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Kia will release a production version of its Imagine EV in 2021
Kia's Imagine EV won't remain a concept for too much longer. European operations chief Emilio Herrera told Automotive News in an interview that a production version of the crossover should arrive in 2021. He didn't say how the street-going car would differ, although we'd expect it to be wildly toned down compared to the version that debuted in Geneva. Those 21 displays, the aircraft-style steering column and giant wheels likely aren't long for this world.
Ford's next Focus RS may be a powerful hybrid
Ford's electrification plans might include an eco-friendly version of a hot hatchback. Car sources claim the 2021 Focus RS will be a hybrid with a beefy 400BHP gas engine driving the front wheels while an electric motor exclusively drives the rear. It's not a completely unique concept (this is somewhat reminiscent of Volvo), but it would certainly be unusual for Ford. And like you'd imagine, this would be as much about a performance boost as it would fuel efficiency.
Tesla code hints Model 3 might get 100kWh battery and Ludicrous Mode
Tesla's Model 3 might get features normally reserved for its larger, more expensive siblings. Code sleuth Green has discovered references in Tesla's software to a number of potential improvements to the 'entry' EV, most notably a 100kWh battery. It's hard to say if this would deliver the range and acceleration of the Model S, but you'd certainly get closer. Accordingly, Green also found code suggesting Ludicrous Mode might reach the Model 3 to provide extra-quick launches.
Electric Mini Cooper SE pre-orders are open in the US
The all-electric Mini Cooper SE will go on sale in the US in March, but if you've already made your mind up about getting one, you can stake your claim now. BMW has opened up pre-orders for the first mass-market EV take on the classic car.
VW will roll out self-driving electric shuttles in Qatar's capital
If you visit Qatar in the next few years, you might find yourself riding in a driverless vehicle. Volkswagen and Qatar have struck a deal that will bring self-driving electric vehicles to the public transportation network in the capital city of Doha before the end of 2022. A total of 35 autonomous ID Buzz vans will carry up to four people each on semi-fixed routes in the Westbay area, while Scania buses will handle larger groups. VW's MOIA and Audi's AID will handle the software needed to run the service.
'Forza Horizon 4' is getting a 72-car battle royale mode
Are video games legal any more if they don't have a battle royale mode? Even Civilization VI joined the fray a few months back. The latest game to hop into the battle royale arena, including the shrinking play area popularized by PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite, is Forza Horizon 4.
BMW will finally support Android Auto in July 2020
BMW's effort to drag its phone integration into the modern era extends beyond ditching Apple CarPlay fees. The automaker is finally introducing Android Auto to its cars as of July 2020, when it'll be available in any vehicle using BMW Operating System 7.0 or later. It's a wireless connection, so you'll initially be limited to certain Google- and Samsung-made phones, but it should save you the trouble of plugging in when you just want some quick directions home.
Jaguar's I-Pace software update boosts the range by 12 miles
Car makers frequently make vague claims that their racing technology leads to improvements in road-going vehicles, but this is one of those precious few moments where the gains are very tangible. Jaguar is delivering an update to its I-Pace EV that promises up to 12 miles of extra range thanks partly to know-how gleaned from the eTrophy race series. The automaker has boosted the efficiency of the car's AWD torque distribution, reduced use of the radiator vanes that keep it cool (improving aerodynamics) and allowed the battery to run to a lower state of charge without compromising performance or durability.
Porsche tests a four-motor powertrain for electric SUVs
Porsche's follow-ups to the Taycan may make its powerplants seem conservative by comparison. The Stuttgart crew has revealed that it's working on a four-motor powertrain for electric SUVs, twice as many as what you'll find in the Taycan. This isn't about improving quarter mile times, though. Instead, the design is focused on control -- one motor for each wheel lets Porsche rapidly shift the power distribution based on where it's needed, whether it's to counteract slippery roads or take corners at high speed. You could have the "agility of a sports car" in a large people carrier, the company claimed.
Tesla will start charging $10 per month for 'Premium' in-car data
Tesla wasn't entirely accurate when it said it would start charging for some in-car data on July 1st of last year, but it looks like owners have finally been asked to cough up. The automaker is notifying customers who ordered on or after July 1st, 2018 that it's switching them to 30-day trials of Premium Connectivity (i.e. the full data services they're used to), and that they'll have to subscribe for $10 per month to keep using the functionality. Anyone who ordered before July 1st, 2018 still has access to all features for free.
