William Maley

China is the latest country to investigate possibly ending the sale of gas and diesel vehicles. According to the state's Xinhua News Agency, deputy industry minister Xin Guobin told an auto industry forum over the weekend has started "research on formulating a timetable to stop production and sales of traditional energy vehicles." “Some countries have made a timeline for when to stop the production and sales of traditional fuel cars,” said Guobin. “The ministry has also started relevant research and will make such a timeline with relevant departments. Those measures will certainly bring profound changes for our car industry’s development.” This move is not really surprising when you take into consideration China's major cities have suffered from extreme air pollution. Some of this comes down vehicle emissions. But there are also various industrial sites using coal and other fuels that provide a fair amount of pollution. Both local and national governments have been working on ways to help cut back on pollution. One of those ways is China requiring automakers to have 20 percent of new car sales by 2025 be made up of hybrid and electric vehicles. Both France and Great Britain have announced plans to halt sales of new gas and diesel powered vehicles by 2040. Source: Associated Press, Reuters View full article

Within less than a decade, Aston Martin's lineup will be comprised of electric and hybrid vehicles. "By the mid-2020s, every model in our lineup — all series production cars — will either have hybridization or will be fully EV," said Simon Sproule, Aston Martin's global chief marketing officer to Automotive News. This is part of Aston's Second Century plan that began back in 2015. Aside from introducing new versions of its core lineup (DB11, Rapide, Vanquish, and Vantage), the plan calls for seven additional models, including a mid-engine sportscar and luxury crossover. The plans also calls for shorter life cycles for each vehicle generation, which means the likes of the DB11 and Vantage will be up for replacement as Aston works on their electrification plans. This move comes on the heels of Volvo and Jaguar/Land Rover announcing plans to electrify their lineups in the near future, and various European governments setting stricter emission standards. As we reported back in June, Aston's first electric vehicle, the RapidE will launch in 2019. An all-electric and plug-in hybrid version of the DBX are due sometime after. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Lincoln could be one of the next automakers to announce plans for electrifying their lineup. Reuters has learned from sources that Lincoln is planning to offer hybrid versions of all of their models beginning in 2022. One source said that the brand is also considering one or more electric-only models. This is a key to Lincoln's future in China where the country will be requiring automakers to sell a certain percentage of EVs. Plans for Lincoln's electrification could happen as early as October 2nd, where Ford CEO Jim Hackett will update investors on the automaker's strategy. Sources said Lincoln has been working on this before Hackett became CEO. A Ford spokesman declined to comment. We already know that Ford is working on a hybrid variant of the Navigator and a plug-in version of the MKC that are expected to launch in 2019. Source: Reuters View full article

BMW's Concept X7 iPerformance made an early debut this week due to a leak and the response could be summed up as eww. Today, BMW has officially revealed the concept before its debut at Frankfurt and we highly doubt opinions are going to change. Cartoonish and polarizing are the words we would use to describe the Concept X7 iPerformance. The front end features the largest twin-kidney grilles which makes it look it has a set of buck teeth. This is emphasized by the narrow headlights and massive bumper vents. The side profile at first glance reminds of the Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX 570 with a large area of glass and similar styling for the rear pillars. Massive 23-inch wheels fill in the large wheel wells. The interior layout is similar to what you'll find on the 5- and 7-Series models, albeit with some futuristic touches such as the steering wheel. A large screen on the center stack houses the infotainment system while a 12.3-inch screen facing the driver provides a digital instrument cluster. The concept features seating for six people. As this concept bears the iPerformance nomenclature, it means there is a hybrid powertrain under the hood. BMW doesn't say much about the powertrain aside from there being a turbocharged gas engine and the ability to plug the vehicle in to recharge the battery. A production version of the X7 will be arriving next year. Source: BMW Press Release is on Page 2 BMW Concept X7 iPerformance A new dimension in spaciousness. Munich, Germany - September 8, 2017... With the unveiling of the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance at the IAA Cars 2017 show in Frankfurt, the BMW Group is not only pulling back the covers on a new model concept for the luxury segment, it is also introducing a whole new take on luxury for the BMW brand. The Concept X7 iPerformance embodies this understanding of luxury in the form of a striking exterior composed of intently focused lines, and combines it with a generously-sized, six-person interior pared down to the essentials: elementary forms, high-class