The Toyota Highlander family-size, three row SUV is a new, fourth generation model based on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA-K). It's available in both gasoline and hybrid versions. The highly-efficient hybrid edition is available in front- or all-wheel-drive and in LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum trim levels.
Highlander Hybrid uses a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder DOHC engine and a pair of electric motors to deliver a total system output of 240 horsepower. The rear-mounted electric motor distributes torque to the rear wheels when slip is detected, while the all-wheel version uses this same motor to drive the rear axle. Normal, Sport, and Eco drive modes can be selected.
A sequential shifting switch controls regenerative braking to allow ‘downshifting’ in steps to maximize regen efficiency. Information from the navigation system anticipate traffic conditions ahead, enabling the Highlander Hybrid to coast longer distances when the driver’s foot is off the throttle.
New computer integration and a smaller, lighter power stack installed directly above the transaxle reduces energy transmission losses. The battery pack is installed under the rear seats without compromising cargo or passenger space. Highlander Hybrid's Predictive Efficient Drive system analyzes a driver’s habits, routes, and road conditions, then uses this data to charge and discharge the battery most efficiently.
Toyota expects the Highlander Hybrid to deliver a combined EPA fuel efficiency rating in the mid-30s, a significant efficiency bump up from the 29 combined mpg rating for the previous generation’s AWD version.
The Highlander Hybrid's standard Safety Sense 2.0 suite of active safety systems includes adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high-beams, and pre-collision with pedestrian detection. Two new features are lane-tracing assist and road sign assist. Lane-tracing assist recognizes lane strips to keep the SUV centered in its lane, while road sign assist recognizes road signs and notifies the driver to pay attention via visual or audible alerts. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automated parking with brake assistance are available depending on the trim level.
All trim levels get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa, along with Waze, Wi-Fi, and Sirius XM. Infotainment is controlled on a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen, while the Platinum trim has a 12.3-inch screen. Starting price for the Highlander Hybrid is just over $38,000.
Based on the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep's long-awaited Gladiator is a five-passenger, four-door crew cab Jeep with a five-foot long pickup box. This required the wheelbase to be extended 19.4 inches to 137.3 inches and the overall length by 31 inches to 218 inches. Not only does this provide more rear legroom, but also improves ride quality. The Gladiator is available in four trim levels – Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon. A soft top is standard with a three-piece hardtop optional. Body and roof panels can be easily removed, but these have to be stowed before you leave home.
The Gladiator is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 that makes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with an eight-speed automatic optional. An engine stop/start system helps save fuel. EPA estimates fuel economy at 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway for the manual transmission and 17 city/22 highway mpg for the automatic. With the Max Towing package, the Gladiator can tow up to 7650 pounds and carry a 1600 pounds payload. A 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel producing 260 horsepower and a mighty 442 lb-ft torque is another option for those seeking even higher fuel efficiency and greater power.
The Gladiator’s Rubicon variant comes with 4:1 Rock-Trac heavy-duty 4WD, while other trims feature Command-Trac 4WD. An anti-spin rear differential, skid plates, rock-crawling axle ratios, and all-terrain tires are available for serious off-roading. The Gladiator can ford up to 30 inches of water.
Available driver assist features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, advanced brake assist, cross-path detection, rear park assist, and blind-spot monitor. The Rubicon model has a front-facing camera that’s great while blazing trails or crawling over rocks. A rear back-up camera is standard on all trims.
Every Gladiator has a standard touchscreen. A 5-inch display is standard on the Sport and Sport S while the Overland and Rubicon get a standard 7-inch display. An 8.4-inch display is optional on the Rubicon. The larger touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Front-seat passengers get two USB ports, a USB-C port, and a 115-volt AC outlet.
The base Jeep Gladiator Sport offers a $33,545 price of entry. The Sports S is priced at $36,745, the Overland $40,395, and the top-of-the-line Rubicon $43,545.
Hyundai’s new 2020 Venue 5-door SUV is aimed at city dwellers. With an overall length of about 13 feet, it is the smallest vehicle in the Hyundai lineup. It can seat four, or five in a pinch. In addition to a 60/40 split, flat-folding rear seat, the Venue offers a convenient dual-level cargo floor. The Venue will be available in SE and SEL trim levels.
Power comes from a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 130 horsepower. A six-speed manual is available on the SE while the SEL comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is not available. EPA estimated fuel economy numbers are not out yet, but it’s expected the Venue will deliver somewhere in the range of 33 combined mpg.
For a very affordable vehicle, the Hyundai comes with a host of driver assist systems either as standard or optional equipment. These include Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Collision Cross-Traffic Warning, Active Lane Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Auto Headlight Control. In addition, Standard Driver Attention Warning detects driver fatigue or carelessness.
A standard 8-inch touchscreen located in the center of the dashboard provides infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Bluetooth connectivity is also provided along with a USB port. Hyundai’s Blue Link connected car system also features integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Most remote features, including remote car start, are also available via an optional Hyundai’s Blue Link mobile app and MyHyundai.com. Navigation with real-time traffic is optional.
Arriving at dealer showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2019, we expect it to offer a very attractive price-of-entry between $17,000 to $18,000.
Sport-utility vehicles have been popular for some time, although you wouldn’t know it by reading all the hype these days about their new-found domination of the market. Yes, SUVs are trendy, they’re spacious, and their functionality can’t be overstated. But we’ve known that for years, ever since the Jeep Cherokee of the 1980s enjoyed widespread success and pretty much defined the modern SUV.
But this is a new day and SUVs have transformed. While some full-size SUVs continue to be body-on-frame models with legendary hauling, towing, and off-roading capabilities, most are not. They defer instead to the lighter and smoother-riding unibody construction common to passenger car models.
Today’s SUVs, or crossover SUVs like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Hyundai Kona Electric shown here, have become car-like in most respects. Some, like the four-wheel drive Outlander PHEV, continue to offer the off-road capabilities we’ve come to expect from SUVs over the years. Others often provide more sedate off-road capabilities if they embrace off-roading at all. The tradeoff is a comfortable ride and a highly desired car-like experience, even as they continue to offer SUV styling, functionality, and carrying capacity.
Is it a wonder that crossover SUVs are being offered as plug-in hybrids or all-electric vehicles by a growing number of automakers? Nope. In fact, it’s entirely predictable. Vehicle manufacturers recognize the growing desire for these high-functionality vehicles combined with greater efficiency and electrification. Enter the world of plugin SUVs and crossovers that are here now in growing numbers, with a virtual wave of new plug-in SUV models coming. Here's a look at what's in the pipeline:
AUDI will be bringing a plug-in hybrid version of its Q5 crossover to the U.S. sometime in 2020, It will not carry ‘e-tron’ badging since this is reserved for Audi’s fully electric models. The Q5 PHEV will use a turbocharged direct injection engine that works together with an electric motor integrated in the transmission. A 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery beneath the floor is estimated to provide about 25 miles of all-electric driving on the European WLTP cycle, with a lower projected range here under EPA’s tougher test cycle.
