Chevrolet took to the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas today to introduce a highly anticipated product: the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV.
Here we have the official images, and first official details from Chevrolet itself on the brand’s first purely electric vehicle.
“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.”
Chevrolet stated the styling centers around the flat battery pack mounted beneath the interior floor. Not only did it provide flexible design, but the flat battery pack allows for 16.9-cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat.
The 102.4-inch wheelbase houses a wide stance, but the overall footprint reads like a compact crossover, with SUV-like seating positions, something consumers should liken to. Chevrolet also said it designed the 2017 Bolt EV with large windows and a steeply raked windshield to emphasize a “bright airy feel.”
In the rear, the 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 lift gate, the Bolt EV’s architecture enables a wide opening, something consumers should also appreciate.
Inside, a floating center console (paired with Electronic Precision Shift) maximizes leg and knee room, while a multipurpose connected center console houses a wireless charging location and a sliding armrest covering a storage compartment large enough to store a tablet device, according to Chevrolet.
“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.”
Chevrolet did not confirm the range of the 2017 Bolt EV, but GM CEO Mary Barra did reiterate at least 200 miles on a single charge and a price of around $30,000 during the live reveal.
We hope to learn more about the 2017 Bolt EV at the 2016 North American International Auto Show next week. Until then, we may be looking at the Ford Model T of the electrified generation.
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Comments
Why is this car so ugly on the outside?
It’s definitely not.
Seriously? Ugly? I think it looks good.
Are you sure you’re not holding a mirror?
Huh? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but you are off on your opinion.
It’s the funniest thing about the Scion Xa. It keeps coming back as a ‘new’ design despite being twelve years old.
Taste takes time.
Only that the Xa was not attractive… the Bolt has a similar shape, yes… but the coherent design and other details like the surfacing make it infinitely more attractive.
No doubt John, that is really similar to the Scion Xa…you nailed it.
Thankfully, the grille is blacked out. Hopefully the ’17 Volt takes note.
To do a small car like this and make it fit normal sized people while keeping the weight down is a challenge.
It about as difficult to make a two box designed car as anything. On top of efficient space use you also have to add in the aero important to a electric too.
I think with in the tight box they have to work in they did well. The limitations on them just make it hard to make it into a Ferrari 458 or make it a whole lot different than the other cars in this segment.
GM did as well as anyone has in this class. Just look at the frog like Nissan Leaf and see what happens when you really don’t get it right.
GM is very smart: The Bolt, not to mention Volt, look very Opel with design cues taken from Astra. I’d be stunned not to see both cars sold on Europe.
We’ve been so focused on the Buick/Opel hyper brand while not noticing the same thing happening with Chevrolet.
Not will be a world wide hit.
This has been a long time coming, ever since Bob Lutz handed passenger car platform design over to Opel. From Delta onwards, most of the platform design bits GMNA has been involved with are RWD, mostly (Sigma, Kappa, and the Zeta modifications to Camaro – along with Alpha).
There have been some exceptions, I was surprised how much Detroit did on the 2nd gen LaCrosse, for example.
It was all part of the plan that Opel would “crossbleed” to other GM designs. Anyone that has sat in a Pontiac G6 and an Epsilon Saab 9-3 can tell that.
If the bolt cost around 30k then does it still get the $7,500 tax credit
No the Bolt will cost around $30K once you get the rebate,
I’m in love. I wish it had a tiny back up engine like the Volt did. Even as an option. It would be a lot more appealing. Also no word on a sunroof. I would have to say no since the Volt doesn’t get one. But an estimated 200 mile range is awesome. I think the car looks great. I am currently a Prius C owner and I’m torn between this and the new Prius.
I gotta admit! This thing looks hideous in my honest opinion! Surprisingly, however, it’s still one of the more decent looking electrics in its class. But with a 200 mile all-electric range, $30K pricetag and a spacious and practical interior, I expect the Bolt to be very successful! Excellent job by Chevy on making this! I hope it lives up to the hype!
I think GM did a great job on the interior . It looks like there is an open air feeling to it . Also with the info-tainment screen tilted in a way that it won’t get washed out in sunlight . With all the technology packed into it and still get approx. 200 miles per charge is kind of amazing . It;s even got ambient lighting on the dash , kuddos to Chevy’s engineering staff . In a car like this it is the details that will help sell it . From the pics it looks like an inviting place to spend time in . It’s not a cheap plastic looking interior . Even at $ 35.000 it is priced lower than it looks .
I plan to sit in this thing at NAIAS .
i want one, can’t wait