materials and a state-of-the-art infotainment system brimming with connectivity. The Concept’s iPerformance badge denotes the presence of groundbreaking BMW eDrive technology allied with a BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine to create an exceptionally efficient and dynamic plug-in hybrid powertrain that excels in all driving situations – including running with zero local emissions. A taster of the production version. This study car offers a look ahead to the future production model set to make its debut in 2018. The forthcoming BMW X7 forms part of the largest model offensive in the company’s history. As part of its NUMBER ONE > NEXT strategy, the BMW Group is seeking to substantially increase its sales and revenues in the luxury class. The BMW X7 has a key role to play here, as Ian Robertson, Member of the BMW AG Management Board responsible for Sales and Brand BMW explains: “Since BMW founded the Sports Activity Vehicle segment with the first X5 back in 1999, every subsequent X vehicle has broken new ground. The BMW X7 continues this tradition: the X family’s new top model extends BMW’s offering in the luxury class and redefines the concept of luxury for the BMW brand and beyond. It also embodies one of the most important elements of our corporate strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT, to grow our presence in the luxury class. Furthermore, the BMW Concept X7 demonstrates it’s perfectly possible to combine a large sports activity vehicle with an electrified drivetrain.” A case study in modernity, luxury and presence. The status of the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance as a luxury-class BMW SAV is instantly apparent. The spectacular exterior, imposing dimensions and skilfully judged proportions endow it with an extraordinary sense of presence and an ultra-modern aesthetic fused with innate dynamism. “The Concept introduces the BMW Sports Activity Vehicle DNA into the luxury segment. The new BMW design language employs just a few, extremely precise lines and subtle surface-work to raise the bar in terms of presence and prestige,” explains Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The BMW Concept X7 iPerformance has a luxurious and sophisticated feel to it, thanks to its understated use of forms and incredibly precise details.” The luxurious character of the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance is brought alive by its cabin, in particular. The vehicle’s sheer size forms the basis for an interior experience unmatched by any BMW past or present. As a result of the interplay between precise, pared-down forms and an open sense of space, the driver and passengers find themselves immersed in a very modern setting with an equally exclusive feel. The wealth of possibilities offered by personalised, digital connectivity allows the vehicle’s interior to be turned, as desired, into a personalised place of either retreat or productivity. A contemporary feeling of lightness in the interior. Inside the roomy cabin of the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance, clear forms, warm colours and select materials combine to create a highly exclusive, sophisticated ambience. In addition, the large panoramic roof provides a remarkable amount of room above the occupants’ heads while also giving the interior a light and airy, open-to-the-sky feel. The six amply proportioned seats are arranged in three rows, and four of them have an exclusive individual design. Secured to the vehicle floor by nothing more than a slender seat base, the individual seats allow those sitting directly behind to enjoy generous legroom. The dark, olive-bronze leather – with discreet gold pigmentation – covering the seat bolsters carries the air of exclusivity through to the finer details and the Smoke White leather adorning the remainder of the seats provides an intriguing contrast. The shell-like backs of the individual seats are likewise trimmed in leather and serve to enhance the high-class, contemporary ambience. A perfect ensemble of materials and colour. The dark shoulder line running underneath the windows traces a continuous horizon throughout the cabin that brings fresh calmness to the bright interior. Decorative materials are deployed sparingly. Having said that, the selective use of open-pore ash in a dark-stained, matt finish sets the seal on the natural material experience. Matt and polished aluminium elements have likewise been carefully incorporated to add further classy touches. And the luxurious sense of spaciousness enjoyed from all seats is reinforced to subtle effect by strands of laser light in the roof and the dynamic ambient and contour lighting. Minimalist forms in the driver’s cabin. Amid the modern and pared-back design of the interior is the driver focus familiar to BMW customers. The forms and surfacing of the instrument panel, centre console and doors allow them to “wrap around” the driver. And the raised seating position provides unbeatable all-round visibility and an exceptional view over the road. The new BMW design language, featuring amply-sized surfaces and clear edges, gives the instrument panel a “reduced to the essentials”, modern aesthetic. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster screen and central touchscreen information display are sited at close quarters to one another. The effect is of one unbroken – and smartly sophisticated – display. A new operating concept allows interactive use of the two displays. Below them, in the centre stack and centre console, the grouping of functions within the clean and tautly chiselled surfaces underscores the minimalist approach. Partially backlit crystal glass in the dark Silver Night shade lends sophisticated flourishes to control elements like the selector lever, iDrive Controller and multifunction buttons on the steering wheel. Personalised infotainment through the seamless integration of the owner’s digital world into the car. The two individual seats in the second row offer all the benefits of the front pair. The first sign of an attachment between the panoramic roof and body comes comfortably to the rear of the second row of seats in the form of a Y structure, which means the passengers in the centre row experience the same sensation of freedom and lightness as those in the front. Second-row passengers also enjoy personalised infotainment comfort courtesy of the rear-seat entertainment system’s touchscreen monitors. Here, the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance showcases the BMW Group’s vision of seamless integrating the customer’s digital world into the car via BMW Connected. For example, passengers here have access to highly personalised, digital services such as their choice of infotainment / office content, with which they can make their journey more comfortable, more entertaining or more productive. And content can even be shared with others on board. For instance, they can send a track to the car’s music system by touch gesture, forward an interesting article to the next-door display for the person sitting alongside them to read or transfer an address from their email directly to the car’s navigation system. Interactive LED choreography via the doors and instrument panel traces the communication flow between the rear screens and the display at the front of the cabin. Impressive size and presence – the exterior. The expansive exterior of the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance projects the exclusive experience available inside the car confidently to the outside world. Clear, vertical proportions with significant ground clearance identify the Concept as an X model without the need to look twice. At the same time, the Concept speaks its own, unmistakeable design language – a new one for BMW – through an array of details and design features which set it apart clearly from previous models. Viewed from any angle, the interplay between a small number of precise lines and artfully sculpted surfaces sends out a charismatic statement of modernity, presence and exclusivity. A new face in the BMW X family. The front end of the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance is one of its most eye-catching angles, the vehicle’s height alone ensuring it rises prominently over the road. In an all-new interpretation of classical BMW elements, the front-end design groups together the various facets of the vehicle into a powerful visual statement. The large, vertical kidney grille at the heart of the upright front-end silhouette hogs the attention. The grille frame and bars are single-piece and solid in design, as if hewn from a single piece. Look at it again, though, and fascinating contrasts emerge between gleaming edges and matt surfaces, all of which breathes extra vibrancy and class into the frontal impression. The upper sections of the slim, elongated twin headlights with BMW laser light link to the large kidney grille. A blue X signature in BMW laser light provides a confident pointer to the Concept’s membership of the SAV family from BMW. The headlights and kidney grille combine to create an exciting contrast of horizontal dynamism and vertical solidity, bringing traditional BMW front-end design cues into the future. Large, tautly sculpted surfaces surround the familiar BMW design icons, underlining the car’s cohesive and muscular front-end aesthetic. A prominent bar extends across the full width of the front apron in its lower section, before rising vertically to frame the outer air intakes at their upper edge. This lends the front end additional stature. Quasi-vertical aero lips further accentuate the car’s powerfully assured stance on the road. Customary X features like the trapezoidal bumpers and underguard, meanwhile, are merely hinted at, their understated design serving the cause of clear and exclusive surfacing. Impressive proportions. From the side, the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance cuts a sumptuous figure, complete with the characteristic ground clearance of X vehicles. The nigh-on vertical front end, striking and almost vertical rear and steeply rising angle from the rear wheels to the tailgate give the muscular proportions a modern flourish. The high-set lines of the flanks bring an expressive confidence to the car’s silhouette. And the long shoulderline stretches the car and injects an athletic tension to the flanks. It also separates the car’s body into the light and airy glasshouse (which offers a preview of the large interior) and the muscular metal forms. For the first time in an X vehicle, the wheel arches feature a circular cut and emphasize the exclusivity and elegance of the flanks. Smart and precise surfacing absorbs the powerful wheel arches in an aesthetic movement. The surfaces gain in volume and strength as they head towards the rear end, further underscoring the subtle dynamism of the car when viewed from