Discussing GM's "e-crate" package with a friend. The problem is that it's a complete package including everything - and it's the package out of the Bolt. You really have to design the rest of the car around it, especially the battery. GM shows it off by just chucking the battery in the load bed of an old SUV and calling it good but that really only highlights the limitations.
But if you have to design the whole car around the battery, why not start with the car that already is? GM, I call upon you to create the Bolt Roadster, or Boltster.
Basically just drop a convertible, sporty body on top of the Bolt platform. Think back 20 years ago and all the things that VW did with the Golf: TT, New Beetle, various Seats, etc. Let the Bolt cover the amortization costs of the platform. If it has rear seats, they can be vestigial. Dust off the body molds for the Solstice if it helps. That gets you a coupe too :)
Sure, it's FWD and that's not ideal for a pure sports car, but there are a lot more buyers for cute convertibles out there. It'll be quick enough to be plenty interesting and GM is in a good position to actually produce a reasonably priced fun EV with that platform.
What seems like common sense to enthusiasts seems to be lost on the bean counters that run the big automakers.
I was contemplating yesterday putting a Volt power train under a chopped channeled Beetle.
I live in sunny California. If I could find a Bolt with a trashed body and OK mechanicals..... It's ghettocet time!
I think back to 20 years ago and GM said that it was their first electric vehicle, post EV1, was going to be a skateboard chassis that could have a half dozen or more models built off of it covering multiple segments.
Somewhere along the way, they forgot their vision.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
I like your basic premise, but I think that they should swap the two big wires to make the motor run backwards, and build electric Fieros.
tuna55
MegaDork
8/20/21 2:22 p.m.
As a Bolt owner who also went to the Detroit Auto show many years during the 2000s, I endorse this body beneath the Boltster
Woody (Forum Supportum) said:
In reply to Keith Tanner :
I like your basic premise, but I think they should swap the two big wires to make the motor run backwards, and build electric Fieros.
Two of the three big wires. Three phase motors.
Also TIL that some blower motors are like starter motors: they rotate the same direction no matter which way you connect it. It just works a lot better and quieter the "correct" way.
I agree with putting more cars on the chassis.
I think the biggest win would just be to re-dimension the bolt so its more GTI than minivan. Bolt sport? Bolt Type R (with a torsen)?
Came here for an E-swapped Boxster project, leaving disappointed.
how much of the Bolts electrical stuff needs to be hooked up for the computer to let it run ?
Airbags , lights , etc
Ford has tweeted out they will show a crate electric motor at SEMA this year. https://insideevs.com/news/527838/ford-performance-electric-crate-motor/
Woody (Forum Supportum) said:
In reply to Keith Tanner :
I like your basic premise, but I think that they should swap the two big wires to make the motor run backwards, and build electric Fieros.
Given the problems that Bolts have with spontaneously catching fire, I think they're one step ahead of you.
I was hoping they would do more with the Volt platform. Put it under a small suv/cuv and also offer something to compete with the new ranger. A new hybrid S10 on the volt platform?