BMW will now build electrified versions of its mainstream models, not unique electrics like the i3 and i8. Thus, the iX3 will be based on BMW’s conventional X3 SUV with an electric drive system under the hood and batteries beneath the floor. The iX3 will use the company’s fifth generation electric car architecture with motors that don’t require rare-earth metals, making them cheaper and likely easier to produce. More densely constructed battery packs with increased capacity will also be used to save cost and weight. The new motor develops 270 horsepower and is powered by a 70-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a range of 249 miles on the European driving cycle that will be less when tested on the EPA cycle here. Since conventional X3s are already built in the U.S. it’s likely the iX3 will be sold here as well.
The plug-in BMW X3 xDrive30e compact SUV will arrive in the U.S. sometime in 2020 as a 2021 model. This AWD crossover combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 107 horsepower electric motor, offering a total output of 293 horsepower. Also coming is the X5 xDrive45e iPerformance plug-in hybrid. It uses a 112 horsepower electric motor integrated into the car’s eight-speed automatic transmission and a 3.0-liter, 286 horsepower turbocharged inline-six engine. Its 24 kWh lithium-ion battery is expected to provide about 40 miles of electric-only range. BMW’s iNext is still in concept form so details about this electric crossover are scarce. It will also use the BMW fifth-generation battery design and a 120 kWh battery pack for more than 400 miles of range.
FISKER is planning an electric SUV for introduction in late 2021, although details are slim at this point. The effort is headed by Henrik Fisker, who designed and sold a luxury plugin sedan through the former Fisker Automotive earlier this decade. Fisker Inc. says it will offer an advanced SUV with a range of 300 miles on lithium-ion batteries. That it will offer a futuristic, elegant, and muscular look as claimed by the company is no surprise, considering Henrik Fisker previously designed such iconic cars as the Aston Martin DB9 and BMW Z8. The Fisker SUV is projected to have a base price under $40,000.
FORD will offer standard hybrid and plug-in-hybrid versions of the new 2020 Escape SUV. Both will use a 2.5- liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. The hybrid will use an underfloor 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack while the plug-in will integrate a 14.4 kWh pack, with the latter providing an electric range of 30 miles. The Escape hybrid goes on sale this year with the plug-in hybrid arriving in 2020. While Ford will be producing a 2020 Explorer PHEV, it’s for Europe only and at this point there are no plans for it to join the hybrid in the U.S. An electric crossover with styling inspired by the original Mustang is expected to appear in late 2020.
The automaker’s Lincoln luxury brand will be offering a 2020 Aviator PHEV here that’s built on the same platform as the Explorer. It will share that model’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and 99 horsepower electric motor to provide a combined 450 horsepower and 620 lb-ft torque. The 2020 Lincoln Corsair, replacement for the MKC, is also offering a plug-in hybrid version at launch. Given Lincoln’s plans for electrification, there’s a decent chance that full-electric variants will be added a few model years down the road. The Corsair shares many parts with the new Escape PHEV, but its styling is unique with distinctively Lincoln DNA. Lincoln is also planning an electric crossover based on Ford’s Mustang-inspired EV.
GM’s star in the electric crossover field is it Chevy Bolt, a winner of Green Car Journal’s 2017 Green Car of the Year®. Since its introduction, the Bolt has provided an impressive 238 miles of battery range at an affordable price, with better battery chemistry now increasing the 2020 model’s range to 259 miles.
Moving forward, GM is looking to its luxury brand Cadillac to take a higher profile in the company’s upcoming electric vehicle efforts in the U.S. While the General has only provided a glimpse of its developing electric vehicle program, we know it will include a 5-passenger electric Cadillac SUV with a range greater than 300 miles. Slated to appear in Cadillac dealerships around 2022, it will be the first built on GM’s new BEV3 platform that’s adaptable to front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive, plus vehicles of various dimensions. GM has conceptionally shown 11 possible vehicles, from seven-passenger SUVs to small crossover utilities, that could be built on the BEV3 platform.
JEEP will offer plug-in-hybrid versions of the Renegade and Compass as 2020 models. Both will use a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine and an electric motor to produce a combined 240 horsepower, offering an electric-only range of about 31 miles. The electric motor powers the rear wheels, so a driveshaft is not needed for 4WD. In addition, Jeep is likely to offer a PHEV version of the Wrangler at some point, though it’s not known if this will make it to American roads.
MERCEDES-BENZ will be introducing its new EQC, the first in a growing family of all-electric vehicles to be produced under the EQ brand. The crossover features two electric motors, one at each axle, providing the EQC an impressive 402 horsepower and 564 lb-ft torque that’s delivered to the road through 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Along with standard 240-volt Level 2 charging, the model’s 80 kWh lithium-ion battery is capable of DC Fast Charging from 10 to 80 percent state-of-charge in 40 minutes. Rated at an estimated 220 mile range, it will be sold next year as a 2020 model with an estimated price of around $70,000.
RIVIAN, a new brand on the scene, says it will begin production of its seven seat R1S electric SUV in 2020. Rivian’s ‘skateboard’ architecture locates its battery pack in the floor at the middle of the vehicle. The all-electric SUV is powered by four motors, two per axle, with each providing torque to a wheel. Three battery pack and electric motor configurations will be offered. The 180 kWh battery variant is mated to motors with a total output of 700 horsepower, delivering a claimed range of over 400 miles. A 135 kWh variant with 754 horsepower will provide a range of about 300 miles, with the base 403 horsepower, 105 kWh model delivering 250 miles. The R1S SUV is expected to start at $72,500.
TESLA already offers the Model X electric SUV and plans to supplement this with a more compact Model Y variant. It will be built on the same platform as the existing Model 3 sedan and available as a seven-seater. Standard and Long Range versions of the rear-wheel drive SUV are planned, plus a base Dual Motor model and a Performance model with all-wheel-drive. A 230-300 mile range is promised. While we’ve found Tesla to offer only higher-priced, higher content new models at launch, the company says its Standard version will cost $39,000, the Long Range $47,000, the Dual Motor AWD $51,000, and the Performance variant $60,000. Tesla says the Model Y may appear as a late 2020 or 2021 model, but since the company has a history of launching models later than promised we’ll just have to wait and see.
VW will offer a production version of its ID Crozz concept as the first of several new battery-electric vehicles to sold in the U.S. The ID Crozz is powered by a 200 horsepower electric motor located between the rear wheels with another 100 horsepower motor between the front wheels, providing all-wheel-drive. An 83 kWh lithium-ion battery pack beneath the floor is expected to provide up to 300 miles of driving range. Fast-charging with a commercial 150 kW charger will take just 30 minutes to regain 80 percent battery capacity. The model is expected to go on sale in 2020.
