If you captain an electric car company, you get to announce stuff by social media. Those are the rules, apparently. The latest to exercise their right to bypass the PR department with a major announcement is Henrik Fisker, self-proclaimed “Husband, Father, Risk taking, innovation loving, protocol challenging designer entrepreneur who turns dreams into reality, never gives up” and the founder and CEO of the U.S. EV startup Fisker Automotive, who recently Tweeted out a photo of a mystery electric pickup truck. “ALL automotive segments have to be electrified! After our Fisker electric SUV, we have already decided on our next 2 EV’s on the same platform!” Tweeted Fisker.ALL automotive segments have to be electrified ! After our Fisker electric SUV, we have already decided on our next 2 EV’s on the same platform! #fisker #EVs #ElectricVehicle #Automotive #sustainability #cool #FutureTech #Trending pic.twitter.com/0FRt0yolsR Henrik Fisker (@henrikfisker) August 7, 2019The image shows the rear end of what appears to be a dual-tone pickup truck with “FISKER” lettered across the tailgate. So, there’s another player in a game that has yet to start. Elon has Tweet-confirmed the upcoming arrival of the Tesla pickup truck, Rivian is cooking up its own American-made challenger with the R1T, and now Ford has unveiled an electric F-150 capable of towing a 1-million-pound train. There are no further details about the Fisker pickup truck, but Henrik teasedthe ‘affordable’ US$40,000 electric SUV on his Facebook page with an image and a promise to unveil it fully in December. Perhaps alongside a pickup prototype? Better hurry. The competition is growing.
Origin: Fisker wants to enter the electric pickup field, too
electric
Report: Mini might be pared down to just three or four electric models
Mini may plan to pare its lineup down to just three or four vehicles, all fully electric, in the not-too-distant future, according to a new report.According to Automobile, gasoline-powered Mini models might be all but dead, their chassis pushed aside to make way for an electric future.Contrary to earlier reports, it appears that management has since black-flagged the internal-combustion versions in favor of an all-electric model range, the magazine says.The decision has not been confirmed, but Mini would be wise to consider the consequences of turning its small-vehicle lineup into an EV-only brand. Take rival Daimlers Smart brand, which went down that road a few years ago, and has now folded up its tiny EV suitcase.The first electric model from the British marque is the Mini SE, due to go on sale in 2020; it will be the litmus test for the EV revolution, though other battery-powered vehicles are almost certain to follow in its wake. The SE is powered by a 32.6-kWh battery, and has an all-electric range of up to 270 kilometres. Another EV, based on the super-short-wheelbase Rocketman concept, is rumoured to show in production form around 2023, as is a more compact version of the classic three-door Mini. Lastly, theres talk of a crossover-style vehicle. All will run on a skateboard-style platform and feature front-wheel-drive, with energy stored in either 35- or 50-kWh battery packs.We would love to see the Rocketman come to North America, but its likely too small; if it does hit production, it will likely only be available in markets that allow small cars to be federalized, such as China, where it could be built in partnership with Great Wall Motors. The Countryman will likely be evolved into a
Origin: Report: Mini might be pared down to just three or four electric models
Hyundai reveals new Ioniq Electric pricing
Hyundai reveals new Ioniq Electric pricing Also launched are the Ioniq PHEV and Hybrid and Kona Hybrid Hyundai has announced pricing details for its updated Ioniq range and new Kona Hybrid, with the longer-range Ioniq Electric starting from £29,450 (inc. Plug-in Car Grant). The price gets customers an Ioniq Electric with an increased range of 184 miles (WLTP) thanks to a larger capacity 38.3 kWh battery – up from 28 kWh. A more powerful motor is fitted, with 100 kW available rather than the previous generation’s 88 kW. Hyundai’s new 10.25-inch infotainment system with telematics connectivity features, and there is a new smart regenerative braking system fitted to the Ioniq Electric. Hyundai has updated the entire Ioniq range, not just the Electric model, and the Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid and Ioniq Hybrid also get the large infotainment system, plus driver controlled regenerative braking. The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid’s 8.9 kWh battery will allow for a driving range of 30 miles on a single charge. The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid will see prices start at £29,950, while the Ioniq Hybrid start art £22,795. Hyundai’s Kona Hybrid will join the line-up, which includes the Kona Electric, with pricing from £22,495. Sharing the drivetrain with the Ioniq Hybrid, the Kona Hybrid features a 1.56kWh battery and 32 kW motor supporting a 1.6 litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine. Also featured are the 10.25-inch infotainment system and Bluelink telematics service. With the updated Ioniq range, new Kona Hybrid, and the already available Kona Electric and Nexo hydrogen fuel cell model, Hyundai boasts one of the largest electric and electrified ranges on the market. The new Kona Hybrid is available from 26th September, while the Ioniq range is available to order now. Deliveries are expected from 5th September.
