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Ford Mustang Expands Family: All-Electric Mustang Mach-E

By
George Achorn
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The Mustang Mach-E is instantly recognizable as a Mustang, with designers preserving the Mustang’s rear-haunch design and trademark tri-bar tail lamps, creating larger rear fenders that give the vehicle a wider feel and a more powerful stance
  • For the first time in 55 years, Ford is expanding the Mustang lineup with the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV joining the sports coupe, convertible and special editions, featuring an all-new infotainment system and connected vehicle technology
  • Mustang Mach-E embodies the Mustang spirit – from its sleek silhouette and muscular curves to exhilarating drive experiences that offer unique driving dynamics and sounds
  • Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition brings the thrills Mustang is famous for, targeting 0-60 mph in the mid-3-second range and an estimated 342 kW (459 horsepower) and 830 Nm (612 lb.-ft.) of torque
  • Mustang Mach-E instills confidence, targeting an EPA-estimated range of at least 300 miles with the available extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive, offering built-in charging solutions that route customers to nearby public charging stations, recommending where to charge on trips, and providing access to over 12,500 public charge stations in the FordPass charging network

LOS ANGELES, CA – For the first time in 55 years, Ford is expanding the Mustang family, bringing the famous pony into the electric age with Mustang Mach-E, an all-new, all-electric SUV born of the same all-American ideals that inspired the best-selling sports coupe in the world.

Ever since the original Mustang took the world by storm in 1964, it quickly came to represent the best of the American spirit: Freedom, progress, fast performance and a touch of rebellion. Now, Mustang is ready to reimagine these ideas for a powerful electric future, with space for customers’ growing needs and advanced over-the-air updates that continue to improve the vehicle.

“At the first-ever Detroit auto show, Henry Ford said he was working on something that would strike like forked lightning,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “That was the Model T. Today, the Ford Motor Company is proud to unveil a car that strikes like forked lightning all over again. The all-new, all-electric Mustang Mach-E. It’s fast. It’s fun. It’s freedom. For a new generation of Mustang owners.”

Developed in a century-old brick building a few blocks away from Henry Ford’s first factory in Detroit, Ford brought the Mustang Mach-E to life through a development process concentrated entirely on customer needs and desires. The result is a sleek, beautiful SUV that delivers spirited ride and handling, with state-of-the-art connected vehicle technology that makes Mach-E even better over time.

When it arrives in late 2020, Mustang Mach-E will be available with standard and extended-range battery options with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive powered by permanent magnet motors. Equipped with an extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive, Mach-E has a targeted EPA-estimated range of at least 300 miles.1 In extended-range all-wheel-drive configurations, Mach-E is targeting 332 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. of torque2 – with the standard all-wheel-drive variation targeting quicker times to 60 mph than the base Porsche Macan series.3

Ford also will offer two special performance versions. The GT is targeting 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds2, making it faster off the line than a Porsche Macan Turbo3. The GT Performance Edition, meanwhile, is targeting a comparable 0-60 mph in the mid-3-second range to a Porsche 911 GTS.3 Both GT configurations are targeting an estimated 342 kW (459 horsepower) and 830 Nm (612 lb.-ft.) of torque.2

“The Mustang Mach-E wholeheartedly rejects the notion that electric vehicles are only good at reducing gas consumption,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product development and purchasing officer. “People want a car that’s thrilling to drive, that looks gorgeous and that can easily adapt to their lifestyle – and the Mustang Mach-E delivers all of this in unmatched style.”

Customers can now visit the Mustang Mach-E reservation site to make a $500 reservation deposit.4 A limited First Edition will be available in extended-range all-wheel drive, with red painted brake calipers, metallic pedal covers, contrasting seat stitching and a scuff plate marked First Edition. Those looking for the thrill of the Mach-E GT can make reservations now for deliveries starting in spring 2021.

In addition to blistering acceleration, Mustang Mach-E will be available with Brembo’s all-new performance Flexira aluminum calipers, which maintain the functionality of a fixed caliper while being designed with the dimensions of a floating caliper. The GT Performance Edition is equipped with a MagneRide® damping system, adaptive suspension technology that lets drivers hug the road while delivering an exciting, comfortable ride.