Of course, other automakers are fielding plug-in SUV concepts and there will surely be additional production models announced in the near future. This field is fluid and automakers are responding to plug-in SUV demand in real time, so stay tuned.
Aston Martin Lagonda's production-ready Rapide E, the marque’s first all-electric production car, is on its way to market. The first car built at Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art St Athan production facility – the brand’s Home of Electrification – Rapide E represents a pioneering first step towards achieving the company’s more comprehensive electrification strategy and the successful fruition of Lagonda, the world’s first zero-emission luxury brand.
Inside and out, Rapide E is equipped with the materials and technology befitting of the marque’s first EV model. Gone are the analog displays of the past. A 10-inch digital display now sits in their place, delivering all essential information to the driver including the battery’s state of charge, current motor power levels, regenerative performance, and a real-time energy consumption meter. Swathes of carbon fiber have been deployed throughout, assisting in delivering the strict weight targets set by Aston Martin’s engineering team.
A redesigned underfloor streamlines airflow from the front splitter all the way through to Rapide E’s new more massive rear diffuser, a feature now wholly dedicated to aero efficiency due to the removal of the exhaust system required in the past. The model’s forged aluminum aerodynamic wheels, which are shod with low rolling-resistance Pirelli P-Zero tires, have also been redesigned to provide further efficiency without compromising brake cooling capability. The sum of these changes gives Rapide E’s aerodynamic package an 8 percent improvement over the previous internal combustion model.
An 800-volt electrical architecture battery powers Rapide E – encased in a carbon fiber and Kevlar casing – with a 65 kWh capacity using over 5600 lithium-ion cylindrical cells. This bespoke battery pack lies where the gas model’s 6.0-liter V-12, gearbox, and fuel tank were located. This battery system powers two rear-mounted electric motors producing a combined target output of just over 600 horsepower and a colossal 700 lb-ft torque. Top speed for Rapide E is 155 mph with a 0-60 mph time of under 4 seconds.
A special edition with a production run strictly limited to 155 units, Rapide E has been developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering.
Lou Ann Hammond is CEO and editor-in-chief at drivingthenation.com
Start-up electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian is on a roll. The company plans to offer the five-passenger R1T electric pickup in late 2020, built on its innovative electric ‘skateboard’ platform. Now it has 500,000 more reasons supporting its success with a half-billion-dollar investment from Ford. This strategic investment buys Ford the ability to build its own electric models – presumably pickups and SUVs – on the Rivian ‘skateboard’ platform. Rivian received an earlier $700 investment from Amazon and others.
Rivian’s skateboard architecture locates the battery pack in the floor in the middle of the vehicle. The R1T has four motors, two per axle, with each motor individually controlling a wheel to provide precise control. These are not hub motors since each motor is mounted in the body. The skateboard chassis also includes braking, suspension, and cooling systems.
The R1T will be offered with three different battery packs and electric motor configurations. A 180-kWh battery pack version energizing motors with a total of 700 horsepower and 823 lb-ft torque is expected to deliver a range of over 400 miles. Another powertrain option is a 135-kWh pack model with 754 horsepower and 823 lb-ft torque provided by four motors, featuring a range of about 300 miles. The base R1T will come with a 105-kWh battery and motors delivering 403 horsepower and 413 lb-ft torque, with a range of more than 250 miles.
A substantial 14 inches of ground clearance plus the ability to wade through three feet of water and climb a 45-percent incline makes for some serious off-roading capability. In addition, the R1T has a payload capacity of 17,600 pounds and can tow 11,000 pounds. It’s smart, too, offering Level 3 autonomous driving capability, a suite of active-safety features, an adjustable air suspension, and automated trailer backup.
The cost of entry for Rivian’s R1T pickup is an expected base price of $69,000 before a federal tax credit and possible state incentives. It will be produced at Rivian’s manufacturing facility at a former 2.6 million square-foot Mitsubishi facility in Normal, Illinois. The company employs more than 1,000 people at development centers in Irvine and San Jose, California, and in Surrey, England. Along with the R1T pickup, Rivian is also developing its R1S SUV based on its skateboard chassis.
The iconic, box-like Kia Soul gets a redesign for 2020, sporting styling changes that include a more aggressive front end with horizontal strips containing daytime running lights. Headlamps are integrated in the bumper while taillights now practically encircle the rear window. The third-generation model rides on a 1.2-inch-longer wheelbase and is 2.2 inches longer, and while this really doesn’t translate into additional usable space, the doors do open a little wider and the rear hatch is a bit larger. Folding down the back seats expands cargo capacity from 24 cubic feet to 62 cubic feet.
Soul is available in base LX, X-Line, S, EX, GT-Line, and GT-Line 16T trim levels plus the all-electric EV. LED projector headlights are standard on the both GT-Lines and are optional on the EX. The X-Line gets tougher-looking bumpers and plastic fender flares. GT-Line has a center exhaust, monochromatic bodywork, and a sportier suspension tune. The GT-Line 16T also gets wider tires on 18-inch alloy wheels and larger front brakes.
Except for the GT-Line 1.6T and EV, all Soul variants are powered by an Atkinson-cycle, 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft torque. The GT-Line 1.6T features a turbocharged 1.6-liter DOHC four-cylinder boasting 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft torque. All 2.0-liter engine cars except the base LX use a new continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The LX has a standard six-speed manual with the CVT optional. GT-Line 1.6T shifts through a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. All-wheel drive is not available on the Soul. EPA estimated fuel economy numbers are 29 city/35 highway for the 2.0-liter engine with CVT and 27 city/33 highway mpg for the 1.6T.
Forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, blind spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane change assist, smart cruise control, and a head-up display are available as standard or optional equipment, but not on an all trims. A 7.0-inch color touchscreen is standard with a new 10.3-inch widescreen unit available. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trims. The controls on the steering wheel almost rival those on a F1 race car.
Making the 2020 Soul EV more competitive in the electric vehicle space is a driving range more than double that of its predecessor, with the distance traveled between charges EPA rated at 243 miles. This dramatic increase from the EV’s earlier 111-mile range is made possible with a new 64 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with DC fast-charge capability, quite a step up from the previous 30 kWh pack. A single-speed transmission delivers electric power to a 201 horsepower, 291 lb-ft torque permanent-magnet AC motor driving the front wheels. With max torque available from 0 to 3600 rpm, it’s not hard to squeal the tires. This same drivetrain is used in the Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona EV. The 2020 Kia Soul model has four drive modes including Eco, Eco+, Normal, and Sport. EPA rates the Soul EV’s efficiency at a combined 114 MPGe.
