Audi reveals e-tron Sportback in LA The Sportback is a sleeker version of the existing electric SUV Audi has launched the e-tron Sportback at the LA Auto Show. The pure-electric coupe-SUV offers a sleeker design than the already available e-tron SUV, alongside some technical improvements. The new e-tron Sportback has a range of 277 miles on a single charge from its 95 kWh battery, and is powered by twin electric motors with a combined 300 kW. This power allows for a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds. The new design brings with it improved aerodynamic efficiency, adding around 6 miles to the range over the e-tron SUV. Other improvements to the braking system, cooling, battery usage, and transmission on the e-tron Sportback contribute to the increased range over the e-tron, despite featuring the same powertrain. Charging remains possible at up to 150 kW on DC CCS ultra-rapid charger points, as does the 11 kW standard on-board AC charger, or 22 kW optional set-up. Pricing is not yet announced, though expect similar costs to the e-tron, likely with a small premium. Deliveries in the UK are due early- to mid-
Origin: Audi reveals etron Sportback in LA
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Morris Commercial reveals JE electric van
Morris Commercial reveals JE electric van The retro JE has a range of 200 miles on a charge Morris Commercial has launched the JE van, a retro-inspired pure-electric LCV with a range of 200 miles on a single charge. Due to go into production in 2021, the new Morris JE will cost around £60,000 (exc. grant), and although it’s styling looks to the past, it’s construction is far more modern. Wrapping around the electric powertrain is a carbon-fibre body. The benefit of using lightweight materials in construction is that range is maximised. Attention has been paid to key LCV attributes too, with a 1 tonne payload and large carrying capacity; that’s despite sitting in the 2.5 tonne segment. The revived Morris Commercial name is based in Worcestershire, with manufacturing set to be in the UK – though at an as yet undisclosed site. Additional models are set to be launched in the future, based on the same platform and powertrain.
Origin: Morris Commercial reveals JE electric van
Aston Martin shows off DBX SUV’s interior, reveals pricing
Its early November and Aston Martin is teasing us, as it always does, with the upcoming reveal of its DBX SUV. Soon to be revealed in full, the brand decided to show off just a couple of features that make its first SUV so unique.While the exterior of the DBX remains a secret, this newest head-on photo does show some details. The front fascia looks like it was borrowed from the gorgeous DB11, slightly elongated to fill out the SUVs large stance.A large panoramic sunroof is also visible.The interior has been kept less of a secret, with the teaser image showing the view out of the front window from the back seat. In the distance we can see the banked curves of the Brooklands racetrack, the place where Aston Martin set a few speed records in the 1920s. The luxurious materials covering the interior are on full display, and theres no doubt theyre of the highest quality.According to Aston Martin, six months of development were devoted specifically to the driving position, taking into account visibility above all else, to the controls and to the space around the vehicle.The driving position also allows the driver to see the hood, which should make the relatively large vehicle easier to maneuver. Aston also consulted with children to determine the optimal ingress and egress experience, using a model at its design studio.The 2020 Aston Martin DBX will debut officially on November 20, which is also when orders will be taken. In Canada, if youre interested in getting one, youll want to know the DBXs starting price is
Origin: Aston Martin shows off DBX SUV’s interior, reveals pricing
U.S. Democratic senator reveals US$462-billion program to get Americans into EVs
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during a press conference with other Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on October 22, 2019.Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / Getty The U.S. Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, is moving Democrats climate talk to where the rubber meets the road, proposing a US$462-billion trade-in program to get millions of Americans out of climate-damaging gas vehicles and into electric or hybrid cars over the next decade.Schumers rebate proposal late Thursday joins a mix of trillion- and multi-trillion-dollar programs that Democratic presidential candidates have outlined to urgently cut oil, gas and coal emissions, as climate change weighs as an issue in the 2020 campaigns.Schumer said the proposal to bring clean cars to all of America would be a key part of climate legislation by Senate Democrats. The injection of government-supported spending for electric cars could position the U.S. to lead the world in clean auto manufacturing, he said.The New York Democrats plan would give American car buyers thousands of dollars each to trade in gas-burning cars for U.S.