2022 Chevy Bolt EUV teased: Does revised interface bridge the gap to future EVs?

[ChasingCoral]

https://www.greencarreports.com/new...-chevy-bolt-euv-does-it-connect-to-future-evs
2022 Chevy Bolt EUV teased: Does revised interface bridge the gap to future EVs?

BENGT HALVORSON NOVEMBER 10, 2020

General Motors on Monday gave a first official glimpse of the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV—and, perhaps more notably, its revised interface.

The image and brief video clip released confirm what Green Car Reports had already seen in person at a no-cameras preview of upcoming EVs in March—that the Bolt EUV will closely follow what’s called the Buick Velite 7 in China (pictured just below).


2021 Buick Velite 7

The EUV isn’t radically different in design. Versus the current Bolt EV, expect a little more lower-body cladding to nudge this small car a little closer to the look of GM’s current crossovers, some contouring changes to the sheetmetal throughout, slimmer headlights and a more flowing front fascia, plus about 3 inches of extra wheelbase and an elongated roofline for more interior space.

As observed and noted in the March preview, from Bolt chief engineer Jesse Ortega, the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV will have more cargo and passenger space—and better seats all around—versus the current versions of the Bolt EV, but it still won’t have all-wheel drive or a larger battery. Ortega also confirmed that both models will get the revamped infotainment system and streamlined dash layout shown here—plus a new button-activated one-pedal-driving mode replacing the current ‘L’ mode.

Also, the 2022 Bolt EUV will be the first GM model outside of the Cadillac brand to offer its Super Cruise driver-assistance system. The 2022 Bolt EV will be receiving many of these same improvements, but from what we can tell Super Cruise will be an EUV exclusive.

The brief video above, also released by GM Monday, shows one thing that wasn’t detailed then—that the 2022 Bolt EUV will provide drivers “more EV insight” with a revamped power-flow screen that includes data on regenerative braking use and battery charge level. That could add more precise numbers for things like state of charge that have been lacking from the current interface since the Bolt’s 2017 introduction.

According to Ken Morris, GM’s VP for electric and autonomous vehicles, the company is now looking to hire 3,000 more positions for IT and software, as it transitions to providing a “software as a service” model for vehicles on the Ultium platform.


2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

How do these two pieces of GM’s electric future, released the same day, fit together? While we know the Bolt EV and EUV will continue with their current battery technology, it’s unclear if the Bolt family’s new interface hints to the future or reflects an evolving data strategy.

Morris, in a quick Q&A session accompanying the software announcement, declined to elaborate to GCR on how the new software push might manifest in the interface available to customers, how GM is approaching data privacy or visualization in its upcoming models and Ultium battery system (led by the GMC Hummer EV), or how the Bolt EUV’s revised power-flow screens might bridge that gap to the new vehicles.

Stay tuned for more, as GM CEO Mary Barra is due to speak more about the top-level strategy this week. The Bolt EUV

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[SnBGC]

Interesting article. Thanks for posting.
In my opinion, if GM wants to bridge a gap to future EVs then they should look at RWD. I believe the driving dynamic of RWD is superior in many ways and it brings back some of what we lost when mainstream vehicles migrated to FWD. I get why they went FWD and it makes total sense for ICE but now that we are transitioning to EVs (little by little) then starting with RWD architecture just makes sense to me.

I think the Bolt and Bolt EUV is going to struggle to compete with the MEB platform that VW is producing for that very reason.

Remember, we still have torque steer concerns with RWD so there is a limit to how much power you can put through the steer wheels and still be comfortable for the driver. The Bolt is right at that limit I believe. There isn't any more room to improve with that architecture IMO....

 

[JamieGeek]

Interesting article. Thanks for posting.
In my opinion, if GM wants to bridge a gap to future EVs then they should look at RWD. I believe the driving dynamic of RWD is superior in many ways and it brings back some of what we lost when mainstream vehicles migrated to FWD. I get why they went FWD and it makes total sense for ICE but now that we are transitioning to EVs (little by little) then starting with RWD architecture just makes sense to me.

