2019 Rivian R1T Electric TruckHandout / Rivian One EV startup’s loss is another EV startup’s gain. If struggling brand Faraday Future doesn’t understand this now, after having around 50 employees (some who had been furloughed) cross over to take positions at the up-and-coming EV-maker Rivian, it likely never will. And it’s not the only company having its engineering department hollowed out by Rivian. According to some LinkedIn profile-combing performed by The Verge, Rivian has on-boarded dozens of employees from Tesla, McLaren and Ford, as well as some key players from other big tech brands like Apple. In fact, when it recently came time to name its first CTO, the Michigan-based startup called over Mike Bell, a former Apple bigwig who was one of the important players behind the first iPhone. And this aggressive hiring pace is apparently ongoing. Rivian’s director of corporate communications, Michael McHale, told The Verge that the company has a “natural hiring process and is always looking for people with the right skills.”Now, Rivian has been rocking the boat in other ways, too, like when it received support from Amazon to the tune of US$700 million, or when it got another US$500 million from Ford, granting the automaker exclusive access to Rivian tech. But for all the hype and financially backed votes of confidence, some still have their doubts about the brand’s ability to meet its promises, especially when it comes to that pickup truck and its projected 640-km range, which is really what all the hoopla is all about.The race to be the first long-range EV pickup truck to market is ongoing, but Rivian now has 750 reasons (and counting) why it could get there first.
Origin: Rivian is devouring staff from Ford, Apple, Tesla, Faraday Future and more
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The 2020 BMW X6 debuts with more tech and more power
Everybodys favourite SUV-coupe is all-new for 2020: yes, the BMW X6 just debuted with tons of technology and more power.And, as if having a massive kidney grille wasnt enough for this generation of BMWs, the X6s also lights up.The X6 now rides on BMWs new Cluster Architecture, borrowed from the X5.The base model sDrive40i and xDrive40i receive BMWs trusty twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, which produces 335 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque, sent to either the rear wheels only or all four depending on the trim.For added performance, there is also the X6 M50i, which uses BMWs 4.4-litre V8, this time with two turbochargers spinning it up to 523 hp and 554 lb.-ft. of torque. Those ponies help the X6 get to 96 km/h from zero in just 4.1 seconds.Theres a new off-road package available for the xDrive40i as well, which includes air suspension for both axles, an electronically-controlled rear differential and four off-road driving modes: snow, sand, gravel or rocks. Inside, the X6 is as comfortable as you would expect, and its loaded with tech. A 12.3-inch touch screen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster feature BMWs updated seventh generation of Live Cockpit with iDrive. This means the Hey, BMW voice assist, gesture control, wi-fi, wireless charging and Apple CarPlay are all available.Safety features are also huge on the X6: BMW Active Assistant, blind-spot detection, forward collision warning and park distance control are all standard. Lane-keep assist, automatic lane-change assist and side-collision avoidance are all available as extras.In the U.S., the BMW X6 starts at US$64,300; Canadian pricing and availability have not been
Origin: The 2020 BMW X6 debuts with more tech and more power
More than 13,000 Mazda3s recalled in Canada over wheels that could fall off
2019 Mazda3 SportBrian Harper Mazda is recalling 13,108 examples of its 2019-model-year Mazda3 in Canada because a manufacturing defect may increase the odds the wheels will fall off.The Japanese automaker says while the lug nuts on the wheels were tightened to the correct specification at the factory, a manufacturing error may mean a gap between the wheel hub bolt and the hub flange was left during assembly.The gap could allow the lug nuts to loosen when the vehicle is in motion, which could in turn result in the wheels falling off completely.Drivers will hear a rattling sound before the wheel completely separates from the car, Mazda suggested.Recalled vehicles will simply have their lug nuts re-torqued to the correct specifications. No incidents of wheels detaching from Mazda3s has yet been reported, nor have any accidents or injuries tied to the
Origin: More than 13,000 Mazda3s recalled in Canada over wheels that could fall off
Autocar confidential: Volkswagen plans wireless updates, Audi gives us the heads-up and more
In this week’s wander through the backstage area of motoring, we find out why Hyundai engineers need to get off the bus, how Audi’s changing cockpit design, and more. VW’s breath of fresh air Volkswagen’s ID range of electric cars have been designed to be upgradable during their lifespan but, while over-the-air remote updates are possible, VW sales boss Jürgen Stackmann says such upgrades will probably be done at a dealer to begin with. “We need to be absolutely sure of (over-the-air upgrades),” he said. “We are not a start-up company, so we can’t take those risks.” The future of Audi’s dash design Audi’s signature Virtual Cockpit will eventually be replaced by an augmented head-up display and voice control, according to design boss Marc Lichte. Hinted at on the Q4 E-tron concept, which will make production in 2021, Lichte said: “Virtual Cockpit will become much smaller and we will have an augmented head-up display. Maybe in 10 years we’ll have less displays because HUD will control everything by voice.” Hyundai-Kia stops the bus “Too many of our engineers come to work on the bus,” says Hyundai and Kia design boss Luc Donckerwolke of his colleagues at the Namyang research and development centre. He says it limits their experience of driving the products they develop. Polestar times it right The shift to electrification has opened a window of opportunity for new brands to establish themselves – but it will only be brief, according to Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. “There is often a moment between launching too early or too late, but it is only a moment and the way the market is developing I’m more convinced it is right now,” he
Origin: Autocar confidential: Volkswagen plans wireless updates, Audi gives us the heads-up and more
Autocar confidential: Seat phones it in, Hyundai-Kia tries some DIY and more
In this week’s edition of Autocar confidential, we hear why Hyundai and Kia are bringing interior production entirely in-house, what’s wrong with Jaguar XE sales and more. New Jag’s a sales drag Frustration over the comparatively low sales of the Jaguar XE continues to bubble among senior officials. Outgoing design chief Ian Callum called the situation “a source of great puzzlement”. Marketing director Anthony Bradbury believes the issue lies in persuading people to drive the car. He said: “We are also new to the sector and that means we are a choice that people have to explain.” Premium brand plugs in DS boss Yves Bonnefont says that, apart from the DS 7 Crossback, each new model – arriving once a year over the next six years – will be available with a 300bhp plug-in hybrid or pure-electric powertrain from launch. Bonnefont believes “a third of sales will be electrified by the early 2020s for DS” and thinks electrification fits very well with DS’s premium ambitions “because of its torque and refinement”. Seat gets down with the kids Seat owners are among the most frequent users of Android and Apple connectivity systems, claims its digital officer, Fabian Simmer. Seat is known for leading digital innovation in the Volkswagen Group, a strategy largely led by the fact that its customers are 10 years younger than those of other brands in the group. Hyundai-Kia’s homemade interiors Hyundai and Kia are unusual for making steel pressings, seats, lights and dashboard screens in-house. Design boss Luc Donckerwolke said the firm has now developed 3D printing of textiles that eliminates the need for a foam backing. “3D printing is a game changer. You can change a design every six months,” he
Origin: Autocar confidential: Seat phones it in, Hyundai-Kia tries some DIY and more
Autocar confidential: Hyundai won’t be caught short, BMW ends its ‘Gran Tour’ and more
In this week’s collection of motoring murmurs, we hear why BMW isn’t building another B-Class rival, how Hyundai is ready for any market eventuality, and more. Munich’s MPVs make way for high-riders Don’t expect to see a replacement for BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer and seven-seat Gran Tourer, at least for some time. BMW’s product management vice-president, Peter Henrich, claims the current MPVs have “done an excellent job in bringing new customers to our brand” but are now “not at the centre of what our brand today stands for”. “We will see about moving Gran Tourer customers to our SUVs,” he added. Volkswagen tightens its grip on power Volkswagen sales boss Jürgen Stackmann says the firm has no concerns over battery supply limiting its ability to produce 100,000 ID 3 electric cars per year from 2020 onwards. Some car firms are struggling to secure enough batteries to meet demand, but Stackmann said VW’s supply was secure “as far as you have security in life and business. We will have stable and good supply for the volumes we want to build.” Volvo grabs the green pump Volvo won’t follow Mercedes down the diesel hybrid route, according to UK operations director David Baddeley. “There will either be petrol, petrol hybrid or full battery electric,” he said. “Go back two or three years and we were 98% diesel in the UK. Now we are 60% diesel and moving quickly. You’ve got to anticipate these changes.” Hyundai: Fail to prepare, prepare to fail… New Hyundai UK boss Ashley Andrew claims the allure of the brand is that it has “completely future-proofed itself, whichever way it goes” in terms of powertrains. “If the market goes towards battery-electric vehicles, we have them; if it goes towards hydrogen quickly, we’ve got that. Not only that, we’ve got the intellectual
