The Bolt. It just sounds exciting…electrifying…energizing…and exceptional. As Chevrolet’s first ground-up, long-range electric vehicle, the 2017 Bolt EV is a vehicle we at Queenston can’t wait to see go into production. Being a completely new concept for Chevy, the designers were given unprecedented freedom, resulting in a vehicle that crosses boundaries and challenges expectations in the electric vehicle (EV) segment.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV
“We were given a blank canvas – a rare opportunity with a unique platform to recast EV design for customers across the spectrum,” said Stuart Norris, managing director of Design. “The team answered the challenge with a progressive design distinguished by dramatic graphics and exceptional passenger space.”
The Bolt EV’s styling centres on its unique proportion, which is driven by a flat battery pack mounted beneath the interior floor. The flat battery pack allows the Bolt to offer 5-passenger seating and 479 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV
“The flat-pack orientation offered the flexibility to make the most of the proportions while creating a clean, sculpted design,” said Norris. “This really opened up the interior and created a fantastic view from every seating position. All of this additional space gave us a lot of opportunities to play with creative design and storage solutions.”
The exterior features large windows and a steep windshield, emphasizing the interior’s spaciousness and bright airy feel. The Bolt offers a panoramic view from upright, SUV-like seating positions. The rear-window glass extends all the way to the license plate and integrates with LED taillights on the liftgate. By integrating the taillamps into the full-width liftgate, the Bolt EV’s has a wide opening that makes it easier to slide boxes and other items into the vehicle. The LED headlamps wrap around the forward edge of the front fascia, and the signature Chevrolet dual-element grille has been revamped and is offered with two signature colours, harmonized with the exterior colour choices.
The interior is fresh and bright, with signature-colour Electrification blue ambient lighting emanating from beneath metallic white decorative trim. A “floating” instrument panel features a 10.2-inch-diagonal touchscreen which creates a horizontal feel to the interior, maximizing knee room and cross-vehicle spaciousness. Additionally, a multipurpose, connected centre console features side-by-side cupholders, a wireless charging location and a sliding armrest covering a storage compartment large enough to store a tablet device.
“The Bolt EV’s design elements are designed for everyday life and the space inside accommodates it all, whether you and your friends go shopping for the day or take off for the weekend,” said Norris. “Inside and out, this game-changing vehicle makes a dramatic statement with a distinctive identity that can only be a Chevy and challenges expectations for what an affordable EV can offer.”
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV goes into production in late 2016, landing in Queenston’s showroom sometime in 2017. View our full Chevrolet lineup at www.queenstonchev.com.
