In a surprising twist of the ‘country bumpkin goes to town’ fable, it turns out the hit of the recent auto show in New York — possibly the most congested inner city in the world, and certainly the most cosmopolitan — was a great, giant, hulking pickup truck. Oh, Toyota’s Highlander probably drew more cameras. And any time Subaru introduces a new Outback it’s a media event. But in terms of the sheer number of “have you seen the (fill-in-the-blank)?” questions generated per square metre of booth space, it was Rivian, an upstart electric truck maker from Plymouth, Michigan, that was the talk of the town. The only issue is that so many of those questions remain unanswered. While the company talked loudly and proudly about the $1,000 deposits it had taken on its R1T pickup and R1S SUV, beyond the generic “our powertrains are very efficient,” there was little detail on how the EV startup was achieving its signature marketing message, namely the whopping 400-mile (640-kilometre) range attributed to its top-of-the-line R1T. Lacking the requisite detail, I did a bit of basic number crunching to see if there might be some illumination to how the company is achieving such game-changing range and exactly what it will cost for us to haul our cordwood emissions-free. Here’s what I came up with: The mid-range 135 kWh version — there’s a 105 kWh base model, and the 400-miler boasts a whopping 180 kWh — is, for now, the only model for which Rivian is providing specific details. It will, says the company’s spec sheet, weigh 2,670 kilograms (5,886 pounds). Now, it’s impossible to know how exact these specifications are. Rivian’s own director of communications, Michael McHale, says that the numbers are mere “guidelines.” But a fairly educated guess would be that, of those 2,670 kilograms of unladen weight, its 135 kWh of lithium ion accounts for about900 kg. That, thanks to my trusty calculator, leaves some1,770kg of full-sized truck. Applying the same calculus for a typical gas-powered pickup, like a Ford F-150 SuperCab4x4,gives you about 1,950 kilograms of engine-less truck (arrived by assigning 250 kg for the Ford’s twin-turbo V6, but not deducting the weight of the transmission to account for the Rivian’s four electric motors). That makes the R1T almost 200 kilograms lighter than what you’ll remember is Ford’s newly lightened aluminum-bodied truck. Doing the same numbers for the Ram 1500 or Chevy’s Silverado just widens the gap. In other words, unless the Rivian’s frame is made of carbon fibre, McHale’s “guidelines” may indeed be fluid. More importantly, the point of all this geeky guesswork is thatthe top-of-the-line, big-battery version is probably going to weigh over 3,000 kilograms. Meanwhile, some really basic math (for which I don’t need a calculator) reveals that its 180kWh and 400-mile combination work out to 45 kWh depleted every 100 miles driven.While hardly spectacular — a 2017 Chevy Bolt needs only about 28 kWh — it isabout the same as Audi’s new e-tron and just a little worse than a Tesla’s Model X 100D, both of which will weigh at least 500 kg —possibly even 700 — less than the topline R1T. In other words, right out of the gate, for Rivian’s proposed numbers to work the company’s engineers would already have to be slightly ahead of Tesla, the industry leader in electric powertrain efficiency, and way in front of Audi, that paragon of German automobile engineering. It might also be worth mentioning that, at current prices, the batteries for this long-range pickup will cost somewhere in the region of US$35,000. This is, for those looking for some context, about $7,000 more than a base Ford F-150. Yes, for the entire truck. As Motor Mouth has noted, there’s a growing market for upscale pickups, but at almost $90,000 Canadian for the base truck — the 105 kWh model is supposed to start at US$69,000 when it goes into production in about 18 months — that would make the 180 kWh Rivian a $100,000+ pickup here in Canada. Even at US$125 per kWh — the consensus basement of lithium ion’s economies-of-scale pricing — that’s US$22,500 for the batteries alone, not far off the US$24,300 Ford is asking for its all-new Ranger, which thanks to its fuel-sipping 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, also ekes out about the same 400 miles from a tankful. Oh, and by the way, by the time you factor in the weight of that giant battery, the compact Ranger’s payload will probably dwarf the long-range R1T’s cargo-carrying capacity. What makes the cargo-carrying ability even more interesting is that Rivian has also applied for a patent for a “removable auxiliary” battery that would extend range even farther. Though Rivian doesn’t specify how big this battery would be — the patent applications mentions a boost of anywhere from 10 to 20 kWh — it does say that said battery, which fits into the cargo bed like a bolt-in tool box, “may weigh several hundred pounds or more.” Both cargo and payload capacity, one assumes, would be
