Volt green car of the year
2016 model is second generation of GM’s hybrid vehicle
LOS ANGELES — The Chevrolet Volt was named 2016 Green Car of the Year on Thursday at the Los Angeles Auto Show, in recognition of improvements to every aspect of the extended-range hybrid that was first introduced in 2011.
Judges noted the 2016 model’s “sleek and sporty design, more energy-dense batteries, new electric mo- tors and quicker acceleration.” The car has a more efficient 1.5-liter enginegenerator that creates onboard electricity to power the Volt’s motors for a total 420 miles.
The Volt beat a field of finalists that includes the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata and Audi A3 E-Tron.
“Unlike the first generation where we had no owner base and had to figure it out, we now have a base of 80,000 loyal buyers,” said Steve Majoros, marketing director for Chevrolet cars and crossovers.
The Volt will be a cornerstone of marketing campaigns, he said. Additionally, “we have a lot more plans for electrification.”
The 2016 Volt is the second generation of the hybrid, and went on sale this fall with a range of 53 miles on electricity alone — beating the automaker’s prediction that the second-generation car would reach 50 miles under battery power.
“This is the first time in Green Car of the Year history that a vehicle has won the award in two succeeding model generations,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal.