Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion conceptHandout / Volkswagen What is it?If youve lost track of all the ID. prototypes since Volkswagen unveiled its first I.D. Concept in Paris four years ago, let us explain Volkswagens ID. Space Vizzion Concept like this: This is the ninth concept of the electric-vehicles series although were still waiting for a production vehicle on what the company calls its modular-electric-drive-matrix.The first thing youll note if you care about punctuation is that, somewhere along the road, the I.D. became ID.. For another, the Space Vizzion is effectively yet another concept (to be) built on Volkswagens MEB dedicated-platform for battery-electric vehicles. Now, just in case you forgot the previous eight ID. prototypes, it started with the I.D. compact hatchback at the Paris Motor Show in 2016 and includes a small SUV, a couple of Microbus-style vans, a racecar, and even a dune buggy.VW describes this umpteenth prototype as combining the aerodynamic design of a Gran Turismo with the spaciousness and versatility of an SUV. All of which is to say: Its a station wagon. Actually, to be more accurate, its a long station wagon: Stretching almost five meters 4,958 millimetres to be exact from bumper to bumper, were talking Audi S7 Sportback or Tesla Model S length.Check out all of our latest auto show coverage hereWhy does it matter?Well, for now, it doesnt, because were not even getting the first mass-produced EV heralded by these highly promoted concepts: The first VW ID.3, a small electric car to be launched next summer, wont reach North American shores. Rather, the company is waiting for 2021 to send us the ID.4, a four-door crossover variant, based on the VW ID. Crozz Concept unveiled two years ago.But if VWs promises made imperative by a certain Dieselgate scandal are to be believed, this ID. Space Vizzion Concept unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show might matter for Canadians. After all, station wagons have always been (a bit) more popular in Canada than in the U.S. enough, in fact, that VW is one of the rare manufacturers to (still) offer one in its lineup, even arranging extra production of the soon-departing, seventh-generation Golf Sportwagen and Alltrack.When is it coming?Dont hold your breath, or you might turn into that weird Saintly Blue Pearl Effect colour showcased on the prototypes body best described by VW as a new metallic white with shimmering blue and violet pigments. You want more bizarre? The interior is made of AppleSkin, in lieu of leather. Yes, youll be sitting on leftovers from apple juice production. Kids should love it. But back to our specifics: VW says the concept previews a potential production car for Europe and North America. This is a bit less assertive than VWs previous statement suggesting the production version will launch in late 2021 with different versions for North America, Europe, and China.Should you buy it?Too early to tell. For now, we are promised a rear-mounted motor for 275 horsepower that can be paired with a second, 101-horsepower coaxial drive motor. The latter would give all-wheel-drive capability and up to 335 horsepower. This 4Motion variant of the ID. Space Vizzion, with its 82-kWh lithium-ion pack, is said to be good for 482 kilometres more or less Tesla Model 3 range and can sprint from zero to 96 km/h (60 mph) in five
Origin: Volkswagen’s ID. Space Vizzion Concept is a wagon by any other name
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Fisker’s new electric SUV has a name
The Fisker revealed October 31 that the brands newest electric vehicle will be named Ocean; the SUV will take on a more conventional shape and layout for the needs of todays buyers.Instead of revealing a concept car followed by a production model, Fisker will show a fully running production-intent prototype sitting on the actual, completely engineered platform, or at least it will January 4, 2020.As far as we can see, the vehicle essentially looks like an electric Jaguar F-Pace. Fisker calls the Ocean the Worlds Most Sustainable Vehicle, a claim aided by way of the trucks building materials. The interior is completely vegan, being made of 100 per cent polycarbonate polyurethane surfaces and 100 per cent reinforced Rayon backing.Other key parts of the vehicle are also made of reclaimed materials: the carpets are made of regenerated nylon from abandoned fishing nets, pulled directly from the ocean; the so-called Eco-suede upholstery is made from old t-shirts and recycled bottles. Fisker also says that recycling instead of producing new polyester reduces CO2 emissions by 80 per cent.Just like Fisker vehicles previous, the Ocean will have a solar panel roof to recoup more energy. The electric range will be between 250 and 300 miles (400 to 480 km) thanks to an 80-kW battery pack.Production of the Fisker Ocean will begin at the end of 2021, with deliveries starting 2022. Early reservations will take place on November 27, 2019, and will be done through Fiskers proprietary app.Pricing should be around the US$40,000, so the Ocean can put Teslas Model Y square in its
Origin: Fisker’s new electric SUV has a name
Mini to revive Traveller name for BMW i3-based MPV