Soul EV is differentiated from its internal combustion cousins by a painted plastic insert in place of a front grille, a lower set of LED lights, and restyled fascias at both ends. The Soul EV gets its own version of Kia's UVO infotainment system and a 10.3-inch touchscreen. It includes information on charging and battery status, charging station updates, and scheduled charging functions. Drivers have the ability to remotely plan a trip and send the information, including waypoints, to the car's navigation system.
The gas-powered 2020 Soul’s base price starts at $17,490 for the LX and tops out at $27,490 for the GT-Line 16T Turbo. Available in late 2019, the new Soul EV will be offered in California EV compliant states at a price to be determined.
The SF90 Stradale represents many firsts for Ferrari. It’s the legendary automaker’s first plug-in hybrid electric model, the marque’s first all-wheel-drive supercar, and the most powerful Ferrari production car ever sold. The SF90 boasts the highest output ever for a Ferrari V-8 and, in fact, this is the first time a V-8 has powered a top-of-the-range Ferrari model. Not a replacement for LaFerrari, the SF90 Stradale's name celebrates the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Scuderia Ferrari racing team that harkens back to 1929.
The two-seat SF90 Stradale supercar combines the output of a rear-mounted, 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine and three electric motors. A motor/generator between the engine and the transmission drives the rear wheels. Two motors at the front axle, which are not mechanically connected to the internal combustion driveline, drive each front wheel. This results in a sophisticated AWD system that Ferrari says is needed to handle the SF90 Stradale's tremendous horsepower.
The SF90 V-8 makes 769 horsepower at 7,500 rpm, while the three electric motors add 217 horsepower to bring a combined 986 horsepower and 590 lb-ft torque to this supercar. Since the electric motors provide instant torque from 0 rpm, Ferrari claims a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/hr) time of 2.5 seconds, with the car hitting 124 mph (200 km/hr) in 6.7 seconds. Top speed is 211 mph (340 km/hr).
Interestingly, the 8-speed automatic transmission has no reverse gear since the front motors handle backing up. The hybrid system also helps further improve Ferrari's renowned braking. The SF90 Stradale's brake-by-wire system allows braking torque to be split between the hydraulic system and the electric motors’ regenerative braking, boosting both performance and brake feel.
There are four drivetrain modes – eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify. In eDrive, the Stradale is powered solely by the two front motors, making it a front-wheel-drive EV. A 7.9 kWh lithium-ion battery provides an all-electric range of about 16 miles with a top speed of 84 mph, depending on road conditions and how quickly the car accelerates. Hybrid is the default mode when the car starts up. Here, all three electric motors and the gasoline engine work together to achieve optimum fuel efficiency and performance. In Performance mode, the V-8 is always providing power for great performance.
In Qualify mode, the V-8 and all three electric motors provide their peak output with no regard for fuel economy.
The new SF90 Stradale is relatively light even with its batteries and three motors. Curb weight is 3,527 pounds, a nod to lightweighting and other measures. For example, hollow castings replace conventional ribbed castings. Two new aluminum alloys are used including a high-strength 7000 series alloy for some of the body panels. Carbon fiber is used for the bulkhead separating the engine from the interior. The SF90 Stradale’s chassis features 20 percent increased bending stiffness and 40 percent higher torsional rigidity than previous platforms, without any increase in weight.
Adding to this Ferrari’s exceptional driving experience, the steering wheel allows controlling virtually every aspect of the SF90 Stradale without ever taking hands off the wheel.
Range Rover’ stylish Evoque enters its second generation with a complete redesign that features the automaker’s Premium Transverse Architecture and little in common with the outgoing version. Conventionally-powered and mild hybrid (MHEV) versions will be sold in the U.S., with the hybrid coming at a base cost of $46,600. A plug-in hybrid variant is planned for offshore markets but it’s not yet clear if it will make it to the States.
The model’s extended, 105.6-inch wheelbase is identical to that of the Jaguar E-Pace, bringing with it more interior space and extra rear knee room. Evoque also gets a version of the E-Pace 's Integral Link rear suspension. The new Evoque platform uses more high-strength steel as well aluminum to save weight. The Evoque also contains about 70 pounds of recycled material.
A 48-volt, lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the floor in the MHEV variant connects to a belt-driven motor-generator mounted at the side of the SUV’s turbocharged, 2.0-liter Ingenium engine. The engine turns off while coasting with the system recovering and storing energy normally lost during deceleration. The engine will also shut off while braking at speeds below 11 mph to increase efficiency, restarting as soon as it is needed. This reduces fuel consumption by about 6 percent.
The battery stores up to 200 watt-hours of electrical energy that can be used to generate up to 103 lb-ft torque to assist during acceleration. The MHEV system delivers a combined 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft torque. This compares to 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft for the conventional Evoque. A sprint from 0 to 60 mph is quicker in the hybrid at 6.3 seconds, down from 7.0 seconds.
Gear transitions are handled by a 9-speed automatic transmission with paddles in the AWD Evoque. Driveline Disconnect allows running in front-wheel drive to reduce transmission losses when four-wheel drive is not needed, with this system automatically detecting surfaces and adjusting settings accordingly. Terrain Response offers six drive modes – General, Eco, Sand, Grass-Gravel-Snow, Mud-Ruts, and Auto – with the latter automatically selecting the most appropriate mode for road conditions and adjusting suspension and electronic systems as needed. Evoque also includes hill-descent control and all-terrain progress control capabilities that enable the vehicle to handle throttle and braking automatically when driving tricky off-road trails, allowing the driver to focus on steering and watching for obstacles.
The Evoque is the first vehicle that can be equipped with Land Rover’s ClearSight ground camera system. Cameras in the radiator grille and side mirrors project images in the infotainment display that allow viewing what‘s in front, under, and to the sides of the front wheels. Through the optional ClearSight rear view mirror, a driver also gets a crystal-clear, unobstructed wide-angle view to the rear for backing up and parking. Cameras are covered with a hydrophobic coating that repels water and mud, a handy feature since the Evoque can wade through water up to 23.6 inches deep.
Plug-in hybrid power combines a 197-horsepower, 1.5-liter three-cylinder Ingenium engine driving the front wheels with a 107-horsepower electric motor powering the rear. There is no mechanical connection between the front and rear axles. The Evoque PHEV is capable of operating as a front-wheel drive vehicle, rear-wheel drive electric vehicle, or as an AWD hybrid with both power sources combined.
There are countless reasons to visit California’s picturesque Monterey Peninsula, home of historic Monterey with its Cannery Row of Steinbeck lore, Fisherman’s Wharf, and charming Carmel-by-the-Sea. We’ve made road trips to this storied destination many times over the years on holidays, to take in races at Laguna Seca Raceway (now Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca), and attend automotive events of one stripe or another, including the region's high-profile Monterey Car Week. More on that in a bit.
