Tag Archives: nextgeneration

Motorsport

BMW Design Boss Says The M5 Touring Is Coming To America

We know that BMW is prepping the next-generation M5. It’ll provide a wagon variant that, till now, has solely been rumored to be obtainable in North America. BMW design boss Domagoj Dukec on Tuesday confirmed to The Car Guide the automaker will provide the brand new M5 Touring wagon within the United States. It’ll allegedly arrive in 2025 and sit alongside the brand new M5 sedan.

We reached out to BMW North America to verify Dukec’s feedback, however a spokesperson would inform us solely that particulars about when and the place the M5 Touring will probably be obtainable “will follow at a later date.”


News

Next-generation Peugeot 5008 to be unveiled in March

The next-generation Peugeot 5008 will likely be unveiled in March, the model has confirmed on its second E-Lion Day.

The new 5008 will likely be based mostly on the identical STLA Medium platform because the smaller Peugeot 3008, providing an identical mixture of hybrid and battery-electric powertrains.

For reference, the 3008 hybrid pairs a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 21bhp electrical motor, sending a mixed output of 134bhp to the entrance wheels through a six-speed automated gearbox.

The electrical e-3008, in the meantime, is available in two varieties. The entry-level mannequin contains a single, front-mounted motor with outputs of 207bhp and 251lb ft, dispatching the 0-62mph dash in 8.7sec. The dual-motor, four-wheel-drive mannequin boosts energy to 316bhp and cuts the 0-62mph time down to six.4sec.

A 73kWh (usable) battery yields a spread of 326 miles with both powertrain, whereas a bigger 98kWh pack extends the single-motor automotive’s vary to as a lot as 435 miles.

Acceleration and vary are prone to be barely degraded within the 5008, owing to its bigger dimension and family-friendly billing. However, it ought to nonetheless be broadly aggressive with mainstream electric SUVs such because the Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya and Skoda Enyaq.

Inside, it is anticipated to characteristic Peugeot’s newest i-Cockpit design, which was launched within the 3008. On excessive trim ranges, this contains a curved 21.0in touchscreen that doubles as an instrument panel and an infotainment show.

Peugeot e-3008 interior

Visually, the brand new 5008 will retain its typical hatchback silhouette, owing to its larger give attention to practicality, extra clearly differentiating it from the fastback 3008. 

This is regardless of Peugeot chief Linda Jackson’s earlier suggestion that traditional SUVs could become exitinct amid electrification.

Speaking ultimately 12 months’s Financial Times Future of the Car occasion, she mentioned: “Gone are the days when you have a big SUV, because they’re a nightmare for aerodynamics.”

Motorsport

Here’s Proof The Kia Pickup Truck Is Happening

The Kia truck has been spied in an underground parking zone, and Tesla talks a few next-generation platform.

This is AM Drive, Motor1’s every day have a look at the information you want earlier than you get in your automotive.

Kia Pickup Spied Up Close

After bolstering its portfolio with a lot of SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks, Kia is getting ready to enter the profitable full-size pickup phase. Unlike the corporate’s Bongo over-cab pickup, this new mannequin has world aspirations. Ahead of its reveal, a closely camouflaged prototype has been filmed up shut.

Spotted in an underground parking zone in South Korea, Kia’s workhorse had a double cab physique model hiding beneath all that disguise. Judging by the cutouts within the camo, it appeared to have a Telluride-esque entrance fascia with vertical headlights flanking a large grille. However, the 2 are unlikely to share the platform for the reason that ute is anticipated to undertake a ladder body chassis whereas the full-size SUV has a unibody building.

Believed to be known as the Kia Tasman, the pickup sat on 17-inch wheels with Kumho Crugen 265/65 R17 tires. It’s believed to be nearer in measurement to the Ford Ranger somewhat than the compact Maverick, though it is frankly arduous to inform judging by this spy video. We do get a peek inside the place you possibly can inform it is only a prototype judging by a budget trying plasticky door panels.

There is one thing attention-grabbing happening subsequent to the gear lever. We see switches for 2H, 4H, 4L modes. That means this prototype has selectable two-wheel drive and a low-range four-wheel drive for when the going will get powerful.

Australian journal Car Sales reviews a four-cylinder 2.2-liter diesel will ship energy to the wheels by means of both automated or guide transmissions. Aside from this four-door model, the Kia Tasman is allegedly going to be provided as a single cab and at the same time as a chassis cab for industrial functions. Further down the road, a purely electrical setup is claimed to hit the market.

