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Volkswagen ID GTI EV Concept First Look: The Electric Golf GTI of Future Past

06 September 2023

It's been almost exactly 48 years since the first Volkswagen Golf GTI model debuted in Germany, and now five decades later we're getting the first revolutionary all-electric performance hatchback from the German brand. The new VW ID GTI concept car is a bigger interpretation of many of the details found on the previous and popular ID2all all-electric concept compact hatchback, which seemed clear to have no destiny in the U.S. We'll have to wait and see if VW's plans for this new GTI include us across the pond, but here's everything we know about the new EV hot hatch so far.

Currently, for the U.S., VW has the ID4 EV SUV, the ID Buzz EV van, and the ID7 EV sedan confirmed for the market. Those are all based on the MEB platform, and the ID2all was also based on a shortened version of the same. VW has already confirmed the new ID GTI Concept is based on the same platform with front-wheel drive and will get a production version eventually, though it hasn't confirmed when or where.

The "I" in "GTI" no longer stands for "injection" but instead now "intelligence," in reference to the onboard Vehicle Dynamics Manager computer; the ID GTI will also get an electronically controlled front-axle differential lock copped from the current-generation Golf. The VDM apparently allows for various different driving impressions based on Golf and GTI models of the past; a quote from the release: "For the first time, it is possible to adjust the drive system, running gear, steering, sound, and even the simulated shift points in the style of one of the historic GTI models—such as the original 1976 Golf GTI, the first 16-valve Golf GTI Mark 2 from 1986 or the 2001 Golf GTI Mark 4 '25 years of GTI'." The release calls the concept car an effective "time machine," which admittedly sounds pretty cool, if somewhat artificial.

The ID GTI Concept is only slightly larger than the ID2all it's based on; it's 161.6 inches long with a 102.4 inch wheelbase, 59 inches tall, and 72.4 inches wide. It rides on 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels wearing 245/35 performance rubber. Previously, VW advertised the ID2all as having all of the interior space of a Golf in a smaller overall package, thanks to the packaging efficiency of an all-electric platform.

The ID GTI Concept gets the signature red nose line and badging of the GTI brand, as well as a front light bar that illuminates behind a lit-up VW badge. Up front, there are also red tow points, a honeycomb style intake similar to the fifth-gen GTI, and a black front splitter. The eight double-spoke polished black wheel design is meant to evoke "the Pirelli rim from the Mark 1 Golf GTI and the Denver rim from the Golf GTI Mark 5," framed by matte black wheel arches.

At the rear is a black roof spoiler, with black "air guides" at the sides of the rear window, with a super wide LED third brake light across the top. There's also some eye-trickery with the blackened elements of the rear to remind you of the original GTI's black window surround and bumper.

There are familiar elements to the interior of the ID GTI Concept as well. Since it now gets a column shifter, the golfball effect has been applied to the the multifunction GTI Experience Control in the center console, which manages driving profiles. The digital cockpit and dashboard are highly configurable, including a "Vintage" mode that replicated the instrumentation of a Mark 2 Golf GT.

There's a new augmented reality head-up display that can project info for both the passenger and driver, which can also display the driving track you're currently on, like the German Nürburgring, and even display you live position in a race (presuming all other vehicles are connected in some way; it's not clear how this works yet). Thankfully, VW does mention the new 12.9-inch infotainment screen will get physical, illuminated controls for air conditioning and volume, which should be an improvement over current ID models.

Of course, the interior adopts a reinterpreted GTI plaid pattern called "Jack-e," after the "Jacky" nomenclature used for the fabric in the Mark 6 Golf GTI, covering new sport seats in the ID GTI Concept. The packaging opportunities carry over from the ID2all concept as well, including an additional stowage box under the luggage compartment, which is already 17.3 cubic feet of space, as well as more stowage with charging functionality under the rear bench seat, perfect for hiding a charging laptop in a parked vehicle, for example. With the three-across rear seats folded down, open cargo space expands to 40.7 cubic feet.

VW made no mention of range or exact power, but the ID2all promised 280 miles of range and 233 horsepower from a single front-mounted e-motor. Again, there's no word on if this ever comes to the U.S. and it may not be incredibly likely, considering it's very unlikely the ID2all was planned for our market and this is based on that. But hey, we'd welcome a performance-minded electric hatchback...

Leapmotor Unveils C10 and Global Strategy

06 September 2023

On September 4, Leapmotor marked its presence at the IAA MOBILITY 2023, commonly known as the Munich Motor Show, with a global press conference themed “LEAP TOGETHER: Shaping a Shared Technological Future.” The conference highlighted the company’s all-inclusive, in-house development framework, known as LEAP 3.0 architecture, and introduced its new global vehicle model, the C10.

