Important Innovations Collection

SUV That's like a Hypercar                                                                           Super:  McLaren Car Concepts High Performance Driving British supercar manufacturer McLaren is famous for its performance sports cars.  The cars are always gorgeous, "lightweight and performance" vehicles.  Until now, McLaren has not joined the global SUV craze because they don't want to dilute their sports car brand and deviate in any way from their historic DNA.  With a new CEO, McLaren may be ready to change. New CEO Who Loves SUVs German born, PhD in Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Michael Leiters is McLaren's new CEO.  He has a distinguished automotive career.  He's the former chief Technology Officer of Ferrari and is the person ...

 Purosangue SUV With V12 Engine Source:  Ferrari A Pure Thoroughbred That Could Shake Up the Global SUV Market Italian sports car maker Ferrari just announced that its new Purosangue SUV will be powered by a high performance 6.5-liter V12 engine.  This vehicle is designed to be the fastest SUV on the road today.  Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna made the V12 decision promising that Ferrari's first SUV will provide outstanding performance and driving.  The naturally aspirated V12 is Ferrari's most powerful engine and represents a departure from Ferrari's recent strategy of using less polluting V6 and V8 hybrid engines. However, automotive experts expect that the Purosangue will be the top candidate for a Ferrari fully electric powertrain.  They also believe Ferrari will eventually offer it as V6 and V8 hybrid models. Ferrari Is Ringing Up Sales Despite the global pandemic, demand for Ferrari sports cars has remained strong with a 12% increase in core earning...

New EV SUV That Can Power Other EVs                                                    Source:  Tata Motors From India, An EV that Uses "Digital Design Language" India-based Tata Motors, which owns Jaguar and Land Rover, is debuting a new, all electric SUV concept - the CURVV.  Both the design and the technology in the EV are breakthrough.  CURVV is capable of charging other electric vehicles.  It can also power electronic devices like laptops, cellphones and electrical appliances with a 3-pin socket.  Initial models of CURVV will be rolled out by the global automaker as a front wheel drive vehicle.  But the company says that if the demand for CURVV is strong enough, it will also be offered as an all-wheel drive vehicle.  The range on a charge for CURVV is an impressive 500 km or 311 miles. Design Feature...

Hybrid Electric Luxury SUV                                       Source: Stock - Ferrari's Purosangue Ferrari Joins the Luxury SUV Business Italian-based, luxury sports car maker Ferrari is building its first SUV - the hybrid electric Purosangue.  Deliveries to customers will start in 2023.  The EV is currently undergoing road testing in Europe.  These are the first unobscured images of the vehicle without camouflage.  Clearly, the Purosangue, which is Italian for thoroughbred, is stunning. What We Know Ferrari has closely kept the wraps on this new vehicle.  But it is a 4 door, sleek, long and low riding SUV.  It has a long front, a slopping roof and long, curvy hood and sides.  The rear sports a full length lightbar that connects to two sets of taillights and a tailgate.  Ferrari has not disclosed technical details yet....

Venerable Brand Targets Return to Profitability with DBX                                             Source:  Aston Martin 007 James Bond's Car of Choice UK-based Aston Martin is an historic luxury car brand that epitomizes prestige, beauty, performance, speed and panache.  It was 007 James Bond's car of choice for his spy movie adventures.  Now to bring in new customers and sustain its future, Aston Martin has created what's being called a "super SUV" - the DBX.  The DBX is of the upmost importance to Aston Martin.  The company hopes it will return it to profitability and ensure its long-term survival.  Style and Price The DBX is huge, sleek, curvy and pricey at nearly $190,000.  The powertrain was developed with Aston Martin's partner Mercedes-AMG.  They upgraded a 4-liter turbocharged V8 to pump out more than 54...

