Shortly after the Chevrolet
Bolt-based electric crossover surfaced in China as the Buick Velite 7, Carscoops
eagle-eyed spy photographers have snapped a prototype undergoing tests in the
United States. While it’s unclear if the prototype in question is a
Chevrolet-branded or Buick-branded model, it appears identical to the Velite 7
from China. Most notably, the front fascia features a pair of sharp headlights
with incorporated LED daytime running lights. A set of vertically-oriented fog
lights are also visible.
Spin around to the rear and
the similarities between this prototype and the Buick continue with the same
LED taillights connected by a light bar stretching the width of the rear. Also
visible is a subtle roof spoiler and large horizontal reflectors.
Information out of China has
suggested the Buick Velite 7 is 4,264 mm long and has a
2,675 mm wheelbase. Those figures will likely be identical for the
variant sold in the United States and other markets around the world, making
the electric crossover 99 mm longer than the Bolt hatchback.
It is understood that the
crossover will be dubbed the Bolt EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle) and while
China’s Velite 7 uses an electric motor with 174 hp, the Bolt EUV sold
stateside is expected to have an uprated electric motor with at least 200 hp
and 360 Nm of torque. Production of the vehicle will be handled by
General Motors’ Orion Assembly site that’s receiving no less than US$ 300 million
in investments from the automaker. The U.S.-spec model should be unveiled in
the coming months and hit the market before the end of the year.
