checking the charge status, to the intuitiveness of instrument panel controls were designed for easier use.

“According to independent surveyors, Volt owners are the most satisfied in the industry and they were our compass for developing the next-generation model,” said Batey.

2016 Volt highlights:

• New two-motor drive unit is up to 12 percent more efficient and 100 pounds lighter (45 kg) than the first-generation drive unit
  
• Two-motor design enables 19 percent stronger zero-to-30 mph acceleration
  
• Battery capacity has increased to 18.4 kWh using 192 cells (96 fewer than current generation) with weight reduced by more than 20 pounds
  
• Regen on Demand™ feature enables driver control of energy regeneration via a convenient paddle on the back of the steering wheel
  
• New 1.5L range extender, designed to use regular unleaded fuel, offers a combined GM-estimated fuel efficiency of 41 mpg (EPA estimate pending)
  
• Stronger body structure and quieter ride
  
• New braking system with improved capability and blended Regen feel
  
• New, five-passenger seating with available rear heated seats
  
• Location-based charging capability
  
• 120V portable cord sethas a simpler, compact design with more convenient storage location
  
• Available illuminated charge port
  

The 2016 Volt goes on sale in the second half of 2015.

Sleeker, sportier design

The 2016 Volt has an all-new, muscular design that incorporates Chevrolet performance vehicle DNA inspired cues refined in the wind tunnel.

New features, including active grille shutters, help balance design with efficiency.

Volt’s flowing, dynamic shape is inspired by the toned physiques of athletes and even the natural shapes of wind-swept sands, with carved body sides and fenders that blend into the hood. The front-end appearance retains the iconic Volt identity, with bright upper and lower grille pads.

Greater attention to detail in the design cues, materials and colors also lends a more premium, contemporary aura to its appearance. It also retains the distinctive Volt signature on the upper front doors, carrying over one of the first-generation model’s identifiers.

Inside, the new Volt includes seating for five. Fresh colors exude an inviting upscale aura – complemented by blue ambient lighting – while the controls are more intuitively placed and simpler to operate.

The Volt retains its signature dual digital color displays with an eight-inch-diagonal reconfigurable screen in the instrument cluster to relay driver information. An additional eight-inch-diagonal touch screen in the center of the instrument panel controls the Chevrolet MyLink system.

Fewer icons on the center dash make it easier to operate. Separate climate control knobs and buttons below the center display offer clear, convenient operation.

New Voltec propulsion system

An all-new, second-generation Voltec extended range electric vehicle (EREV) propulsion system is the power behind the 2016 Volt’s increased all-electric driving range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration. It was engineered based on the driving behaviors of first-gen Volt owners.

“Volt owners complete more than 80 percent of their trips without using a drop of gasoline and they tell us they love the electric driving experience. Putting that experience at the center of the new Voltec system’s development helped us improve range, while also making the new Volt more fun to drive,” said Andrew Farah, vehicle chief engineer. “We established a precedent when the original Voltec propulsion system debuted and this newest iteration sets the EV technology bar even higher.”

The Voltec system includes the battery, drive unit, range-extending engine and power electronics.

GM’s industry-leading battery technology has been reengineered for the next-generation Volt. The 2016 Volt will use an 18.4 kWh battery system featuring revised cell chemistry developed in conjunction with LG Chem. While overall system storage capacity has increased, the number of cells have decreased from 288 to 192 as the result of a revised chemistry. The cells are positioned lower in the pack for an improved (lower) center of gravity and the overall mass of the pack is 21 pounds (9.8 kg) lighter.

Like the battery system, the next-generation Volt’s two-motor drive unit delivers increased efficiency and performance along with reduced noise and vibration. The drive unit operates up to 12 percent more efficiently and weighs 100 pounds (45 kg) less than the current system.

Both motors operate together in more driving scenarios, in both EV and extended-range operation. The ability to use both motors helps deliver a 19 percent improvement in electric acceleration from zero to 30 mph (2.6 seconds) and a 7 percent improvement from zero to 60 mph (8.4 seconds). GM engineers designed the Voltec electric motors to use significantly less rare earth materials. One motor uses no rare earth-type magnets.

More convenient location-based charging

Using real-world experiences of today’s Volt owners, Chevrolet made the charging system in the next-generation Volt more convenient for customers to recharge the battery – and to check the charge status.

The new and enhanced features include:

GPS location-based charging

“Owners will now be able to set their charging preferences exclusively for “home” charging and the vehicle will automatically adjust to that setting when it is at “home” based on GPS data,” said Farah, the chief engineer. “The new Volt will give owners greater flexibility for charging on their terms and make public charging easier.”

This will allow owners to pre-set their 120V charging level (eight amps or 12 amps) and whether they wish to charge immediately, set a departure time for each day of the week, or set a departure time and a utility rate schedule to charge only at off-peak rates. These setting will only have to be programmed once and the Volt will default to them when the vehicle return to its home location.

New, more intuitive charge status indicators

The next-generation Volt makes it easier for owners to confirm their Volt is charging and gauge charge status. The new status system features a specially designed tone that indicates when charging has begun, with additional tones for delayed charging. It will even indicate if the charge port door was left open after unplugging but before entering the vehicle.

With a glance through the windshield, an updated charge status indicator light on the on the top of the instrument panel will show the approximate charge level through a series of flashes. An available illuminated charge port makes it easier to plug in after dark.

