2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
Internal combustion engines still rule the road, but at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, electrics are getting ready for a more commanding role.
The show’s star was the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE. This plug-in hybrid Hyper-Car concept combines a racing V6 with no less than 4 electric motors for over 1,000 horsepower.
More practical is the Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA. A second member for their upcoming EQ electric sub-brand.
Or how about this Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL with ultra-compact hydrogen fuel-cell and battery technology.
Frankfurt was the world premiere for the BMW i Vision Dynamics. This four-door Gran Coupe, aimed at Tesla--has a 373-mile all-electric range.
For SUV fans, check out the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance. A three-row plug-in hybrid that seats 6 in high-tech luxury.
Even MINI’s iconic two-box design sees a brighter future with electric power.
Volkswagen I.D. electric sub-brand with include the I.D CROZZ crossover for 2020. Followed by the sure-to-be iconic I.D. Buzz microvan in 2022.
Audi is predicting electric autonomous driving with the Audi Aicon. Using artificial intelligence, but no steering wheel or pedals, it has the ability to drive itself nearly 500 miles on a single charge.
Audi’s all-new petrol and diesel powered A8 flagship already offers Level 3 automated driving, and a 48 Volt electrical system.
Porsche's 2019 Cayenne was unveiled just before the show, but a surprise Turbo version rolled onto the Frankfurt stage with 550-HP and a 0-60 of 3.7 seconds.
Jaguar announced their all-electric production car racing series, while over at Land Rover, the conventionally powered Discovery SUV gets the extreme SVX all-terrain treatment.
Not to be left out, Asian brands made Frankfurt news as well. Honda’s with its cute and tiny Urban EV Concept, and Toyota, with a hybrid concept of the C-HR crossover.
So clearly the way in which we drive is getting “amped up” in the not so distant future. And that’s it for this week’s Motor News.
2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Starts at $174,995
January 10, 2025 The news is exactly what the headline says: Chevrolet’s highly-anticipated 2025 Corvette ZR1, split rear window and all, will start at $174,995.
That price will net you a 1LZ coupe; have no fear, as that price does include the Bowtie’s $1,695 destination and handling charge. For those looking to pick up the 1LZ convertible, you’ll need to find another $10,000, with pricing beginning at $184,995.
There’s no denying that’s a lot of dough to fork over, or a potentially large loan to be asking your bank for, but consider everything you’re getting for that price. For starters, Chevy’s twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter LT7, a flat-plane crank V8 that pushes out 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque– the most powerful V8 ever produced by an American manufacturer, granting the 2025 ZR1 the honor of being the most powerful factory Corvette produced yet. A 0-60 time of 2.3 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 9.6 seconds at 150 mph, and a top speed of 233 mph should be more than enough to whisk away any tears you may shed over dropping that kind of cash.
Other standard equipment includes a carbon fiber roof, carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fiber ground effects, and a performance data recorder, among other elements that set the ZR1 apart from the average Stingray. If even that’s not enough, or you find yourself in need of the ultimate Corvette, the ZR1 Carbon Fiber Aero Package, which includes a high-downforce rear wing, among other aero-inducing elements, will add an additional $8,495. This package is required to unlock the $1,500 ZTK Performance Package, adding stiffer springs and unique tuning for the magnetic suspension, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.
A 3LZ coupe starts at $185,995 with destination in tow (and $195,995 for the 3LZ convertible), and includes heated/ventilated Napa leather seats or Competition Sport seats with lumbar and wing adjustment, a 14-speaker Bose sound system, custom leather wrappings for the various interior bits, and sundry other cabin amenities.
Assembly of the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 begins in the second quarter of 2025 at their Bowling Green Assembly plant.