powersurge
Well-known member
Hi everyone.
Just wanted to share that Yesterday I was able to test-drive a Chevy Bolt on Long Island, NY,.. It was quite an experience... Salesman had the car charged up to 100% and was very pleasant. The dash showed 200 miles of range.
The Car - The car is smaller than the Leaf, in width, length, and only appears to seat 4 people. It looked a little bit taller than the leaf. Trunk has a removable false floor, which looked really cheap, apparently made (of all things) Very Breakable Styrofoam!! With the false floor in place, the trunk was tiny (hold about 3 paper supermarket bags standing up). The engine compartment was TINY, that was no more than my arms-length deep. The engine, I believe however, is more powerful than the leaf (reportedly 150KW motor vs the Leaf 80KW). My first impression with those numbers is that there is a lot of room here for people to "play" with those 200 horses (hp) and bring the real range of the bolt down from 200 miles to the Leaf's 100 miles of range.... Oh.. Yes, there is an "on demand" battery regeneration "Toggle Paddle" behind the steering wheel (like instant "B" mode for you Leaf People). The regen mode was so strong that I was able to bring the car to a stop from 30 mph in about 100 feet. This may be a mixed blessing, as I imagine that when you do this, the brake lights may not go on, and someone behind you can rear-end you.
OPTIONS AND EQUIPMENT- The Bolt I drove had a $500 rear facing "sensor package". When you get too close to something, AND when you are in reverse, getting out of a parking lot space. If a car is coming as you are in reverse, it tells you. There was also a $700 package for Blind spot sensors and lane changing sensors if someone is trying to cut you off. Instead of the Leaf's ever popular Ecopia tires, this car had Michellins, which seemed to be very firm and sure footed. Interior is totally hard plastic, (with a lot of front leg room due to no console in the middle). It reminded me of the "naked" looking, Spartan interior of the BMW I3... Infotainment video screen - looked like a bright 10 inch Ipad stuck to the dash. Speedometer cluster - another about 8" screen with very Bright colors. The electric heater that the salesman put on was really warm and powerful, but I don't know if it was up to MAX, and used up a lot of watts of electricity ..
DRIVE - Not much to say... The drive was like everything we know about a Leaf, but MUCH quicker. The car is very nimble, and responds from a stop faster than the Leaf. The car has a regular and "sport" button. In sport mode, the car is close to "ludicrous speed". I have to admit that when I got back into my Leaf, I felt like I was driving grandma's car... I don't know if that great acceleration will cost you range, however, making the "real world range" down to the range of the Leaf. With the Michelin tires, the car goes over bumps very nimbly, and the suspension appears to be set to a more sporty springiness than the Leaf.
GOOD -
- front seats move far back and give enough headroom for even 6'4" drivers
- A lot of electronics for you control happy guys.
- Very muscular ride and suspension.
- Powerful engine and acceleration.
- Radar sensors for those who like that kind of stuff.
- Great 200 mile range.
-
BAD - (for my taste)
- Car is more narrow and smaller than the Leaf
- The third passenger in the back would not work unless you have 3 pre-teen kids. Hip room was terrible.
- Large and bright video screens on Speedo and the center "infotainment" console is very bright, annoying and distracting.
- Small trunk
- Engine may be a touch too powerful for the general public. I think it encourages.. how should I say.... "unwise", "adrenalin" driving, which also kills your range.
- Dealers will sell at list price with the more expensive packages, no incentive, and no financing deals, (other than the Federal $7500 tax credit.)
- AND FINALLY !!!!!>>>>>>........ PRICE... The car I drove had a list price of $43K (out the door)...
WOULD I RECOMMEND BUYING ONE?
Yes, if you are:
- A NEW EV buyer who wants to enter the EV community.
- Someone who currently does not have any investment in an electric car.
- Are looking for a higher range car than the Leaf.
- Want a very quick, nimble economy-sized car.
- Don't mind a smaller car than the LEAF.
- Have a sizable bank account to pay for your new "premium" priced, "econobox" sized car.
- Were considering a Tesla, and want to spend less for a fast, high-range electric car.
IS THERE A BOLT IN MY NEAR FUTURE?
NOPE... I own my LEAF, I do not lease... My Leaf is a great, good sized, perfect (for me) ranged Electric car. I do not need to pay for and carry around a large (200 mile range) battery because I do not drive over 80 miles per day. Finally, and most importantly (IMHO). Even if the new Bolt may be a gem of a car, I will NEVER pay over $35K for an econobox-sized car... I think I will be happy driving my Leaf until the Battery's electronic "pixies" fly up to heaven!!!
OVERALL THOUGHTS - I think that the new Bolt will sell well, however, not in manner that we Leaf drivers expect... I don't think that the Bolt will be the direct rival of the Nissan Leaf... I think that the Leaf appears to have entered the car market as the "working-man's electric car"... Or.. The Volkswagen Beetle of the EV industry. I think that the Bolt will take away business from the other High-range electric car, the Tesla, especially since the Tesla is realistically out of the majority of people's financial range. Personally, I don't think that the Tesla will EVER be considered a mainstream vehicle, but maybe the Chevy Bolt will???