the side. Bold accents in the flanks. A conspicuous chrome strip in the door sills provides an exclusive counterpoint to the car’s long, stretched shoulderline and sophisticated surfaces below. As with the trim element at the front end, the chrome strip in the car’s flanks frames the Air Breathers in a vertical accent, before continuing in a straight line to the rear end. These surrounds for the front, side and rear air apertures create a geometrically precise impression and lend the car a sense of robust solidity. The exclusive exterior colour shade Manhattan metallic immerses the car’s surfaces and forms in a dark olive-bronze that highlights the confident styling of the flanks with sophisticated flair. With their bold multi-spoke design, the 23-inch light-alloy wheels combine the muscularity for which BMW’s X models are renowned with the exclusivity of a luxury BMW sedan, while aerodynamically optimised inlays between the spokes reduce drag. Added to which, conspicuous aero lips at the front and rear also ensure improved airflow around those areas of the car and send out a powerful visual message of the plug-in hybrid drive concept’s efficiency. A bird’s-eye view of the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance reveals a particular highlight. Like the side window surrounds, the panoramic roof is framed by an eye-catching chrome strip, which extends from one A-pillar to the rear end – and back around the other side. In between, the roof’s transparent, Y-shaped supporting structure adds a modern flourish. Power, presence and exclusivity at the rear. The rear of the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance sends out an impressive statement of powerful authority and exclusive elegance. The imposing size of the vehicle’s body – the key to its huge swathes of interior space – is particularly clear when viewed from the rear. Vertical aero lips mark out the rear of the car clearly from the flanks. Within the upright rear silhouette, the slim rear lights break up the body volumes and a classy chrome bar connects the two lighting elements. The boldly designed lights create a three-dimensional L shape and bring a technical, high-quality flavour to the rear. As at the front of the car, the surfaces frame the lights like jewels. Between the wheel arches, the rear apron with practical tailgate opening provides a strong platform for the rear structure. The absence of tailpipe embellishers in the rear apron is an indicator of the vehicle’s plug-in hybrid drive concept. And the subtle, body-coloured underguard ensures the rear concludes its progress towards the road in stylish fashion. View full article

For some, the announcement made by Ford's Asia Pacific is a dream come true. In a teaser video, a prototype Ranger is seen being put through its paces while undergoing testing in the Australian Outback. Towards the end of the video, the name Ranger Raptor is revealed and will be arriving in Asia Pacific markets next year. There isn't much to go on in terms of concrete details. It appears the Ranger Raptor will only come in the Double Cab configuration and feature a new grille - possibly the same one as seen on the F-150 Raptor. We're expecting some of the ideas from the F-150 Raptor's suspension will be applied for the smaller Ranger. Of course, some are asking the question whether or not the Ranger Raptor will come to the U.S. We know that Ford is readying a new Ranger that will debut sometime in the 2019 model year. If Ford was planning on sending Raptor version here, we would expect it to launch a year or two after. Source: Ford Australia View full article

It seems Volvo has started a trend when it announced back in July that all their models beginning in 2019 would be electrified in some form, i.e. hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains. Today, Jaguar Land Rover announced that it would be doing the same thing beginning in 2020. Much like Volvo, JLR's electrification plans include electrics, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. Every new Jaguar Land Rover model line will be electrified from 2020, giving our customers even more choice. We will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles. Our first fully electric performance SUV, the Jaguar I-PACE, goes on sale next year," said Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth at the company's Tech Fest taking place at the University of the Arts London. Jaguar also used the event to show off a new, electrified retrofit of the E-Type. Called the E-Type Zero, Jaguar Land Rover Classic swapped the six-cylinder for a new electric powertrain. Jaguar says the E-Type Zero can hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and have a range of 170 miles. Source: Jaguar Land Rover Press Release is on Page 2 EVERY JAGUAR AND LAND ROVER LAUNCHED FROM 2020 WILL BE ELECTRIFIED From 2020 all new Jaguar Land Rover vehicles will be electrified. The company made the announcement at its inaugural Tech Fest, a series of debates and a free public exhibition about the future of mobility. Commitment to electrification demonstrated with new electric models from Jaguar’s past, present and future at inaugural Tech Fest event Past – iconic Jaguar E-type now electrified for the 21st century Present – all-new electric Jaguar I-PACE Concept, the SUV that combines a supercar silhouette with sports car performance, goes on sale next year Future – visionary FUTURE-TYPE virtual concept imagines autonomous, connected, electric and shared mobility for 2040 and beyond Jaguar Land Rover Tech Fest takes place at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London Free-to-enter festival open from Friday 8 September to Sunday 10 September From 2020 all new Jaguar Land Rover vehicles will be electrified. The company made the announcement at its inaugural Tech Fest, a series of debates and a free public exhibition about the future of mobility. "Every new Jaguar Land Rover model line will be electrified from 2020, giving our customers even more choice. We will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles. Our first fully electric performance SUV, the Jaguar I-PACE, goes on sale next year," said Dr. Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover. Jaguar E-type Zero The electric Jaguar E-type Zero future-proofs one of the world’s most famous cars. Acclaimed by Enzo Ferrari as “the most beautiful car in the world”, the E-type now combines breathtaking design with electric power for the first time. E-type Zero is based on a 1968 Series 1.5 Roadster and features a cutting-edge electric powertrain for 0-60mph in just 5.5sec. It was engineered by Jaguar Classic at the company’s new Classic Works in Warwickshire, UK. Jaguar I-PACE Concept With I-PACE we started with a clean sheet and engineered a bespoke, tailored, pure electric SUV from the ground up, creating a beautiful design with everyday practicality. It’s a performance SUV, it looks stunning, is great to drive and will be on sale next year. Jaguar FUTURE-TYPE The Jaguar FUTURE-TYPE is a vision for the car of 2040 and beyond. The fully autonomous virtual concept explores mobility for the connected world of tomorrow, where vehicles could be shared not owned. With Future Type’s interface you can separately access your different digital orbits of work, family or play, dialling up what you do need, and dialling down what you don’t. At its heart is Sayer – the intelligent steering wheel that will revolutionise the way you live your life. Named after Malcolm Sayer, designer of the E-type, this steering wheel doesn't just stay in your car – it lives in your home and becomes your trusted companion. Sayer is the first voice activated AI steering wheel that will be able to carry out hundreds of tasks. The advanced speech recognition software will allow it to answer your questions, connect you to the news, organise your travel and select your entertainment. Sayer knows what's in your fridge and can even order your shopping or a pizza. You will never run out of milk again. It will be your go-to device. It is not just the ‘key’ to your car, it’s your membership card for our on-demand service club. A club which offers either sole ownership or the option of sharing the car with others in your community. For our customers, driving is about much more than getting from A to B. It’s about living life from A to Z. You will always be able to experience the sheer thrill of driving with the option to take the wheel. But this is a steering wheel like never before. View full article

Volkswagen has gotten the approval on a fix for their older first-generation 2.0L TDI models involved in the diesel emission scandal. Now they're waiting for Federal officials to give the go ahead for the automaker to begin selling these vehicles. When that approval comes, Volkswagen's head of North America Hinrich Woebcken says they have a plan to get them to dealers. Speaking with Automotive News, Woebcken said the company would slowly release the 2.0L TDI vehicles to their 652 dealers in the U.S. Dealers will get a "right of first refusal" for models that were returned through their dealerships. The slow release is to try and keep the residual values somewhat stable. Dealers are excited to start selling these fixed vehicles according to Woebcken. "There is, of course, a community of customers who would like to take a look at these cars, once they fulfill the regulations, and that's why we are pretty optimistic that we will have a successful remarketing of those cars," said Woebcken. The first-generation 2.0L TDI models require a more extensive fix than the second-generation 2.0 TDI with new hardware and software. However, not all of the first-generation 2.0L TDI models will be fixed. Herbert Diess, global head of the Volkswagen brand said some of the higher-mileage models would be scrapped. "If the mileage is too high and the residual value is too low, it doesn't make sense anymore" to fix them. But the majority of the cars are going to be resold," said Diess. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

The Ram 1500 has a diesel option and recently updated Ford F-150 will be getting one in the near future. What about General Motors' full-size pickups? Some new spy photos reveal that it could be in the cards for the next-generation models. Somehow, a spy photographer was able to get underneath a GMC Sierra mule to find what appears to be a tank for diesel exhaust fluid and a diesel particulate filter - key items you need to sell a diesel in the U.S. Of course, the question arises of what engine is under the hood. Various reports say it could range from a 3.0L V6 from Navistar to the 2.8L Duramax four-cylinder found in the Colorado/Canyon (we're a bit dubious on this one). We're expecting to hear news on the next-generation Silverado and Sierra some next year, possibly at the Detroit auto show. Source: Autoblog, Motor1 View full article