Could a crossover hybrid be coming soon from General Motors?

If a recent patent filing is any indication, the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid might someday be bestowed a five-door sibling. Fox News noted that the patent for the moniker "CrossVolt," which was filed in August 2014, was published for opposition on December 23. This all means that General Motors might be getting even closer to introducing a crossover accompaniment when or after the upcoming 2016 Chevrolet Volt debuts at the Detroit auto show.

General Motors first applied for a patent on the CrossVolt name in 2011, following the introduction of the Volt MPV5 concept car at the Shanghai auto show in 2010. That vehicle, pictured above, never made it out of the concept stage, despite sleek lines and a production-ready face.

In addition to the CrossVolt name, General Motors also recently applied for a patent on the term "Hydralogic"—possibly for future plans regarding hydrogen fuel cell technology—and that patent was also published for opposition on December 23.

We could know shortly if the CrossVolt is a reality, after the 2016 Volt bows next month following what feels like an endless tease for green-car enthusiasts.

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