USA - The Chevrolet Bolt E.V. takes the 2017 North American car of The Year Award.

• Chevrolet Bolt EV is the 2017 North American Car of the Year.

The Bolt EV’s recognition marks the fourth time in four years that Chevrolet has received the North American Car of the Year or Truck of the Year award, following the Corvette Stingray and Silverado’s wins in 2014 and the Colorado’s award in 2015.

“The Bolt EV fulfills Chevrolet’s promise to offer an affordable, long-range electric,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president, GM Global Product Development. “It is a game-changer that is not only a great electric vehicle; it’s a great vehicle — period.”

Founded in 1994, the NACTOY group is comprised of 60 professional automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who work for magazines, television, radio, newspapers and websites. NACTOY jurors evaluated dozens of new vehicles that went on sale this year before selecting the Bolt EV as the 2017 Car of the Year.

Offering an EPA-estimated 238 miles of range on a full charge at a starting price of $37,495 before federal tax incentives of up to $7,500 depending upon your tax situation, the Bolt EV adds the title of North America Car of the Year to a growing list of independent accolades. Motor Trend® named the Bolt EV the 2017 Car of the Year and it earned a place on the 2017 Car and Driver 10Best Cars list. Green Car Journal also heralded the Bolt EV as the Green Car of the Year and Green Car reports named it the Best New Car to Buy.

Standard Bolt EV features include electronic precision shift, Regen on Demand™ steering wheel paddle and a 10.2-inch-diagonal color touchscreen. The top-trim Premier model adds leather-appointed seats, front and rear heated seats, surround vision camera, rear camera mirror and more.

The Bolt EV rolled into California and Oregon markets last month, with additional markets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, including New York, Massachusetts and Virginia, seeing their first deliveries this winter. The Bolt EV will be available at certified dealerships across the U.S. in mid-2017

USA - Motor Trend has named the Chevrolet Bolt Electric Vehicle as its 2017 Car Of The Year.

MOTOR TREND has recognized the Chevrolet Bolt EV — the all-new affordable electric vehicle offering an EPA-estimated 238 miles of range on a full charge — as its 2017 Car of the Year^®.

The editors based their selection on the Bolt EV’s performance in six evaluation categories: advancement in design, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value and performance of intended function.

“Chevrolet is the fastest-growing full-line retail brand in the industry thanks to an exceptional vehicle lineup, which includes ground-breaking products like the Bolt EV,” said Alan Batey, president of GM North America and Global Chevrolet brand chief. “Being recognized once again as MOTOR TREND Car of the Year is a great honour for the entire Chevrolet team.”

It is the fourth MOTOR TREND award for Chevrolet in three years, with the Camaro recognized as the 2016 Car of the Year and Colorado named the 2015 and 2016 Truck of the Year.

“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,” said Ed Loh, MOTOR TREND Editor-in-Chief. “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.”

Keating Supercars celebrates 10 years in business, preparing to drive into another decade with the new Berus.

Keating Supercars are celebrating 10 years in business this month, preparing to drive full-throttle into another decade with the soon-to-launch Keating Berus.

A key partner in the University of Bolton's Centre for Advanced Performance Engineering (CAPE), Keating Supercars made their debut in July 2006 with the launch of the Keating TKR at the 2006 London Motorshow. CAPE is a leading centre for the study of automotive performance engineering and motorsport technology and was the first in the UK to have an in-house and fully functioning international race team based on campus.

The TKR was built primarily for competition and track use. It was soon followed by the SKR, based on the TKR, but designed as a road car. In April 2011 the Keating ZKR - reaching 60mph in 3.6 seconds and producing 650bhp - was unveiled at the Monaco Top Marques show held at the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco. Next came The Bolt, launching in 2013, and designed to outperform supercar competition using high-tech lightweight materials to reduce the power to weight ratio, but aiming to increase the car's performance figures to a top speed of 340mph.

The Berus is set to be unveiled at the Monaco Top Marques show in April 2017. Taking its name from the venomous snake Vipera Berus, with a host of impressive features, the Berus comes in two versions. With a top speed of 230 mph+ and 0-60mph in 2.4 seconds, the V8 Berus is a fierce addition to the Keating range. There is also the Electric Berus - packing 150-300KW 1,054ft/lb torque.

Keating Supercars CEO, Dr Anthony Keating, is an alumnus of the University of Bolton, studying both engineering and business with the University. He said: 'The Berus's namesake is reflected in its design; including the lights which resemble those of a snake and the front which appears to display the snake's fangs. The car is engineered, designed and will be built in Bolton.'

