General Motors has long said it is interested in expanding the technology behind its Chevrolet Volt to other models of the lineup and now we have a report that suggests the automaker is looking at a mid-luxury Buick-badged extended-range EV.
In addition to the Volt, GM will offer its Voltec drivetrain in Europe on the Opel Ampera and the automaker was also once contemplating a Cadillac based on the Converj concept car. Now, Reuters suggests that GM is considering reworking the Ampera – itself a reworked Volt – for North American and Chinese consumers.
The report cites unnamed sources as saying that a “ Buick grille and front-end styling” will differentiate the Ampera from a Buick counterpart. That seems a little misleading since the Ampera is simply a Volt with an Opel grille and Opel front and rear styling. However, GM is looking to maximize the impact of its Volt and a slightly more upscale, European-inspired variant might be just what Buick needs.
Making it more upscale might be a bit of a challenge, however, since Volts already approach luxury car levels with available heated leather seats, a Bose audio system, navigation and automatic climate control.
Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics asks, “What else can you add to make it a premium car?”
References
1.’GM Said to…’ view
