NAIAS 2016: 2017 Chevrolet Bolt - Seven Seconds to Sixty

Chris Tonn
by Chris Tonn

After last week’s unveiling at CES, we were left with plenty of questions about the new 2017 Chevrolet Bolt. Answers came today, at least about its drivetrain.

Notably, GM mentions a low-speed driving mode that allows for single-pedal operation. This “Low” mode allows the driver to control regenerative braking with a paddle behind the steering wheel. This could be a game changer in stop-and-go traffic.

The standard drive mode allows for 0-60 mph times of seven seconds flat.

The 60-kWh battery pack, warranted for eight years or a hundred thousand miles, is mounted flat below the passenger floor, with 288 cells measuring less than four inches tall each. GM claims overnight charging will result in 200 miles of range, with 50 miles available after two hours on a 240V charger.

While the Bolt will manufactured at GM’s Orion Township plant near Detroit, the battery, motor, and drive system will be built in Incheon, South Korea, using technology from LG.

LG’s product placement team must have been sleeping on this release, however, as a Samsung phone is pictured behind the drive selection lever.





Chris Tonn
Chris Tonn

Some enthusiasts say they were born with gasoline in their veins. Chris Tonn, on the other hand, had rust flakes in his eyes nearly since birth. Living in salty Ohio and being hopelessly addicted to vintage British and Japanese steel will do that to you. His work has appeared in eBay Motors, Hagerty, The Truth About Cars, Reader's Digest, AutoGuide, Family Handyman, and Jalopnik. He is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, and he's currently looking for the safety glasses he just set down somewhere.

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  • Master Baiter Master Baiter on Jan 11, 2016

    In related news, "A brutal new year selloff in oil markets deepened on Monday, with prices plunging more than 6 percent to new 12-year lows as further ructions in the Chinese stock market threatened to knock crude into the $20s." . .

    • See 4 previous
    • Vulpine Vulpine on Jan 13, 2016

      @HotPotato Guess you could always use an adaptor, but I understand what you mean. Of course, that's one reason why I'm interested in what the Tesla Model 3 is going to look like. Then again, by the time they're ubiquitous, I'll probably not be driving any more. (I dread that time because I still enjoy driving.)

  • RideHeight RideHeight on Jan 11, 2016

    A foot-wide engineered blind spot at each rear corner? At least do the Cube's wrap-around window opposite the driver's side.

    • See 1 previous
    • RideHeight RideHeight on Jan 12, 2016

      @bumpy ii #foistedtechmatters

  • SCE to AUX The fix sounds like a bandaid. Kia's not going to address the defective shaft assemblies because it's hard and expensive - not cool.
  • Analoggrotto I am sick and tired of every little Hyundai Kia Genesis flaw being blown out of proportion. Why doesn't TTAC talk about the Tundra iForce Max problems, Toyota V35A engine problems or the Lexus 500H Hybrid problems? Here's why: education. Most of America is illiterate, as are the people who bash Hyundai Kia Genesis. Surveys conducted by credible sources have observed a high concentration of Hyundai Kia Genesis models at elite ivy league universities, you know those places where students earn degrees which earn more than $100K per year? Get with the program TTAC.
  • Analoggrotto NoooooooO!
  • Ted “the model is going to be almost 4 inches longer and 2 inches wider than its predecessor”Size matters. In this case there is 6” too much.
  • JMII Despite our past experience with Volvo my wife wants an EX30 badly. Small, upscale, minimalist EV hatch is basically her perfect vehicle.
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