Insider: 1.4L Engine Discontinued in 2014 Chevrolet Volt

[scottf200]

Insider: 1.4L Engine Discontinued in 2014 Chevrolet Volt by Jay Cole (Statik) 11Jun2012
http://insideevs.com/insider-1-4l-en...for-next-year/

All we had known for sure about the future of the Chevrolet Volt was that it will be undergoing a powertrain upgrade in about a year’s time. That is until now. A source inside the company (who did not wish to be identified) confirmed to InsideEVs that the 83 hp, 1.4L engine that is currently in use as an extended range generator for the Volt will “definitely not” be in the 2014 model year that begins production in the summer of 2013.

It is thought that the 1.4L engine found in the Volt today was never the first choice of engineers who were designing the car, but was mated to the platform strictly out of the availability of the engine. When debuting the concept Volt, GM had envisioned a specially designed engine to optimize performance for the Volt, but had to abandon any such plan because of a freeze on all research and development in the period where GM was entering bankruptcy, and the Volt was in development.

When asked about what the replacement engine might be, it was said that apparently a new 2.0L turbo has been thoroughly vetted on the platform, and will most likely see its way into production of the Volt (and upcoming Cadillac ELR). This is the same engine that GM has recently confirmed will also find a home in the Chevy Cruze Deluxe Buick Verano, a car which incidently rides on the same Delta II platfrom as the Volt. The output of the 2.0L turbo currently ranges from 220hp to 270hp.[current electric drive unit (149 hp/273 lb.-ft. of torque) ]
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The New 2.0L Turbo for 2014 Volt and Cadillac ELR?



Ecotec 2.0L Turbo: One of the “10 Best Engines” Award by WardsAuto World
Google search on it: https://www.google.com/search?&q=Ecotec+2.0L+Turbo

[scottf200]

YES!!! This will be perfect timing for me. My wife car will go to my youngest son and she will take the current Volt. Then daddy gets the 2.0L Turbo. Perfect!

Just read some articles recently about many manufacturers using turbo versions to get great mileage and performance. New generation of turbos are smooth.

a) The reason I thought this was good was because I "assumed" it would also some with a more powerful electric motor and generator (motor). Since I don't use the ICE a lot this is what I would like about it. They need this aspect for the ELR right?

b) Wouldn't this then also mean there is no silly "mountain mode". That was added because the current configuration could not keep up.

I would guess there may be two voltec platform options on the Volt. Standard and Performance.

[Zythryn]

Excellent!
I love to see GM continue to refine the Volt. I personally had some fears they were going to pull another EV1 fiasco. This pretty much eliminates the last little bit of those fears

I know nothing of engines, any thoughts or hints as to if the gasoline efficiency will be better with the turbo?

[mbepic]

Insider: 1.4L Engine Discontinued in 2014 Chevrolet Volt
http://insideevs.com/insider-1-4l-en...for-next-year/



8The New 2.0L Turbo for 2014 Volt and Cadillac ELR?

I wonder what that will do to CS gas mileage. Also, wonder if CS will take on new character, like charge 'addition'?
New electric motor is possible too.

Interesting.

[Voltster]

I guess I'm supposed to be excited about this news but I'm really not because I try to drive exclusively on battery power and the gas engine in my Volt gets as little use as possible.

[mbepic]

I guess I'm supposed to be excited about this news but I'm really not because I try to drive exclusively on battery power and the gas engine in my Volt gets as little use as possible.

Sorta wish we all could be like that but then wouldn't take any longer trips using the Volt.

[JeremyK]

The only way a 2.0L turbo makes sense is if there is a (very) high performance version of the ELR or Volt offered. To get similar output to the current engine, but with increased efficiency, we'd be talking about a 1.0L turbo or something very small. I have no knowledge of the development in these areas...just talking as a car guy/engineer here.

[bonaire]

Would the 2.0L be spun at a lower RPM decreasing fuel usage? Can someone who stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night confirm how a larger engine is better for mpg in CS-mode? Presumably, pulse-and-glide could be programmed in in such a way you drive on the higher power engine while re-charging the battery for say 20 miles, then on CD-mode for 20 miles, repeat... Raising total mpg through more active use of recharging by using a bit more hp from the larger engine.

[mczajka]

I guess this could mean a lot of things. Quieter engine. Up to 20% better fuel economy (perhaps not that much)? But I would think the ELR would have to utilize this for more power, combined with the electric engine. Will the drive train remain the same or shift slightly to make the car have better sport performance.

[fishhawk]

The only way a 2.0L turbo makes sense is if there is a (very) high performance version of the ELR or Volt offered. To get similar output to the current engine, but with increased efficiency, we'd be talking about a 1.0L turbo or something very small. I have no knowledge of the development in these areas...just talking as a car guy/engineer here.

I thought the original engine plans called for a 1.0L engine. But as reported, the 1.4L was available, so they went with that.

I could see how a 1.0L turbo could produce the horsepower of the 1.4L, and turbo-lag would be a non-issue, but I wonder if it will be quiet enough. On the other hand, a 2.0L turbo seems like overkill.

I would rather see the vehicle weight being reduced.