Automotive

VW Pulls Steering Wheel, Pushes For Future Value With I.D. Vizzion

VW Pulls Steering Wheel, Pushes For Future Value With I.D. Vizzion
Volkswagen is going fully autonomous for the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show. Meet the I.D. Vizzion, the latest autonomous concept that showcases VW’s claim for “future individual mobility.” The Vizzion concept is the fourth and largest member of the electrified I.D. family, but it’s remarkably different than its brethren.
“Inside the I.D. Vizzion, a completely new feeling of driving and living is created without a steering wheel or visible controls,” reads a statement from VW.
Hard to have any feeling of driving when there isn’t a steering wheel but okay.
Emotion, Innovation & Service
Technicalities aside about the absence of a steering wheel, VW is showing how the future of transportation can be exciting: that vehicles can and will retain their distinct, emotional designs. In other words, the autonomous era is not likely to be filled with boring pods – at least not if VW has anything to say about it per the I.D. Vizzion.
“With its innovative technology, fully-automated operating concept, and elegant form, the premium class saloon is showing the direction Volkswagen is taking in the technology and design of its future electric models,” reads a statement from the automaker.
VW wants to apply said innovative technology toward a cleaner, safer, and more comfortable automobile. Part of their goal with the I.D. Vizzion is to make sure future mobility is not devoid of added value. In other words, how will all these headlines about automated driving really benefit the consumer? Are they just lofty promises, or are they something more? For VW, it’s the latter as engineers worked to include the benefits of autonomous driving within the I.D. Vizzion. This naturally means occupant safety, but it reaches beyond that.
For example, when the “Digital Chauffeur” is driving, passengers now have time to focus on other things. Perhaps they want to chat or get caught up on their reading? If they need anything changed inside the vehicle, a virtual host responds to voice prompts and gesture controls, and knows the preferred settings of each person using the vehicle. For those unable to drive – the elderly and disabled come to mind – VW will likely present the I.D. Vizzion concept as way for them to have mobility.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Power & Performance
The I.D. Vizzion is nearly 17 feet long, giving passengers plenty of room to stretch out and get comfortable. While VW is slim on the engineering specs, they do say the vehicle has two electric motors that drive all four wheels. The 111 kWh lithium-ion batteries enable a range of up to 413 miles when regenerative braking is factored in. Top speed is 112 mph, a little bit faster than we initially expected.
Future Models
Electrification and technology of this sort will be huge for VW in the near future. By 2025, the brand plans to introduce more than 20 electrified models. The first, the I.D., an electric compact car, will arrive in 2020. After that, a new electric SUV called the I.D. Crozz and then the I.D. Buzz. In the meantime, the I.D. Vizzion will be on display at the Geneva International Motor Show beginning on March 8th.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Photos & Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/vw-pulls-steering-wheel-pushes-for-future-value-with-i-d-vizzion/

Nissan’s Biggest Growth Area Probably Comes As No Surprise

Nissan’s Biggest Growth Area Probably Comes As No Surprise By now, we know consumers across the planet have an insatiable appetite for SUVs. But if there was any doubt, Nissan revealed a few figures recently that highlight their SUV and crossover business. Let’s just say business is good. Nissan’s global crossover and SUV sales increased more than 12 percent last year to over 2 million vehicles. By comparison, Infiniti crossovers and SUVs were up almost nine percent last year, with the QX30 seeing a 97 percent sales increase alone. In total, Nissan’s global crossover and SUV volume rose by nearly 230,000 vehicles in 2017.
The all-new Kicks played a significant part in Nissan’s global SUV expansion. The smaller crossover has already been on sale for the last year in Mexico, Latin America, and China, moving some 109,000 units. The Kicks made its North American debut at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show and will arrive later this year in the United States and Canada.
2018 Nissan Kicks. Photo: Nissan North America.
Heavy Hitters
Other big names include the Rogue, X-Trail, and Qashqai compact models. The platform mates generated more than 1.38 million sales worldwide last year – an increase of 10 percent – meaning it’s now Nissan’s top platform by volume. The larger and recently refreshed Armada remained strong in the United States, along with the Patrol in the Middle East. Sales of that platform increased a whopping 79 percent worldwide to nearly 80,000 units.
“The improvement in our global crossover and SUV sales made a significant contribution to Nissan’s growth in 2017,” explained Daniele Schillaci, Executive Vice President, Nissan. “We expect our momentum to accelerate in 2018 as we expand Kicks availability to the U.S. and Canada, execute the global launch of the new Infiniti QX50 luxury midsize crossover, and start sales of the Datsun Cross in Indonesia.”
2019 Infiniti QX50. Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.
New Technology & Strong Markets
Infiniti plans to launch the QX50 next month. The midsize crossover is built on a new platform and features a unique variable compression ratio engine called a VC-Turbo. Nissan says the QX50 is in the “sweet spot” of one of the fastest growing segments in the world, citing that the premium midsize crossover market has quadrupled in China and more than doubled in the U.S. Elsewhere around the globe, Nissan’s stong crossover and SUV sales were helped by a 94 percent improvement in Latin America.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/nissans-biggest-growth-area-probably-comes-as-no-surprise/