Why It Matters

Leapmotor’s CEO, Zhu Jiangming, emphasized that the company’s global strategy will involve a commitment to international standards for both products and technology. Leapmotor’s globalization aims to extend intelligent mobility experiences to automotive consumers worldwide. This is especially significant as the electric vehicle market continues to gain momentum on a global scale.

Key Points

LEAP 3.0 Architecture: Incorporates cutting-edge technologies like CTC 2.0 (Cell-to-Chasis), oil-cooling electric drives, and an intelligent cockpit powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip.
Global Product C10: This vehicle serves as Leapmotor’s first global product based on LEAP 3.0 and will be followed by five more globally oriented products within the next two years.
Technological Partnerships: Leapmotor collaborates with leading names in the mobility ecosystem, including NVIDIA, ZF, Qualcomm, Bosch, and NXP, to provide an integrated smart mobility experience.
Openness and Collaboration: Leapmotor’s strategy involves open collaboration and co-creation to accelerate the proliferation of intelligent electric vehicles worldwide.

Bottom Line

Leapmotor’s participation in the Munich Motor Show serves as the official launchpad for its global strategy, backed by eight years of comprehensive in-house development. The debut of the C10 vehicle and the LEAP 3.0 architecture indicates Leapmotor’s commitment to setting global standards in intelligent electric vehicle technology. By forging strategic partnerships and focusing on continual innovation, Leapmotor aims to be an automaker and a comprehensive provider of intelligent electric vehicle solutions.

Source: The EV Report

The Best SUVs for the Money All Come From 1 Surprising Brand

12 July 2023

Finding a reliable car or SUV is one of the most essential factors shoppers consider. While some brands charge extra for every little feature or upgrade, Hyundai does things differently. Four of the best SUVs for the money in 2023 come from Hyundai across many segments. One of the reasons Hyundai’s SUVs provide great value is the brand’s commitment to incorporating advanced safety technologies, comfortable interiors, and reliable performance, all at a competitive price point.

What is the best midsize SUV for the money?

The best SUVs for the money include this 2023 Hyundai Palisade — A 2023 Hyundai Palisade | Hyundai

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade is one of the best SUVs for the money for a few reasons. When U.S. News selected the Palisade as the best option in the midsize segment, this SUV delivered in almost every area. Hyundai’s Palisade is spacious in all three rows and uses high-quality materials throughout the cabin.

All trim levels of the 2023 Palisade receive the same V6 engine with 291 horsepower. This is enough to power the midsize SUV around town and returns 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. Hyundai offers all-wheel drive as an option, which brings the fuel economy down to 19 mpg city and 25 highway.

Safety is another important factor in finding the best SUVs for the money. The standard driver-assistance features on the 2023 Palisade include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian-, cyclist- and junction-turning detection. Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring are also on the list, along with many others.

The Santa Fe is one of the best SUVs for the money

For a two-row option, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe was another one of the best SUVs for the money. It is still considered midsize but only has two rows of seating. All five seats are spacious and comfortable due to the lack of a third row. The Sante Fe starts at only $28,450 for the base model, which still comes pretty well-equipped.

The base engine is a four-cylinder with 191 horsepower. It gets 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway when paired with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive brings that down to 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. An optional turbo four-cylinder engine gets 281 horsepower, but it isn’t necessary for those on a tight budget.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has many standard driver assistance features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and LED headlights with automatic high beams. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control are also standard.

Hyundai has many of the best SUVs of 2023

For the best subcompact SUV for the money, the 2023 Hyundai Kona comes with plenty of features on all trim levels. Starting at only $21,990, the Kona is a practical and affordable choice. Hyundai offers a variety of engine choices with the Kona, but the base option is a 147 horsepower option that gets 30 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. There is also a turbo engine with 195 hp or a performance version, the 276 horsepower Kona N.

The Kona is pretty small, making it less expensive and easy to drive. Hyundai allows a few ways to customize the Kona from the factory, which makes it a versatile option. Some of the standard driver-assistance features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Those looking for the best SUVs for the money in 2023 should be able to find something suitable from Hyundai. With many standard features and ways to customize SUVs from the factory, the brand has options in every segment. Hyundai’s commitment to reliability and fuel efficiency ensures that the SUVs provide excellent value for the money.

Source: Motor Biscuit

Hyundai’s Most Reliable Car Is Also 1 of Its Oldest

31 May 2023

Hyundai is one of the best-regarded car brands, but that wasn’t always the case. Not long ago, the South Korean automaker had a reputation for making low-quality, unreliable cars. The company has since turned that reputation around and become a popular automaker. And one of its oldest vehicles is now the most reliable Hyundai model.

What is the most reliable Hyundai model?

Most reliable Hyundai model: Hyundai Santa Fe on a dirt trail — 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe | Hyundai

Of the 10 Hyundai models receiving reliability scores, the worst performer is the Ioniq Hybrid. It has a 5.9 out of 10, which still ranks it in the middle of the pack of hybrids. Then there’s the Elantra GT, with a 7.1. That ranks it 21st among 51 small cars.