Performance gives new meaning to the word ‘electrifying’

Mustang Mach-E delivers three unique drive experiences – Whisper, Engage and Unbridled – each offering finely tuned driving dynamics packaged with a distinct sensory experience. Features include custom-designed vehicle responsiveness such as sportier steering controls, ambient lighting, sounds tuned for an authentic all-electric experience, and dynamic cluster animations that are tied to driving behavior.

When the vehicle launches, a new Mach-E 4 all-wheel drive system will be available that can apply torque independently to the front and rear axles to deliver impressive acceleration and improved handling over the rear-wheel drive model. Ford tuned this system to provide excellent traction on the road, rigorously testing the vehicle in wet and snowy terrain to help control for slippery conditions. Mach-E is the first production vehicle to be tuned by the Ford Performance team utilizing Ford’s racing simulator in North Carolina.

“Whether you want to really feel its performance capability or are looking for the quiet atmosphere that electric vehicles can offer, the Mach-E harnesses the power of electrification to create a unique driving experience while retaining that unmistakable Mustang feeling of freedom,” said Ted Cannis, Ford enterprise product line director, global electrification.

Seamless technology that easily adapts to your lifestyle

Making its debut in the Mach-E is the next-generation SYNC® communications and entertainment system, a sleek and modern interface that uses machine learning to quickly learn drivers’ preferences, and gets even better over time thanks to advanced over-the-air updates. Next-generation SYNC’s 15.5-inch screen and simple interface ditches complicated menus, making it easier to access features with touch, swipe and pinch controls that every smartphone owner will be comfortable using.

“Next-generation SYNC actively starts adapting to you as soon as you start using it, quickly learning your preferences and making personalized suggestions,” said Darren Palmer, Ford global director for battery electric vehicles. “It can suggest going to the gym if it learns Mondays are workout days or calling home if you do that every day after work. The result is a cloud-connected assistant and interface that’s intuitive, beautiful and ready for the future thanks to fast over-the-air updates.”

As next-generation SYNC evolves to serve customers better over time, Ford has outfitted the Mach-E with the ability to continuously improve through the delivery of secure over-the-air updates that are capable of enhancing vehicle performance, offering maintenance updates and even adding entirely new features.

A new way to look at – and to experience – Mustang

Using Ford’s new all-electric architecture that places batteries inside the underbody, Ford engineers and designers were able to create a vehicle that’s not only true to Mustang but also maximizes SUV space for five passengers and cargo.

“Thanks to advances in battery technology, the Mustang Mach-E is the kind of car that gets people excited about driving, with a sporty, beautiful silhouette that delivers an incredible shape rarely seen in SUVs,” said Ron Heiser, Ford Mustang Mach-E chief program engineer.

The Mach-E is instantly recognizable as a Mustang, thanks to signature elements such as its long, powerful hood, rear haunch design, aggressive headlights and trademark tri-bar taillamps. Clever design and engineering delivers surprising rear seat roominess and ample cargo space.

Along with its all-new propulsion system, the Mach-E holds another surprise under its hood – a drainable front trunk storage unit. Providing 4.8 cubic feet of storage space, the front trunk is large enough to comfortably store the equivalent of a carryon luggage bag. And because it’s drainable, customers can easily pack it full of ice and keep their favorite beverages cold – perfect for that pre-game tailgate or trip to the beach.

Designed with SUV-size proportions to seat five adults comfortably, the Mustang Mach-E leaves plenty of space for your friends, kids and cargo.

Inside the Mach-E: A floating world makes you feel light and in command

To truly take advantage of the extra space provided by electrification, Ford designers worked extensively with customers to understand how they would prefer to use the interior of their vehicles. Designed with SUV-size proportions to seat five adults comfortably, the Mach-E leaves plenty of space for friends, kids and cargo.

In addition to the exterior front trunk, the rear trunk offers 29 cubic feet of space. With the rear seats down, the Mach-E boasts 59.6 cubic feet of space – more than enough room for luggage, camping gear or whatever else you may want to move around.5

Everywhere inside, the Mach-E represents a fusion of sleek, modern design and smart functionality. Premium available Bang & Olufsen speakers are seamlessly integrated across the front, floating above the air vents like a sound bar. A floating flip-up armrest doubles as a place to store purses or bags.

Traditional Mustang design cues like the double-cowl instrument panel round out the interior.

