NHTSA approves hybrid rearview mirror display in Bolt EV

[Tallon]

Article: http://www.autoblog.com/2016/02/23/nhtsa-video-rearview-mirror-camera-cadillac-ct6-chevy-bolt/

 

[Aidan]

Great article. For some reason today I'm Blown Away by all the technology that is put into electric vehicles

 

[Rivu]

What is a hybrid rearview mirror?

 

[SeanNelson]

What is a hybrid rearview mirror?

I assume that refers to the optional rearview mirror in the Bolt. It's actually a small LCD display that shows a continuous image through the rear camera, so you have an unobstructed view of much wider angle than you would if you looked at a real mirror past rear seat headrests and/or passengers. It goes a long way towards eliminating blind spots at the left and right rear of the vehicle.

It's a "hybrid" because you can flip a lever on the bottom to turn off the display and see a real mirror - so if the camera is obstructed or the electronics fail for some reason you're not "blind" to the rear.

 

[roundpeg]

What is a hybrid rearview mirror?

I assume that refers to the optional rearview mirror in the Bolt. It's actually a small LCD display that shows a continuous image through the rear camera, so you have an unobstructed view of much wider angle than you would if you looked at a real mirror past rear seat headrests and/or passengers. It goes a long way towards eliminating blind spots at the left and right rear of the vehicle.

It's a "hybrid" because you can flip a lever on the bottom to turn off the display and see a real mirror - so if the camera is obstructed or the electronics fail for some reason you're not "blind" to the rear.

I thought this would be standard in the Bolt. No?

 

[SeanNelson]

What is a hybrid rearview mirror?

I assume that refers to the optional rearview mirror in the Bolt.

I thought this would be standard in the Bolt. No?

The mirror is of course standard but the one with the LCD display showing the image taken by the rear view camera is described as "available", which is sales brochure talk for "extra cost".

 

[roundpeg]

The mirror is of course standard but the one with the LCD display showing the image taken by the rear view camera is described as "available", which is sales brochure talk for "extra cost".

Ah, makes sense. We should know pretty soon how much extra.

 

[Diggle]

I assume that refers to the optional rearview mirror in the Bolt.

I thought this would be standard in the Bolt. No?

The mirror is of course standard but the one with the LCD display showing the image taken by the rear view camera is described as "available", which is sales brochure talk for "extra cost".

Any idea how much the extra cost is?

 

[SeanNelson]

The mirror is of course standard but the one with the LCD display showing the image taken by the rear view camera is described as "available", which is sales brochure talk for "extra cost".

Any idea how much the extra cost is?

It's going to be $499.95.

...which of course is going to spawn a whole bunch of posts asking how the heck I know what the pricing is and what other things do I know about the Bolt that nobody else does... ...and then I'll be forced to admit that in actual fact I have no idea, no idea whatsoever...

 

[Diggle]

The mirror is of course standard but the one with the LCD display showing the image taken by the rear view camera is described as "available", which is sales brochure talk for "extra cost".

Any idea how much the extra cost is?

It's going to be $499.95.

...which of course is going to spawn a whole bunch of posts asking how the heck I know what the pricing is and what other things do I know about the Bolt that nobody else does... ...and then I'll be forced to admit that in actual fact I have no idea, no idea whatsoever...

:lol: Okay, I'm not gonna ask how do you know. But the price is correct, right? You weren't kidding in that part?

 

[SeanNelson]

Any idea how much the extra cost is?

It's going to be $499.95.

...which of course is going to spawn a whole bunch of posts asking how the heck I know what the pricing is and what other things do I know about the Bolt that nobody else does... ...and then I'll be forced to admit that in actual fact I have no idea, no idea whatsoever...

:lol: Okay, I'm not gonna ask how do you know. But the price is correct, right? You weren't kidding in that part?

Sh-u-u-u-r-e. This retired fellow living up in Vancouver is privy to ALL the secrets!

 

[Rivu]

I assume that refers to the optional rearview mirror in the Bolt.

I thought this would be standard in the Bolt. No?

The mirror is of course standard but the one with the LCD display showing the image taken by the rear view camera is described as "available", which is sales brochure talk for "extra cost".

Why are they calling it a hybrid mirror then?

 

[SeanNelson]

I thought this would be standard in the Bolt. No?

The mirror is of course standard but the one with the LCD display showing the image taken by the rear view camera is described as "available", which is sales brochure talk for "extra cost".

Why are they calling it a hybrid mirror then?

"Hybrid" is used to refer to two different things that have been combined together. Prius cars are hybrids because they combine an electric engine and a gas engine. The Bolt's electronic mirror could be called a hybrid because it combines an electronic digital display with the conventional reflective mirror you get when you flip its lever down.

 

[laev]

I do enjoy knowing that this type of technology is out there the only issue with the up-and-coming technology or brand new technology is there isn't any aftermarket pricing so if something does go wrong it is a hefty bill in saying that I do love the technology

 

[GetOffYourGas]

If anything does go wrong within the first few years, it should be covered under warranty. And failing that, you always have a reflective mirror to fall back on - just like any other car.

The greater concern for failure would be if the side mirrors were replaced completely with cameras. Japan has approved this, and the US will probably follow eventually. Although the US is far more sue-happy than anywhere else on earth. So we may be the last developed country to allow it.

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/08/06/japan-approves-mirrorless-cars/

 

[Diggle]

It's going to be $499.95.

...which of course is going to spawn a whole bunch of posts asking how the heck I know what the pricing is and what other things do I know about the Bolt that nobody else does... ...and then I'll be forced to admit that in actual fact I have no idea, no idea whatsoever...

:lol: Okay, I'm not gonna ask how do you know. But the price is correct, right? You weren't kidding in that part?

Sh-u-u-u-r-e. This retired fellow living up in Vancouver is privy to ALL the secrets!

:lol: Good joke!

 

[Rivu]

The mirror is of course standard but the one with the LCD display showing the image taken by the rear view camera is described as "available", which is sales brochure talk for "extra cost".

Why are they calling it a hybrid mirror then?

"Hybrid" is used to refer to two different things that have been combined together. Prius cars are hybrids because they combine an electric engine and a gas engine. The Bolt's electronic mirror could be called a hybrid because it combines an electronic digital display with the conventional reflective mirror you get when you flip its lever down.

That makes sense. Thanks.

 

[sam]

I don't use the rearview mirror anymore for backing up and parking as the rear camera does a better job of this but I do use the rear view mirror all the time in general driving to see what's going on behind me so I would like to have one