Ford's Mustang Mach-E First Edition is sold out in the US
There are plenty of people who like the thought of a Mustang-branded electric SUV, apparently. Ford has confirmed to Roadshow that the Mustang Mach-E First Edition is sold out in the US. If you wanted to be one of the earliest of early adopters for the EV, you're out of luck. The automaker didn't say how many vehicles that represented, but Ford previously said that battery supply constraints would limit overall Mach-E production to 50,000 vehicles in the first year of production. Given that the First Edition is likely a small portion of that number, you may have a hard time spotting the special-run car on the road.
Tesla Autopilot now recognizes traffic cones
Tesla's Autopilot has been adept at recognizing other cars on the road, but those aren't the only things you have to worry about on the road -- what about the traffic cones that wall you off from roadwork? You can relax after today... well, for the most part. Tesla is quietly rolling out an Autopilot update that lets its electric cars detect and display pylons on the road. If you're using Navigate on Autopilot, your EV will even plan lane changes to avoid cones so that you don't have to take control around construction work.
The all-electric Mini Cooper SE will start at $29,900
BMW has revealed the all-electric Mini Cooper SE will start at $29,900, less than the $35,000 estimate the automaker gave when it unveiled the vehicle in July. The car, which is the first broadly available Mini Cooper EV (following a concept model), will go on sale in the US in early March.
Nissan's dual-motor Leaf test car hints at future EVs
If Nissan is going to build production versions of EV concepts like the Ariya, it's going to need considerably more from its electric powerplants. Thankfully, that work is well underway. The car brand has unveiled a Leaf-based test car that packs dual motors and all-wheel drive, delivering both greater control and much more power. The prototype machine produces 227kW of peak output (about 304HP) and, more importantly, a whopping 501 pound-feet of torque -- the Leaf Plus' 214HP and 250 pound-feet of torque seem dowdy by comparison.
Ford will reveal its 'Mustang-inspired' electric SUV on November 17th
Ford is nearly finished dribbling out teasers for its Mustang-inspired electric SUV. The automaker now plans a worldwide reveal for the crossover on November 17th. The company still isn't willing to reveal much more of the finished design at this point besides its outline (though you can clearly spot the Mustang influence in the lights). However, there are a few details available at this stage.
Mercedes app was leaking car owners' data to other users
Your car maker's mobile app can be very convenient, but it can also create privacy headaches in the wrong circumstances. Mercedes-Benz owners told TechCrunch that the car company's remote control app was supplying data from other users' accounts for at least a few hours on October 18th. You could see info from "several" accounts in at least one case, and it would include sensitive material like names, phone numbers and recent activity like locations.
Ford's remote car starting and unlocking are available for free
Until now, all of FordPass' connected car features have technically been locked behind a subscription, no matter how basic -- while it was effectively free with up to five years of 'trial' service, there was still the prospect of losing remote unlocking simply because you didn't want to pay up. Now, however, you won't even have to think about it. Ford has scrapped trial subscriptions and made the most common features available for free. You can unlock your doors, start up the motor or schedule a maintenance visit so long as your vehicle supports FordPass Connect in the first place.
Consumer Reports finds Tesla's Smart Summon 'glitchy'
Consumer Reports and Tesla have had a rocky relationship over the years, and it doesn't look like they're about to patch things up any time soon. CR has declared Tesla's Smart Summon feature "glitchy" after several days of testing both at its own facility and in parking lots. The drive-to-you feature only works "intermittently," the publication said, sometimes confusing a parking lot for a public road and shutting off. And while Smart Summon appears to drive the car at cautious speeds, it also wanders "like a drunken or distracted driver" and sometimes veers into the opposite lane.
Volvo's electric XC40 will use an Android infotainment system
Volvo's electric XC40 will represent an upgrade to in-cabin tech, not just the powerplant. The automaker has continued its teaser campaign for the EV by revealing that it will use an infotainment system based on Android Automotive, just like the cars from its Polestar performance brand. That provides access to handy Google services like Assistant, Maps and the Play Store, but it's also a milestone for Volvo itself. This will be the first Volvo to receive over-the-air updates for its core software, not just apps and map data -- your center console won't be frozen in time.
Volvo's electric XC40 will be one of its safest vehicles yet
Volvo has been teasing an electric version of its XC40 SUV for a while, and now it's ready to dribble out some information. The automaker is boasting that its first EV will be "one of the safest cars on the road" due both to its inherent design and new features. The presence of a battery in the floor of the vehicle helps lower the center of gravity and prevent rollovers, but there's also a new battery structure with a safety cage and crumple zone to protect the lithium-ion cells in the event of a collision.