In celebration of the tenth anniversary, and the anticipated production of the Keating Berus, the event was recently marked in Southport at the Prince of Wales Hotel. On display was the half-scale Berus model which is now on show in CAPE.

Added Tony: 'It's been an amazing 10 years for Keating's. We're thrilled with our continued association with the University of Bolton and the development of CAPE which has been a testament to the University's drive and vision to excel. With the coming £13 million National Centre for Motorsport Engineering, designed to provide first-class facilities unrivalled in academia, Bolton will be the UK centre to study automotive engineering and motorsport technology.'

Opel to launch an all new Bettery powered Electric car next year, and one with a decent range, as well as looks.

• New battery electric vehicle will break down barriers to electric mobility
• Five-door, five-seat Ampera-e will have longer range than most electric cars
• Fun to drive, outstanding connectivity and affordably priced

Opel Group will launch a revolutionary new battery electric car next year, as the company continues the biggest, most far-reaching model offensive in its history with 29 new models between 2016 and 2020. 

The new five-door, five seat will be called “Ampera-e”. It will not only have a longer range on a full charge than most electric cars, it will also be affordably priced. Building on the electrification expertise established with the original Ampera, which set the benchmark for modern electric cars in 2011, the new Ampera-e combines innovative electric-mobility with state-of-the-art connectivity and exciting driving dynamics.

THE CHEVY VERSION

Announcing the Ampera-e today at the CAR Symposium in Bochum, Germany, GM Chairman & CEO Mary Barra said: “GM and Opel have always been convinced that electric cars will play a defining role in future mobility. 

The game-changing technology of the Ampera-e is a significant step toward realizing that vision. Our new battery electric car is also another boost for Opel’s reputation for making innovative engineering widely accessible.”

Trends like urbanization and protecting the environment also call for new kinds of mobility and alternative propulsion systems. “Electric vehicles have the potential to make a significant contribution to climate protection and emissions reduction”, says Opel group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. 

“The new Ampera-e will open the road to electric mobility by breaking down the barriers of high price and short driving range.”

The unique, compact proportions of the Ampera-e are driven by the flat battery pack mounted underneath the interior floor. The efficient packaging of the battery also enables a roomy interior providing comfortable seating for five passengers and trunk space comparable with that of a car in the compact class.

The Ampera-e will also offer the award-winning personal connectivity and service assistant, OnStar and connectivity and infotainment technologies that will integrate smartphones and other electronic devices seamlessly into the vehicle.

USA - Chevrolet ready the Bolt electric car for launch by the end of this year, with 200 mile range, it should do well.

Chevrolet is introducing the 2017 Bolt EV at the Consumer Electronics Show, fulfilling its promise to offer a long-range, affordable electric vehicle for the masses. The Bolt EV, which will go into production by the end of 2016, will offer more than 200 miles of range on a full charge. 

It also features advanced connectivity technologies designed to enhance and personalize the driving experience.

“It was less than a year ago that we revealed the Bolt EV concept and promised to deliver a long-range electric vehicle attainable by the masses,” GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra said. 

“The Bolt EV is capable of using the latest mobile app technology to enable car sharing, advanced GPS routing and gamification, all designed to enhance the ownership experience now and into the future.”

Connectivity Simplifies Ownership Experience

The Bolt EV benefits directly from the suggestions and ideas of Volt owners and features technologies that make owning a long-range electric vehicle easy. 

The Bolt EV’s connectivity innovations will provide smart, personalized solutions for managing the driving experience. For example, in the future an accurate driving range projection will be based on the time of day, typography, weather and the owner’s driving habits.

Bluetooth low-energy – designed specifically for the Bolt EV to minimize energy draw – seamlessly connects a smart phone to the car while the owner approaches the vehicle.

        

Many of the Bolt EV’s driver-focused technologies are supported by OnStar 4G LTE, which turns the Bolt EV into a Wi-Fi hotspot, giving owners easier access to apps and services via a high-speed wireless connection.

Other connectivity and infotainment features include:

• 10.2’’ MyLink color touch-screen display
  • Customizable, widget-based “flip-board style” operation
• Rear Camera Mirror
  • Rear-facing camera provides a wide-angle view of the environment behind the vehicle. 
• Surround Vision
  • Provides a bird’s-eye view of what’s around the Bolt EV for improved safety during low-speed driving and when parking.
• All-New MyChevrolet Mobile App: Combines important owner and vehicle information and functions, such as:
  • Vehicle charge status
  • OnStar Map service
  • Remote start
  • Cabin pre-conditioning
  • Owner’s manual information
  • Dealer service scheduling
• EV Navigation Mapping
  • EV-specific navigation capability that designs routes to maximize range and provide locations of nearby charging station locations if needed.
• Gamification
  • In the future, Bolt EV owners will be able to “compete” by comparing driving styles to determine who is driving most efficiently.

