Electric Vehicles & Cars - Page 7

Korean automaker Hyundai has shown off its N Vision 74 concept car, a car powered using a hydrogen fuel cell hybrid architecture.

The new concept is a throwback homage to the Hyundai Pony Coupe concept that was shown off in 1974 - and features such as the surfaces, dynamic-proportioned profile, B-pillar design, and other features have transferred to the new hybrid concept. Even though it never made a production car, it was a valuable learning experience for the Korean company.

The fuel cell can output up to 95 kW, and is mounted in the front, while the battery lowers height and center of gravity while located in the bottom. The hydrogen tank is 9.3 lbs. with a stack of net 85 kW - max of 95 kW - with a refueling time of five minutes. The concept car has a maximum speed of 155+ mph, with a 373+ driving range, according to Hyundai.

General Motors hopes modifications to its battery and vehicle assembly facilities will produce at least 1 million electric vehicles each year. The US automaker wants to have 30 EVs available to consumers by 2025 while trying to catch up to Tesla - on the sales charts and ability to produce vehicles.

It's hard to convince automakers to jump fully on board with EVs, as many automakers are manufacturing and selling EVs at a financial loss. However, GM plans to sell entry-level EVs for around $30,000, in addition to its higher-end luxury SUVs and trucks.

Hopefully, individual EV sales will provide "low- to mid-single digit" profits in three years, with GM able to benefit from costs spread over multiple new EV models. The automaker also shows hope for when the clean energy tax credits shared through US federal Inflation Reduction Act kick in.

German automaker Audi is sharing more details about the electric Audi S1 Hoonitron, a racecar designed for rally driver Ken Block. Audi recently shared how the custom car was built for Block, as part of "The journey to Electrikhana." Take a closer look at the one-of-a-kind S1 Hoonitron:

Block worked with the Audi Sport division to design an EV able to meet his unique driving needs. Inspiration from the 1980s led designers to create an aerodynamic vehicle with modern technology. The carmaker needed to create a car that can use features from rally and circuit racing - and successfully combine them in an EV platform.

The Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron drivetrain is all-wheel drive and fully electric - with front and rear axles powered by a motorsport. The front and rear axle electric power distribution can be adjusted to the driver's intended driving - with the electric motors able to reach upwards of a whopping 28,000 rpm. That's up to 3,000 Nm of torque individually on each axle.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax is an affordable new SUV that features five trims, all of which start at less than $25,000 MSRP. Chevy hopes to win over customers that are looking for the versatility of an SUV but the practicality of a sedan - and believes the Trax is packed with enough technology and features. Here is a brief vehicle walkaround done by Autoblog:

The Trax has a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine responsible for 137 horsepower and generating 162 lb-ft. of torque - so you might not take anyone off the line, but that really isn't the focus of a Trax anyway. It's the same engine platform currently used by the Trailblazer, along with an identical base engine.

The side profile was lowered four inches from previous models, while the wheelbase added six inches to reach 106 inches.

Drako Motors has unveiled the Drako Dragon SuperSUV, a super pricey $290,000 electric car that is insanely fast. The American luxury sports manufacturer wants to ramp up production but isn't in a big rush to push a car that isn't fully prepared.

The quad motor powertrain with Drako DriveOS NanoControl creates a massive 2,000 hp that leads to an extremely fast driving experience. The car accelerates 0-60 mph in just 1.9 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of 9 seconds, and a top speed of more than 200 mph. The full carbon fiber design structure of the Dragon allowed it to reduce overall body weight by 50% - but Drako promises twice the structural rigidity.

Drako was able to apply positive and negative torque to each individual wheel, a level of control that simply isn't achievable with a single-engine vehicle using regular mechanics. The front wing is designed for aerodynamics enhanced with reduced drag and proper downforce.

Automaker Sono Motors hopes for success with its $25,000 Sion, a solar-powered electric car for auto markets in Europe and the United States.

Sono developed its own polymer-based solar technology, which makes up the integrated solar half-cells collecting energy. There are around 450 cells spread across the doors, hood, roof, and pretty much everywhere they could be placed. Solar power leads to around 70 miles of driving range per week - which is why a lithium iron phosphate electric battery also is available. Each charge of the BYD battery is good for a 190-mile drive range.

Drivers have access to real-time data through an app running on the Sion's dashboard - control power sharing, solar power generation levels, and other information is available to the driver.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza compact car was unveiled at the 2022 LA Auto Show. The 5-door hatchback now completely replaces the Impreza sedan - and interested buyers will be able to get their hands-on one starting in spring 2023. Subaru is trimming back its effort with more strategy for the new Impreza - the 2023 model had two body styles with seven different trim options.

