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Porsche's Macan EV will fully replace its gas counterpart in a few years
Porsche's electric Macan won't give its combustion engine counterpart much room to breathe. The automaker's deputy chairman Lutz Meschke told Autocar in an interview that the Macan EV will sit alongside the gas version when it arrives in 2021, but only for a "couple of years." After that, you'll have to buy the electric model if you want Porsche's take on a compact SUV. While he wasn't too specific about the reasons for the strategy, he noted that the transition will likely be "different by region" given the varying progress on EV infrastructure.
Watch Ford’s Mustang-inspired EV crossover race around in the snow
Ford's Mustang-inspired EV crossover is expected to launch in 2020. The company hasn't released too many details, other than that it will have a 370-mile range and fast-charging. But this week, Ford shared two videos of the vehicle in action. The first shows a prototype of the Mustang-inspired ride zipping around Grattan Raceway and brags about the EV's acceleration.
Ford will reportedly make two more electric SUVs by 2023
Ford might not lean solely on its Mustang-inspired electric SUV to draw EV fans in the next few years. Automotive News sources claim the automaker is building two "mid-size" electric crossovers at its Flat Rock plant in Michigan, with both to be released no later than the 2023 model year. Details are unsurprisingly scarce, but they'll include a Lincoln model and will be comparable in size to the Ford Edge (above) and Lincoln Nautilus. Both should be based on Ford's own BEV platform.
Mercedes’ new GLB is a small SUV that’ll seat seven
At an event in Utah, Mercedes took the wraps off its latest SUV, the 2020 GLB. The automaker is positioning it between the GLA and GLC. With the SUV and crossover segment still going strong, the automaker is hoping to capture more of that market with this addition.
Chevy tests a crossover utility version of its Bolt EV
Chevy has talked about producing more electric crossovers besides the Bolt EV, and it now appears much closer to fulfilling that goal. Our sister site Autoblog has obtained photos and video of Chevy testing a more utility-focused crossover, rumored to be named the Bolt EUV, on public streets. It's heavily disguised, to put it mildly, but you can see a more SUV-like design with a larger back and a more vertical snout. While the current Bolt is officially labeled as a crossover, the EUV would bet better-suited to grocery runs and family vacations.
Hyundai goes even smaller with the Venue crossover
Both the gas and electrified Hyundai Kona are great vehicles. But maybe it's just a tad too big for you? If that's the case, the automaker just unveiled the Hyundai Venue. An entry-level SUV with an odd name.
Mercedes-Benz's EQC Edition 1886 goes heavy on creature comforts
It's no surprise Mercedes has been planning to produce its own all-electric vehicle -- the storied carmaker revealed its plans in 2016 and started candidly talking about its new EQC crossover last year. While we won't be able to slip behind the wheel of a US-spec EQC until 2020, Mercedes did make an appearance at the New York Auto Show with the especially drool-worthy EQC Edition 1886, a tricked out version of the crossover with an "extensive range of optional extras."
Nissan's IMQ concept looks more like a stealth fighter than a crossover
The great thing about concept cars is that automakers can just shoot for the stars when it comes to features. The Nissan IMQ concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor show is a good example of promising a lot of stuff in a car while simultaneously plotting the course for the future.
Mitsubishi shows off the future of its plug-in hybrid SUV line
Mitsubishi just unveiled the burly Engelberg Tourer concept with a plug-in electric hybrid drivetrain. It boasts an all-electric range of 43 miles, making it a practical daily driver that can carry a lot of cargo, thanks to the size and very boxy shape. It's backed up by a 2.4 liter gas engine, making it practical for long trips or heading out to the ski lodge.
Tesla will unveil the Model Y crossover on March 14th
Tesla is following up a very busy February with an even more hectic March. Elon Musk has announced that his brand will unveil the long-promised Model Y crossover at the LA Design Studio on March 14th. On top of that, you can expect the first "v3.0" Supercharger station to switch on March 6th at 8PM Pacific. Musk didn't provide more clues beyond that, but you might already have an idea as to what to expect.
The Nissan Kicks is a cheap crossover that's still high-tech
Inexpensive entry-level vehicles are typically drab affairs. Beige boxes with the minimum options and styling that can be described as sadness on four wheels. The Nissan Kicks (yeah, with an S) is different. It's fun, quirky and has just enough tech to keep smartphone-addicted new car buyers happy.
Infiniti's new QX50 blends exciting engine tech with a big redesign
When Infiniti announced that the QX50's turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine would have variable compression, my first two thoughts were "wow that's incredible" and "I can't wait to see how this works in a hybrid." The QX50 is not a hybrid, but what the automaker has accomplished is amazing. But it still needs a little fine-tuning if you're expecting a huge increase in fuel economy.
Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept EV makes a delayed Auto Show debut
Like every good luxury car brand, Infiniti has plans to make its first EV a crossover-ish attempt full of its special touches and design language. The latest step in that direction is the QX Inspiration Concept that takes advantage of the design opportunities of electric vehicles to meld high-tech up front with physical no-tech touches in the rear like real, natural wood inlays and even a marble center console extending toward the rear seats. There is one, small catch however -- even concept cars are usually running when they're announced, and due to an undisclosed technical issue, the Inspiration Concept could not answer the bell this morning. As Autoblog reported, designers were forced to say "It's here, but you can't see it" while showing clips on screen as the car sat backstage. The car did eventually get onto Infiniti's stand -- although it's unclear whether that was under its own power, I saw workers dragging a covered car either into or out of the booth just before -- to show off its pillar-to-pillar widescreen displays, suicide doors and cockpit that retracts into the floor when autonomous driving is enabled. This is supposed to set a 'direct precedent' for Infiniti's first electric car, so while we're assuming the marble console won't make it, under-floor battery cells, electric all-wheel-drive and an "aesthetic defined by straight lines, clean surfaces and concise graphics" could go on to the next stage.
Nissan's IMs concept sedan EV includes a 'Premier' rear seat
While Nissan already sells a relatively popular electric vehicle, the Leaf, it's still imagining concepts that wrap more appealing shells around a zero-emission drivetrain. Enter its latest "Intelligent Mobility" concept car: the IMs. Following the IDs and IMx models we've seen at events in years past, this one tries to create a whole new kind of car with the "elevated sports sedan." In a world where SUVs and crossovers are eating into car sales, maybe that makes sense, but this almost-a-crossover not only rides high on 22-inch aluminum alloy wheels and an air suspension that adjusts to the terrain, but it can go with dual electric motors capable of 483 HP and 590 lb-ft of torque.
Infiniti to unveil its first fully-electric crossover concept in January
Nissan's Infiniti will mark its 30th birthday next month by unveiling its first all-electric crossover at the place where it all began for the luxury car brand: the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The crossover will give the world the first look at Infiniti's design framework for future EVs in line with its plans to electrify its entire portfolio from 2021 onwards.
Musk: Model Y prototype approved to go into production
On Tesla's earnings call after announcing its first quarterly profit, CEO Elon Musk chatted about the company's upcoming products. While claiming it has "the most exciting product roadmap of any company on Earth," Musk mentioned the Model Y crossover EV we've only seen hints of so far, and said "I recently approved the prototype to go into production."
Citroen's DS shows off its mainstream crossover EV
You may have never seen Citroen's DS 3, but it's one of the most popular cars in Europe. When the company (actually a new, separate brand called DS) unveiled a crossover version called the DS 3 Crossback, it also announced plans to sell an electric version called the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense.
Kia's e-Niro crossover goes almost 300 miles on a charge
Kia has launched the e-Niro, an all-electric version of its hybrid Niro, with some pretty strong claims about the range. The Korean automaker says it can travel 485 km (301 miles) on a charge, which would make it one of the longest-range EVs in the world. That's due in part to an optional 64 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that's fairly large for the size of the car, along with a regenerative braking system. Kia's Driving Assistant System (Eco DAS) also extends range by telling the driver exactly when to coast or brake.
Kia Niro EV comes to Korea with 236-mile range
Kia is done teasing the all-electric version of its Niro crossover. The automaker has formally unveiled the production Niro EV, and it largely lines up with what you'd expect... although that's mostly a good thing. The finished design is now known to include a 204HP motor (similar to that in the electric Kona) and options for either a modest 39.2kWh battery good for 149 miles of range or a 64kWh pack capable of 236 miles. None of those figures are spectacular, but they promise a vehicle that's genuinely usable for everyday people-hauling while offering a significant amount of pep -- it can hit 62MPH in 7.8 seconds, and the floor-mounted battery gives it a low center of gravity you might not expect in a crossover.
Subaru's first PHEV is the 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid
You're probably more likely to associate Subaru with high-powered rally cars than any kind of eco-friendly transportation, but the automaker is determined to change that perception: it just unveiled plans for its first-ever plug-in hybrid. The 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid (not yet pictured) will combine Subaru's familiar four-cylinder boxer engine and all-wheel drive with a hybrid system from long-time collaborator Toyota to bring efficiency to its familiar crossover SUV. While details of its performance are mostly under wraps, Subaru is promising a pure electric mode for those times when you're more likely to be commuting around town than off-roading (which, let's face it, is most of the time).