-assembled electric, hybrid or hydrogen cell cars. Lower-income households, and buyers of cars with American-made parts, would get extra credits.About US$45 billion would go to boost availability of charging stations and other electric car infrastructure. And US$17 billion would help automakers increase their production of electric cars, batteries and parts.He didnt outline how he would pay for the plan.Its the opposite direction of President Donald Trump, who has sought to boost U.S. oil and gas production, eliminate tax credits for electric cars, and has mocked electric cars outright. Some Republican lawmakers call the credits an unfair subsidy for what they depict as well-off electric vehicle owners.Schumer, who contends the scheme would create tens of thousands of jobs, pledged to introduce his clean-car program in Senate legislation should Democrats win control there next year.Climate change has become an issue in 2020 campaigns as never before in the United States. Even as polls show climate falling below other issues in terms of priority, an AP-NORC poll conducted earlier this year found that most Americans link worsening extreme weather to man-made global warming. Democrats are more likely than others to consider climate issues a high priority for the
Origin: U.S. Democratic senator reveals US$462-billion program to get Americans into EVs
Bollinger reveals US pricing for rugged electric SUVs
American start-up Bollinger Motors has revealed pricing for its electric off-road SUV and pick-up truck, ahead of the pair’s public debut at next month’s Los Angeles motor show. Both models will be available from $125,000 (£97,200) in the US, and can be secured now with a refundable deposit through the firm’s website. They have been engineered to be road-legal across the globe, suggesting pricing for other countries could be announced in due course. The B1 and B2 are both based on Bollinger’s in-house-developed Class 3 electric vehicle ‘skateboard’ platform. The chassis and body are made from aluminium, making it light and easy to manufacture, with simple-to-replace body panels. With a motor on each axle giving four-wheel drive, the rugged, boxy models produce a combined 614bhp and 668lb ft of torque for a claimed 0-60mph time of 4.5sec and a top speed of 100mph. Range hasn’t been confirmed, but Bollinger’s battery pack is an enormous 120kWh in capacity. The company previously proposed a range of 200 miles from a 100kWh battery. Drive is through a two-speed automatic gearbox with high and low ranges, while there are front and rear electronically locking differentials. Designed for extreme off-road use, the B1 and B2 have 50/50 weight distribution, 10-20in of variable ground clearance, 10in of wheel travel, all-round ventilated 11.75in disc brakes and geared axle hubs. Payload is a strong 2359kg, while towing capacity is 3402kg. For context, the Toyota Hilux pick-up manages up to 3500kg. The Bollinger models also have a unique ‘pass through hatch’ running their entire length. Electric rivals will include the R1T and R1S from well-funded compatriot firm Rivian and the best-selling Ford F-150. Bollinger was founded by industrial designer Robert Bollinger in 2015 to “reinvent trucks, not just electrify them” when he saw the shortcomings of traditional trucks on his farm. “It was time we did something new,” he said. “I just wanted to build the best truck without compromise.” Bollinger says it has received more than 30,000 expressions of interest in its vehicles and plans to begin production in
Origin: Bollinger reveals US pricing for rugged electric SUVs
Lexus reveals LC30 EV
Lexus reveals LC-30 EV New production EV due for launch next month Lexus has put the LF-30 on display at the Tokyo Motor Show, showcasing an electrified outlook that will see the company’s first EV launched next year. The LF-30 is a true concept, and is not going to make it into production. With large gull-wing doors, in-wheel motors, and a high-concept interior and exterior design, this is Lexus displaying an eye-catching EV rather than a near-production concept. That, Lexus says, will come next month, with its first pure-electric model unveiled in November before going on sale in 2020. Lexus is developing its existing hybrid line-up, plus Plug-in hybrids, pure-electric models, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. After its first pure-electric model, a first PHEV will arrive and a new pure-EV dedicated platform will arrive ‘early in the coming decade’. Until next month, the LF-30 is garnering attention as a look ahead to what Lexus could do in 2030. Specs include wireless rapid charging, a 311 mile range, 3.8 second 0-62mph time, 110 kWh battery, 150 kW DC charging speed, and 400 kW output.