Even the available panoramic fixed-glass roof has a secret – a special glass coating with infrared protection helps the interior stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In addition, an inner layer between the glass helps protect against UV rays.

Finally, getting in and starting the vehicle is easy and effortless with Phone As A Key technology6, which makes its debut in the Ford brand lineup in Mustang Mach-E. Using Bluetooth, the vehicle can detect customers’ smartphones as they approach, unlocking the Mach-E and allowing them to start driving without getting their phones out of their pockets or using a key fob. A backup code can be entered on the center touch screen to start and drive the vehicle in the event a phone battery dies.

Battery technology keeps you running with hassle-free charging solutions

Mustang Mach-E will be available in both standard-range (75.7 kWh lithium-ion battery) and extended-range (98.8 kWh battery), which has a targeted EPA-estimated range of at least 300 miles in rear-wheel-drive configuration.1 These advanced batteries feature 288 lithium-ion cells in the standard-range version and 376 lithium-ion cells in the extended-range. Designed for ease of manufacturing, the battery is located on the floor between the vehicle’s two axles – and tested at temperatures as extreme as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The batteries are secured inside a waterproof battery case surrounded by crash-absorption protection. They are liquid-cooled to optimize performance in extreme weather and to improve charging times.

As electric vehicle owners do 80 percent of their charging at home, Ford offers a Ford Connected Charging station that can add an estimated average range of 32 miles per charging hour on a 240V outlet, based on extended-range, rear-wheel-drive configuration.7 The Ford mobile charger, included with the vehicle, can add an estimated average range of 22 miles per charging hour on a 240V outlet,7 the same used for a conventional oven. Ford is teaming up with Amazon Home to facilitate easy customer home installation by a licensed electrician.

The connected navigation system will identify up-to-date public charging locations during trips and prompt owners to charge at the most convenient points on each drive – all to help ensure they don’t have to be anxious about how much range they have.7

Ford also makes charging at home or on the go hassle-free by providing multiple home charging solutions and by giving customers access to the FordPass Charging Network – the largest public charging network in the country with more than 12,500 charging stations (and more than 35,000 charge plugs) and growing, including DC fast chargers.8 With peak charging rate of 150 kW, the Mustang Mach-E with an extended battery and rear-wheel drive can add an estimated average of 47 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes while charging on a DC fast charging station.⁷ The standard-range Mustang Mach-E is estimated to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 38 minutes while charging on a DC fast charging station.⁹

Ford has more than 2,100 EV-certified Ford dealers and more than 3,500 EV-trained technicians to support customers nationwide.

  • Mustang Family Photo

# # #

¹Based on full charge. Actual range varies with conditions such as external elements, driving behaviors, vehicle maintenance and lithium-ion battery age. Final EPA-estimated ratings available in the 2020 calendar year.

2Based on manufacturer calculation using computer engineering simulations. Your results may vary.

3Targeted performance based on manufacturer calculation using computer engineering simulations versus Porshe.com data. Your results may vary.

⁴Deposit only allows configuration of a vehicle. Reservation process is not an order or purchase of vehicle. Deposit does not guarantee delivery of a vehicle.

5Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and weight distribution.

6Requires feature activation.

7Range and charge time based on manufacturer computer engineering simulations and EPA-estimated range calculation methodology. The charging rate decreases as battery reaches full capacity. Individual results may vary based on peak charging times and battery state of charge. Actual vehicle range varies with conditions such as external elements, driving behaviors, vehicle maintenance and lithium-ion battery age.

8Based on original equipment manufacturers (OEM)/automotive manufacturers that sell all-electric vehicles and have publicly announced charging networks. Department of Energy data used. FordPass, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply.

⁹Charge time based on manufacturer computer engineering simulations. The charging rate decreases as battery reaches full capacity. Your results may vary based on peak charging times and battery state of charge.

BANG & OLUFSEN© 2019 and B&O© 2019. BANG & OLUFSEN™ and B&O™ are registered trademarks of Bang & Olufsen Group. Licensed by Harman Becker Automotive Systems Manufacturing Kft. All rights reserved.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 191,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.

Flagship BMW i Model Test Mule Spied

By
George Achorn
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The brand from Münich continues to develop this crossover flagship for its BMW i lineup. Believed to be called iNext (like the concept) or more model family-friendly i5, prototype test mules were recently caught out and about in Europe.