Origin: Hyundai reveals new Ioniq Electric pricing
Electric car sales climb in wake of new $5,000 federal rebate program
2018 Honda Clarity plug-in hybrid Canadas new rebate program to help make electric cars cheaper appears to be showing early signs of stimulating sales but mostly in the two provinces that require a minimum number of electric car sales.On May 1, Ottawa began offering rebates of up to $5,000 on the purchase of some electric vehicles in a bid to bring the cost of lower-end models closer to that of their gas-powered cousins.Announced in the March budget, the incentives are part of Ottawas goal to increase sales of electric cars to 10 per cent of all vehicles sold by 2025, 30 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040.Last year, electric and plug-in hybrids accounted for about two per cent of total vehicle sales.Matthew Klippenstein, an engineer who began tracking electric vehicle sales a few years ago on his website Canada EV Sales, said they accounted for four per cent of all vehicle sales in May and June.Its still a tiny share the Ford F-series pickup trucks alone accounted for seven per cent of all vehicle sales but it is rising. And Klippenstein said the federal rebate has definitely increased sales in the past couple of months.Transport Canada reports that more than 14,000 electric cars and minivans were bought nationwide using the rebate since May 1. The department, which is overseeing the rebate program, also said overall electric vehicle sales were up 30 per cent between January and June, compared to the year before.But Klippenstein said there is one caveat to the data. More than eight in 10 of the electric vehicles sold in May and June were sold in British Columbia and Quebec. Those are the only two provinces that have a provincial rebate Ontario did until last year when Premier Doug Ford cancelled it after being elected and both allow their rebate to be combined with the federal one for even greater savings.Even more important to the sales distribution is that both B.C. and Quebec require dealerships to sell a certain percentage of electric cars, Klippenstein said. If they dont meet the quotas they have to either pay a fine or buy credits from competitors who exceeded their quotas.Klippenstein said there is still a limited supply of electric cars and those the automakers are sending to Canada are going to B.C. and Quebec first to make sure dealerships hit their quotas. Dan Woynillowicz, policy director at Clean Energy Canada, said there is still work to do to install public charging stations in the provinces that have never had a rebate. The lack of that infrastructure is contributing to lower sales there.Transport Canada hasnt yet been able to provide further details about what kinds of cars were the most popular purchases or sales numbers by province.The federal rebates are available for fully electric vehicles whose lowest-end model retails for less than $45,000, or $55,000 for vehicles that have seven or more seats like minivans. Up to $5,000 is available, with fully electric vehicles bought outright or leased for at least four years eligible for the maximum.Shorter-range plug-in hybrids or fully electric cars leased for shorter times are eligible for rebates between $625 and $3,750 depending on the length of the lease and the type of
Origin: Electric car sales climb in wake of new $5,000 federal rebate program
Chinese start-up Human Horizons unveils radical electric SUV concept
