Ford will reveal its new Mustang-inspired electric SUV, conceived as a high-performance rival to the Tesla Model Y, next month. The American firm has released a teaser featuring a sketch of the new machine’s profile, confirming it will be launched on Sunday 17 November, just ahead of the Los Angeles motor show where it will likely be shown in public for the first time. Due to go on sale in 2020, a concept will be unveiled later this year, Ford claims the as-year-unnamed model will transfer the spirit of the iconic Mustang pony car into a truly 21st century model. The new model was given the ‘Mach 1’ tag during early development because of strong public opinion against the use of the branding historically reserved for Mustangs. However, the Blue Oval recently applied to trademark the ‘Mach-E’ nameplate, which seems a perfect fit, given the car’s brief. The new car will be the first Ford designed as an electric car from the ground up, with a bespoke new platform enabling both rear and four-wheel drive. It will crown the brand’s wide-reaching electrification plan under which European customers will be offered a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric version of every new model launched. The only technical detail Ford has officially revealed is the car’s range: it will be capable of 370 miles of WLTP-certified range on a single charge, beating the Tesla Model X (351 miles) and Jaguar I-Pace (292 miles). A less expensive version with less battery capacity and range is also expected. Ford claims charging will be “effortless” and it is “redesigning the ownership experience to ensure it addresses customer pain points that currently hold back broad (electric car) adoption”. The car’s performance remains undisclosed, although chairman Bill Ford has previously claimed it “is going to go like hell”. At a Bank of America summit last month, a Ford presentation showed that it would offer a higher-performance variant of the electric crossover, targeting the more accelerative versions of Tesla’s EVs. Although it is not officially confirmed, reports suggest Ford will reveal the car’s name along with the concept before the year is out. Like many of Ford’s recent models, it’ll be a globally engineered vehicle with few changes between regions. UK deliveries are tipped to start in late 2020. It’s not the only EV in Ford’s product plan, because the Michigan-based maker is also working on a more affordable electric crossover. Codenamed CX430, it will be based on the latest Focus platform and be similar to the Kuga. The CX430 has been in Ford’s product plan for several years. The long-awaited push into electrification comes after news that Ford will be dropping former best-sellers from its US line-up: the Taurus, Fusion and Focus, alongside the Fiesta. Ford’s supermini never found huge popularity in the US, but the momentous decision to end Ford’s 110-year presence in the US passenger saloon market sent a clear signal that profitability, not diversity, is the new focus for the
Origin: Ford to reveal Mustang-inspired electric SUV next month
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Toyota to reveal solid state battery-powered car next year
Toyota will unveil a vehicle powered by solid state batteries at the 2020 Olympics as a means of showcasing its battery capability, the firm’s chief technology officer Shigeki Terashi has revealed ahead of the Tokyo motor show. However, the solid state battery technology – which promises the potential for longer range in smaller and potentially cheaper battery packs which can also take charge faster – will not reach mass production until the middle of the decade, he added. When the technology is used in mass production vehicles it will be rolled out across the firm’s entire line-up of EVs, he said. “We will produce a car with solid state batteries and unveil it to you in 2020,but mass production with solid state batteries will be a little later,” said Terashi, who also highlighted the battery know-how Toyota has accrued through its hybrid leadership developed with the Toyota Prius. That timeline still puts Toyota at the forefront of solid state battery technology. While Volkswagen has talked of a similar timeline, BMW, with which Toyota has various partnerships, has indicated that it doesn’t expect to be selling electrified vehicles using solid state batteries until 2030. The Olympic show car is expected to be based on the Toyota e-Palette, an autonomous platform that the firm has developed and which it is offering to partners to use to showcase their own self-driving technologies. An updated version of the e-Palette is expected to be shown at this year’s Tokyo motor show. Terashi also confirmed that Toyota expects to launch its first electric car for sale in Europe at the sart of the 2020s, with multiple varients expected to be developed across the Toyota and Lexus brands according to where public demand is
