+++ A BMW said the automaker has no plans to produce electric vehicles with a range of over 600 kilometres . Drivers must rely on charging infrastructure if they plan to drive longer distances. While nearly 400 miles of range is a pretty solid estimate for an EV produced today, it’s interesting that BMW would state that it has no intention of striving for more range. BMW i4 project leader David Ferrufino said the automaker won’t target a 1.000 kilometre driving range. When asked about range, Ferrufino said: “1.000 kilometres of range is not a target we have with our fully-electric cars. We are aiming for 600 kilometres of driving range for our fully-electric cars, and 100 kilometres with our plug-in hybrids in everyday driving”. Ferrufino explained that BMW has battery advancements, increases in charging speed, and a growing public charging network to help EV owners. He also added that an EV’s maximum range will be dependent on the vehicle’s segment where it’s being sold. He elaborated: “For example, we don’t think a range of 600 kilometres will be suitable for a i3 as an urban car, but when it comes to the iX or i4, we think that around 600 kilometres is a very customer-friendly solution”. The new i4 has 590 kilometres of estimated range. According to BMW, the i4’s battery can be charged from 10 to 80 % in about 30 minutes with a 200 kW DC fast charger. If this range and charging speed is realistic, a driver could travel about 1.000 kilometres with one 30-minute charging stop. +++
+++ MASERATI will expand its lineup this November with the introduction of its new Grecale crossover. I knew in August that the brand would reveal it sometime that month, but now the company announced that the model would get a global premiere on November 16. The debut takes place in Milano, Italy. The Grecale, which has been everything but a secret, will slot below the Levante in Maserati’s lineup. Spy shots have shown off a crossover that looks low, sporty, and luxurious, wrapped in Maserati’s trademark styling touches, though camouflage has kept most of the details hidden from view. However, earlier this month, Grecale parts, including the slotted grille, appeared online for sale. Spy shots have also previewed its interior, revealing a small infotainment display nestled far below the top of the dash and the dash-mounted clock. It looks like the screen will flow into the instrument panel beneath it and into the centre console, too. Photos have also revealed the crossover getting massive paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, hinting at its sportier nature. Maserati hasn’t mentioned what will power the Grecale, but the company has options. Rumours have pointed to the 620 hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 from the MC20 finding its way into the Grecale. There’s also a good chance that the MC20 engine could be reserved for the high-performance Grecale Trofeo trim that’s confirmed to be coming. However, the standard engine is likely to be a 2.0-litre mild-hybrid unit. Another engine option available is the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 that powers the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, making 510 hp. The Stelvio and Grecale share a platform, so Maserati using the Alfa’s powertrain wouldn’t be much of a surprise. I do know there’ll be an all-electric version in the future, as well, and it’ll slot below the Levante in the brand’s lineup. We expect more official Grecale details to arrive leading up to its reveal. +++
+++ Earlier this month, NISSAN introduced the GT-R T-Spec as a potential last hurrah for the ageing Godzilla in its R35 guise. That remains to be seen as some reports indicate the current-generation supercar could get a mild-hybrid setup and even a more powerful Final Edition before being retired within the next few years. What comes after that? The R36, of course. In a press release issued by Nissan regarding the 2022 modelyear GT-R, managing director Adam Paterson mentioned the 2022 GT-R “will mark the closure of this chapter for this generation vehicle”. As if that wasn’t enough, he talked about the T-Spec and Nismo SV special editions being the “last time the current-generation vehicle will be offered”. Even though this isn’t a direct confirmation of an R36-generation model, it is the next best thing. The question on everyone’s lips is: “When will Nissan finally introduce the new GT-R?” There’s also the issue regarding how “new” the next-generation model is going to be as some reports indicate it will ride on an updated version of the current platform, which is a strategy the Japanese brand has used for its other sports car, the Z. That mild-hybrid setup we mentioned earlier could in fact be earmarked for the R36, which will supposedly retain the twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 tweaked for more efficiency to meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations. The R36 is likely still a couple of years away since logic tells us Nissan will initially reveal a concept, much like it did with the Z Proto. Going back in time, the R35 introduced in 2007 (yes, it’s 14 years old) came after the 2001 GT-R and 2005 GT-R Proto concepts. +++