Interestingly, shots in this mix nabbed by our spy sources show off clear details of the car’s interior, including unique curved dash style display. Traditional gear lever controls appear to be thrown out in favor of rotary style switchgear. Unique design continues on the dashboard, floating above the center console and a sporty two-spoke steering wheel.

Exterior door handles appear to be similar to what’s been seen on i4 testers and the new BMW 4 series Gran Coupe, foregoing the pop-out designs used by the likes of Tesla and Mercedes.

This i5, iNext or whatever it will be called is expected to be a full BEV, though range and power figures aren’t known at this time. Likely several variations will be offered depending on price point.

Win ’65 VW Beetle Powered by Tesla Batteries via Omaze

By
omaze
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0

YOU WILL: 

  • Score a 1965 Convertible VW® Bug customized by Zelectric to be powered by Tesla® batteries (the only one of its kind!)
  • Enjoy 102 HP thanks to its electric motor and a nearly 100 mile range Tesla battery that’ll keep you moving 
  • Rock this car’s classic convertible style with upgraded perks like new red leather heated seats, triple chrome plated over-rider bumpers and more
  • Support The Planetary Society’s work to advance space science and exploration

The body belongs to a Bug. The battery belongs to a Tesla. And the keys? They belong to you. You’re the proud new owner of a one-of-a-kind Zelectric 1965 Convertible Volkswagen Bug powered by Tesla batteries! This baby is truly the best of both worlds. It has the iconic design we know and love, complete with sweet upgrades like gorgeous red leather heated (yes, heated!) seats, a fresh black canvas roof, Diamond Back white wall tires, triple chrome plated over-rider bumpers and a new Focal and Alpine Bluetooth stereo. But wait… there’s more. Your cool new ride may look like it’s straight from the past—but it’ll drive like the future all thanks to its electric motor and Tesla batteries. The only thing it still needs? You in the driver’s seat. Taxes and shipping costs are covered. 

No donation or payment is necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes.

More Information HERE.

About The Planetary Society

The Planetary Society is the world’s space exploration team. Co-founded by Carl Sagan and now led by CEO Bill Nye, the mission of the Society is to empower the world’s citizens to advance space science and exploration. To achieve this mission, the Society pursues four core enterprises: robotic space exploration, human space exploration, planetary defense (from asteroids and comets), and the search for life. They believe that space is for everyone! 

DTM Envisions Electric Future for Touring Car Racing

By
dtmseries
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0

Are we finally looking at the end of the ICE Age? The Internal Combustion Engine, that is.

Reports of its death may be greatly exaggerated: after all, petrol and diesel engines still power the vast majority of the world’s motor vehicles – and still will for many years to come – but change is coming.

The changing face of the automotive market

Many automotive manufacturers have already signalled their intent to either dial down or completely stop their production of ICE vehicles. That doesn’t mean we’ll soon see the end of the petrol/diesel engine; but it signals a change of concept that will filter across the automotive industry. The sector will steadily transform as it adopts new sources of power, and – increasingly – even more advanced technologies involving autonomous vehicles.

In motorsport, too, change is coming.

In 2019, all-electric championship Formula E begins its sixth season. The single-seater series has experienced strong year-on-year growth, while Formula 1 has steadily developed hybrid and regenerative technology for the past decade. But there is not yet an all-electric series that incorporates road-going models – the sorts of cars that reflect what consumers can buy themselves.

ITR Chairman Gerhard Berger explains: “What’s important about this proposal is that, even though it would use standardised powertrain components, it would allow manufacturers to race with their own models – something yet to be embraced by an electric series. That’s obviously critical for manufacturer involvement, and allows them to maximise their marketing around it.”

ITR begins to explore new concepts

For the 2019 DTM season, powerful and efficient four-cylinder turbo engines were introduced. The DTM umbrella organisation ITR, in concert with its manufacturers, has also begun to explore the possibility of introducing hybridisation to the category.

It’s a tricky balancing act: as F1 has shown, battery and regenerative technology is heavy – and expensive – and, in many ways, runs counter to one of the prevailing notions of racing: making it lighter makes it faster.

But sport doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and motor racing has long operated as a potential test-bed and proving-ground for many everyday automotive technologies that we now take for granted.

