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2017 Chevy Bolt is Motor Trend Car of the Year

Gorehamj

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Gorehamj Senior Enthusiast

Gorehamj

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John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
11-15-2016

Motor Trend (MT) magazine has named the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV its 2017 Car of the Year. Unlike many electric vehicles hyped by the media, the Chevy Bolt is a real car, that will be sold in Chevy dealerships within weeks. The editors at MT had the chance to drive the production Bolt at a proving grounds recently and that made all the difference according to the magazine's press release. The editors noted that, "the most impressive thing about the Bolt EV is that there are no caveats and no 'for an electric car' qualifiers needed in any discussion. It is, simply, a world-class small car, and that's before you factor in the benefits inherent in the smoothness, silence, and instant-on torque provided by the electric motor."

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A world-class car being made in Michigan? Yes, unlike the future of Ford's small car fleet which is moving to Mexico. Chevy has already started to produce the Bolt at the Orion plant.

 

The Bolt will have a price after incentives just under the average transaction price of cars in America. Local incentive and dealer discounts could bring the Bolt to owners for an adjusted cost of around $26K. The only other electric vehicle sold in America with a range anywhere close to the Bolt's 238 miles (per the EPA) is priced at triple the Bolt's cost.

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Interestingly, MT Editor Ed Loh Editor in Chief managed to work in a compliment to the Chevy truck line in his summary of the Chevy win, saying, “Chevrolet is on a roll with new and compelling vehicles that have reset the bar for trucks in 2015, trucks and sports cars in 2016, and for 2017, electric cars. The Bolt EV is certainly a game-changing vehicle and we look forward to seeing whether we’ll be recognizing another Chevrolet next year in our annual awards.”

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Colossus Senior Enthusiast

Colossus

Posted
Posted

That ugly thing of a puke is car of the year!? :crackup: I don't think there has been an ugly chevy car with car of the year award since the 91 Caprice.. OH boy. And just like the Caprice, the Bolt is going to be a huge FAIL when it comes to selling. How embarrassing. But good luck to the girlie Bolt anyway. Oh man. Somedays I am glad I drive truck. Ok, most days I am. I really need a vacation.

truckofwinandawesome Senior Enthusiast

truckofwinandawesome

Posted
Posted

That ugly thing of a puke is car of the year!? :crackup: I don't think there has been an ugly chevy car with car of the year award since the 91 Caprice.. OH boy. And just like the Caprice, the Bolt is going to be a huge FAIL when it comes to selling. How embarrassing. But good luck to the girlie Bolt anyway. Oh man. Somedays I am glad I drive truck. Ok, most days I am. I really need a vacation.

You don't realize just how revolutionary the Bolt is: it is an AFFORDABLE electric car that gets the same amount of range as my 6 year old Aveo does on a BAD DAY! That is equivalent to 26 MPG, which for an electric car built with off the shelf parts is INCREDIBLE!

 

 

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Colossus Senior Enthusiast

Colossus

Posted
Posted

Patrick that is a good point you made, so thanks, but- something that ugly has to be affordable if they want to sell it. But that really doesn't matter right now given how GM has scaled back production of the cars due to low demand, and more demand for trucks and SUVs. Even the Battery Hybrid pigs out there like the Toyota what's its name that I can't remember that all the hippy tree hungers drive and rave over have had to cut production by 3/4 because of low demand. Now, that being said.. GM has proven they can build a little eco enviro friendly vehicle. Heck they had the Silverado & Tahoe hybrid for awhile didn't they? SO yes they can build em. But they seem to have a hard time selling them. Why would that be, I wonder.

truckofwinandawesome Senior Enthusiast

truckofwinandawesome

Posted
Posted

Patrick that is a good point you made, so thanks, but- something that ugly has to be affordable if they want to sell it. But that really doesn't matter right now given how GM has scaled back production of the cars due to low demand, and more demand for trucks and SUVs. Even the Battery Hybrid pigs out there like the Toyota what's its name that I can't remember that all the hippy tree hungers drive and rave over have had to cut production by 3/4 because of low demand. Now, that being said.. GM has proven they can build a little eco enviro friendly vehicle. Heck they had the Silverado & Tahoe hybrid for awhile didn't they? SO yes they can build em. But they seem to have a hard time selling them. Why would that be, I wonder.

They actually have one at the Nashville Auto show (went yesterday because I had a free ticket) and it's actually not that bad looking in person; it's MUCH better looking than the Leaf and Prius family. It looks like an unassuming little hatchback like a sonic or aveo5

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
white1500 Senior Enthusiast

white1500

Posted
Posted

I would rock this as a dd without a doubt. Short commutes are the worst for internal combustion engines and this would resolve that, along without having to worry about warming up the engine in the winter or anything like that.

 

And if it doesn't sell well, 26k shouldn't be what anyone who is smart will pay either!

 

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Dnt Senior Enthusiast

Dnt

Posted
Posted

I might buy one of these things IF it was a multiple use vehicle.

1. Could be used as a backup generator for my house in case the power goes out.

2. Is a hybrid engine that is capable of running off of several different fuel sources.

3. It is actually useable as a commuter car when not needed as a backup generator.

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