Chinese start-up Human Horizons, whose technical team is led by the former boss of Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division, has unveiled a radical electric SUV concept called the HiPhi 1. The machine closely previews the new firm’s first production car, which it says is due on sale within two years. Human Horizons describes itself as a technology company that’s focusing on “smart vehicles, smart transportation and smart cities”. It plans to develop a range of machines for the growing Chinese premium EV market, designed for both private owners and shared use, featuring advanced autonomous systems and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. The HiPhi 1 concept is the first car the firm has revealed. Technical development has been led by Mark Stanton, who formerly worked for both Ford and Jaguar Land Rover. The machine features 562 sensors to offer ‘higher-level autonomy’ using V2X communication systems. It will also monitor the interior using facial recognition cameras and even smell sensors to detect unwanted odours. The HiPhi 1 features nine power-operated doors, flaps and stowage compartments, including gullwing-opening rear doors, and a handleless entry system that uses a facial recognition system matched to a smartphone. There will be a number of different modes for accessing it, including a ‘superstar’ setting that opens all the roof and door systems. There’s also a ‘parade’ mode that will allow the car to move slowly with the gullwing flaps raised. The exterior design has been informed by Chinese tastes, with a tall crossover design and a large, coupé-like glasshouse. Human Horizons says the lack of a combustion engine has allowed the front bulkhead to be pushed much further forward than in a conventional car, with the 5.2-metre overall length – similar to that of a long wheelbase Range Rover – allowing huge interior space. The HiPhi 1 also features fins designed to direct airflow at the trailing edge of the rear doors and a similar channel built into the front wing; Human Horizons boss Kevin Chen says that these have been inspired by aircraft and promote high-speed stability, with the car having a drag co-efficient of 0.28Cd. The HiPhi also features smart headlights capable of beaming patterns onto road or walls, with examples including a zebra crossing effect to show pedestrians that it’s safe to cross. The larger panels beneath the lighting units contain hundreds of LEDs and are capable of displaying patterns or even messages. The interior features three rows of two seats, all of which are power-operated and can be switched into numerous configurations. The car’s structure incorporates both high-strength steel and aluminium, with the battery compartment under the floor. The dashboard is largely formed of display screens, with a digital instrument pack, portrait-orientated touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard and another in front of the passenger for playing media. It also features a camera-based rear-view system, although this isn’t currently legal in China. Stanton, who leads a team of around 400 engineers, said both rear and four-wheel-drive versions will be offered, the latter with a pair of 268bhp motors and a 0-62mph time of around 3.9sec. Differently sized battery packs will also be offered, with the biggest 96kWh unit giving a range of up to 400 miles with the rear-drive powertrain under the NEDC testing protocol. Stanton wouldn’t give a weight figure but confirmed that we can expect something so large and highly specified to be more than two tonnes. While there are no plans to sell the HiPhi 1 outside China in the short term, the firm has global ambitions in the longer term. Pricing is yet to be set, but the HiPhi 1 is likely to be at the higher end of the Chinese EV market. Deliveries are due to being in 2021. Production will take place in a plant – currently being refitted – that was formerly used by Kia’s Chinese joint venture
Origin: Chinese start-up Human Horizons unveils radical electric SUV concept
News Roundup: A confused Acura driver, a bulldozed Ferrari and a train-towing electric F-150
