+++ BMW is eyeing to soon launch electric vehicles that could travel up to 700 km before needing to be recharged for another full-electric zero-emission driving experience. This capability would be made possible by BMW’s fifth generation of storage and powertrain technologies. These storage and powertrain technologies were reported to be making their debut on the upcoming i5, which was recently previewed by the i Vision Dynamics concept at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. BMW designed the new i Vision Dynamics as a progressive, four-door Gran Coupe that envisions its future electric mobility between the i3 and i8. Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management at BMW, remarked that the i Vision Dynamics concept visualizes how the German carmaker partly plans to implement its ‘Number One Next’ strategy. This strategy partly entails the offering of around 25 electrified models (12 of which will be all-electric) by 2025. In terms of design, the i Vision Dynamics could accelerate from nil to 100 km/h in only 4 seconds, on the way to reaching a top speed of more than 200 km/h. The i Vision Dynamics concept has an all-electric range of 600 km. This effectively places Tesla’s electric vehicles on BMW’s crosshairs. Tesla’s latest offering, the Model 3, could be fitted with a long range battery that allows it to go as far as 500 kilometers before having to recharge. BMW, however, should ensure first that powertrain improvement would also seep into its new products, its plug-in hybrid offerings in particular. Realistically, BMW’s 530e iPerformance only offers to travel up to 50 km in all-electric mode. The German premium carmaker is hoping that further advancements should improve the vehicle’s all-electric range by up to 100 percent, or to 100 km. Seen to be launched in 2021, the upcoming i5 should feature a number of details, technologies and elements found in the BMW i Vision Dynamics concept. With a length of 4,800 mm, width of 1,933 mm, and height of 1,387 mm, the BMW i Vision Dynamics concept is expected to be laden with advanced autonomous driving technology, with an eye to make the production version have an autonomous capability of Level 3 or Level 4. The new BMW i Vision Dynamics concept still features the already iconic BMW kidneys although these are now prominent and enclosed. Having no large grille openings, the kidneys function as an intelligent surface in which sensors are embedded. The BMW i Vision Dynamics concept also reinterprets the classical BMW four-eyed face, making use of two freestanding LED elements on each side of the kidneys. +++
+++ The Chinese are continuing to purchase CADILLAC models in record numbers, helping the American carmaker to record its 17th month of consecutive sales growth. Last month, Cadillac shifted 17,018 units in China, significantly more than the 13,931 vehicles it sold throughout the United States and a healthy 36.1 percent higher than the 12,502 Cadillacs sold in China in October 2016. In year-to-date sales, Chinese customers have purchased 141,643 models from Cadillac. By comparison, 127,777 have been sold in the United States, 4.1 percent less than the same time period last year. By comparison, the Chinese year-to-date sales are 58.2 percent greater, allowing China to official become Cadillac’s biggest market. In January, Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen said China could become the brand’s largest market within 3 years. Evidently, even he was unable to predict the huge spike in demand that would come from China throughout 2017. Looking beyond China and the U.S., sales have improved in Canada, South Korea, Russia, and Japan. +++
+++ A handful of European nations have recently announced calls to drastically reduce vehicle emissions and in some cases ban completely the sale of cars powered solely by gasoline or diesel. Now the EUROPEAN UNION has joined the discussion by proposing tougher emission targets in addition to an incentive program for automakers to spur them into adding more hybrids and electric cars to their fleets. Under the new proposal, announced by the European Commission, vehicles will have to emit 15 percent less CO2 by 2025 compared with 2021 levels, which call for 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer for cars and 147 grams for light commercial vehicles. And by 2030, vehicles will need to emit 30 percent less CO2 than the 2021 levels. The proposal also includes a mechanism to incentivize the uptake of zero- and low-emission vehicles. Essentially, automakers with vehicles exceeding the proposed CO2 targets will be rewarded in the form of a less strict CO2 targets for their other models. The Commission, the EU’s executive branch, acknowledged that the targets would likely lead to higher costs but said these will be offset by the savings owners would make via improved fuel economy. The proposal aims to support a gradual transition from vehicles powered by conventional engines to electric vehicles in order to allow for sufficient time for re-training and up-skilling of those employed in the automotive industry. The Commission pointed out the risk that Europe’s automotive industry could fall behind in this transition compared to other regions already introducing similar policies. For example, China has implemented an aggressive low-emission strategy to combat its air quality problems; the country aims to reach seven million electric car sales by 2025. Various EU governments and the European Parliament will now need to discuss the proposals. +++
