Renault Samsung to Launch Electric Van in Korea

A spokesman declines to identify the electric van but says there are several options, including importing it from Europe and producing it locally at the company’s Busan plant. He says Renault Samsung hopes to launch the van by year-end.

By Vince Courtenay • March 20, 2018

The Complicated Role of Artificial Intelligence in Future Vehicles

AI is expected to one day be a decision-making superhero, fusing information from a roster of autonomous-vehicle sensors and a connected transportation ecosystem to deliver us to work or play safely and leisurely.

By James M. Amend • March 19, 2018

Alcantara: A Synthetic That Touches Human Emotions, CEO Says

“We are the ultimate material of the future,” Alcantara CEO Andrea Boragno says in a WardsAuto Q&A.

By Steve Finlay • March 19, 2018

Volkswagen Developing EV for Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Christened the I.D. R Pikes Peak, the dedicated hill-climb racer has been conceived to display modern electric-drive systems’ capabilities, acting as a high-tech spearhead for Volkswagen’s range of new electric-powered I.D. road cars due to begin production from the end of 2019.

By Greg Kable • March 19, 2018

Audi Confirms e-Tron GT As New ‘Spearhead’ Model

Chairman Rupert Stadler says the E-Tron GT is one of three all-electric models being developed and planned for launch by Audi by the start of the next decade.

By Greg Kable • March 16, 2018

Who Buys EVS Now, and Who Will in the Future

Even if everyone wanted to switch to EVs, there would not be enough lithium to go around. We will start to see new energy sources tested. Once those are developed, expect an exponential shift.

By Daniel Yuabov • March 15, 2018

Buick Regal GS Enjoys Life in the Fast Lane

The sculpted vehicle with a powerful V-6 is another example of Buick’s transformation away from what once was a nameplate that skewed toward older buyers.

By Steve Finlay • March 14, 2018

Old-School Lock Thwarts Electronic Vehicle Tampering

Bob Lycoudis, a retired Australian police officer with long experience in investigating car thefts, created Cop-Lock, a mechanical locking device that attaches to the brake or clutch pedal. The downside is it does not work with all vehicles.

By Alan Harman • March 14, 2018

Five Ways Electric Vehicles Can Benefit the Grid

The storage capability of EVs makes more renewable energy available to the grid. Energy provided by renewable sources could be absorbed by the batteries and stored for later use.

By Constance Douris • March 12, 2018

Continental, Chinese Firm Form 48V Mild-Hybrid JV

The joint venture with partner CITC’s China Aviation Lithium Battery Co. subsidiary will allow Continental to offer its 48V mild-hybrid system from a single source.

March 12, 2018

Bose Wants to Clear Up the Cabin

The audio-system supplier wants to filter out unwanted or annoying noises heard during phone calls and dictation.

March 12, 2018

Jaguar’s E-Pace Is CUV E-Ticket

Jaguar borrows from the Range Rover Evoque, XE and XF sedans and F-Pace SUV to create the sporty E-Pace premium compact CUV.

By Bob Gritzinger • March 9, 2018

Supplier Denso Expands Operations in Tennessee

One new production line at the Tennessee plant will manufacture GDI fuel injectors, another will make low-pressure fuel pumps and two will produce high-pressure fuel pumps serving automakers across North America.

March 8, 2018

Utility Vehicles Continue Shoring Up Russian Market

According to Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade data, CUVs and SUVs held a 42% share of the market in 2017. The segments’ current annual growth rate is 20%, a figure officials predict will hold steady in the near future.

By Eugene Gerden • March 8, 2018

Luxury Sedan Concept VW’s Latest All-Electric Model

Previewing the fourth in what VW confirms to WardsAuto will be five new I.D. production models already green-lighted by Chairman Mathias Mueller, the all-wheel-drive I.D. Vizzion has been conceived to sit at the top of the German automaker’s lineup.

By Greg Kable • March 7, 2018

How to Increase Auto Dealers’ Interest in Selling EVs

No one seriously thinks Tesla will sell the majority of EVs in the coming years. This task is for the major manufacturers and their dealers.

By John F. Possumato • March 7, 2018

BorgWarner Broadens Powertrain-Component Portfolio

Over the past few years BorgWarner, which reported sales of $9.8 billion in 2017, has formed combined teams from multiple centers of expertise to offer OEMs a full array of products for internal combustion engines, hybrids and electric vehicles.

By Joseph Szczesny • March 7, 2018

Porsche Throws Electric CUV Curveball at Geneva

Porsche Chairman Oliver Blume describes the Mission E Cross Turismo concept as a feasibility study created by a team of designers and engineers to assess whether a market exists for such an outwardly sporting zero-emission utility vehicle.

By Greg Kable • March 7, 2018

EV Shows Veteran Designer Giugiaro Still Energetic

The Giugiaros established GFG Style after leaving the Italdesign studio and were not commissioned by any automaker to design and engineer the Sybilla, although with Envision’s involvement the EV is meant to be incorporated into the electrical grid.

By Giancarlo Perini • March 6, 2018

Lexus UX Unveiled, Due in U.S. in December

New predictive technology is debuting for the first time on a Lexus hybrid, which learns a driver’s behavior, such as when he or she slowed or stopped in the past on a given route, to optimize charging and discharging of the battery.

March 6, 2018

Portuguese Island to Host Renault EV-to-Grid Project

This world-first smart island uses EVs, second-life batteries, smart charging and vehicle-to-grid to boost the island’s energy independence and stimulate the production of renewable energy.

By Paul Myles • March 5, 2018

A Tale of Two Jeep Cherokees

FCA refreshes its midsize SUV to stay competitive in a hot segment.

By Steve Finlay • March 2, 2018

Autonomous Vehicles Must Give Passengers Some Control

Potential autonomous vehicle users want the vehicle to mimic the way they personally drive, including making decisions and following (or not following) traffic laws as they would.

By Matt Yurdana • Feb. 28, 2018

Fastest Street-Legal Lotus Sports Car Unveiled

Upgraded for the 3-Eleven 430, the supercharged and charge-cooled 3.5L V-6 produces 430 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque, powering the sports car from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds. Its top speed of 180 mph is up from 174 mph achieved by the previous version.

By Alan Harman • Feb. 28, 2018

Hyundai Reveals Kona Electric Vehicle

The new model features short- and long-range drivetrain options with ranges of 180 miles and 282 miles. It is expected to go on sale throughout Europe following the Geneva show.

By Vince Courtenay • Feb. 27, 2018