A screenshot from a video of a Vancouver woman driving her Acura SUV down a flight of stairsReddit Welcome to our weekly round-up of the biggest breaking stories on Driving.ca from this past week. Get caught up and ready to get on with the weekend, because it’s hard keeping pace in a digital traffic jam.Here’s what you missed while you were away.Woman tests Acura SUV’s off-road chops on Vancouver city stairsA woman has been fined by police after being caught on camera driving down a set of stairs outside the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver. The Acura SUV driver allegedly went the wrong way after dropping a passenger off at the hotel and ended up pointed down a flight of steps. The video starts with the vehicle already part way down, so it’s unclear if she accidentally or intentionally drove over the edge. Once she was part way down, however, there was no going back. The fine for driving without due care and attention is $368. The repair bill for the underside of the SUV after scraping on all those steps is probably a fair bit more than that. But hey, at least she signals to turn left at the bottom of the steps. Filipino customs bulldoze a rare Ferrari as a warning to smugglersFilipino customs officials are not messing around when it comes to policing automotive imports. This smooshed Ferrari 360 Spider, which was illegally brought in as “auto parts” with the owners intentionally removing pieces to try to skirt taxes, is the latest victim of the Southeast Asian nation’s import policies. Not only did they destroy the rare car (estimated to cost $180,000), but they let the press in to photograph and videotape it, too. It hurts to watch. A guide to getting more perks when buying a car at a dealershipThere are a few ways dealerships can sweeten the purchase of a new vehicle, but it will often be up to the shopper to know what to ask for. In this Troubleshooter guide, we outline some of the most common perks you can request when lining up a new vehicle at a dealership. Depending on the purchase and the dealership, you might be able to score a free or discounted set of winter tires and rims, or a discount on some accessories, or a few free oil changes. To the asker go the perks, so ask away. Jaguar confirms J-Pace SUV will ride on next-gen Defender platformJaguar’s new SUV, the J-Pace, will lean on the fundamentals of the upcoming redone Land Rover Defender, leaving the door open for hybrid or fuel-cell powertrains. JLR recently confirmed the J-Pace, which will compete with the other three-row luxury SUVs from Germany’s Big Three, will share the Defender’s platform, known as MLA. Release dates haven’t been set, but based on the Defender’s slated arrival in 2021, we’ll probably be learning more about the J-Pace sooner rather than later. Ford faces legal troubles for allegedly falsifying F-150 fuel economy ratings A new class-action suit filed by a Seattle law firm alleges the Blue Oval hasn’t been honest about its F-150’s fuel economy, and that drivers may be paying US$2,000 more than expected in gas bills over the truck’s lifetime, estimated at 240,000 km. The Detroit Free Press reports the suit is seeking US$1.2 billion in damages, and quotes the firm’s managing partner calling Ford’s F-150 ratings “all smoke and mirrors.” Ford, meanwhile, says it hasn’t been served the suit yet and asks the public “not to confuse claims with merit.” Watch an all-electric F-150 prototype pull a 1-million-pound-plus trainFord confirmed it’d be producing an all-electric version of its super-popular F-150 pickup truck back in January. Now the brand has teased the product further by using a prototype to tow a train weighing over a million pounds. The YouTube video of the stunt shows chief engineer Linda Zhang driving the e-F-150 prototype hooked to a train loaded with ten double-decker freight cars. With some good ol’ F-150 buds along for the ride, the silent F-150 engine moves the load over 1,000 feet, or the distance of 42 F-150s, seemingly without breaking a sweat. Then they load the trucks into the train and do it again.
