The official images of the Chevrolet Menlo EV, which is believed to be the Chinese version of the Bolt EUV, have been released by General Motors. The new Menlo is an electric car expected to become the replacement for the Bolt EV. GM had outlined its “All-Electric Path to Zero Emissions,” in October of 2017. The strategy included 20 new all-electric vehicles to be released by 2023. 

According to a report by electrek.co, Chevrolet had promised to launch two new electric cars in the 18 months following the announcement. These two vehicles were to be based on the Chevy Bolt EV. But there has not been a single new EV release in the States, yet.

GM has previously disagreed with the electrek.co report and has claimed that they have released those vehicles already, in the China market. The two vehicles in question are the Baojun E200 and the Buick Velite 6 EV, which are only available in China and are joint-ventures with Chinese partners. 

What we do know is that GM has been working on a utility version of the Bolt EV. This could be exactly what GM had in mind with its 2017 report. They did file for a ‘Bolt EUV’ trademark at the beginning of 2019.

The images were released by SAIC-GM joint venture as part of a presentation in China; SAIC-GM is going to build the vehicle. It is reported that it will have an electric motor with a 174 hp output, a 150 km/h top speed, but the range is not yet known. The Chevrolet Menlo EV’s dimensions are 4,665mm by 1,813mm and 1,513mm with a 2,660mm wheelbase, which is expected to launch later this year.

Electrek’s Take

The idea is that SAIC-GM is going to produce a version of the electric car with its own electric powertrain. Likely the same as the one in the Buick Velite 6. GM will create another version for the North American market with the same powertrain as the Bolt EV.

The Chinese car blog, CarNewsChina, has posted leaked images on its Facebook page, and even though none of the photos are exceptionally high-resolution, viewers can tell that the Menlo borrows something from several of the vehicles in GM’s lineup. You can see there is something from Bolt, as well as Volt and there’s even something from Blazer. The Menlo would likely do well in the United States.

Based on the original plans announced two years ago, that would make sense. That was before GM tried to convince the public of the Buick Velite 6 EV. The Baojun E200 was one of two Bolt EV-based EVs that they were planning on launching. 

It might be an exciting form factor which will likely compete with the Kia Niro EV and the Hyundai Kona EV. What would make it better is if GM also updates the Bolt EV powertrain since it has become outdated since it’s launch in 2016. The faster DC fast-charging capability might be the most needed upgrade yet.

The car’s official debut will be this September at the Chengdu Auto Show, and more details are expected on the technical aspects of the car then. You can search the inventory of Chevrolets at Miami Lakes Automall. Make sure to stop by for a test drive and see if this model and make is the car for you. 

Photo Credit: chargedevs.com