DTM organiser, the ITR, has now begun to explore future powertrain solutions, creating a spectacular concept study of how racing cars could evolve to embrace new technologies, while also critically retaining the power and spectacle that has made motorsport so unique and compelling.

ITR has always believed that racing must always be fast and spectacular, providing fans and competitors alike with visceral, sensory overload.

In short, that means fast, powerful racing cars that wow the senses.

Berger puts it best when he says: “I grew up racing in the 1980s, and I’ve never lost sight of what that decade gave us: spectacular cars that were always driven right at the limit; incredibly difficult to master, and, as a result, awe-inspiring and compelling in equal measure.

“Driving racing cars on the limit has never been easy, but watch onboard footage from the ’80s, and it’s immediately clear that the drivers were barely in control themselves – that’s the sort of racing I love.

“With this concept, I want us to embrace that sensation of raw power; of racing at the limits of grip. Not just with 1000bhp under the driver’s right foot; but with a car equipped with the technology of tomorrow, and using models that demonstrate a clear lineage to the major automotive parent brands. This new breed of touring car will be incredible to watch, and fantastic to drive.”

ITR’s vision expands far beyond how we currently perceive electric vehicles: the blueprint for a potential new series would involve harnessing energy from two separate sources: batteries and fuel cells, which transform hydrogen into electrical energy.

Hydrogen: the next big step?

While current electric racing series have focused on using batteries, many believe that hydrogen fuel cell technology will be the next quantum step in automotive technology.

A DTM-like race car using hydrogen fuel cells would house the hydrogen tanks within its carbon-fibre monocoque, ensuring they are located and stored safely. Mid-race pit-stops would see cars switching fuel cells – via an innovative automated robotic process – providing fresh power for the full race.

Common parts – essential for cost and scaleability

ITR’s ambitous vision envisages cars retaining their traditional road-car silhouette but with complex racing technologies hidden beneath the skin. Fuel-cells and battery tech would be positioned beneath the cockpit for optimal weight distribution and the lowest centre-of-gravity, and could be easily swapped out and plugged in during pit-stops.

However, given the scope, scale and cost of introducing an electric drive system, it would make sense to standardise the primary components – including the electric motor, power electronics and battery or fuel cell. This would reduce development costs, while also maximising the ability to refine and improve the tech.

Life in the pits

One of the most revolutionary aspects of the proposal is the addition of automated pit-stop tech. An industrial robot rig would surround the car, quickly replacing all four wheels and safely swapping over the battery pack or hydrogen tank located in the car’s underbody.

The automation process also makes pit-stops safer, removing the threat to the dozen or so crew members surrounding a car when it pulls into the box.

With these technologies, a new breed of ITR racing car would be able to achieve a peak power of more than 1000bhp – rekindling memories of hugely powerful racing cars from the 1980s and ’90s – and exceed speeds of 300km/h/185mph. By comparison, 2019 DTM machines are currently powered by fuel-efficient four-cylinder high-performance engines capable of more than 600bhp. The series has also begun trialling a more environmentally friendly synthetic fuel, and has plans to introduce a hybrid powertrain element in 2022.

“It’s a courageous and innovative concept”, adds Berger. “You have to look far ahead if you want to shape the future of motorsport. And if you want to offer racing with alternative drive systems that inspires the fans, then it’s also obvious that you need to attract manufacturers who want to focus on alternative drive concepts.”

Pathway to the future

The introduction of such a huge project primarily depends on three factors:

  1. technical feasibility: while the tech is achievable, it needs to be balanced against the requirements of a racing series. Berger has long asserted that racing comes first, and that any technical implementation must not come at the expense of the show or the speed of the car.
  2. Financial viability: any technical change to a racing series costs money. And wholesale, sweeping change is hugely expensive. A glide-path to all new regulations must be agreed upon, and the strain of preparing and implementing these changes must not be overwhelming
  3. Fan, manufacturer and sponsor interest: fundamentally, motorsport is entertainment. While not disposable, it’s not indispensible – so any changes must be for the benefit of the sport and its chief stakeholders. If a joint vision is agreed upon, then a way forward can be found.

