Chevy Reveals Its Tesla Slayer, The 2017 Bolt

2017 Chevrolet Bolt (Credit: Chevrolet)

It seems everyone wants a “Tesla killer,” but Chevrolet might have the most viable competitor yet: the 2017 Bolt.

After the disappointing Faraday Future reveal, the Bolt was a breath of fresh practicality. It’s an all-electric car the average consumer can actually afford, with a price that should be under $30,000 after government incentives. Chevrolet says the range will be over 200 miles, which is impressive.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt (Credit: Chevrolet)

A flat battery pack sits below the car’s floor, meaning no weird humps in the backseat or cargo area. Thanks to a wide track and a 102.4-inch wheelbase, the Bolt kind of looks like a crossover. The beltline and side character lines swoop upward from front to back, giving it a distinct and sporty style. In the front is a slight overhang, with a similar one in the rear.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt (Credit: Chevrolet)

Adding to the practicality of the Chevrolet Bolt is the fact it fits five people. There’s also 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the backseat, which is fairly decent, especially when compared to similar hatchbacks. Americans love cupholders, and there are two large ones in the center console, along with a wireless charging pad and a storage pocket under the sliding armrest. In the center stack is a 10.2-inch MyLink infotainment touchscreen, which GM says uses a widget-based “flip-board style” layout. The car also comes with a 4G LTE high-speed connection, plus mobile WiFi.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt center console (Credit: Chevrolet)

A number of unique technologies will be introduced with the 2017 Bolt. All versions include a Bluetooth low-energy connection to minimize electrical draw, which will make a connection to the owner’s smartphone automatically once it gets near the vehicle. The car will calculate driving range by combining factors like the weather, time of day, geography and even how the owner usually drives, instead of just some generic number. The navigation system even takes range maximization into account, suggesting routes that are the best for efficiency, plus it can easily pinpoint local public chargers when needed.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt (Credit: Chevrolet)

If you’re just chomping at the bit to buy a Chevy Bolt, you’re in for a bit of a wait. The car will go into production by the end of 2016, meaning it won’t hit dealerships until the first quarter of 2017. The good news it will be sold nationwide, which is something the Tesla Model 3 likely won’t be able to match.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt (Credit: Chevrolet)

2017 Chevrolet Bolt (Credit: Chevrolet)

2017 Chevrolet Bolt (Credit: Chevrolet)

2017 Chevrolet Bolt (Credit: Chevrolet)

2017 Chevrolet Bolt (Credit: Chevrolet )