Origin: Autocar confidential: Hyundai won’t be caught short, BMW ends its ‘Gran Tour’ and more
Kia’s 2020 Cadenza refresh goes bolder, more high-tech
The 2020 Kia K7 (Cadenza)Kia Kia took the covers off the refreshed 2020 Cadenza sedan it teased last week, confirming the production sedan will wear a much more aggressive face and hindquarters. More specifically, it revealed the Korean-market K7, which is basically the exact same car we get here with a different nameplate on it. The new Cadenza-K7’s front end is dominated by a larger, concave chrome grille, flanked by thinner, sleeker headlights; while out back the taillights now reach across the full width of the car, joined by a sort of dashed-line bar that will make for one interesting light signature. The 2020 Kia K7 (Cadenza) Kia The interior sees updates in the form of a new 12.3-inch touchscreen and re-positioned venting; the gear shift lever and button layout below the center stack has been refreshed as well. A digital gauge cluster lends the car a more premium feel than its predecessor. Available drivetrains are a mystery for now, since North American and Korean engine offerings aren’t always the same. The 2020 Kia K7 (Cadenza) Kia The 2019 Cadenza comes with a 290-horsepower 3.3-litre V6 with an 8-speed automatic in Canada, but we should get fuller details by year’s end. Expect the 2020 Kia Cadenza to wind up in Canadian showrooms late in 2019 or early next
Origin: Kia’s 2020 Cadenza refresh goes bolder, more high-tech
Cadillac’s super-smart Super Cruise finds even more roads
A steering wheel light bar and cluster icons indicates the status of Super Cruise™ and will prompt the driver to return their attention to the road ahead if the system detects driver attention has turned away from the road too long. Super Cruise is active (green light bar) in this image.Cadillac Detroit, MICHIGAN—Cadillac’s semi-autonomous Super Cruise system is about to get a major update, with more roads ready for use. We can tell you from experience, it takes a big leap of faith to trust at first, but once over this hurdle, it works to perfection and, unlike other “traffic” assistants, it works at any speed—it was perfectly happy doing the piloting on the highway at 120 km/h. Once on a divided highway, the driver centers the car in the lane and, when ready, activates the system. Once activated, a light bar in the steering wheel turns green. Super Cruise now does all of the driving, and it does so without the need for the driver to have their hands on the steering wheel. To pass a car is simple. First signal, make the lane change, and when centered in the new lane, the system automatically picks up where it left off. The impressive part is that fairly sharp bends were taken smoothly and without the wheel-wrenching common in older systems. The fact it did this at the aforementioned 120 km/h and without the need for my itchy hands to step in was very impressive. The system is also smart. For example, when passing a large truck in the adjacent lane rather than hugging the centre of the lane, it moved left in the lane to give the truck, and me, some welcome breathing room. To ensure the driver has not nodded off or taken to texting because the system is in charge, a small camera mounted on the steering column monitors the driver—look away from the road and the system turns the light bar red to tell them to get a grip. It is quick to react, taking about four seconds to note I was not watching the road. If action is not taken, it goes on to vibrate the seat to wake a potentially drowsy driver. If there’s no action after the seat warning, the car will bring itself to a stop, and OnStar contacts the driver to find out if there is a medical emergency. If that’s the case, assistance is dispatched immediately. Currently there are 208,000 kilometres of highway in Canada and the US that have been mapped by LIDAR, the high-resolution imaging Super Cruise uses to interpret its surroundings, which allows it to operate without an on-board LIDAR. Using this hi-res mapping, cameras and radars, it navigates a dived highway with remarkable accuracy. By the time the CT4-V and CT5-V debut next year, the LIDAR-mapped roads will have grown to 320,000 km of Super Cruise-capable roads. The plus is the system is being upgraded from the current controlled-access divided highways to include divided highways with intersections and traffic lights. In the case of railroad crossings, pedestrian crossings, stoplights or stop signs, Super Cruise turns the steering wheel light bar red, which tells the driver to take control. Once through the intersection it resumes the driving duties. Interestingly, an intersection controlled by a yellow flashing light will see the system negotiate it without handing over to the driver. The only pause for thought is what happens if the amber flashing light changes to a red flashing light, making it a four-way stop intersection? Between map updates there is the risk the system will run the red, mistaking it for the stored flashing-amber. That aside, Super Cruise is streets ahead, literally, of its
