First Glimpse of Bolt EUV Reveals a Humble, Eco-Friendly and Fiercely Capable Subcompact

One thing that the world has had to embrace lately in large doses is change, and the environmentally-conscious change coming soon regarding electrification is amazingly exciting! Right now the Chevy Bolt is the vehicle that has been the solo choice for electric power as far as GM for several years now. The incoming Bolt EUV will begin with the basic frame of the Bolt, then adding on for roominess and comfort, and last Wednesday GM offered the first glimpse of the model soon.

The new EUV will take its place in the lineup alongside a refreshed Bolt, and will share the nameplate's existing platform instead of the BEV3 architecture reserved for the Lyriq and others stomping their hooves in the competition line. The platform mates with the revolutionary Ultium battery packs, yielding a range of over 300 miles. In the video shown here, it is seen that the EUV is taller and longer than its hatchback relative. The overall profile and upper works bear some similarity to the Buick Encore GX, with a beltline and hood that are both relatively flatter.

The new EUV is also rumored to gain substantial growth in wheelbase and will be produced at GM's Orion Assembly next summer. The Bolt as well as Bolt EUV will be the first pair of Chevy models to have the Super Cruise hands-free driver-assist system, a gigantic leap forward into the exciting future of autonomous driving and the arrival of ingenious changes that will make their solid mark on automotive history. All of us here on staff at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis are thrilled to be waiting on the arrival of what will serve more as an electric SUV as opposed to a tall hatchback.

The longer wheelbase will make space for a larger battery than the standard Bolt's 66-kW-hr pack, one of the factors that up the driving range further than 259 miles. The incoming model will still be front-wheel drive only, as there are not currently plans to motorize the rear axle. A push-button gear selector and upgraded infotainment system are among the new features, and the entire vehicle is ringed with flat-black plastic cladding in the form of lower-body treatment. The Bolt EUV will also boast more legroom, headroom in the back, and cargo space.

Numerous EV fans were asking repeatedly about the arrival of one-pedal driving mode, and sure enough, this new model delivers on that one as well. After a short learning curve, it makes the driver feel more efficient and as if their mind can stray a bit (safely!) from the task at hand. The Bolt will also have been equipped with a new sensor array and camera, another hint towards furthering the move towards self-driving technology.

A Memphis Milestone in Efficiency: Chevy Bolt Enjoys Top Honors from Consumer Reports

From sights like the Fire Museum to the interesting nooks of the Cotton Exchange, every single Memphis resident has abundant opportunities to enjoy living in a city that has a distinct flair, and is a noticeable notch above the rest in hospitality. Other city dwellers in locations such as the Pacific Northwest may be under the impression that car buyers in Memphis are not as concerned as others with electric cars, and the improvement of the environment. But many conversations with those on the lot have told us otherwise, and we hear from many avid consumers who are excitedly watching the disappearance of the need for fuel on the very near horizon.

It was just recently announced that the Chevy Bolt electric vehicle has claimed first place for all-electric vehicles in Consumer Reports' testing, by achieving the feat of 250 miles on a single charge. In another industry test, the Bolt went head to head against the 2016 Tesla Model S 75D, which ran out of juice at the 235-mile mark. The Bolt Triumphantly pushed on for another 15 miles, and we are proud to offer a vehicle that is the main contender as far as the electric performance spectrum is concerned. The Consumer Reports Auto Test Center pushes cars to their performance limits across 327 acres in spacious Connecticut, where there is plenty of time and space to make a positive or negative ruling on performance.

The cars team tests around 60 vehicles per year, driving them for a grand total of around 900,000 miles. Data regarding the reliability and satisfaction of the cars is collected from our subscribers to add weight to the decisions, and a full-time staff of 30 individuals is needed to complete the demanding and thorough job. Consumer Reports purchases every vehicle they test from a dealer, and this gives them the opportunity to be very thorough with the ways in which result in the best possible information given to the customer. Each vehicle is driven for 2,000 break-in miles over the course of several weeks, before the very structured testing even begins.

Cars are not chosen for just their ability in the range category: the Bolt did exceptionally well for its very agile handling, and the cabin that is pretty noise-free. You could just about purchase two Chevy Bolts for the price of what the Tesla Model S 75D is, and Car and Driver states that it is “also good enough to be worthy of all the breathless hype showered on the Tesla Model 3”. Taking a bit of the range anxiety out of the equation and offering killer features such as a 360-degree view camera system, The Chevy Bolt is an excellent choice for anyone looking to take the gas-powered element out of their daily commute.