Just wanted to share that Yesterday I was able to test-drive a Chevy Bolt on Long Island, NY,.. It was quite an experience... Salesman had the car charged up to 100% and was very pleasant. The dash showed 200 miles of range.
The Car - The car is smaller than the Leaf, in width, length, and only appears to seat 4 people. It looked a little bit taller than the leaf. Trunk has a removable false floor, which looked really cheap, apparently made (of all things) Very Breakable Styrofoam!! With the false floor in place, the trunk was tiny (hold about 3 paper supermarket bags standing up). The engine compartment was TINY, that was no more than my arms-length deep. The engine, I believe however, is more powerful than the leaf (reportedly 150KW motor vs the Leaf 80KW). My first impression with those numbers is that there is a lot of room here for people to "play" with those 200 horses (hp) and bring the real range of the bolt down from 200 miles to the Leaf's 100 miles of range.... Oh.. Yes, there is an "on demand" battery regeneration "Toggle Paddle" behind the steering wheel (like instant "B" mode for you Leaf People). The regen mode was so strong that I was able to bring the car to a stop from 30 mph in about 100 feet. This may be a mixed blessing, as I imagine that when you do this, the brake lights may not go on, and someone behind you can rear-end you.
OPTIONS AND EQUIPMENT- The Bolt I drove had a $500 rear facing "sensor package". When you get too close to something, AND when you are in reverse, getting out of a parking lot space. If a car is coming as you are in reverse, it tells you. There was also a $700 package for Blind spot sensors and lane changing sensors if someone is trying to cut you off. Instead of the Leaf's ever popular Ecopia tires, this car had Michellins, which seemed to be very firm and sure footed. Interior is totally hard plastic, (with a lot of front leg room due to no console in the middle). It reminded me of the "naked" looking, Spartan interior of the BMW I3... Infotainment video screen - looked like a bright 10 inch Ipad stuck to the dash. Speedometer cluster - another about 8" screen with very Bright colors. The electric heater that the salesman put on was really warm and powerful, but I don't know if it was up to MAX, and used up a lot of watts of electricity ..
DRIVE - Not much to say... The drive was like everything we know about a Leaf, but MUCH quicker. The car is very nimble, and responds from a stop faster than the Leaf. The car has a regular and "sport" button. In sport mode, the car is close to "ludicrous speed". I have to admit that when I got back into my Leaf, I felt like I was driving grandma's car... I don't know if that great acceleration will cost you range, however, making the "real world range" down to the range of the Leaf. With the Michelin tires, the car goes over bumps very nimbly, and the suspension appears to be set to a more sporty springiness than the Leaf.
GOOD -
- front seats move far back and give enough headroom for even 6'4" drivers
- A lot of electronics for you control happy guys.
- Very muscular ride and suspension.
- Powerful engine and acceleration.
- Radar sensors for those who like that kind of stuff.
- Great 200 mile range.
-
BAD - (for my taste)
- Car is more narrow and smaller than the Leaf
- The third passenger in the back would not work unless you have 3 pre-teen kids. Hip room was terrible.
- Large and bright video screens on Speedo and the center "infotainment" console is very bright, annoying and distracting.
- Small trunk
- Engine may be a touch too powerful for the general public. I think it encourages.. how should I say.... "unwise", "adrenalin" driving, which also kills your range.
- Dealers will sell at list price with the more expensive packages, no incentive, and no financing deals, (other than the Federal $7500 tax credit.)
- AND FINALLY !!!!!>>>>>>........ PRICE... The car I drove had a list price of $43K (out the door)...
WOULD I RECOMMEND BUYING ONE?
Yes, if you are:
- A NEW EV buyer who wants to enter the EV community.
- Someone who currently does not have any investment in an electric car.
- Are looking for a higher range car than the Leaf.
- Want a very quick, nimble economy-sized car.
- Don't mind a smaller car than the LEAF.
- Have a sizable bank account to pay for your new "premium" priced, "econobox" sized car.
- Were considering a Tesla, and want to spend less for a fast, high-range electric car.
IS THERE A BOLT IN MY NEAR FUTURE?
NOPE... I own my LEAF, I do not lease... My Leaf is a great, good sized, perfect (for me) ranged Electric car. I do not need to pay for and carry around a large (200 mile range) battery because I do not drive over 80 miles per day. Finally, and most importantly (IMHO). Even if the new Bolt may be a gem of a car, I will NEVER pay over $35K for an econobox-sized car... I think I will be happy driving my Leaf until the Battery's electronic "pixies" fly up to heaven!!!
OVERALL THOUGHTS - I think that the new Bolt will sell well, however, not in manner that we Leaf drivers expect... I don't think that the Bolt will be the direct rival of the Nissan Leaf... I think that the Leaf appears to have entered the car market as the "working-man's electric car"... Or.. The Volkswagen Beetle of the EV industry. I think that the Bolt will take away business from the other High-range electric car, the Tesla, especially since the Tesla is realistically out of the majority of people's financial range. Personally, I don't think that the Tesla will EVER be considered a mainstream vehicle, but maybe the Chevy Bolt will???