[bro1999]

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/op...2017/06/07/payne-chevy-bolt-review/102600828/

Verdict is toss some sticky tires on the Bolt, and it'll give other "real" hot hatches a run for the money! Even with stock tires, the Bolt performed admirably.

Have to point out one error though: you do NOT need to shift to N before going back to D from L. All it takes is a backwards flick of the shifter to switch between D and L modes.

 

[Qinsp]

I would find some take-off 2016/2017 Volt wheels, then mount 225/45-17 BFG Rival S 1.5 or Bridgestone RE-71R tires on it. Or any other Treadwear 200 or higher track tires. This will allow you to drive it on the street and be legal for SCCA Solo2 HS class.

DOH!!! Technically, you should not run Volt wheels, they could be considered illegal for HS.

 

[Raymondjram]

I read the article, and my favorite quote is "I watched my miles increase on the odometer’s range predictor. Try that in a gasmobile."

One thing he did which is exciting was to prove how fast the Bolt EV can drive: chase a gasser! If the gasser can't shake the Bolt EV off, then it is truly faster.

 

[BAZINGA]

"A Level 2, 240-volt charger is preferred, but that will add another $2,500 to your bill."

Hardly. My Clipper Creek LCS-25, 85' of 10/3 ROMEX, and some new breakers in my panel in my basement (done by a union electrician who pulled a permit) set me back just at $900.

 

[Qinsp]

I anticipate buying a Bolt or other high amp car, so I put in a $449 40a 14-50 JuiceBox using a 50a breaker. Took about 4 hours including the trip to the hardware store. Assuming my time is $100/hr, about $1000. Cash out of pocket $600 or less.

Very few people who hire an electrician are going to pay $2500.

 

[Bacardi]

"And GM missed an opportunity to badge the Bolt as a Cadillac. The pentastar beak would have lifted the car and brand — not to mention its styling."

Is there an ECHO in here???

 

[llninja]

Even the Pope is rolling in a bolt

http://gm-volt.com/2017/06/08/new-popemobile-opel-ampera-e/

I have this weird image of the Pope street racing in an Ampera-E taking on BMWs and Peugeots.

 

[llninja]

"And GM missed an opportunity to badge the Bolt as a Cadillac. The pentastar beak would have lifted the car and brand — not to mention its styling."

Is there an ECHO in here???

Except if they badged it as a caddy, they would have upped the price to $60k and nobody would have bought one. Just look at the ELR and CT6 PHEV sales numbers. It would be like the cimmaron and catera. The bolt is fine as a Chevy.

 

[TheBlueFlash]

Except if they badged it as a caddy, they would have upped the price to $60k and nobody would have bought one. Just look at the ELR and CT6 PHEV sales numbers. It would be like the cimmaron and catera. The bolt is fine as a Chevy.

The Bolt badged as a Buick with Moonroof, ACC, and adjustable suspension would push a lot of people that are on the fence over the edge imo.

 

[Loboc]

"And GM missed an opportunity to badge the Bolt as a Cadillac. The pentastar beak would have lifted the car and brand — not to mention its styling."

It is good to make their EVs Chevy first. Chevy is the common-man brand. EVs will be common (and cheaper than ICE) in less than a decade.

The Bolt badged as a Buick with Moonroof, ACC, and adjustable suspension would push a lot of people that are on the fence over the edge imo.

Yes. An up-scale Bolt would be good. I'm envisioning an XT3-EV.

 

[NYRob]

...The bolt is fine as a Chevy.

And how could any red blooded, all American coal-roller dose a Chevy?
It would be like pissing on their own!

I like that the Bolt is a Chevy too... I've already used that line... and got 'nodding head' approval by passerby's who were a bit skeptical at first glance.

Just say "... it's a Chevy" and suddenly everything's good

 

[Bacardi]

Except if they badged it as a caddy, they would have upped the price to $60k and nobody would have bought one. Just look at the ELR and CT6 PHEV sales numbers. It would be like the cimmaron and catera. The bolt is fine as a Chevy.

Why do they have to increase the MSRP, Caddy sells three base Caddys with MSRP's under $40K? The Caddy Bolt could be the 4th vehicle for under $40K and would be more of a Caddy competitor...GM botched the ELR for two major reasons, they could have kept the MSRP the same IF they made it quicker than the Corvette and it would of sold, but instead it was about as fast as its cousin the Volt...Secondly, even after the great $15K off MSRP haircut, they put "weird" features..."Alert"/vibrating seat? People want cooled seats...Power cupholders? People want a power moonroof...If an accident free, sub-50K mileage ELR with ACC ever comes on the market for under $20K, I will buy it...

The Bolt badged as a Buick with Moonroof, ACC, and adjustable suspension would push a lot of people that are on the fence over the edge imo.

The Buick badge alone would sway some and a side benefit is China both loves EVs and Buicks, could release them in China as well, there's rumors are some potential EV buyers aren't fans of the Buick Velite 5 because they feel it's really a Chevy...Yet US Buick service centers don't have chargers, Caddy does have them for the ELR and some select Chevy dealerships have DCFC due to the Spark EV...I personally do not think most would care about a adjustable suspension, not even sure if you mean something like magnaride or manually adjustable coilovers...I believe if you asked every Bolt buyer which features you wish the Bolt had, I can't see an adjustable suspension making anyone's top five list, most likely not even the top ten...Too many "missing" items to choice from, faster DCFC, AWD, moonroof, "normal" seats, power memory seats, cooled seats (is now option on the equinox), ACC, SuperCruise, homelink and heat pump and that's before getting into the nitty gritty such as wanting different styling or faster USB ports...

