Next-Generation Chevy Volt To Get Efficient Three-Cylinder Engine

When the Chevy Volt debuted, it’s combination of a gas-powered generator and electric motor drive system won the hearts and minds of many (though not all) car critics. But one weak spot has always been the so-so fuel economy averaging 36 mpg when the generator is running. GM plans to remedy that with a fuel-sipping three-cylinder engine in the next-gen Volt.

The current Volt utilizes an off-the-shelf 1.4 liter four-cylinder generator making 84 horsepower and an electric motor that boosts total output to 149 horsepower. The Cadillac version of the Volt, the Cadillac ELR, has slightly more power at 207 ponies thanks to a beefier electric motor. Both generators return about 36 mpg once the battery needs charging, which compared to some competitors like the C-Max Energi and Prius Plug-In, falls short.

GM is working to replace the 1.4 cylinder four-banger with a 1.0 or 1.2 liter three-cylinder engine. Three cylinder engines are gaining popularity both in the U.S. and abroad as new engine technology makes these efficient powerplants more reliable and powerful. GM is no doubt hoping to push its mpg numbers beyond 40 with the next-generation Volt, and a smaller engine would go a long way towards that goal.

This is just one of the many rumors surrounding the next Volt, including optional battery pack sizes and a MPV version of the plug-in hybrid. Which rumors are you hoping pan out to be true?

Source: Hybrid Cars

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Tags: 2015 Chevy Volt, 2015 Volt, Cadillac ELR, Cadillac ELR horsepoewr, Cadillac ELR specs, Chevy News, Chevy Volt, Chevy Volt horsepower, chevy volt news, Chevy Volt specs, General Motors, GM, GM news, next-gen Volt, Volt

About the Author

Christopher DeMorro A writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs, Chris can be found wrenching or writing- or esle, he's running, because he's one of those crazy people who gets enjoyment from running insane distances.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel-Watkins/629637578 Daniel Watkins

3-cylinder or Atkinson cycle 4 is the way to go. Lean burn is the best but nobody has released lean burn engines in years, except for diesels
anderlan

Thankfully the generator output doesn’t have to match the peak power output of the motor to keep the battery suitably buffed up over a period of time. So many variables! I love plugin hybrid power train problems. Very much reminiscient of operating system resource optimization. Different memory layers at different sizes and different speeds. Different configuration every 5 years because of hardware improvements not always matching perfectly. (We’d rather have some components make huge improvements than have them all match, of course!) This requires rewriting memory mgmt. Funzies, at least as an armchair kernel watcher
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bruce-Miller/100000952005408 Bruce Miller

Can be run on CNG? Will have on board nano carbon super capacitors? Will have plug in features? Will be faster, more comfortable than fuel intensive jet planes? Thorium LFTR technology driven electric bullet trains? Still very “20th Century”? Today, in the 21st Century?
http://profiles.google.com/eletruk Roger Swearingen

Let’s hope the engineers decide to run the engine at it’s single most efficient RPM. None of this “make it sound like a regular car” crap.
http://www.facebook.com/robert.gamble.35 Robert Gamble

It does not matter unless my 2012 Volt can be upgraded with the new backup generator, and larger battery. The cost to upgrade would be a large consideration.
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Daggorath

Will Chevy make an E85 compatible volt? How about an E85 only that abandons gas to get more out of E85 for the eco-minded?
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