Chevrolet Introduces 2017 Bolt EV
 |
| 2017 Bolt EV has 200-mile range |
Chevrolet is introducing the 2017 Bolt EV at the Consumer Electronics Show, fulfilling its promise to offer a long-range, affordable electric vehicle for the masses.
The Bolt EV, which will go into production by the end of 2016, will offer more than 200 miles of range on a full charge. It also features advanced connectivity technologies designed to enhance and personalize the driving experience.
"It was less than a year ago that we revealed the Bolt EV concept and promised to deliver a long-range electric vehicle attainable by the masses," GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra said. "The Bolt EV is capable of using the latest mobile app technology to enable car sharing, advanced GPS routing and gamification, all designed to enhance the ownership experience now and into the future."
Connectivity Simplifies Ownership Experience
[adinserter name="GOOGLE AD"]The Bolt EV benefits directly from the suggestions and ideas of Volt owners and features technologies that make owning a long-range electric vehicle easy.
The Bolt EV's connectivity innovations will provide smart, personalized solutions for managing the driving experience. For example, in the future an accurate driving range projection will be based on the time of day, typography, weather and the owner's driving habits.
Bluetooth low-energy – designed specifically for the Bolt EV to minimize energy draw – seamlessly connects a smart phone to the car while the owner approaches the vehicle.
Many of the Bolt EV's driver-focused technologies are supported by OnStar 4G LTE, which turns the Bolt EV into a Wi-Fi hotspot, giving owners easier access to apps and services via a high-speed wireless connection.
Other connectivity and infotainment features include:
Interior 10.2'' MyLink color touch-screen display
- Customizable, widget-based "flip-board style" operation
- Rear Camera Mirror
- Rear-facing camera provides a wide-angle view of the environment behind the vehicle.
- Surround Vision
- Provides a bird's-eye view of what's around the Bolt EV for improved safety during low-speed driving and when parking.
- All-New MyChevrolet Mobile App: Combines important owner and vehicle information and functions, such as:
- Vehicle charge status
- OnStar Map service
- Remote start
- Cabin pre-conditioning
- Owner's manual information
- Dealer service scheduling
- EV Navigation Mapping
- EV-specific navigation capability that designs routes to maximize range and provide locations of nearby charging station locations if needed.
- Gamification
- In the future, Bolt EV owners will be able to "compete" by comparing driving styles to determine who is driving most efficiently.
The Bolt EV will be built at GM's Orion (Mich.) Assembly facility, near Detroit.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Sets Benchmark for EV Design
 |
| Front view |
As Chevrolet's first ground-up, long-range electric vehicle, the 2017 Bolt EV offered designers unprecedented freedom, resulting in a vehicle that crosses boundaries and challenges expectations in the electric vehicle (EV) segment.
"We were given a blank canvas – a rare opportunity with a unique platform to recast EV design for customers across the spectrum," said Stuart Norris, managing director of Design. "The team answered the challenge with a progressive design distinguished by dramatic graphics and exceptional passenger space."
The Bolt EV's styling centers on its unique proportion, which is driven by a flat battery pack mounted beneath the interior floor. A 102.4-inch wheelbase and wide track give it a solid stance and the look of a small crossover. A short front overhang indicates that driving power comes from next-generation technology.
The large windows, plunging beltline and steeply raked windshield contribute to the progressive profile and emphasize the interior's spaciousness and bright airy feel.
The large greenhouse offers a panoramic view from upright, SUV-like seating positions. The rear-window glass extends all the way to the license plate and integrates with LED taillamps on the liftgate. By integrating the taillamps into the full-width liftgate, the Bolt EV's architecture enables a wide opening that makes it easier to slide boxes and other items in and out of the vehicle.
LED headlamps wrap around the forward edge of the front fascia, creating an aggressive character. The signature Chevrolet dual-element grille has been reimagined and features a smooth, clean and integrated design incorporating graphics with depth and a three-dimensional quality. It is offered with two signature colors, harmonized with the exterior color choices.
Functional, spacious interior
 |
| Rear seats |
Due to the packaging of the battery pack, the Bolt EV interior offers seating for five passengers and 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat.
"The flat-pack orientation offered the flexibility to make the most of the proportions while creating a clean, sculpted design," said Norris. "This really opened up the interior and created a fantastic view from every seating position. All of this additional space gave us a lot of opportunities to play with creative design and storage solutions."
A "floating" instrument panel, for example, features a 10.2-inch-diagonal capacitive-touch control screen which creates a horizontal feel to the interior. Maximizing knee room and cross-vehicle spaciousness.
Additionally, a multipurpose, connected center console features side-by-side cupholders, a wireless charging location and a sliding armrest covering a storage compartment large enough to store a tablet device.
In the rear, the Bolt EV's 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space is more than offered in the Honda Fit (16.6 cubic feet) and the BMW i3 (15.1 cubic feet).
Artful engineering solutions complement the practical use of space, with features such as thin-frame seats that enhance rear-seat roominess. The seats also incorporate the side air bag modules as design elements.
 |
| Charging |
The interior is offered in a fresh, bright color palette that emphasizes the open passenger environment – with signature-color Electrification blue ambient lighting emanating from beneath metallic white decorative trim.
"The Bolt EV's design elements are designed for everyday life and the space inside accommodates it all, whether you and your friends go shopping for the day or take off for the weekend," said Norris. "Inside and out, this game-changing vehicle makes a dramatic statement with a distinctive identity that can only be a Chevy and challenges expectations for what an affordable EV can offer."
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV goes into production in late 2016.
[adinserter name="GOOGLE AD"]