[BoltAction]

If Chevy offered a Performance Package upgrade and/or SuperSport edition would you be interested (similar to BMW's M-sport package and M cars)? If so, what would you like included? Sky is the limit.

The Bolt already handles pretty well out of the box. It has a lot of upgrade potential as a sport compact hot hatch like a GTI. Here is what I have in mind.

Chevy Bolt Performance Package

• Increased power output with existing motor
• Bilstein Sport Line Shocks
• Upgraded Brembo Brakes (Red Caliper with Chevy Bowtie logo)
• 1" lowered springs
• 18" wheels (lightweight and aerodynamic)
• LED fog lights
• LED turn signals
• Power folding mirrors
• Upgraded sport seats (maybe Recaros)
• Upgraded charging to allow for faster charging
• Beefier sport steering wheel with chrome regen paddle
• "Boost" mode similar to Tesla's Ludicrous Mode
• Solar roof charging with climate control vent option to exhaust hot air on warm days
• Three digit top speed limiter
• Limited slip differential
• Video rear view mirror with option for expanded views of left and right lanes
• Passenger roof mounted assist grips in all outboard seating positions
• Heads up display

Chevy Bolt SuperSport (all of the above plus...)

• Upgraded motor allowing for 3-4 second 0-60 times
• All-wheel drive
• 19" or 20" wheels
• Track tuned adaptive suspension
• Independent, multi link rear suspension
• Aerodynamics kit
• Fully defeatable traction control
• "Angel eye" headlights or something similar
• Higher top speed limiter than Chevy Bolt Performance Package

 

[gern_blanston]

No thanks. I don't like playing this game.

 

[Jim Fallston Md.]

Wish in one hand and $$$$ in another.

 

[quiddity]

I pretty much agree with @BoltAction 's items although my essentials would be a subset.

Really if they offered dual motors and the guts to match it (higher battery output and gear ratio/rpm to reach higher speeds, maybe this means a different motor, I don't really know), upgraded rear suspension, lowered, some aero (rear diffuser comes to mind) and recaros, (and if you turn off Traction/Stability that stuff should actually be off, this costs GM $0), and I guess performance tires factory to match all this, that would be amazing.

Some lighter materials to shave off weight would be nice too, but of course that gets expensive quick!

 

[NewsCoulomb]

There's a lot of low-hanging fruit for improving the Bolt EV's performance, but most of that would be expensive.

To me, the second motor would be a requirement, but with it, a number of changes would need to be made to the battery and other systems. One side benefit would be, if the power density of the battery was increased to support a second motor, the maximum charging rate would also likely increase. Even if it stayed a 60 kWh battery (the EPA range would probably drop to 210 miles at that point), it would likely be able to charge at 90 to 120 kW.

 

[Nook]

Surprised you didn't want a spoiler and rice burner sound effects...

Here's what I would want:
LED fog lights
LED turn signals
Power folding mirrors
Upgraded charging to allow for faster charging
Heads up display

The rest is fluff. Even adding the capability/flexibility is likely to hurt the rest of the line and drive everyone's costs up.

It's crap like that converted a typical pickup from a truck that does work and costs $25k to a foo-foo wannabe that costs 80k, which somehow dragged normal trucks along to now be $45k.

 

[Packard V8]

It's crap like that converted a typical pickup from a truck that does work and costs $25k to a foo-foo wannabe that costs 80k, which somehow dragged normal trucks along to now be $45k.

Sorta. "normal" trucks, like my old F250, are standard cab, have rubber floor mats, vinyl bench seat, manual windows and mirrors and still can be special ordered for cheap.

They must be special ordered through the fleet sales department because no retail customer would buy one today. You are correct that the wannabees have polluted the truck market. We were shopping for a new shop truck and there were literally no standard cab 3/4-ton or 1-ton available anywhere in stock. The four-door is now standard, with bucket seats, power everything.

I'm always gobsmacked to see an 8000# 1-ton dual wheel four-door pickup, the most undwieldy, uneconomical device imaginable, being used as a commuter vehicle for a guy on his way to a desk job. And this from a guy who has to drive a truck to haul engines. On the days when I'm just running home errands, it's such a relief to get in the Bolt; I just can't imagine choosing to drive a truck when not absolutely necessary to haul a load..

jack vines

 

[Packard V8]

The Bolt already handles pretty well out of the box. It has a lot of upgrade potential as a sport compact hot hatch

I seldom can find the space or the place to reach the outer limits of the existing performance envelope.
The main performance areas we could actually use:

[*]Upgraded sport seats (maybe Recaros)

[*]Limited slip differential

[*]All-wheel drive

And after reading everything written here and elsewhere, I still can't accept the arguments/excuses as to why
[*]Following Cruise
was not included in the Premium package.

jack vines

 

[bro1999]

GM could really boost the "street cred" of the Bolt if they released an SS version. Unfortunately they never will, but the thought of a Bolt SS that could smoke some Teslas 0-60 is certainly entertaining.

 

[One1whaoo.]

Yeah, that's it - turn the Bolt into a $60,000 car, like the M3...

