Today is the final day of the annual Consumer Electronics trade-show in Las Vegas. As a trade show, it isn't open to the public, but most of the big announcements were live streamed for our viewing pleasure. Any number of odd/wonderful products show up each year, including a roll up television this week. But, this isn't a blog about TVs, so, in no particular order, here are our top four vehicles from the 2016 edition of CES.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt
The production Chevrolet Bolt EV is a vehicle for which we have eagerly been waiting. The introduction by CEO, and now Chairmen, of General Motors, Mary Barra, was just that, an introduction. Full details are scheduled to arrive next week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. So far, we do know that it will start at $30,000 after $7,500 federal tax credit, should have a range of more than 200 miles after it completes EPA certification, and has seatbelts for 5. So far so good then! Last years Bolt concept had 4 bucket seats, much like the first generation Chevrolet Volt. Glad to see that the Bolt, and gen. 2 Volt are going the 5 belt route.
The Chevrolet Bolt has the dubious distinction of being the first vehicle revealed live on Facebook. I hope that future reveals can be streamed in HD.
VW BUDD.e Concept
Volkswagen both started and ended their press conferences with apologies for cheating, and lying to the public, in regards to the emissions of their "clean" diesel vehicles. Leading up to the show, there was a ton of hype for what was believed to be an all electric Microbus redux. What we got was the Volkswagen Budd.e concept. It foreshadows a possible electric van shaped vehicle with up to 233 miles of range, and a drawer in the bumper for UPS deliveries (CES can bring out some strange features in a product). Given all of the maybes that it represents, if it arrives, it wouldn't be until the end of the decade. For all of the Microbus hype that was thrown at it, the design presented was merely meh. See for yourself below, then compare it to the Microbus concept from 2001.
Here is the 2001 NAIAS Microbus Concept:
I'll take the second one, with the drive train from the first, if you please VW.
Faraday Futures FFZero1 Concept
Faraday Futures ("call us FF") revealed the FFZero1 Concept. It radiates fantasy. I quite like the vehicle presented, in a GranTurismo racer brought to life kind of way. However, what was presented is a galaxy away from the hype that preceded the show. FF wants to redefine mobility, and be considered a serious competitor to Tesla Motors. See what I mean in their PR videos below. The FFZero1 does not redefine mobility, it is a hypercar caricature drawn on the bones of the FF production platform, sorta. I say sorta because in their presentation, embedded below, they indicate that the platform was engineered from the beginning to utilize a 1, 2, or 3 motor configuration. While the FFZero1 has 4 motors, putting out a theoretical 1,000 horsepower, theoretical as it's not actually drivable, just a pretty shell on wheels.
Gogoro SmartScooter Plus
This is the second year for Gogoro at CES, last year they presented their SmartScooter, a year of refinements later brings us the SmartScooter Plus. While the SmartScooter can be recharged like the Genze we rode last summer, it also offers the option of swapping batteries out, just as quickly as filing the tank of a gas scooter. Currently only available in Asia, they are seeking certification to launch in Europe and the U.S. Undoubtedly they will launch in major metropolitan areas first when they do arrive stateside.