750 Horsepower of Power and Energy Source:  BMW XM SUV Concept BMW's Concept Will Go into Production To celebrate BMW M model's 50th anniversary, BMW has unveiled a striking and powerful, plug-in hybrid electric SUV with 750 horsepower, the XM SUV concept.  It becomes the second M after the M1.  The XM is a performance vehicle that BMW is putting into production.  The boldly designed vehicle is striking with very angular lines, a huge front grill and extended hood.  It is like an artistic geometrical design in motion.  All of which is highlighted and enhanced by a sharply thin line of LED lighting. Tech Specs The XM concept is loaded with state-of-the-art technology designed for high performance.  The hybrid powertrain consists of a twin turbocharged, 4.4 liter V8 engine combined with an electric engine.  The electric motor has a 50-mile range on its own.  The combination pumps out 750 hp and 737 ft lbs. of torque.  The ne...

Jaguar Land Rover to Unveil Range Rover's Latest Model in 2022                                                  Source:  Land Rover The Ultimate in Luxury on Wheels 2022 will ring in a new Range Rover, the SV Autobiography Ultimate Edition.  Everything about the new vehicle is ultimate:  its 557 horsepower engine, luxurious interior and exterior and its price-tag - $250,000. The Ultimate Edition is built by hand, not by robots and machines by Land Rover's SV Bespoke team in the UK.  And it is by far Range Rover's most expensive vehicle. Automaker Jaguar Land Rover has decided that this will be the last and ultimate model of Range Rover's current generation.  They say the Ultimate represents the pinnacle of Land Rover's SUV lines and showcases the evolution of Range Rover for style, comfort, luxury and design for more th...

2022 Lexus LQ                                        Source:  Lexus LF-1 Concept New Design & New Course for Lexus The 2022 Lexus LQ is the luxury brand's new flagship SUV to be unveiled in early 2022.  Lexus has previewed the vehicle with the impressive LF-1 concept.  Lexus says the LQ will set a radically new course for Lexus SUVs and the focus of the vehicle is luxury not on off-roading.  The LQ will sport an all new design with a strong, straight roofline, a wide body and new grill configuration.  It will be taller and wider than its predecessors.   It will have a very dynamic appearance with strong styling lines from the hood to the back of the SUV. An Interior that is User Centric The interior of the vehicle will be ultra-plush and user centric. The LF-1's LED light show in the grill will likely be incorporated into LQ to welcome...

Aston Martin's 1st SUV Source:  Aston Martin DBX Looking for a big business turnaround, British luxury carmaker Aston Martin rolled out its first, luxury sports utility vehicle (SUV) off the assembly line today.  The brand is famous as James Bond 007's car of choice.  The DBX SUV is priced at $189,000. Audible Gift Memberships Financial Drivers The company has been experiencing disappointing sales since 2018.  The financial distress has been compounded this year by the COVID-19 pandemic.  To cope, Aston Martin has cut jobs and changed top management.  Since its IPO in 2018, the company's share prices has dropped 90%.  Aston Martin says it is in need of funding.  It's financials are blinking red. DBX The company is hoping that the DBX will drive them into a more profitable era.  Deliveries of the SUV start later this month.  The company says it has more than 2,000 orders for the vehicle.  Incoming CEO Tobias Moers...

May be Tesla's Hottest Vehicle Source:  Tesla Model Y CEO Elon Musk's Roll-Out of Model Y The Model Y is Tesla's first crossover SUV.  It's aimed at an incredibly popular segment in the US:  what's called the lower end of the EV market.  CEO Elon Musk is way ahead of schedule on production of the SUV.  First deliveries on the electric, all wheel drive crossover will start in March instead of the summer as previously announced.  Also, this SUV has additional distance.  It now can go 350 miles on a single charge, instead of 280 as Tesla had previously estimated. Big Expansion and Big Expectations Elon Musk anticipates a big market for this car.  He anticipates the Y will outsell every other vehicle that Tesla makes.  As a result, he's expanding production.  Currently, the Y is being produced at a Tesla facility in Freemont, CA.  But in 2021, he's going to expand production to Shanghai and later to Berlin.  The EV is ...

