GM Reveals Performance Upgrades For Second Generation Volt

(RTTNews) - General Motors has revealed new details about their second generation Chevrolet Volt and says the electric car will get some major upgrades. The new model will make its public debut at the Detroit auto show in January and will show off greater range on the electric motor and increased performance.

Larry Nitz, General Motors' executive vice president for vehicle electrification, spoke with CNNMoney on the second generation Volt and says that fuel economy is only part of the picture:

"When we talk to our [Volt] customers, fuel savings isn't the first thing that comes out of their mouth. What comes out of their mouth is 'fun to drive,'" he said.

Increased driving distance on the electric battery was a major goal for GM, however, as Nitz adds:

"It would have been simple for us to tweak our existing battery to provide nominally increased range, but that's not what our customers want. So our team created a new battery system that will exceed the performance expectations of most of our owners," he adds.