The DTM: a pioneering host for a new series

As DTM pragmatically scales up its operational base – working with Japan’s SUPER GT series on joint CLASS 1 technical regulations, including the Dream Race between both series at the Fuji Speedway; ensuring the regulations remain relatively stable in order to entice new teams and manufacturers to the table, it has also begun looking at raceable – and racey – hybrid technologies.

Given its pan-European calendar, large and established fanbase, and global TV exposure, the DTM would serve as a powerful platform upon which to showcase a new alternative-powertrain ‘GT’ series – in a high-profile support slot.

Berger also sees the natural synergy: “In DTM, we already have a professional, international motor sports platform for cars with a clear connection to their road-going counterparts,” he says. “The series has successfully existed for more than 30 years, has established its heritage and tradition and is hugely popular. By showcasing this new concept, we want to demonstrate that we’re ready for what the future holds and are working on the motorsport of tomorrow.”

Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion Concept Planned for L.A. Auto Show

By
volkswagen
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  • ID. SPACE VIZZION crossover concept combines zero emissions with maximum versatility
  • Aerodynamic exterior design helps reach range of up to 300 miles
  • Seventh member of the ID. family of concepts

Herndon, VA — Volkswagen will debut the ID. SPACE VIZZION to the world on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19, 2019—a zero-emissions vehicle for a new era, new thinking and new mobility. The ID. SPACE VIZZION is a crossover of tomorrow that combines the aerodynamic characteristics of a Gran Turismo with the spaciousness of an SUV. Stylistically, the ID. SPACE VIZZION follows the design DNA of the ID. family, yet has a completely independent and progressive character.

“So far, with our ID. family, we have shown what is possible with electric vehicles in each known car category,” said Klaus Bischoff, Head of Volkswagen Design. “With the ID. SPACE VIZZION we create a new, fully electric segment.”

The ID. SPACE VIZZION is based on Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB). The MEB fully exploits the technical possibilities of e-mobility and guarantees long ranges, dynamic driving performance and a whole new level of digital networking.

When it comes to the design, the front and roof sections are particularly precise, with openings for the airstream for aerodynamically optimized design. Thanks to the efficiency of the drive system and impressive aerodynamics, the ID. SPACE VIZZION has a range of up to 300 miles (EPA).

Inside, the concept defines a completely new paradigm of intuitive usability with its completely digitized cockpit. The materials are consistently made from sustainable raw materials, such as the new AppleSkin—a vegan alternative to leather.

The ID. SPACE VIZZION is a concept for the future, but is not a dream. The production version will be released in late 2021, and will come in different versions for North America, Europe and China.

About Volkswagen

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America and a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, with headquarters in Herndon, Virginia. Volkswagen’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Arteon, Atlas, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, e-Golf, Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, Jetta, Passat, and Tiguan vehicles through more than 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.

“VW”, “Volkswagen”, all model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Super73 Pairs with Paris Saint-Germain for Special Edition Z

By
George Achorn
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0

Meet the PSG x Super73-Z. Basically, this is a special edition take on the Super 73 Z fat-tire minibike style e-bike, one created in collaboration with the Paris Saint-Germain Soccer Club.

For Paris Saint-Germain, the launch aligns with the organization’s 50th anniversary and the launching of their new 2019/2020 season jersey. For Super 73, it’s another take on their popular Z bike. In this case, it comes in the French national tri-colore, the same colors as the team – red, white and blue then.

All told, the final look o this special edition is decidedly different… even by Super73 Z standards. Red cues like the spokes, paired with blue take on as much of an Evel Kneivel look as anything… but when you’re talking electric fat-tire minibikes… that’s hardly a bad thing.

Unlike some special editions that are limited to numbers produced, the PSG x Super73-Z is a limited time thing. Orders for the $1,670 bike will be taken for 30 days and then it’s gone.

More information on the collaboration can be found HERE, while the bike itself can be ordered HERE.

Vintage Electric with Limited Edition Shelby

By
George Achorn
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0

Maybe it’s the Ford vs. Ferrari movie coming out, maybe it’s the electric Mustang at SEMA, or maybe it’s all the news of the Mustang-themed electric SUV being hatched in Dearborn, but it seems the world is abuzz in blue oval heritage. Apparently, Vintage Electric Bikes agrees, as they’ve just pulled the wraps off of a new limited edition offering dubbed “Shelby”.

