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[entremet]

Impressive showing.

With the arrival of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, the electric car reaches a major milestone, one that also secures its future: a move toward mass appeal. It no longer matters if your in-laws show up at the airport unannounced. The Bolt has enough range to cover a day’s tasks plus the unexpected. It no longer matters if venture capital never recognizes the potential of your Bluetooth-enabled toilet seat. Anyone with a typical new-car budget can afford a Bolt. And, in the bigger picture, it no longer matters if Tesla goes belly-up. Electric cars appear to have laid down permanent roots in the automotive landscape with the first long-range, affordable EV from an established, mainstream automaker.

. The Bolt team focused its priorities where they matter—on the substance—and built the most important vehicle for battery-electric technology to date. The Chevrolet Bolt delivers big range, a reasonable price, and impressive driving manners, paving the way for the rest of the industry to follow.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-chevrolet-bolt-ev-test-review

 

[SwiftDeath]

Bolt OP, not Volt

Yeah that drive from Monterey, CA to Santa Barbara, CA was a good show of its potential even if they were giving themselves better than average conditions

 

[Frankfurter]

Very curious how the Bolt and its Opel variant in Europe will be received. I guess GM could have a hit there.

 

[Squalor]

Even if at a slower-than-necessary rate, it's great we are making strides with consumer-grade electric vehicles.

That thing is ugly, though.

 

[SpecX]

Even if at a slower-than-necessary rate, it's great we are making strides with consumer-grade electric vehicles.

That thing is ugly, though.

This right here. It's like Tesla has a patent on making electric cars look good and everyone else is forced to make them ugly. I'm looking to be in the market in 2-3 years and hope some automaker can match Tesla's style.

 

[subrock]

Naming this thing the Bolt was a dumb move on GM's part, the thread title being a perfect example of this confusion.

I'm happy they made a good car, but the two major problems for me that just make it a non-starter:

1. Fastest charging is 50kw (Tesla is up to 145kw on their Superchargers)
2. Dealer model which incentivizes repair visits and price haggling

 

[IISANDERII]

Who don't love the econobox style?

I liked the original Cheby Volt actually

 

[LumpOfCole]

The Bolt looks like a beaver that animorphed into an automobile.

 

[Laekon]

Even if at a slower-than-necessary rate, it's great we are making strides with consumer-grade electric vehicles.

That thing is ugly, though.

It looks similar to the Honda Fit which is a really good and fairly popular car. I personally think the new Tesla (the X), is pretty ugly.

I personally like the idea of the Volt more, mostly electric but with the ability to do long distances by generating it's own power. I don't drive long distances often but those drives tend to be vacations I look forward to. Having to rent a car or add in hours/days because of an EV still turns me off.

 

[David Incorporated Esq.]

Fun fact, people who actually buy EVs like them to look different. According to market research those buyers are very much of the "look at me saving the planet" variety. It's easy to forget the first gen Prius because it blended in, Toyota specifically made it look goofy to attract this sort of buyer.

As the early adopter phase of EV dies off we'll see more EVs looking like every day cars.

 

[UnObtainium17]

The Bolt looks like a beaver that animorphed into an automobile.

It looks like a car I don't want to be seen driving around town. The latest one has a swag rating of -8 out of a possible 100.

 

[Doodis]

As a current lessee of a Volt, I appreciate what Chevy is doing and hope they keep it up. But, as a Tesla Model 3 reservation holder, I think the Bolt will be an afterthought when Model 3 releases next year. Better styling, supercharger network, and autonomous capability make the Model 3 a supremely better purchase.

Granted, the Model 3 won't be out for a year and even then they'll need another year to complete all the reservations. So for the next year or two, I think the Bolt has the upper hand. After that, not so much.

 

[M52B28]

Even if at a slower-than-necessary rate, it's great we are making strides with consumer-grade electric vehicles.

That thing is ugly, though.

If you're concerned about looks when it comes to affordable EVs, go somewhere else. People care about how these vehicles perform, not how they look.

It's function over form.

I'm sure Chevy knows the target market for this vehicle.

