While “technology and stuff” may be dead and gone from the relevance of the internet, we continue to come back to it. Why? Because it’s a great way to describe the interior cabin of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV.
Surprisingly, the interior of the 2017 Bolt EV doesn’t seem over-the-top technologically advanced. It feels very much like a normal car. But, there’s one thing the youngins will be sure to love: the mammoth 10.2-inch touch-screen display.
It’s as large as it looks in photos, too. When sitting in the driver’s seat, it’s front and center, and extremely easy to read. Not only that, but the new widget-style Chevrolet MyLink system seems to work pretty well at first glance and operation.
Plus, even better news, the touch-screen can be reconfigured and customized to show the information you, the driver, find most important.
While the 10.2-inch won’t give the Tesla guys touch-screen envy, the 2017 Bolt EV will cost significantly less. And, as Chevrolet is happy to point out, it’s larger that an iPad Air, which means it’s definitely something the kids will dig.
Comments
Observations Dept. : The graphics on the configurable screen look pre-production. They are too thin and hard to read, even in “night mode” with it’s black background. If Volt and Malibu are any indication – the graphics on the production car likely will look slicker and pop better. That said, the 10.2″ screen is great and positioned just right for ease-of-use. Tesla’s gigantic screen is low and center and better to read while parked – as not to become too much of a distraction. Interestingly, Tesla uses the extra acreage to eliminate nearly all buttons from the dash – even operating the sunroof from the screen, whereas GM went for the usual tactile button + touchscreen backup scenario for HVAC and other controls. Still, with the size of the cabin, very accessible.
As for the kiddos, best bet would be for the headrest mounts for the tablets – as seen on the options list for gen2, 2016 Volt. Not sure why they are so expensive, as aftermarket devices that lock down tablets for back seat passengers to watch movies and such are not so pricey. Integrating all together with the dash screen could do things too – like send messages via Bluetooth to front seat occupants like – “Hey, I need to use the bathroom”….etc. .
I like the layout.
BMW and others went with a mouse setup over a touchscreen. With touchscreens you do deal with the daily fingerprint issue so there should be a microfiber cloth stashed nearby. BMW, Audi, Mercedes and others use some sort of mouse on the console with which you negotiate the screen. Not sure which approach is superior – or which one distracts the driver’s eye off the road more. I’m a big fan of Head-Up-Displays for that reason.
GM took the touchscreen to the next level on Bolt – and the public surely will dig it. Being configurable means you can fiddle with the interface to suit your taste and priorities. Everyone knows how much we like to fiddle with our phones…So the dash screen will add that customization feel. The 10.2″ choice for size is an obvious decision made so salespeople can state: “The center display is larger than an iPad!”…. Not a bad idea, but it is an obvious one since it’s .1” larger… Hopefully the screen is more responsive than the current Cadillac systems which are widely panned for being laggy and too slow to respond. 2016 cars have started to use faster processors to iron all that out.
I think the Bolt is amazing – and Ms. Barra’s dig to Tesla at Bolt’s rollout at CES about not having to service your Bolt out of state like “some other electric car companies”….Ahem…How many electric car companies are there?…But it’s sad GM bent that low, since first off, I don’t believe Bolt will be a direct competitor with Model 3 since range is not the only factor buyers consider. The Model 3 will be Tesla’s shot at a mainstream, $35,000 200-mile-range EV. Tesla always starts with a sedan and then adds the CUV version later. This is exactly what Tesla execs explained, yet GM decides to take a verbal shot at the tiny EV company. Secondly, the very reason Tesla cannot direct sell or service it’s cars in some states is due to GM and other legacy car companies backing their dealer networks’ fight via N.A.D.A. and local dealer associations which have greased legislative sweetheart arrangements in those states for decades. GM is large enough and powerful enough to go it on it’s own without passing out digs at Tesla for a car it’s at least 2-3 years out from delivering to it’s first customer.
The big deal with Bolt is: It puts Nissan and BMW on notice to hurry up and make a 200 miler…But where Bolt is a failure is – it’s still a local/city/commuter car and not a match for any Tesla which will automatically have utility as an only car. Tesla has hundreds of fast-charge Superchargers nationwide, already allowing for freedom of it’s customers to travel coast-to-coast at will with an average 30 minute charge to about 80% capacity. If Tesla bakes-in the cost of charging into Model 3’s MSRP like it does with Model S, X and Roadster updates…It puts them at an incredible advantage over the Bolt.
Legacy car companies come up with all sorts of ways to limit electrification of autodom. They make far too large of profits doing what they already do – sell gas-burning trucks and SUVs – to go all-in to electrics. Take the amazing Chevrolet Volt, which is now new-and-improved with 53 miles EV range, and 43 mpg combined on it’s gas range extender. GM announced it, advertised it nationwide with Tomorrowland hype – showed it at car shows nationwide as a 2016 model, then throttled it back to be sold in only 11 states. This is all calculated to play the C.A.R.B./ZEV game, and not to present intelligent new technology to whomp the Prius back to the dark ages! There are several reasons GM did this, the least not losing the $7500 consumer tax break before Bolt can sell at least 30=50,000 units. But compliance to government mandates seems to make GM handcuff these amazing tech breakthroughs they have birthed – the Volt and Bolt. And playing them like a deck of cards against legislation and mandates makes them a “ho-hum” to Tesla’s GO FOR BROKE TO ELECTRIFY – mission in life.
Yesterday at NAIAS, GM announced it won’t even build out fast charging network AT THEIR OWN DEALERSHIPS to support Bolt! Anyone who knows the electric car world knows there are paltry-few CCS chargers in this world of ours, and the tiny bit that do exist are hit-and-miss. So to tout the 200 miles range is inviting a backlash that they won’t support their own product once it’s in a customer’s hands. On the other hand, NISSAN and BMW are teaming up to build out CCS chargers – which begs the question: Will they block Chevy Volt and SparkEV owners from using them? Seriously, GM announces amazing new product – and the next day they shoot it in the foot.