A sleek, all-electric coupe based on the upcoming Chevrolet Bolt was introduced online recently, but don’t start saving your money for one quite yet. While the model is stunning, quick, and eco-friendly, it’s simply a spoof that’s the brainchild of a marketing and branding consultant named Matt Teske.
Teske explains he made up the Jolt to gauge how consumers react to the idea of a relatively affordable electric sports car with a generous driving range. The response has been overwhelming so far, to the point where the server that initially hosted the website crashed because it was getting too much traffic. Teske heard from interested motorists in nine countries in no less than 30 states within 12 hours of the site going live.
“People requested information for purchase or reservation, some even referencing they would prefer the Jolt EV to the [Tesla] Model 3,” Teske told Digital Trends via email. “I never anticipated it would become this widespread this fast, but it proved my theory that consumers are in fact very interested in more compelling EV options, both in design and how they are supported through infrastructure,” he added.
The website looks authentic because the text is written in fonts you’d typically see in official Chevrolet promotional material, a testament of Teske’s attention to detail. It lists specs, too. Notably, the (currently non-existent) Jolt can drive for up to 230 miles on a single charge thanks to a lithium-ion battery pack that can be fully charged in nine hours when it’s plugged into a 240-volt outlet. Its electric motor generates a solid 422 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to send the coupe from zero to 60 mph in five seconds flat, and on to a top speed of 140 mph. The best part is that the Jolt starts at $30,000 once government incentives are factored in.
Instead of designing a car from scratch, Teske tested the auto industry’s memory and used images of the Tru 140S concept (pictured) that Chevrolet presented at the 2012 edition of the Detroit Auto Show. The concept was believed to preview a sportier Cruze variant, but it was never given the green light for production.
Read more: If you liked Porsche’s electric Mission E concept, you’ll love the production model
The Jolt is a virtual concept, and there’s absolutely no indication that the Bowtie is preparing an electric coupe built on the same architecture as the Bolt. However, judging from the waves it has generated, it’s a project that executives should look into sooner rather than later.