Origin: Lexus reveals LC30 EV
Toyota reveals a new RAV4 TRD Off-Road trim ready to hit the dirt
Toyotas most popular model in Canada is about to become more popular, with the addition of a brand-new TRD trim and a plug-in hybrid variant.The RAV4 already came with a Trail trim meant to add some excitement to the daily driver, with a longer wheelbase and widened track to provide more stability; and shorter overhangs to keep the body from getting hung up on obstacles.Standard Trail trim models feature 19-inch TRAIL alloy wheels; a 1,590-kg towing capacity; and Dynamic Torque Vectoring with Rear Driveline Disconnect.Now the 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road trim offers even more capability than the RAV4 Trail trim, adding $2,900 to the price tag to total $41,790. That one comes with 18-inch TRD alloy wheels clad in Falken All-Terrain Tires, a TRD Off-Road exclusive, plus an off-road-tuned suspension, LED fog lamps, special TRD badging and an 11-speaker JBL Audio System.All gasoline trims are available in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid models use a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle engine, combined with an electric motor and a CVT transmission, and feature all-wheel-drive.All models also get Android Auto and Apple Carplay capability, something previously unheard of in a Toyota showroom.Toyota is also readying a third variant to be added to the lineup, a plug-in hybrid, set for a debut in Los Angeles at that auto show. According to Toyota, the model will become the most powerful RAV4 yet. Were hoping this means the focus for the new vehicle will be driving pleasure, rather than
Origin: Toyota reveals a new RAV4 TRD Off-Road trim ready to hit the dirt
Volvo reveals XC40 Recharge as first full electric model
The four-wheel-drive XC40 Recharge features two 201bhp electric motors, one mounted on each axle, that combine to offer 402bhp and 487lb ft of torque. That enables it to achieve 0-62mph in 4.9 secs, with a limited top speed of 112mph. Power is drawn from a 78kWh underfloor battery, with Volvo citing a WLTP-certified range of more than 248 miles. Charging is available through an 11kW AC charger or a 150kW DC fast-charger, which the firm says can deliver an 80% charge in 40 minutes. The vehicle largely retains the exterior and interior styling of the conventional XC40, albeit with the addition of a new sealed fascia in place of the traditional radiator grille for the combustion engine. The model also gets Recharge branding and other minor design tweaks, while the charging port is located on the rear pillar of the car in the same place as a traditional petrol cap. Built on the same Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform as the regular XC40, the Recharge version retains largely the same dimensions with a length of 4425mm and a width of 2034mm. Because of the underfloor batteries, the XC40 Recharge has a slightly reduced ground clearance of 175mm, compared to 211mm on the regular model. The XC40 Recharge offers 413 litres of luggage capacity, a reduction of 460 litres for the regular model although, due to the space saved by the lack of a combustion engine, it gains a 31-litre ‘frunk’ storage area underneath the bonnet. The machine weighs a minimum of 2150kg, compared to 1497kg for the combustion-engined version. The XC40 Recharge is also the first Volvo to feature a new infotainment system powered by the Google Android operating system. That system features Volvo On Call, the firm’s digital platform. The likely initial price of the XC40 Recharge is similar to that of the closely related Polestar 2, the first electric model from Volvo’s spin-off performance brand. That model, which features the same electric powertrain – and identical power, torque output and range – costs £49,900 in its initial Launch Edition. Planned base models are likely to cost around £34,500. To accompany the launch of the XC40 Recharge, Volvo is also revamping its sales process. From early next year, customers visiting its website will be asked first if they want an electrified car, and a range of financial incentives designed to encourage efficient electric driving will also be offered. With Volvo aiming for plug-in hybrids to account for a fifth of its total sales next year, the firm is planning to triple production capacity for its electrified models, including the XC40 Recharge. It will also offer a new Designer’s Choice selection for Recharge models, which it says will feature “radically reduced delivery
