2016 Chevrolet Volt

2016 Volt steers nicer, has better NVH, and oh by the way, it has ‘very exciting’ range potential

Back in 2011 GM’s original communications person for the Volt Rob Peterson gave a talk at the EDTA conference and one bullet point was “managing expectations.”

It’s something GM knows, and so far, GM is saying this is a super duper new car. We have given full benefit of the doubt GM is smart enough not to over promise and under deliver.

So, as it’s latest teaser video repeats the idea GM will be growing sales with people who’d never have darkened the Volt dealership doorway before, here’s the latest

In a teaser within Chevrolet’s latest new Volt teaser video, GM’s Mark Reuss caps off a discussion of improved ride quality with even more relevant info when he looks at the range indicator and exclaims that he sees something “very exciting.”

“What do I see here from a range standpoint? says Reuss smiling. “Holy cow!”

“Save that though, we’re not supposed to talk about that today, but that is one of the things that’s coming up,” says chief Volt engineer Andrew Farah of the pre-production car still under development.

And that’s about it. What’s Reuss see? 42 miles? 48 miles? 54 miles? More? Feel free to guess away.

The range comment is of course the focal point for a Chevrolet Volt. It is the central feature of this unique car, as the “extended-range” electric car is all about being a part time EV.

The current 2015 Volt with 17.1-kilowatt-hour battery is unofficially good for 40 miles (officially EPA rated 38 miles).

As for the main topic of this 1.5 minute video, it’s about sundry details including “NVH” or noise, vibration, and harshness – which is reportedly improved – and also improved steering quality and low-end acceleration.

It’s customary for automakers to make incremental tweaks to make such aspects better, and the low-end acceleration enhancement has been known about already.

GM plans to reveal the Volt Jan. 12 at the North American International Auto Show where that mystery all-electric range will be finally known, as hopefully will be the fuel efficiency on regular gas in charge sustaining mode, and much more as well.