2017 NAIAS – The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse follows in the footsteps of the GMC Acadia

The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse gets unveiled at the 2017 North American International Auto Show continuing the theme of a value-oriented GMC Acadia.

What’s going on?

The 2017 North American International Auto Show is in full swing and kicking off the show debuts is the all-new second-generation 2018 Chevrolet Traverse.

Like the Chevrolet Traverse before it, the new Traverse continues the recipe of being a more value-oriented GMC Acadia. And it even looks like a Chevy version of the Acadia…because that’s what it technically is.

So what’s new with the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?

Because the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is based on the latest GMC Acadia, its sheetmetal gets a complete overhaul. As a result, the shapes and profiles of both crossovers are very similar. Gone is the former model’s bulky and bubble-like shape, which made the last Traverse look like a minivan without the sliding doors. In its place is a boxier, more upright design.

But despite the complete redesign, the new Chevrolet Traverse manages to pretty much remain the same size.

With the new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse also comes a variety of new packages and appearance options. For instance, the new Traverse gains a “sporty” RS variant while a High Country model tops off the range as the fully-loaded luxury model.

There’s also a new turbocharged four-pot.

The previous Chevrolet Traverse used Chevy’s latest 3.6L naturally-aspirated V6 with 281 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It does carryover for the new model but with some extra oomph. Thanks to a list of revisions, the 3.6L V6 output jumps to 305hp with a slight reduction in torque at 260 lb-ft of twist. Both mills are mated to GM’s latest Hydra-Matic 9T50 nine-speed automatic with the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

When will it go on sale and how much will it cost?

Chevrolet didn’t announce when the 2018 Traverse hits showrooms. But due to its 2018 model year, it’s safe to speculate a launch sometime later this year along with pricing.

– By: Chris Chin

The post 2017 NAIAS – The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse follows in the footsteps of the GMC Acadia appeared first on egmCarTech.

Check out these Automotive tips

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2017-naias-the-2018-chevrolet-traverse-follows-in-the-footsteps-of-the-gmc-acadia/

BMW Announces New 5 Series Pricing at NAIAS

“Speed equals money sir. How fast would you care to go?” Or so asked world driving champion Graham Hill when he was selling cars for Colin Chapman. How much will the very quick BMW 530e iPerformance and M550i xDrive Sedans set you back? This much:

Wait, why start with the bad news – here’s the good news:

The BMW M550i xDrive Sedan is the fastest 5 Series ever, clocking 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds. Now, are you really going to quibble about price?

Okay, here we go.

Pricing & Performance

During its world premiere this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, BMW announced the price for the 2018 530e iPerformance Sedan as $51,400. The BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance Sedan will go for $53,700, plus $995 destination and handling.

Starting, keep in mind, at those prices. We’ll get to the M version in a sec.

The iPerformance is the automotive weirdo of the two, and is the fourth addition to the iPerformance portfolio in the United States. That would be the ones with more than an internal combustion engine. In this case, the powertrain is a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo mill and a powerful plug-in hybrid drive system. Combined system output is 248 horsepower and 310 lb-ft. of peak torque, which is not bad at all.

This all works together to propel the BMW 530e iPerformance from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds; the all-wheel drive 530e xDrive iPerformance Sedan variant does it in 5.8 seconds. The bigger, badder, 2018 BMW M550i xDrive Sedan hits the showrooms with a starting price of $72,100, plus $995 destination and handling.

Or, about the price of an used Nissan GT-R.