The Impreza Base and Sport trims feature a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder direct-injection Subaru Boxer engine that powers a 152hp engine with 145 lb.-ft. of torque. The Impreza RS has a 2.5-liter Boxer engine that cranks out 182hp with 178 lb.-ft. of torque. Both the Sport and RS trims include an 8-speed manual mode activated with steering wheel paddle shifters. That's right, the Subaru Impreza has said goodbye to manual transmissions with the 2024 model.

The 6th generation Impreza includes an 11.6-inch Subaru Starlink infotainment display that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Much like its competition, US automaker Ford has fought through supply chain issues and semiconductor shortages while producing electric vehicles.

Ford currently purchases its motors and EV batteries but wants to transition those procedures in-house. The company started construction on a battery facility in Kentucky, with the automaker putting together pieces of the puzzle. If done well, this should help reduce costs and streamline manufacturing at its facilities.

During a 2022 Q3 earnings call, Ford CEO Jim Farley had this to say:

German automaker Mercedes-Benz wants drivers to improve their driving ability on snow and ice and can teach you during AMG Winter Experience. Participants can either hit a frozen lake in Sweden or hit the mountains in Austria as part of the program.

The AMG Experience will occur from January to March 2023, allowing drivers to practice driving on snow and ice in a monitored environment. In Sweden, Mercedes creates challenging tracks on the ice - which is at least 35 inches thick - so drivers have the chance to experience driving on icy surfaces. The Driving Technique Experience Centre of the Austrian Automobile Club OAMTC near the Salzburg foothills of the Alps will play host for drivers in Austria. The program is designed for less experienced drivers to learn and improve.

The AMG Winter Experience was designed to offer driving courses for beginners up to "experienced experts." The "Discover" package is a course for beginners, teaching students how to drive safely and understand their Mercedes-AMG car or SUV. The "Performance" class is advanced training that includes practical exercises to develop already learned practices.

Ford has a new off-road package for 2023 Bronco Sport customers, the Bronco Sport Black Diamond Off-Road Package.

The Black Diamond Off-Road Package is available for the Outer Banks and Big Bend series, with the protection of 4x4 powertrain areas also included. The front metal skid plate, canister shield, and fuel tank protection are protected by multiple steel bash plates as part of the package. Seventeen-inch carbonized gray low-gloss alumni wheels and 225/65R17 all-terrain tires are designed to help with grip and traction.

In addition to the physical changes, Ford includes a matte black hood graphic of the Bronco horse logo, along with Bronco lettering on the driver's door and front passenger door.

The 2023 Porsche 911 Dakar is going to be a limited-edition vehicle ready for trips across loose road surfaces straight out of the factory. The car can handle both off-road driving and normal road driving behavior, with Porsche reportedly surprised it rides so smoothly when on the pavement.

Powering the 911 is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six engine capable of generating 473 horsepower with 420 lb.-ft of torque. The 911 Dakar accelerates 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds but has a top track speed of 150 mph because of the tire's higher cross-section design. The car's rear-axle steering, engine mounts, and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) - designed to reduce body roll - all are standard options.

The car is almost two inches taller than a Porsche 911 Carrera, with stretched springs, suspension links, and dampers provided - and the standard lift system can increase the front and rear lift by an additional inch. It will ship with Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires with an off-road specific tread pattern, reinforced sidewalls, and added tread to keep up with the demands of different terrain.

The Toyota bZ Compact SUV Concept has been unveiled in the United States, with a design aimed at full battery-electric driving performance. The bZ brand umbrella stands for "Beyond Zero," and is planned to help the company reach its carbon-neutral status by 2050.

Here is what David Christ, group VP and GM at Toyota, said in a statement: "We've only just begun to scratch the surface of the Beyond Zero moniker. With an aerodynamic design coupled with intuitive tech features never before seen in a Toyota model, the bZ Concept showcases another possible vision of the very near future with our battery electric vehicles."

Toyota previously announced the bZ4X EV crossover, marking the first vehicle in a bZ-branded series of EVs. Since Toyota and Subaru collaborated, guess it shouldn't be a surprise that the bZ4X looks a lot like the Subaru Solterra.

German automaker Volkswagen has successfully delivered more than 500,000 models from its ID. Vehicle series, reaching the number one year earlier than expected. Volkswagen is developing a long-term strategy to help usher in the era of electric vehicles and didn't want to wait to begin research. The series is currently made up of the ID.3, ID4. ID.5, and ID.6 models, with others expected in 2023.

Instead, Volkswagen decided to proactively work towards the electrification of its vehicle fleet - with ID.3 models reaching customers in October 2020, the company didn't need long to reach 500,000 units. By 2030, Volkswagen expects EVs to account for 70% of sales in Europe - and wants half of the sales in the US and China by 2030. Currently, Volkswagen EVs are made in the United States, with production in Europe not expected until at least 2033.

The ID. family allows Volkswagen to provide over-the-air updates and other features to enhance the digital customer experience. Safety and drive assist features should be easier to deploy directly to drivers with OTA updates.