Mini plans to enter the shrinking market for small MPVs with a new electric model. It will be the brand’s most practical car yet, and it’s thought it will revive the Traveller name. The new Mini MPV has been conceived to appeal to family car buyers seeking greater levels of interior versatility and space than the existing Clubman and Countryman. It will be based on parent company BMW’s FAAR platform, which supports front- and four-wheel drive. There will be versions powered by internal combustion engines, a plug-in hybrid and, later in its seven-year life cycle, a battery-electric driveline in a Traveller SE model. It will rival the Volkswagen ID 3, which will be revealed next month. In pure-electric form, the new Mini model is set to be twinned with the successor to the BMW i3. That means it will be offered with the very latest in battery cell technology and a range exceeding 250 miles. Autocar understands the move is part of a comprehensive realignment of Mini’s global operations that will divide its line-up into two distinct areas. Future models will based on either the FAAR platform or a new entry-level one being developed in a joint venture with Chinese car maker Great Wall Motors. The realignment, masterminded by recently departed BMW chairman Harald Krüger, aims to provide Mini with a less cost-intensive operational base and the scope for a broader range of models. In future, Mini’s production activities will centre on three plants: Born in the Netherlands; Zhangjiagang, China; and Oxford, UK. Satellite operations will continue in India, Malaysia and Thailand. As well as planning replacements for today’s hatch, Clubman and Countryman, Mini is developing two crucial new models that will arrive by the end of 2023. The aim is to increase annual sales volumes well beyond the 361,531 achieved in 2018. One will be the long-awaited production version of the Rocketman, as previously reported by Autocar. The entry-level Smart Forfour rival will be fully electric and based on a development of Great Wall Motors’ ME platform. It will be produced under a joint-venture operation called Spotlight Automotive, based in China. The second approved new model, expected to be called the Traveller, will rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. Plans are in place for it to be developed using technology from the next BMW i3. Described to Autocar as being very much in the mould of BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer, the new five-seater is intended to complement existing Mini models. Production is likely to begin in the Netherlands near the end of 2022, according to senior Mini
Origin: Mini to revive Traveller name for BMW i3-based MPV
Aston Martin gives its new AM-RB 003 hypercar a name: Valhalla
When the Norse god Odin selected honored warriors for the afterlife, he sent them to a majestic paradise called Valhalla.Stern stuff, then, and the perfect name for Aston Martins new hypercar.Formerly identified by its code name AM-RB 003, which made it sound like the worlds fastest fax machine Aston Martins latest mid-engined hypercar is a collaboration with Red Bull Advanced Technologies and technical whiz Adrian Newey.Deploying lightweight construction methods and aerodynamics pioneered in the big-brother Valkyrie, the Valhalla will be powered by a hybrid system comprised of a high-output turbo V6 and battery-electric power team. Just 500 examples of the all-carbon-fibre hypercar will be built.Just like that family back in high school who called all their kids names which began with the letter J, Aston Martin has a long history of titling their cars with a V. Vantage, Vulcan, Vanquish, Valkyrietake yer pick of high-performance coupes that exude more than just a dash of swagger.Speaking of the Valkyrie, this car borrows some of its design, but uses less extreme language. The company says it wants this to be a car people can daily, endowing it with space behind the seats for luggage and even a place to mount your smartphone on the dash. The example shown this year in Geneva also had a steering wheel full of vehicle controls and a display screen in the hub.At the show, Aston also showed off the Valhallas aero tech, which has been validated by NASA. Yes, that NASA. The Valhallas rear wing is equipped with something called FlexFoil, which allows the cars downforce to be changed without changing the physical angle of the entire element. This seamless design will allegedly increase downforce while reducing wind noise when compared to a traditional active wing design.Aston figures itll be producing Valhalla road cars by the calendar year 2021. Price? If you have to
Origin: Aston Martin gives its new AM-RB 003 hypercar a name: Valhalla
Audi kills off TT in the name of expanding EV lineup—the R8 may go next
2019 Audi TT RSHandout / Audi Audi will cease making the iconic TT coupe and replace it with a battery-powered model as the luxury brand accelerates an electric shift that may also see the next version of its flagship A8 sedan go emission-free. Audi is also mulling an end to the US$170,000 R8 sports car as Volkswagen’s biggest profit generator focuses resources on the rollout of 20 fully-electric cars by 2025. Sales of electrified vehicles, which include hybrids, are set to account for 40 per cent of deliveries by then, Audi said Thursday at its annual shareholders meeting in Neckarsulm, Germany. “We’re shedding old baggage,” Chief Financial Officer Alexander Seitz said. Because of tighter emissions regulations, “combustion cars are getting more expensive in the medium-term, and electric cars are getting cheaper.” Audi is pushing to regain lost ground to rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW as it struggles to emerge from the diesel-emissions scandal that shattered the manufacturer nearly four years ago. The brand’s woes culminated in the arrest of former CEO Rupert Stadler last year and a 800 million-euro (US$895 million) fine. Parent VW can ill afford Audi to falter, and the group’s cash cow plans to revive profits with 15 billion euros in savings by 2022. Audi has been making the two-door TT since 1998. At the time, the model’s sloping roof and sleek design signaled a shift away from its reputation for staid sedans. Audi will replace the TT with a new electric car “in a few years,” it said. “There will be lots of things that we won’t do any more in the future, or things that we do less,” Audi Chief Executive Officer Bram Schot said. “We focus maximum resources on our key projects.” Audi unveiled the revamped flagship $84,000 A8 sedan in 2017, with a new-generation model due around