Origin: Volvo reveals XC40 Recharge as first full electric model
Volkswagen reveals new look for high-performance R brand
Volkswagen has continued its rebranding efforts with a revised logo for its high-performance R sub-division. The German firm unveiled a new version of its VW roundel at the Frankfurt motor show as part of a company-wide rebranding effort. The new look is currently being rolled out across the UK. It has now introduced a new version of the R logo for its performance arm, which will appear on all of the sub-brand’s models. It will first be seen on the Atlas Cross Sport R-Line, which will be revealed shortly for the North American market. Volkswagen claims the new logo symbolises a fresh start for the R brand. Jost Capito, who heads up the division, said that R is “all about excitement and thrill” and that the firm is taking a “strategic and operative approach to working on great products and creating a unique customer experience.” The new logo was developed by Volkswagen’s in-house design team, with a focus on ensuring it would work in digital formats. It was designed to be “modern, distinct and sleek” and to show a “broader, more powerful impression” that “defined Volkswagen’s commitment to performance and exclusivity.” The Atlas Cross Sport will be revealed next week, following the concept version revealed at last year’s New York motor
Origin: Volkswagen reveals new look for high-performance R brand
Nissan reveals electric IMk city car concept
Nissan has revealed the IMk concept, an electric city car that hints at future styling for the maker’s small car range. The Japanese car maker said the concept, which sits on a new EV platform, previews a “new direction of Nissan’s design language” and brings to life Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the brand’s umbrella term for technology including connectivity and autonomous systems. The boxy concept, to be shown at Toyko motor show later this month, is reminiscent of popular Japanese kei cars, but the car maker said the IMk was created to address a segment that’s “prevalent in Japan and becoming so the world over: the city car”. This suggests the IMk previews a global model, rather than a kei car, examples of which are typically only sold in Nissan’s home market. When asked whether a production version would be sold outside of Japan, Nissan said: “It’s a concept car. It shows the possibility of a small, chic urban EV. We look forward to hearing what potential customers think about it.” Currently, Nissan sells one EV: the Leaf. A zero-emissions SUV, previewed in the IMQ concept, is expected to be revealed in 2020. A production version of this IMk concept would allow Nissan to offer a cheaper EV, and one focused on city dwellers who are most likely to buy EVs. Given that the IMk concept sits on a new EV platform, it is likely such an architecture will be used across a number of Nissan’s cars to ensure economies of scale. The slightly bigger Micra is one candidate for the platform. The concept is shorter, narrow and taller than the current Micra, in line with traditional kei cars, although the bespoke EV platform will allow for considerably more interior space. Inside, the cabin is intended to be a new type of room “that exudes the nature of a cafe or lounge”, said Nissan. It features bench-style seating and, other than the start button and gear selector, is devoid of physical controls. Instead, driving information, such as sat-nav directions, appears in mid-air via a prism display. Other information is conveyed via holographic displays. The concept represents “another step toward fully autonomous driving”, said Nissan. The Remote Park feature, powered via a smartphone, can search for a car parking space after the car’s occupants have left the car. When you’re ready to leave, you can summon the car. Nissan sales boss Asako Hoshino said: “The IMk concept provides a glimpse of the new direction of Nissan Intelligent Mobility as technology evolves toward electrification and connectivity. At Nissan, we intend to continue launching cars with the latest advanced systems to maintain our lead in automotive
Origin: Nissan reveals electric IMk city car concept
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