Tag Archives: 2027

Motorsport

Audi’s New Entry-Level EV Will Be ‘Wonderful and Unique’

Audi is planning to launch a brand new, entry-level electrical automobile in 2027. It’ll slot under the Q4 E-Tron within the lineup, however firm CEO Gernot Döllner was reluctant to dish out extra particulars in regards to the upcoming mannequin.

He advised Autocar that the brand new EV can be a “wonderful, unique independent vehicle concept.” It would possibly experience on the MEB structure, however Döllner admitted the corporate hadn’t determined which platform would underpin the automotive. We’ll possible study in regards to the EV’s battery dimension and chemistry, vary, and energy output at its debut.

2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron Exterior

Audi will speed up the automotive’s improvement to satisfy its 2027 launch date. It and different automakers are more and more cautious of low-cost Chinese EVs and are responding accordingly. In June final 12 months, VW Group CEO Oliver Blume admitted Audi lagged behind its rivals as a result of software program points, saying it will pace up the luxurious model’s EV improvement.

The firm will produce its entry-level EV in Ingolstadt, Germany, which may put on the A2/Q2 title. Audi has reserved even numbers for its EVs and odd ones for its combustion-powered automobiles. While Audi may produce a small sedan, the likelier product is a compact crossover with the Q nomenclature as customers nonetheless flock to the high-riding fashions.

The Audi Q6 E-Tron debuted earlier this week, becoming a member of the portfolio’s E-Tron GT, This fall E-Tron, and Q8 E-Tron fashions. An entry-level EV would assist flesh out the lineup, however it’s three years away from occurring sale, and competitors will solely proceed to extend. Audi won’t even provide it within the US, and it may nonetheless be costly. The 2024 This fall E-Tron begins at $56,395 (the worth consists of the $1,195 vacation spot cost). 

News

BMW Munich plant to stop ICE automotive manufacturing in 2027

The BMW plant in Munich will produce solely electric cars from 2027, following a €650 million (£560m) funding to increase and improve the 102-year-old web site.

The German agency has confirmed that it’ll produce the primary of its radical new Neue Klasse EVs – a saloon that can function the next-generation 3 Series – in Munich from 2026.

Initially that automotive will probably be produced on the Bavarian facility alongside ICE fashions, however by the next yr, the plant will probably be absolutely devoted to EVs – though BMW has but to specify which fashions it’ll produce.

The €650m funding has concerned the development of 4 new buildings, together with a brand new car meeting line and a brand new physique store.

To create house for that, combustion engine manufacturing has been moved to Hams Hall within the UK and Steyr in Austria.

The change to EV manufacturing in 2027 will finish 75 years of ICE automotive manufacturing in BMW’s residence city.

The manufacturing unit was opened in 1922 and initially produced bikes till automotive manufacturing moved there from Eisenach in 1952. The first automotive constructed at Munich was the 501.

At current the three Series (together with the Touring property, M3 and plug-in hybrid 330e and 320e fashions) is constructed on the web site, together with the 4 Series Gran Coupé (together with the electrical i4). Munich produces round 1000 vehicles per day.

BMW may even produce Neue Klasse EVs in Debrecen, Hungary, from 2026, and they’ll later be inbuilt Shenyang, China, and San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

News

Alfa Romeo Plans to Introduce an Electric SUV to Compete with the BMW iX

Alfa Romeo has announced plans to launch a large electric SUV in 2027 that will rival the BMW iX, the Lotus Eletre, the next-generation Porsche Cayenne, and a new model from Alpine.

The SUV will belong to the E-segment and will come after the replacement for the Stelvio SUV, according to Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato.

Imparato stated that the new SUV will be taller than Alfa’s previous E-segment offering, the 166 saloon, but lower than traditional SUVs in order to enhance aerodynamics and provide an engaging driving experience.

The vehicle will be built on the same EV-only STLA Large platform as the next Stelvio and the replacement for the Giulia saloon. This platform has been specifically designed for the premium brands under Stellantis, including Alfa Romeo, DS, Lancia, and Maserati.

The SUV will feature an 800V electrical architecture that enables ultra-rapid charging. It will have a long range of up to 500 miles, with the ability to recharge a significant portion of that range in less than 30 minutes using powerful public chargers.

While the SUV will be sold in Europe, the primary markets for Alfa Romeo will be the US and China, said Imparato. He explained that if the company only focused on Western Europe, the volumes would be too small and uncertain due to the evolving segment.

Using the STLA Large platform will also give Alfa Romeo the option to equip the SUV with up to three motors. This layout has already been associated with a high-performance Quadrifoglio version of the forthcoming electric Giulia, which is expected to have over 1000 horsepower.

The SUV will also come with advanced digital functionality that rivals Tesla, thanks to Stellantis’s new STLA Brain electronic architecture. It will offer features such as hands-free driving and an improved infotainment interface compared to current Alfa models.