Origin: Audi kills off TT in the name of expanding EV lineup—the R8 may go next
Honda’s Urban EV concept gets a real name: ‘e’
Name of Honda’s urban electric car confirmed: ‘Honda e’Honda Honda’s small Urban EV concept with throwback styling caught the attention of just about everybody when it was revealed at the Geneva auto show a couple years back, and Honda has just announced the production model’s name: Honda e. A simple name for a simple car. The Honda e gained a lot of love for its resemblance to the original Honda CVCC (the car later rebadged Civic) and will surely get a lot of love for what it can offer, as well. Honda says, for example, the e will deliver over 200 km of range, and that the battery cells supplied by Panasonic will fast-charge to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes. The e will also be rear-wheel-drive, so it might actually be quite sporty. Honda decided to build the vehicle after over 22,000 customers in Europe expressed interest in buying it, showing there would probably be a good market for small EVs for urban areas. The e will be a great addition to Honda’s vision of electrifying its entire lineup by 2025. Honda’s Electric Vision, renewed and emboldened at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, is for 100 per cent of the brand’s European sales to feature electrified powertrains by 2025, the automaker said in a release. The Honda e, presented as a production prototype in Geneva, is Honda’s first model to benefit from a dedicated EV platform and takes a bold step with its design and technology. The compact electric car offers trademark Honda driving dynamics, aided by the sporty rear-wheel-drive format and advanced electric powertrain. Production and sales of the Honda e will hopefully start later in 2019, and we sincerely hope that Honda finds a way to make the e available in
Origin: Honda’s Urban EV concept gets a real name: ‘e’
Honda e confirmed as name for maker’s electric city car
Honda has confirmed that its upcoming electric city car wlll be called the Honda e when it goes on sale in Europe later this year. The model was first revealed as the Urban EV concept at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show. A near-production version was then shown at this year’s Geneva motor show and called the Honda e prototype. The car maker has now confirmed that name will stay for the production version. The firm believes the car’s retro design will give it an Apple-style appeal to customers. The protoype shown at Geneva motor show is “95% production ready”, according to the firm. It maintains the styling of the Urban EV Concept, albeit with the addition of an extra set of doors. While Honda has yet to reveal full technical details of the car, its designers told Autocar at the Geneva show that it would offer “more than” 98bhp and 221lb ft of torque. Honda said more than 15,000 people have already expressed interest in the machine in Europe. While pricing has yet to be set, Autocar understands the firm is aiming for a figure around £30,000. Project manager Kohei Hitomi said the machine had been the subject of an internal “battle” over whether to put it into production, with the positive reaction to the concept being a key factor in it gaining approval. The car is slightly shorter than a Jazz and around 100mm taller than a Mini. Honda has said it will likely have an official range of around 125 miles, with fast-charging capacity to reach 80% charge in 30 minutes. The e prototype is built on a new platform designed for A- and B-segment electric cars, with underfloor batteries produced by Panasonic that are similar to those used in the US market Accord plug-in hybrid. The rear-mounted electric motor drives the rear wheels, which employ torque vectoring to give a smoother response and improved handling in tight corners. Although the e prototype’s range is substantially lower than that offered by rival EVs such as the 282-mile Kia e-Niro or BMW i3, which offers 193 miles, Hitomi said it was necessary to keep the batteries small to fulfil its city-car role. “We believe the range is sufficient for this segment of car,” said Hitomi. “Some potential customers might not be satisfied, but when you think about bigger range and a bigger battery, it has drawbacks in terms of packaging. It’s a balance.” The e prototype features cameras instead of rear-view mirrors, which help improve aerodynamic efficiency. There are also flush door handles and the charging port is mounted centrally in the bonnet. The cockpit is dominated by two 12in touchscreens, built into a dashboard finished with a wood-effect trim. The seats – including a two-seat bench in the rear – are covered in polyester, which, as with the wood effect, is designed to make the interior feel like a living room. The e prototype will be built in Japan and go on sale in selected European markets in late 2019, with others following in 2020. It will also be sold in Japan. The firm has yet to set pricing. Hitomi said it is “important” the car is affordable but he added: “A low price is not always a guarantee of success. When you look at Apple products, they are not cheap, but everyone wants to have them because of their added value. We believe it is the same for the electric
Origin: Honda e confirmed as name for maker’s electric city car
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