Origin: Toyota to reveal solid state battery-powered car next year
2021 Subaru WRX STI will arrive next fall with a 315-hp new engine: report
2020 Subaru WRX STI S209 The fourth-generation WRX has been kicking around since 2014, so it’s not too shocking to hear that Subaru is planning the next one for the not-so-distant future. According to reporting by Japan’s Best Car, the fifth-gen WRX will arrive next fall, riding on a new platform and using a new engine. The launch of the next-gen sedan comes alongside remakes of the WRX STI, Japan-only WRX S4 and Levorg wagon. The STI will apparently swap its current turbo flat-four EJ20 (EJ25 in North America) for a direct-injection FA20 four-cylinder good for 315 horsepower. This follows the trail blazed by WRX models in the U.S., which switched to the FA20 in 2014. To clarify, Japan’s WRX STI has a 2.0-litre engine, while North America’s WRX STI runs with a 2.5-litre good for 310 horsepower. The FA20 in the North American WRX, meanwhile, makes 268 horsepower. Whether North America will get the 2.0-litre engine like Japan, or a 2.4-litre FA variant similar to that in the Ascent SUV, is uncertain. The piece also suggests the STI will take aesthetic cues from the Viziv concept and will ride on the new global platform, which fits with Subaru’s previously stated intentions to use it as the base for all vehicles. No word on reveal dates for the WRX, but to paraphrase some TV show we used to know, Tokyo is
Origin: 2021 Subaru WRX STI will arrive next fall with a 315-hp new engine: report
Ferrari tech boss on EVs, V12s and next LaFerrari
“Emotions are the actual secret of Ferrari. Take Bugatti: they put 1000hp in a car, and if you go straight, it works very well. To have fun on mountain streets, we think this is our secret. It’s not just about being on the limit. Our cars are always fun. “But what’s fun? It’s sound, perceived acceleration – not just the 0-100kph or 0-200kph times. I accelerate and I feel the torque and how the acceleration evolves. It’s not like driving a diesel. It’s a turbo that evolves power and torque like on a naturally aspirated engine. “Then it’s a go-kart feeling. Everything you do brings a controllable feel to the car. Every customer can drive a Ferrari and have fun. “We have a very special engineering approach which combines engineering data with perceived emotions. We have a catalogue of manoeuvres which are connected to car characteristics perceived from customers. So we talk a lot to customers and our test drivers are very capable of translating customer perceptions into more engineering evaluations of cars. “So back to the F8 and its successor. If an SF90 is a very performance-orientated car with high fun to drive, the F8 successor will have less performance (than 1000hp) but maybe more fun to drive. More driving emotions, more capable, even lighter… We’re thinking of some specialities.” Will you continue to develop V12 engines? “We will try and build it for as long as possible. I am convinced there is still space for it on the market and we can do it technically and manage emissions. We’re working on the next EU6c emissions and will add gasoline particulate filters to manage this.” With the SF90 Stradale and the upcoming SUV in 2022, there will be six Ferrari model lines. Will you stick at six in the future? “No. The company has to grow. By repositioning that, you can grow in a certain way, or add certain models. We’re not interested in volume. It’s revenue. Volume doesn’t interest us.” Will you make a pure-electric Ferrari? “Right now, the technology is not mature enough. Look at customer requirements: the most important thing is sound. Today, there is also a problem on range, which for a sports car really is a problem. The range of an electric car is especially so if you accelerate or go with high speed. These are contributors to sports cars. You need high speeds and you can’t limit to 200kph. If you’d like to remove that technical constraint, you add so much weight it’s not a sports car. “Maybe in a few years, it could be a possibility. To sell the technology, you need a big step.” Ferrari tends to make a new hypercar around every 10 years. As the LaFerrari is almost seven years old, is work under way on its successor? “It is true that almost every 10 years we bring one out. It’s also true that Ferrari only does one when new technology is available. So we have to understand what is the technology we want to be on new supercars.” Will you make more special models like the Monza? “We want to segment our offering into four pillars: GT, sports cars, Icona (icons) and Special Series. Icona (where the Monza sits) will be a line of cars. “Monza is not the only one. We have a few we discuss. It’s a big success for us, Monza. There are less technical constraints with these cars. To drive Monza is like driving a