The drive from Los Angeles to Monterey is one of contrasts. Heading north on California’s Highway 101 from Southern California, you’re treated to diverse scenery ranging from crowded cityscapes to rolling hills and wide-open spaces. It’s when you reach Ventura that things begin to markedly change. This is where, for a time, your vista to the west gives way to brilliant blue Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands, signaling a welcome transition that finds you leaving city life behind for the more relaxed lifestyle of the Central Coast.
The next 275 miles are quite scenic with such jewels as Santa Barbara, the Riviera of the Pacific; San Luis Obispo, a wonderful mission town with its circa-1772 Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa; and the bucolic Paso Robles, a short drive after cresting the Cuesta Grade.
Our latest road trip to the area began in San Luis Obispo behind the wheel of a 2019 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, one of this automaker’s high-profile answers to driving ‘green.’ Our drive this time was via US 101 to Salinas and then SR 68 to Monterey, an easy 2 1/2-hour trip. Along the way you pass through a landscape of rolling hills, farmlands, and wide-open spaces dotted with fruit and vegetable stands, small towns, and a few modest cities that are worth a quick visit if you have the time.
A spectacular alternative is negotiating winding Highway 1 from San Luis Obispo to Monterey, the most awe-inspiring section of California’s historic El Camino Real (Spanish for “The King’s Highway”). El Camino Real is the heart of the historic Mission Trail that connects the state’s 21 Spanish missions established between 1769 to 1833, running from San Diego to Santa Cruz . From Cambria to Monterey, this section of El Camino Real hugs the coastline and goes through Big Sur, providing truly breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean along the way. Be prepared for at least a 4 hour or longer drive on this more leisurely route, hence the reason we take US 101 more often than not. Still, we drive Highway 1 every few years as a reminder of just what an unhurried and sensory fulfilling road trip can be for the soul.
As the miles roll by, it isn’t lost on us how the Sonata Hybrid is a stylish and accommodating vehicle for our road trip. The hybrid variant of Hyundai’s popular Sonata sedan is quite fuel efficient at a rated 46 mpg on the highway and 40 mpg in city driving, which goes a long way toward mitigating carbon emissions. It’s also ideal for road trips with a driving range up to 668 miles on a tank of fuel.
While the Sonata Hybrid has the overall bold and distinctive look of its conventionally powered counterpart, there are some distinguishing features. These include a slightly different front and rear fascia and aerodynamic wheels that help achieve a low drag coefficient of 0.24. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter GDI Atkinson cycle, 4-cylinder engine with a Blue Drive parallel hybrid system. Engine output is 154 horsepower with 140 lb-ft torque to provide spirited and confident driving.
Like all Sonatas, the hybrid offers standard Bluetooth with audio streaming and a 7.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Standard safety tech includes blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert. New standard features on the Limited trim include automatic emergency braking, smart cruise control with start/stop, and lane keeping assist. Importantly the Sonata comes with a hefty 5-year or 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, or 10 years and 100,000 miles of coverage for the powertrain.
As we arrive in Monterey, we’re reminded of the very special nature of this place. Views here are among the awe-inspiring in the world. If you ever have reason to question that, just take a leisurely journey along the area’s famed 17 Mile Drive from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach as the route hugs the Pacific coastline.
Stop along the way at such scenic vistas as Spanish Bay, Bird Rock, Stillwater Cove, and Point Joe, where converging currents create a mesmerizing and constantly restless sea. Take time to appreciate The Lone Cypress, which has majestically withstood the elements for over 250 years. Take in the stately Lodge at Pebble Beach and appreciate the Pebble Beach Golf Links, considered one of the finest golf courses in the world, then get a bite at one of the resort’s excellent restaurants.
Beyond its grandeur, there are other compelling reasons to head to the Monterey Peninsula. One of the highlights is the annual spectacle of Monterey Car Week each August, a celebration of classic and modern vehicles with a 10-day series of events capped by The Quail – A Motorsports Gathering at Quail Lodge & Golf Club, and the renowned Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance that’s taken place at this famed golf resort for the past 60 years.
We recently attended both along with other elements of Monterey Car Week, including Exotics on Cannery Row and classic car auctions with some of the most amazing and historic automotive iron on the planet. In recent years, these events have seen a major showing by automakers at exhibits and pavilions as they display their current vehicles, along with concepts, pre-production, and electrified models. Examples of advanced and electrified vehicles on hand included the electric Polestar 1, Porsche Mission E, Karma Revero, Mercedes-AMG Project One, and Byton K-Byte.
Beyond the visceral thrill imparted by all manner of automotive history on display, one of our most memorable moments was during an afternoon at the Mecum Auction. Here, we witnessed a vintage Porsche 550 Spyder (think James Dean) bid up to $925,000…without selling because it failed to meet the seller’s reserve price.
More often than not, our sojourns to the area have included stays at the seaside Monterey Plaza and Clement Monterey hotels, or the Portola Hotel at Monterey Bay adjacent to Fisherman’s Wharf. The Carmel Valley Ranch Resort, where you can appreciate an inevitable greeting by deer and perhaps even wild turkeys, is also a favorite. All are located within easy reach of such memorable Monterey attractions as Fisherman’s Wharf, the historic Carmel Mission, the Maritime Museum of Monterey, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the historic Carmel Mission that was founded in 1771 by the Franciscan friars.
Heading home with the sights and sounds of Monterey behind us, we can only say that this is one road trip that everyone should take at some time in their life, if it’s in the cards. Doing so in the month of August when Monterey Car Week is happening, of course, makes it all the better.
Photography by Sheree Gardner Cogan
Ford has completely redesigned America’s all-time best selling SUV, the Ford Explorer. Redesigned from the ground up, the fourth-generation 2020 Explorer returns to the truck-like roots of its first two generations with a longitudinal-engine, rear-drive architecture. Moving away from the outgoing third-generation Explorer’s more car-like, front drive-based transverse-engine powertrain delivers improved on- and off-road capability and greater towing capacity. The Explorer lineup now includes base, XLT, Limited, and Platinum models. All include the Explorer ST and Explorer Hybrid choices.
Two EcoBoost engines are available. A 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder standard on base, XLT, and Limited models is rated at 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft torque. The 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that powers the Explorer Platinum produces 365 horsepower and 380 lb-ft torque. Both are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Explorers equipped with the 2.3-liter engine and Class III Trailer Tow Package can tow up to 5,300 pounds. With the 3.0-liter engine this increases to 5,600 pounds. That represents a 77- and 12-percent increase in towing capacity from previous Explorers, respectively.
