[endrond]

A question from a newbie...

I'm considering a Bolt, but can't figure out one crucial thing. Does the automatic braking work only at low speeds, or does it also work at high speeds?

The Chevy website for configuring Bolts makes it look like it's only low-speed (as part of Driver Confidence II Packag).

And I know that high-speed automatic braking is usually part of ACC. I'm under the impression (perhaps mistakenly) that ACC would require a different braking system than what's currently on the Bolt.

But I just wanted to be sure about whether the forward automatic braking really only works at low speeds. Automatic braking that operates at all speeds is an option that I very much want to have for my next car, to the point that if the Bolt doesn't have it then that probably rules it out for consideration.

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide!

 

[SharkVolt]

I have tripped mine a few times at all speeds, however, when the alert chimes and flashes the HUD display, I have used the brakes myself before noticing any automatic braking, so I cannot testify whether it self brakes at any speed.

 

[Qinsp]

AFAIK: Without ACC, it has low speed AEB. With ACC radar, it adds full AEB.

Here's what the GM AEB system acts like in a Cadillac demo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK8gVr0x6_w

 

[Sean Nelson]

AFAIK: Without ACC, it has low speed AEB. With ACC radar, it adds full AEB.

Yes, that's my understanding too, based on the capabilities of the Volt. When you buy a Volt with the radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control, you also get high speed automatic braking. Without ACC, you only get low speed. And unfortunately, since ACC isn't available for the Bolt, that would mean that high speed automatic braking wouldn't be either.

I suspect that this is because the camera used as the sensor that drives low speed automatic braking doesn't have enough resolution to properly judge relative speeds of cars that are beyond a certain distance away, and therefore the system wouldn't be able to react in time. Or it may be that there isn't enough processing power to analyze all of the potentially small objects in the camera's field of view that could represent more distant cars that pose a potential threat.

The ACC unit's radar can apparently accurately measure distances and speed differentials up to some hundreds of feet away, which makes high speed automatic braking possible.

 

[phil0909]

"The system works when driving in a
forward gear between 8 km/h
(5 mph) and 80 km/h (50 mph).
It can detect vehicles up to
approximately 60 m (197 ft)."

 

[sosmerc]

I don't understand why the Bolt is not offered with ACC like the Volt.......it is an outstanding system.

 

[NYRob]

I don't understand why the Bolt is not offered with ACC like the Volt.......it is an outstanding system.

It probably would have delayed the release of the Bolt past the GM self imposed fall 2016 Bolt launch....

It seems like a shoe-in for a 2nd or 3rd year option though.

 

[Barry]

ACC will be very helpful in competing with the Model 3, which will probably have some level of autopilot. My guess is that Chevy is trying to offer ACC (or something better) in the Bolt by the time the M3 is selling in quantity. But Chevy was also trying to hit a price-point, so that might have something to do with the initial equipment level.

 

[sosmerc]

I am so impressed with the ACC in my Volt, that I would never consider another vehicle without it.