The Tasman (codenamed “TK”) goes to be constructed at house in Korea and could possibly be formally introduced as early as this March. The design is claimed to be revealed within the fourth quarter of 2024 forward of subsequent 12 months’s market launch. An even bigger electrical Kia truck made in North America is rumored to reach earlier than the top of the last decade.

Tesla Working On Next-Gen Platform

2024 Tesla Model 3 (US)

Tesla’s fourth-quarter earnings report contains some juicy tidbits extracted from an in any other case prolonged press launch chock-full of figures. The firm is engaged on a next-generation platform it reckons will “revolutionize how vehicles are manufactured.” The purpose is to convey this new structure to the market as quickly as doable and construct EVs using this {hardware} at Gigafactory Texas.

Tesla goes on to say that it has made progress with the brand new platform however with out going into particulars. However, Reuters reviews suppliers have been knowledgeable of a brand new compact crossover codenamed “Redwood.” It’s reportedly scheduled to enter manufacturing in June 2025. The timeline would align with Elon Musk’s assertion in a post-earnings name throughout which he stated a next-gen EV would hit the meeting line in Texas from the second half of 2025.

This entry-level Tesla is deliberate with a tentative beginning value of $25,000. It would permit the corporate to raised compete with gasoline automobiles in addition to the inflow of reasonably priced Chinese EVs. Right now probably the most attainable Tesla within the United States is the Model 3, priced from $38,990 (earlier than incentives).

After beginning manufacturing in Texas in mid-2025, Tesla may additionally add a budget crossover to its upcoming Gigafactory Mexico close to Monterrey. Reuters claims a call concerning the location of a 3rd manufacturing unit the place the EV could be assembled, outdoors North America, shall be taken later this 12 months.

Volkswagen

World premiere to mark the fiftieth anniversary: the brand new Golf is extra enticing, clever and environment friendly than ever earlier than

  • New {hardware} and software program: the Golf can be outfitted with a next-generation infotainment system, that includes quick processor, intuitive operation, clever IDA voice assistant and ChatGPT integration
  • New plug-in hybrid: all-electric vary of about 100 km and whole vary of 1,000 km, plus DC quick-charging operate with 50 kW charging capability
  • Design replace: the brand new Golf incorporates a sharper entrance finish, 3D gentle graphics on the tail gentle clusters and, for the primary time, an illuminated Volkswagen badge on the entrance
  • The first Golf rolled off the manufacturing line in Wolfsburg 50 years in the past, and a complete of over 37 million models have been offered worldwide

The Golf is celebrating its fiftieth birthday this yr – and Volkswagen is launching an enhanced model of its bestseller to mark the anniversary. Customers will have the ability to order the brand new mannequin in only a few weeks. The new Golf impresses with a next-generation infotainment system, a extra intuitive working idea, a sharper entrance and rear finish design in addition to environment friendly drive methods. These embody plug-in hybrid drives with an elevated all-electric vary of about 100 kilometres. In addition, an illuminated Volkswagen brand adorns the entrance for the primary time on a Golf.

New on the entrance: the illuminated VW brand.

Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars: “The Golf has been at the heart of the Volkswagen brand for half a century now, offering affordable mobility for all at the highest technical level. This is precisely what we are now building on with the new evolutionary stage – with even higher efficiency, comfort and quality and a new operating concept. The Golf does not get any better than this.”

Imelda Labbé, Member of the Volkswagen Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales: “With Golf, we have written a unique success story. The Golf stands for the Volkswagen brand like no other model. A car for all generations. And this has been the case for 50 years. With the continuous technical development of the new Golf, we are now adding another chapter to this success story.”

Revamped entrance and rear and new gentle design. The new Golf and new Golf Variant might be recognised by their new entrance finish. Visually defining options embody the Volkswagen brand, which is illuminated for the primary time on the Golf, and the newly designed LED headlights. The top-of-the-range IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights incorporate a brand new high-performance predominant beam with a spread of as much as 500 m. The IQ.LIGHT 3D LED tail gentle clusters in each physique variations have additionally acquired a brand new design.

New infotainment panorama and ChatGPT integration. Inside, the mannequin collection incorporates a newly developed, intuitive infotainment system with a free-standing touchscreen (display screen diagonal as much as 32.8 cm). This has ergonomically optimised and illuminated contact sliders for temperature and quantity management at its base.

