PHEV
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McLaren reveals the $225k Artura, its first production hybrid supercar
McLaren has been in the business of making ludicrously light and fast supercars for years but it wasn’t until 2021 that the company put one of its High-Performance Hybrid (HPH) designs into full production. Say hello to the $225,000 Artura.
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe is a PHEV for trail hounds
The state of technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since the dark day of the mid-80s and, thankfully, a whole bunch of it has found its way into Jeep’s first PHEV, the trail-blazing Wrangler Limited Sahara 4xe.
Kia's 2021 Niro hybrids add a few new tech features
2021 Kia Niro Hybrid and PHEV models will include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Ford vows to go all-electric in Europe by 2030
Ford is taking an aggressive approach to its electrification strategy in Europe, announcing that all its passenger vehicles will be all-electric or hybrid by mid-2026.
EVs made up more than half of car sales in Norway last year
Norway has spent decades planning its transition to EVs. Now its seeing the results of all that work.
Porsche's flagship Panamera E-hybrid has 689HP and a bigger battery
If you want to go up to 196 mph while carrying five people in comfort, Porsche’s latest 2021 Panamera E-Hybrid models are here.
Electric cars really do cost less to own than gas-powered vehicles, report says
A Consumer Reports study has found that most electric cars are less expensive to own than gas-powered vehicles thanks to efficiency and low maintenance.
Jaguar's F-Pace refresh includes its first plug-in hybrid
The Jaguar F-Pace has a PHEV model that'll delight company car buyers.
Mercedes unveils plug-in hybrid versions of the CLA and GLA
Mercedes is once more expanding the number of models with plug-in hybrid versions, and it might be particularly good news if you're looking for a less expensive ride. It just introduced PHEV variants of the CLA Coupe (aka sedan, pictured at center), CLA Shooting Brake (right) and GLA crossover SUV (left). All of them mate a 75kW electric motor with a 218HP, four-cylinder gas engine, theoretically giving you zero-emissions driving in the city with the reassurance of combustion if you need it. Not that you'll be leaning on fossil fuels much of the time -- Mercedes estimates 35 miles to 43 miles of electric driving (based on the WLTP test cycle) depending on your car, which should be enough for many commutes.
Volkswagen's 2021 GTI adds a hybrid powertrain and tech-filled interior
Last year Volkswagen unveiled its new eighth-generation Golf, and now for the Geneva Motor Show it's revealing some performance-tuned variants. The good news is that the 2021 GTI has more horsepower inside with an updated EA888 engine that manages 245hp, up from 228 in the previous model. It also includes the Golf's new "Digital Cockpit" that ditches analog dials for a 10.25-inch display and 10-inch navigation system, plus ambient lighting with 30 available colors. The bad news, as Autoblog notes, is that a plug-in hybrid GTE version (and diesel-powered GTD edition) will only be available in Europe. Specs reveal the GTE pairs a 150hp 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with an 85Kw electric motor and lithium-ion battery. Operating together, they're rated for the same 245HP as the gas GTI and can manage up to 37 miles of range in all-electric mode. Naturally, the styling and suspension are updated for these hot hatch models, and now the active damping setting allows drivers to set and store their personal preferences via a digital slider. There's no word yet on pricing, but we expect to see these on sale later this year.
Maserati may unveil its first hybrid car on April 21st
Maserati may be close to dragging its cars into the electrified era. An Automotive News Europe source says the Fiat Chrysler-owned brand will unveil its first hybrid, a version of the Ghibli sedan (above), at the Beijing Motor Show on April 21st. While there aren't many tidbits at this stage, it's poised to be a plug-in hybrid and thus have the option to run entirely on electric power for short stretches.
Toyota's RAV4 Prime will be the second fastest vehicle in its lineup
With more than 430,000 units driving off Toyota's showroom floors this year, the RAV4 isn't just the company's best-selling SUV, it's America's as well. At the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, the automaker officially debuted another hybrid-electric variant -- this time a plug in -- that will surely further cement Toyota's leading position in the market. Behold the 2021 RAV4 Prime.
The Polestar 1 is a beautiful ode to driving
There's no shortage of new EV brands. If you can fabricate a supercar body and get your hands on a battery pack and motor, you've got yourself a new company. But Polestar is jumping ahead of the rest of the newcomers thanks to its long history with parent company Volvo.
Mitsubishi shows off an oddball hybrid buggy prototype
At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi is showing off its oddball hybrid buggy prototype, the MI-TECH Concept. It's meant to look like a rugged off roader with no doors or roof, and it's built with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain. According to the company, it's "designed to be a dynamic buggy-type vehicle that embodies the very essence of Mitsubishi-ness."
Land Rover's rock-climbing Defender will come in a PHEV version
After shelving the model in the US, Land Rover has brought back the rugged Defender and will soon launch a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the vehicle. The all-new model is far from the capable, but spartan 4x4 that last appeared in the US in 1997. It can still tackle any terrain, including 42-degree hills, but drivers will be able to go off-road with the kind of comfort and tech you'd expect from the luxury UK brand.
Mercedes unveils A-Class and B-Class plug-in hybrids
You've typically had to splurge on higher-end vehicles like the GLC if you've wanted a plug-in hybrid with Mercedes' tri-star badge, but you won't have to be quite so well-heeled going forward. Mercedes-Benz has introduced PHEV versions of the A-Class (above) and B-Class (below), both of which are considerably more accessible. The A250e and B250e are virtually identical to their gas-only counterparts on the outside, but supplement their 1.33L four-cylinder engines with a 75kW motor that gives them a healthy 47 miles of all-electric driving based on the NEDC testing cycle (a more conservative 43 miles on WLTP). You might not invoke the gas engine at all during your commute.
BMW Vision M Next: An autonomous car for people who love driving
There's a fear from some that when cars drive themselves, that'll be the end of the joy of driving. Why even get behind the wheel if your vehicle can get you to your destination while you sit back and relax? BMW -- which boasts the tag line "the ultimate driving machine" -- has a concept that'll appease the future-looking owner that doesn't want to deal with the horrors of gridlock but needs to feel like they're in control while carving up mountain passes.
Mazda will offer an EV in 2020
Mazda is ready to jump into electric cars in earnest after years of sitting on the sidelines. CEO Akira Marumoto told Automotive News Europe in an interview that his company will introduce an EV in 2020. And no, this won't be the result of its partnership with Toyota -- this mysterious initial model will be built on "a Mazda architecture."
Ferrari's first production plug-in hybrid is its fastest supercar yet
You can throw out notions that Ferrari is completely averse to electric cars. The Italian supercar maker has unveiled its first production plug-in hybrid, the SF90 Stradale, and it's a clear attempt to bridge the gap between the gas-powered tradition and the electrified future. The machine mates a 4-liter, 769-horsepower turbo V8 with a trio of electric motors (217HP effective horsepower) that, combined, can take the car to 62MPH in 2.5 seconds while offering a modicum of eco-friendliness. If you like, you can drive just over 15.5 miles purely on electric power -- confusing to onlookers expecting a roar, no doubt, but helpful if you'd rather not consume gallons of fuel while you're stuck in traffic.
Toyota's 2020 Prius Prime arrives with CarPlay and Alexa
When Toyota unveiled its revamped Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, we largely liked everything about it -- except for the wonky infotainment system. With the 2020 model, Toyota has corrected that shortcoming, now offering it with both Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa support. They'll come as a standard trim option for all Prius Primes, which start at $27,600, not including the $4,500 federal tax credit.
