Official: 2016 Chevy Volt To Get 1.5-Liter, 4-Cylinder Range Extender

More 2nd Gen Volt Teasing Coming Soon

General Motors let slip some details on the next-generation 2016 Chevy Volt in a press released focused on “new Michigan investments.”

Buried in the press release is GM’s confirmation of the range-extending engine that the next-gen Model Year 2016 Volt will receive:

“GM’s Flint Engine Operations will build the 1.5-liter, four-cylinder range extender for the Volt. The unit is part of an all-new engine family.”

Rather than going with a smaller three-cylinder engine as most of us suspected, General Motors is in fact upping the displacement on the next-gen Volt from today’s 1.4 liters to 2016′s 1.5 liters.

Here’s a look at three of the next-gen Ecotec engines:

Next-Gen Ecotec Engines

General Motors lists two next-gen 1.5-liter Ecotec engines: 1.5 direct injection and 1.5 direct injection turbo.  The Volt will get one of those two engines (we’d venture to guess that the turbo version is not on the menu for the next-gen Volt).  For reference, the Chinese version of the Chevrolet Cruze comes with the new 1.5-liter Ecotec engine.  Its output is quoted by GM as such:

“The 1.5 SIDI engine, the segment’s only naturally aspirated engine with direct injection, generates maximum output of 84 kW and peak torque of 146 Nm.”

GM further states this of the China Cruze and its engine:

“Its mid-mounted direct injection engine technology and wide range of fuel-saving features such as start/stop technology and ultra-low rolling resistance tires make the new Cruze up to 24 percent more fuel efficient than the current-generation Cruze. The engines offer peak fuel economy of only 5.9 liters per 100 km. In addition, they are up to 50 percent quieter than engines in competitive models.”

Additionally, GM says that the next-gen Volt will be more American-made than the outgoing model.

Here’s the investment graphic from GM:

GM Investment Graphic

Full press release from General Motors below:

GM to Announce New Michigan Investments at Detroit Economic Club

2014-10-28

Chevrolet Volt electric drive unit to be built in Warren, Mich.
Michigan established as GM’s global center of excellence for vehicle electrification

DETROIT –Today at the Detroit Economic Club, General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) CEO Mary Barra will confirm that the company’s Warren Transmission Plant will build the electric drive unit for the second-generation Chevrolet Volt. That means most major Volt powertrain components – from its battery cells to its range-extender – will be made in Michigan, establishing the state as the company’s global engineering center of excellence for vehicle electrification.

At the same time, Barra will announce capital investments of nearly $300 million in Michigan between now and the end of the year. Details will be announced later.

“We must provide the breakthrough technology that our customers want,” said Barra. “Our investments in the Chevy Volt and Michigan signify our commitment to lead the industry in technology and innovation.”

Since 2009, GM has announced more than $11 billion in investments in the United States, with almost half of that investment committed to Michigan.

In addition, GM has worked with its UAW partners to develop initiatives that will lead to more than 22,600 jobs in the United States. This hiring has begun and will continue over the next few years, and many of these jobs will be based in Michigan.

Approximately $1.82 billion in capital has been invested in projects dedicated specifically to vehicle electrification.

GM’s Brownstown Township facility is the country’s first high-volume lithium-ion battery pack manufacturing site operated by a major automaker.
The Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac ELR are assembled at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant.
GM’s Flint Engine Operations will build the 1.5-liter, four-cylinder range extender for the Volt. The unit is part of an all-new engine family.
Warren Transmission will build the GM Voltec 4ET50 Multi-Mode Electric Drive Unit, which allows the Volt to drive in pure electric or extended range electric mode.

Battery cells for the Volt and ELR are produced by LG Chem in Holland, Mich., and the Volt’s vehicle’s electric motors will also be made in the United States.

Within the first year of production, about 70 percent of the Volt’s parts will be made in the United States or Canada, which GM believes is the most for a plug-in or conventional hybrid.

Volt Facts

Since the Volt was launched in 2010, owners driving in pure electric mode have helped reduce gasoline consumption by more than 25 million gallons.
Based on a GM study of more than 300 2011-2012 model year Volts in service in California, many owners exceed the EPA-rated label of 35 miles of EV range per full charge, with about 15 percent surpassing 40 miles of range.
Volt owners who charge regularly typically drive more than 970 miles between fill-ups and refuel less than once a month. The 2014 Volt provides owners with EPA-estimated fuel economy of 98 MPGe (electric) and 35 mpg city/40 mpg highway on gasoline power.
Nearly 70 percent of Volt buyers are new to GM. The Toyota Prius is the most frequently traded-in vehicle for a Volt.
Volt is the most successful plug-in electric vehicle in the United States, with cumulative sales of more than 69,000 vehicles.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.