 

[Shiv47]

I'd really like a Tesla, but between the cost and living in Michigan, where Republican trash have banned Tesla from selling cars, I'd consider a Bolt when I move on from my Volt, which I've enjoyed driving.

 

[Frankfurter]

As a current lessee of a Volt, I appreciate what Chevy is doing and hope they keep it up. But, as a Tesla Model 3 reservation holder, I think the Bolt will be an afterthought when Model 3 releases next year. Better styling, supercharger network, and autonomous capability make the Model 3 a supremely better purchase.

Granted, the Model 3 won't be out for a year and even then they'll need another year to complete all the reservations. So for the next year or two, I think the Bolt has the upper hand. After that, not so much.

Outside yeah, but interieur? The current Model 3 looks hideous inside, to say the least.

 

[Goro Majima]

It seems that they were still able to drive it 235 miles without issue using "normal driving" methods more or less.

I'd like to see how it'd do in the middle of summer in Texas with the A/C cranked to "small snowballs" and with the stereo blaring (which is how I've driven all of my cars).

These are still a bit expensive for a glorified sub-compact.

 

[dallow_bg]

If you're concerned about looks when it comes to affordable EVs, go somewhere else. People care about how these vehicles perform, not how they look.

It's function over form.

I'm sure Chevy knows the target market for this vehicle.

I care about both?

 

[HStallion]

If they improve the actual look of the vehicle I'd be very interested in picking one up. These have any self driving features by any chance?

 

[Doodis]

Outside yeah, but interieur? The current Model 3 looks hideous inside, to say the least.

Hideous? Perhaps minimal, but I think it's a stretch to call it hideous. Of course, it's all subjective. And what's more, nobody has seen the true interior of the Model 3. What they showed at the reveal was just placeholder (though really, I don't expect it to change too much).

 

[HeartlessNobody213]

As another poster said, I really would consider it if it actually looked more like the Volt than what it actually looks like.

 

[Lord Frieza]

I really don't understand why people think this looks so bad. It's not the best looking car in the world, but it's far from hideous.

I really want to get an electric car.

 

[No_Style]

Looking very promising for the Bolt. I hope to see it on the road around town in 2017. I've noticed more and more Gen 2 Volts as of late as well.

If I were in the market for a new vehicle in 2017, I'd probably lean towards the Volt still but only because of size.

 

[Friend of Sonic]

The Bolt looks like a beaver that animorphed into an automobile.

<3 Animorphs reference

 

[jellies_two]

Although the tesla 3 looks nice it's vaporware and tesla have not proved they can roll out a new car in volume without bits falling off.

 

[AstroNut325]

Still find it ugly. Happy that someone other than Tesla is making an effort. But like someone else said, this will be forgotten the moment the model 3 is available.

It seems that they were still able to drive it 235 miles without issue using "normal driving" methods more or less.

I'd like to see how it'd do in the middle of summer in Texas with the A/C cranked to "small snowballs" and with the stereo blaring (which is how I've driven all of my cars).

These are still a bit expensive for a glorified sub-compact.

Can't make any lifestyle changes to help reduce the effect of climate change?

 

[Squalor]

If you're concerned about looks when it comes to affordable EVs, go somewhere else. People care about how these vehicles perform, not how they look.

It's function over form.

I'm sure Chevy knows the target market for this vehicle.

Um, no?

It's possible to care about both.

Fun fact, people who actually buy EVs like them to look different. According to market research those buyers are very much of the "look at me saving the planet" variety. It's easy to forget the first gen Prius because it blended in, Toyota specifically made it look goofy to attract this sort of buyer.

As the early adopter phase of EV dies off we'll see more EVs looking like every day cars.

South Park already covered this.

 

[pj]

As a current lessee of a Volt, I appreciate what Chevy is doing and hope they keep it up. But, as a Tesla Model 3 reservation holder, I think the Bolt will be an afterthought when Model 3 releases next year. Better styling, supercharger network, and autonomous capability make the Model 3 a supremely better purchase.

Granted, the Model 3 won't be out for a year and even then they'll need another year to complete all the reservations. So for the next year or two, I think the Bolt has the upper hand. After that, not so much.

