General Motors said on Tuesday that its Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid car will boast fuel consumption of 230 miles per gallon in city driving, making it the first mass-produced vehicle with triple-digit fuel economy.
GM provided the estimate as part of a drive to burnish its image and win back customers after emerging from a court-supervised restructuring early last month. It also announced that it will expand its luxury Cadillac brand with the addition of a small, rear-wheel drive sedan.
The Volt, due to go into production in late 2010, will be powered mainly by a battery pack with a 40-mile range. A small internal combustion engine will extend the range by recharging the battery while the car is in motion.
The 230 mpg fuel-consumption figure is based on draft guidelines being developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Fritz Henderson, GM’s chief executive, expressed confidence that the Volt would achieve at least 100 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving.
Toyota’s Prius hatchback, currently the top-selling hybrid, has a fuel-economy rating of 48 mpg.
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