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Next-gen Chevy Volt will get 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine

As General Motors gets ready to unveil the new Chevy Volt at the Detroit Auto Show in January, it's starting to reveal a few more details about the updated plug-in hybrid. Today should be fruitful on that front, thanks to an event GM is hosting today that focuses on the new Volt, and we've just had the first bit of new: a bigger engine is coming. Since the beginning, the Volt has used a 1.4-liter, four-cylinder engine as a range extender when the battery runs dry. The second-generation model will instead get a slightly larger 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that will be built in Flint, MI. That's a step up from the various engines that have been a part of the 2016 Volt's rumored mills, everything from a 1.0-liter or 1.2-liter three-cylinder to a 2.0-liter turbo. The confirmation about the new 1.5-liter powerplant was found in Automotive News, where we also heard again that GM is going to start building the new Volt's electric drive unit in Detroit, moving production up from Mexico. We will have more information on the 2016 Chevy Volt later today.

Chevy prices new 2016 Cruze from $17,495

Chevy has released pricing information for the new 2016 Cruze. As you might expect, the MSRP on the new model has gone up a little over the model it replaces, but it remains competitive with its rivals. The new 2016 Chevy Cruze comes in four trim levels and with either a manual or automatic transmission. Though not every trim can be had with either gearbox, they are all powered by the same 1.4-liter turbo four, good for 153 horsepower. The list starts in L trim level with the manual, which goes for $17,495 - including the $875 destination charge. The automaker points out that the price of admission is lower than those of the base models of the Toyota Corolla ($18,065), Honda Civic ($19,475), and Hyundai Elantra ($18,075) – all prices verified and including delivery. The Ford Focus ($18,100), Subaru Impreza ($18,295), Mazda3 ($18,695), and Volkswagen Jetta ($19,600) also start at higher prices, with the Nissan Sentra ($17,355) and Dodge Dart ($17,990) listing for similar money. However the Kia Forte ($16,715) still comes in cheaper. Of course those prices are just for the base models. Step up to the Cruze LS and you'll be looking at $18,995 with the manual or $19,995 with the automatic. The higher-end LT and Premium models are only sold with the slushbox and retail for $21,995 and $23,995, respectively. Deliveries start in the spring. ALL-NEW 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE PRICED FROM $17,495 Redesigned, re-engineered compact sedan is roomier and better connected DETROIT – Chevrolet announced pricing for the all-new 2016 Cruze will start at $17,495 when it goes on sale next spring. The Cruze's base price is almost $2,000 less than the 2016 Honda Civic LX ($19,475), while offering features such as the standard Chevrolet MyLink radio with a 7-inch-diagonal screen, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility – subject to their terms, privacy statements and data plan rates as well as a compatible smartphone. OnStar 4G LTE with a Wi-Fi hotspot and a standard rear-vision camera are also available. Larger, lighter and roomier than the 2015 model – including two inches more rear knee room – the all-new Cruze is offered in L, LS, LT and Premier models. An all-new, direct-injected 1.4L turbo engine generates a General Motors-estimated 153 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard. Cruze LS with an automatic transmission starts at $19,995 with GM-estimated highway fuel economy of 40 mpg. Environmental Protection Agency estimates are not yet available.

Here are all the cars GM is axing as part of its restructuring

GM plans to kill off a couple of great and a few meh cars as part of its restructuring. Here's a rundown of all the cars being phased out of production. None of the vehicles GM axed were SUVs or crossovers. Instead, it was an action reminiscent of what Ford recently decided to do by discontinuing U.S. sales every Blue Oval sedan. GM just didn't explicitly say, "We're killing our cars," like Ford did — probably a smart move by GM. Keep scrolling down to see the full list of deceased GM models. Chevrolet Volt This one was the most surprising of all the cars GM decided to can, primarily because cars with plugs are supposed to be our future. However, maybe consumer demand just isn't quite there yet for a plug-in like the Volt. We came up with all sorts of ideas for what was to blame for the untimely demise of the Volt, so go check that out for a full breakdown of the situation. Cadillac CT6 Here's another car we'll be sad to see go. Cadillac's flagship sedan was such a joy to drive, and it served as the conduit to deliver GM's semi-autonomous Super Cruise system, which still hasn't been surpassed by any other company's technology in our books, even Tesla's Autopilot. That being said, GM does plan to produce the CT6 until March, with the last cars coming off the line set to be twin-turbo V8 V-Series models. If it's going to go, this seems like a pretty great way to make an exit. We'll be patiently awaiting the next flagship Cadillac once this one finally fades away. Chevrolet Impala The Impala is actually a pretty good car. It doesn't sell terribly, and we think it's a completely satisfactory car to drive. However, people would rather have a Traverse or Equinox these days, making the Impala one of the vehicles to find itself on this list. Chevrolet is keeping its smaller brother, the Malibu, but a big, full-size sedan just isn't what people are ordering up these days. It's unfortunate to see it go, but we won't be broken up over it. Chevrolet Cruze We wouldn't rank the Cruze at the top of the compact car class, but if you were looking for a small, cheap American car, it was either this or the Focus. The Cruze had the potential to be a true small performance car if Chevy had ever wanted to make it into one. But sadly, we're seeing it bow out before Chevy ever tried to slot a hot engine and suspension in there to make it competitive with other hot hatches. A Cruze SS would have made enthusiasts take notice.