The Bolt EV will be built at GM’s Orion (Mich.) Assembly facility, near Detroit.

The All New Chevrolet Bolt will gets its full unveiling at the CES Show, via Facebook Live.

Chevrolet will unveil the 2017 Bolt EV at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jan. 6, and be the first auto brand to work with Facebook to debut a vehicle using Facebook Live.

With the addition of the Bolt EV to a lineup that includes the all-new 2016 Volt, 2016 Malibu Hybrid and Spark EV, Chevrolet will offer consumers more affordable, electrified vehicle options than any other major automotive brand – solidifying its position as the leader in electrification.

“The Bolt EV truly embodies the ingenuity that is at the core of everything we do at Chevrolet,” said Alan Batey, president of General Motors North America and head of Global Chevrolet. 

“The technologies and the engineering expertise behind the Bolt EV are tremendous examples of the kind of innovation we intend to offer our customers, across an array of products at a tremendous value – something only Chevrolet can deliver.”

Building on the electrification expertise established by the Volt, the Bolt EV is a game-changing, long-range electric vehicle. Not only will it deliver more than a GM-estimated 200 miles of range, it will break the affordability barrier with a price below $30,000 after full Federal tax credits.

The Bolt EV will also offer connectivity and infotainment technologies seamlessly integrating smartphones and other electronic devices important to today’s consumers.

Chevrolet’s four million Facebook fans will have the opportunity to be the first to experience the new Bolt EV – with both a live video of the debut as well as an immersive 360-degree interior video experience.

CES has served as the showplace for innovators and breakthrough technologies for more than 40 years, and has become a global stage where next-generation innovations, like the Bolt EV, are introduced to the marketplace.

GM confirms plans for Chevy Bolt production in Michigan.

Chevrolet this morning confirmed production of its next-generation pure electric vehicle, based on the Bolt EV concept. It will be built at General Motors’ Orion Assembly facility near Detroit.

GM North America President Alan Batey made the announcement ahead of the Chicago Auto Show. The Bolt EV concept was introduced last month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“The message from consumers about the Bolt EV concept was clear and unequivocal: Build it,” said Batey. “We are moving quickly because of its potential to completely shake up the status quo for electric vehicles.”

Leveraging the industry-leading battery technology found in the Chevrolet Volt and Spark EV, the Bolt EV concept was developed as a game-changing, long-range pure electric for all 50 states, designed to offer more than a GM-estimated 200 miles of range at a target price of around $30,000.

The progressively styled concept vehicle features selectable driving modes for preferred driving styles, such as daily commuting, and it was designed to support DC fast charging.

“We’re proud that Chevrolet has decided to produce the Bolt EV here in Michigan at the Orion Assembly facility,” Gov. Rick Snyder said. “Michigan unquestionably remains the global automotive leader. Chevrolet is tapping a skilled workforce that includes some of the most talented and hard-working people in the world for this cutting-edge vehicle. Chevrolet is an important part of our state’s automotive history, and Michigan-made products like the Bolt EV point to a bright future as well.”

Start of production and additional details will be announced later.

$200-million investment

GM’s Orion Assembly, home of the Chevrolet Sonic sub-compact and Buick Verano luxury compact,  and Pontiac Metal Center facilities are receiving a $200-million investment to support production of the next-generation electric vehicle. Orion will receive $160 million for tooling and equipment, and Pontiac will receive $40 million for new dies.

“As one of the most environmentally progressive facilities in GM’s global network, Orion Assembly is uniquely suited to build this game-changing electric vehicle,” said Doug Hanly, Orion Assembly and Pontiac Metal Center plant manager. “In partnership with UAW Locals 5960 and 653, we’re committed to building the highest level of quality into it.”

Located approximately 30 miles north of Detroit, Orion Assembly is powered by gas from two nearby landfills, which saves more than 6,300 tons of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere annually. It is also home to a 350-kilowatt solar array that produces the energy equivalent to power 165 homes and sends enough energy back to the grid to power about 45 homes.

“This is very exciting for our members who were facing the possibility of losing that plant during the auto crisis,” said UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, director of the union’s GM Department. “Our members are also proud to have their plant chosen to produce what is sure to be another popular and dynamic Chevy product rolling off the line at the Orion Assembly Plant.”

Orion Assembly is the first GM facility to receive the Clean Corporate Citizen designation by the State of Michigan, and the Pontiac plant has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR^®Challenge for Industry three times.

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