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.
Chevy Reveals Updated Traverse, Hyundai Launches New Santa Fe, & JD Power to Set EV Benchmarks
August 14, 2023 It’s been an incredible summer for reveals, from SUVs to sports cars.
Chevrolet debuted the 2024 Traverse. This third-generation model is powered by a new turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4 making an estimated 315 horsepower. A new off-road-focused Z71 trim packs all-terrain tires, extra ground clearance, skid plates and more.
Hyundai also took to the web to showcase the fifth-generation Santa Fe. This midsize SUV features a radical redesign both inside and out, with modern, EV-like cues throughout. No exact details on powertrain or pricing just yet.
Subaru made an exciting BRZ reveal at Subiefest in California…
The BRZ will soon receive a tS trim, featuring track-oriented upgrades. This means STI-tuned dampers, gold-painted Brembo brakes, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires on 18-inch wheels. The tS comes with a six-speed manual only.
Nissan is spicing up their own coupe with the Z NISMO. Underneath the trim-specific bodywork, Nissan fitted better brakes, suspension components and Dunlop performance tires. The twin-turbo V6 sees a power increase, now 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft. The Z’s nine-speed automatic is standard.
Finally, in electric vehicle news, the U.S. Department of Energy has selected JD Power to monitor the nation’s EV progress…
The DOE has enlisted JD Power’s EV Index to set benchmarks and monitor rising infrastructure development. The EV Index is an analytic tool used to track the nation’s growing electric vehicle market.
The Index tracks millions of data points across six categories, updated monthly.
According to JD Power, a lack of public charging infrastructure has consistently been a top consumer barrier to EV adoption.
And that’s it for this week’s Motor News.