Origin: Cadillac’s super-smart Super Cruise finds even more roads
Gordon Murray’s new car is like a McLaren F1 but more aerodynamic, lighter, better
Gordan Murray Automotive (GMA) has more fully revealed its plans for its analog supercar, a machine that’s rather apparently the spiritual successor to the McLaren F1 in everything but name. GMA was started just two years ago in 2017, but as you might’ve guessed, it’s headed by automotive genius Gordan Murray. He’s most famously known for designing the original McLaren F1 supercar of the ’90s, but says this new coupe will be his magnum opus, and the perfect way to mark the 50 years he’s spent in the motorsports engineering business. It’s called the T.50, and despite its impressive specifications, this will be a proper old-school supercar. According to Murray, the T.50 will be the most aerodynamically advanced supercar on the road, borrowing technology from vehicles like the Brabham fan car, and of course the F1. Taken altogether, those components will make it the purest, lightest, most driver-focused supercar ever, he says. The T.50 will weigh only 980 kg, which is a couple hundred kilograms less than the F1. Powering the mighty supercar will be a 3.9-litre V12 which produces only 650 horsepower, which seems a bit weak compared to the big numbers we’re used to with today’s supercars. In fact, that’s only 23 horsepower more than the original F1 made over 20 years ago, but with the weight deficit, there should still be some considerable performance on the table. The engine will be mid-mounted, and coupled to a manual gearbox, with power going to the rear wheels only. As advanced as the car is, from the profile we can see several design elements carried over from the original F1, which is a testament to just what a revolution that vehicle was. Of course, just because it’s a little old-school doesn’t mean the car is going to be cheap. In fact, the price is an eye-watering 2 million pounds ($3.4 million), and only 100 will be built. Deliveries are expected to start in early
Origin: Gordon Murray’s new car is like a McLaren F1 but more aerodynamic, lighter, better
Autocar confidential: Volvo’s views on saloons, Lexus holds on to hybrids and more
In this week’s stroll through motoring’s backstage area, we hear how Volkswagen plans to revolutionise online car buying, why Lexus thinks hybrids are still so important and more. Volkswagen’s quick click Volkswagen aims to introduce a new car-buying experience with the ID 3 EV, which will be launched in September, with sales boss Jürgen Stackmann saying the firm plans to enable “10 clicks to a finished car” when ordering one. But although it is moving towards online buying, he said dealerships will still be key: “In China, people do everything on their phone – except buy cars. You still need to touch and test a car.” Honda looks forward with the e The Honda e features a classic bonnet design, despite lacking an internal combustion engine – and that’s because it’s the best shape for visibility. Designer Ken Sahara said of the EV: “At first, we tried to make it more futuristic and did several sketches with a shorter front. But from a functional perspective, a (steeply raked) A-pillar just makes bad visibility, so we used the two-box shape.” Volvo can handle saloon buyers A stronger focus on an engaging driving experience is now a “prerequisite” for any new mid-sized saloon, reckons Volvo’s UK operations director, David Baddeley. “The segment has moved in a more dynamic direction,” he said. “If driving dynamics aren’t a big need for you, you’re much more likely to end up in an SUV. The market has differentiated and now you need dynamics.” Lexus hybrid-ges the gap Lexus thinks that traditional hybrids are just as worthy as the new breed of plug-in hybrids from rivals. UK boss Ewan Shepherd said: “We believe hybrid is the tech for now. It is much more practical for someone coming out of a diesel or petrol. The infrastructure in cities is not there yet to make electric and plug-in hybrid
Origin: Autocar confidential: Volvo’s views on saloons, Lexus holds on to hybrids and more
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