However, Alfa Romeo has emphasized that its future cars will prioritize handling and driving experience over flashy technology. Design chief Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos stated that Alfa Romeo is known for producing driver’s cars and will focus on maintaining a rear-wheel-drive visual aesthetic in its larger vehicles.

Motorsport

Kia Tasman Pickup Truck To Enter Production In First Half Of 2025: Report

Kia has announced plans to introduce two electric pickups by 2027, one of which will be a dedicated model while the other is targeted for emerging markets. Additionally, there is a ladder-frame pickup truck called the “Tasman” that will debut in 2024. The world premiere of the Tasman is scheduled for next year, with production set to begin in South Korea in the first half of 2025. Dealers will receive the first trucks in the middle of that year. Testing is still underway with prototypes of the Tasman.

Unlike the dedicated model, the Tasman will be available with a diesel engine and may also offer both ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) and EV (Electric Vehicle) powertrains depending on the market. In diesel form, it is expected to have a body-on-frame double cab design with a payload capacity of nearly 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds) and a tow rating of 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs).

The exact design of the Tasman remains a mystery, as only a few test mules have been seen so far, all of which had a modified Mohave body. The Mohave, previously sold as the Borrego in the United States, is a body-on-frame SUV that is still available in certain markets. It is unclear whether the Tasman will be a pickup variant of the Mohave or an entirely different vehicle.

Kia’s Australian division is heavily involved in the development of the Tasman, as the Australian market is expected to be a key region for the pickup. However, the codenamed TK workhorse has not yet been tested in Australia, with plans to conduct final validation testing next year.

BMW

Liberty National Golf Club to host 2027 BMW Championship.

It has been announced that the 2027 BMW Championship will be held at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey. This will be the first time the tournament will be held in New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. It is also significant because BMW of North America has been headquartered in New Jersey for almost 50 years.

The announcement comes as the prestigious BMW Championship, which is one of the PGA TOUR playoffs, takes place at Olympia Fields Country Club in Chicago, Illinois. This week’s event showcases some of the best golfers in the world.

Vince Pellegrino, the Senior Vice President of Tournaments at the Western Golf Association (WGA), expressed excitement about bringing the championship to Liberty National Golf Club. He believes that the course, which has hosted other high-profile events like The Presidents Cup and THE NORTHERN TRUST, will provide an exceptional experience for both players and fans.

Liberty National Golf Club has a successful history of hosting major golf events. In addition to the 2027 BMW Championship, the club has hosted The Presidents Cup, THE NORTHERN TRUST, and the Mizuho Americas Open in the past. Paul Fireman, co-founder of Liberty National Golf Club, expressed pride in hosting the BMW Championship and future WGA competitions, adding that the iconic backdrop of the New York City skyline will make it an incredible event.

The 2027 BMW Championship will be the tournament’s first visit to New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. Over the past few years, the event has been held on the East Coast, with previous and upcoming stops including Colorado, Maryland, and Missouri.

Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO of BMW of North America, highlighted the significance of hosting the BMW Championship in New Jersey. With the company’s strong presence in the state, hosting the tournament at home will be an exciting experience for customers, associates, and dealers. Mackensen also emphasized BMW’s partnership with the WGA and the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides college scholarships to deserving youth caddies.

In addition to the economic impact of over $30 million, the 2027 BMW Championship is expected to have a philanthropic role in introducing more golfers and fans in the region to the Evans Scholars Foundation. The championship has helped raise more than $45 million for Evans Scholarships since 2007, benefitting students across leading universities nationwide, including Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Science

Everything We Know About NASA’s DRACO Nuclear-Powered Rocket

Nuclear-powered rocket tests will begin as early as 2027. According to NASA, a nuclear-powered spacecraft will be safer for crews than traditional rockets. This may sound counterintuitive, but it’s because it will reduce the time it takes for pilots to reach Mars, thus minimizing the risks to crew members during the journey. NASA aims for a round trip to the Red Planet to take about two years if everything goes according to plan.

In the 1960s, the Saturn V rocket used kerosene and liquid oxygen as fuel to launch astronauts to the moon. However, NASA’s DRACO project will utilize nuclear thermal propulsion technology. This means that the heat generated from nuclear reactions will ignite the liquid fuel, propelling the spacecraft. This technology is expected to be up to three times more fuel efficient compared to previous launch vehicles.

Motorsport

BMW M Boss Expresses Desire for Next M3 and M4 to Go Electric

The future of the BMW M3 and M4 is currently uncertain as BMW focuses on expanding its electric vehicle lineup. Set to be released in 2027 or 2028, there is speculation about whether these performance vehicles will continue to run on gasoline or transition to fully electric.

In 2022, BMW’s development manager, Frank Weber, hinted at the possibility of the next M3 being powered by electricity. However, in a recent interview with Drive, Frank van Meel, the global head of BMW’s M division, provided clarification on the automaker’s stance. He stated that electric-only versions of the M3 and M4 are on the table, but only if they can prove to be significantly better than the previous generation.