Just one last small teaser before we see the real thing. 

I mean, we have seen so many pix already, there won't be any surprises.

Hopefully, we should find out about US specs. and timing. I've heard it might be on sale before the US factory is ready to produce it, with early units being imported from Europe .

Also, the pricing will be very important. As this will compete directly with the all-new Nissan Ariya. The Nissan does look great. While this seems to be just OK.

Nissan also has many years of EV experience. While VW is actually more famous (at least in the US0 for its multitude of electric problems (on top of dieselgate) It might be a tough battle for them over here...

New Honda EV Concept: next HR-V preview

 

Honda has released a teaser for an all new EV concept, and it does look familiar, doesn't it...

The new teaser shows a concept version of the all-new HR-V for the Chinese market. China also has an XR-V, which is basically the HR-V with different lights and other details.

The concept will be an EV, which means an EV version of the next HR-V is in the cards. At least for some markets. 

The 2022 HR-V photos I have been posting for a couple of days were, unlike all the "know-it-all" were commenting, in fact, a Honda. ("Absolutely NOT a Honda product", "non-Honda-Esque grille" etc...)

 Our HR-V might have a few small differences, but it will basically be the same car. Or very close to it. 

Tesla will export Model 3 from China

 Tesla started building the popular Model 3 in China a few months ago. These cars are only sold in the Chinese market. Basically, what all other car manufacturers have been doing for decades.

Until a few years ago, no one building cars in China was selling them in Europe or the US. That changes a few years ago with Chinese made Volvos being sold here and in Europe. Also with GM selling Chinese made Buick Envisions and the Plug-in version of the Cadillac CT-6 in the US.

Now, we learn that Tesla will not wait for the European factory to produce cars, and will ship Chinese made units to Europe later next year. 

Not only to Europe, but Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I guess the US factory is just too busy. And the German one will be strictly for European deliveries.

Of course, a Model 3 built-in China has to cost a bit less than the one built in the US. Or eventually, Germany. I am actually surprised to see how many cars Tesla has been able to deliver so far, with only the California factory and its tent. 

Could we eventually see some of the Chinese built Teslas in the US? Or the ones from Germany?

It seems the Freemont factory, as well as the upcoming Texas one, could be enough to feed the Chinese market, but who knows... Larger profit margins are very tempting.

 

Lucid Gravity SUV: a few more pictures

Lucid is being smart by showing the world (and especially investors) that they are working on more than one model. Especially an expensive sedan. Since the market for these is quite limited.

They did explain t=other modes will be based on versions of the same platform, which will end up saving costs.

The Gravity SUV shown above is of course an early prototype version. The Air sedan will start production early next year, hopefully. With the most expensive versions available first. The basic $80 000 version won't be built until sometime in 2022.

Which means this SUV could be unveiled by the end of 2021 and start actual production in late 2022 or 2023. Who really knows...

And again, this could be even more expensive than the Air. that means 'crazy prices'!

Lucid's secret 3rd model: Air Coupe, or smaller sedan?

I have seen anyone talking about this yet.

But I watched the long video presentation for the Lucid Air yesterday. And at the end, (before the Q&A) they are showing these two Lucid execs ( I didn't get their names...) walking around what is probably a fake version of the design studio, uncovering stuff they are not supposed to (Some sad attempt to comedy)

The fist covered car ( you also see it earlier in the video) is pictured in 1st two photos above. Between the Air and the upcoming SUV. (bottom pic is the Air sedan)

Even as they uncover part of the front end, it is hard to see the difference with the new Air sedan. I think it is a slightly smaller hatchback sedan. Under the cover, it does look like a coupe shape, but the coupe market isn't really thriving these days. And so far, it looks like Lucid if following the footsteps of Tesla: large sedan, the SUV. Then a smaller sedan?

What do you think?

Is this just a hatchback version of the Air? 

A new coupe? 

A new smaller sedan?

 

Lucid Air: the production version is here!

I think the Lucid Air EV is fantastic. I loved it the first time I saw pictures of the prototype a few years ago.

And I am really glad to see this project has been able to be funded to see the day where they are able to officially announce the production version.

I think this is a great design. Both luxurious and futuristic. It is exactly what is it supposed to be.

The bad news is, while Lucid had mentioned a base price of around $60 000, the production car will be more expensive.

Here are the 4 versions offered:

- Air. (Base model)    "Below $80 000" ($72 500 after incentives). No specs yet

- Air Touring.             $95 000. ($87 500 after incentives).              620HP/406 miles range

- Air Grand Touring.  $139 000. ($131 500 after incentives)           800HP/517 miles range

- Air Dream Edition.  $169 000. ($161 500 after incentives. )         1080HP/503 miles range

Besides the base model, these are crazy prices for most people. Although the specs are quite amazing when compared to anything in that price range.

The $72 500 price of the base model is actually less than the Tesla Model S (Which doesn't qualify for incentives) Even less if you include state incentives. Which means it will come down to under $70 000 in most states. Not sure what comes with the base model, since the 1st step up is already a $15 000 bump.

From this angle, you can see the differences between the concept (bottom0 and the production version. I think the production version is much better. 

While they were able to keep the amazing huge windshield, the whole interior now looks much more upscale. With a great choice of various high-quality materials. 

Compared to the concept, the rear seat does look more mundane. Although still so much nicer than any Tesla back seat.

