2022/23 Vw I.D6: new photos...

 

The upcoming VW I.D6 (could also be called I.D7...) is a new model above the current I.D4. 

Based on last year's I.D Roomzz concept.

The production model actually looks more like a raised wagon than an SUV. Which is fine.

While the exterior does look similar, the interior of the production model looks nothing like the concept (above)

It will probably end up looking close to the I.D4 inside. You know, to "save cost"...

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz: new photos.

 

We still do not know much about the all-new 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz pick-up.

Except that it will be built in the US, and based on the same platform as the new Tucson.

This means it could be offered as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid as well as the regular engine.

Such versions would make it a unique choice. Being based on the new Tucson, it will be a bit smaller than the Honda Ridgeline, also car-based.

I think there is a big market for a reasonably sized pick-up in the US. Affordable with a hybrid option would make it even more popular

This could be a very big hit for Hyundai...

2021 Nissan Note: official photos...

I think the all-new Nissan Note looks really good. Especially, considering this is a cheap car. 

It gets a new e-Power powertrain. Which consists of a small 1.2 Liter gas engine acting as a generator to the main electric motor.

It will be followed by a fully electric version with 2 motors early next year.

As mentioned earlier, the new Note is not scheduled for the US. But I really think it could be a good idea to bring the EVmodel as something a bit cheaper than the Leaf.

 

All-new Hyundai Mistranslating: new sedan for China

 

Hyundai will be introducing yet another sedan for the Chinese market. The new Mistra. 

Which seems quite conservative. Almost looking like a small Genesis G90 from some angles. With rear lights a little bit similar to the current Sonata and a grille from the previous one.

Interestingly enough, they will also introduce a full-electric version of the car (bottom pic)

2022 Jeep Compass: improved interior...

 

This is the Chinese market version of the 2022 Jeep Compass. But similar changes are expected for the US model. At least visually, like the new grille and interior.

The Chinese version uses a 1.3 Liter Turbo engine. Probably the same one uses in the Fiat 500X over here.

Not sure yet if that same engine will make it into the US model or not.

A plug-in hybrid version of the Compass has been available in Europe for a while. Called the Compass 4xe.

It uses a 1.3 Liter engine combined with an electric motor powering the rear wheels for a total of 237HP.

EV range in the European cycle is supposed to be around 30 miles.

Which all sounds really good. And something that should really be offered in the US as well...

2022 Chevrolet Bolt: not all-new...

 

As expected, the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt will not be an all-new car. But I didn't expect the whole front end to look that different. (bottom pic is the current model)

It seems much more modern, almost futuristic. Although the trim/vents on the side of the bumper remind me of some Opel design from a few years ago. (Especially the Ampera, which was the Opel version of the 1st generation Volt.)

The shot above is very blurry and noisy, so this could actually look quite different on the real thing. After all, it could also be some piece of clever camouflage. 

Specs are not expected to be different. But the interior will be updated with at least a redesigned dashboard.

The old Ampera I mentioned above...

BMW iX: insulting marketing...

 

It looks like BMW is having a hard time dealing with the onslaught of criticism of their new iX EV.

They are now using some of the comments they got on their Twiter account in their own advertizing. Insulting critics with "OK Boomers" remarks.

I have actually never heard of a car company officially insulting their critics. And using these as advertising! This is quite amazing. 

The iX is a design mess, inside and out. While I do like the i3, this new "SUV" looks like a bunch of 12-year-olds got together to "draw a car". The interior looks like a kit car from China. 10 years ago.

 "Ugly", "Vulgar" and "Disjointed" is not similar to "Change".

BMW is, of course, not famous for recognizing their design mistakes. But I really think this is just going to far. And actually makes them look like obnoxious morons.

HERE is more comments on their Twiter acoount.

2021 Nissan Note: the real thing...

The all-new Nissan Note hatchback already seems to be a very nice looking little hatchback.

Since the Note was discontinued in the US a couple of years ago, the new generation is not expected to make it over here. Which is too bad. It is getting Nissan's e-Power system which will probably result in amazing gas mileage figures. A perfect alternative to regular hybrids and a nice bridge to a full EV.

More pictures of the new Note very soon.

