When we last heard from Oak Park, Michigan based EV manufacturer Bollinger Motors the company revealed a rudimentary pricing ladder for the B1 SUV and B2 pickup along with news that a chassis cab variant was in the works. Since then, the company has maintained a low profile, but it decided to surprise the world with the production versions of both the B1 and B2. Here’s 5 things to know about what has carried over to the masses and what hasn’t.
A new color hides rudimentary changes
A major thing that curious observers will notice is the addition of a new color with both the B1 and B2 now sporting a classy shade of white. For a long time the duo have followed the Ford Model T school of thought when it came to colors with black being the sole color seen. The addition of this contrasting white color can be seen as an indicator that the company is willing to branch out to other colors beyond black and that will please buyers looking to add their own distinct flair to a potential B1 or B2 purchase.
But look beyond the new hue and it can be hard to spot the changes that are present. Both models still have a very boxy look to them and on the surface the design appears to not have changed very much. However, a closer look reveals a higher belt line which helps enhance the rugged appearance of the model and also creates a bigger frunk. Bollinger’s recent improvements in thermal cooling also eliminated the headlight mounted vents with the units themselves gaining standard bezels.
Bollinger engineers also shifted the B-Pillars forward which helped widen the rear doors but also narrowed the front doors. That latter item forced the team to rework the sliding windows with the new units featuring a single pane of glass that’s operated by a hand operated crank.
Changes are also coming to the interior
Bollinger reps chose to not include photos of the updated interior in its release, but prior time inside Bollinger prototypes by our Metro Detroit Branch can help shed a light into what changes could take place. We suspect that the seats in both of them will be swapped out for cushier units while some aspects of the otherwise back to basics dashboard design can be reworked for improved production feasibility. For the moment it appears that Bollinger’s nifty set of center mounted tables has managed to carryover into production based on a view through the roof mounted glass panels which appears to show the rear mounted one peeking out.
It’s also unknown how Bollinger will make the duo meet U.S. safety standards but we suspect that a screen of some kind will be added to the dashboard to help facilitate the addition of a rear mounted backup camera.
When can I buy a Bollinger B1/B2?
Bollinger is slated to begin production of the B1 and B2 in early 2021 with pricing starting at $125,000 before various EV related incentives are factored into the equation. Both models will be powered by a pair of electric motors hooked up to a state of the art battery pack which are expected to deliver 614 horsepower and 688 lb-ft of torque. Bollinger claimed that this electrified muscle would help the pair make the sprint to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds before topping out at 100 mph. When it’s not speeding away from stoplights, the electrified hardware also allows the pair to tow up to 7,500 lbs.
The company even mentioned that the B1 and B2 will have a 200 mile driving range when the battery is fully charged which is very commendable for what will essentially be utility focused off-roaders. We look forward to seeing the fully production interior to find out how this particular area of the B1 and B2 has evolved and also a chance to perhaps drive one of them in the near future to find out if it can deliver on its promises in real world driving.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.