Origin: Ferrari tech boss on EVs, V12s and next LaFerrari
Un-camouflaged new Land Rover Defender maybe spied shooting next ‘James Bond’
If the internet is good for anything, its for giving us sneak peeks at new cars long before they go on sale. The latest leak thats causing consternation at a PR office? The new and hotly-anticipated 2020 Land Rover Defender.Spied on the set of a new James Bond flick is what appears to be a completely undisguised copy of the upcoming British 44.It has a lantern jaw harkening back to Defenders of old, along with what is certainly chequerplate on the flanks of its hood. This latter detail is a great throwback to the Defender 90 and 110. View this post on Instagram I’m not going to get in trouble for this — because it’s all over #facebook at the moment! Here is what looks like the first uncovered #defender2020 — straight (apparently) from the film set of the new #bond movie! Makes sense! A few things come to mind. Firstly, the winch is excellent. Secondly, the alpine windows are still there! Thirdly, the rear passenger door looks massive — you’ll never open that in a Tesco car park! Fourthly, there seems to be quite a bit of wheel clearance (though it’s unknown if this is standard height, off road height, or on coils!). Fifthly, checker on the bonnet (yes, the bonnet is a funny shape and there is no real wing to speak of). Sixthly, I’m not sure about the mirrors at all. Seventhly. well, this could clearly go on a bit! #landroverdefender #allnewdefender #landroverdefender #landrover #thebest4x4xfar #landrovertheworldover #landroverworld #bignews #didntmakefrankfurt #someonesheadwillrollforthis #spyshot #spyfilm #jamesbondfilmset #allnewdefender2020 #newdefender #newdefendernews #newlandroverdefender #defender #landroverdefender #landroverdefender110 #defender110 #defender130 #defender90 #allnewdefender90 #allnewdefender110 #newdefender2020 #newdefender90 A post shared by Steven Firth (@shedlocktwothousand) on Aug 26, 2019 at 3:14pm PDTIts front fascia is understandably not as squared-off as the old Defender, thanks largely to pedestrian safety standards and the fact that automakers no longer design their cars to look like barn doors.Round headlights set into rectangular buckets are a nice touch but, at least from this angle, appear to have the top quarter of those lamps tucked out of sight. This gives it a sleepy appearance, as if it just consumed a dime bag. Perhaps other angles will be better. The windshield is fairly upright, as one would expect, and various rugged off-road design cues pepper the exterior. There is a huge wheelwell gap, suggesting this version might be equipped with an air suspension jacked to its highest setting. Or, it may simply have metal coils modified for movie use. Appropriately knobby tires are present and accounted for.With the world clamoring for SUVs of all types, its a sensible time for Land Rover to reintroduce this well-loved nameplate. Defender fans are, um, ardent (to put it mildly) so the design will surely be criticized no matter what the final production versions looks like. Three- and five-door variants are expected when it goes on sale for the 2020 model
Origin: Un-camouflaged new Land Rover Defender maybe spied shooting next ‘James Bond’
BMW boss confirms next M3, M4 will get a manual transmission
BMWs M division is sticking by manual transmissions and RWD – for now, at least.Handout / BMW BMW will give the people what they want a manual transmission in the hot versions of the next-generation 3 and 4 Series cars.In an interview with BMW Blog, BMW M head Markus Flasch explained although the next M3 and M4 will have optional all-wheel-drive, the company is still keeping driving enthusiasts in mind.Its a bit early to disclose all the details, but something I want to highlight is that we will have a manual stick shift, he said. Weve already disclosed we will have the option of four-wheel drive. Weve not decided which variant, which system, but everything thats on our current lineup think of the M5 can be made available. The M3 and M4, Ive driven the pre-production cars and theyre already fantastic. This is good news. BMW was once known for fantastic drivers cars, but these days, the general consensus is that the Bavarian brand has recently become muddied with the introduction of SUVs, not to mention building a car for almost every segment. Flasch even admits while manuals arent particularly fast, theyre still important.The manual stick shift is not a performance-bringer, because an automatic transmission is just faster, you can ask any race driver, he said. But it gives the vehicle character and I kind of compare it to people who love mechanical watches it isnt more precise and it doesnt have any advantage at all, but its a character feature. So is a stick shift.All this means if you want a manual, youll have to step up to the M3 or M4, instead of the lesser 3 or 4 Series. We dont really have a problem with that, though, because the manual transmission is more or less a device reserved for people who enjoy using it, rather than as a means to cut costs. The M3 and M4 are built for driving pleasure, and were glad BMW recognizes this doesnt always mean speed, but rather a connection to the car