Origin: Motor Mouth: The Rivian paradox raises a few questions
motor
2019 New York motor show: full report and all the new cars
The New York International Auto Show is home to some of the biggest US-market unveilings, as well as a chance to see some recently revealed European models in the flesh for the first time. Held in one of the world’s most vibrant cities, the event always features some interesting new launches, and some outlandish concepts. We were on the ground to see everything first-hand: New York 2019: Full show report If chatter at this year’s New York motor show is anything to go by, the US vehicle market is holding strong, seemingly less affected by global headwinds than European brands. US vehicle sales are predicted to fall this year – they were down 2.5% in the first quarter, but still won’t fall much below the 17 million mark. America’s all-time record sales year was 2016 when 17.55m vehicles were sold. By most accounts, the US market is in rude health. Where saloons (or ‘sedans’ if you’re American) used to reign supreme, the US has fallen victim to SUVs as much as the rest of the world. Around 70% of auto sales are now SUVs or trucks. No surprise then that the show’s truck hall was full to the brim with monstrous trucks, while there were far more SUVs than saloons on manufacturer stands. Stand-out cars? The Kia HabaNiro concept, hinting at the next Niro due in 2021, got plenty of attention thanks to its butterfly wing doors and funky looks. Alongside it was a bright orange Stinger GTS. It’s a special edition, limited to 800 units, for the US only. It wouldn’t be that interesting if it weren’t for its new drift mode, a feature which we expect to see on an updated Stinger for Europe in a couple of years… Those might have been the new reveals for Kia, but it’s still pushing its Telluride large SUV hard as it endeavours to establish itself as a credible SUV brand. The Korean maker is best known for its sedans in the US such as the Forte and Optima. US COO Michael says: “We have a stronger reputation as sedan brand but we’re repositioning ourselves as an SUV brand. Telluride is where we see a real opportunity. We need to build a capable SUV reputation and we’ve made a great start with Telluride which is exceeding expectations.” Another popular car, based on stand footfall, was the Genesis Mint Concept. Refreshingly not an SUV, the premium city car could make production in the next three to four years, reckons brand boss Manfred Fitzgerald. He said: “I believe that there is a white spot on the map (for a car like this) that nobody is really catering to and it’s something we should really take a stab at.” Genesis, which only established itself as a standalone brand from Hyundai in 2015, sees New York as a “second home”, having just opened a dealership and brand centre in the city. There’s also word the brand is planning to launch in Europe next year. There’s potential there, but it’ll need to nail a tricky market far better than rival Infiniti, which recently pulled out of the region… Back to better-known brands. Mercedes chose this week’s Shanghai motor show to reveal its GLB, which should quickly become a big seller. But there was still plenty of new metal saved for New York including the updated GLC63 plus the all-new CLA 35. The big reveal was the new GLS. It only accounts for one per cent of Mercedes sales in the UK, but in the US it’s a different story. It’s the segment leader here. Merc RD boss Andreas Zygan said the car’s focus was even more comfort and luxury for rear passengers than its predecessor, and said a Maybach version could be on the cards. Another reveal fitting for New York was the 911 Speedster. The original 356 Speedster, which remains the inspiration for all Speedsters since, was created at the request of New York dealer Max Hoffman – the sole importer for Porsche in the US at the time – who wanted a ‘stripped-down’ version of the 356 to sell on the West Coast. The new machines uses the same 4.0-litre flat six as the current 911 GT3 but is heavily modified with revised exhaust, fuel and injection systems. GT division boss Andreas Preuninger told us we’d see the engine elsewhere: “We’ve invested in the future with this engine. “Our philosophy in GT cars is to stay naturally aspirated. We want to