The all-new 2016 Chevy Volt was unveiled by General Motors CEO Mary Barra Monday morning at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS 2015). Offering more power, more range, and greater flexibility, GM says the new Volt should resonate with a wider demographic of buyers.
Watch GM CEO Mary Barra reveal almost everything you ever wanted to know about the 2016 Chevy Volt in this live TFLcar video from the 2015 Detroit Auto Show below:
Sporting a new layout for its 18.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the 2016 Chevy Volt offers a five-place seating configuration, versus the 2015 Volt’s two-plus-two layout. Lower interior noise levels, blue interior ambient lighting and the availability of heated rear seats lends to the new Volt’s more premium aura.
Power in the 2016 Chevy Volt is produced via a new dual-motor electric setup and a revised 1.5-L, four-cylinder “range extender” engine which is now able to run on regular-unleaded gasoline. Chevrolet says the dual-motor setup enables 19-percent stronger 0-30 MPH acceleration when compared with the 2015 Volt’s single-motor assembly.
The Volt’s new battery pack provides up to 50 miles of electric-only range and, thanks to the elimination of 96 cells, is lighter than its predecessor by more than 20 pounds. Putting power back into the battery is achieved courtesy of a new “Regen on Demand” system, which enables driver control of energy regeneration via a paddle on the back of the steering wheel. Additionally, the new Volt features a new braking system with improved capability and blended Regen feel.
Combined, the 2016 Chevy Volt offers up to 420 mies of cruising range and combined economy of 41 MPG and 102 MPGe, respectively, when it goes on sale some time in the second half of 2015.