2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

LT and Premier

Review

Written by Marco Carvajal

Photographs by Chevrolet

GM challenged other car manufactures in the segment of electric cars with the release of its own electric hatchback wagon, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt. The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is not  just one more electric car, it is a fully electric 4-door hatchback, produced jointly with the successful electronic’s brand, LG.  Can you believe it? 238 Miles with just one electric charge! that is a dream come true, in terms of energy range.

Introduction

Chevrolet, known as Chevy, is a Division of General Motors Company, is an American automobile division of the traditional American manufacturer General Motors, known as GM based in Detroit. GM Korea, is South Korea’s third largest automobile manufacturer. It is a subsidiary of GM.

Korean companies like KIA and Hyundai come to the USA and practically become American Companies as they set factories and several operations in the US. Well…GM do the same but in the opposite way, it is an American company, but it also has operations and production in South Korea. The bolt is GM ‘s foreign baby, born abroad, in South Korea.

General Motors’ South Korean design studio was very involved in the design process of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The Bolt EV is based on the new GM Gamma platform. The car in appearance looks more like a small crossover, it is a small wagon, but an electric wagon! powerful, fast, and a super energy saver!, can you believe it can drive 238 miles just one one electric charge?  that is like going from Miami to Disney world in Orlando and you still will have power for a little more of driving.  Usually most cars will use a full tank of gasoline to drive 238 miles, and the bolt does the same just with one electric charge? it is an impressive range, I love that!.

The Bolt is not a cheap car…it starts at $37,000, a little bit expensive compared to many other electric cars, but it can be worth it when you consider all what you get, and how much you will save in fuel with a great range of 238 miles per charge.

The design of the body is made with a futuristic style, which is especially emphasized by angular bumpers, hood and wings. The doors, hood and roof are made of aluminum alloys, which reduce the weight of the car – a fully-equipped electric car weighs 1624 KG. The resistance coefficient of the electric car is 0.32. This significantly increases the controllability of the electric car at speeds above 100 km / h. Chevrolet’s Chief designer commented on the ergonomics of the car:

“A little bit more power and Bolt can take off.”

Chevrolet 

The 3 of November in 2011, Chevrolet Motor Car Company celebrated a significant date – its first centenary, can you believe it? 100 years? sounds unreal. The Chevrolet brand, founded a century ago by the Swiss Louis Chevrolet and American businessman Billy Duran, entered the second century with the same spirit of creativity, optimism and innovation that had been in the company since its inception. Today Chevrolet is one of the most famous automakers in the world. Chevrolet is a subsidiary of GM, General Motors.

The 2017 Detroit Auto Show announced the North American car of the year. The winner in 2017 was the new Chevrolet Bolt. For the first time in the 68-year history of the competition, the best car of the year in the U.S. is an electric car. This vehicle outperformed the Hyundai Genesis G90 and Volvo S90 sedans. That is a milestone for the Bolt.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV  

NEW FOR 2017

• Offers an EPA-estimated 238 miles of range
• Clean-sheet design with crossover-like proportions
• Bluetooth low energy seamlessly connects a smartphone to the vehicle when the owner approaches

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• Bolt EV’s drive system uses a single, high-capacity electric motor for propulsion
• The motor is capable of producing up to 266 lb.-ft. (360 Nm) of torque and 200 hp (150 kW) of motoring power. Combined with a 7.05:1 final drive ratio, that helps propel the Bolt EV from 0-60 mph in less than seven seconds
• Power delivery is controlled by Chevrolet’s first Electronic Precision Shift system – a shift and park-by-wire system that sends electronic signals to the Bolt EV’s drive.
• A by-wire shifter requires less packaging space than a traditional mechanical shifter, resulting in more interior space and improved interior layout.
• 60 kWh lithium ion battery pack, featuring five sections, 10 modules and 96 cell groups (three cells per group)
• Flat battery pack spans the entire length of the vehicle’s floor
• A 7.2 kW onboard charger for regular overnight charging from a 240-V wall box is standard. With it, a typical commute of 50 miles can be recharged in less than two hours.
• An available DC Fast Charging system using the industry standard SAE Combo connector, enabling the battery to be charged up to 90 miles of range in 30 minutes (outside temperatures may affect charging time)
• Regenerative braking feature has the ability to provide one-pedal driving
• Large 10.2-inch-diagonal color touch-screen display with “flip-board” operation
• Rear camera mirror and Surround Vision
• Large greenhouse provides panoramic visibility, with upright SUV-like seating
• LED headlamps and taillamps
• “Floating” instrument panel and multipurpose, connected center console – offers wireless phone charging and a compartment large enough to stow a tablet device

