Analyzing The Design Of The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV
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There is much to be said when a new vehicle goes on sale regarding the design. It’s a major deciding factor for many consumers: does this one look better than that one?
Car Design News took the time to analyze the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV and its exterior and interior design. From what is opinionated in the report, we can agree with. The Bolt EV looks handsome and wears its footprint well, looking much smaller than actually perceived from inside the cabin.
Its exterior looks are modern and very much fall in line with current Chevrolet design. There isn’t much groundbreaking here. Inside, the gadgets and wizardry are wrapped in typical GM materials. As one report stated, “Being inside the Bolt feels a bit like flying economy class on a brand-new, state-of-the-art plane.”
However, where we can respectfully disagree, though, is Chevrolet’s decision to play it safe. Chevrolet learned it in a more difficult way with the first-generation Chevrolet Volt. When it was time to head to the drawing board for the second-generation Chevrolet Volt, the brand took plenty of time to talk to current owners about the design of the vehicle inside and out.
What did it learn? Consumers wanted less of a futuristic rocket ship and more of a commonplace design. Despite what many think, it seems Volt owners wanted to stick out less. So, Chevrolet followed suit and delivered a much more subdued, yet handsome, 2016 Chevrolet Volt inside and out.
The Bolt EV certainly follows this formula. Hell, the Bolt EV could be mistaken for a slightly larger Spark, or maybe even a Sonic. It looks normal.
And that should play to its strength. Not everyone wants to be noticed and commended for their decision to go electric. Some just want to live with it and look good at the same time.
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The Chevy Bolt was recently awarded Motor Trend Magazine’s Car of the Year. I hope Chevrolet Advertising doesn’t keep it a secret like Cadillac did in 2014 when the CTS was Motor Trend’s COTY.
I really wish writers would use the word “styling” instead of “design” when talking about a car’s aesthetics. “Design” is a much broader term that is used to describe all aspects of engineering, including the purely functional.
I think the true test will be how it performs in states like PA, where hills and cold weather prevail. People are looking for functionality.
Read the GM Authority article about a Bolt EV tested by Detroit Press that passed 200 mile sof range in under zero temperatures. No other BEV, not even a Tesla Motores Model S 60 kWh can do it at any better price!
I would have bought one if a hybrid was an option.
Buy a Chevy Volt instead.