To complete the X concept trilogy alongside the X Concept and X Speedium Coupe, Genesis has unveiled the X Convertible concept car. Although the Korean automaker owned by Hyundai didn't disclose drivetrain specifications during the unveiling, we get a closer look at a unique vehicle design.

Ahead of the 2022 LA Auto Show, Genesis invited a small group of attendees to check out the four-passenger, open-roof concept car in Malibu. Even if the folding hardtop roof is closed, transparent moon roofs located above the front-seat passenger and driver have been designed to offer an open feel at all times.

Similar to the pair of concept vehicles before it, the X Convertible features a digital dash and infotainment system that is physically angled towards the driver with an L-shaped piece of glass. The "Giwa Navy" primary interior color is enhanced with recyclable wool fabric to make roof tiles - and a noticeable woven pad graphic wraps around the car's interior.

The 2023 Toyota Prius hybrid car offers a better range and a slick new look for a car model over a quarter-decade old. The Japanese automaker said series-parallel hybrid (HEV) models will launch in winter 2023, while plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Prius models will be available starting in spring 2023.

The standard hybrid includes a drivetrain able to support up to 193 horsepower, while the PHEV cranks out 220 hp. The standard hybrid runs the Toyota Series Parallel Hybrid System and interested shoppers can choose from a 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter version. The PHEV uses a 2.0-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine, lithium-ion batteries, and an electric motor to generate extra horsepower.

Toyota aimed for an interior styling that presented some amenities alongside a spacious interior and cockpit. The instrument panel features the first illuminated warning system from Toyota, with flashing lights and audible warnings in place to alert the driver to safety risks.

The fastest Ford Mustang a consumer could purchase, the CS850GT, was recently upgraded by Clive Sutton - and the CS850R packs on more for an already upgraded car. The CS850GT Mustang is the most powerful Mustang available in the UK, though that wasn't good enough for the Clive Sutton team.

The CS850R borrowed the 5.0-liter V8 engine from the base Ford Mustang but modified it with a bespoke Whipple supercharger, active exhaust system, and different intercooler. These changes helped take the increased whopping 847 horsepower - with 665 lb-ft. of torque - and spice it up further. The mechanical drive is improved with a new Torsen differential, so the car has significantly better traction under fast acceleration.

Inspiration from Shelby led the CS850R to feature a carbon fiber body kit, along with designed tweaks to improve the muscle car's aerodynamics. Although the car can travel on public roads, it's apparent that this beast was designed to tear up the track.

So, does a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo share any similar characteristics to a monster truck? Even if you don't think so, Porsche simply points towards both vehicles when they're driving on dirt - with similar power-to-weight ratios, four-wheel steering, and off-the-line performance. Here is a video of the fun event:

Described as "chaotic fun," the Porsche was able to hold its own, well, until they approached a jump that only the monster truck could handle. The event took place at the 72,000-person capacity NRG Stadium in Texas. Porsche promotes the Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo as a dual electric motor vehicle with five seats, adjustable air-sprung suspension, and a quiet ride for drivers.

Here is what Taycan driver Leh Keen thought after the experience:

Autonomous trucking company Kodiak Robotics is developing self-driving trucking technology while also fighting a public relations battle. The company recently wanted to demonstrate how effective its kodiakDriver system is - and simulated a tire blowout:

Guess it shouldn't be a big surprise to hear a tire blowout can be a major safety issue, but Kodiak Robotics explained:

The 2023 Nissan Versa will offer four different versions, and all of them feature starting price tags of less than $20,000. The Versa S 5-speed manual edition starts at $15,730, with the Versa S (Xtronic CVT) available for $17,400, while the Versa SV ($19,020) and Versa SR ($19,720) feature higher price tags.

The 2023 edition Versa goes on sale in December 2022. At a time when both used and new cars increased in price, Nissan worked to cater to a larger demographic. The company did a survey of vehicle owners and lessees found the following: "...more than half of respondents - 53% - identified affordability as one of the most important attributes in a new vehicle, closely followed by fuel economy (34%)."

All Versa models have a 1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine that pushes 122 horsepower - can't really expect a car less than $20,000 to accelerate fast off the line. However, that lack of acceleration means better gas mileage, with the automatic models rated up to 40 mpg highway driving.

Anyone interested can now place a $990 refundable deposit for the $41,900 Electric Moke California. Moke wants to reinvigorate the Mini Moke's legacy, but with a focus on supporting electrified models. This will be the first Moke model for the US auto market since 1982.

The Californian will be manufactured in the UK, and then the rear-wheel drive model with an electric 44-horsepower motor will ship to the US. Drivers will be able to accelerate 0-34mph in 4.3 seconds. The original Moke Californian was sold in the US from 1977 until 1982, with the automaker promoting these qualities: fun, freedom, and fresh air.

The Moke Californian has a top speed of 50mph but is promoted as a highway-legal vehicle - and has a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge. A Type 1 charger will take four hours to finish a full charge.