Speculation on upgrades for 2012-2014 Volt?

[hermperez]

The Volt engineers clearly determined that they needed more torque at a lower rpm than they were getting with 87 octane gasoline. Specifying premium fuel was probably a highly debated topic between the engineers and marketing people at the time.

I think that was the reason, perhaps they will go to DI or use the 1.8L engine.. the bigger engine would be cheaper and probably lighter.

[Herto]

On an official Ampera leaflet can be read that the preferred gasoline is not premium but standard E10. It may be the same for Volt MY2012.

[voltage692]

Now that it's full on summer, I would vote for some form of ventilated seats so I don't have to run the AC so hard to stay cool on my back/seat. Same concept as heated seats.

I don't think they need to be air conditioned like an Escalade, but at least blow cabin air through the perforations.

That would be a big range saver.

[scottf200]

Now that it's full on summer, I would vote for some form of ventilated seats so I don't have to run the AC so hard to stay cool on my back/seat. Same concept as heated seats.
I don't think they need to be air conditioned like an Escalade, but at least blow cabin air through the perforations.
That would be a big range saver.

I have A/C seats in my 2003 Expedition. Pretty cool.

In the Volt I normally run the A/C on ECO and 73/74. I'm quite reasonable and there doesn't seem to be that much effect on range.

I wonder about the extra fans under the seats tho and what draw they'd be. When you are on the climate dialog and playing with the fan speed it seems to have a pretty big impact on that little percentage number in the lower left. Leads me to believe fans take some juice!

[voltage692]

No doubt, but it should still be a net reduction in power if you can run with less AC compressor to stay the same level of cool.

I have A/C seats in my 2003 Expedition. Pretty cool.

In the Volt I normally run the A/C on ECO and 73/74. I'm quite reasonable and there doesn't seem to be that much effect on range.

I wonder about the extra fans under the seats tho and what draw they'd be. When you are on the climate dialog and playing with the fan speed it seems to have a pretty big impact on that little percentage number in the lower left. Leads me to believe fans take some juice!

[mikeh1]

I think that Buick with four windows were much larger and was Road-master. The Volt has a twin Buick, which is the Regal 2011. Electra was bigger, so I recommend that the body of the Lacrosse will be converted into Voltec and named Electra

[kickincanada]

I think that the next model year will see software, rather than big architectural changes. I've had some hints that we will see:

1. Better cold weather performance meaning the ICE won't fire when plugged in so we can precondition in our garages, and ICE avoidance until the temp hits -10C or -15C instead of the current -4C. This should help us avoid ICE on short trips in cold weather.

2. We may get our long awaited hold mode so we can stop gaming the mountain mode setting.

3. We should see the kwh/100miles and lifetime kwh.

[Farmedb]

I think that the next model year will see software, rather than big architectural changes. I've had some hints that we will see:

1. Better cold weather performance meaning the ICE won't fire when plugged in so we can precondition in our garages, and ICE avoidance until the temp hits -10C or -15C instead of the current -4C. This should help us avoid ICE on short trips in cold weather.

2. We may get our long awaited hold mode so we can stop gaming the mountain mode setting.

3. We should see the kwh/100miles and lifetime kwh.

I hope so. I would love it if they made these upgrades for existing models.

[danwat1234]

+1, Atkinson or at least DI OTTO cycle and then Atkinson in later years and then maybe HCCI ultimately if they can figure it out.

[rmay635703]

On an official Ampera leaflet can be read that the preferred gasoline is not premium but standard E10. It may be the same for Volt MY2012.

Actually in europe they don't really have crappy 87 octane gas, lowest I ever found was 89 and I had to search, most of its 90 or better.

Also as far as I know GM is going further into the dark side and going to a 2.0ltr turbo (look around that appears to be what will be both in caddy and volt)

I personally would have prefered a DI 500cc 2 cycle flathead with a turbo, the volt really only needs 15hp to motor down the road at 55mph, why use a 90hp gasser when you have EV to back it up most of the time? (500cc DIs top out at about 60hp efficiently)