By Asian Journal Autoreview
Chevrolet introduced the new 2017 Bolt EV in early January 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 321 kilometers of range on a full charge. It also features advanced connectivity technologies designed to enhance and personalize the driving experience.
The exterior design of the Bolt is futuristic, but practical with a “wheels to the corners” stance, and a tall 5-door hatchback format with a neat, well integrated look to it. There are Tesla style recessed door handles, and a unique looking reverse-rake D-pillar and wraparound rear glass hatch. The roof is all glass making for a light and airy cabin. Chevrolet say the Bolt will use lightweight materials, including aluminum, magnesium, carbon fiber and mesh in its interior and exterior to keep weight down.
The Bolt EV benefits directly from the suggestions and ideas of the Chevrolet 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.
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: 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 which provides a bird’s-eye view of what’s around the Bolt EV for improved safety during low-speed driving and when parking.
The Bolt will use a number of innovative technologies to enhance range. The EV is expected to use information on the owner’s driving history, the weather outside, the terrain, and even the time of day to help manage and predict range. The nav system will optimize routes to conserve range, if needed, and show nearby charging stations. Another range-conserving feature is a low-draw Bluetooth system. Chevrolet has not released details of how long it will take to recharge a Bolt, or the range and lifetime capacity of the battery pack.
The interior of the Bolt promises to be as novel as its exterior, with enough room for five passengers and their cargo in comfort. In the dash, a large center-mounted MyLink screen measuring a full 10.2 inches, which doubles as a display for the wide-angle rear camera with a birds-eye view capability. OnStar provides 4G LTE and a WiFi hotspot to occupants, and the sorts of efficiency and driving habit apps you’d expect will be available. It is likely that features such as remote start and cabin preconditioning will be standard. There are no confirmed, official details available as yet on what kind of battery/electric motor combination will power the Bolt, but Chevrolet says it will have a fast-charging feature.
All-New My Chevrolet 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. The Bolt EV will be built at GM’s Orion (Mich.) Assembly facility, near Detroit. Pricing for Canada has not been announced as yes, although U.S. pricing is expected to be around the $30,000 mark.
