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Ford’s decision to kill most of its cars was inevitable
American drivers have made up their minds. Bigger is most certainly better, and Ford Motor Co. has reacted. This week the automaker announced that over the next few years it would be phasing out all its cars (except for the iconic Mustang) in favor of SUVs, trucks and commercial vehicles (vans) in the United States. Don't @ me about the Focus Active -- it's a crossover, it's not a car. The surprise wasn't that it happened -- the surprise is that it took so long.
Audi's e-tron SUV drives a modest 248 miles per charge
When Audi first trotted out its e-tron SUV concept, it was promising: there was talk of the electric crossover managing 311 miles on a charge, which would put Tesla's Model X to shame. You... might need to dial down your expectations a bit. Audi has revealed that the production version of the e-tron prototype has an estimated range of 248.5 miles on the WLTP driving cycle thanks to its 95kWh battery. That's still very usable for around-the-city driving, but it's only slightly more than the 238 miles of a Chevy Bolt (although that was tested on an EPA cycle). Audi may have an ace up its sleeve, however: fast charging.
Lincoln's Aviator SUV matches style with hybrid tech
When you think of Lincoln you can't be blamed for imagining those Navigators and Continentals that pick up very important folks at the airport. But the automaker wants to make sure more than professional drivers get behind the wheel of their cars. The new Aviator looks like it might just do that.
Lynk & Co's shareable cars launch outside of China in 2020
Volvo's sister brand Lynk & Co has made a fuss over its connected, shareable cars, but there's been a catch: they haven't been available outside of China. You might have a chance to buy one elsewhere, however. Alongside a peek at its new 02 crossover SUV (more on that in a bit), the fledgling auto badge has confirmed that it will start selling cars in Europe in 2020. As before, it's ditching conventional dealerships in favor of both its website and "Offline Stores" that are really boutiques. The first store will open in Amsterdam, with follow-ups due in Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels and London.
Kia’s Niro Hybrid is a great SUV, if you’re not in a hurry
Crossovers, SUVs, CUVs or whatever you want to call them will continue to dominate showrooms. You can't blame automakers, the drivers of this country love a high-sitting utility vehicle -- even if it's really just a raised hatchback. It's also the reason more hybrid and EV powertrains are making their way into these vehicles. With that in mind, Kia introduced the Niro Plug-In Hybrid -- an electrified version of its small crossover. It has an impressive EV-only range (26 miles), and a lot of tech that people expect from a new car including semi-autonomous features. With a starting price of $27,900, the SUV is an impressive vehicle... as long as you're not in a hurry.
Nissan's electric SUV concept will enter production
Nissan's current electric car lineup revolves almost exclusively around the Leaf, but it's ready to diversify its selection. The company's European design chief Mamoru Aoki has revealed to Autocar that a production version of the IMx concept SUV (above) will arrive sometime in "a few years." It's not certain how much the crossover EV would change, but it's reasonable to presume that Nissan would want to keep the IMx's performance. The concept promised 435HP and a 380-mile range, giving Tesla's Model X a run for its money in some cases.
Audi put 250 camouflaged e-tron prototypes on Geneva’s roads
While we patiently wait for Audi to unveil the production version of the upcoming e-tron SUV, the automaker has decided to flood the roads of Geneva with camouflaged prototypes. The company also showed off a prototype during the unveiling of the A6. Like the ones on the street, it looks like a giant QR code.
Jaguar's electric SUV can go almost 300 miles on a charge
After what seems like an eternity, Jaguar finally has pre-order information for its I-PACE crossover SUV, which looks to take on Elon Musk's Model X. The truck will be available to purchase starting today in a handful of trim options, but a delivery date wasn't available at press time. In the UK, the I-PACE starts at €63,495 or, roughly, $87,216. For context, the Model X we reviewed was priced at $132,000.
Hyundai's Kona Electric SUV boasts a 292-mile range
Hyundai's newly bolstered EV strategy might be off to a good start. It just unveiled the Kona Electric, an adaptation of its crossover SUV that promises to combine both ample space with meaningful performance. The base edition's 186-mile range and 9.3-second 0-62MPH time won't raise eyebrows, but a long-range version can muster a 292-mile range and reach 62MPH in 7.6 seconds. That's about as much range as a top-spec Tesla Model X -- if you don't need blistering acceleration or gobs of seating, you can get a very capable electric people hauler.
Nissan's Xmotion concept swaps key fobs for fingerprints
Infiniti's eye toward the future has manifested itself with the Xmotion (pronounced "Crossmotion;" it's a crossover SUV). The suicide-door clad ride boasts hand and eye motion and gesture sensors for the generous door-to-door digital dashboard, climate controls and infotainment system. The latter is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple's Car Play setups, as well as surround sound for the 4+2 seating arrangement. In the stage demo, the display showed off swimming koi and driving information. The fish are actually a virtual assistant, and you can see them in action below.