Charging Times

With the special battery recharging system SAE Combo DC, you can charge the battery from zero to 80% in just 30 minutes, and a full charge takes only an hour. The car can also be charged from an ordinary outlet (220V, 12A). In this case, the recharge time will be 9 hours.

If you just moved from a gasoline car to an electric car, driving the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV will be convenient – like a car with an automatic transmission.

For the American and Canadian markets, the electric vehicle Chevrolet Bolt EV is supplied in two trim levels – LT and PREMIER. It will not be easy to distinguish different modifications of the car by the photo, because the main difference lies in the equipment of the car.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Trims

2 Models Available, LT and Premier:

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Pricing

The manufacturer provides an official warranty for the battery for 8 years or 160 000 kilometers of mileage. LG produces batteries for this model only one volume, which simplifies the replacement process.

Interior

The spaciousness in the interior of the Bolt EV is highlighted by a multitude of transparent details – including a panoramic roof of frosted glass with a unique edging of the windows. The high belt line rises to the rear pillar and ends with a spoiler on the roof, making the car look more elegant and athletic. Nanocomposite luggage compartment lid and trunk rear window emphasize the expressiveness of the Bolt EV and fill the interior with light.

In addition, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt acquired a higher roof and a traditional interior, a multifunctional digital instrument panel and many different systems. For example, instead of the traditional salon mirror, a wide-angle rear view camera is used here. The central console Chevrolet Bolt EV housed a 10.2-inch touch screen MyLink with support for installing applications, navigation with the ability to build the best route and indicating all the charging stations along the proximity. There are also cameras of a circular view, remote engine start and pre-conditioning function of the passenger compartment.

Exterior

“Form and content have never been so successfully combined,” said GM Global Vice President of Design Ed Welburn. – When it came to the appearance of the Bolt EV appearance and increased power reserve, any compromises were rejected. The result was a true Chevrolet – elegant, spectacular and high-tech.

Outside, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV looks like an ordinary car, just like any regular gas engine automobile. The bolt has a very original design, stylish and modern.

Safety features

• Ten standard air bags
• Standard rear-vision camera
• Available active safety features including Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Alert and Forward Pedestrian Alert
• Extensive use of high-strength steel throughout the body structure

Conclusion

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is one of the most efficient electric cars in the market, it is powered by a 150 KW permanent engine. The modern transmission works with the Electronic Precision Shift (EPS). The total power rating of the transmission is 200 hp. at 266 Nm – of torque. It is powerful!

The lithium-ion battery has a large capacity for energy, manufactured by LG Electronics. Interesting to see LG and Chevrolet working together on this innovative car.

The transmission is very smooth and responsive. The Bolt EV can reach 0-100 km / h in just 6.5 seconds. The maximum speed of the electro lock is 147 km per hour. Moreover, I love the Bolt EV charging capabilities.

It is a pleasure to drive the Bold EV. Riding on it becomes quite, gently and mega comfortable. This is the transition to the massive development of electric vehicles, I hope it will be the future, going away from gasoline.

What I don’t love about the Bolt is the price…starts at $37,000…It is expensive compared to many other compact electric cars, but I guess buyers will save so much in gas in the long run that the price won’t look so bad after you check your fuel savings during a whole year. I am sure that with time and new electric technologies and improvements, GM will be able to lower the price, to make it more attractive.

For the standard base model 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT you will pay from $37,495, or if you want more, you can purchase the PREMIER package starting around $41,780. However when you think about all what you get, for this kind of futuristic electric automobile, it has a a good competitive price, the complete set of features and options can satisfy the most demanding eco-lovers.

My conclusion is that the Bolt is a great car that eco-lovers will appreciate. I think is totally worth to test drive it and consider it as a replacement of your regular gasoline car.