Also new are the improved multi-function steering wheel and new IDA voice assistant. Using pure language, the IDA can be utilized not solely to regulate capabilities such because the air-con, phone or navigation system, but in addition to entry on-line info from all conceivable areas – from climate forecasts to common data questions. The Golf may have the most recent infotainment system technology on board in future. This integrates the artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT into the IDA voice assistant. Showcased on the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas at first of January, the function can seamlessly entry the ever-growing database of synthetic intelligence. Occupants can work together with the automobile utilizing pure language and have researched content material learn aloud to them whereas travelling.

The new steering wheel of the Golf GTE is characterised by buttons and the GTE emblem.

Parking made straightforward due to new help methods. Manoeuvring the Golf and Golf Variant is made simpler by new help methods corresponding to the improved Park Assist Plus operate. When driving previous a parking area, it might detect whether or not the area (parallel or bay) is giant sufficient and begins the parking process accordingly. It takes over the steering in addition to acceleration and braking. All the motive force has to do is monitor the parking course of. In addition, Park Assist Pro can be accessible for the Golf for the primary time, enabling drivers to information the car out and in of parking areas with their smartphone. The car might be pushed out of the parking area remotely if the parking area may be very slender, for instance. Another new function is the Area View system – right here, a 360-degree all-round view is created by merging 4 cameras, and the corresponding picture is transferred to the infotainment system touchscreen. This makes it straightforward to see kerbs and parking area markings.

New powertrain vary. The new plug-in hybrid drives within the Golf provide elevated energy and an electrical vary of about 100 km, and are moreover outfitted with a DC quick-charging operate. The extremely environment friendly 48 V gentle hybrid drives are significantly interesting for drivers who haveno charging wall field at residence. A complete of 9 completely different choices – gentle hybrid (eTSI), plug-in hybrid (eHybrid and GTE), turbocharged petrol (TSI) and turbocharged diesel (TDI) – can be accessible for the product line within the launch part. The Golf GTI has change into even sportier with added energy in comparison with its predecessor. Further Golf derivatives can be launched successively all through 2024.

50 years of the Golf – the historical past of the bestseller

The first series-produced Golf was constructed on the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg on the finish of March 1974. The official launch started in May. Prior to this, the Beetle and thus the mixture of a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive had formed the Volkswagen model for many years. At the start of the Nineteen Seventies, the primary Golf – just like the Passat, the Scirocco and the Polo – marked the beginning of a brand new period: that of the front-mounted engine and front-wheel drive. The trendy and secure drive system idea, the good flexibility with a tailgate and folding rear seat backrest, and the design had been so convincing that the millionth Golf rolled off the meeting line by October 1976.

But that was just the start: within the seven generations that adopted, it was at all times the Golf that made reasonably priced mobility with the best customary of know-how open to everybody. It got here with know-how such because the managed catalytic converter and environment friendly drive methods, and moreover supplied security options such because the anti-lock braking system, airbags or the primary all-wheel drive system within the product line. The secret behind the Golf’s success can also be all the way down to the truth that the designers transferred the primary technology’s DNA to its successors, thereby cultivating the basic Golf design.

Comfort, high quality and revolutionary help methods gained significance with every technology and proceed to set requirements right now. Over the previous 50 years, the Golf has change into a high-tech compact class all of its personal – this even grew to become often known as the ‘Golf class’ after only a few years. The mannequin has gained numerous awards and comparative assessments at residence and overseas. Various derivatives such because the Variant, Cabriolet and Sportsvan adopted; the all-electric e-Golf and sporty fashions, with the abbreviation GTI, GTD, GTE, and the flagship Golf R shortly established themselves. The Golf was one of many first automobiles within the phase to supply assisted driving through Travel Assist. Another innovation within the Golf was the debut of Car2X know-how, which may present advance warning of hazards.

The new Volkswagen Golf

Near-production vehicle.

To date, greater than 37 million Golfs have been offered throughout eight generations. The Golf is a stable pillar for the Volkswagen model and is at all times capable of adapt as a driver of innovation. With the brand new evolutionary stage, the model is constructing exactly on that – with enhanced effectivity, consolation and high quality and a sensible working idea.

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News

New MG 3 to be unveiled at Geneva motor present

MG has confirmed that it’ll unwrap the next-generation MG 3 on the Geneva motor present on 26 February.

The Chinese model made the announcement on X, posting an undisguised picture of the brand new supermini‘s entrance finish.

