Chevrolet Volt owners are indexed as some of the most satisfied and happiest customers in the industry. Yet even they (we) have a few things to address. Things that are desired that would add to the car’s practicality and overall livability.
These things include: a fifth seat, a longer electric driving range and a lower price, according to an Automotive News report.
The next-generation, 2016 Chevrolet Volt is at least expected to be more affordable than the current model, and is also expected to feature a longer range — possibly two powertrain options. However, a fifth seat is currently unexpected based on our intel. The biggest problem is that the T-shaped battery back runs directly down the middle of the Volt’s cabin. This setup negates any space for a middle seat in the second row, though a revision of the battery design could yield a pleasant surprise.
Comments
Her are some of my ideas
Optional child seat that fits in between the rear buckets, I mean the middle seat is usually cramped, why not use it for smaller people? It’ll just keep kids/infants closer to the center of a car away from the doors in the case of a side impact.
Optional roof solar panel to power the cabin electronics rather than having all that running off the main battery at all times
Instead of a 3-cylinder engine, why not borrow a small rotary engine from Mazda, I heard they were making one for their new RX8/RX7’s rumored for next year or the year after.
Weight: I believe the Volt weighs 3,700, needs to lose at least 500, there’s 50 mpg from the gas engine and 50-60 miles from the battery
Introduce multiple trim levels this time, rather than just one trim with an interior filled with plastic
Price: the Prius plug-in starts at about $30k, I think Chevy can make a volt that starts slightly below that, while still making it a nicer looking, and more comfortable car to be in.
I’m surprised 6.6kw charging didn’t pop up. It’s surprising because I think if Volt users knew their cars were only charging at half the speed that they could – they’d want that feature… even with the EREV functionality.
Really I’m surprised that, despite Ford selling 6.6kw cars routinely, that GM hasn’t stated their roadmap there. It’s one thing to not talk about future products, it’s another when your cars have a clearly key differentiator that is lacking, and straightforward to resolve.
I have to agree with this one, Charging twice as fast will make a difference for me on the weekends.
An all electric version to be sold along with the current version would do wonders for the brand.
They are introducing the Spark EV for those who prefer an All-Electric 4 passenger vehicle. Rollout has begun in California. The rest of US and Canada to get it soon.
A solar roof panel and mirrors to maximize battery range. A 1.0t I3 (VVT, SIDI, IVVL, and VTM) with 120HP and 135-155LB-FT without the need for premium fuel. A total output of around 185HP and 275-290LB-FT. An all electric model would be extremely beneficial as Matt stated previously. A longer and lighter platform for a more comfortable interior and better driving dynamics. Lastly, a more improved and easy to use infotainment system.
A five seater Volt is not on my wish list but I’m not a typical Volt owner. In fact, I’d like the option of having a Volt with rear seats that can be removed if the owner wanted. I don’t need to haul anybody, but in my family of two of us, we have 5 vehicles. My Volt serves a very specific “commuter” purpose for me and me only.
The range is perfect for my daily commute (I go between two ranches my wife and I own, 45 miles apart). It was at one time costing me $20 per round trip in my behemouth 4×4 2500 HD long bed 4 door pickup, and the Volt is making the same trip on a tad more than a bucks worth of electricity. The option of having a totally battery powered Volt not having an ICE is appealing to me, but won’t work for everyone and the option of keeping the ICE is a workable solution for other people.
I hope GM will remain faithful to the concept of the Volt as a svelte commuter car and not “pork-out” the Volt with bigger “stuff” and stuff that burdens the battery. I want my electrons devoted to my commute and not necessarily devoted to hauling 5 large people around. I would hope GM instead comes out with a new 5 seater SUV to accommodate people asking for a larger vehicle, and wanting a sun roof, rear window wiper, fog lights, spare tire and traditional items found on cars we have known in the past. Me… I like my 2012 Volt just the way it is and in fact, like it so much, I soon should be taking delivery of a 2015 model I ordered on May 16. And if the 2016 “generation 2” Volt improves on the theme, we will be trading in our 2013 Malibu ECO on Volt number 3.
My wife and I love our 2014 Volt. Acceleration, handling, and ride are far superior to our generation III Prius. Since April with the warmer weather, we are averaging 45-46 miles all-electric range before the 1.4 liter “range extender” ICE almost imperceptibly kicks in. Our overall mpg since purchasing the vehicle in Dec. 2013 is 124 mpg. The number one improvement we would like to see in the generation II Volt would be a 60-70 mile range. That would mean a battery of approximately 22 kWhr. capacity (same as the BMW i3) vs. the current Volt battery’s 16.5 kWhr. capacity. A fifth seat would also be a tremendous advantage, but would require GM to change the current “T” layout of the battery. If GM can get the price down to the low $30K range (before $7.5K Federal tax credit) while incorporating these improvements, I think sales would increase dramatically.
As a Volt owner of 2 Volt’s I’d love to see additional range, better CS ( charge sustaining ) MPG, more room in the back and a 6.6kwh charging rate.
I have just one question,
What are the crash test ratings???