keep that engine for the future and that’s why we’ve made such a tremendous effort to get the engine right without taking emotion and performance away from the customer.” Hyundai’s premium brand is showcasing the Genesis Mint, a quirky electric car with a range of around 200 miles. It’s designed to show how luxury transport might work in cities in the future, and hint at the future design direction of Genesis – a brand that is set to be introduced into the UK. Hyundai Sonata The 2020 Sonata, Hyundai’s answer to the Toyota Camry, is making its public debut in New York. The mid-sized saloon is due in US dealerships later this year, with a raft of new interior technology and bold new styling. The Sonata is the first model to sit atop Hyundai’s new N3
Origin: 2019 New York motor show: full report and all the new cars
New York motor show 2019 notes: news, updates and oddities
The New York motor show might not be the biggest on the global calendar, but its location mens that it always attracts from of the biggest names in the car industry. You can check out all the new launches from the show here. Meanwhile, Autocar has been on the ground to check out all the new cars that are on display, chat to the industry experts in attendance – and to find out what’s really happening on the show stands. Here, our reporters empty their notebooks to bring you the behind-the-scenes info from the New York show. Nissan downsizing Stepping into the NY show, you’re instantly greeted by one of the biggest trends of recent years – downsizing. Whether we’re talking powertrains or vehicle dimensions, Nissan’s stand was the perfect example of the downsizing we so often see these days. The 370Z 50th Anniversary model sits alongside its forebear, the Datsun 240Z. Unsurprisingly, the latter looks positively dinky by comparison. The birthplace of the Speedster There’s no better place for Porsche to launch its 991 swansong, the 911 Speedster, than New York. The original 356 Speedster was created at the request of New York dealer Max Hoffman who wanted a ‘stripped-down’ version of the 356 to sell on the West Coast. The new machines uses the same 4.0-litre flat six as the current 911 GT3 but is heavily modified with a revised fuel system, different revs and more. It’s a lot of work for just 1948 examples, so there’s every chance this unit will make its way into more mainstream models… This Electric start-up only rose to prominence last year (despite being around for a decade). Its stand, featuring its R1S SUV and R1T pick-up, took pride of place alongside prominent car makers such as Audi and Mercedes. Its presence is likely a statement of intent as much as anything else, but shows how serious founder RJ Scaringe is. He told Autocar earlier this year that he believes he has now found a niche with Rivian, and can build something different and lasting. New York is new home for Genesis Genesis is still finding its feet in America, having launched as a stand-alone brand four years ago. Brand boss Manfred Fitzgerald said, at the unveil of its Mint Concept, that New York had become Genesis’s “second home” and is where it chooses to premiere concepts year after year. The Mint Concept – probably the best looking car this year’s show in my opinion – is perfectly suited to New York. It’s not confirmed for production but Genesis says it doesn’t create concepts without having an interest in making it a fully fledged car. We can but hope. Merc-AMG B-Class, anyone? The Mercedes-AMG range now spans an incredible number of models, but boss Tobias Moers can namecheck one Merc model that doesn’t have an AMG version – the B-Class! Meanwhile, he confirmed that the new GLS luxury seven-seater will get an AMG model in time. On show here is the revised GLC63 and new CLA35. So which 2019 model is Moers most excited about? The new A45 hot hatch. He says it’s dramatically improved in terms of driving dynamics. Kia’s SUV focus Kia America’s COO, Brit Michael Cole, told us that traditionally the maker has been well known for its saloons in America. Given that trucks and SUVs now account for 70% of vehicle sales in the US, that’s a perception it’s trying to change. The recently launched Telluride, a Ford Explorer rival, is helping that cause for the brand. Meanwhile, we’re more excited for the special-edition Stinger with a drift mode… Keep on truckin’ It’d be easy to miss the trucks and mods hall if you weren’t careful. Here, you’re reminded of the sheer hulk of many vehicles on US roads. Personal favourites included the Ram 2500 Power Wagon with a mere 6.4-litre V8 and 429lb ft of torque and the bright orange Jeep Gladiator Rubicon.
