Review of Nissan Ariya, EQXX close-up, F-150 Lightning range, welcome Hummer EV: The Week in Reverse
Which American automaker celebrated a plant in Germany this week?
And do gas prices motivate Americans to drive less?
Here’s our look back at Reverse Week — right here at Green car report—For the week ending March 25, 2022.
This week we have a Driving preview of the electric crossover Nissan Ariya 2023 and found that it essentially rebooted the brand’s electric cars of the future, with distinctive looks, neat handling, and a spacious, quiet cabin. It promises to be a standout with both a $40,000 base price and top-tech dual-engine e-4orce all-wheel drive versions. We also reviewed smart e-4orce system, which will be introduced to the Ariya later this year, and how it plans to do more with the two engines beyond improving traction and stability. Your passengers will thank you.
2023 Nissan Ariya – preview drive (Euro specs)
This week we also have Close-up of Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept, previewing a generation of lighter, more efficient mid-size and compact electric vehicles — possible with air cooled battery pack—From the German luxury car manufacturer. And we’ve brought you some of the first rides Impressions of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ electric sedanwill likely beat the Porsche Taycan and Audi E-Tron GT in the range.
That’s right, the GMC Hummer EV is huge, massive, and less efficient than other electric vehicles. However, when considering carbon emissions, lifetime greenhouse gas emissions and other priorities, we argue that despite all the excesses, Hummer EV is the vehicle we should welcome.
2022 Polestar 2 single engine
Polestar 2, can be considered a hatchback model to replace Tesla Model 3, now cut below Base 3 above base price while providing a similar driving range.
Ford has confirmed that F-150 Lightning to be EPA rated at 320 miles in the XLT, Laries and Pro versions are fleet-focused — better than the “up to 300 miles” it previously indicated for the 131 kwh extended range battery pack.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro
Earlier this week Tesla delivers first cars from new factory in Germany, nicknamed Giga Berlin. With CEO Elon Musk delivering the first 30 manufactured Tesla Model Y Performance crossovers to customers, it heralds another era for Tesla in Europe — and a potentially lucrative future for the brand with potential revenue from credits according to EU regulations.
Lucid confirmed that Nvidia will provide software architecture for DreamDrive Pro driver assistance systems, it’s the answer to Tesla’s Autopilot, GM’s Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise. It is standard on the Lucid Air Dream Edition and Grand Touring and optional on other Air models.
Volkswagen Park Assist Plus
Volkswagen announced a major software update is bound for ID.4 and other electric vehicles from the brand, affecting the charging process, driver assistance technology and various functions of the vehicle. The ID Software 3.0 update will be installed immediately on new vehicles and will soon be available via an over-the-air update for existing vehicles.
Maserati plans to offer all-electric versions of all its models by 2035, when switching to an all-electric vehicle brand in 2030, it is confirmed as part of a business update. Maserati also revealed that its EVs will be called the Folgore, with GranTurismo Folgore coupe and convertible versions due in 2023.
Maserati Grecale Folgore
In the transition to electric vehicles, aerodynamics is more important than ever. As a result, Honda announced the opening of a $124 million wind tunnel facility in Ohio specializing in aerodynamics and aerodynamics — with the hope of improve efficiency and reduce wind noise in upcoming EVs.
Unfortunately, coal is back in 2021. An International Energy Agency report shows the global CO2 emissions from power generation increased last year 6% increase—with coal, at 40% increase.
Electrify America’s premium charging concepts
Electrify America offered a more premium product design vision of future charging stations compared to today’s generic interface of Walmart parking lots. It plans to preview ideas including a solar canopy, customer lounges and early-charge valet at “top” locations in California and New York.
EV upstarts Tesla and Lucid designed and built their own core propulsion components, while Rivian engine machining reflects a different approach among automakers for electric-only vehicles.
2022 Rivian R1T
According to a recent analysis by the pro-EV trade group ZETA, petrol cars cost up to six times more to fill than it costs to charge an EV, on a per-mile basis. It’s also a reminder of the steady, predictable running costs electric vehicle owners face, compared to the volatility of pump prices.
And as the price of gas has risen above $4 a gallon above the national average — with prices surpassing $6 in California—Americans are driving less. That’s often not the case when prices spike; have we reached a new cut-off point for driving behavior change?
_______________________________________
