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Chevrolet launches Menlo as brand's first EV for China


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Chevrolet has launched the Menlo, the bowtie brand’s first fully electric vehicle for China, initially limiting sales to Beijing. Aside from having the misfortune of arriving in showrooms amid a nationwide coronavirus outbreak that is cratering auto sales, we’ve got some new details about the car itself.

They start with price, which ranges from the U.S. equivalent of around $22,754 to $25,600, after factoring in the generous subsidies available in China’s capital city for new energy vehicles. That compares favorably to the Chevy Bolt, the brand's American EV, which starts at $35,620 after the federal tax credit for electric vehicles, which is now down to $1,875 for GM electric vehicles. There will be four trim levels offered.

Chevy says the Menlo offers 110 kW of maximum output, or 147 horsepower, and 258 pound-feet of torque. For reference, the Bolt EV's motor makes 150 kW, or 200 horsepower with 266 pound-feet of torque. It reportedly shares the same new-generation electric drive system as the all-electric Buick Velite 6, with a 52.5 kWh battery pack. Chevy says it consumes 13.1 kWh of electricity per 62 miles, good for a range of 410 kilometers (254 miles) on the New European Driving Cycle. The battery can be charged to 80% of capacity in 40 minutes with a DC fast charger, and there driving modes and three energy recovery modes.

Based on the FNR-X concept from 2017, Chevy describes the Menlo as a “sporty-looking sedan” with “crossover and sporty coupe styling.” It comes equipped with 28 storage spaces and a little up to 38 cubic feet of storage space, plus a panoramic sunroof, 10.1-inch ultra thin LCD touchscreen and 8-inch full-color LCD instrument panel.

Safety technologies include a Bosch electronic stability program, forward collision alert, lane departure warning and automatic parking assist. It has LED tail- and running lights and 17-inch two-color wheels.

GM has said it planned to introduce at least 20 new electric and fuel-cell vehicle models in the U.S. and China by 2023, with a new EV platform and advanced battery system due in 2021.

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