Based on Vintage Electric’s Scrambler model, the Shelby features the Shelby brand’s iconic Cobra logo and is painted in Shelby Blue with black racing stripes. It’s set to go 36 mph via a rear hub motor powered by 1123 watt-hour battery. Range is said to be 75 mph.

Only 300 units will be produced, and at a price of $7,249. More information HERE.

Lamborghini and MIT Patent New Technology for Super Capacitors

By
lamborghini
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0

Sant’Agata Bolognese/Boston, 06 November 2019 – The collaboration between Automobili Lamborghini and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has produced a major initial result: a patent for an innovative synthetic material that will serve as the technological base for a new generation of supercapacitors. The collaboration began three years ago when Automobili Lamborghini joined the MIT-Italy Program, and took a further step forward in 2017 with the launch of two research projects, one with Professor Mircea Dincă (MIT – Department of Chemistry), and the other with Professor John Anastasios Hart (MIT – Department of Mechanical Engineering).

Automobili Lamborghini is a co-author of this patent. Further research will  explore additional optimization of the properties of the material, and its production on an increasingly larger scale.  More broadly, this result is part of the shift towards electric vehicles technology Automobili Lamborghini undertook in 2017 with the presentation of the Terzo Millennio, and most recently with the Sián, unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini, commented: “The joint research with MIT fully embodies our values and our vocation for anticipating the future: a future in which hybridization is increasingly desirable and inevitably necessary.”

The patent and the collaboration with MIT’s Chemistry Department

The new patented material was synthesized by Professor Mircea Dincă’s team in the laboratories of MIT’s Chemistry Department with the support of Automobili Lamborghini’s Concept Development Department, and it is based on the “Metal-Organic Frameworks” (MOF) concept. The molecular structure of this family of materials makes it the ideal candidate for producing electrodes for high performance supercapacitors of the future, because it maximizes the specific surface area, i.e. the amount of surface area exposed to electric charge in relation to the mass and volume of the sample. More specifically, the stated goal of the research is to improve the energy density: the patent filed today promises to increase this density by up to 100% compared to the technology currently on the market.

The research team began by investigating doubling the capacity made possible by new technology. The current patent, which is the result of two years’ work, represents significant progress but its potential is much greater, even when compared to the supercapacitors used on the Lamborghini Sián, which are at the cutting edge of conventional technology in this field.

Supercapacitors already represent a winning solution in high-performance motorsport applications by virtue of their exceptional power and durability specifications, and they promise to become an essential technology for years to come thanks to Automobili Lamborghini.

The cooperation with MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering

A second, three-year collaboration with Professor John Anastasios Hart team in the MIT Mechanical Engineering Department aims to establish new design principles for high-performance battery materials that can be integrated into the vehicle structure. The project will result in battery prototypes that provide a combination of energy storage performance, geometric versatility, and structural integrity that is critical to the performance targets set by the Lamborghini Terzo Millennio.

The strong initial progress of Hart’s team, along with its expertise at the intersection of materials, manufacturing processes, and machine design, will allow the group to meet its ambitious objectives.

The collaboration with the MIT-Italy Program

In parallel with the laboratory work, the partnership with the MIT-Italy program has given two MIT students the chance to gain work experience at Automobili Lamborghini, by working on the development of the composites’ specifications and the mathematical modelling of the supercapacitors’ conducting properties. Given these successful outcomes, Automobili Lamborghini has decided to extend its collaboration with the MIT-Italy program until the end of the coming year.

  • Crafted by Lean

Audi e-tron Racers on Way to Riyadh

By
George Achorn
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0
Audi e-tron FE06
  • Race cars, spare parts and racing suits: ten tons of precious Formula E freight
  • Season opens in Diriyah (Saudi Arabia) on November 22 and 23
  • Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler to race with Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi

The season will soon begin in earnest: About two weeks before the first race of the new Formula E season, a total of ten containers and boxes from the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team have left Germany on their way to Saudi Arabia, where the first two races will be held on November 22 and 23.

Two complete Audi e-tron FE06 cars and a whole host of spare parts and equipment, from body components to cleaning agents, plus all of the items needed by Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi, are included in the total of some ten tons of cargo. Logistics expert DHL picked up the crates at the team’s base in Kempten and hauled them to the Stuttgart airport, from where they will be flown directly to Saudi Arabia’s capital city Riyadh. On November 19, at 9 o’clock in the morning, the teams will be allowed to open the cargo boxes in the pit lane. 