+++ A wild theory came out in Japan, courtesy of Best Car, saying that the next NISSAN SKYLINE could arrive in a 4-door coupe and SUV flavours. At this point, we want to remind you that this is still regarded as a rumour, so sprinkle this with a heavy dose of scepticism if you will. According to the publication, Nissan could offer the Skyline nameplate in the aforementioned body styles in order to soldier on. If you’re wondering what a Skyline SUV could look like, you can turn your attention to the Infiniti QX55 that was unveiled last year. The QX55 is the coupe SUV version of the QX50. If the rumoured Skyline SUV pushes through, it won’t be the first time that Nissan would introduce a lifted version of the long-running nameplate. To recall, Nissan launched the Skyline Crossover in 2009 as the JDM version of the Infiniti EX37, the predecessor of the QX50. The high-riding model was discontinued in the current 13th-generation Skyline. Along with the Nissan Z car, the Skyline is a very important model for the automaker. Born as a Prince in 1957 and became a Nissan in 1966, the Skyline nameplate soldiers decades as a flagship model, standing up there in the pedestal of popular JDM names such as the Toyota Crown, which got an SUV version in China just recently. But we all know that the current 13th generation Skyline is aging. Introduced in 2013 and got a major redesign in 2019, adopting the face of the venerable Nissan GT-R, rumours arose earlier this year that the Skyline is nearing the end of the road. But the automaker’s executive vice president Asako Hoshino was quick to put out the fire on these rumours, saying that Nissan will never give up on the Skyline. Will introducing another Skyline crossover be Nissan’s way to keep the nameplate alive? Time will tell, albeit I can’t say I’m surprised if ever that happens. +++
+++ RENAULT will launch an all-new fully electric family SUV that will sit above the recently revealed Megane E-Tech Electric, and we’ll see it at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, according to the brand’s bosses. Renault’s vice president for engineering, Gilles Le Borgne, told that the brand is “already working on a new car in between the Megane E-Tech Electric and the Nissan Ariya (with which the Renault will share its platform) for the year to come”. The French firm’s second electric crossover will sit on the CMF-EV platform and, says Le Borgne, it can be stretched to up to 4.7 meter long, with a wheelbase of up to 2.780 mm. Renault’s current mid-size combustion-engined SUV, the Kadjar, is 4.489 mm long and has a 2.646 mm wheelbase, so even if the firm’s all-electric Kadjar replacement is a similar overall length, the wheels will be pushed towards the extremes of the car to improve packaging and maximise space. This will extend to the battery, which will be mounted in the car’s floor. Le Borgne highlighted that “the line-up could easily fit our 60 kWh battery” and that “the maximum energy on board will be 87 kWh”. The latter will deliver a range of around 500 km, while 130 kW DC rapid charging means a 10 % to 80 % top-up will take 35 minutes, adding around 300 km of range. Renault has developed a super-slim battery for the CMF-EV platform. At just 110 mm deep, this will help improve the space inside for passengers, maximising the EV platform’s potential; this new SUV should offer more luggage space than the Kadjar’s 472-litre boot, too. Depending on the battery choice, a front-mounted 218 hp motor will probably power cars fitted with the 60 kWh battery, while a more potent 245 hp unit is set to drive the front wheels on the 87 kWh model. However, Le Borgne told that, unlike its Ariya twin, the Renault won’t use a rear electric motor to equip the car with 4-wheeldrive; this will be reserved for the hot Alpine version. Inside the more spacious cabin, the brand’s new Android Automotive-powered OpenR infotainment will be fitted, offering a crisp, clear 12.3 inch digital dash and a 12 inch portrait-oriented touchscreen featuring over-the-air software updates. Renault’s next SUV will follow the latest evolution of the brand’s design, with the new, simple 2D logo sitting in pride of place, splitting the slim LED headlight units and sharp running lights. Flush-fit door handles to reduce drag and improve range will also feature, with smooth surfacing on the doors balanced by sharper lines at the front and lower down. According to Renault’s vice-president, global marketing, Arnaud Belloni, the car could wear a new boot badge, too. When asked about the Kadjar’s strength as a nameplate or if we could expect to see a new name, given Renault’s heritage, having reinvented the Megane, R5 and (soon) the R4 for the modern era, he said: “We could. The name is simple. Either the car has been a success and you can say, ‘Let’s go for another generation’, or the saga is already existing. Clio is a saga. Megane is a saga. Espace is a saga. You will be surprised; we will have new names too”. The omission of the Kadjar name in that series means it’s highly likely that Renault’s next SUV will be called something different. He added that “the rendezvous is next year” so expect the car to go on sale in 2023 after its debut towards the end of next year. Le Borgne sats a 7-seat version of the new car is not planned.. “It’s 2 rows at the moment, but not 3 rows. It is quite a versatile platform though, and within the 8 cars to be announced by 2025 you will have also another car on the CMF-EV platform”. Le Borgne says moving towards full electrification means cars can be developed more quickly”: “When we have the architecture of the car, the key features, the business case but not the style, we can go from this concept stage to start of production in 150 weeks. I know how to do it. We have lots of commonality with EVs, which means we can go fast”. +++
