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All About The Next Generation Chevy Volt

Brent Dunn
by Brent Dunn
December 1, 2014
2 min. Reading Time
2016 chevy volt

2016 chevy volt

Chevrolet has announced some of the changes they will make to the next generation of the Volt. The changes include a new battery, different electric motors, a new gasoline generator, and a refined charging system.

The new car’s battery will be 20% more energy dense, while the cell count drops from 288 to 192. The cells are now positioned lower in the pack to improve center of gravity, and the pack is now almost 30 pounds lighter.

The car will feature new Voltec electric motors that are both lighter (together the two motor drive unit weighs approximately 100 pounds less than the current system) and more efficient (by approximately 5 to 12 percent according to GM), and which use significantly less rare earth magnets in their construction. Both electric motors will now be able to operate together in more driving scenarios (in both EV and extended-range operation), which helps improve acceleration by more than 20% in some situations. The Traction Power Inverter Module, which controls the power flow between the battery and the electric motors, has now been built into the drive unit to reduce size and mass while further improving efficiency.

A new high efficiency 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides the power for extended-range operation. The Voltec engine features a direct injection fuel system, cooled exhaust gas recirculation, and a variable displacement oil pump. Even with its high 12.5:1 compression ratio, the engine is designed to run on regular unleaded fuel.

GM has also listened to Volt drivers, and has made improvements to the charging system. It will be easier for owners to confirm that their car is charging and to check its charge status, with a charge status indicator light on the top of the instrument panel that can be viewed through the windshield. The new status system also features a specially designed tone that indicates when charging has begun, and another tone that indicates delayed charging.

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GPS location-based charging allows the owner to set a “home” charging location. Owners can preset their charging level (either 8 amps or 12 amps on 120V) and whether they want to charge their car immediately or set a departure time for each day of the week (where you can also program in your local utility’s rate schedule so the Volt can automatically charge itself during off-peak times). Once the system has been programmed, the car detects when it is “home” and defaults to these settings.

The new 120V portable cord set includes a cord that is nearly 25 feet long. To improve accessibility, a new storage bin for the cord is located on the left side of the rear cargo bay. The cord can even be locked using a small padlock to deter unauthorized removal while charging. The charge port is now available with illumination to make it easier to plug in at night, and the car will indicate if the charge port has been accidentally left open after the vehicle is unplugged.

The next generation Chevrolet Volt will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January, and should go on sale next year as a 2016 model.

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