The all-new Explorer ST, the newest SUV from Ford Performance, is the most powerful Explorer ever with a specially-tuned 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine projected to make 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft torque. It will reach a targeted top track speed of 143 mph.
Explorer Hybrid features a 3.3-liter, naturally aspirated DOHC V-6, 10 speed modular hybrid transmission, and a liquid cooled lithium-ion battery built into the chassis below the second-row seats, thus preserving cargo and passenger space. Total combined power output is 318 horsepower. Both rear- and four-wheel drive versions are available. An EPA-estimated range of over 500 miles is expected between fill-ups in the rear-wheel-drive model.
The new Explorer’s wheelbase grew six inches even though the new model is only fractionally longer in overall length, resulting in more passenger space in each of its standard three rows of seats. Explorers equipped with the available E-Z entry second-row bench seat can accommodate four foot-wide sheets of plywood or drywall flat on the floor for the first time. Second-row captain's chairs are optional as are PowerFold third-row seats. A power liftgate is offered.
Improved off-road capability is provided with intelligent four-wheel drive, available with both engines. An all-new Terrain Management System features an easy-to-use dial in the center console for selecting normal, trail, slippery, sport, tow/haul, and a new eco modes in rear-drive-drive only models. Explorers equipped with four-wheel drive add a deep snow and sand mode for improved off-road performance
The 2020 Explorer comes with an 8-inch digital touch screen offering SYNC 3 and FordPass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices. FordPass Connect provides remote access via a smartphone to lock, unlock, locate, and start the vehicle, as well as monitor key vehicle diagnostics. A wireless charge pad is available for recharging compatible mobile devices. Up to four USB ports are provided, including new type-C variants that allow charging next-generation mobile devices. Also available are up to three 12-volt DC outlets and one 110-volt AC outlet.
Explorers come standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of driver-assist technologies that includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Dynamic Brake Support. Also included are a Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping, and a Rearview camera with built-in lens cleaner and Auto headlamps with auto high-beams. Optional Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies include Evasive Steering Assist that provides steering support to help avoid a collision, plus Post-Impact Braking that provides braking after a collision to lessen injury and damage caused by a secondary crash.
Ford’s all-new Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Speed Sign Recognition is also available. In addition to automatically slowing when traffic ahead slows and helping keep the vehicle centered in its lane, the system uses cameras to read speed signs. It adjusts cruise control settings as necessary when combined with the available navigation system.
The all-new Explorer introduces the automaker’s Active Park Assist 2.0. Standard on Explorer Platinum, this feature allows parking in a parallel or perpendicular spot with the touch of a button without requiring a driver to work the steering wheel, gear shifter, gas pedal, or brake. Available reverse brake assist, also standard on Platinum, uses radar and ultrasonic sensors to detect an object in an Explorer’s path, applying brakes automatically to avoid a collision when backing up at low speeds, such as when exiting a driveway.
An available 10.1-inch, portrait-mounted touch screen allows navigation maps to fill the entire screen for easy viewing or split the space with audio information. The screen uses capacitive glass like that found in smartphones and tablets, providing quicker and more responsive interaction with the updated SYNC 3 system. The more intuitive layout of Explorer’s standard SYCN 3 provides compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Waze navigation. The touch screen shares information with an available 12.3-inch, all-digital instrument cluster that displays important vehicle information such as speedometer and fuel level.
The Kona, Hyundai’s newest and smallest crossover, serves up a pleasing design and welcome functionality. It is offered with a choice two gasoline engines that net up to 33 highway mpg, and also as a battery electric vehicle.
Styling cues are a bit different on the Kona Electric, but subtle except for its distinctive closed grille. Silver side sills, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, and badging also differentiate the electric variant. Kona Electric sales are initially being focused on California and select states that have adopted California’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program.
The Kona is available in three trim levels – SEL, Limited, and Ultimate. Kona SE and SEL models are powered by a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. This combo achieves an EPA rating of 28 city/32 highway mpg. Kona Limited and Ultimate trim levels are powered by a 175-horsepower, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. Here, EPA numbers are 27 city/33 highway mpg. Front-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive an option for both powerplants.
Powering the Kona Electric is a 201 horsepower, permanent-magnet electric motor driving the front wheels. Energy is provided by a 64 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that delivers an impressive EPA estimated 258 mile range. Offshore markets also get a base electric version with a smaller 39.2 kWh battery that’s good for about 186 miles, but that configuration is not offered in North America. The Kona Electric earns a combined EPA efficiency rating of 120 MPGe. Acceleration is quite good with a 0-60 mph sprint taking 7.6 seconds. Kona Electric’s top speed is electronically limited at 104 mph.
When connected to a fast-charge 10 kW Combined Charging System, the battery pack can be recharged from a depleted state in about 54 minutes. It takes 75 minutes to recharge with a more common 50 kW CCS fast-charge system. With more readily-available Level 2 (240-volt AC) public or home charging and the Kona’s onboard 7.2 kW charger, replenishing a depleted battery takes about 10 hours. The charge port is located in the front fascia just below the driver’s side headlight.
There are a host of driver assist features available. Hyundai SmartSense safety technologies standard on all trim levels include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist. Optionally available are Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning, High Beam Assist, Rear View Monitor, and Smart Cruise Control.
The gasoline-powered Kona has an MSRP of $19,990, while the Kona Electric is offered at a base price of $36,450.
Part of Honda’s Clarity triple-play – along with the hydrogen-powered Clarity Fuel Cell and more mainstream Clarity Plug-In Hybrid – the Clarity Electric is a model that clearly cuts its own path.
It does not aim to be part of the ‘200 mile club,’ the latest generation of uber-electrics that claim a battery electric driving range greater than 200 miles between charges. It also does not cultivate efficiencies through a compact form designed to eke the most from every electron. Nor is it exceptionally lightweight, another common nod to the need for making the most of the battery power carried on board. In fact, there is little about the Clarity Electric that makes us think of other all-electric vehicles…save for the fact that it runs exclusively on zero-emission battery power, of course. This mid-size, five-passenger battery electric vehicle aims to be in a league of its own.
First of all, let’s discuss driving range, which is EPA rated at 89 miles between charges while delivering a combined 114 MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent). Yes, that’s more limiting than that of the 200+ mile club, but there’s a reason. Honda designed the Clarity Electric with the needs of commuters in mind…those who want their daily drive to be in a highly-efficient, zero-emission electric car with a sophisticated look and premium feel. And they designed it so it was significantly more affordable than premium competitors offering higher-end electric models with features similar to those of the Clarity. Currently, the Clarity Electric is offered at a $199 monthly lease in California and Oregon where this battery-powered model is available.
