GM Volt to get regular software-style updates
'Leccy Tech General Motors has given some insights into how it plans to squeeze every last mile from the Chevrolet Volt's battery back - and how it hopes to develop the model.
According to Frank Weber, “vehicle line executive” for the Volt's Voltec propulsion system, it's all about “maximizing its mechanical, electrical and thermal efficiency. From the Voltec propulsion system down to individual components such as tires or sound systems”, he said during a presentation at the Chicago Motor Show.
To start with, the Volt - to be called the Ampera over here - will come with Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max energy-efficient tyres which, according to GM, will alone add a whole mile to the Volt's battery-only driving range.
Goodyear claims to have “packed performance features into the tyre to enhance the Volt's fun-to-drive characteristics”. Hopefully, that means a move away from the usual feature of economy oriented tyres being about as much fun to drive on as a set of 1950 cross-plies.
The Volt will also see the début of a Bose sound system that's also heralded as "energy efficient" and said to be 30 per cent smaller, 40 per cent lighter and to use half as much energy as conventional Bose sound systems do.
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