Origin: New York motor show 2019 notes: news, updates and oddities
2019 Shanghai motor show: full report and all the new cars
At the Shanghai motor show, some of the biggest manufacturers you’ve never heard of displayed their newest models alongside familiar Western brands keen to crack the world’s most lucrative automotive market. Long gone are the days when Shanghai was an exhibition of the most blatant copycat cars, and the impressive quality of new Chinese creations is beginning to pose a very real threat to more established manufacturers. The 2019 edition was especially significant, with an increasing number of Chinese models being prepared for European launches and global manufacturers such as Volkswagen adding to their range of models adapted specifically for sale in China. Shanghai 2019: Full show report China’s car sales fell for the tenth consecutive month in March, pitching the country’s growing ranks of car makers face-first into an unprecedented headwind whipped up, in part, by on-going trade frictions with the US and a continued slowing of the global economy, stymying their dramatic growth of the past two decades and threatening new model plans along the way. But if there were concerns for the long-term health of the Chinese car industry in what has been described as its biggest crisis yet, it certainly wasn’t showing as the 2019 Shanghai motor show opened its doors. With business confidence in the world’s largest car market showing heartening signs of a rebound, owing to a timely reduction in sales tax ordered by the Chinese central government effective from the beginning of April, the mood within the vast halls of the international convention centre, where the country’s biggest motor show takes place every two years, was cautiously upbeat. While China’s car sales have fallen for the good part of the past year, they continue to far outstrip those of any other country. The overall figure for March, at 2.52 million, showed the smallest decrease year-on-year in over seven months, at 5.2 per cent. With many car makers reducing prices to boost sales in light of the tax break, expectations are total car sales for 2019 will be roughly in line with those of 2018 at around 22.5 million. Predictably given the importance now placed on Shanghai motor show as an automotive showcase with international reach, every key Chinese car maker, including the five state-owned heavyweights SAIC, FAW, BAIC, Dongfeng and Changan, all presented new or improved production models this year. They were kept honest by an ever more competitive list of private own rivals headed by the likes of Geely, GAC, Great Wall Motors and BYD as well as key introductions by joint venture operations such as those operated by Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota and Honda. It was the concept cars from established western car makers, including the clever new Audi AI:ME, versatile Volkswagen Roomzz and rugged looking Mercedes-Benz Concept GLB, that grabbed the headlines in the days leading up to Shanghai motor show. However, it was China’s growing number of increasingly well funded electric vehicle start-ups that stole the limelight once the veils went up. With China’s electric car sales showing no sign of a slow down despite a recent reduction in government subsidies, the competition for the attention of buyers is now intense. Zero local emission compatibility and other key technology solutions play a big part in the attraction of new cars for Chinese buyers and it was being laid on thick by the likes of Nio, XPeng, Weltmeister, Singulato, Byton, Aiways, Bordrin Motor and Leap Motors, along with many other newly-created electric vehicle start-ups, several of which are based in and around the sprawling metropolis of Shanghai itself. With promises of ranges of up to 373 miles and charging times of less than 15 minutes, China’s latest electric cars have, it seems, now breached the point where they can compete head to head with those from Tesla and perhaps, more importantly, more traditional combustion engine rivals. From advanced 5G connectivity solutions to smart holographic augmented reality head-up displays, the latest in autonomous driving functions and new hydrogen-fuelled power units, this year’s Shanghai motor show proved without any doubt that China has once and for all arrived as an automotive force – and not only for domestic consumption but with truly global credentials. As one seasoned automotive industry official opined as BYD’s design boss, Wolfgang Egger, presented the stylish electric-powered e-SEED GT: “Shanghai, it’s the new Detroit”. One solid theme evident in Shanghai this year was a surprise swing away from SUVs towards contemporary new sedans, the most notable of which, the Nio ET, Enovate ME-S, Xpeng P7 and Qoros Mile II, all boasted newly developed platforms with pure electric drive systems in a direct Aware at the threat China’s electric vehicle start-ups pose to their business, many of the country’s established car makers have also begun to create their own electric vehicle sub-brands to attract new customers, as
