Tesla will unveil its long-awaited electric pick-up truck, dubbed Cybertruck, later this month, CEO Elon Musk has confirmed. Musk took to Twitter earlier today to post: “Cybertruck unveil on Nov 21 in LA near SpaceX Rocket factory”. He has linked the date to the original Blade Runner film, which lists the same date in the opening credits. The date also coincides with the Los Angeles motor show, which is likely to be intentional. Little is known about the pick-up beyond what Musk has alluded to in interviews and on Twitter. He’s claimed before that it will be similar in size to the class-leading Ford F-150, cost less than $50,000 (£38,900) and be more capable than any rival. Design-wise, everything seen so far has been purely speculative. Last month, Musk tweeted: “(The Cybertruck) doesn’t look like anything I’ve seen bouncing around the internet. It’s closer to an armoured personnel carrier from the future.” Pick-ups are still the biggest-selling vehicles in North America, so the move makes financial sense. Ford sold more than 900,000 F-Series trucks in 2018, making it the best-selling vehicle in the US. Ford plans to launch an electric version of the F-150 before 2022. Tesla’s expansion plans beyond the pick-up also include the Model Y crossover, which will be delivered to customers in the coming months, the new Roadster and the electric Semi
Origin: Tesla pick-up to be revealed on 21 November, Musk says
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Ricardo unveils military-spec Ford Ranger pick-up
British engineering firm Ricardo has unveiled a military-spec version of the Ford Ranger pick-up, developed in collaboration with specialist vehicle manufacturer Polaris. Ricardo, which specialises in developing engines and transmissions but has also developed the Land Rover Wolf and Foxhound armoured personnel carriers, has equipped the Ranger with a range of features aimed at improving safety, fuel economy and durability. The most obvious visual difference over the standard model is the addition of an optional external roll cage, which, as with the firm’s military Land Rover, incorporates a circular cut-out at the rear for the mounting of firearms. Underneath, the Ranger gains an armoured ballistic underfloor, rock sliders and improved waterproofing, while armoured glass and strengthened front and rear bumpers further improve safety in the event of an impact or explosion. Modifications inside include the addition of four-point harnesses for all the seats, while upgrades have been made to the truck’s 24V electrical system to better cope with the demands of military use. The model is powered by Ford’s twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox that’s said to enhance fuel economy. Optional suspension, brake system and tyre upgrades are offered as a means of raising ride height and towing capacity. Ricardo’s special vehicles director, Paul Tarry, said: “The adaptation of existing and well-proven automotive platforms for defence roles provides an opportunity to deliver a robust, fit-for-purpose and highly cost-effective package that is easy to maintain, benefiting as it does from an established international supply chain of parts and service. “However, it is also crucial in such adaptations to engineer a solution that meets the exacting requirements of the intended applications; even the most robust of commercially available vehicles is unlikely to meet this threshold without careful, role-specific adaptation of the type that Ricardo is ideally placed to provide.” Although the firm claims its new Ranger-based model demonstrates that it is well suited for military applications, it has not yet been confirmed that it will enter
Origin: Ricardo unveils military-spec Ford Ranger pick-up
New Mitsubishi L200 pick-up: UK specs and pricing finalised
The revamped Mitsubishi L200 pick-up truck has gone on sale in the UK, with prices starting from £25,755 for private buyers. The firm says it has made more than 2400 changes from the previous version. The heavily facelifted update of the fifth-generation pick-up was launched in Thailand last year, and featured a revamped design including the latest version of the Japanese firm’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ grille. The four-wheel-drive machine is offered with a choice of manual and automatic six-speed gearboxes, and has a WLTP-certified fuel economy of between 29.1 and 32.1mpg. The entry-level 4Life Club Cab models, which start from £21,515 for commercial buyers, feature 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity. The 4Life trim is also available with a larger Double Cab, starting from £27,195 (£22,715 for commercial buyers). Higher-level trims are available with the Double Cab only. Warrior trim starts from £31,617 (£26,400 commercial) and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and running lights, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, a reversing