At the recent unveiling of its all-electric Taycan, Porsche announced that by 2025, half of all its models worldwide would have some form of electrification.But we didnt expect this one: according to hints from a Porsche exec who talked to Top Gear, the next generation of the 718 Boxster and Cayman could be powered entirely by batteries.The 718 just fits EV, doesnt it? The next generation of these cars would be a good time to go all-electric, the magazine quotes Lutz Meschke, deputy chairman of the board.Furthermore, Meschke replied to a question about all-wheel drive with Yes, it needs to be, that makes sense, even though the platform has forever been rear-wheel-driven, as the driving gods intended.The automaker has been adding plug-in hybrid technology to its models for a while, of course, and along with unveiling the Mission E concept that prefaced the Taycan, Porsche took the wraps off the battery-powered Cayman E-volution concept car a couple of years back at an electric vehicle symposium in Stuttgart.It basically looked like a stock Cayman with some green badges, but the company stressed that it was just another EV development project and wouldnt go into production. And of course the Taycan isnt going to stand alone. A wagon version of it, the Taycan Cross Turismo, will come toward the end of 2020. After that, an all-electric Macan is expected to arrive in 2022. Meschke confirmed the current gas-powered Macan will initially be sold alongside it, but will be dropped after a couple of years.The Cayenne and Panamera are also planned for full electricity, but so far, theres been no word on replacing the dino-juice engine in the 911 for something that plugs into the wall. It seems even Porsche must realize that some things are
Origin: Porsche exec suggests next-gen 718 could be AWD, electric
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Jeep Gladiators see stop-sale because driveshafts could fracture
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Jeep is issuing a stop-sale and recall on its new Gladiator trucks because a small percentage could see their driveshafts fracture due to an assembly error.Roughly five per cent of the nearly 3,500 new Gladiators built between Dec. 15, 2018 and June 25 may be affected by an issue wherein they were assembled without grease in the monoblock joint portion of the driveshaft.That CV joint in the center of the driveshaft could, without grease, overheat and seize, which could then fracture the rear driveshaft, causing a loss of forward power and possibly falling onto the road.Jeep hasnt connected any collisions or incidents to the issue, but says it has received six related warranty claims.Owners will be notified if their truck is affected beginning mid-October, but until then should be mindful if they hear any vibration in their Gladiators
Origin: Jeep Gladiators see stop-sale because driveshafts could fracture
The Ford Ranger could be getting twin-turbo V6 power
2019 Ford RangerNadine Filion / Driving Rumours about future Ford Ranger powertrains continue apace, with your author shamelessly and strongly advocating for a Raptor version of the Blue Oval midsizer.The latest gossip to leak out of the Glass House grapevine? There could be a twin-turbo V6 in the Rangers future.Aussie outlet Which Car reported a few days ago that it learned Ford will be making some major changes to the Ranger for the 2021 model year. In addition to bodywork that recalls the Super Duty, a brace of V6 engines are apparently on the way.What ones? A 2.7-litre EcoBoost and 3.0-litre diesel, apparently, versions of which already reside under the hood of Fords cash-cow F-150. The same reports asserts these very engines are currently undergoing Ranger testing in Australia.When deployed in the half-ton, the 2.7-litre twin-turbo makes a healthy 325 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. This would provide a much needed boost to Ranger performance over the 2.3-litre inline-four currently toiling away in every new Ranger sold in this country.As for the diesel, that unit makes 250 ponies and a robust 440 lb.-ft. of twist in the F-150.It is important to note at this juncture that the market in Oz also gets several options and variants of the Ranger we do not get here in North America, not the least of which is the Ranger Raptor, a trim the Blue Oval inexplicably refuses to sell here despite the presence of the Chevy Colorado ZR2 and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. Hey, if Ford wants to leave money on the table, thats up to it. While certain dour authors are pouring cold water on the spectre of a diesel Ranger in this country, one should remember that General Motors offers an oil-burner in its midsize trucks, so the idea is not without precedent.Given that both of these rumour mills (pun intended) are based on existing engines, your author will be looking closely at their external dimensions and comparing them closely to the Rangers engine bay in an effort to determine if theyll fit without a great deal of bodging. Expect a follow-up piece
