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Bolt - Test Drive & Review

Discussion in 'GM Hybrids and EVs' started by hill, Jan 10, 2016.

  1. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    #1 hill, Jan 10, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2016
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Unique gimmick:

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    I actually like that quite a bit.
    I have heard of a few manufacturers looking into this type of thing.

    My concern with this would be keeping the lense of the camera clean. Although I expect it would be a lot easier to keep a lense usable that is up near the top of the car than one down by the license plate.
     
  4. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Oh, forgot I saw it already. I like the features, but I don't like the style of the car. I like the Volt's sportier look.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    at least you can flip to the regular mirror, if the lens blurs while driving.
     
  6. berylrb

    berylrb Member

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    Roominess, seriously! My understanding is that it is more compact than the 2016 Volt. Which I now own too. The Volt has absolutely no room for 5 adults and with the drivers seat just a couple of notches back no leg room in the back seat. Now I would agree the driver passenger of the Volt is just as roomy as the Prius, well at least my 2004 Prius, but take care the BOLT is a compact car.
     
  7. Jeff N

    Jeff N The answer is 0042

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    image.jpeg

    The back seat of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV.

    Here's a good all-around video test drive from Ars Technica featuring Pamela Fletcher, who is the executive chief engineer for electrified vehicles at GM:
    Chevrolet’s Bolt is an electric vehicle for the masses—and we’ve driven it | Ars Technica

    I was in Vegas for CES 2016 and wrote an article about the Bolt EV introduction here:
    Pre-Production 2017 Chevy Bolt Revealed

    Sadly, I wasn't part of the privileged couple of dozen media outlets that got to take the pre-production Bolt out for a spin. I did get a close look at the more polished car which was on the stage of Mary Barra's announcement and it showed similar rear-seat legroom as the photo I inlined above.
     
    #7 Jeff N, Jan 10, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2016
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    doesn't look awful.
     
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  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    And the EPA says my Sonic is a midsize car, but it is probably a good thing GM doesn't market it as one.

    An article linked in the other thread states that the Bolt's passenger volume is 94.4ft{3}. That puts it as the same as the Prius and Cruze by EPA rounding. Add in the cargo space, and it just might clear the bar for midsize like the Leaf did. Using a flat battery like Tesla will let the Bolt have more available space for the rear, including a full fifth seat.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's difficult to quantify volume, due to ceiling height and unusable nooks and crannies. let's just hope it's a nice comfortable car, when people check it out.
     
  11. chinna

    chinna Member

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  12. SwhitePC

    SwhitePC Active Member

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    I thought the DOT still doesn't allow a full-blown video feed as a means of rearview mirror???
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    with bev's, i sometimes think efficiency isn't always the foreword. it's not like looking at mpg's for most people. and range is something that no one can quantify, although the epa will try.
     
  14. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I think having the mirror back up is how GM got this through.
     
  15. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Doesn't the full view only work when backing up?
     
  16. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    It sounds like mirror camera covers the area that the mirror would, minus the huge whiplash protection rear headrests and pillars.
    A backup camera (don't know if actually separate) gives a wider, fisheye view like others, and is likely displayed on the dash screen.
     
  17. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    No. Drivers choice of traditional or electronic mirror at the flip of a lever (the ol' day/night lever). At least that's how the test mules at BES functioned. The lead engineer said he lived with his in camera mode. (see 4:45 in video)

    The auto parking brake, the auto-put-trans-into-park, and the one pedal driving features are very nice too.

     
  18. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    GM has a huge lobby. With that in mind - times are a changin'
    .
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i was in there lobby, it's so big, it echo's.
     
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  20. berylrb

    berylrb Member

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    ... with the seats pushed forward! I saw a similar picture of the e-Golf before production and after it came out the only way I could get the same image was by pushing the seats forward. I'd hate to say skeptical but this is one of those wait until you can actually sit in it moments. Again, I bought the Volt 2016 and am glad I did, but there is no way on God's green earth that there is anywhere near "adult" leg room in the backs seats, let's not be in denial, the BOLT can't possibly have more legroom unless there is no luggage capacity, which is exactly the configuration in the eGolf, C-Max ... shall I go on?!