Important Innovations Collection

Activesphere - Audi's Most Versatile Concept                                             Source:  Audi Activesphere Made For Those on the Move Audi has debuted its 4th and final electric concept sphere car, Activesphere, that is designed for people who love the outdoors and have a very active lifestyle.  Here are some key facts on the EV concept: All-in-one electric luxury sedan, pickup truck and off-roading EV that is Audi's most versatile concept Body of a coupe but with big, 22" wheels for significant ground clearance for off-roading EV can convert into a pickup truck as the back can become an open cargo bed 4-door crossover with a new powertrain that is designed to drive on and off-road Sits on the Premium Platform Electric powertrain or PPE that Audi is developing with fellow VW automaker Porsche, that will be deployed in 2023 Dual electri...

Hilux Revo BEV                                        Source:  Toyota Toyota's Holistic Approach to Electrification Toyota has unveiled its first, fully electric pickup truck. The battery electric vehicle (BEV) is called the Hilux Revo BEV prototype and it's designed to be an everyday, workhorse truck capable of a mix of functions. It has a unique configuration of cargo and passenger space. It appears to be ready to go into production.  The debut took place in Thailand as part of Toyota's 60 years of operations there.  The big question is:  will it be sold in the US?  Toyota hasn't announced its intentions with the EV yet, but it has been teasing about an electric pickup for the US market since 2021. More Details The Hilux Revo BEV is a midsized truck with a single cab and an extended bed.  The charging port is on the front, left fender....

Weisman Thunderball Goes Electric                                     Source: Weisman Thunderball EV All Electric Cabriolet Weisman Automobile GmbH has just unveiled its Thunderball all-electric Cabriolet, which is a very sporty, stunning concept that is going into production. Weisman is a Germany-based automotive manufacturer that specializes in hand-built, custom convertibles and coupes.  They two brothers who founded the business have been in business since 1988.  Their new Thunderball is getting the automotive world's attention because of its power, beauty and performance. One major automotive magazine called it "a tour de force".  Weisman calls the vehicle "the world's most exciting sportscar".  Thought you would like to take a look at it as I did. Tech Specs & More The Thunderball sports car is a zero emissions vehicle that can accelerate from 0 to ...

Lancia Returns to Carmaking:  Goes All-Electric Luxury                                                  Source:  Lancia New Concept Pu-Ra Zero is Purely Radical Famed Italian automaker Lancia has returned to its roots of designing and making cars.  Now owned by Stellantis (Chrysler), Lancia has resurrected its brand with a very wild car concept, a new mission and a new logo.  The concept is as unique as it gets.  The "design sculpture" is called Pu-Ra Zero - as in pure, radical, zero emissions. And it does not resemble a conventional car.  In fact, it has no wheels, no windows and lacks most of the things that you expect to come with a car.  The concept is actually Lancia's design language for what will be its flagship EV of the future. Lancia defines their approach as a combination of design, art and inn...

GAC Barchetta                                                                                Source:  GAC Barchetta Futuristic Car From SciFi Renowned Chinese automaker GAC Group and its new Advanced Design Studio GAC Barchetta in Milan, Italy have produced a futuristic concept car for the ages. The concept, called the GAC Barchetta, is inspired by iconic Italian sports cars from decades ago and is tailored made for Italian sports car enthusiasts. The design team calls it the essence of minimalism, efficiency and simplicity.  It's a two-seat electric sports car.  In just two months, GAC's fully digital design studio in Milan completed this extraordinary concept car, that looks like it came straight out of science fiction. Unique Aspects of t...

Bold New Design That Stands Out                                                                           Source:  Toyota Part Sedan - Part SUV Toyota is resurrecting its longest running model name with the unveiling of its new hybrid flagship sedan, the 2023 Toyota Crown.  The hybrid-electric vehicle will replace the Toyota Avalon in the Japanese automaker's lineup.  The Crown has quite the pedigree, dating back to 1955.  It became the first Japanese car sold in the US in 1958.  For 15 generations, the Crown was Toyota's premiere sedan.  The new Crown is much taller than a sedan with a high-riding SUV-like body.  Automotive experts are hailing the design as bold and blurring the lines between a SUV and a sedan.  It's a one-of-a-ki...

