It appears that Chevy isn't following its own precedent as the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid enters its third model year.
In the past, the Volt received a battery upgrade every other year that provided it with increasingly more electric range—but that's not the case for the largely unchanged 2018 Volt.
The first information comes from a dealership guide found by CarsDirect, which reveals only a handful of minor changes to the bowtie brand's second-generation plug-in hybrid hatchback.
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According to that ordering guide, the base LT model sees the most changes, relatively.
It gets a beefed-up audio system with eight speakers and a newly available Driver Confidence Package that includes blind-zone monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist.
But the Volt LT loses its previously standard leather-wrapped steering wheel in favor of a urethane unit.
![2017 Chevrolet Volt 2017 Chevrolet Volt](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2017-chevrolet-volt_100550915_l.jpg)
2017 Chevrolet Volt
To get a leather wheel requires purchase of an additional Comfort Package, which cost $460 this year.
The Driver Confidence Package will be an extra-cost item and it requires that buyers select the optional leather upholstery package and the Comfort Package first.
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An eight-speaker Bose-branded audio system remains optional for the Volt LT trim level; it's known as the UQA option.
The 2018 Volt also sees its color palette modified, too; Siren Red Tintcoat, Citron Green Metallic, Heather Gray Metallic and Pepperdust Metallic are gone.
![2017 Chevrolet Volt 2017 Chevrolet Volt](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2017-chevrolet-volt_100550918_l.jpg)
2017 Chevrolet Volt
In their place, Cajun Red Tintcoat, Green Mist Metallic and Satin Steel Metallic are all making their first appearance.
The Volt's 18.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack carries over apparently unchanged.
That means its EPA ratings will likely stay the same as well: 53 miles of electric range, and energy efficiency of 106 MPGe, and 42 mpg combined when running on gasoline after the battery capacity is used up.
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Chevy hasn't yet announced pricing or an on-sale date for the 2018 Volt, but it's unlikely that these updates will significantly alter the 2017's $34,095 base.
CarsDirect suggests that production of the 2018 Volt will begin in July, meaning the updated models should start hitting dealership lots in August.
Since the second-generation Volt, introduced for 2016, was only available in a handful of states that year, perhaps we can count 2017 and 2018 as the first two full model years—and hope for a battery upgrade for 2019?
EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this article indicated that the Bose eight-speaker sound system would be standard on the Volt LT trim level. According to Chevrolet spokesman Fred Ligouri, it should be listed as optional. We have updated the article.
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