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Chevy ramps up development of Bolt EV

The Bolt is on the move, and Chevy confirmed Wednesday it is testing more than 50 prototypes as it prepares to launch the electric vehicle in 2017. We've already seen the photographic evidence in these spy shots, but Chevy released its own images and the above video as further proof that the EV remains on track toward production. Chevy revealed the Bolt as a concept in January at the Detroit Auto Show, promising a range of 200 miles on electricity with a price tag of about $30,000 after possible incentives. The prototypes are being hand-built and tested at the General Motors Proving Grounds in Milford, MI, and other global locations. "Effectively these are the bones of the car that's going to be the production Chevy Bolt," said Josh Tavel, the car's chief engineer. Chevy is testing the Bolt in all areas of vehicle competence, including ride and handling dynamics, cabin comfort, quietness, charging capability, and energy efficiency. More than 1,000 engineers are working on the program. "We really wanted to convey the notion that this is running fast. It's happening," said Pam Fletcher, GM's executive chief engineer of electrified vehicles. The Bolt will be built at GM's Orion Assembly plant north of Detroit and sold in all 50 states. It's part of the automaker's electric car blitz that includes the plugin hybrid Volt, the traditional (non-plugin) Malibu hybrid, and confirmation of plans to expand sales of the Spark EV to Canada and Maryland. Related Video:

National Corvette Museum to recreate sinkhole experience for patrons [UPDATE]

UPDATE: The Thunderdome at the National Corvette Museum is not a ride; instead it's an experience that mixes digital graphics and thundering sound. For a brief period, it looked like the National Corvette Museum was going to preserve that sinkhole that ate eight important 'Vettes last year. After all, tourism boomed there afterwards. However, keeping the crater would have been more expensive than just doing the repairs. The museum isn't ready to let people completely forget, though, and now intends to make a major attraction out of a recreated version of the calamity. The museum's plan turns the sinkhole disaster into an amusement park ride called the Thunderdome, according to GM Authority. In a smaller recreation of the Skydome, 15 people at a time would get to watch an imitation of the sinkhole devouring the eight Corvettes. To make the experience even more immersive, visitors would get to view this all from an artificial, underground cave. If you missed seeing the actual pit, this would certainly be a bizarre way to experience it. According to GM Authority, the exhibit would also include an explanation of how sinkholes occur. The Corvette museum reportedly wants the attraction open by this fall.

GM recalling over 40,000 Chevy, Pontiac and Saturn models over fuel pump woes

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall for a number of General Motors cars and crossovers bought or currently registered in the hot-climate states of Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas. As many as 40,859 units consisting of the 2007 Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and Saturn Ion and the 2007-2009 Chevrolet Cobalt (shown) and its Pontiac G5 twin are being recalled for potential fuel leaks.
This recall is being issued due to potentially faulty fuel pump components that can crack and cause gasoline to leak from the return or supply ports and possibly cause a fire. NHTSA has not indicated how many fuel leaks or vehicle fires have been reported. As a fix, GM will replace the fuel pump modules on all affected vehicles free of charge. Since Pontiac and Saturn have been shuttered, owners will be able to go to another GM-brand dealership to have their vehicles repaired.
While the list of affected cars and crossovers varies by state and model year, if you own any of these models and live in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Oklahoma or Texas, be sure to check the official notice below for more details.