After that is the Ioniq PHEV, with a 7.2, making it the most reliable plug-in hybrid sedan. Meanwhile, the Veloster sports car has a 7.5 out of 10, and the Accent and Elantra have a 7.7. Similarly, the Ioniq EV and the Sonata Hybrid earned a 7.9. That makes the Ioniq EV the most reliable small EV and the Sonata Hybrid the third-most reliable hybrid sedan. The regular Sonata sits in second place with a reliability score of 8.1. It’s the eighth-most reliable midsize sedan.

Finally, there’s the Santa Fe. The midsize SUV received an 8.5. That score is in the top three of its segment, making the Santa Fe the most reliable Hyundai model.

Why is the Santa Fe the most reliable Hyundai model?

The Hyundai Santa Fe’s high reliability isn’t too surprising. The South Korean automaker has been producing this midsize crossover since the 2001 Santa Fe rolled off the assembly line. Since then, the company has redesigned the SUV four times, and it’s currently in its fourth generation.

That lengthy history has allowed the automaker’s engineers and designers to refine the vehicle and fix its issues. That’s a significant reason why the Santa Fe rates well in reliability.

On the other end of the spectrum, Hyundai has several new models. Though many didn’t receive reliability ratings from iSeeCars, the Ioniq’s poor reliability score isn’t a shock.

The Ioniq is relatively young, and issues plagued the debut 2017 model. However, the Ioniq EV received a good score likely because electric cars are typically more reliable than their gas-powered counterparts. But overall, new models tend to have reliability issues because they haven’t been tested as long in the real world as older vehicles.

The automaker has had many years to improve its oldest models

The Santa Fe isn’t the only old Hyundai model with an excellent reliability score. Second place on the iSeeCars list went to the Sonata, an even older model than the Santa Fe. The South Korean auto giant began producing that midsize sedan in 1985. The Elantra and Accent are also old cars, starting production in 1990 and 1994, respectively.

Those reliable Hyundai models are more evidence that vehicles in production longer tend to improve in quality and dependability. They’re old models because consumers like them enough to continue buying them throughout the years. That encourages automakers to refine those cars and resolve owner complaints.

Next Isuzu D-Max could adopt electric truck power

24 May 2023

An electric Isuzu D-Max ute is a step closer to reality after its truck division unveiled a battery-powered option for the company's iconic 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine.

At the Brisbane Truck Show last week, Isuzu Trucks Australia – a separate entity to Isuzu Ute Australia, which sells the D-Max ute and MU-X SUV – revealed its first model to be powered by an electric motor, a new option for the N Series EV light-duty truck.

The electric motor – which Isuzu claims can has peak outputs of 110kW to 150kW and 370Nm – is mounted behind the truck’s cab and sends drive to the rear wheels through a traditional driveshaft and differential assembly.

While the Isuzu N Series light-duty truck and the Isuzu D-Max ute may appear to have nothing in common, they share a closely-related 3.0-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder engine.

Powering the Isuzu N Series is the ‘4JJ1’ four-cylinder turbo-diesel diesel engine, previously found in the D-Max from 2006 until 2020 (also found in certain variants of the Holden Rodeo and Colorado), and considered to be the predecessor to the ‘4JJ3’ engine in the current-generation Isuzu D-Max and MU-X.

Given the truck and ute share similar diesel engines, the electric technology previewed in the new Isuzu N Series could also be used in future versions of the Isuzu D-Max – should Isuzu choose to make its popular ute available with the option of battery power.

While executives from Isuzu’s truck and ute divisions told Drive an electric D-Max is not currently in the works, they acknowledged it could be technically possible to use the truck division's electric tech on future utes.

However, there are a number of hurdles to overcome before an electric Isuzu D-Max makes it to local showrooms.

The batteries which power the Isuzu N Series EV are packaged in 20kWh modules which resemble the shape and size of truck fuel tanks – rather than the slim and wide batteries found in most electric cars, which means the battery packs may need to be redesigned before being fitted to a ute.

While the top-of-the-range Isuzu D-Max develops 140kW and 450Nm from its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, the peak outputs for the electric motor in the Isuzu N Series EV are 150kW and 370Nm – representing a modest power gain but a deficit in torque compared to the ute.

Price could be another hurdle to overcome. For example, the LDV eT60 – the only electric ute on sale in Australia – costs more than twice the price of the most expensive diesel-powered LDV T60, which starts from $92,990 plus on-road costs.

Much of the price difference between the two variants is attributed to the raw material costs of an electric-car battery, which could continue to rise as demand for lithium starts to overtake supply.

