Chevrolet Cruze Plug-in Hybrid under development - report

pre production Chevrolet Volt and Chevrolet Cruze

Would be cheaper & less complex than the Volt

The Chevrolet Volt has been met with lackluster sales, so it comes as little surprise the company is reportedly developing a cheaper, less complex Cruze Plug-in Hybrid.

In an interview with GoAuto, GM's Jim Federico - Chief Engineer for Global Compact, Small, Mini and Electric Vehicles - said the "The Volt will always be a plug-in electric vehicle" but a Cruze Plug-in Hybrid wouldn't make it redundant because it would have a different powertrain.

Designed to battle the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, the Cruze Plug-in Hybrid would likely feature a petrol engine, an electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery pack. Unlike the Volt, the Cruze PIH would be primarily powered by a petrol engine which would be offset by a short electric-only range.

Source: GoAuto

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ScottCampbell

Plug ins are awesome. It is not IF but WHEN ours gas prices will be like everywhere else, way high. Water, electricity an gas are headind up.

November 23, 2011 12:02 pm

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PAA

If they offered the Volt system on the Cruze I could consider it but the Prius system is not to my liking.

November 23, 2011 8:23 pm

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CndSalesPro

Oh ok, So I'd love to hear whats SO different between the Volt and Prius PHEV systems??? So whats all that much better about the Volt system then???

November 25, 2011 3:04 pm

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PAA

Don't get too defensive buddy. The Cruze system is similar to the regular Prius one. Starts as electric and above a certain speed the petrol engine kicks in. That, I don't like. I prefere the Volt's "electric until the battery is depleted tech". Clear.

-1

November 27, 2011 8:09 pm

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CndSalesPro

@PAA I can understand the confusion. But NO, the Prius PHEV system is the same as the Volts. Battery runs out then the Gas engine kicks in. Furthermore the Prius' gas engine doesn't automatically take over after a certain speed. You can travel at highway speed in a Prius and not be using ANY gas. Thats in a regular Prius, not the PHEV. Contrary to GM's marketing the Volt is just a Plug in Hybrid. It's gas engine starts up upon heavy load, making it a Hybrid.

November 28, 2011 1:09 pm

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dcars62

They should have introduced this car first instead of the Volt.

November 24, 2011 3:28 am

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