Origin: BMW boss confirms next M3, M4 will get a manual transmission
Citroen to launch three new saloons in the next two years
Citroën will launch three new saloon cars in the next two years, starting with a reinvented C6, marketing director Arnaud Belloni has confirmed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The move – in line with the firm’s heritage but against the trend of rivals’ plans in the face of declining saloon sales globally – is described as “unique but not risky” by Belloni, who hinted that the styling wouldn’t follow established saloon conventions. The design study for the flagship new saloon was initially kick-started by the 2016 Cxperience concept. The production car based on that concept has long been rumoured to be under preparation for sale, and it will be unveiled at the Paris motor show in 2020. In a surprise announcement, however, Belloni said that two more saloon models will follow in 2021, with both being unveiled in full production form rather than as concepts. “It’s our belief that there’s still a place for the saloon,” said Belloni. “When you factor in our pledge that all our cars will have either electric or plug-in hybrid options from next year, and the platform changes that brings, you then consider the opportunities that delivers for us to innovate stylistically. “What I will promise you is that these will be cars in keeping with Citroën’s heritage for innovation. The rise of the SUV cannot be undone, but that gives us room to reimagine the the purpose and look of the saloon. “I don’t wish to use the word ‘disruptive’, as that can be misinterpreted, but I promise the look of these cars will be very original. Not risky – we must sell cars – but they will carry on our tradition for looking at new ways to interpret segments. They will be contemporary in the truest form of the word.” Belloni wouldn’t be drawn on the size of the cars, but he hinted that the focus would be the Chinese market – the world’s largest for sales of all cars, and one in which saloon sales remain strong, especially for chauffered cars. “We will not make saloon cars of every size, because there is no market for small saloons,” he said. Citroen currently sells the C4 saloon and C-Elysee in China, but at least two of the new saloons are believed to be planned for European
Origin: Citroen to launch three new saloons in the next two years
Citroen to launch three saloons in the next two years
Citroën will launch three new saloon cars in the next two years, starting with a reinvented C6, marketing director Arnaud Belloni has confirmed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The move – in line with the firm’s heritage but against the trend of rivals’ plans in the face of declining saloon sales globally – is described as “unique but not risky” by Belloni, who hinted that the styling wouldn’t follow established saloon conventions. It was initially kick-started by the 2016 Cxperience concept. The production car based on that concept has long been rumoured to be under preparation for sale, and it will be unveiled at the Paris motor show in 2020. In a surprise announcement, however, Belloni said that two more saloon models will follow in 2021, with both being unveiled in full production form rather than as concepts. “It’s our belief that there’s still a place for the saloon,” said Belloni. “When you factor in our pledge that all our cars will have either electric or plug-in hybrid options from next year, and the platform changes that brings, you then consider the opportunities that delivers for us to innovate stylistically. “What I will promise you is that these will be cars in keeping with Citroën’s heritage for innovation. The rise of the SUV cannot be undone, but that gives us room to reimagine the the purpose and look of the saloon. “I don’t wish to use the word ‘disruptive’, as that can be misinterpreted, but I promise the look of these cars will be very original. Not risky – we must sell cars – but they will carry on our tradition for looking at new ways to interpret segments. They will be contemporary in the truest form of the word.” Belloni wouldn’t be drawn on the size of the cars, but he hinted that the focus would be the Chinese market – the world’s largest for sales of all cars, and one in which saloon sales remain strong, especially for chauffered cars. “We will not make saloon cars of every size, because there is no market for small saloons,” he