+++ FORD shied away from partnerships under former CEO Mark Fields, but that’s all out the door under new CEO Jim Hackett. And he’s gotten to work fast since taking up the reins in May. In that time we’ve seen Ford link up with Mahindra in India, with Lyft in North America, and now with Zotye in China. Zotye sells cars in China under an eponymous brand and is most (in)famous for the T700 Porsche Macan clone. With Ford, Zotye plans to introduce a range of affordable electric cars to be sold under a new brand. Ford and Zotye have established a 50:50 joint venture that will develop and manufacture electric cars for the brand. The 2 automakers are injecting $756 million to establish the joint venture. The joint venture will handle production at a new plant to be constructed China’s Zhejiang Province, pending approval from regulators. It will also be responsible for designing, marketing and distributing the new brand’s cars across China. It will also look to offer new mobility services as demand in this area grows. For Ford, the move is in line with its vision for a more sustainable automotive industry, especially since China has embraced electrified vehicles, known locally as New Energy Vehicles, or NEVs for short. Sales of NEVs in China are expected to hit 6 million units by 2025. Two thirds of these are expected to be pure electrics and the rest mostly plug-in hybrids. Ford is also investing heavily in electrified vehicles back in North America. Recall, the automaker intends to introduce 13 by 2020, including a Mustang Hybrid and an electric SUV with 480 kilometers of range. +++
+++ Bob LUTZ has been a senior figure in the automotive industry for longer than most, so when he speaks about where it’s headed there’s a certain authority behind what he has to say. Some zingers include his skepticism of man’s effect on climate change, as well as the long-term viability of Tesla. On one of those fronts he may be proven correct in the not too distant future. Speaking of the future, he has some grim predictions for what the industry as a whole might be like in the coming decades. Lutz states that we are “approaching the end of the automotive era”, As self-driving technology advances, he sees fully autonomous pods you hail for a ride replacing privately owned cars. Some people will still want to own their own pod but the majority is likely to just hail a ride when needed. Remember, the average car spends around 95 percent of its life sitting and doing nothing. The pods will be able to merge into long, high-speed moving platoons on highways where speeds of well over 160 km/h would be possible, meaning you could live much further out of town. Part of your work day could even take place in the pod. Lutz describes the concept as a blend of cars and trains. It gets worse. Lutz says most automotive brands will disappear. Instead, the pods will carry the brand of the fleet that owns them, perhaps Lyft, Uber or Waymo. Some automakers will still be around, churning out pods for the various companies that own fleets. Lutz gives the examples of manufacturers that churn out mobile phones for major providers. And naturally, performance won’t matter if no one’s doing the driving. The pods will still be differentiated, however. For example, there will be different body styles available depending on your need. There will also be different grades available from basic to luxury. Some automakers such as Rolls-Royce or Bentley could still be around, offering flashy, privately own pods. People wanting to flaunt their wealth likely won’t change anytime soon. Lutz’s grimmest prediction, however, is a banning of cars that still allow humans to drive, something he sees happening as early as the next 15-20 years. He says such cars will be legislated off highways because self-driving cars will be shown to be incapable of accidents. You’ll still be able to drive your classic, though only at a private track. Driving will become a pastime just like riding horses is today, he says. There’s enough practicality in Lutz’s predictions to guarantee that we’ll likely see some of it happen. If the predictions are accurate, let’s just hope he’s off on his timing, because it will be a very sad day indeed when driving is banned. +++
+++ Today, PORSCHE is definitely one of the top car manufacturers when it comes to technological advancements in the automotive industry is. Not only do they offer some of the quickest cars, but they also recently came out with what we would consider as the most beautiful hybrid vehicle to date. And that is the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo. In their most recent announcement, the German automaker said that they have no plans on changing even if it is one of their biggest challenges; and they are referring to electrification. Luz Meschke, Porsche’s finance chief, explained in a recent interview that they will continue working on their electrification, and that their goal is to remain hugely profitable during this process. Right now, the company is benefiting from a 15 percent profit margin. To be able to do this, Meschke says that the company has created a strategic target. He further expounds by saying that they have to manage the company a certain way for them to be able to continuously maintain the 15 percent profit margin. However, this figure sometimes fluctuates due to several factors like exchange rates and economic crisis. Going back to the automaker’s electrification program, Porsche will have to shell out around 3.5 million dollar to develop new EV technologies, with the goal to become a market leader in hybridization and electrification. But do not worry if you’re not into electrified models, as Porsche will still continue to work on improving their combustion engines too. There were earlier reports that suggest the automaker will stop selling diesel engines, but that was just a rumour, and the Germans made it clear that they will continue production for as long as possible. Meschke also said that they are keeping their options open and that they will focus on specific product decisions later on. And that this will depend on the extent to which areas electromobility works for them. In the next decade, the company plans to offer a wide range of choices for their consumers; ranging from optimized combustion engines and plug-in hybrids, to full-electric sports cars as well. In fact, the company is already preparing for a 2019 release of a first all-electric Porsche. Exciting, right? And when that comes out, it will just be the beginning of a whole new era of electrified performance models. Meschke added that they would like to set standards in terms of e-mobility. It has been 2 years since the first Dieselgate scandal erupted. Still, half of the automaker’s 4-door car sales in Europe are diesel-powered units. It’s no wonder then that the company has decided not to discontinue producing diesel vehicles in the foreseeable future. +++