Lexus LF-1 concept looks toward an electrified, autonomous future
A few months ago Toyota and Lexus announced that by 2025, all of their car models would either be electric or have an electric powertrain option. Today at the NAIAS event, Lexus showed off a slick concept crossover that could be a part of that future. The LF-1 "Limitless" concept design is supposed to invoke "molten katana," but the important parts are inside. With options for a gas, plug-in hybrid or all-electric powertrain, it fits into Lexus' vision for the future. Naturally, it also includes intelligent and autonomous features, with a chauffeur mode that can get you home hands-free, and suspension that reacts to driving style, road conditions and weather data. "Four-dimensional" navigation takes time into account, suggesting breaks for gas, rest and, at appropriate times, setting up hotel reservations like a concierge. The touch controls inside include haptic responses, while a touchpad accepts data entry.
Subaru’s Crosstrek is a small but value-packed SUV
Subaru sells emotion. Their entire marketing strategy is about "love," which is actually a pretty accurate take on how we buy cars. There's very little logic in a lot of our buying decisions. Consider how much time some of us spend in our vehicles -- there's nothing wrong with picking an automobile that gives you some sense of happiness. That's led to a rise in SUV sales, because big cars make Americans happy. Seeing the market for SUV grow while not having one its own to sell, Subaru introduced the Crosstrek, a crossover that will appeal to buyers looking for an all-wheel drive in a big (but not too big) package.
VW's 'affordable' crossover EV comes to the US in 2020
Volkswagen has announced that it's I.D. Crozz EV, currently touring auto shows around the world as a concept, will go on sale for real in America by 2020. It'll be the first of VW's I.D. vehicles to hit US shores, so its success will be crucial to the German company's wide-ranging plans to electrify its lineup. The I.D. Crozz will have dual electric motors that put out 302 horsepower in total and an 83-kWh battery that can be charged to 80 percent of its 300-mile capacity in a half hour.
Mitsubishi Evo concept is an AI-assisted crossover EV
Honda has been rolling out EV concept cars to test the waters, first a throwback boxy coupe, then the debut yesterday of a sporty two-door vehicle with subtle AI assistance. Today, Mitsubishi followed suit with its own new crossover concept, the e-Evolution. If that name sounds familiar, you're on the right track: They've transitioned the iconic Lancer Evo sedan into an electric four-wheel-drive cross-country vehicle.
Nissan's Rogue is its first US car with semi-autonomous driving
You won't have to wait long to try Nissan's semi-autonomous ProPilot Assist on American streets. The automotive giant has announced that the 2018 Rogue crossover will be the first car in the US to have the feature as an option. Not surprisingly, it won't come standard. While the Rogue starts at $24,680, you'll need to spend about $35,000 for a Rogue SL with the Platinum Package to get that robotic assistance. In classic car maker fashion, you'll have to spend on extras you probably don't care for (like leather seats and large wheels) just to get the one option you do.
'Assassin's Creed' is crossing over with 'Final Fantasy'
So this is weird: Square Enix and Ubisoft have announced that this month will mark the beginning of crossovers between Assassin's Creed and Final Fantasy. Yup, really. "This collaboration is the result of being huge fans," Ubisoft Montreal game driector Ashraf Ismail says on the UbiBlog. "There's a lot of respect between the two teams and we couldn't be more thrilled with the opportunity to pay homage to each other's work."
Tesla drops the entry-level Model X 60D from its lineup
We hope you weren't scrimping and saving to put the entry-level Model X in your driveway. Tesla has quietly dropped the 60D version of its electric crossover, leaving the 75D as your only choice. While the Model X wasn't exactly a budget vehicle to start with, that definitely raises the price of entry. You now have to spend $85,500 before tax credits to get past those falcon wing doors, or about $11,500 more than you did while the 60D was around.
Convert your tired table into a powered standing desk for $400
NextDesk has long offered standing desks, which are argued to have health benefits over regular desks that you sit at. Its latest product is a powered desktop solution that can "convert" your regular desk to a standing one.
Watch this Lexus NX concept roll out on wheels made of ice
Lexus isn't a newcomer to the world of bizarre vehicle concepts. Back in October, the company introduced the Origami Car, a working electric IS sedan made out of cardboard. Fast forward to today and Lexus is showing off an NX crossover with ice wheels -- yes, ice wheels. This project, aptly called Ice-Tyre Lexus NX, features a set of hand-sculptured tires created from multiple blocks of ice, each one intended to recreate the look of Lexus' alloy wheel and its companion Yokohama winter tire.
Tesla's Model 3 lineup will include a crossover
When Tesla talks about plans to enter the world of mainstream electric cars with the Model 3, it's not just referring to launching one vehicle -- it's actually talking about a whole lineup. The automaker's JB Straubel says that the Model 3 will include not just the expected sedans, but crossovers as well. There aren't more details at this point, but it's apparent that the new EV series is about transforming Tesla into a more accessible brand, not just giving you a lower-cost alternative to a Model S. Straubel is certainly optimistic about what the 3 range can do. He expects to see a million Teslas on the road by 2020, which would make Elon Musk's outfit considerably more than a niche badge. [Image credit: Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images]