A model 3 with the features you mentioned (enabled, not just physically present) is going to be in a different price bracket than the bolt, especially in a couple years when they are actually on sale at the same time and chevy will have incentive to lower prices. A small thing people don't seem to realize is that Tesla charges $1200 for delivery on their cars and doesn't include that in the sticker price (chevy does).

I wouldn't be surprised if the average bolt selling price ends up $10k-$15k less than the average model 3.

Plus, two years is a long time. I doubt tesla will be caught up on preorders by the end of 2018, and by then the Bolt will be entering its third year of production. A 2019 Bolt isn't going to be exactly the same as the 2017's that are rolling off the line today.

 

[Goro Majima]

Can't make any lifestyle changes to help reduce the effect of climate change?

In Texas where it's 100 degrees like 6 months out of the year and you have to set the AC to low as it go just to keep yourself from sweating inside your car?

No

Feel free to shame away

 

[pj]

In Texas where it's 100 degrees like 6 months out of the year and you have to set the AC to low as it go just to keep yourself from sweating inside your car?

No

Feel free to shame away

I think modern cars have pretty efficient A/C. Cold temps, specifically when the heater is active, are far harsher on range.

 

[Goro Majima]

I think modern cars have pretty efficient A/C. Cold temps, specifically when the heater is active, are far harsher on range.

That's a positive thing when you considering the population growth in warmer climates in the US anyway (also considering perpetual Indian summers and climate change). Having to micromanage the A/C just seemed like a non-starter for adoption rates here.

I think if I viewed cars as appliances like most of the population, this kind of car would be right up my alley.

 

[TheMan]

SMH at the name, which is a set up for confusion, and the styling, which is ass ugly. What in the hell are they doing over there.

 

[biggersmaller]

If you are in a position to spend $35k-$45k on a new car, you will not want it to look like a 19K compact.

Tesla will crush this thing...if Elon can get them manufactured at a decent clip.

 

[Jay Sosa]

Can someone please explain to me why almost all (affordable) electric cars look like complete shit?

I heard a lot of people asking this question so it's not only me.

 

[SRG01]

Can someone please explain to me why almost all (affordable) electric cars look like complete shit?

I heard a lot of people asking this question so it's not only me.

A lot of it is aerodynamics and drag resistance, which is why the front of the Bolt looks so similar to the Gen1 Volt.

Then again, that doesn't explain why the Teslas look better...

A model 3 with the features you mentioned (enabled, not just physically present) is going to be in a different price bracket than the bolt, especially in a couple years when they are actually on sale at the same time and chevy will have incentive to lower prices. A small thing people don't seem to realize is that Tesla charges $1200 for delivery on their cars and doesn't include that in the sticker price (chevy does).

I wouldn't be surprised if the average bolt selling price ends up $10k-$15k less than the average model 3.

Plus, two years is a long time. I doubt tesla will be caught up on preorders by the end of 2018, and by then the Bolt will be entering its third year of production. A 2019 Bolt isn't going to be exactly the same as the 2017's that are rolling off the line today.

Wired did a very good article on the Chevy Bolt and how GM beat Tesla to the first consumer-level electric vehicle: https://www.wired.com/2016/01/gm-electric-car-chevy-bolt-mary-barra/

However, Chevy has marketing going against it. Tesla is a better name in the EV market, despite GM/Chevy getting to that key price level first.

 

[pj]

If you are in a position to spend $35k-$45k on a new car, you will not want it to look like a 19K compact.

Tesla will crush this thing...if Elon can get them manufactured at a decent clip.

I don't think either car is particularly attractive.

The 3 has some "yeesh" angles.

 

[biggersmaller]

I don't think either car is particularly attractive.

The 3 has some "yeesh" angles.

Fine, but at lest it looks like a $35k car. I would say the Model 3 is like many entry level luxury cars. Some will love it and some will hate it. Some prefer the look of the Mercedes C-Class and some will want the BMW 3-Series.