Trademark filings from September beforehand revealed the outside design of the brand new 3, confirming that it has taken affect from each the bigger MG 4 hatchback and the brand new MG Cyberster flagship sports activities automobile.

Unlike these vehicles, although, the brand new 3 is ready to remain true to its reasonably priced billing by sticking with petrol energy fairly than switching to a pricier electrical drivetrain – a call seemingly corroborated by the brand new automobile’s prolonged entrance overhang, sizeable grille and a filler cap on the rear that is clearly too small to accommodate a CCS charging socket.

The petrol-engined supermini is an more and more uncommon breed within the UK, following the exits of likes of the Ford Fiesta and Kia Rio, and the present 3 is certainly one of simply three such vehicles nonetheless on sale for lower than £15,000. 

Its successor is tipped to undertake emissions-reducing mild-hybrid expertise, which – along with wider inflationary pressures and the introduction of closely up to date inside and driver-assist expertise – will make it a dearer proposition, however bosses are eager that it stays one of many market’s most reasonably priced new vehicles. 

The present 3 is a minor participant in contrast with the MG ZS and MG HS compact SUVs, having taken simply 2920 gross sales throughout Europe within the first half of 2023.

The figures do not stack as much as convert the MG 3 to electrical energy, therefore its continuation as an ICE mannequin, MG UK business director Guy Pigounakis instructed Autocar just lately.

“Developing a small electric car is only marginally cheaper than developing a bigger car,” he stated. “Then half the worth is battery, so it turns into a £25,000 automobile, which is unaffordable.”

2024 Mg 3 patent filing right side

Motorsport

The New Volkswagen Transporter Van Debuts In Spring 2024

We caught a camouflaged prototype of the next-generation Volkswagen Transporter (T7) a few month in the past, and now we have now the primary official particulars. VW launched the primary teaser photographs of the brand new microbus and confirmed it is going to debut n the spring of subsequent 12 months. That’s all the corporate is keen to share for now, however we already know an excellent deal concerning the business automobile.

From the few accessible photographs, we will see the brand new Transporter will look loads like the newest Multivan, which was unveiled in 2021 as VW’s passenger van primarily based by itself MQB platform. While the 2 fashions share design components, they are going to be vastly completely different beneath. The bigger Transporter will experience on a platform sourced from Ford, which implies the VW van will probably be a rebadged and redesigned model of the brand new Transit Custom.


News

Next-generation Volkswagen Transporter previewed

The first official photographs of the next-generation Volkswagen Transporter van have been launched in a teaser video.

Arriving in 2024, the T7 Transporter will undertake an all-new structure developed with Ford, providing the choice of electrical energy for the primary time.

The vastly standard van, which makes up two-thirds of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) gross sales, is twinned with the Ford Transit Custom – the UK’s best-selling automobile – and might be constructed on the Ford Otosan manufacturing facility in Turkey.

From launch, the Transporter will once more be accessible as a nine-seater Shuttle, a two-row Kombi and a cargo-carrying panel van.

A Sportline trim can be anticipated to be provided, though this hasn’t but been confirmed.

For the primary time, the Transporter will not function the premise for the California camper van. Instead, that mannequin might be derived from the MQB-based Multivan MPV, as previewed by an idea in August.

VWCV boss Carsten Intra informed Autocar: “A Multivan has to be much more comfortable and much more upscale [than the Transporter]. This is why we now have two line-ups. This is a really important project.”

The Transporter “will be our only multi-traction vehicle”, stated Intra. “We can’t afford to build another platform [for the same vehicle]. It’s just too expensive. This is a vehicle that, unlike the California, doesn’t give you the highest margin per sale.”

He added: “We have a lot of customers that need the space and need a BEV but others that can’t yet afford a BEV but drive in cities so want a hybrid. We can now offer that.”

Intra was referring to the truth that VW additionally affords the equally conceived Multivan PHEV and electrical Volkswagen ID Buzz.

The Transporter is anticipated to make use of Ford’s batteries, electrical motors, engines, gearboxes and chassis constructions throughout its line-up.

Volkswagen e-Transporter teaser – rear

Motorsport

The New Nissan Leaf Will Be An SUV That’ll Reportedly Look Like This Concept

The next-generation Nissan Leaf will go away its city-sized footprint behind for one thing larger. Its substitute shall be a bigger SUV, and Automotive News Europe is reporting that the corporate’s Chill-Out concept from 2021 will preview the EV’s revamped design.

