2015 Chevrolet Volt Electric

NEW FOR 2015:

- New colour: Iridescent Pearl Tricoat

- OnStar 4G LTE with in-car WiFi

GM’s most technologically sophisticated automobile gets internet-ready with the standard fitment of 4G LTE internet with integrated WiFi as standard equipment for 2015. As with all other GM vehicles with OnStar, a three-month trial with 3 GB of data is included. That, and a new extra-cost paint colour are the only differences for the ’15 Volt. An all-new Volt will hit the road by the end of the year.

Proof positive of GM’s engineering expertise, the Volt led the plug-in hybrid field, offering a greater electric range than rival makes and models. Where most plug-in hybrids are conventional hybrids with optimized battery packs, the Volt is an electric car with a built-in generator. Once the battery is depleted, a small 1.4-litre gasoline engine starts up and acts like a generator to produce electricity to power the electric motor. While the Volt must always run on electricity, it is capable of sending some mechanical torque from the gasoline engine to the wheels to supplement the electric motor when the battery is depleted and additional power is needed, such as when passing. The estimated range of its all-electric range is 61 km, and a charge takes four hours to achieve on a 240-volt outlet. Depending on how it’s driven, one can stretch as much as 80 km out of its battery pack.

Standard features include 17-inch aluminum wheels, 120-volt charge cord, charge cord theft alarm, remote starter, LED daytime running lights with automatic headlights, LED taillights, body-colour power heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, driver pedestrian warning, automatic climate control, cruise control, front and rear floor mats, 7.0-inch reconfigurable LCD display, trip computer, proximity key with push-button start, tilt/telescopic steering, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control switches, garage door opener, power windows with driver auto-up/down and global auto-down, six-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats, premium cloth seating surfaces, 40/40 split-folding rear seat, six-speaker audio, auxiliary input jack, Bluetooth phone connectivity and media streaming, Chevrolet MyLink, satellite radio, and USB port.

Premium Trim Package adds leather upholstery with cloth accents and rear-storage armrest.

Enhanced Safety Package I adds rear parking sensors, reverse camera, and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Enhanced Safety Package II builds on Enhanced Safety Package I with front parking sensors, lane-departure warning, and forward collision warning.

Other key options include prepaid green energy power source, navigation, seven-speaker Bose audio system, rear armrest, and cargo-cabin separator.