Bolt EV in Europe?

[lukewarm]

The Chevy Volt was rebadged (yes, ok, with some styling changes) the Vauxhal Ampera.

Rumor has it that Chevy will rebadge the Bolt EV for the European market as the 2017 Opel (Vauxhall) Corsa EV. However, the 5th gen COrsa (non-EV) has just gone on sale across Europe and is unlikely to get a major refresh soon. Also, it doesn't share the Gamma platform with the Sonic and Bolt EV, so how is GM going to do this?

Will they launch the Corsa EV on a different platform than the Corsa ICE, or will they simply move the electric components over to an old, non-EV ready platform?!

 

[lukewarm]

An Opel version of the Bolt will reportedly replace the Ampera to give GM a plug-in offering in Europe, where EV sales have nearly doubled.

According to Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann:
"After the eventual run-out of the current generation Ampera, we’ll introduce a successor product in the electric vehicle segment. Our next electric vehicle will be part of our massive product offensive – with 27 new vehicles in the 2014-2018 time frame. We see eMobility as important part of the mobility of tomorrow and we will continue to drive down costs & deliver affordability."

 

[gmvoltguy]

This is from Automotive News:

“No details have been released, but reports suggest the model could have a number of aerodynamic styling tweaks including a new front fascia with revised headlights.”

“Opel will start deliveries of the Karl with a gasoline engine in June. The Karl, which will be badged as the Viva by sister brand Vauxhall in the UK, will replace the Agila minicar as the brand’s entry-level model.”

“The Karl EV could go on sale by the end of 2018, Autobild said. The battery powered hatchback will have a range of approximately 150km (93 miles) on a single charge, the magazine said.”