General Motors is considering a three-cylinder engine for its Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac ELR plug-in hybrids as part of a companywide strategy to reduce fuel consumption and vehicle weight, industry sources tell Edmunds. The proposal, which has not been approved, would replace the 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine in the Volt and ELR with either a 1.0- or 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that GM and its partners in China are developing, the sources — who asked to remain unnamed due to the confidential nature of the subject — said.
If approved for production, the Volt would receive the three-cylinder engine in 2015, about the time the vehicle is due for a face-lift, according to one source. The ELR's engine swap would appear in 2016. No details were given as to the weight or fuel savings if the three-cylinder engine is selected.
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