 

[Nook]

GM could really boost the "street cred" of the Bolt if they released an SS version. Unfortunately they never will, but the thought of a Bolt SS that could smoke some Teslas 0-60 is certainly entertaining.

I had an Audi M5 try to drag me at lunch today. I started behind, since I didn't know we were racing. We both had to let off for the vicinity of the speed limit, but it was fairly even.

 

[BoltAction]

I pretty much agree with @BoltAction 's items although my essentials would be a subset.

Really if they offered dual motors and the guts to match it (higher battery output and gear ratio/rpm to reach higher speeds, maybe this means a different motor, I don't really know), upgraded rear suspension, lowered, some aero (rear diffuser comes to mind) and recaros, (and if you turn off Traction/Stability that stuff should actually be off, this costs GM $0), and I guess performance tires factory to match all this, that would be amazing.

Some lighter materials to shave off weight would be nice too, but of course that gets expensive quick!

I admit I got a little carried away by the equipment list. I agree that the subset you mentioned is more realistic, especially the low hanging fruit like a fully defeatable traction/stability control.

 

[BoltAction]

There's a lot of low-hanging fruit for improving the Bolt EV's performance, but most of that would be expensive.

To me, the second motor would be a requirement, but with it, a number of changes would need to be made to the battery and other systems. One side benefit would be, if the power density of the battery was increased to support a second motor, the maximum charging rate would also likely increase. Even if it stayed a 60 kWh battery (the EPA range would probably drop to 210 miles at that point), it would likely be able to charge at 90 to 120 kW.

The second motor is very appealing, especially with an enhanced battery with a higher charging capacity.

 

[BoltAction]

Surprised you didn't want a spoiler and rice burner sound effects...

Here's what I would want:
LED fog lights
LED turn signals
Power folding mirrors
Upgraded charging to allow for faster charging
Heads up display

The rest is fluff. Even adding the capability/flexibility is likely to hurt the rest of the line and drive everyone's costs up.

It's crap like that converted a typical pickup from a truck that does work and costs $25k to a foo-foo wannabe that costs 80k, which somehow dragged normal trucks along to now be $45k.

I was about to add the spoiler to the Performance Package, but I changed my mind as it might be a little over the top.

 

[BoltAction]

I seldom can find the space or the place to reach the outer limits of the existing performance envelope.
The main performance areas we could actually use:

[*]Upgraded sport seats (maybe Recaros)

[*]Limited slip differential

[*]All-wheel drive

And after reading everything written here and elsewhere, I still can't accept the arguments/excuses as to why
[*]Following Cruise
was not included in the Premium package.

jack vines

Yes, definitely the sport seat upgrade, LSD, and AWD. The front seats could definitely use a lumbar support adjustment at the bare minimum. The current Volt has the adaptive cruise control and the Bolt has all sorts of cameras and sensors already installed. In theory, they could develop an adaptive cruise control at a lower cost using the resources that they already have.

 

[BoltAction]

GM could really boost the "street cred" of the Bolt if they released an SS version. Unfortunately they never will, but the thought of a Bolt SS that could smoke some Teslas 0-60 is certainly entertaining.

It would be really cool if GM released a SS version! Something that could outrun a Tesla would be appealing. But, like you said, they probably won't.

GM finally has it right the first time with the Bolt. Right now the claim to fame is that the Bolt is an affordable, long range EV that is a worthy Tesla competitor. However, that's not going to last long as the Koreans will catch up and hand GM's "you know what" on a platter with the Kona and Niro EVs with their "better" performance.

It seems like GMs strategy of "let's throw it out there and see if it swims" for the Bolt will only last so long. Eventually, they need to pick a direction. It's like they want the Bolt to appeal to everybody like Toyota. I think if GM positions Chevy's cars like an American Mazda or VW, affordable performance, they might stand a chance. Chevy already has performance cars like the Camaro and Corvette, they should extend that image to the Bolt as well. Something like "futuristic (affordable) performance."

 

[shocker]

200 hp and 60 kwh would be a good match with a small RWD sports car, a BEV Miata. Convertible, use the space savings for a bigger cockpit and maybe a useful frunk. Keep it simple to keep costs down. Will this happen? No. Too small a market to justify the R&D.
As for the Bolt, leave well enough alone.

 

[hatchy]

I had an Audi M5 try to drag me at lunch today. I started behind, since I didn't know we were racing. We both had to let off for the vicinity of the speed limit, but it was fairly even.

The VAG 4 cylinder TSI's are comparable to a Bolt in acceleration. FF, 200ish hp, weight similar, I know I've surprised my fair share of them.



As far as performance improvements the #1 request from me... the ability to 100% disable the nannies. Any good that sticky tires can do would be limited by the car's computer still acting like you are on LRR's.

 

[GregBrew]

I was about to add the spoiler to the Performance Package, but I changed my mind as it might be a little over the top.

I see what you did there!

 

[gern_blanston]

200 hp and 60 kwh would be a good match with a small RWD sports car, a BEV Miata. Convertible, use the space savings for a bigger cockpit and maybe a useful frunk. Keep it simple to keep costs down. Will this happen? No. Too small a market to justify the R&D.
As for the Bolt, leave well enough alone.

This ^^^