Author: Tabitha
Despite a notable commitment by General Motors to focus on electric-vehicle development in coming years, the corporation’s luxury brand is far from ready to abandon gasoline propulsion. To that end, Cadillac is adding a third powerplant choice for the Escalade, in addition to the 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 and the 277-horsepower 3.0-liter turbo-diesel six-cylinder. In the works is a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that will be standard in the new Escalade-V. This is the same engine that powers the CT5-V Blackwing sedan, which is currently in high demand. The Escalade-V is expected later this year as a 2023 model and will likely…
That appeared to be the case when the company known these days for its PlayStation gaming systems showed up at CES — the giant electronics show — in Las Vegas with the fully kitted out Vision-S concept. The electric hatchback, which was assembled by independent automaker Magna Steyr of Austria, was recently tested on public roads. The Sony car includes autonomous-driving technologies that the company hopes will pique the interest of mainstream automakers. Sony says it’s not planning to compete with Apple, which is believed to be developing its own electric vehicle with assistance from Kia, but The Sleuth thinks…
The automaker’s EQXX EV concept is claimed to travel up to 1,000 kilometres (about 620 miles) on a full charge. That would be more than sufficient to dispel any concerns about being stranded in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery. Aiding the cause is the highly aerodynamic body and a lighter overall structure that helps keep the weight well below 4,000 pounds. The car’s solar-panel array provides power for the lights plus the climate control and infotainment systems so as to preserve battery power for propulsion. The EQXX’s motor is rated at 204 horsepower, which is modest by…
That’s affirmative. Imperium Motors, a company headquartered in California, is importing electric vehicles into the United States and Canada from a Chinese conglomerate called Skyworth, beginning in mid-2022 (January in Canada). The first to arrive is the SEV, a front-wheel-drive tall wagon about the size of a Volkswagen Tiguan. It’s equipped with a 204-horsepower electric motor and offers a range of about 250 miles on a full charge. The SEV will be followed by the Terra-E pickup that will be assembled in North America at a plant to be determined so as to avoid high import tariffs on such vehicles.…
Back in the day, the Electra represented the best of the best in the Buick lineup. Recently, General Motors renewed its trademark of the Electra name, which would indicate that the battery-electric concept model Buick introduced at the 2020 Beijing auto show in China is production-bound. The move is similar to Ford reviving the Lightning brand and attaching it to the 2022 electric F-150 pickup. When you think about it, both Lightning and Electra could not be more appropriate handles for EVs. No doubt the future Electra will use the Ultium battery platform, which forms the basis for all future…
The 2022 sedan breaks with its Impreza-based past and will be built on a more rigid platform with a lower center of gravity. It also receives aluminum fenders surrounded by protective cladding. The WRX runs with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Transmissions will consist of a six-speed manual and a continuously variable unit, which is standard with the top-level GT and optional for Base, Premium and Limited trims. Other exclusive GT content includes electronically controlled (constantly variable) shocks and Recaro-brand sport seats. Subaru is expected to release details concerning the sportier WRX STI…
Nearly 90 years ago, the automaker (now part of Stellantis) introduced the Airflow. The sedan’s wind-cheating design and advanced unitized construction was considered far ahead of its time. Buyers snubbed the Airflow, however, and it was cancelled after just four years. The name returns, phoenix-like, sometime in 2025, this time attached to a battery-electric hatchback with dimensions similar to that of the Volkswagen ID.4 and the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5. According to Chrysler, the Airflow — unveiled at CES in Las Vegas (Jan. 5 to Jan. 8) — will be built on one of four upcoming EV platforms. It’s also…
The smallest model in Hyundai’s premium-division lineup will soon be available in battery-electric version with front and rear motors. The system produces 365 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, but a unique Boost Mode temporarily increases output to 483 horsepower. According to Genesis, Boost Mode produces a zero-to-60-mph time of 4.5 seconds, 0.6 quicker than the GV70 with the optional turbocharged gasoline V-6. The electric GV70, expected to arrive by mid-2022, also gets an e-Terrain mode for off-road driving. The electric GV70, expected to arrive by mid-2022, will be available with up to 483 horsepower. PHOTO: GENESIS
Part of Toyota’s full-court press to introduce 30 electric vehicles globally by the end of the decade includes its premium division, Lexus. The model will be the RZ 450e tall hatchback, based on the LF-Z Electrified concept model shown in early 2021. Although the RZ 450e will use the same platform as the 2023 Toyota BZ4X and the related Subaru Solterra, it’s expected to offer more power and battery capacity/range. Front and rear electric motors will also be standard. The all-wheel-drive system adjusts the torque to each wheel for greater turning precision and stability, referred to as torque vectoring. The…
According to reports, the largest and most expensive of the automaker’s tall-wagon lineup will be electric. Also rumored is a name change for the XC90, which henceforth would be called Embla. Regardless of its label, the vehicle is said to be based on Volvo’s Concept Recharge and would use the same platform as the XC40 and C40 Recharge models. Also in the works is Volvo’s new semi-autonomous Highway Pilot drive system that will likely be available in the Embla. The vehicle will be built at Volvo’s facility in Charleston, S.C., (the XC90 was built in Sweden) and will launch in…