Origin: The Ford Ranger could be getting twin-turbo V6 power
Bugatti’s record-breaking Chiron Super Sport could be yours for US$4 mil
After selling almost all 30 of its US$3.9 million special-edition Chiron Super Sport 300+ supercars over dinner this weekend, Bugatti is moving to double its lineup by adding a second model.Unlike the limited-run Chiron a version of the car that set a 304 miles-per-hour record earlier this month the new vehicle may take the shape of a four-seater, Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann said in an interview.It could also leave the worlds racetracks for some off-road driving, he said, a departure for a brand honed on producing race cars going at incredible speeds.Bugatti, one of a stable of super-premium Volkswagen-owned brands including Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley, is looking at sexy financing for the new model, Winkelmann said. Porsche used a German promissory note called a Schuldschein to partially fund the development and production of the battery-powered Taycan.Demand for supercars remains unbroken, judging by a dinner held at Bugattis headquarters in Molsheim, France, over the weekend. Nearly all of the Chiron Super Sport 300+ models slated for production were sold, Winkelmann said.Even so, the focus at the Frankfurt auto show this week will be on electric vehicles like the Taycan and VWs coming ID.3. A battery version of the Chiron wouldnt work, he said hypercars still need combustion fire power. But he could see a less-expensive daily driver at a lower price, say in the US$1 million range, working in a hybrid-electric set-up.There is still a lot of time for internal combustion engines, the 54-year-old said. The Chiron Super Sport 300+ has some modifications and is 20 centimeters longer than the version that raced around a recently resurfaced Volkswagen track in Ehra-Lessien, Germany.Winkelmann briefly discussed the idea of uniting VWs luxury brands under one umbrella. He declined to be drawn on the prospects of Bugatti holding a public stock offering, saying its not his decision to make.If we put those type of brands together its unique in the automotive industry, Winkelmann
Origin: Bugatti’s record-breaking Chiron Super Sport could be yours for US$4 mil
Byton M-Byte: high-tech electric SUV could come to the UK
Chinese start-up company Byton will bring its the M-Byte electric SUV to right-hand drive markets such as the UK if there is enough interest, and “the signs are good”, according to CTO David Twohig. The M-Byte has been in development for two years. Launching on the Chinese market initially, with customer deliveries set to get underway in the middle of 2020, it’s planned to arrive in Europe in early 2021 at a starting price of €45,000 (£40,280). Twohig, formerly chief engineer at Alpine, claims the delay in getting the car to Europe is “mostly for software reasons”. The company gets mapping data from Baidu – effectively China’s Google – but must work with different partners in Europe. “We have to establish that and then iron out all the bugs, to ensure everything works as it should”. 100 prototypes have been built so far, with other half of those destroyed during testing. The production car on display – described as 100% finished – bears a strong resemblance to the concept that was revealed earlier this year and retains that car’s distinctive 48in curved ‘Shared Experience Display’, the largest infotainment screen yet fitted to a production car. The screen forms part of what Byton calls “a digital lounge feeling” and allows passengers to access connectivity services and vehicle controls. The display is no touch operated, instead it is designed to be primarily controlled via an 7.0in screen located in the centre of the steering wheel or a 8.0in tablet mounted between the two front seats, but can also be controlled by voice or gesture control. It is covered by a layer of shatter-proof glass to minimise risk of injury in a collision. Byton CTO David Twohig reiterated the development and production cost involved in such as screen, noting that it’s “automotive grade – meaning it has to last more than 10 years, is designed to cope with shocks of up to 2G, and extreme temperatures”. Other defining features of the interior are a flat floor (made possible by the lack of a transmission tunnel), a floating dashboard, rotating front seats and a comprehensive list of personalisation options. It