Portable cord set enhancements

A new 120V portable cord sethas a simpler, compact design with more convenient storage location. The storage bin for the cord is now located on the left side of the Volt’s rear cargo area, above the load floor, for improved accessibility.

Safety features

The new Chevrolet Volt offers new standard and available safety features that work with an all-new body structure to provide crash-avoidance and passenger protection capability. Highlights include:

• Standard rear-vision camera
  
• Ten standard air bags, including driver and front-passenger knee air bags
  
• Available active safety features offering lane keep assist with lane departure warning, side blind zone alert with lane change alert, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision alert with following distance indicator, front automatic braking, and advanced park assist with front and rear park assist (semi-automatic parallel parking)
  
• Expanded use of high-strength steel throughout the body structure improves strength and reduces weight
  
• More effective structural load paths in the frame, along with reinforced rocker panel structures and side structure reinforcements
  

The new, active safety technologies and structural enhancements build on the Volt’s legacy of top safety performance, which include a 5-Star overall New Car Assessment Program rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the current model.

Manufacturing

GM is investing $435 million in the production of the next-generation Chevrolet Volt at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant and at the Brownstown, (Mich.) Battery Assembly Plant, where its lithium-ion battery pack is produced.

The new drive unit will be manufactured at GM’s Powertrain plant in Warren, Mich., and the 1.5L engine will be manufactured at GM’s Toluca, Mexico engine plant for the first year of production, then shift to the Flint, Mich. engine plant.

Since its introduction in late 2010, the Volt has established southeast Michigan as the hub of vehicle electrification development and manufacturing. The next-generation Volt will feature approximately 70 percent U.S. and Canadian components within its first year of production, a nearly 20-percent increase from the first generation.

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[G. David Felt]

Awesome, very nice 2.0 version. Love the dash. Just wish they had pushed for a 100 mile range plus the generator so you could have a 500 mile car.

[Cmicasa the Great]

I dunno... 100 mile range would have been nice, but it would have also required a much larger battery and more weight.  I still believe they are giving the upper brands a more extended version tho. This is pretty damn nice with a 25% gain in EV mode with new battery tech. The weight savings is tremendous, and the look is much more sleek and contemp. LOVE THE rear. Crossing fingers on this one.. as I think this one will get more sales just for looking more normal. 

[Drew Dowdell]

Updated the gallery with some pics from the show floor.  Having slow connection issues at the show today, some of our updates may be slower than normal.

[Cory Wolfe]

It looks slightly better in the press pictures. The interior looks like a massive improvement. Still reeks of Honda/Acura, though, a bit better executed here. 

[2QuickZ's]

Having spent a couple of weeks in a brand new 2014 Volt as a loaner, this looks to be a big improvement in appearance.  The like this interior MUCH better.  I like the rear of this MUCH better.  I do like the front but I think it would look better with less bright work.

[ocnblu]

I think Viper is onto something.  This looks exactly like an Acura version of the Honda Insight, if it existed.  Meh.  Very nice interior though, way nicer than the old car and the Volt's competition.
 

[smk4565]

The inside looks like what you'd expect from a Malibu, it is a little nicer than a Cruze. The back end looks like a Civic and the front looks like a Toyota with an Acura beak. This looks like a Japanese car, gen 1 had a better front end I think.

[frogger]

Spec bumps look good, interior looks good.  Exterior I get too much of a Kia Forte vibe more than Honda, wish it was a bit more distinct aside from the grille.

 

Will be interesting to see how different the next Cruze will look.

[Drew Dowdell]

I think we're looking at a next-gen Cruze silhouette and front clip right there.

[Paolino]

I like it but I can't get excited about it.  My friend is still pushing towards a Tesla 3... he owns a home with solar panels, so he loves the idea of never fueling up.  His trips would never outrun a Tesla 3's range anyway, and he's willing to wait til 2017.  He did give consideration when I mentioned the Chevy Bolt... although it's really unattractive in my opinion.

[G. David Felt]

I like it but I can't get excited about it.  My friend is still pushing towards a Tesla 3... he owns a home with solar panels, so he loves the idea of never fueling up.  His trips would never outrun a Tesla 3's range anyway, and he's willing to wait til 2017.  He did give consideration when I mentioned the Chevy Bolt... although it's really unattractive in my opinion.

More design in the VOLT / Bolt than the Bland Tesla. The only Tesla that has some style is their CUV if they ever deliver it to market and even then it is still bland. Tesla is the Electronic version of Honda. Safe, Conservative and blahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[Hengista]

I agree with dfelt. Tesla is incredible for the high-tech systems and electric energy, but it really is subpar in terms of looks. I quite like the look of this Volt and I agree that the 100 mile range would come with repercussions. This car doesn't need additional weight.

[Drew Dowdell]

I like it but I can't get excited about it.  My friend is still pushing towards a Tesla 3... he owns a home with solar panels, so he loves the idea of never fueling up.  His trips would never outrun a Tesla 3's range anyway, and he's willing to wait til 2017.  He did give consideration when I mentioned the Chevy Bolt... although it's really unattractive in my opinion.

 

I really like the tesla model s, but we haven't seen the Model 3 yet to know what it will look like.

[jlgolden]

Great looking car, but I do wonder how similar the new Cruze will look.  I hope they are visually distinguished and not mis-identified by passers-by.