6 Cool Facts About the 2017 Chevy Bolt, an All-electric Vehicle

Upcoming long-range EV vehicle shows promise for Memphis electric car fans

In the span of less than one calendar year, Chevrolet presented the all-electric Bolt concept and created a production model for the 2017 model year. Chevrolet leaped ahead of many of its competitors by offering an all-electric hatchback (or CUV — more on this later) to the average consumer.

The Bolt helps make electric cars more affordable and available overall. Chevrolet has announced the Bolt is eligible for sale in 48 states including Tennessee and Chuck Hutton Chevrolet in Memphis. Other fantastic facts help propel the Bolt toward its late of 2016 release date.

1. Lighter weight helps it go farther 

Lighter aluminum was used for the door, liftgate, hood and front suspension control arms, according to Car and Driver, and high-strength steel was used for the unibody. All in all, it total 3,580 pounds which helps keep the Bolt lighter and, in turn, increase the driving range of the Chevy electric car.

2. Awesomely aerodynamic

The Bolt EV will soar (will, it can’t actually fly) but you’ll cruise down the street with no problem. The underbody is flat because batteries do not need air for combustion, and this flat underbody results in a more streamlined airflow.

3. Room on room on room

It’s no secret that Tesla is working on a vehicle similar to the Bolt, but the Bolt already has as much passenger room (94 cubic feet) as the five-passenger Tesla Model S. The backseat is placed above the battery pack, but fear not! The seats are still comfortable.

4. Fast fill-up

Obviously, you’ll be spending time at a charging area as opposed to a gas station. With a DC fast-charge source, within 30 minutes you’ll have 90 miles of driving range. 240-volt AC power will take two hours to restore 50 miles. The same available 240-volt charger can replenish an entire battery in about 9 hours according to Chevy. Have a long day of driving? Plug it in before bed!

5. Protection down below

Protecting against puncture wounds was on the minds of Chevrolet designers. Crossmembers and the bottom cover are all made of steel, and the cold plate and battery cell containers further add more protection to the 2017 Chevy Bolt.

6. CUV styling and capabilities coming soon?

The chief engineer of Chevrolet electrical vehicles, Pam Fletcher, actually wants people to think of the Chevy Bolt as a crossover utility vehicle as opposed to a hatchback. Why would that be? Perhaps all-wheel drive may be coming to the Bolt sometime after its late 2016 release date.

Stay tuned to Chuck Hutton Chevrolet’s blog for more information on the Chevy Bolt and other new Chevrolets near Memphis!

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2017 Bolt to Make Official Debut at 2016 Consumer Electronics Show

Chevrolet estimates all-electric offering to have 200-mile EV range, arrival date of 2017

After getting production of the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt fastracked, the bowtie brand is finally ready to reveal the 2017 Bolt to the public. The first stop will be at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in January 2016.

A little less than a year ago, the Bolt made quite the jolt at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. The Chevy hatchback was touted with an EV range of about 200 miles and borrowing from the technology of the Chevy Volt, the brand’s current hybrid offering. The exterior will resemble that of a Chevrolet Spark.

An all-electric vehicle will certainly be a positive offering in Chevrolet’s ever-expanding portfolio. Those who want an American brand but also want to help the environment could find just what they’re looking for in the upcoming Chevy Bolt. The electric car market competition is still budding, but that’s part of the reason that Chevy slated the Bolt for production this quickly.

The Bolt will give Chevrolet an edge over the segment’s rivals, and it will plant Chevy firmly into the electric car market. This gives Memphis consumers an option of an affordable EV from a major auto manufacturer and should intrigue electric car buyers.

No official announcement regarding the availability date of the 2017 Bolt has been made by Chevrolet, but late 2016 or early 2017 seems like a conservative estimate. Also, the Bolt is expected to be made available in all 50 states, giving Tennessee and Memphis electric car fans more options.

Whenever it arrives, you’ll be sure that it will be available for order from Chuck Hutton Chevrolet, home of Warranty Forever! Stay tuned to our blog network and follow us on social media for all the Chevy Bolt updates and more!

If you’d like to test drive a new Chevy near Memphis or learn more about our wide selection, give us a call at 901-365-9700 or contact Chuck Hutton Chevrolet online 24/7!

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