Not sure if that cool lounge style back seat is available on the production version... (You would think the top of the line would have it)

I think Lucid has accomplished quite a feast with the Air. The production version actually seems nicer than the concept. 

This is really so far ahead of the aging Tesla Model S... And actually, something many should pick over the old fashion looking "same old" 2021 Mercedes Class-S.

Great job!

2019 VW ID.RoomZZ Concept: the production version

 

Just like the ID.3 and ID.4, this new upcoming VW EV looks like it will stay pretty close to the concept design it is based on. The general shape is very similar. Even if the production modle doesn't seem as sleek.

And of course, the suicide doors will have to go. 

This looks like a larger brother to the upcoming ID.4 Crossover. Looking more like a tall wagon than an SUV.

The Concept was shown back in 2019 at the Shanghai Auto Show. This also means the new model will be marketed mostly in China. Even though it might be sold in other markets later. 

This looks like it could be a decent electric competitor the Subaru Outback?

Should VW bring this over here?

2022 Kia Niro: more stylish?

 

The more pronounced fenders and the shape of the hood point to a more stylish Niro for the second generation (although that little 90's style sunroof is pretty terrible...)

I alwasy though the current model was pretty decent looking. Yet it hasn't been such a hit in the US (Although it does sell better than the Hyundai Ioniq)

I am sure the new one will be an improvement in every way. Including the range on the EV model. 

You would think a small yet roomy raised up wagon style with the choice of a hybrid and plug-in hybrid would be everywhere...

On another note, how many new and redesigned models are Hyundai/Kia/Genesis working on these days?!

VW ID.4: A look inside

 

We finally get to see the interior of the new VW ID.4 electric crossover. While we are not getting the smaller ID.3 in the US, this larger model is scheduled to come over. Maybe as soon as late this year. 

Although these would be in limited numbers since the majority of the units sold in the US will come from the American factory next year.

It does look a bit different, and more upscale than the ID.3 hatchback. Which is a good thing. But this isn't even close to the cool design of the Nissan Aryia interior. This still looks quite cheap and plasticky. With a "high up" screen tablet that makes no effort to be integrated into the rest of the interior design. 

No announcement or pricing yet, of course. But the ID.3 seems to be starting at around $30/35 000 in Europe.

So this would be a bit more. Although, since European cars are cheaper in the US, it could end up at around $35 000.

Which, if true, would be a great price for the ID.4. Competing with smaller EVs like the Bolt or even the Leaf.

But as usual with VW,  good news about US products are almost non-existent. So this could be coming here in over a year, or be priced over $45 000. Or both. Who knows...

2021 Hyundai Kona: still pretty busy...

 

        

For 2021, Hyundai has given the Kona a mid-cycle facelift. Which does include a cleaner and more modern front end. As well as a redesigned rear bumper.

While the front end does look cleaner and sleeker, I wonder why the rear end is still that busy. With that weird second set of lights in the bumper redesigned but carried over.

The interior seems mostly the same. But the screen is larger and the tablet a bit more upscale looking. 

The 1.6 Liter Turbo now makes 194HP. There is also an "N-Line" model (the red one above) with a sportier design.

These are photos of the European version. So engines and actually trims might be different for the US.

2022 Genesis GV70: revealing a bit more...

These 2 spy shots were taken a few months apart. The top one, newer, shows a much more finished rear end, with the actual tail lights installed. These are obviously two different versions of the same cars since the exhaust pipes are very different.

Since it is based on the same platform as the G70 sedan, the GV70 is expected to use the same engines.

RWD and AWD.

As I mentioned before, the rear window treatment is reminiscent of the old 928. And even the AMC Pacer.

Good to see a little bit of originality in the design. Something we don't see anymore, especially in an           SUV...

                      

2022 Kia EV: new illustrations

 

                                                       

These new illustrations of the upcoming Kia EV actually look pretty close to the spy shots we have seen before (like the one above)

I still think the design looks a bit weird and overdone. I really like the wagon/long hatchback shape. But that black front end trim has to go. Again, these are just guesses. And the final thing could be nicer.

No matter what, 2021 will be a very busy year for new EVs. Not just expensive ones like the Lucid Air, or Rivian luxury trucks, but also affordable ones like this Kia. Hyundai is also launching their IoniQ sub-brand. Nissan will have the Ariya. VW will launch the ID.4 in the US. Chevrolet will unveil the new small Bolt based "SUV". All of a sudden, there will be quite a choice for anyone interested in an EV around $40 000 before incentives. 

Good news...

2022 Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt SUV: finally...

 

The top photo is a teaser for the all-new Chevrolet Bolt 'SUV'. Supposedly a slightly larger and roomier version of the Bolt EV.

Interesting to notice that it has a different design than the Chinese version, sold as the Buick Velite 6 (2nd pic) The GM preview pic showed to US dealers years ago also turned out to be the Chinese model (right above)

While it is nice to finally (after 4 years) see GM sell another EV, it sure doesn't really look larger than the regular Bolt. At least from the teaser.

At the same time (or maybe a bit earlier), the "regular" Bolt will get a mid-cycle refresh with a few changes.

On the teaser above you can already tell the front end has been redesigned. To look more similar to the new 'Bolt SUV' model.

It also seems that, at least on this version, the chrome trim is gone.

The bad news is that these cars (at least the all-new one) are still almost a year away since production is scheduled to start in the summer of 2021. GM had previously mentioned 'late 2020'.

I guess since so few people are buying cars these days, what's the rush...