While we’ve heard rumors of GM using the 1.4 liter inline four with direct injection — and a turbo in some dresses — will power the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid instead of the 1.0-liter inline 3 found in the concept car, the most recent reports seem to provide further hints this will be the case.
GM CEO Rick Wagoner, in a recent interview with the The Flint Journal, revealed the automaker’s new engine assembly plant in Flint, Michigan said the same engine used in the next generation Chevy compact car is being considered for use in the Volt.
While the Flint plant will build three small engines: the 1.0 liter not meant for the U.S. market (but still powering the Chevy Beat though that may qualify as a subcompact), a naturally aspirated 1.4-liter for the next-generation Aveo (another subcompact) and the 1.4-liter turbo for the Cobalt-replacement, the Cruze. While this is the only compact car among the three, it is rather an all-new car as opposed to the next-generation, if for no other reason than the new model name.
The use of a turbocharger is also rather unlikely for the engine, which will effectively act as a generator to charge the Volt’s lithium ion battery packs and won’t have to power the wheels directly. This means it will likely run at a constant, efficient speed, and not require the turbocharger to help it accelerate. Plus there are the obvious cost savings in not using the more complicated turbo engine, and GM is not likely to make any profit on the $40,000 Volt.