Honda figures that an approach focused on commuters is a sweet spot for the Clarity Electric. Its range fits the needs of most commutes and its price is certainly justifiable for a commuter car, and a luxurious one at that, with fuel costs substantially less than conventionally-powered models. Plus, most households have two cars at their disposal, sometimes more. Having a Clarity Electric as a primary commuter car with a conventional gasoline or hybrid vehicle also in a household’s stable covers all bases.
Honda gave a lot of thought to the cabin design with welcome touches throughout. We especially like the ‘floating’ design of the center console with its array of integrated controls and flat storage tray beneath, with 12-volt and USB outlets. The dash features a handsome suede-like material and an 8-inch touchscreen display elegantly integrated into the dash. Deep cupholders feature flip-up stays for holding smaller drinks. Side door pockets are large enough to accommodate water bottles. The trunk offers plenty of room and is illuminated when the trunk lid is remotely or manually unlatched. At night this allows you to immediately note what’s inside through the trunk lid’s clear back panel before opening…something we’ve really come to appreciate over time.
Driving the Clarity Electric is a satisfying experience, with this sedan both well-mannered and responsive. Power is delivered by a 161 horsepower electric motor energized by a 25.5 kWh lithium-ion battery that can be charged in about three hours with a 240 volt charger, or in as little as 30 minutes with a public DC fast-charge system to an 80 percent state-of-charge. While its primary job may well be to handle everyday driving needs and negotiate traffic, it also delivers plenty of fun on twisty canyon roads with flat cornering and confident steering. It’s quick, like almost all electrics are because of instant torque delivered at launch, providing very satisfying acceleration.
Also appreciated is the Clarity’s handy Apple CarPlay integration and its Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist technologies. Among these are important features like adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, and road departure mitigation.
The Clarity Electric has served us well on our daily drives over the course of Green Car Journal’s ongoing long-term test. Its use supports what Honda envisioned for this efficient electric car. It has been ideal for around-town duty, area trips within its range, and daily commutes. Its thoughtful and sophisticated – dare we say futuristic – design and very satisfying drive experience are appreciated every day we’re behind the wheel.
Internal combustion engines power the vast majority of the cars and trucks on the road today. That’s not by any means a bad thing. While electrification of our cars dominates most of today’s headlines and resources, the internal combustion engine is still what moves most of us from one place to another.
These tried-and-true powerplants have evolved to meet modern requirements in ways that lend flexibility to current and future needs. A primary advantage to internal combustion is that engines can be powered by multiple fuel sources including gasoline, diesel, and an array of alternative fuels. That flexibility provides options moving forward.
Hybrid cars and trucks, in all their configurations, are a gateway to pure electric vehicle acceptance. Gasoline-electric hybrids rely on an efficient internal combustion engine to function. The hybrid envelope has expanded in recent times to include plugin models that can travel varying distances on pure electric power as well.
Automatic start-stop function is an important technology that makes internal combustion vehicles more city-friendly by shutting an engine off when stopped at a traffic light for more than a few seconds, eliminating unnecessary idling emissions. The engine remains off as long as a driver’s foot is on the brake pedal and the vehicle is not in motion. When the light changes, lifting off the brake immediately restarts the engine and you drive away.
Fuel economy improvements, lower carbon emissions, and overall emissions reductions are also being accomplished by other strategies. Among the most prominent is engine downsizing, which allows the use of smaller displacement engines boosted with power-adding technologies like turbocharging. The old adage, ‘there’s no replacement for displacement,’ is being successfully circumvented by smart engine downsizing.
Some elegant solutions are presenting themselves. One example is Nissan’s VC-Turbo, the world’s first variable compression production engine. Modifying engine compression ratio through sophisticated computer control allows adjusting compression in real time, optimizing efficiency and performance depending on driving conditions.
Another example is the introduction of Chevrolet’s next-generation Dynamic Fuel Management in Silverado 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V-8 engines. This advanced technology optimizes power and fuel efficiency through cylinder deactivation, determining 80 times-per-second how many cylinders are actually needed for real-time driving needs, with the engine running on as little as a single cylinder to save fuel and decrease carbon emissions.
Gasoline engines have traditionally required a spark plug to ignite the fuel-air mixture in an engine’s combustion chamber to drive a piston. More thermally efficient diesel engines create ignition as a piston compresses the fuel-air mixture at high pressure, without a plug. So, what if you could combine the best of both worlds and make a gasoline engine work more like an efficient diesel?
It now appears the technology is ready for prime time and production. Mazda’s new SKYACTIV-X is set to become the world’s first production engine to use compression ignition in a commercially available gasoline engine. The automaker’s proprietary Spark Controlled Compression Ignition design provides considerable torque during acceleration, along with sharp engine response, improved fuel efficiency, and lower emissions.
The worldwide push toward electric vehicles has yielded some surprising consequences. One is an all-out effort to make combustion vehicles better and more competitive with the advancement and sharing of technologies across all platforms.
Is the internal combustion engine dead? Hardly. It just keeps getting better, more efficient, and technologically advanced as the years roll by.
Karma Automotive has emerged a notable force in the luxury electric vehicle world with 1,000 employees since its launch in 2014, with multiple offices in the U.S. and a manufacturing facility in Southern California. Over these years it has focused on forming relationships with companies developing new technologies, taking engineering risks, and challenging convention in automotive design.
One of its recent forays is a partnership with famed Italian design house Pininfarina to explore a two-door variant of the already-stunning Karma Revero sedan. Known for its design collaborations with the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo, Pininfarina’s efforts have resulted in an all-new, bespoke Grand Touring version of the original Revero.
Pininfarina’s sinewy two-door Karma GT features all-new body sides along with softer overall features and a relaxed shoulder line. Its aggressive front end integrates innovative LED headlamps and a slatted grille with large air intakes, while the rear features an elegant look with boomerang-style taillamps. The Revero’s existing frame and suspension were modified for the coupe design.
Why the partnership with Pininfarina? According to Karma Automotive, it illustrates how the company is moving toward a new business model that shares resources and platforms for creating multiple revenue streams.
“As a relatively young start-up company, Karma does not yet have the deep financial and in-house technological resources of an established OEM,” shares Dr. Liang Zhou, Karma Automotive CEO. He adds that the company will “use partnerships to accelerate our progress by acquiring and developing key technologies important to connectivity, performance, artificial intelligence, shared mobility platforms, and electrification. Partners can use our product platform as an incubator to test and prove their new innovations, and likewise, our engineering and design resources can be offered to help other partners advance their needs.”
If consumer interest is high, it’s possible Pininfarina may build a limited run of Karma GTs at its facility outside of Turin, Italy, with customers able to configure the model to their personal tastes. Regardless of how this evolves, it appears that the Karma/Pininfarina GT collaboration is just the beginning of a long-term relationship between the two companies.
