A few days ago, we were invited to GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant — the birth site of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt — for an informational backgrounder regarding the head-to-toe reimagining of America’s best-selling EV.
All About The Customer
As Chevrolet explains it, the next-gen Volt is all about the customer. A common claim among automakers, we know, but in the case of the Volt, it’s an undeniable fact; the first-generation Chevy Volt was largely an experimental EV program of sorts. Not to the same extent as GM’s EV1 of the mid- to late-nineties, to be sure, but as EV Executive Chief Engineer Pamela Fletcher puts it: “[Volt customers] are probably the most studied group of owners in recent history – maybe ever.”
The first-generation Volt served as sort of a canary in the coal mine: Chevrolet listened extensively to customer feedback, gathered a mountain of numerical data from current owners, and allowed themselves to be guided through the revamping process mostly by consumer demands. Ms. Fletcher explained that topping the list of consumer wishes were greatly extended electric range, smoothness, quietness, and surprisingly, more fun-to-drive.
That last attribute was unanticipated on the first-generation car; a low-hanging battery pack kept the car’s center-of-mass close to the ground, and the instantaneous thrust of the electric drive motors lent itself to satisfying quickness, but few customers necessarily expected an electrified vehicle to be such a lively thing. But happily, all of these demands could be at least partially addressed by redesigning the Voltec propulsion system – which is exactly what Chevrolet did.
The Next Generation
Leaving out the sophisticated technical deep-dive, the two-electric-motor drive system of the 2016 Volt manages a weight reduction of about 100 pounds (45 kilos), and occupies a much smaller space within the vehicle. It’s up to 12 percent more efficient, too, depending partly on vehicle operating mode. As a result, not only does the new two-motor drive system tax power output less, but it also simply puts out more power. Torque is rated at 294 pound-feet, with 45 kW of battery regeneration.
The 2016 Volt rides on the new D2XX vehicle architecture, and the car’s onboard gas-powered generator is improved, as well. Chevrolet is using a 1.5-liter inline-4 in place of the 1.4-liter mill seen in the last-gen Volt, with a resulting gain of about 14 horses. It boasts direct-injection, cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) as on the previous motor, and thanks to its larger displacement and higher output, generally runs at lower speeds for improved quietness.
The Result
Needless to say, loyal Chevrolet Volt customers will be getting what they’ve requested. Zero-to-sixty in the 2016 Volt is about 0.5 seconds better, at 8.4 seconds, and the all-electric range on a full charge is around 30 percent better, at 50 miles. On a full tank of gas and a full battery charge, the 2016 Chevrolet Volt will do in excess of 400 miles before running out of steam.
What’s more, survey data reveals that owners of the first-generation Volt have historically seen around 80 percent of their total mileage come from pure electricity, lending itself to 900 or more miles between fill-ups. But Pamela Fletcher projects that those numbers will swell to 90 percent and well in-excess of 1,000 electric miles, respectively.
Chevrolet takes great pride not only in this car, but in the fact that it’s born locally here in Detroit. Over 70 percent of the parts found in the #NextGenVolt will originate here in America, and it will continue to roll off the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly line.
But it’s not just Chevrolet that ought to be proud of the 2016 Volt. It’s Americans – and specifically Detroiters – as well.
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Comments
It kinda looks like a blend of Astra hatchback with Acura zdx
Great job, GM! Looks like a really impressive second generation car. You’ve addressed and improved so many things compared to my first generation car. I can’t wait to drive the new one!
My first impressions of the new Volt were “meh” when it was revealed a few days ago. But now after reading the details and seeing some more photos, I’m somewhat more satisfied with the end results. I applaud GM’s efforts at really diving in and redesigning the new Volt. The overall styling is much improved over the current model as is the updated power train; although I’d still like to have seen a greater EV range. The interior looks great, despite the plethora of hard plastics; but hey, in order to provide a less expensive Volt there had to be some cost cutting.
Good job GM, let’s just hope it delivers!
A slam dunk, in my opinion, as a Volt salesman and GM guy of almost 40 years. Better range, more mainstream styling (all the other forums complaining/comparing it to Acura/Honda Civics, to me, not such a bad thing). Had it been more revolutionary, the naysayers and the outliers would have a field day, and sales would suffer. Available rear view camera, advanced safety features, wireless phone charging, new interior stack all add up to a more attractive package, along with the range and efficiency improvements and noise and vibration reductions, all are compelling reasons that this car, if priced right, should appeal to more buyers.
That being said, after rushing around the internets, I still can’t find a picture of the back seat! Not a good thing…..or it would be shown.
The interior looks like a vast improvement over the first generation car. The exterior is…nice. As someone above said, it’s definitely more mainstream. The first gen car’s styling was a bit quirky, in a good way. This car is a bit bland, but not in a bad way. But it doesn’t stand out as much.
Big question: does it seat 5?
Yes it does, although we feel that the fifth seat is only usable in a pinch. The space for that fifth seat remains severely limited by the large battery pack tunnel running longitudinally through the car, so calling it a “seat” is somewhat generous…
Cool GM. I like the improved range too. Nailed It.
My first impression was wow, that’s one cool looking car with new technology and then I looked at the pictures and found an incandescent light bulb for a the turn signal made me laugh 🙂
That jumped right out at me too. I would never buy a car that uses incandescent light bulbs. It just makes it so nonfunctional. Who would ever buy a car with those?
I’m not sure why you were so sarcastic. I merely pointed out an irony that made me laugh. I never said I would not buy a car with incandescent light bulbs or that the car was not worth buying because of it. I was assuming most would think of the Chevrolet Volt as the future of automobile technology and as such it was amusing to see an old style bulb when LEDs are so much more efficient for a battery powered vehicle. My first new car was a 01 Saturn SC2 and it came with all incandescent light bulbs. I ended up changing them all to LED sometime in 04. It’s interesting and sad that you would read my comment and reply with something so extreme.
each day will be more pleasing to change. Previous crease was also the case. How interesting it would be a silver grille in black.
Old Ampera liked me more than the old one volt.
Overall, a pretty good guess might say. any other color machine, and is certainly the impression of a second.
Different images will give different impressions, and in real life as well.
But at the moment it is not suitable for silver grille.
Still an expensive way to save cheap gas.
Actually, since you mention it, we’ve been told that about $10,000 has been taken out of manufacturing costs, and that this will be reflected in the sticker price of the second-generation Volt. We don’t have an MSRP as of yet, but the 2016 model year car is expected to cost *less* than the outgoing model.
6 months from now, you’ll be crying when gas prices collectively push a boot up you.
First time I looked at it, I thought it was a honda civic. Not sure if I am interested in that.
Welcome to early 2000s styling 🙂
Wow, that is one dated bad proportioned looking car.
Must be a GM.
Could not disagree more.
What’s more to be said? Manufacturing costs have come down, electric range has gone up by a good margin, and the sticker price, if reduced by at least $5000, if not more, would be a very strong second generation volt. Each new gm model getting better and better.