Introducing the 2016 Chevy Volt (2.0)

The risky part is this come close to suggesting a 'Volt' premium:

This may be premature until we see the official EPA performance numbers and MSRP in six months.

Bob Wilson

 

There is definitely a plug-in premium as batteries are expensive, but with the tax credit it isn't that big... Let's view the car market.
The ASP (average selling price) is now over $31,000. The volt if it comes in at $33K will have a sales price after tax credit much lower than that.

Of course the low priced sedans will sell better, corolla, civic, cruise, elantra, focus, sentra, in that order last year. They have a bench for 3 in the back (although this is tight for 3 adults), a trunk, and a lower sticker price. 1.4 Million between these 6 best sellers. This was a growing segment last year.

Most wanting that car form factor will go for a midsized 4 door sedan with more power and room - Camry, Accord, Altima, Fusion, Sonata, in that order last year. 1.7 Million between these 5 best sellers also a growing segment.

But if you want something different you can get a hatch. Here the best ones are the prius, vw tdi and golf, honda fit, mazda 3.... etc. Probably the best comparison for price premium is the fit which sold 59,000 cars last year. The ex starts at $19,200 and has a much nicer back passenger area and cargo area. The volt gen II has better interior materials, smoother drive and electric power but both provide similar acceleration. That volt will go to initial adopters, but the segment potential is probably 5% of the 16 million car market or 800,000 cars. Both the fit and volt can grow sales but i would expect the volt to always lag the fit. Add awd and a tow rating to the volt and perhaps it expands more and into other segments.

 

Is the oil recommended synthetic or dexos certified? Elements in the oil will oxidize and degrade over time. Changing the oil in my wife's Sable is done once a year, mainly because it is simple to remember, but that degradation is to be considered. Then a range extender rarely used, water and fuel build up might be concern.

 

That's cool. Here's your acknowledgement: Yes, it did get smaller. The point was that Prius remained a MIDSIZE. Volt, on the other hand, still isn't. The hope was legroom in back would increase enough for it to no longer be a COMPACT. With so many people having hoped that would happen, it was worth pointing out. Remember all the comparisons we had to Corolla, even though size was still between that and Camry? Being able to breakaway from the Cruze comparisons would have been nice.

 

Hmm. I've never been inside a Fit but they look smaller from the outside.

While the Fit has a reputation for being relatively peppy it is no longer a good match for launch acceleration. The Fit does 0-30 mph in 3.5 seconds with its pistons madly flailing about. The 2016 Volt does it in elegant near-silence in 2.6 seconds (relatively few cars match or exceed this) in EV. The 0-60 mph times are closer and about mid-8 seconds when the Volt is in EV mode.

For comparison, the regular Tesla Model S 85 kWh does 0-30 in 2.3 seconds.

GM hasn't released performance numbers for hybrid mode but they are most likely about the same at lower speeds and quicker at higher speeds as is the general case with the present Volt.

It's actually interesting (to me) to note that GM withheld hybrid performance numbers. The details of the new Volt transmission are still a mystery even though they released some limited information and pretty pictures a couple of months ago. I think they may be holding back some compelling hybrid performance specs for another media splash later but maybe they're just still tuning the transmission controls and aren't ready with final numbers yet.

There is reason to believe we may get some useful new details about the transmission's inner workings within the next month.

In any case, I think the quiet, smooth and instantly reactive driving experience in EVs is not well understood by the general public. It's just night & day different. Conventional cars feel very primitive and awkward when I drive them now.

Improved powertrain options often carry a substantial premium that many drivers are happy to pay but I think very few car buyers think of EVs or EREVs in those terms. That has to change as part of mainstreaming these vehicles. Cars with substantial battery packs inherently provide that experience but maybe 5% of buyers really understand that.

Dexos certified.

 

what is that? is mobil 1?

 

Yes, Mobil 1 is Dexos certified.

The complete list of Dexos certified oils is here:
dexos1 Brands | GM

 

If the Volt became mid-size, there would still be Cruze comparisons because the Cruze is already a mid-size. Even the new Corolla is a mid size with 4 more cubic feet of cabin space than the Prius. Hell, my Sonic 5 is a mid-size according to the EPA. I don't think anybody actually thinks of it being in the same size class as the Cruze and Corolla. Large, compact, and mid-size are just broad labels, and no one will know if a car's size will work for them until they go down to a dealer and sit in it.

Has the complete cabin measurements for the new Volt been released yet?
Does the next gen Prius need to be as big as a Camry?
Did GM ever promise that the Volt would be a car for a family of five?

I think all the Dexos is synthetic, but I'm on track to only requiring 2 changes year, so don't know off the top of my head. I expect synthetics to have a longer, opened container, shelf life than conventional. Maybe going synthetic with 2 year intervals will be fine for our Sable.

Mobil 1 is one, but it is really just GM's own certification for oil quality and additive package. The oil company has to pay for the testing to get the Dexos cert., so some are likely good enough, but may not have it listed on the label. The real importance of using it is in the event of major engine problems under warranty.

 

No problem for any hundredaire like myself.

 

I agree, the labels don't really tell much. But since the underlying goal was to win over customers on the showroom floor and in dealer's lots, the concern is still valid. Reading the Volt forum, I'm not alone with the hope that it would become more marketable by offering more in the back.

 

No if you are jackrabbiting between lights the volt is the winner, but yes 0-60 are similar giving the fit better passing power.

Interior the current fit is about 6 cu feet bigger than the current volt for passengers. This mainly benefits back seat passengers or cargo area with at least a split of the rear bench down. The fit has a lot more cargo room.

Yep still initial adopters. The gen II closes the phev premium price gap but you need to want electric to pay for it. It will take neighbors showing off their volts. Still @33k- 7.5K credit the price of $25,500 is only around $6000 more than a fit.
+1

 

I'm not sure the prius hybrid premium is for good reason.

Using less gas and ice off are premium items that deserve somewhat of a higher price. They don't need to be paid back completely.

The plug-ins though are more like the premium for a bettter engine. If we look at a camry it starts at $22,970, but to get a V6 you need to get a lot of optional equipment (xle or xse) and pay $31,370

 

Cumulative US Plug-In Electric Vehicle Sales – Model By Model Breakdown With Market Share Data – December 2014

 

Genuine Dexos1 is a synthetic blend.

 

nice graph serge! do you have one for all states except cali?

 

This is the new gm delta platform that it shares with the 2016 cruze and other gm cars . The new american made aluminum block di 1.5L ice will also be shared but may have different pistons and valving, it is lighter but takes up more room than the outgoing 1.4L iron block ice. IIRC they shaved 130 lbs on battery/motors/ice/gearing, which may mean 120lbs came off with the platform. These changes other than the engine should make the car less expensive to produce.
Next-gen 2016 Chevy Cruze to Be Lighter, Offer Dual-Clutch Gearbox – News – Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog
+1

The huge increase in range for the volt means even more trips will be gasoline free. The gen I has roughly 80% of trips all electric, this should relegate the ice to highway making weight less important when it comes to gallons of gasoline used in a year. The reduced weight does appear to move the volt closer to the leaf in electrical efficiency.
+1

motors are already very efficient, but more range is helping push the battery improvements. Improved batteries will drive more kwh in plug-ins which forms a virtuous circle.