Origin: Citroen to launch three saloons in the next two years
Genesis to introduce a brace of SUVs in the next two years
If theres one thing sorely missing from the Genesis brands showrooms, its a crossover or three. In a market thirsty for tall wagons with traction at all four corners, the Genesis cupboard is more than a little bare.On todays sales call reporting on monthly earnings, we learned this oversight is about to be rectified with a pair of crossover vehicles.COO Erwin Raphael told assembled reporters that, in addition to the G80-based rig set to debut in about a years time, a compact crossover built on the excellent G70 platform will appear.Details are slim but its a safe bet the small SUV will be available with at least the 2.0-litre turbo-four found in the sedan. Plugging the hawt 3.3-litre twin-turbo six would shake up the segment in a big way. Dont expect the G70s stickshift transmission, though.As for the all-wheel-drive crossover already announced, we know it will be called the GV80 and share most of its platform details with the G80 sedan. That machine is available with a 3.8-litre V6, that 3.3-litre twin-turbo or a 5.0-litre V8, by the way. A hybrid version wouldnt be totally surprising, either.Genesis is taking the tried-and-true alphanumeric approach to naming its vehicles, appending a G to their sedans and a GV to their forthcoming crossovers. One assumes they couldnt use GX thanks to some sort of copyright claim by Lexus.South of the border, a market which drives many product decisions in this country, Genesis dealers have been crying out for more product after a production blip earlier this year. Despite having nary a crossover to offer, the brand doubled its sales last month compared to the same timeframe twelve months ago. Once these crossovers hit, expect that number to continue an upward
Origin: Genesis to introduce a brace of SUVs in the next two years
BMW’s new Vision M Next Concept looks like a hybrid-electric M1 successor
BMW is on a tear when it comes to electrifying its product portfolio. By the end of this year it wants to have 500,000 electric vehicles on the road around the world. Most will be hybrid or plug-in hybrids, along with the i3.The next step is to launch another 25 electrified rides by 2023, two years earlier than the companyd laid out in its original mission statement.The mix will include a plug-in version of the X5 SAV and an all-electric version of the X3the iX3 will launch next year.Eventually, the M performance division will also be turning to electrification. That future was revealed late June in the form of the Vision M Next Concept. It is set to be the first to marry the performance M badge with a hybrid powertrain.Its a radical-looking vehicle with i8-like scissor doors and laser-wire technology for both the headlights and taillights. It also uses facial recognition technology to unlock the car as the driver approaches.Pressing the touch sensor on the scissor door sees it swing open to reveal a minimalist cabinit blends a funky-looking interior with an F1-like steering wheel and truly neat gauge cluster. The drive modes are changed on the steering wheel like an F1 racer, while the key information like revs, speed, energy management and even the drivers heart rate are incorporated into the multi-panel curved glass display. Naturally, it features the latest autonomous capabilitythe iNext will include a Level 3 autonomous capability, so expect more of the Vision M Next.The Vision M has two core driving modes, Ease and Boost. Ease is where the riders take a back seat and let the Vision M Next to do the driving. Pieter Nota, the board member responsible for customers, brands and service, said future BMW models will continue to have a steering wheel. This is needed to support the Boost mode. It takes the plug-in hybrid powertrain and turns it over to the driver.And a serious drive it promises to be. The Power PHEV drive system gives the driver a choice between an electric all-wheel drive setup or a rear-wheel drive setup with either all-electric or turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine motivators. The system twists out 600 horsepower and has a top speed of 300 kilometres an hour. The proof of the M side of its personality is found in the run from rest to 100 km/hat three seconds, it will wow potential customers. On the other hand, it also offers an electric-only driving range of 100 kilometres.Asked what the likelihood of a Vision M Next-inspired production car might be, Nota was non-committal. However, he did not rule it out. It does make sense, as the concept takes the current i8 and ramps it up in all areas so it would seem like a natural fit for the
Origin: BMW’s new Vision M Next Concept looks like a hybrid-electric M1 successor
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