Origin: 2019 Shanghai motor show: full report and all the new cars
2019 Shanghai motor show: all the new cars revealed
At the Shanghai motor show, some of the biggest manufacturers you’ve never heard of are displaying their newest models alongside familiar Western brands keen to crack the world’s most lucrative automotive market. Long gone are the days when Shanghai was an exhibition of the most blatant copycat cars, and the impressive quality of new Chinese creations is beginning to pose a very real threat to more established manufacturers. The 2019 edition is especially significant, with an increasing number of Chinese models being prepared for European launches and global manufacturers such as Volkswagen adding to their range of models adapted specifically for sale in China. Here, we take a look at the most important unveilings. Aston Martin Rapide E Aston Martin is aiming the new Rapide E electric performance saloon squarely at the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan. A claimed torque output of 738lb ft will help the Rapide E to sprint from 50mph-70mph in under 1.6 seconds, and the model can cruise at its 155mph top speed for 10 straight minutes. Audi AI:ME concept Audi Q2 L e-tron Audi’s China-only long-wheelbase Q2 L is the latest model to receive the e-tron treatment. Badged the Q2 L e-tron, the electric compact SUV will be built in Foshan, alongside Chinese variants of the A3 Sportback and A3 Saloon, by Volkswagen Group partner First Automotive Works (FAW). The model is the first of ten planned for launch by Audi and FAW in China by 2022 and the first electric Audi tailored specifically for the Chinese market. BMW 3 Series LWB Audi isn’t the only German brand taking an extended version of one of its newest models to China. The new BMW 3 Series has been adapted for the Chinese market, and will be on display in long-wheelbase 3 Series L form. Almost as long as the 5 Series available in Europe, the new model has been developed alongside the standard 3 Series, and will be built by BMW’s Chinese partner company Brilliance Automotive. BYD hybrid supercar A preview image released by Chinese company BYD shows off a sleek, low sports car with a prominent greenhouse-style cabin and performance-inspired design elements. Little is known about the model’s powertrain, but Chinese media reports that a four-wheel drive variant would likely use a 2.0-litre petrol engine coupled to an electric motor for a combined output of 469bhp. Faraday Future MPV EV start-up Faraday Future has yet to launch its first effort, the FF91, but will be previewing a second production model in Shanghai. Previewed in silhouette form, the V9 is a China-only electric MPV being developed in partnership with a Chinese mobile gaming company. Geely GE11 Karma-Pininfarina concept Karma, born out of the 2014 collapse of Fisker Automotive, will unveil an as-yet-unnamed luxury model designed in association with Italian design house Pininfarina. The Chinese-funded, US-based electric car manufacutrer is remaining tight-lipped about the model’s specifications and performance, but a recently released preview image shows off an angular, streamlined front end and a prominent lower grille like that of the original Fisker Karma. Karma Revero Joining the new Pininfarina-designed concept on Karma’s Shanghai stand will be the updated-for-2020 version of the brand’s Revero luxury saloon. The four-door range-extender electric car will use a three-cylinder petrol engine from BMW. It’s tipped to receive styling revisions but retain an overarching resemblance to the Fisker Karma, from which is was developed. Karma has plans to launch the new Revero in Europe as a competitor to the Polestar 1 performance hybrid. Karma Vision Rounding off Karma’s ‘Shanghai Big Three’ will be the Vision concept. Little is known about what form the Vision will take, but Karma said it will play a role in the brand’s transformation from a traditional car manufacturer into “an open-platform luxury high-tech automotive incubator”, like the Italdesign DaVinci electric supercar revealed earlier this year at the Geneva motor show. Landwind E315 Codenamed E315, the latest effort from Jiangling Motors brand Landwind is a stylish compact SUV that will go up against the likes of the Volvo XC60, LynkCo 01 and Haval H6. Details remain scarce, but the E315 is expected to have five seats and make use of the same 1.5-litre Ford-derived unit that powered Landwind’s Range Rover Evoque copycat, the X7, which has just been forcibly discontinued. LynkCo 05 Taking the form of an SUV-coupé, the Geely-owned LynkCo brand’s fifth model is a BMW X6 rival based on its 01. It will sit atop the Volvo-developed CMA platform and will likely use the Swedish company’s range of 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines. A European launch is likely but unconfirmed. Mercedes-Benz GLB Mercedes’ new small SUV will sit between the current GLC and GLA models, and will take on rivals like the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Volvo XC40. Styling across the GLB range
Origin: 2019 Shanghai motor show: all the new cars revealed
All about car 