I think the Bolt and Bolt EUV is going to struggle to compete with the MEB platform that VW is producing for that very reason.

Remember, we still have torque steer concerns with RWD so there is a limit to how much power you can put through the steer wheels and still be comfortable for the driver. The Bolt is right at that limit I believe. There isn't any more room to improve with that architecture IMO....

The thing is that with EV architectures its really easy to switch between FWD, RWD, AWD.

Since the Mach-E is designed for AWD it could easily be setup as FWD as well it doesn't matter; just leave the rear motor out.

 

[DBC]

The video of the interface was underwhelming. This type of thing can be fun for a couple of minutes but not useful other than that. Plus enabling range obsession seems counter productive given the responses here to the range question.

Most interfaces work OK once you get used to them. The Mach-E interface looks good to me, though it will take my actually using it to make a reasoned judgement.

The current Bolt interface is actually very intuitive and easy to use. It has a screen but the climate controls are on buttons below it. Hopefully they leave that. Nothing beats just pressing a button when you want to turn the AC on or or off, change the fan speed, or change the air flow in the cabin.

 

[DBC]

I think the Bolt and Bolt EUV is going to struggle to compete with the MEB platform that VW is producing for that very reason.

You are right for sure, but the Bolt and Bolt EUV sit on a platform which won't be used going forward. That platform is an interim dead end. The new EV platform -- rolling out with the Lyric and, yes, with the Hummer EV -- would be the one which would be similar to the MEB platform (not sure what it's called other than "third generation global EV platform". How catchy!).

The GM EV platform allows for different sized vehicles -- compact to the Hummer -- different sized battery packs, and the choice of FWD, RWD, or AWD (probably torque vectoring and so forth as well).

 

[agoldman]

Wow that is one ugly car. sorry, but it really is.

 

[dbsb3233]

The thing is that with EV architectures its really easy to switch between FWD, RWD, AWD.

If they have motors on both axles, yes. The problem is cost, and a 2nd motor adds a few more $thousand. A vehicle like the Bolt needs to stay cheaper than vehicles like the MME in order to find a market.

 

[FPLiptak]

Wow that is one ugly car. sorry, but it really is.

Actually, I love my Bolt and don't feel it is ugly in any way.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Actually, I love my Bolt and don't feel it is ugly in any way.

I'm with you. Same applies to our Leaf.

They cry out "Dork-mobile" but not ugly.

This is one of the things I look forward to in the Mustang Mach E. The looks are going to appeal to a much wider audience.

 

[trutolife27]

I'm with you. Same applies to our Leaf.

They cry out "Dork-mobile" but not ugly.

This is one of the things I look forward to in the Mustang Mach E. The looks are going to appeal to a much wider audience.

The demand for the mache in China is insane. Ford could sell 70,000 mache the first year in china easy right now. Number one reason why it's big in China? The mache has a style where other EVs are plain.

 

[JamieGeek]

Yeah I don't mind the looks of the Bolt either.

When I first got it I parked it next to our Escape to compare the lines. If the front windshield was a bit steeper it would have a longer hood like the Escape. Other than that I found them very similar.

 

[timbop]

Yeah I don't mind the looks of the Bolt either.

When I first got it I parked it next to our Escape to compare the lines. If the front windshield was a bit steeper it would have a longer hood like the Escape. Other than that I found them very similar.

True, but that short snout gives it the impression of a much smaller car. The proportions just aren't what people are used to.

 

[GoGoGadgetMachE]

True, but that short snout gives it the impression of a much smaller car. The proportions just aren't what people are used to.

I never could explain exactly what it was that I didn't like about the Bolt's look, but I think you've got it.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

It's a matter of personal preference. Some like those, others do not. That's one reason there's more than one model of car available for purchase.

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