++ Rumours of a rugged electric SUV from VOLKSWAGEN originally emerged in late 2018 and it wasn’t until early 2020 when they returned. Weird names like “T-Rug” and “Ruggdzz” have been speculated, but it looks as though the model could carry an oh-so-familiar moniker: Scout. Volkswagen Group of America chief operating officer, Johan De Nysschen, brought up the topic of a zero-emissions off-roader. VW now owns the rights to the Scout name through Traton, a subsidiary joining together Man, Scania and Navistar brands under the same corporate umbrella. For those unfamiliar with the latter, Navistar was created back in 1986 as a direct successor of the old International Harvester company and it owns the Scout trademark to this day. Traton acquired Navistar at the beginning of July for a cool $3.7 billion, effectively meaning VW is now in the possession of the Scout name to use for a future model. Specifically, the trademark refers to cars, light- and medium-duty trucks, and SUVs with a gross vehicle weight of more than 1.088 kilograms. Scout could become a separate brand rather than a VW, adding the model could even be sold in standalone dealerships rather than sharing the showroom floor with Volkswagens. It’s highly unlike it will go by the name of International Harvester Scout, considering agricultural company Case IH has been in the possession of the International Harvester name since 1985. Name aside, a potential all-terrain EV from Wolfsburg is likely still many years away. After all, the German brand has teased the Trinity saloon due to be released in 2026, and while that doesn’t necessarily mean the Scout will come after that, Volkswagen has bigger fish to fry. New EV models include the ID.Buzz due next year, followed by the Aero B saloon in 2023, and the ID.1 / ID.2 coming in 2025 after being previewed earlier this month by the ID.Life concept at IAA Munich. It remains a mystery which platform it would use seeing as how VW has already announced it will merge MEB and PPE to create a single Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). The aforementioned Trinity will be the first high-volume model to use the underpinnings, which will obviously be shared with the rest of the VW Group brands to achieve economies of scale. With Jeep hinting at an electric Wrangler and Ford also suggesting a Bronco EV is in the offing, it would make sense for VW to want a piece of the action with its own off-road-oriented EV. +++
+++ All new fully electric VOLVO models will be completely leather-free from 2025, with many interior options set to be replaced by more sustainable materials. The change comes as the manufacturer looks to reduce animal harm and its contribution to global emissions and will begin with the C40 Recharge. Volvo will aim for 25 % of all materials on new cars to be recycled and bio-based, in addition to the goal of ensuring all immediate suppliers use 100 % renewable energy by 2025. “Being a progressive car maker means we need to address all areas of sustainability, not just CO2 emissions”, said Stuart Templar, Volvo’s director of global sustainability. “Responsible sourcing is an important part of that work, including respect for animal welfare. Going leather-free inside our pure-electric cars is a good next step towards addressing this issue”. Volvo will offer bio-based and recycled alternatives for leather interior options, including its Nordico material, made from plastic bottles, ‘bio-attributed material’ and corks reused from the wine industry. Wool-blend options will still be available and sourced responsibly, with full traceability in line with animal-welfare standards. Volvo will also aim to reduce the use of residual products from livestock production used in the production of plastics, rubber, lubricants and adhesives, either as part of the material or as a process chemical in the material’s production or treatment. “Finding products and materials that support animal welfare will be challenging, but that’s no reason to avoid this important issue”, said Templar. “This is a journey worth taking. Having a truly progressive and sustainable mindset means we need to ask ourselves difficult questions and actively try to find answers. “By aiming to actively replace these materials as much as possible, Volvo Cars takes a strong and ethical position to do what it can to help stop animal harm, by contributing to a reduced demand for these materials containing animal products”. +++