Late last year, the Chevrolet Volt scored a repeat victory on WardsAuto’s 10Best Engines list, but how did it earn such an honor back to back?
The publication took a deeper dive into the powertrain and spoke with GM Global Vehicle Chief Engineer Barry Walkup to learn more about what makes it a winner. Simply put, the powertrain is “better in every measurable way,” per Walkup.
So many areas were looked at for improvement, it’s difficult to list them all, but some of the most important areas include 0-30 mph acceleration, noise levels, and obviously fuel economy and range. Walkup says most owners noted they hardly saw 0-60 mph sprints but experienced more hard acceleration instances to 30 mph. Thus, engineers focused on lower-end acceleration.
Additionally, engineers worked to create a quiet operation and worked to make the transition between gasoline power and the electric motor as seamless as possible.
“Our goal was to keep the engine quiet,” he says. “We didn’t want clunks or bumps or any indication that it has started. We torque-match the electric motor to the gasoline engine and pre-fill the cylinders with gas during stop/start, which allows the engine to start quickly.
Of course, the largest change is in the Chevrolet Volt’s battery pack. 18.4 kilowatt-hour unit features a lower cell count, but greater energy density with 10 percent more power. This led to an EPA-estimated 53-mile all-electric range and an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy figure of 42 mpg.
While the powertrain will certainly live on, the Volt in name may not. Rumors of the electric car’s demise surfaced earlier this year. In accordance with the market’s shift to crossovers, the Volt could be reborn as a crossover when a third-generation Volt is due.
Comments
GM needs to make the re-born Volt much bigger and a true crossover. We don’t need anything close to the Volt / Bolt in size. The Bolt is fine for city driving and even road trips perhaps up to around 6 hours in length (figure two short charge stops, or one long charge stop). The Volt replacement needs to be a great vehicle for longer road trips. Something Acadia sized with an electric range of around 50 miles, and then limitless travel on gasoline would be ideal. I also think it should be sold at Buick/GMC, not Chevy. The Bolt is selling OK, but not setting sales ablaze.
I would purchase a Volt, if it was put on the Malibu chassis. Its just to small and especially the rear seat. Also the side quarter panels protrude out too far, rubbing the trouser.
The greatest engineering change was the design of the new 5ET50, one of the most advanced electric FWD transaxles. It has integrated two electric motors, single speed gearing, differential, two clutches, and the two axle outputs, plus the electronic controller. All it needs is the HVDC battery, control signals, and a pair of front axles and wheels to make an EV. The gas engine is added through a clutch, but optional. As long as the battery has power, the 5ET50 can run up to 99 MPH with no need for gasoline! The front bay in the Gen 2 Volt is simpler, and has few orange HVDC cables (the A/C compressor cables are the most visible).
Yet this same FWD transaxle can be uprated for larger EVs. such as for the Malibu Hybrid, or remodeled as a RWD as in the Cadillac CT6 PHEV. I see GM adapting this transaxle for all vehicles in the future.
Unless the Volt can be converted to using a fuel cell to generate electricity, it’s design is a dead end because in an emissions free environment the Chevy Volt cannot be sold in Europe or China; but by replacing the small four cylinder gas motor with a fuel cell to convert gasoline to electricity without any greenhouse gas would make the Volt something that can be sold in around the world and it’s a road-map that can be scaled up to full size sedans and CUVs.
Now change the volt in pure electric vehicle
The Gen 2 Volt (I have a 2017) is far more fun to drive than it has any right to be.
It’s a holeshot monster.
I think the Volt powertrain is a great idea it just need to constantly improve and spread across many more choices of vehicles and vehicle types.
I own a Volt and love it, and my wife loves it. My five year old, in her car seat thinks it’s cool and getting her in and out is easier than in the big SUV grandma drives for some reason despite living alone. I think it makes a lot more sense than a Tesla, and won’t leave you stranded at a charge port for 2 hours trying to get home.
I know I’m not the biggest part of the target market, and I understand the decision, but if the next Volt is an SUV, then we’ll be looking at other car companies. The Bolt won’t work for us either. Just put the Volt drivetrain in a Malibu, and I’ll buy that, but I’m not going to buy a big stupid minivan wannabe with so many more desirable options out there.
How about putting the Volt power train in the Impala.? Ther would be lots of room for passengers,cargo and battery pack. They might even be able to increase sales with a vehicle that size that gets upward of 40 MPG and save the Impala. What ever they do don’t stop improving the Volt power train. Make the battery more powerful and compact and spread the technology across many types of vehicles.