Audi e-tron FE06

It is a long journey that the precious cargo has embarked on: Following the first two races, it will travel directly to Chile and from there to one race after the other. The crates will only return to Kempten after the Formula E finale in London next July. That is why any in-season work on the race cars can only be performed in the trackside garages – which is unique in international motorsport and poses a special challenge to the mechanics, engineers and logisticians of the twelve teams. 

Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi have carefully packed their travel bags and handed them over to the team. The contents of each driver’s bags: two racing suits, two pairs of gloves, two pairs of shoes, three sets of fireproof underwear, team wear, plus the individually adjusted earphone systems for radio communications during the races are all part of the standard gear. In addition, Daniel Abt’s luggage contains a can of hairspray, while Lucas di Grassi takes along a skipping rope for pre-race concentration exercises.

The two rounds in Diriyah will be races number 59 and 60 in the still young history of Formula E. Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler is the only team to have contested all of them with the same driver pairing, and with a track record of 12 race wins and 40 podium finishes as well as one drivers’ and one teams’ title, is the most successful team in the field. 

Karma Auto Invests in New California Design Studio

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  • Karma Further Invests in Global Headquarters in Irvine, Calif.
  • Karma Design Further Established as Dedicated Business Unit
  • New Design Studio Will House Development of New Global Karma Platform

IRVINE, Calif. (Nov 5, 2019) Southern California-based luxury electric vehicle automaker and high-tech incubator Karma Automotive today announced its investment in a new dedicated design studio at its global headquarters in Irvine, Calif. The state-of-the-art studio will help further establish Karma Design as a dedicated business unit and drive the company’s unique design identity in the Karma products of the future.

Construction of the new design studio is currently underway, representing an investment of more than $1M USD and underscores Karma’s efforts to enhance and grow its design services. The new studio will strengthen the company’s design capabilities as it enters a period of rapid product introduction, including the development of an all-new global Karma platform in 2021, spawning a variety of new models in rapid succession.

“Karma is recognized for our breathtaking design, world-class craftsmanship and personalization,” says Andreas Thurner, Karma’s Global Vice President, Design and Architecture. “As our company moves forward in new and exciting directions, we look forward to delivering premium luxury design services to both discerning Karma customers and business enterprises throughout the world.”

In addition to designing Karma’s new global all-electric platform, Karma Design will play a critical role in Karma’s diversification as the brand embraces new market opportunities, evolving from a pure automaker to a tech-focused brand with intent to license its design, customization, engineering and technology resources. Karma’s dedicated in-house design team will lend its expertise to other OEMs, start-ups, and offer luxury lifestyle design services beyond automotive.

Led by Thurner, Karma Design’s dedicated team encompasses more than 30 skilled designers from across the globe with experience in a variety of industries including automotive, fashion, luxury goods and more. The new design studio is expected to be completed by the end of 2019, and is part of a wider investment of more than $10M in new infrastructure at Karma’s Global Headquarters in Irvine, Calif., this year, including a new dynamometer test facility and conference center.

Meet Karma Group and the 2020 Revero GT

As our name implies, Southern California-based Karma Group is more than just a car company. Although we are best known as a creator of soul-stirring luxury electric vehicles, Karma has emerged as a high-tech incubator offering innovators a perfect platform to prove their emerging technologies. Founded in 2014, Karma is reinventing the traditional retail-based automotive business model to create non-traditional value by opening its engineering, design, customization and manufacturing resources to other companies looking to speed product development, access new technology, or make their products more luxurious. The Revero GT is a luxury electric vehicle powered by dual electric motors that embodies Karma’s goals of offering leading automotive design, technology, customization and an outstanding customer experience. Our growing number of retail partners in North America is accepting pre-orders of the Revero GT now with first deliveries expected during the fourth quarter of 2019. Every Revero GT is created with great individual care and world-class craftsmanship at the Karma Innovation and Customization Center in Moreno Valley, Calif.

Learn more about Karma Automotive and Revero at www.karmaautomotive.com or visit the password-free Karma Newsroom at www.karmanewsroom.com for the latest press releases, videos and images — there you will learn why Karma is attracting innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, designers and others looking for new ways to build a different kind of car company and a better future.

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