Source: Drive Australia

Hyundai Just Rebuilt Its Boxy Pony Coupe Concept From the 1970s, and It Looks Incredible

24 May 2023

Hyundai is firmly focused on its exciting electric future, but it’s not above the occasional nostalgic glance backward.

The South Korean automaker unveiled a faithful recreation of the Pony Coupe Concept from 1974 last Friday at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy. The original two-door never went into production, and this version isn’t likely to either, but that doesn’t make the retro-futuristic sports car any less cool.

The Hyundai N Vision 74 and Pony Coupe concepts

The Pony Coupe Concept may share a name with the Hyundai’s first car, but that’s about it. The prototype, which was designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro, made its debut at the Turin Motor Show in 1974. Like Giugiaro’s most famous creation, the DeLorean DMC-12, the two-door features a wedge shape and sharp lines. Unfortunately, when the Pony eventually did go into production it was a much more utilitarian vehicle that barely resembled the Italian’s vision. Despite this, the bold concept has long been an object of fascination for enthusiasts and was the primary visual influence for last year’s crowd-pleasing N Vision 74 concept.

To ensure that the reproduction was as accurate as possible, Hyundai brought in Giugiaro to oversee the project. Under the Italdesign cofounder’s watchful eye, the vehicle was completely rebuilt utilizing the original methods and materials used back in the ‘70s. Every aspect of the car, from its headlights to its instrument panel to its wheels, looks exactly as it would have brand new. Even the power train—a 1.3-liter inline-four that produces just 82 hp—is the same.

“The restoration of this unique vehicle is a milestone in Hyundai’s history,” Luc Donckerwolke, the automaker’s president and chief creative officer, said in a statement. “It represents our beginnings and our commitment to the future. It serves as a legacy for generations to come.”

As cool as the Pony Coupe Concept may look, you shouldn’t expect to see it on the road anytime soon. All signs point to the angular sports car being a one-off. The same goes for the N Vision 74 concept that it inspired, despite recent rumors saying otherwise. Still, there’s no denying that the Pony Coupe Concept will continue to hold a special spot in Hyundai’s heart for years to come.

Source: Rob Report

Why Edmunds Claims ‘Volkswagen’s Taos SUV Is a Big Deal’

15 March 2023

Volkswagen is one of the best-selling automakers in the world, and that’s because the German automaker makes a lot of great cars. One of the best cars in VW’s lineup is its smallest SUV option. Here’s a look at the 2023 Volkswagen Taos and why, despite its size, it’s a big deal.

How the 2023 Volkswagen Taos stacks up against its segment rivals

SUVs are exploding in popularity, and as a result, automakers are introducing many new SUV models. This has also made every SUV segment highly competitive, and one of the most competitive segments is the subcompact crossover segment. Edmunds refers to this category as the extra small SUV category, including great options like the Kia Soul and the Subaru Crosstrek. A handful of high-quality cars were recently introduced to the segment, such as the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Kia Seltos. That being said, as far as their overall scores go, the third-best extra small SUV right now is the Mazda CX-30, which had an overall score of 7.9 out of 10. The second best extra small SUV is the Chevy Trailblazer, introduced in the 2021 model year. The Chevy SUV received an overall score of 8.0 out of 10.

The Volkswagen Taos is the best extra small SUV of the year, and it’s also a reasonably new entry into the segment. The German automaker introduced the car in the 2022 model year. Despite that, it beat out its rivals with its overall score of 8.1 out of 10.

Why the 2023 Volkswagen Taos is such a big deal

Edmunds wrote that the small Volkswagen SUV is a big deal because it packs a lot of features and specs into a small and affordable package. It starts at a price tag of about $25,500, which is about average for the segment. VW has one engine option for the SUV, and it’s a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder that gets 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque.

That isn’t an exceptionally powerful engine, but it delivers enough power to make the Taos fun to drive. The best part about the SUV, however, is what’s inside. Despite being a smaller SUV, it has a good amount of cargo capacity. It has 27.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity without folding any seats down, which is the best in the class. With the seats folded down, its cargo capacity tops out at 65.9 cu-ft.

The German auto giant also gave the small SUV a lot of tech and safety features. It starts with a 6.5-inch touchscreen and has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility as standard. In terms of safety features, the Taos comes with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and a rear-cross traffic alert system. These smart safety systems also work well, according to Edmunds.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos has few flaws

Another great area about the Taos is its cabin comfort, and it’s also one of the best in the class in that regard. The seats are spacious for a small SUV, and the doors are large, allowing folks to enter and exit the Volkswagen easily. That said, it’s not a perfect vehicle, and the car critic wrote that the Taos has two flaws.

The first flaw has to do with its cabin noise levels. When the Taos is at highway speeds, drivers and passengers can notice some engine and road noise. Another minor issue is that its transmission can be frustrating to use.

Source: MotorBiscuit