Cupra's Gaming Motif - Gamification of the Car                                        Source:  Cupra Car Designed as a Lifestyle Interest Volkwagen-owned, sports, race car and EV maker Cupra has created a concept car that is a brilliant idea.  The car is designed to appeal to young,14-year-old gamers and bring them back to buy when they legally can in the future.  The vehicle, called Urban Rebel, has a controller-styled steering wheel and a big digital dashboard, all fashioned-on gaming electronics.  Some automotive experts are calling the Urban Rebel the gamification of cars. The company calls it a look at the future through the eyes and interest of future buyers. Cupra says that 80% of 14 year olds are gamers. The EV is a marketing strategy that plays right into the megatrend of vehicles reflecting the owner's lifestyle.  Today's teen ga...

Off-Roading in Style with Zero Emissions                                                  Source:  Toyota Part of Lifestyle-Oriented EV Megatrend Toyota has unveiled a number of new images of its new Compact Cruiser EV concept.  The vehicle is a boxy, compact off-roader with good looks and zero emissions.  In fact, it is the recipient of the prestigious 2022 Car Design Award for Concept Vehicles.  The vehicle is an outdoorsy beauty that was created by the Toyota Europe Design development team in Nice, France.  It is expected to go into production and is one of the most fascinating of the 16 upcoming battery electric concepts that Toyota and Lexus recently introduced. It's a prime example of the global automotive megatrend of consumers desiring EVs that reflect their lifestyle interests. New Design This ve...

Concept Car with Leading Edge Automotive Technologies                                        Source:  Lamborghini Look at the Future of Driving Lamborghini and MIT's concept car Terzo Millennio showcases the future of cutting edge, automotive technologies.  Lamborghini's first electric concept car was created in partnership with top engineering experts at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  It is their visionary design for the all-electric sports car of the future with a unique powertrain, no lithium-ion batteries and sleek, futuristic great looks.  They are in the process of developing the breakthrough technologies in the concept to bring them into the real world of driving. Unique Technologies One of the most remarkable aspects of the Terzo Millennio is that the electric motors are embedded in the wheels, which create a powerful for...

 Lincoln's First EV is Called Star                                                     Source:  Lincoln "Guiding Star" for Next-Generation of Lincoln Electric Cars Ford's luxury brand Lincoln has unveiled its long anticipated first, fully electric vehicle.  Called Lincoln Star, the concept car is loaded with fresh, new technologies and is quite literally an innovation test lab on wheels.  The EV is a showcase for daring new technologies.  Lincoln and Ford hope to gain public reaction and determine the level of enthusiasm for the new tech features and systems. Lincoln calls Star its "Guiding Star" for the future of the next generation of EVs.  Technologies that are "must haves" and get rave reactions in Star will likely be found in upcoming new Lincoln EVs.   Many Bold and Unique New Technologies...

Lincoln's First All-Electric Vehicle                                                       Source: Lincoln Built With Rivian Electric Technology Lincoln has released a teaser image of its first, all-electric concept vehicle that will officially be unveiled April 20, 2022, possibly at the New York Auto Show.  The company says that the battery electric vehicle (BEV) will set the direction for its future lineup of electric vehicles.  Lincoln is Ford's luxury car division.  Interestingly, some of new EV startup Rivian's electric technology will be at the base of the vehicle.  Ford has a 12% stake in Rivian. Rivian Base The new EV concept, which has yet to be named, appears to be rather large and a crossover, which would provide the vehicle with more aerodynamics and longer range.  Rivian's electric vehicle ba...

Off-Roader Goes From 0 to 60 mph in only 2 seconds                                                  Source:  Jeep Very High-Powered Electric Powertrain Jeep has performed a highly impactful redesign of its all-electric Wrangler Magneto concept.  There is an updated, high-performance powertrain that Jeep calls an "electronic nitrous oxide" launch control system that can rocket the EV from a standstill position to 60 mph in 2 seconds.  It's quite the electrified car. Some automotive experts say it drives more like a high-performance sports car than an off-road vehicle.  It is getting many rave reviews. Tech Specs The Magneto 2.0 has an all-electric drivetrain powered by an 800-volt battery pack system. It has a customized axial flux electric motor that can generate 625 hp and 850 foot-pounds of torque, providing it with lots o...