In a couple of years, Chevrolet may well be chopping big dollars off the sticker of its new Bolt EV and sweetening lease deals like so much Southern iced tea. It probably will have to, in order to move sufficient quantities of a nonpremium compact electric hatchback in order to satisfy both CAFE requirements and zero-emissions mandates. But that time isn’t today. For now, you can purchase a Bolt for $37,000 before a $7500 federal tax credit—General Motors hasn’t released exact pricing—which will make it one of the priciest small EVs this side of the BMW i3.

But no EV at or near this price can match the Bolt’s 200-plus-mile range, which is nearly double that of the longest-legged Nissan Leaf, with its EPA-estimated 107 miles per charge. The Leaf’s figure had been the best in the sub-Tesla all-electric segment, where the Leaf is not coincidentally the top-selling model. The Bolt’s impressive range combined with a production-start date of later this year—which places it about a year ahead of the still-unseen Tesla Model 3—may put General Motors at the top of the class. Unlike GM’s solid first effort, the EV1, and its current Spark EV (which is sold only in California, Oregon, and Maryland), the Bolt eventually will be offered nationwide. Proof: At the Consumer Electronics Show reveal in Las Vegas, CEO Mary Barra said Bolt customers would never need to travel out of state to buy or service their cars. Gee, we wonder which automaker she’s taking a poke at with that remark?

View Photos MICHAEL SIMARI, THE MANUFACTURER

Barra is within her limits to troll Tesla, at least before the EPA certifies the Bolt’s range. The 60-kWh LG lithium-ion battery, a rectangular pack spanning the entire underbody instead of the smaller T-shaped unit in the Volt, promises similar range as the now-discontinued Tesla Model S 60 for nearly half the price. The electric motor delivers 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, which Chevy claims is enough to zap the Bolt to 60 mph in less than seven seconds (our last test of a Spark EV netted a 7.9-second run). DC fast-charging can add 90 miles of range in a half-hour, although Chevy hasn’t publicized estimated charging times from a dead battery on either 240 or 120 volts. (We took the Bolt on a brief spin within a closed parking lot and detailed more powertrain specs here.)

A MacPherson-front-strut/rear-torsion-beam suspension nestles into an all-new chassis called BEV II, which isn’t related to the Gamma platform on the Sonic hatchback. Despite the Bolt’s compact footprint, it’s longer than the Sonic by 5.0 inches, wider by 1.2 inches, higher by 3.1 inches, and has a 3.0-inch-longer wheelbase. It’s also much heavier, at an estimated 3580 pounds. Still, if you don’t panic-stop too often, you can expect a longer life from the 10.9- and 10.4-inch front and rear brake rotors. In the Bolt’s aggressive regenerative mode, drivers will seldom engage the brakes because backing off the accelerator pedal is so effective at scrubbing speed. Otherwise, the Bolt coasts like a normal car.

Barra also didn’t mention any of the Bolt’s powertrain specs, which remain as tightly wrapped as the flat LG lithium-ion battery pack is under the car’s floor. We do know the Bolt has a 102.4-inch wheelbase, which is three inches longer than that of the Sonic and 8.9 inches longer than the Spark EV’s. The cargo space behind the rear seats is 16.9 cubic feet. As far as specs, that’s all we’ve got for now, folks. But we’ll be driving it soon, so stay tuned for more.

View Photos MICHAEL SIMARI, THE MANUFACTURER

Elsewhere, the requisite touchscreens and big digital displays are here, including the trick rearview mirror borrowed from the 2016 Cadillac CT6, which at the flip of a switch can overlay an HD view from the backup camera across its surface. Between that, the 360-degree cameras, and the wee footprint of this car, you have no excuse for hitting anything while reversing in a Bolt. When facing forward, driver and passenger can gaze into a 10.2-inch touchscreen with a redesigned Chevrolet MyLink interface that separates information into flipboard-style tiles. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will be available, too, as will a navigation system that can route you to nearby charging stations and attempt to maximize total range. Also, like the Nissan Leaf, GM is installing an onboard game that logs how efficiently you drive and compares your score with those of other Bolt owners. Maybe you’ll win! (Hey, it’s a lot less sad than off-track simulcast betting.)

Among the Volt’s other features are LED headlamps and taillamps, blue LED ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, and a central covered storage bin that can swallow a tablet. Early adopters will want to see their Chevy dealer later this year. Or wait a year or two and save big. It’s clear the affordable-EV market is about to get much more interesting.

MICHAEL SIMARI, THE MANUFACTURER

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