Electric Vehicles & Cars News - Page 12

German automaker Mercedes-Benz has its Sprinter Cargo Van that looks like a typical van - well, that was until family-owned Bossi Van Conversions tricked out a 2021 Mercedes Sprinter 170 4x4 van.

An Agile Off Road RIP (Ride Improvement Package) was installed on the demo van, designed to increase stability and comfort - and maximize the vehicle's usable suspension capability. Artemis included a heat and hot water system, solar panels, multiple batteries, solar panels, and a roof vent fan.

The inside of the van showcases custom cabinetry that is practical, while the wall panels and flooring were also custom upholstered.

The fourth generation of the Pilot series has yielded Honda's most powerful SUV they've ever built. Five different Honda Pilot trim levels will be available: Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite. The 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport is rugged and designed to help drivers go off-road - and will ship as off-road capable straight from the factory.

Honda included all-terrain tires, steel skid plates, suspension tuned for off-roading, and higher ground clearance for the TrailSport. Although we know there is a 1-inch suspension lift, the Japanese automaker didn't disclose official ground clearance.

There is a 9-inch HD touchscreen infotainment display inside the TrailSport, with support for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In addition to USB charging available to the driver and front-seat passenger, both backseat rows have access to USB charging ports.

Honda teased the 2023 Accord in late October and didn't take very long to deliver. Honda is extremely dedicated to the sedan market, with the Accord and refreshed Civic models - as the industry shows additional attention to crossovers.

The latest midsize sedan from the Japanese company will arrive in six different trim levels: turbocharged LX and EX, hybrid Sport EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring trims.

As promoted by Mamadou Diallo, VP of Auto Sales at American Honda, in a press statement: "The all-new 11th-generation Accord is essential to our lineup as a critical driver of brand loyalty, and with hybrid models representing 50% of sales, a key part of Honda's electrification strategy. This is our best Accord ever, a true benchmark in its class, offering an unbeatable combination of style, efficiency, performance and connectivity."

The 2023 Kia EV6 car has made some serious changes compared to previous models and will start at $49,795. There will be Wind, GT-Line, and GT trims available for interested buyers to choose from. Both Wind and GT-Line trims have two different options to choose from, based on drivetrain picks.

The $49, 795 2023 EV6 Wind rear-wheel drive vehicle offers 225hp and 258 lb-ft. of torque, with a 77.4 kWh battery supporting up to 310 miles of driving range. Kia's 2023 EV6 Wind (e-AWD) has 320hp and 446 lb-ft. of torque - with a 77.4 kWh battery supporting up to 282 miles driving range.

The 2023 EV6 GT-Line is $58,695 and is an e-AWD with 320hp and 446 lb-ft. of torque - with the 77.4 kWh battery supporting up to 252 miles range. The 2023 EV6 GT-Line rear-wheel drive has 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque - with the 77.4 kWh battery supporting up to 310 miles of range. The starting price point will be $53,995.

Auto buyers interested in purchasing an electric vehicle don't have a shortage of options. There are models from numerous companies, with price points across the spectrum. US automaker Fisker is finally preparing to produce cars, with the Ocean SUV EV customers waiting anxiously.

The all-electric vehicle features bidirectional charging so the SUV can transfer energy back to the power grid. Fisker also has the SolarSky Roof, a full-length solar roof as a premium option. This gives Ocean the ability to collect solar energy - and can provide up to 1,500 miles of travel each year.

The Fisker Ocean Sport starts at $37,499, while the Ocean Ultra starts at $49,999 - with the Fisker Ocean Extreme ($68,999) and limited-edition Fisker Ocean One ($68,999) rocking higher starting MSRP. The 5,000 Ocean One models are expected to leave the assembly line sometime before the year ends.

Automakers could sell up to 400 million more gas and diesel vehicles than what allows for global heating to remain under 1.5°C. It shouldn't come as a big surprise some of the largest automakers will be responsible for overshooting the projected target.

Japanese automaker Toyota will miss the mark by 63 million, German company Volkswagen will be 63 million over, and Korean company Hyundai will be 39 million over - and that has ramifications for global climate efforts, Greenpeace recently warned.

As noted by Benjamin Stephan, climate campaigner at Greenpeace Germany, in a press statement:

Electric automaker Fisker will reportedly prioritize production - and deliveries - of its Ocean electric vehicle over software that provides owners with some expected features. Production will begin Thursday, October 17 at a factory in Austria. The US company wants to reach 42,000 units manufactured in 2023, which will make a serious dent in the company's closed reservation list.

As Fisker plans to get production underway for its Ocean SUV, the automaker already has 62,000 reservations for the EV.

The first Ocean One units fresh from the factory won't have software features like lane assistance, automatic high beams, and blind spot monitoring just yet - Fisker should issue updates sometime in early 2023. Features such as lane centering, cruise control, and traffic avoidance functionality shouldn't be expected until late 2023, at the earliest.

General Motors continues to find ways for the safe deployment of its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) - and the effort is expanding to more vehicles. GM hopes its Super Cruise, marketed as the first actual hands-free advanced driver assistance platform, will give the US automaker a step up over competing solutions.

Select vehicles will have up to 400,000 miles of roads supported in the Super Cruise road network - double the amount previously supported. Ultra Cruise is GM's next generation of Super Cruise ADAS technology, and Qualcomm will develop the custom SoC design - the software controlling sensors and data collected from the driving experience.

Full-size SUVs built October 3, 2022, or later - with deliveries beginning mid-November - and will be supported by the following models/trims:

The Buick Electra electric vehicle crossover prototype has been spotted out in public, while General Motors remains silent about models and specifications.

We aren't even sure what to call the secretive prototype, so it's temporarily called the Electra SUV - and it was covered up well. It's unknown if this is closer to a Blazer EV or a Chevrolet Equinox EV - or maybe neither - as there is no official announcement.

The vehicle could be riding on 20" wheels wrapped with Michelin e-Primacy tires - and features a tri-bar third brake light.

German automaker Volkswagen has big plans for its ID. Buzz vehicle, with a specific interest in software, offers a unique driving experience. Interested drivers will be able to select between a passenger version and a cargo van.

Using swarm data generated by thousands of Volkswagen vehicles, VW's Travel Assist helps drivers keep the middle of the lane. The system can adjust based on a driver's driving style. Volkswagen has spent years researching and developing swarm data, which will remain a major endeavor as vehicles inch their way closer to fully autonomous driving support.

Simply tapping the turn signal when the vehicle is traveling 55 mph or faster supports lane changes - once sensors don't detect any objects or vehicles nearby - the ID. Buzz is able to automatically steer itself into another lane.