also features autonomous functions in the Level 2 category, though Twohig railed against the over-simplification the levels create, stating the M-Byte is “probably between 2.5 and 2.99”. Some tech features from the concept, such as facial recognition for the doors and cameras replacing wing mirrors, have been removed for production. For the former, Twohig claims the tech “doesn’t offer anything to the customer” to justify the significant development cost, while the latter is “made difficult by regulations”. The M-Byte range opens with the 72kWh entry-level model that’s driven by a single, rear-mounted motor producing 268bhp and capable of 360 miles on the WLTP test cycle. An optional larger-capacity battery offers a range of up to 460 miles. The range-topping four-wheel-drive variant has a 95kWh battery that yields a 435-mile range as standard and uses a motor on each axle for a power output of 402bhp. There is no air suspension or adaptive dampers, instead Twohig insisted his team of chassis engineers focused on creating a comfortable ride “the good old-fashioned way” rather than trying to offer a compromise between sportiness and comfort. Twohig admits this allowed development costs to be spent elsewhere. All versions of the M-Byte are capable of 150kW rapid charging and can therefore be topped up to 80% capacity from empty in as little as 35 minutes. Byton is working with suppliers globally to ensure a 22kW home wallbox installation is ready for deliveries. Byton claims to have taken more than 50,000 reservations worldwide and has already subjected the M-Byte to a number of test processes, including stringent crash tests to US and EU standards. The pre-ordering process for US and European customers, however, will not open until early next year. There will not be traditional dealers, rather a handful of showrooms in regions served by a distribution partner. The start-up is Chinese owned and funded, but Twohig claims “we want to an have to be global to be taken seriously”. Twohig and a 400-strong technical and engineering team are based in Santa Clara, near the Silicon Valley in California. The design team is based in Munich, Germany, while production is based in Nanjing, China, with a new facility (described as “much like Nissan’s Sunderland plant by Twohig”) able to build 300,000 units annually. Byton CEO Daniel Kirchert said: “We’re on the verge of starting series production, and the feedback from media and especially from our future customers is of great relevance to us. “Today’s unveiling of the Byton M-Byte also shows the effort paying off for the team, which has worked relentlessly on the car for over two years. Within that short amount of time, we have taken a smart electric car from an initial idea on a white sheet of paper to series-production readiness, while also building
Origin: Byton M-Byte: high-tech electric SUV could come to the UK
More patents further hint new Ford Bronco could have removable doors
1966 Ford Bronco ICON DerelictIcon Tom Petty once sang that waiting is the hardest part. Hes exactly right especially when it comes to the new Ford Bronco.It seems like an eternity since the company announced the trucks return in Detroit nearly three years ago. Since then, weve been kept alive with the dribs and drabs of teasers and leaks.The latest leak comes courtesy of the sharp eyes at AutoGuide, who have found patent drawings which seemingly confirm rumours the new Bronco will have removable doors in addition to a removable top. These drawings depict a squared-off SUV with, to put it mildly, a free-flow interior.Binning the doors on command would be a great feature, one that until now was reserved for owners of Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators. Nothing is certain, of course, especially since car companies frequently patent ideas and never use them for any number of reasons. But even the possibility of a door-less Bronco gets us jonesing to visit a Blue Oval dealer post-haste.Also buried in these patent drawings is a nifty method of providing side protection for occupants. It seems that the company is developing some sort of remote inflator, one which could be permanently fixed in the door pillar but fire its charge some distance to inflate a bag located inside a set of rugged tubular doors.The filings suggest this could be accomplished by way of a stout-but-telescopic bar equipped with strategically placed holes. As for the rest of this new Ford, well have to wait like everyone else. Your author found a listing at Canadian Tire, of all places, suggesting the 2021 Bronco will have a 2.3-litre four-banger under its hood, a mill which likely shares much with that found in the Ranger.This man is also willing to bet money a removable roof, or at least removable roof panels, will be in the offing on Bronco, along with off-road kit from the Ranger
