2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Production Car Unveiled at 2016 CES
LAS VEGAS – Car shoppers got their first official look at the production version of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV electric car, along with a few key details, at the 2016 CES.
The five-passenger Bolt EV goes into production in late 2016 and arrives at Chevrolet dealerships shortly afterward.
While some critical details, including horsepower numbers and charging times will not be disclosed until the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, Chevrolet provided a tantalizing look at the newest GM electric car that targets the BMW i3, Nissan Leaf and upcoming Tesla Model 3.
Connectivity is a key part of the Bolt EV’s appeal.
“The Bolt EV is capable of using the latest mobile app technology to enable car sharing, advanced GPS routing and gameification, all designed to enhance the ownership experience, now and into the future,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra in a statement.
In the future, Chevrolet said “gameification” will enable Bolt owners to “compete” by comparing driving styles to determine who is driving most efficiently.
A special EV-specific navigation capability designs routes to maximize range and provide locations of nearby charging stations.
The Bolt EV will have OnStar 4G LTE connectivity, which turns the car into a WiFi hotspot.
A low-energy type of Bluetooth minimizes the energy draw and connects a smartphone to the car as the owner approaches the vehicle.
Earlier, Chevrolet said the Bolt EV is designed to travel more than 200 miles between charges and be priced below $30,000 after full federal tax credits.
The production version, which rides on a 102.4-inch wheelbase, hews closely to the look of the Bolt EV concept that debuted at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Key exterior cues include a steeply raked windshield, a plunging beltline and LED headlights.
Chevrolet said the production version’s styling features a “unique proportion, which is driven by a flat battery pack mounted beneath the interior floor.”
In the cabin, the Bolt features thin-frame seats, a 10.2-inch center touchscreen and a wireless charging location.
One unique safety feature is a “rear-camera mirror” that provides a wider view behind the car than a conventional rearview mirror.
A surround-vision camera system gives the driver a bird’s-eye view of the car during low-speed driving and when parking.
The Bolt’s EV’s cargo hold is roomier than the ones in the BMW i3 and the Honda Fit.
A new MyChevrolet mobile app allows owners to check the vehicle charge status, access an OnStar map service, start the car remotely and check out the owner’s manual.
Edmunds says: Chevrolet’s Bolt EV appears to be living up to the promise of being a groundbreaking electric car.
