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Inside the automotive startup taking EVs off-road
The Tesla Model X is the "least capable SUV ever made," according to Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe. It sits too low to the ground, for one, and yet, somehow, most American garages aren't tall enough for the rear doors to open. It's something that looks great sitting next to a Lamborghini or a Porsche, but it's more style than substance. It's an SUV in name alone. You won't take your Model X to ride the sand dunes for a weekend, but that's precisely what Scaringe wants you to do with anything his startup makes. It's understandable if you don't know who or what Rivian is. The company, founded in 2009, has around 350 employees, and its executive team is composed of designers and executives from Hummer maker AM General, Chrysler, McLaren and others. Its design headquarters are located outside of Detroit; there's also a pair of tech and research centers in California split between the San Francisco Bay Area and Irvine. Rivian is led by Scaringe, a 35-year-old MIT grad. Previously he founded Mainstream Motors, working on a fuel-efficient vehicle before pivoting to EVs in 2012. Even more than other tech companies, this one's plans have been shrouded in secrecy -- it was important to Scaringe that his company have something to show before making promises he couldn't keep.
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).
Mercedes shows off its EQC electric SUV prototype
Mercedes really, really wants you to know that its EQ electric cars will soon become a practical reality. The automaker has shown off heavily camouflaged prototypes of its EQC SUV with word that the production model is on track to launch in 2019. Test mules already endured "tough" winter conditions in northern Sweden between January and March, while upcoming trials will check its powertrain and suspension. It won't be a gentle summer for the EQC, as Mercedes is subjecting it to a heat stress test in Spain.
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.
Lincoln attempts to reinvent itself again with the Aviator SUV
Lincoln has unveiled its newest vehicle, and with it, a glimpse into the company's future. The three-row Aviator is a clear improvement on the company's last attempt to reinvent its line-up, with the MKT. The model boasts lean, tapered lines, for a start, and a roomy interior with Perfect Position seats and elegant furnishings.
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.
Pininfarina will go from designer to automaker with all-EV lineup
For decades, Pininfarina has largely been a design house -- it shaped and built cars, but usually under someone else's name (such as the Ferrari F40). It's apparently ready to become a full-fledged manufacturer, however, and a thoroughly 21st century one at that. Autocar sources have heard that Pininfarina is launching an all-electric car lineup headlined by a hypercar, nicknamed PF-Zero, that would aim squarely at the Bugatti Chiron with a 2020 launch. It would have power comparable to the 1,479HP of the Chiron, and would be based on a modular platform jointly developed by its parent company Mahindra (a Formula E competitor) and Rimac. There would also be more accessible models... relatively speaking.
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.
The Infiniti QX80 is too pricey to have this little tech
I'm not kidding (okay, I'm sort of kidding) when I say that the Infiniti QX80 (starting at $64,750) is only slightly smaller than a studio apartment I used to live in. It's a very large SUV that's packed to the gills with luxury features. It's certainly nicer than my old home. And, with room for eight, it has more seating, too. But like my old abode, it's not exactly on the cutting edge of technology. Sure, it's filled with modern touches you would expect from a luxury SUV, but the QX80 is in a weird spot right now. With parent company Nissan introducing its impressive semi-autonomous driving system ProPilot Assist to the Infiniti Q50 sedan and CarPlay making its way into Nissans, the QX80 feels left behind.
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.
Bentley's first plug-in hybrid is an ultra-luxurious SUV
Bentley has been promising a hybrid version of its Bentayga SUV for over 3 years, and it's finally here... although you might not want to pat yourself on the back if you buy one. The simply-titled Bentayga Hybrid delivers the same ultra-luxurious design of the regular model, but replaces the usual powerplant with a 3.0L V6 and an electric motor. However, that motor will only get you about 31 miles of pure electric driving -- fine if you're a footballer driving to the local nightclub, but not very useful for visiting family. It's meant more to offset the lousy fuel economy from the V6, which musters just 12MPG in the city and 19MPG on the highway.
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.
Mercedes CEO: 'Stay tuned' for an electric G-Wagen SUV
Mercedes-Benz's G-Class Wagon isn't changing for the future in the ways you might expect. Yet. From a preview event at Detroit's crumbling, historic Michigan Theater for the North American International Auto Show, chairman Dieter Zetsche was joined onstage by Arnold Schwarzenegger to talk about the iconic SUV's improvements. Given where Schwarzenegger used to hold office -- California -- and his environmental bend, The Governator had a pressing question for Zetsche: "What is the future [of Mercedes] in fossil fuels? Does this G-Wagen eventually come out as an electric G-Wagen?" He has the world's first one at home in Los Angeles, he said.
The Velar is a Land Rover for (rich) tech-lovers
Land Rover and its family of Range Rover vehicles are known for rugged luxury. You can drive through a river in the woods during the day, rinse it off, and drop it with a valet at the opera that night. It appeals to a demographic that's more interested in the Burgundy region of France and postcards than Burning Man and DMs. So to appeal to the tech CTOs instead of the Wall Street CEOs the company introduced the Velar, its "avant garde" Range Rover.
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.