Origin: News Roundup: A confused Acura driver, a bulldozed Ferrari and a train-towing electric F-150
BMW iNext: high-tech electric SUV seen with less disguise
BMW’s long-awaited rival to the Audi E-Tron and Mercedes EQC, the electric iNext SUV, has been caught in prototype form giving us a much better look at its exterior design. The disguised test mule, snapped on the back of a trailer outside one of the brand’s German facilities, can be seen to feature styling distinctly different from the brand’s conventionally-powered SUVs. It sits lower to the ground and has a more streamlined shape than its size equivalent, the X5, which is conveniently parked above the iNext prototype on the trailer. The less upright design will improve aerodynamic properties, allowing it to a achieve an EV range tipped to be up to 400 miles in top variants. BMW continued the gradual unveiling of the iNext, due in 2021, last week with the reveal of a range of images depicting the advanced model’s polygonal-shaped steering wheel. A new interior shot shows that wheel in the prototype, although much of the car’s cabin is still covered up. Described as the first BMW model in which the driver is no longer required to take care of the task of driving, the iNext is fitted with a newly designed steering wheel conceived to allow the driver to easily switch between highly automated driving and active driving modes. It is the second interior detail from the production version of the iNext to be revealed, following official images showing its curved instrument display earlier this year. Inspired by the steering wheels used in BMW race cars, the new steering wheel uses flattened upper and lower sections. They are designed to make it easier to recognise the steering angle than in a conventional round steering wheel. “The moment the driver re-takes control of the vehicle, they can detect the steering angle instantly – both visually and by means of touch,” said BMW. Together with the curved instrument display, the new polygonal-shaped steering wheel forms part of what BMW says will be a “pioneering interior design” for the iNext, which has been confirmed to go into production in 2021 as a “new technological flagship” model for the German car maker. The iNext is a similar size to the conventionally fuelled BMW X5 and will form an integral part of the brand’s electrification strategy. The SUV’s new platform has been conceived as a multi-purpose architecture that will go on to underpin ICE vehicles, hybrids and pure-electric models from the 3 Series upwards, in line with BMW’s plans to produce all future vehicles on one of two platforms. It’s expected to share its powertrain in some form with the BMW i4, due next year, itself claimed to be capable of up to 373 miles of range. Given the extra space for battery capacity in the iNext’s body, higher range variants are
Origin: BMW iNext: high-tech electric SUV seen with less disguise
Renault reveals electric 4Lbased concept
Renault reveals electric 4L-based concept The convertible model uses Twizy running gear Renault has used its electric vehicle expertise to create an EV version of one of the manufacturer’s classics – the e-Plein Air. Based on a Renault 4, the Plein Air was a door-less convertible version introduce in 1968, but Renault has modernised it with an electric drivetrain from its Twizy. The concept has no official technical statistics, but a compact battery and small electric motor mean it’s not going to be challenging the Renault Zoe in terms of performance or range. It has been created for the 10th anniversary of the 4L International gathering. The Renault 4 remains one of the company’s best-selling and popular models. Changes made include a closed-off front grille, removed rear seats, and new luggage rack. There are no plans to put the model into production, though it’s clear that retro-fitting electric powertrains to classic cars is picking up in popularity. The Mini has been electrified by Swind, though manufacturers are also getting in on the game. Joining Renualt are Jaguar and Aston Martin in creating electric versions of some of its most famous models.
Origin: Renault reveals electric 4Lbased concept
Nissan plugs in quickly to electric racing
Nissan e-dams driver Sebastien Buemi had a big weekend in Brooklyn in the season-ending races of the 2019 Formula E campaign, which marked the first season for the automaker.Nissan BROOKLYN, NY When the vast majority of road cars are electric, will there be a fan base for gasoline-powered racing?Its an interesting question, and one that was bandied about by an impressive panel conveyed by Nissan during the recent Brooklyn stop on the 2019 ABB FIA Formula E calendar, the two-race event marking the end of a very successful fifth season for the all-electric, open-wheel series.Series CEO and founder Alejandro Agag made an analogy to horse racing, noting that while it was huge in the early days of the combustion engine, an era when many people still had daily contact with the four-legged creatures, today it is a niche sport.Nissan global motorsport director Michael Carcamo, who oversaw a very successful inaugural Formula E campaign for the Nissan e.dams team, agreed that even when EVs rule the roads, combustion-engine racers would still have a place.We still go to the Goodwood Revival to see cars from fifty, sixty years ago, so I think there will always be a space for the craftsmanship and artisanship of building a (gas) motor and a car, he said, adding that emissions on a racetrack are very small compared to the global total of vehicles. What we need to