New 200-Mile Chevrolet Bolt CUV To Debut At NAIAS

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

TTAC was the first to report on a new 200-mile EV being developed by GM, based on the Chevrolet Sonic. This low volume model , said to be a compliance car, is getting closer to reality, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that a concept version will debut at Monday’s Detroit Auto Show – though according to the WSJ, plans have changed.

The model will apparently be dubbed the Chevrolet Bolt, and be designed as a competitor to Tesla’s upcoming volume EV. The Bolt will apparently not be an “economy car” per the WSJ, but a crossover-like vehicle big enough to carry a family of four, but smaller than a Model S. The battery will still be built at the LG Chem plant as previously reported. A crossover-style Volt has previously been shown, but this would be a pure EV vehicle. Mules based on the Orlando have been spotted testing, giving further weight to the rumors.

While there’s no word on whether the vehicle will still be made in the United States, doing so would allow GM to claim regulatory credits for building such a vehicle in a domestic plant, something that will help them offset vast sales of trucks and SUVs.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Thomas Kreutzer Thomas Kreutzer on Jan 10, 2015

    I'm left wondering where this whole "-olt" naming series in going to lead. Volt, Bolt, Jolt, Dolt... then what? Revolt?

  • Quentin Quentin on Jan 11, 2015

    What makes this different from the barely sellable RAV4 EV? The potential of not being California only appears to be the only difference. Judging by the fact that the RAV4 EV used Tesla powertrain and batteries and was still a major money loser, I have my doubts that this will be very cheap if it has a 200mi range.

    • Slow_poke Slow_poke on Jan 11, 2015

      didn't GM used to claim that the Volt was going to be a 200mile EV at one point as well... all i remember is that they made claims that were ludicrous and then ended up w/ hybrid. i don't believe them at all. AT ALL. the $60k cost sounds more reasonable. We've got a Leaf, which i love, but its tiny, was ~30k and has effectively a 60-70mi range. not worth it for $60k.

  • Mcs Mcs on Jan 11, 2015

    I read this elsewhere. Apparently "Bolt" is a delusional cartoon dog: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolt_%28character%29

  • Celebrity208 Celebrity208 on Jan 12, 2015

    Will the voice of the Nav system be John Travolta?

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