GM Considering Three-cylinder Range Extender For Volt EV: Report

General Motors could soon swap the electric Volt's range-extending four-cylinder petrol engine for a new three-cylinder mill, according to reports out of the US this week.

According to US website Edmunds, the project - which is still to be decided on - would see the existing 1.4 unit replaced by a new 1.0 or 1.2 litre engine currently in development with GM's partners in China.

If approved, the new engine could make its way into the Volt by late 2015, timed to coincide with a styling and technology update.