Anyone thinking about switching to a Chevrolet Volt should consider waiting, at least if inside information leaked today about the 2014 model year is true.
When the Volt first came to market last year it was the product of a cash-strapped General Motors that couldn’t or didn’t justify extra spending on making the Volt everything it could be. Thankfully, GM seems to have staved off financial ruin and it looks like that success might translate into an improved lineup.
Coming just days after we learned the 2013 Volt will have slightly improved range, it looks like anyone buying the car before its 2014 model year debut will be getting a sour deal. That’s because the unimpressive 1.4-liter four-cylinder the company currently uses will supposedly be replaced by a much more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged unit scheduled the Buick Verano next year, InsideEVs reports.
Only making 83 hp out of its current gas engine, the Volt is less than impressive when it comes to accelerating. It’s true that performance is far from the first priority in most Volt driver’s minds, but then again a little more pep would probably be a good thing.
Between the current engine and electric drivetrain, the car makes 149 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. That’s not too bad, but if the leaked information turns out to be true we could see those numbers spike significantly. The 2.0-liter engine would likely offer more than double the current engine’s power, though it wouldn’t be shocking to learn that Chevrolet would rethink drivetrain to keep gas mileage about the same.
Then again, the Volt’s relatively high pre-tax credit price, a boost in horsepower could serve to make it more appealing to people with enough money to buy it.
[Source: InsideEVs]
Filed under: American Chevrolet Electric Cars Featured Articles Hybrids
Tags: 1.4-liter, 2.0-liter, 2014, 2014 chevrolet volt, American, Chevrolet, Electric Cars, engine, engines, ev, horsepower, hybrid, range-extended ev, turbo engine, turbocharged, volt