Origin: More patents further hint new Ford Bronco could have removable doors
The C8-gen Corvette Z06 could get 800 hp: report
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8Chevrolet Arguably the biggest car-related news of this calendar year was the introduction of a mid-engined Corvette.With its powerful mill now bolted directly behind the drivers spine, Chevrolets master of performance is ready to take on some of the worlds greatest supercars.When it dropped in July, Chevy showed the Stingray, fuelled by a burly-chested engine that, paired with the optional Z51 package, will allegedly belt from zero to 96 km/h in less than three seconds.Its small-block LT2 V8 makes up to 495 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, bumps of 40 and 10 respectively over the old LT1. A dry-sump system keeps things oiled during high-speed track shenanigans. This is a serious engine.But if, like with chocolate, you feel that too much is never enough, it is all but assured that GM will introduce a Z06 variant of the new Stingray at some point in the not-too-distant future. Steeped in Corvette lore, the Z06 cranks things squarely to eleven and keeps it there. For a spell, it was available only with a manual transmission, such was its performance credo. Various talking heads are musing that we could see a Z06 as soon as the 2022 model year, meaning we a prototype concept on the car show circuit could land as early as the upcoming Detroit show in June. Expect a big wing and enough scoops to inhale a flock of sheep that much is certain.What isn’t certain is what will be under its engine cover. Breathless new reports from Automobile suggest the Z06 will earn a variant of the Cadillac Blackwing engine pushing a sky-high 800 horsepower and 700 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2020 6.2L V-8 AFM VVT DI (LT2) from Chevrolet Corvette C8 Chevrolet This would be tremendous, but your author humbly thinks that if Cadillac is willing to share its toys, this mill may be saved for a future ZR1 trim instead. The existing Z06 pumps out 650 horses, no slouch in and of its own right.Could Chevy slap a supercharger on the LT2 instead and crank the wick to about 700 hp to create the next Z06? Whatever the company selects, one can also be certain a sharper suspension tune and stickier tires will be along for the ride. Itll probably go on a diet, too. No keto, though that stuffs
Origin: The C8-gen Corvette Z06 could get 800 hp: report
Robot could let cops give you a ticket without exiting their cruiser
An engineering firm is trying to launch a new RoboCop our words, not theirs that will help keep officers safe in the line of duty.Instead of protecting the city from the Dad in That ’70s Show, though, the purpose of this RoboCop is strictly giving people tickets. The system, affixed perhaps ironically to the front of a Toyota Prius for testing, works by extending the little android officer on a track alongside the vehicle being pulled over.The computer features a camera, printer and a screen where the driver can see the officer sitting in his car. Aww, it even wears a little helmet, how cute.What isnt so cute is the row of spike strips the robot deploys underneath the vehicle to prevent any thoughts of escape entering the drivers mind.This new police robot could make traffic stops safer for everyone. pic.twitter.com/70YnFy672w Autoblog (@therealautoblog) July 24, 2019According to Autoblog, the project started in the basement of engineer Rueben Brewer, but eventually got picked up by a company called SRI International, which hopes to turn it into reality.The idea is to provide a buffer between the officer and the people in the vehicle who might want to do them harm. Or just to make day-to-day tasks like giving people speeding tickets and hassling them about taillights easier.While this is just a prototype, you can expect if it actually takes off that it won’t be attached to a Prius, which couldnt catch a one-legged child on a bicycle. Were just glad the first step for the RoboCop was to give people tickets and didnt involve shooting an inventor and tossing him out of a 30-storey
Origin: Robot could let cops give you a ticket without exiting their cruiser
Volvo could expand its range with larger and smaller SUVs