+++ While many believe electric mobility is the future, it is still uncertain how far or near we really are into making the transition; but that may change real soon. Insiders reveal that the Volkswagen Group is taking the steps to make this happen at the earliest time possible. How? It seeks to become the leading promoter of e-mobility in the market. It is said that Volkswagen Group wishes to launch about 30 EVs by 2025, but prior to that, the German marque will be promoting a number of gasoline-electric hybrids under its sub-brands. It’s expected to comprise several SUVs and 2 electrified hatchbacks. In a bid to win the hearts of car enthusiasts, Volkswagen’s marketing people thought the hybrid hatches hold the key to letting everyone come aboard the electrified future. This could be achieved by means of spreading the word about electric technologies among fellow customers. Well, hot hybrid hatchbacks can be a lot of fun you know. The insider thinks this strategy will be more effective since people won’t simply switch to fully electric cars too quickly as the transition may even take several years. Hence, the new breed of hatches will serve as great tools in helping people see its potential along the way. For starters, Volkswagen Group will be focusing on its existing Seat Cupra’s performance lineups and the SKODA RS series. If we are to believe this “insider”, then the new generation Fabia will be the first to have the electrified performance version. It can be recalled that Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier once said that the new generation Fabia could have an alternative. Maier explains while the Fabia RS was really a fun car, he believes it won’t be a practical car to offer within the next 2 or 3 years. While there are many ways of looking at this perspective, the idea of electrification would also make sense, he said. So what do you all think? Volkswagen Group is expected to promote hybridization among its sub-brands especially now that the Cupra is set to become a standalone performance brand in the coming year. Also, with Seat launching its top-spec Ateca Cupra alongside the Seat Leon Cupra R in 2018, an electrified version of Fabia vRS could provide Skoda a great opportunity to take on a new route, knowing that Seat has been thinking about hybridizing the Ibiza Cupra by 2020. For now, I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for the arrival of the next generation Fabia. A hot new hatch with a hybrid system certainly sounds good though. +++
+++ Researchers from from UCLA and Tel Aviv University find “severe fatigue exerts a similar influence on the brain to drinking too much”. Scientists from UCLA and Tel Aviv University studied patients experiencing fatigue and found their brains became slower and less efficient at perceiving and assessing visual images. The effect of this neurological slowdown was directly compared to drink driving. By inserting electrodes into patients’ brains and measuring the responses of 1,500 brain cells in areas that process visual perception and memory, researchers found subjects became less able to translate “visual input into conscious thought”. Itzhak Fried, the scientist leading the study, said more should to regulate TIRED drivers: “Severe fatigue exerts a similar influence on the brain to drinking too much”. Fried explained; “Yet no legal or medical standards exist for identifying overtired drivers on the road the same way we target drunk drivers”. Fried went on to explain that the neurons in his subjects’ brains “responded slowly and fired more weakly, and their transmissions dragged on longer than usual”. In his view when put behind the wheel of a car, perception and visual processes would slow down when a driver was tired: “The very act of seeing the pedestrian slows down in the driver’s overtired brain”, Fried said. “It takes longer for his brain to register what he’s perceiving”. The patients were asked to categorise a variety of images as quickly as possible, and the researchers found that as “the patients slowed down, their brain cells did, too”. This latest study follows previous research that reached similar conclusions. According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, losing out on just a few hours of sleep the night before puts drivers at nearly twice the risk of crashing compared to those who’ve slept the recommended seven or more hours. The study found that a lack of sleep has similar effects to being drunk, with slower reaction times and a shorter attention span. The Sleep Council estimates that a third of Britons get just 5 to 6 hours of sleep a night, putting them at 1.9 times the normal risk of crashing. Reviewing the causes of 4,751 vehicle accidents in the US, the research found that driver drowsiness has caused 7 percent of all crashes and 21 percent of all fatal accidents. In the UK, driver fatigue has been linked as a contributory factor in 1 in 10 road fatalities. A recent report by the AA found that 1 in 7 drivers in the UK admit they regularly suffer memory blanks while driving, with 15 percent unable to recall the last few moments of a journey. David Yang, executive director for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety said: “You cannot miss sleep and still expect to be able to safely function behind the wheel. Our research shows that a driver who has slept for less than five hours has a crash risk comparable to someone driving drunk”. Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “Even in the UK we estimate that up to 10 percent of motorway fatalities may be due to drivers falling asleep. The usual characteristics are a lack of braking before impact and single vehicle collisions. +++