 

2022 Genesis EV: new spy shot...

 

Unfortunatelly, this doesn't show much more than what we have seen before (HERE) 

A rather small, upscale hatchback. Probably based on the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5. This will be the perfect car for Genesis to enter the European market. Since their other models are pretty big. (the upcoming G70 hatch could also become quite popular there too)

Let's just hope it will be sold in the US as well. 

2022 Honda HR-V: new illustrations...

 

These new illustrations of the 2022 Honda HR-V are the most realistic ones I have seen so far.

As they look a bit like a 4 door production version of the Honda SUVe we saw a few weeks ago.

Which is what the next HR-V will look like.

It is a totally new design direction from the current version. We could also see this more angular look on other Honda models as well.

An EV version of the new HR-V will be offered in China and maybe other markets as well. (Let's hop eit makes it to the US too)

More soon...

BMW iX: finally...

 

Even though we had seen the concept version only a couple of years ago, it seems we have been fed spy shots of this for many years.

Today we finally see the real thing.

Which ends up looking a bit like a cross between the concept, and every other BMW SUVs out there.

Which was expected. 

At least it stays a little weird and a bit more original than their other SUV models.

The interior looks like a mess.

While, again, I applaud being modern and different, this looks like it was designed by different teams who never spoke to each other.

The whole thing has a kit car interior design feel to me. Like the early Fisker Karma sedan.

The doors especially. Nothing flows. Nothing matches. 

The 'crystal' switches look really cheezy and gaudy. (some gold trim here and there doesn't help)

There is also a square steering wheel for no good reason. 

As far as technical specs, it is actually nothing amazing. Another "too fast/too expensive" EV with 500HP and 0 to 60 in 5 seconds.

The electric range is said to be around 300 miles. 

No pricing yet, but this is obviously targetting the Audi E-tron. Which starts at $66 000. With less power and an even lower 220 EV range. And the Jaguar i-Pace with its 239 miles range for $69 000.

I guess that means the iX will start at well above $70 000 .

The Audi, or the Jaguar is the obvious classy choice here. Since BMW has decided to go for the tacky crowd...

2021 Hyundai Kona electric: the facelift...

 

The revised Hyundai Kona electric now receives many of the changes the regular Kona did a while ago.

It is overall a cleaner design. Just by modifying a few details and trims.

The front end of the EV version is also much cleaner than before. (The blue car is the new one)

Not much has changed inside. Mostly the screen.

The Kona interior in general isn't that great. While the EV version is a bit better with a redesigned console, it is just not a fun interior at all.

The 2021 2 tone model pictured above at least seems a tiny bit more upscale. That gray plastic everywhere in the one I drove last year was pretty depressing...

The new version is not expected to get a revised battery range.

BMW iNext: last spy shots before the unveiling...

 

I think the all-new BMW iNext EV SUV could end up looking quite interesting and modern.

And not as shocking as the 2018 Concept.

Sure, it is getting an EV version of the huge Bugs Bunny teeth grille. But since the 4 series came out, I have gotten a bit used to it...

And the whole thing (especially the front in the white car above) seems to have a pretty clean, simple design. Unlike the tortured concept.

The interior (sorry for the blurry pic) also seems super modern and interesting. Although I am not sure the shape of the steering wheel is an improvement over the good old round one...

Just as a reminder, this is the 2018 concept.

I think the production version already looks much better. Even in blurry photos...

No specs yet. But I have read from one source that it could end up costing around $100 000.

Which is really ridiculous and useless.

The world does not need another $100 000 electric car. This should be priced to compete with the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi E-Tron. 

2022 Hyundai Tucson: the official US version...

 

No surprises here. The new 2022 Hyundai Tucson for the US market looks the same as what we saw a few weeks ago. (Except a few details)

A 2.5 Liter engine with 187Hp is standard. While the familiar 1.6 Liter Turbo comes with the Hybrid and Plug-in hybrid versions.

The plug-in hybrid is expected to get 28 miles of EV range. Which isn't much. And much less than the much more useful 42 miles of the Toyota RAV-4 Prime.

I have also read a few road tests of the new Sonata Hybrid, where most reviewers were complaining of a rough transition from electric to gas. Something Honda and Toyota have mostly fixed by now...

Pricing will be announded soon.