Rivian Partners with Lincoln to Produce Lincoln's 1st Electric SUV Hot Start-Up with Amazon & Ford Investment Backing Goes with Classy Brand Lincoln has announced that it's partnering with Detroit based EV startup Rivian to co-produce Lincoln's first all-electric vehicle.  Rivian is one of the hottest EV startups with $700 million in investments from Amazon and $500 million from Ford.  What Rivian has developed is a unique flexible skateboard platform on which to build electric vehicles.  Rivian has demonstrated the technology with its own electric SUV (shown above) and electric truck. This is a big coup for Rivian and a big opportunity for Ford to get a substantial return on its investment. According to Ford and Lincoln executive, the Lincoln electric SUV will have a special, classy style of its own on the Rivian skateboard platform. "Quiet Flight on a Flexible Skateboard" Lincoln executives say the new electric vehicle will be ...

Electric, Solar-Powered, Vegan Interior, Affordable Source:  Fisker Ocean Now at CES 2020 Fisker, the designer and manufacturer of electric vehicles and advanced mobility solutions headquartered in LA, is unveiling an all-electric, luxury SUV, the Fisker Ocean, at CES 2020 in Las Vegas this week. The vehicle is solar powered and has a full length solar panel on the roof.  Fisker is also partnering with Electrify America, which is the largest, open DC fast charging network in the US.  Electrify America will have 3500 chargers in 45 states by 2021. Ocean Affordable And Environmentally Correct The all-electric SUV can deliver up to 300 miles of driving on a 30 minute charge. The company has priced it for affordability.  The SUV starts at $37,499 but with a US federal tax credit the price drops to $29,999. The two companies are working together to increase the range and reduce the charge time.  Fisker says the Ocean is a full prototype that's re...

Lincoln's 2022 Electric SUV Source:  Rivian.  Top - e-platform.  Bottom - Rivian  R1S SUV Startup Rivian  Forging the Way with Unique E-Vehicle Platform Reports indicate that Lincoln will be a big beneficiary of Ford's $500 million investment in Detroit e-vehicle startup Rivian.  Amazon is also investing in the company.  Lincoln is expected to use Rivian's skateboard-styled platform for a Lincoln electric SUV coming out in 2022.  This would be the first example of Ford's plans to co-develop a vehicle based on Rivian's electric car platform. Rivian's e-Vehicles Rivian's platform is a highly modular, battery-electric design.  It resembles a skateboard.  The system can deliver up to 700 horsepower.  It fits batteries up to 180 kilowatt hours in size.  Rivian is using the platform for its own R1T pick-up truck and R1S SUV that will go into production in late 2020.  Rivian says the SUV gets 400 miles in range....

Tesla, GM, Ford Charging Ahead Source:  Tesla Big SUV and Pickup Truck Green Driving Big news.  Tesla's all electric Cybertruck has picked up 200,000 orders in the three days following its launch in Los Angeles.  That's a big deal.  People love the sleek armored truck look and power of the electric muscle truck that is Tesla CEO Elon Musk's pet project.  Engineer Musk made the truck of the same steel he uses at Space X for his rockets. Buyers apparently forgave the faux paus of the bullet proof windows shattering twice when hit by a metallic ball at its debut.  Production on Cybertruck starts in two years.  Prices start at $40,000 and the vehicle has a battery range on the top class model of 500 miles.  Musk has some time to work on the shattered glass of the shatterproof windows. All Electric Pickup Wars GM just announced it will deliver an all electric pickup truck by fall of 2021.  Ford will deliver on an all electric pi...

Ford's Latest Mustang is an Electric SUV Source:  Ford Motor Company Fully Electric, Mustang SUV As we promised in an earlier blog, here's the new Ford Mustang. Ford just unveiled its long awaited, brand new Mustang.  Mach-E, the Mustang inspired vehicle, is a fully electric SUV.  Ford is taking reservations now - a $500 deposit is required - but, you'll have to wait awhile for delivery.  Ford says production will start on the Mach-E at a Ford facility in Mexico in the 4th quarter of 2020. Sleek, Green Vehicle with Performance The Mach-E is a 5-passenger crossover electric SUV with style and performance inspired by the original Mustang.  The Mustang is an iconic vehicle, treasured by many, that dates back to the 1960's. The latest iteration on the Mustang theme was unveiled by Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford and actor Idris Elba in Los Angeles (photo above). Important Details The Mach-E is priced to start at $50,000 which experts ...