Bolt looks like a Chevy Spark. An inoffensive rental car. Chevy could of at least made it look as good as the $16k Ford Fiesta.

 

[RoKKeR]

The Bolt looks like a beaver that animorphed into an automobile.

Laughed out loud at this, holy crap. Spot on!

 

[Ashhong]

Is there a reason these EV look so ugly? It's obviously a conscious decision to keep producing them in these form factors instead of a regular sports sedan a la Tesla 3. What is the reason???

 

[BlazinSkatinAxel]

Chevy Nope am I right, guyz?!?!

 

[Doodis]

A lot of it is aerodynamics and drag resistance, which is why the front of the Bolt looks so similar to the Gen1 Volt.

Actually, the Bolt has a pretty shitty drag resistance for an EV:

Tire noise in the Bolt is pretty well controlled, but there is without a doubt a bit more wind noise in the Chevy than in the Tesla&#8212;chalk that one up to the Bolt&#8217;s 0.32 coefficient of drag...There&#8217;s a good reason for that inefficient drag coefficient: packaging. For better or worse, the Bolt&#8217;s form follows its function as a people-moving city runabout.

Motortrend article

 

[pj]

Fine, but at lest it looks like a $35k car. I would say the Model 3 is like many entry level luxury cars. Some will love it and some will hate it. Some prefer the look of the Mercedes C-Class and some will want the BMW 3-Series.

Bolt looks like a Chevy Spark. An inoffensive rental car. Chevy could of at least made it look as good as the $16k Ford Fiesta.

I personally think the bolt is more attractive than the fiesta. It is definitely more premium looking on the outside. The bolt's main competition right now is the leaf, and I don't think anyone would say the leaf is more of a looker.

It's a modern and practical design that will likely sell as well or better than they are expecting.

 

[TAJ]

I personally think the bolt is more attractive than the fiesta.

That's crazy talk.

 

[Abounder]

Good stuff. I'd be in the market for one but we're so close to affordable 'autopilot', and the Bolt's interior is a bit small for the price. EVs are going to be so good in 5 years but the Bolt is the best buy now

Can someone please explain to me why almost all (affordable) electric cars look like complete shit?

I heard a lot of people asking this question so it's not only me.

Toyota Prius set the fugly benchmark for eco cars. It takes someone new like Tesla to shake things up.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

Looks like what you won't be getting if you drive it.

 

[SRG01]

Actually, the Bolt has a pretty shitty drag resistance for an EV:

Motortrend article

Yeah, I kind of figured that the overall height contributed it being worse than the Gen1 Volt. The sloped lines at the windshield and hood do indicate that they did put some thought into it though.

 

[GreenMonkey]

Disclaimer: I work for GM (in fact, at the Warren Tech center they mention in the Wired article). I'm supposed to mention this as a part of our social media policy.

Personally I love the look of the Tesla Model S. Model 3 looks awesome. Tesla makes a sporty electric.

Gonna test drive the Bolt though. Never really liked the hatchback econobox style. I really want an electric with 200 mile range (I drive 55 mi to work).

 

[Squalor]

Is there a reason these EV look so ugly? It's obviously a conscious decision to keep producing them in these form factors instead of a regular sports sedan a la Tesla 3. What is the reason???

People like to be smug about their electric car, so they want it to look different from normal coupes and sedans.

 

[Gallbaro]

People like to be smug about their electric car, so they want it to look different from normal coupes and sedans.

Repeating this statement, it is actually a fact. A few marketing studies confirmed these unique looks reinforced a superiority complex in there original adopters of the Prius.

 

[biggersmaller]

Repeating this statement, it is actually a fact. A few marketing studies confirmed these unique looks reinforced a superiority complex in there original adopters of the Prius.

I would argue this car looks like it could be any other discount hatchback. If anything this car will inoffensively blend in on the road. Which is what GM is actually aiming for in a mass market strategy.

 

[UrokeJoe]

I would argue this car looks like it could be any other discount hatchback. If anything this car will inoffensively blend in on the road. Which is what GM is actually aiming for in a mass market strategy.

annd I am quite okay with this... Fuck the haters it's coming..