Daily Archives: May 25, 2016
Mercedes-Benz To Introduce Four Electric Vehicles By 2020
Mercedes-Benz is looking at releasing four electric vehicles by the end of the year 2020. Sources said the company will be producing two sedans and two SUVs to comprise the first tranche of electronically powered vehicles Merc is looking at developing.
Each electric vehicle model will share the basic elements of models already part of Merc’s current lineup, but the company also promised that the models will have distinct designs to set them apart from their conventionally powered counterparts.
This move came on the heels of the German government’s announcement of sales subsidies for all EVs priced at less than €60,000, or $67,150 based on current exchange rate.
This German government policy is part of the bigger scheme to attract would-be buyers to consider EVs instead of gasoline- or diesel-powered engines.
Of course, such a decision from Merc can also be seen as the company’s attempt to keep up with the fast-rising EV market, something other automakers have taken advantage of in the past months. Tesla Model 3’s 370,000 orders certainly made an impact.
Merc has reportedly taken a €500 million expansion of their existing battery production facilities in Germany to prepare for their EV plans.
Although not a surprise, Merc’s move is still a welcome development. There are no details released regarding this new direction the company is taking, but R&D chief Thomas Weber hinted that the current C-Class and S-Class models, as well as the GLA and GLC SUVs, will be the templates for the four EVs planned.
In particular, the GLA-based SUV model will tap the reworked version of the MFA platform that Merc is already using on its B-Class Electric Drive, which is technically Mercedes’ first EV. The other three models, on the other hand, will probably use the evolved version of the MRA, which was developed particularly for electronic vehicles.
Morgan Returns To US With Four-Wheel Models
British automaker Morgan recently announced that it will be bringing back its four-wheel models to the United States after 10 years of absence. It will be sold through Morgan’s official US distributor, Isis Imports, according to TopSpeed.
Morgan was previously only allowed to sell the three-wheeler model in the US, but Isis (thanks to a new law) now will be able to import the more traditional four-wheeled models.
The British carmaker did not reveal what particular models will be ushered along the US coastline, but they would probably bring cars from the Classic lineup such as the 4/4, Plus 4, Roadster and Plus 8.
In a statement, Isis Imports said details are still being finalized although it looks like Morgan will start receiving orders for the four-wheeled models this summer. The statement added that US spec cars would start to be produced before the year ends.
Isis is even already accepting deposits for four-wheeled Morgans. This is refundable “up until eight weeks prior to the build of your car after your specifications are finalized.”
Though pricing information is not yet available, the US-spec, four-wheeled Morgans will expectedly be a bit more expensive than their British-market counterparts.
The most likely model to first arrive is the Roadster, which uses a 3.7-liter V-6 rated at 280 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Weighing only 2,094 pounds, the Roadster hits 62 mph from a standing start in only 5.5 seconds and tops out at 140 mph.
This is certainly a welcome news for US-based retro car lovers who keep on bugging the Morgan company to bring the cars back to US shores. The need for retro UK-made vehicles was high among Americans.
Morgan’s return to the US will mark the comeback of the only auto company that still based its models on the classic recipe. Although we won’t be seeing a full lineup of Morgan cars, one or two is more than what the US is expecting to have in its market.
Spy Shots Reveal the 2017 Peugeot 3008
We are now seeing the new 2016 Peugeot 3008 ahead of the September 2016 Paris Auto Show, where it is scheduled to have its world debut. For this year’s 3008, the French automaker decided to drop the minivan body style and embrace the SUV bandwagon. So, say a long and sad goodbye to the 3008 minivan because we will be seeing the last of its production run.
The second-generation 3008 looks like a better compact crossover SUV than most of the models we now see in the market. The exterior design in the spy shots appears to be based on Peugeot’s Quartz concept that was unveiled in 2014. On the other hand, its interior is probably derived from the same EMP2 platform used in the French auto’s 308 compact hatchback.
The interior is going to be upgraded as proven by the new spy shots revealed of the 3008. It will be getting a new digital instrument cluster in front of the new steering wheel, which is similar to the Peugeot 308.
The reason for the more elegant interior is Peugeot’s aim to be recognized apart from its rivals.
Reportedly, the new 3008 will have a couple of powertrain options. There’s a range of turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. In particular, the 2017 model will have the 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol that features in the 308 SW.
However, the new 3008 will not carry the diesel hybrid, which was recently dropped from the current 3008 range. What it would probably have is the petrol plug-in hybrid.
You can opt to pair these engines with either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. Combine these engines and transmission choices to either a front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, then you’ve got yourself quite a good crossover SUV.
Peugeot will start delivering the new 3008 in early 2017 in markets where the French brand is available.
Peugeot is looking to rival Ford Motor Company’s Kuga (sold as the Escape in the United States), the Nissan Qashqai, Renault Kadjar and Volkswagen Tiguan.
