Introducing the 2016 Chevy Volt (2.0)

Total weight reduction of around 230 pounds to ~3540 which is less than the Ford Energi C-MAX with a much bigger battery.

 

I may trade my 2010 Prius in for this. On the other hand there is a 200 mile EV that GM is supposed to reveal today as well. So depending on how that goes I may wait for it. Either way my next car will be primarily or all electric. Over all I like the look and most of the interior.

 

I'm still waiting to see more about the new transmission.

My guess is that it is based on US patent 8602938 which is designed to optimize the different characteristics of the new smaller 45 kW permanent magnet motor which uses no rare earth metals and the new large motor which uses 40% less rare earth metals. Under this design, it now uses a Prius-like input-split dual planetary gear transmission for better city mpg but has clutches to disengage the gas engine for EV driving and uses a supposedly more efficient compound-split design for highway driving.

I'm hoping we can clarify these details in the next day or so. If not, then I will find out more in February at an SAE electrified car seminar where GM is presenting more technical data.

 

Yes, I think so. The 17 inch tires I saw on the 2016 Volt at the LA Auto Show private reveal were from Michelin although I don't recall exactly which model they were.

 

An input-split transmission design can allow the big electric motor to additively combine with the gas engine. The Prius does this to get 134 HP from the 98 HP gas engine and the 36 HP battery and larger electric motor. Likewise for the Ford Energy. The Volt can similarly combine the 2 motors at low speed while it unclutches the gas engine.

When in hybrid mode, I suspect that the new Volt transmission uses an input-split design during low speeds (0-30 mph) and 0-60'sh during full power acceleration. At lower torque output or higher speeds it switches the clutches to use a "compound-split" design that pushes more power through the mechanical path than a fully input-split design like the Ford Energi which generates more electricity only to convert it back to power with the larger electric motor. This allows it to accelerate quickly at lower speeds but run more efficiently at highway speeds than the Energi while carrying a similar body weight.

We shall see.

 

I am aware, my Prius is in good shape and only has 30K miles on it after 5 years, as you can tell I don't drive overly much. I'm hesitant to lease because of all the horror stories I've heard about returning a car with a couple dings and getting charged insane amounts for repairs. But it is still an option I'm considering. On the other hand it would be no problem just to wait until the Bolt comes out while driving my current car.