do is do well for the environment and the world, but theres no reason why racing has to stop.Not too surprising an outlook given Carcamos impressive career resume, which includes a mechanical engineering degree from Tufts University, a half-decade working in IndyCar, and a 17-year tenure with Nissan, the last three as global motorsport director overseeing Formula E, Super GT, prototype and GT3 racing activities.What is surprising is that it took Nissan so long to join Formula E, considering the automaker is an EV pioneer. Its all-electric Leaf model debuted in in 2010, and in March of this year global sales surpassed 400,000 units, making it the worlds best-selling highway-capable electric car. Nissan global motorsport director Michael Carcamo worked in IndyCar for five years before joining the Japanese automaker, and oversaw a very successful inaugural season for the Nissan e.dams two-car team in Formula E. Andrew McCredie Despite waiting until the fifth season of the open-wheel series to join in on the emission-free fun, Nissan proved that its extensive battery and electric powertrain knowledge from a decade of Leaf development was transferable to the racetrack. Nissan driver Sebastien Buemi won the Saturday race in Brooklyn and finished third in the Sunday race, results that gave him second place in the final drivers championship standings. The title was won by defending champion Jean-Eric Vergne of the DS Techeetah team. Buemis strong results, combined with teammate and rookie Oliver Rowlands good showings, gave the Nissan e.dams team fourth-place in the overall team standings, just one point shy of Envision Virgin Racing. By all accounts, a very successful rookie season for Nissan, the first Japanese manufacturer to enter the series.We knew we faced a steep mountain to climb when we entered this championship and the first half of the season certainly tested us, said Carcamo. We also now have a full season of data, experience, and knowledge in the Formula E championship which will not only allow us to build a better race package for season six but will also play a key role in improving our electric vehicles for the road.That latter point, in essence, is the raison d’etre for Formula E. The real world RD achieved by running the battery packs, motors and inverters flat out for the course of a race is invaluable for the automakers in the series. Its why Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are fielding teams for season six, joining the established teams from Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Nissan. That the racing is wheel-to-wheel exciting, many of the drivers have F1 experience and the winner is often in doubt until the final lap is just a bonus. Driver Sebastien Buemi and Nissan global motorsport director Michael Carcamo celebrate in the Nissan e.dams garage during the Brooklyn race weekend, in which Buemi won the first race and placed third in the second race. Nissan During the panel discussion Carcamo alluded to this transfer of knowledge from racetrack to road car by saying the secret sauce of this series is efficiency.I caught up with him in the Nissan e.dams garage the next day to find out what he meant by this.As compared to other race series where every team and every manufacturer is only focused on achieving the maximum power, and so power density is the most important factor, in Formula E we all have a limit to the power output and its regulated (by FIA), the engineer in him explained, adding the DNA of an electric vehicle are the powertrain and battery management systems. Theres no way to get around that FIA rule, so the only other choice you have is
Origin: Nissan plugs in quickly to electric racing
New Chevrolet Corvette could get hybrid or electric versions
The new mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette will feature electrified powertrains in the future – with a full electric version under consideration. The new C8 version of the two-seater was launched in Los Angeles, with the initial Corvette Stingray model featuring a 495bhp, 470lb ft 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine. Chevrolet sources have confirmed the powertrain has been designed to allow for electrification, with insiders suggesting mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and, while less likely, full electric versions were being considered. Asked if an electrified Corvette might feature a mild hybrid battery-based starter motor, or use a small electric engine to provide four-wheel drive, one project member said: “You would not look stupid if you said that.” When asked by Autocar about future electrified variants of the Corvette, the president of Chevrolet parent company General Motors, Mark Reuss, said: “The company is committed to a strategy of 0-0-0: zero emissions, zero crashes and zero congestion. All of the technology rolling into this vehicle is meant to support that. This platform can carry a lot of different things into the future for General Motors.” Pressed on whether a fully electric Corvette was under consideration, Reuss said: “We’ll see. Stay tuned.” Reuss did confirm that the Corvette would be produced in right-hand drive and will be sold in European markets, which will most likely include the UK. The outgoing C7 model was only available with a limited number of British dealers. Chevrolet sources have confirmed that a convertible version of the Corvette will follow the coupé “in relatively short order”. Paul
Origin: New Chevrolet Corvette could get hybrid or electric versions
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