camera, infotainment touchscreen and land departure warning. Barbarian trim, costing from £35,097 (£29,300 commercial) includes hill descent control, an off-road mode, front heated seats, mood lighting and rear USB ports. The range-topping Barbarian X trim is only offered with an automatic box, and starts from £38,577 (£32,200). It adds a 360-degree camera, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, LED fog lamps, parking sensors, a heated steering wheel and Barbarian X decals. The revamped version of the L200 was unveiled just three years into its life cycle, to mark the 40th anniversary of the model. The L200 went on in Thailand and other Asian markets – where it is known as the Triton – last year, and is being rolled out to 150 countries worldwide. The revised L200 is one of 11 new or refreshed models Mitsubishi will launch by the end of 2020 as part of its ‘Drive for Growth’ strategy, which follows its acquisition by Nissan to become part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Mitsubishi COO Trevor Mann said that the changes to the L200 were “significant” and far exceeded a regular midlife update, adding that they were designed to “reinforce what this car should be”. He added that the relatively early update “made sense” because the company could identify opportunities to improve it. The revisions include a new design that features the brand’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ grille concept at the front, along with revised headlights to give it more road presence. There are also extended wheel flares, new accents and revised bumpers and rear lights, and a revised interior. A quick (and wobbly) video tour of the new Mitsubishi L200 pick-up. Story here: https://t.co/jHYUCHzjE5 pic.twitter.com/Xfb2kCrUoM — Autocar (@autocar) November 9, 2018 The more angular styling has been designed to appeal to both business and private buyers, and is intended to reflect Mitsubishi’s ‘Engineered Beyond Tough’ slogan. The L200 features two different four-wheel-drive systems, and a number of new drive modes. These include new off-road drive modes for gravel, snow, sand and rock that help to regulate engine power, transmission and braking to reduce wheel slip. A hill descent control system has also been added. The five-speed manual gearbox has been replaced by a six-speed automatic. The pick-up includes a range of driver assistance features, including forward collision detection, blind spot warning and rear-cross traffic alert. Mitsubishi also cites a number of smaller ‘detail’ changes, including larger front brake discs and calipers, and larger rear dampers to smooth performance. The L200 is one of Mitsubishi’s bestselling vehicles in the UK, rivalling the Outlander PHEV, and is increasingly popular among private buyers. The L200 will continue to be produced exclusively at Mitsubishi Motor’s Thailand facility in Laem Chabang, south of
Origin: New Mitsubishi L200 pick-up: UK specs and pricing finalised
Skoda Mountiaq: New pictures show pick-up concept
New images show the Mountiaq pick-up concept that Skoda will showcase in June as part of a student training programme. The two-door Kodiaq-based off-roader has been developed by 35 students aged between 17 and 20 from the Skoda Vocational School for Mechanical Engineering, based at the Czech firm’s Mladá Boleslav base. It will be the sixth vehicle developed as part of an annual Skoda Student Concept Car project, and there is no production intent for the machine. The students were given the Kodiaq SUV as a starting point for the project, but have reworked it extensively over the course of 2000 hours. Preview images show a heavy redesign from the Kodiaq, and that the SUV’s cabin will be shortened to end behind the front seats, with the rear reshaped to incorporate a small, illuminated pick-up bed and fully functioning tailgate. The concept also features off-road-inspired styling elements such as 17in wheels, an air intake snorkel, roof-mounted light-bar, winch and bullbar. A 10cm suspension lift and chunky deep-tread tyres hint at the model’s performance potential off the Tarmac. Inside, features unique to the Mountiaq include a pair of walkie-talkies, an integrated refrigerator and an illuminated rendering of the brand’s logo incorporated into the headlining. The Mountiaq is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 187bhp. Skoda chief designer Oliver Stefani helped guide the students in the early stages of the project. Skoda has offered vocational training courses at its factory for more than 90 years, and introduced the concept car projects as a way of showcasing the skills students can learn. Previous projects include a Citigo-based Citijet, a Fabia pick-up, a coupé reworking of the Rapid Spaceback, an electric Citigo concept and a Karoq-based convertible called the
Origin: Skoda Mountiaq: New pictures show pick-up concept
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