2019 Volvo XC90Handout / Volvo Volvo could be planning even more SUV models, based on the success of its utility vehicles around the world specifically, it may look to fill its lineup with trucks both larger and smaller than anything in its range today.We are not excluding the idea of additions to the companys SUV range, CEO Hakkan Samuelsson said in talks with Auto Express, before adding that when it comes to Volvos crossovers, pundits should not exclude the idea that there might be a bigger one, but maybe also a smaller one.According to a story from Swedish outlet Teknikens Varld, the Swedish brand has known its needed a vehicle larger than the XC90 to compete with other brands offerings since 2002, but a lack of funds from former parent company Ford stalled development.However, since Volvo was bought by Geely in 2010, the brand has reopened the idea of creating an XC100 based on the SPA 2 archicecture, internally called Project V616.(When broken down, the codename reveals the project is part of class 6, for Volvos largest cars; 1 for a first-generation model; and another 6 to denote an SUV.)The same Swedish outlet says the XC100 will arrive in 2022 or 2023; that it will be five inches longer in wheelbase than the current XC90; and that it will sit an inch taller.As for the SUV smaller than the XC40? It hasnt been totally fleshed out yet, but its possible it will borrow technology from Geely, and might only be leased, not sold. It will also likely feature an electric powertrain, as the XC40 is already rumoured to receive
Origin: Volvo could expand its range with larger and smaller SUVs
Under the skin: Why hydrogen could be an easy cell
Twenty years ago, DaimlerChrysler, as the two merged companies were called then, launched the A-Class-based Necar 4, the first production-ready fuel cell vehicle capable of being driven on public roads. The plan was for the first commercial version, dubbed, ‘Necar X’ to be launched on public sale in 2004. By that time, DaimlerChrysler said it would have spent over £1.1 billion on fuel cell vehicle development: it was that big and looked that certain. The board member responsible for RD, Klaus-Dieter Vöhringer, said back then: “From 2004 to 2010, the population of fuel cell vehicles has to increase very fast otherwise the (refuelling) infrastructure will not grow.” He was dead right in one sense: it didn’t grow and fuel cell cars haven’t taken to the roads in large numbers. Yet. Some would say hydrogen fuel cells are the holy grail of sustainable propulsion because they emit nothing except water and heat from the tailpipe. So long as the hydrogen fuel they consume is produced sustainably, it’s an environmental free lunch with refuelling pretty much as easy and fast as it is with petrol or diesel. In common with a battery, a fuel cell ‘stack’ consists of hundreds of individual cells producing a little over one volt each. The favoured technology for cars and transport is the polymer exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. A fine polymer membrane sandwiched between a platinum cathode and anode and two flow plates in a kind of double-decker sandwich make up each cell. Hydrogen travels through the flow plates on the anode side while air is pumped through the cathode side as a source of oxygen. Hydrogen protons are attracted through the membrane to the oxygen, making water, leaving the hydrogen electrons behind, forming a current in an external circuit. There have been lots of technical hurdles to overcome – including scavenging residual water from inside the cells, which would freeze at low temperatures, starting the stack in sub-zero temperatures, economic manufacture and robustness – but today fuel cell systems are advanced, if still pricey. An entire fuel cell system consists of a stack, a carbonfibre tank capable of storing hydrogen at 750 bar and a small lithium ion battery to deliver both the fast surge of power needed for acceleration and to store energy from regenerative braking. Tough hydrogen tanks split and release hydrogen rather than exploding if damaged and, in that sense, the world’s most plentiful element is safer than petrol. The rest of the powertrain is like that of any other electric car, with an electric motor and power control module to manage it all. It’s also 20 years since the formation of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, one of the world’s largest institutions pushing the development of fuel cell technology. With its 2030 Vision programme, it aims to get 1,000,000 fuel cell vehicles on California roads along with 1000 hydrogen filling stations by 2030. Maybe then, the fuel cell ball will really start rolling. New train of thought Hydrogen fuel cells are ideal for large vehicles as well as cars. Two Coradia iLint fuel cell trains from French firm Alstom have been running in Germany since 2018 and 27 more have been ordered by a transport authority. A Hydroflex train masterminded by the University of Birmingham and train maker Porterbrook began UK trials in
Origin: Under the skin: Why hydrogen could be an easy cell
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