2018 BMW 530e iPerformance Sedan. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Excessive or Impressive?

This BMW M550i xDrive Sedan takes the top spot in the 5 Series roster. It’s the latest addition to the vaunted BMW M Performance line that combines “everyday usability with the power and driving dynamics that will elate even the most discerning enthusiast because they’re a total fruitcake and have no concept of self-preservation or propriety.”

Okay. Wait. BMW didn’t say all of that, but still.

They could have said that, because even loaded down with lots of techno-gear, the BMW M550i xDrive Sedan can hurtle from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, finally running out of grunt at an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Oh no, wait. It could go much faster, but the Bavarians have to limit it to 155 MPH?

2018 BMW M550i xDrive Sedan. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Engine Specs

If you want to know the hows, whys, and wherefores, it all starts in the engine room. Up front there’s a specifically modified M Performance TwinPower Turbo 4.4 liter 8-cylinder engine. This V8 mill is fitted with two twin-scroll turbochargers, a High Precision Injection system, Valvetronic fully variable valve lift, and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing control.

Bottom line: 456 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 480 lb-ft. from just 1,800 rpm.

Coupled to this entertainingly overpowered plant is a BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system (with a rear-wheel toque bias thankfully) and an M Performance chassis set-up, helping to create the fastest and most agile BMW 5 Series to date. Agile schmagile, who cares? With that much rumble on tap, any handling “issues” can be overcome with a little more pressure from your right foot.

Both vehicles will be arriving in U.S. BMW showrooms this spring, followed shortly after by a sharp decrease in your available funds.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

2018 BMW 530e iPerformance Sedan Gallery

2018 BMW M550i xDrive Sedan Gallery

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

Check out these Automotive tips

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/bmw-announces-new-5-series-pricing-at-naias/

Nissan Vmotion 2.0 Concept Shows Brand’s Future Styling

Nissan’s Vmotion 2.0 is as frivolous and pointless as any other concept car at an auto show, but, ironically, it is also as serious and valuable as concept cars can be. Sometimes, concept cars are just there to make a splash. They can exist just to let designers off the leash and show what they can do.

Other times, concept cars are there as a signal to show where a given automotive company is headed.

This is one of those times.

Front & Center

Nissan, with their Vmotion 2.0 concept, states it quite plainly: “Nissan Vmotion 2.0 concept takes center stage at 2017 North American International Auto Show debut.” In other words, “look at this, we really want you to pay attention to it.”

The space-age styling shows a progression of Nissan’s signature “V-motion” front end. This design element has drawn a fair amount of criticism, but Nissan shows no signs of backing down, so the critics are going to have to live with it. Nissan also points out how the V-motion front end design is utilized on the current Altima, Murano, and Maxima. This is not just shoring up their own opinion on the worthiness of this motif, but exists more as a way to tie the design of the Vmotion 2.0 to what you will see in Nissan showrooms in the future.

“Vmotion 2.0 previews what the future designs from Nissan will be,” said Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President, Chief Creative Officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Intelligent Mobility

Nissan also states how the Vmotion 2.0 goes beyond looks as a harbinger of things to come. They point out things like Nissan Intelligent Driving, one of the three core elements of Nissan Intelligent Mobility. Which is a polite way of saying: “Get used to seeing Nissan Intelligent Mobility throughout our range.”

The Vmotion 2.0 concept aims to unite a high sense of fashion, an evocative, expressive design, and imbue the vehicle with space, comfort, and technology to “make the mobility experience seamless for busy professionals.”

No, I’m not sure what that means either, but Nakamura explained it this way.

“Technology is evolving. So is design. At Nissan we see design as the ultimate expression of how customers see themselves, but also an expression of the vision and values of our brand,” he said.

The Vmotion 2.0 concept offers hints at the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s proposal to realize zero emissions and zero fatalities.

“It is an insightful proposition of what the future sedan could be in the coming years,” Nakamura said.

So, like many concept cars before it, Nissan’s Vmotion 2.0 concept is both a “hey, look at me!!” visual statement, and also “this is what you can expect to see driving around in the near future,” declaration. The styling aspect will most likely be debated for some time to come, but the technology innovation should be a net benefit for anyone on the road.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

Nissan Vmotion 2.0 Concept Gallery & Video

Photos, Video & Source: Nissan North America.

Check out these Automotive tips

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/nissan-vmotion-2-0-concept-shows-brands-future-styling/