 

[!arry4pyro]

If it was up to me, I would stimulate more excitement in the Bolt with a very limited run, say 1,000 units, of a Bolt SS with dual 200 HP motors and AWD, performance tires and suspension.

 

[Bacardi]

If it was up to me, I would stimulate more excitement in the Bolt with a very limited run, say 1,000 units, of a Bolt SS with dual 200 HP motors and AWD, performance tires and suspension.

Overall I believe that's a great idea just to get the Bolt exposure...Heck replace the unusual suspension seat with a highly bolstered one modeled after the Camaro/Vette...ZEV/CARB wise, as long as it gets to 200 miles of range it'll earn the same credits as 238 miles...There is a 250 mile tier coming in 2018, perhaps an lower HP AWD tuned for efficiency could get the Bolt there so AWD would satisfied a variety of scenarios...Performance/Range/Bad weather (some states mandate tire chains unless you have AWD)...

 

[llninja]

If it was up to me, I would stimulate more excitement in the Bolt with a very limited run, say 1,000 units, of a Bolt SS with dual 200 HP motors and AWD, performance tires and suspension.

No, take the bolt batteries with dual motors and AWD and put it into something sporty, not the Bolt. A Camaro or Corvette would be awesome. Even better new 2/4/5 door performance coupe/sedan/CUV.

 

[Bacardi]

No, take the bolt batteries with dual motors and AWD and put it into something sporty, not the Bolt. A Camaro or Corvette would be awesome. Even better new 2/4/5 door performance coupe/sedan/CUV.

But you'd need five years...GM offers a stiffer suspension on many performance models, doesn't take years to retune the suspension and if GM can figure out EV AWD (for all we know they have) it would accelerate efforts to carry the lessons learned over to trucks/true SUVs...

 

[llninja]

But you'd need five years...GM offers a stiffer suspension on many performance models, doesn't take years to retune the suspension and if GM can figure out EV AWD (for all we know they have) it would accelerate efforts to carry the lessons learned over to trucks/true SUVs...

I don't get this 5 years statement. Gm has been making cars for a long, long time, you can't tell me they can't design a good suspension by tweaking what they already have.

 

[Bacardi]

I don't get this 5 years statement. Gm has been making cars for a long, long time, you can't tell me they can't design a good suspension by tweaking what they already have.

I believe it would take years, possibly five to put the Bolts drivetrain in an camaro or Vette...They both would most likely need to be entirely different platforms or even vehicles that look the same...

 

[TheBlueFlash]

Why do they have to increase the MSRP, Caddy sells three base Caddys with MSRP's under $40K? The Caddy Bolt could be the 4th vehicle for under $40K and would be more of a Caddy competitor...GM botched the ELR for two major reasons, they could have kept the MSRP the same IF they made it quicker than the Corvette and it would of sold, but instead it was about as fast as its cousin the Volt...Secondly, even after the great $15K off MSRP haircut, they put "weird" features..."Alert"/vibrating seat? People want cooled seats...Power cupholders? People want a power moonroof...If an accident free, sub-50K mileage ELR with ACC ever comes on the market for under $20K, I will buy it...



The Buick badge alone would sway some and a side benefit is China both loves EVs and Buicks, could release them in China as well, there's rumors are some potential EV buyers aren't fans of the Buick Velite 5 because they feel it's really a Chevy...Yet US Buick service centers don't have chargers, Caddy does have them for the ELR and some select Chevy dealerships have DCFC due to the Spark EV...I personally do not think most would care about a adjustable suspension, not even sure if you mean something like magnaride or manually adjustable coilovers...I believe if you asked every Bolt buyer which features you wish the Bolt had, I can't see an adjustable suspension making anyone's top five list, most likely not even the top ten...Too many "missing" items to choice from, faster DCFC, AWD, moonroof, "normal" seats, power memory seats, cooled seats (is now option on the equinox), ACC, SuperCruise, homelink and heat pump and that's before getting into the nitty gritty such as wanting different styling or faster USB ports...

I'm referring to the adjustable suspension that Tesla offers as an option in the Model S where it will lower on the road as needed for aero purposes and raise when needed for example, turning into your driveway thus avoiding scraping anything.

You offer some other good options missing from the Bolt that I forgot about. Can't believe GM completely left power seats out of the Volts and now the Bolt. BLARG!

 

[llninja]

I believe it would take years, possibly five to put the Bolts drivetrain in an camaro or Vette...They both would most likely need to be entirely different platforms or even vehicles that look the same...

I'd be happy with any sheetmetal that ends up with a cool looking coupe/sedan.cuv. It can't be all that difficult to take the entire front end and battery section of the bolt, but extend the rear end and add an electric motor into the back. The extra weight and length can house extra batteries. There are already pics of Gm prototypes for a coupe and CUV. It would be stupid to start from scratch, yet they seem to always do that. Volt, bolt, CT6 PHEV, and Malibu seem to not reuse very much. Meanwhile it seems that Tesla S and X could be reusing the batteries, motors, inverters, etc.