2017 Chevrolet Bolt: Touching The Future...
Technology is taking a more prominent place in the automotive industry, to the point where General Motors decided to unveil its new fully electric car at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) a week before the Detroit Auto Show.
This car is the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. In short, it’s the first electric car with a long range (more than 300 km) and an affordable price tag ($30,000 USD, or an estimated $40K CAN before applicable government rebates). It would be a rival to the BMW i3, although the latter offers an extended range thanks to an optional small gasoline engine.
The Bolt EV looks like a big Chevrolet Spark EV, which isn’t necessarily a compliment. But it’s much more stylish than the BMW i3 (that’s a subjective opinion, of course). At first glance, the trunk is sufficiently roomy to be truly versatile, and the rear seatbacks can be folded down too.
The electric motor in the Bolt EV produces up to 266 lb-ft of torque and 200 horsepower. The final ratio is 7.05:1, which translates into a 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph) time of less than 7.0 seconds. The 60-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is composed of 288 cells and weighs 435 kg. These cells are spread out in the floor under the rear-seat area, which lowers the car’s centre of gravity and increases interior space. The battery can be recharged in about nine hours using a 240V outlet. It can also be recharged at an 80% capacity in less than two hours. It will also be possible to opt for a SAE Combo quick charger, which allows a 145-km range boost in only 30 minutes.
- Check out our complete coverage of the 2016 Detroit Auto Show
- Our most recent road test of the Chevrolet Spark EV