The Chill-Out idea is an enormous departure from the Leaf’s present styling. It debuted with clean sheet metallic and easy traces. The coupe-like greenhouse gave it a sporty aesthetic enhanced by the massive wheels pushed to the outer corners. The daring V-motion grille was nowhere to be found, however the black frontal insert and lights retained the form.

Nissan Chill-out Concept

The again mimics the entrance finish with a black inserts housing the taillights – two vertical and three horizontal items – and the Nissan phrase branding. It additionally had a bumper appliqué for some added distinction.

One place the place the idea will finally differ from the manufacturing mannequin is the inside. The Chill-Out idea was all about enjoyable due to autonomy, with the mannequin missing conventional controls and a big show dominating the minimalistic sprint. That future remains to be a number of years away.

When the Leaf’s successor does arrive, Nissan received’t construct it in America. Sources informed Automotive News that the automaker plans to ship manufacturing from North America to England. It’s unclear if the corporate plans to export the mannequin to different markets, however such a transfer would imply it would lose eligibility for the US’s $7,500 federal tax credit score.

Nissan Chill-Out concept

Leaf gross sales have hovered round 10,000 for the final a number of years however are down almost 35 % by the primary 9 months of the 12 months. 2023 could possibly be one of many mannequin’s worst gross sales years since its launch, with simply 5,804 offered up to now, however that’s simply proof that the automaker wants to present the mannequin a radical overhaul.

The EV panorama has modified rather a lot since Nissan launched the Leaf for the 2011 mannequin 12 months. It arrived with as much as simply 100 miles of vary and glacial charging occasions, and there are a lot of extra choices at the moment. A number of years in the past, Chevrolet revamped the Bolt, one of many Leaf’s rivals, introducing the higher-riding Bolt EUV to extend its reputation amongst crossover-crazed shoppers.

News

UK-built electric Nissan Juke aims to match petrol model’s pricing

The upcoming Nissan Juke is scheduled to debut as an all-electric version with a revamped design inspired by the striking Hyper Punk concept.

Nissan’s goal is for the next-generation Juke EV to be priced similarly to the current petrol-powered model, which starts at around £21,000. However, the company acknowledges that this is a challenging target.

Nissan has not provided a specific timeframe for the launch of the next Juke, allowing some flexibility due to the varying adoption rates of electric cars in different markets. 

The current model was introduced in 2019, suggesting that a successor would typically be expected around 2027.

It is manufactured at Nissan’s Sunderland facility, with the company investing up to £1.19bn to develop, engineer, and produce the next-generation EV variants of the Juke and Qashqai in the UK. The Nissan Leaf successor will also be manufactured in Sunderland.

The Hyper Punk concept was initially showcased at this year’s Tokyo motor show, offering a glimpse into the future design direction for Nissan’s upcoming electric-only vehicles. It is described as a blend of virtual and physical features, characterized by “functional and styling” elements.

Technical details

Nissan has not yet disclosed specific details about the vehicle. However, all three upcoming cars built in Sunderland are expected to utilize the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-EV platform, a tailored electric architecture designed for C- and D-segment vehicles.

This suggests the Juke might potentially increase in size, as the current model utilizes the CMF-B platform designed for smaller B-segment cars. 

The Alliance also has a CMF-BEV platform that will underpin the next-generation Nissan Micra, which will be produced in France along with the Renault 4 and Renault 5.

Nissan Hyper Punk concept rear

Despite sharing a platform and being developed and built alongside each other, the Juke, Qashqai, and Leaf will each maintain distinct characteristics. Nissan European research and development chief David Moss stated that they would have different wheelbases, ensuring their individual identities.

Motorsport

“`html This Is How We Think The New Audi Q3 Will Look

Our spies from Germany sent us the first batch of spy photos of the next-generation Audi Q3 in September this year. The prototype was spied testing on public roads with a fully camouflaged body and had its production panels and lights fitted already. Now, we’re trying to unhide the crossover completely through these exclusive renderings.

As opposed to the more conventionally designed 2024 A5 Avant, the new Q3 will come with a radical redesign of its front fascia compared to the outgoing model. The Singleframe octagonal radiator grille will be slightly smaller since there will be more plastic around the area separating the grille from the lower air intake. The panel will also feature a new pattern with overlapping U-shaped motifs. This won’t be the largest change though, as two big rectangular headlights will sit on the two corners of the bumper acting as the low and high beams.


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