Volt Restyled For Better Fuel Economy

GM offered up details of its much-anticipated Volt last week, including some new tidbits on the battery system. According to the company, the 400-lb pack is destined to land in a number of vehicle designs and hints that the vehicle or something like it is planned for the European market. The new battery will be installed in an "elongated T" arrangement and will have a maximum output of 16kWh.

Along with the new information about the vehicle, GM played peek-a-boo with new teaser photos of the Volt. The vehicle doesn't vary much from the original photos, but GM has apparently changed the front bumper detail a bit and added a few lights. The new photos also show that the Volt is sporting a new headlight arrangement and a new rear-end. The design changes to the Volt are more than cosmetic in nature: the new plan is more aerodynamic, meaning that it extends the vehicle's range.

The Volt is scheduled to make its appearance in the 2010 model year. Also on tap for 2010 is the plug-in Prius, which Toyota confirmed last week by saying that it would be bringing the vehicle to the North American International Auto Show (along with the new Lexus hybrid) in Detroit in January. The company also confirmed that it will have a full hybrid line by 2020, furthering its commitment to developing environmentally friendly vehicles.