Looks to me as if there are software changes only, in other words, the exact same Synergy Drive, with the exception that now motors 1 AND 2 can develop power at the same time, giving the horsepower increase (110 kw and 55 kw). Anyone else concur?
Otherwise, I’d say its a 2 door volt with nice seats. About what I expected. I can’t really say I’m disappointed other than to say I’ve Blogged that I don’t understand why GM is changing the powertrain all around since they haven’t amortized the cost of the original voltec design as of yet. The released car proves they haven’t really changed anything so I can’t complain. Same motors, same planetary gear box, same clutches, just that now 2 motors can run instead of just one. That would also mean this “high performance” is only to be available while the battery ‘buffer zone’ holds old since ALL of the juice for the high performance must come from the battery since the engine wont be able to assist at the same time, unless they clutch in the engine also during heavy accelleration. A stare and compare with the volt would be instructive. But again, I bet its basically only software changes.
Since this is apparently such a minimalist change from the 2011 Volt, why didn’t they release this thing in 2012?.
A lot of those safety features are already available options on the Volt. In general this is a Volt with nice sheet metal and higher quality materials inside.