Subaru’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle, the 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, uses the Subaru Global Platform designed for hybrid and electric powertrains. It features new Subaru StarDrive Technology that integrates two electric motors, a 2.0-liter direct-injection SUBARU BOXER engine, Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and a new Lineartronic continuously variable transmission. With the series-parallel StarDrive Technology, one motor functions as an engine starter and as a generator powered by the engine to charge the lithium-ion hybrid battery. The second motor powers the vehicle in hybrid and electric driving modes. It also charges the hybrid battery during regenerative braking.
The plug-in SUV can reach speeds up to 65 mph in full electric mode and achieve 90 MPGe. It drives up to 17 miles exclusively on lithium-ion battery power and features a total range of 480 miles when using both gas and electric power.
The Crosstrek Hybrid features a Linerartronic CVT plus X-MODE and Hill Descent Control for enhanced performance in low-friction and off-road conditions. SI-DRIVE powertrain performance management allows tailoring throttle characteristics by choosing between Intelligent and Sport modes. Active Torque Vectoring applies light brake pressure to the inside front wheel while cornering for improved handling.
Crosstrek is well-equipped with the latest advanced driver assist technologies. Subaru EyeSight includes Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, and Lane Keep Assist. Reverse Automatic Braking can apply the vehicle’s brakes if an obstacle is detected while reversing. Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Cross Traffic Alert is standard. Pedestrian Alert provides an audible warning to pedestrians within the proximity of the vehicle while traveling below 20 mph.
The model’s STARLINK Multimedia Plus offers an 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen, Rear Vision Camera, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity, AM/FM stereo, and smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Aha, and Pandora as standard equipment. Multimedia Plus includes a single-disc CD player and voice activated controls for phone and Near Field Communication. Multimedia with Navigation adds navigation powered by TomTom, voice activated navigation, and over-the-air updates.
Remote Battery Charging Timer manages the Crosstrek Hybrid’s charging schedule and monitors its status. A STARLINK Safety and Security Plus package includes Remote Climate Control and Remote Battery Charging Timer, SOS emergency assistance, and automatic collision notification.
The all-new 2019 RAM 1500 debuted with eTorque mild hybrid technology, an efficiency-enhancing system that’s exclusive to the segment. This new feature, while potentially important to buyers seeking a fuel economy bump in the increasingly-crowded and always competitive light pickup field, is not readily understood by all. So here’s an overview on how RAM’s eTorque mild hybrid works.
Functionally, eTorque works by replacing the RAM’s conventional alternator with a more robust motor/generator in 3.6-liter V-6 and 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI engines. The eTorque-equipped V-6 mounts its Continental motor-generator in front of the engine with the pulley pointing aft. A dedicated, water cooled coolant circuit is used since the internal cooling fans in a typical alternator would not work in this configuration. In the HEMI V-8, a Magneti Marelli motor-generator mounts conventionally near the top of the engine where air cooling works fine. The 48-volt eTorque system adds 90 pounds to a the HEMI V-8 and 120 pounds to the V-6, with the water-cooling circuit accounting for the difference.
When lifting off the throttle at speed, eTorque’s motor/generator begins to generate electrical energy that feeds back to its battery pack while also smoothing transmission downshifts. It provides a brief torque boost of 90 lb-ft in V-6 RAMs and 130 lb-ft in V-8 models. Along with adding torque during shifts, it contributes torque while transitioning in and out of four-cylinder mode during V-8 cylinder deactivation. The eTorque system restarts the engine and resumes forward motion within 70 milliseconds after an auto-stop. An interactive deceleration fuel shut-off system also saves fuel.
Electrical energy in the eTorque system is stored in a 30 pound, 430 watt-hour LG Chem battery pack mounted at the rear wall of the pickup cab. The system includes a DC-to-DC converter to supply the vehicle’s regular electrical loads and charge its 12-volt starter battery.
Alternators only draw modest power from an engine’s accessory drive. However, eTorque’s motor-generators use their accessory drive belt to slow and accelerate these trucks, so the belt must be larger and stronger, and also must wrap farther around the pulley. It also requires a tensioner on both sides to keep belts tight as the motor/generator transitions from generating to motoring. The eTorque Hemi gets a larger crankshaft pully as well that improves the motor/generator’s leverage.
While Audi and Mercedes-Benz are selling similar systems in Europe, FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) is the first to market vehicles using the technology in large numbers in the U.S. With an estimated 2 to 3 mpg savings in city/combined fuel economy, eTorque delivers improved environmental performance and has the potential to have a measurable effect on FCA’s corporate average fuel economy as well.
Growing significantly from its original compact form, Ford’s 2019 Ranger pickup is nearly the same size as a mid-1990s F-150. That means it’s a direct competitor to popular mid-size pickups like the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, and Nissan Frontier. It does well in the efficiency department with EPA ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Ranger is available as a SuperCab or SuperCrew built on a common 126.8-inch wheelbase. The SuperCab comes with a 6-foot bed while the SuperCrew gets a 5-foot bed. Unlike the aluminum-bodied F-150, the Ranger is steel with steel bumpers mounted directly to the frame for durability and crashworthiness.
2019 Ford RangerPower is delivered by a 2.3-liter, turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder coupled to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear- and part-time four-wheel-drive are available. Electronic “Shift-on-the-Fly” 4WD allows a driver to switch from 2WD to 4WD HIGH at speeds up to 55 mph, and to 4WD LOW at lower speeds.
Electronic-Shift-on-the-Fly comes with a two-speed transfer case, Dana electronic locking rear differential, and Ford’s Terrain Management System. The latter provides a choice between Normal, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, and Sand modes. A new low-speed Trail Control off-road cruise control standard on 4WD models can be selected to take over the throttle and brakes, letting a driver steer through rugged terrain.
Power goes through Dana Trac-Lok differentials on both two- and four-wheel drive models. An electronic locking rear differential is optional. A new fully boxed frame is unique to North American Rangers. The Ranger is equipped with electronic power-assisted steering. It has an independent dual A-arm with coil spring front suspension and a solid Dana rear axle with two-stage leaf springs in back.
The Ranger comes in XL, XLT and Lariat trim levels. An FX-4 Off-Road Package available on all of these adds a front steel skid plate, other steel underbody skid plates, off-road shocks and tires, and Magnetic Grey trim accents.
Electronic features include FordPass Connect Wi-Fi with 4G LTE connectivity for up to 10 devices, a Sync 3 infotainment system, LCD gauge cluster screens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, optional navigation, and USB outlets. The Ranger offers nearly as many driver assists as the rest of the Ford lineup, including standard forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. A blind spot warning system is available that includes trailer coverage.
Ranger is available at a base MSRP of $24,300 for the SuperCab and $26,520 for the SuperCrew variants, with four-wheel drive an additional $4,160.