General Motors set out to disrupt the market for affordable electric vehicles, but progress has been modest. Since 2017, a little more than 100 thousand of these machines have been sold around the world under various brands. For example, the Tesla Model 3 sedan only in 2020 and in the US market alone has sold more than 167 thousand copies. But GM has not yet abandoned Bolt. On the contrary, a restyling was carried out and a potentially more demanded cross-version called the Bolt EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle) was built.
The base hatchback 2021 Chevy Bolt EV has found a new face with a “predatory” look of lighting technology, and instead of imitating a radiator grill, now a plug-in body colour. The stern has also been redesigned with new lights and a bumper. The emblems are no longer golden, but black.
The 2021 Chevy Bolt EUV crossover has a different body with less mono-volume proportions. It does not have triangular windows in the front roof pillars, another beltline, and roof rails are installed on the roof. The wheelbase has been stretched from 2600 to 2675 mm, the total length has increased from 4145 to 4306 mm. At the same time, in width (1770 mm) and height (1616 mm), the SUV almost does not differ from the base hatchback.
The update brought Bolt a new interior that looks stricter than the pre-reform hatchback. Not only the front panel has been changed, but also the steering wheel and seats, and instead of the transmission control joystick, there is now a button panel. The devices are “drawn” on an eight-inch screen, the media system now has a 10.2-inch display. In rich trim levels – ventilation of the front seats and heated rear sofa.
The Chevrolet Bolt EUV crossover has the same interior decoration, but a little more space, because the distance between the rows is increased by 76 mm. However, the boot volume is even slightly less than that of the base model: 462 litres versus 470 litres according to the American EPA method. But only for the SUV, you can order a panoramic roof.
The technology of the two electric vehicles is the same, and it came from the pre-reform Bolt. An electric motor is installed on the front axle with a return of 204 hp. and 360 Nm. A traction battery with a capacity of 65 kW ∙ h appeared back in 2020 (before that it was 60 kW). According to the passport, the Bolt EV hatchback can travel 416 km on a single charge, and the heavier cross-version Bolt EUV – 402 km.
However, there are also several innovations. For example, a “one-pedal” driving mode has appeared, when the car starts to break as the accelerator pedal is released. And also – a dual-mode AC charger that allows you to connect to terminals with a voltage of 120 or 240 volts (in the second case, the power is 7.2 kW). For a regular hatchback, this is an option, and for a SUV it is standard equipment.
The basic configuration includes the Safety Assist complex, which includes automatic braking, lane-keeping and a number of assistants. But the Bolt EUV was the first Chevrolet model to offer Super Cruise, adaptive cruise control with a second level of autonomy, previously offered only for Cadillac cars.
However, this is not all the measures that GM intends to use to attract buyers. After restyling, the base 2021 Chevy Bolt EV became immediately $ 5,000 cheaper! Prices now start at $ 32K (excluding subsidies). And the Bolt EUV SUV costs at least 34 thousand, although the Launch Edition welcome version with the maximum equipment is estimated at $ 43,500. The start of sales in America is scheduled for the summer.
sudharsan has over a decade of experience covering the breaking news in the auto industry and over ten years of experience writing about cars for magazines, automotive websites, and YouTube videos.
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