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Pininfarina Battista hypercar completes high-speed test program
Automobili Pininfarina has reached a landmark moment in the development of its new Battista, as the pure electric hyper GT completed its first high-speed test sesson at the Nardo Technical Centre in Italy. The comprehensive test program is underway as company engineers fine-tune the car’s unique dynamics package including five selectable driving modes. Its electric powertrain will make new Battista the most powerful Italian sportscar ever produced, claims the company. The 120-kW·h battery provides power to four electric motors (one at each wheel) for output of 1900 hp (1420 kW) and 2300 N·m (1696 lb·ft). Its advanced powertrain is able to intelligently distribute power between all four wheels for optimized traction in all conditions and allows customers to tailor the driving experience to suit their personal tastes using five unique driving modes: Calma, Pura, Energica, Furiosa, and Carattere. “We have undertaken extensive development using advanced simulation technology, and we can now fine-tune the calibration of Battista’s bespoke chassis and pioneering four-motor torque vectoring system on road and track,” said Paolo Dellacha, Automobili Pininfarina Chief Product and Engineering Officer. Watch the Battista hyper GT prototype in action for the first time here: youtu.be/et8ZzcRIXGc.
Hyundai shows E-GMP dedicated EV platform
The Hyundai Motor Group has revealed the E-GMP, its first dedicated BEV platform for its next-generation BEV (battery electric vehicle) line-up. The event was broadcasted through the Group’s official YouTube channel and Channel Hyundai, its online global content platform. “Today our front-wheel driven Hyundai and Kia BEVs are already among the most efficient ones in their segments,” said Albert Biermann, President and Head of R&D Division for Hyundai Motor Group. “With our rear-wheel driven based E-GMP, we are extending our technological leadership into segments where customers demand excellent driving dynamics and outstanding efficiency.” BEVs based on it can provide range over 500 km (310 mi) on a full WLTP-measured charge and be high-speed charged up to 80% within 18 min. A high-performance model based on the E-GMP will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 3.5 s, with a top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph). The company says that the design of the platform’s components optimize driving dynamics and safety, and maximize cabin space. The integrated power electric system is said to include the world’s first multi-charging, at both 400 and 800 V, and bi-directional power conversion function. Platform modularization and standardization enable rapid and flexible development depending on customer needs. Hyundai Motor Group plans to introduce 23 BEV models and sell 1 million BEV units worldwide by 2025. As part of its BEV vision, Hyundai Motor Co. launched its dedicated Ioniq BEV brand in August 2020, which includes three dedicated BEV models, the 5, 6, and 7, to launch by 2024. Kia is also undergoing a transformation, based on its Plan S mid-to-long term strategy. In September, Kia announced plans to increase the share of BEV sales volumes as a proportion of total sales to 20% by 2025. The company also recently published an early image of seven dedicated BEV models to be released sequentially by 2027.
Groupe PSA to launch all-electric compact vans in 2021
Groupe PSA has launched all-electric or plug-in hybrid versions of all its new models since 2019, but the group’s objective is to offer a fully electrified portfolio by 2025. Following the 2020 launch of electric versions of their medium van models (D-Van) and large van (E-Van), the four brands, Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, and Vauxhall will complete their line-ups in 2021 with all-electric versions of their compact van (B-Van) and associated passenger cars. The launch of the new Peugeot e-Partner, Citroën ë-Berlingo van, Opel Combo-e, and Vauxhall Combo-e means that 100% of the group’s light commercial vehicles portfolio in Europe electrified before end of 2021. The electric compact vans and the battery packs will be assembled at the Vigo plant (Galicia, Spain), the electric motors in Tremery (France), and the final drive gears in Valenciennes (France). Built on the eCMP platform, the powertain is composed of a water-cooled 50-kW·h electric battery allowing power outputs of up to 100 kW, a 100-kW electric motor, and an onboard charger available in two levels of power: 7.4-kW single-phase and 11-kW three-phase. “With these all-electric versions of compact vans and associated passenger cars, Groupe PSA is continuing its electrification offensive and now offers a completely electrified LCV portfolio without compromises on performance,” said Xavier Peugeot, Senior Vice-President of Groupe PSA’s Light Commercial Vehicles Business Unit.
Mini develops concepts for electric John Cooper Works models
Mini promises that its new vehicle architectures will offer additional freedom when it comes to the planned expansion of the model range. Part of the plan is an emissions-free electric drivetrain that it says will sharpen the distinctive profile of the John Cooper Works brand, and it showed a running prototype but provided very little in the way of technical details. However, its future vehicle architectures are being engineered for performance models in electric as well as combustion-engine versions. This follows Mini’s first baby steps in electric mobility, with the Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 plug-in hybrid model, which it says led to 5% of the brand’s total sales being electrified. The all-electric Cooper SE followed, doubling electric share to around 10%. Based on this experience, Mini is now preparing the next step in the development of electric John Cooper Works models. “Now it’s time to translate the passion for performance of the John Cooper Works brand to electromobility,” said Bernd Körber, Head of the Mini brand. “John Cooper Works models with conventional combustion engines will still continue to have an important role to play, to make sure we’re addressing the wishes and needs of performance enthusiasts all around the world.”
Lucid completes phase of ‘first greenfield electric vehicle factory in North America’
Lucid Motors announced the completion of the first phase of construction at the new Lucid AMP-1, its first Advanced Manufacturing Plant factory in Casa Grande, AZ. The commissioning of production equipment and processes are underway ahead of start of production for the Air sedan in Spring 2021. As the first greenfield, dedicated electric vehicle factory built in North America, Lucid’s says the AMP-1 has a future-ready focus that allows for additional phases of expansion at the site. The next phase is expected to begin in early 2021, enabling future production of the brand’s first SUV, currently called Project Gravity, in 2023. “We broke ground on the 590-acre Lucid AMP-1 site in Casa Grande, Arizona, on December 2, 2019, and slightly less than a year later we have completed the first purpose-built EV factory in North America,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO, Lucid Motors. As part of the factory’s commissioning, the company has already built its full beta prototype test fleet and is now transitioning to the construction of a final series of production-representative versions of Lucid Air. The manufacturing system embraces advanced processes such as an aircraft-inspired riveted and bonded monocoque body structure replacing spot welds. A total of four phases are planned through 2028, taking the square footage of the factory from its current 999,000 ft² to 5.1 million ft². In its final form, AMP-1’s manufacturing capacity if planned for up to 400,000 units per year. Customer-ordered production cars will start coming off the Arizona line in Spring of 2021, with an initial capacity of up to 30,000 units annually to supply global markets, beginning with North America.
Husqvarna transforming commercial turf care with robotics
Husqvarna is launching what it calls a game-changing robotic solution for commercial turf-care management with its CEORA platform for grass areas of up to 50,000 m². The low-noise and zero-emissions solution mows autonomously and systematically within virtual boundaries. With CEORA, public and commercial landowners, sports field managers, and golf course owners can automize lawnmowing, while staff can be redeployed to focus on more value-added tasks. “This is an industry game changer marking the start of a new era in commercial turf care management,” said Valentin Dahlhaus, Vice President at Husqvarna. His company pioneered robotic turf care, and since 1995 has offered the Automower robotic mower. CEORA’s EPOS high-precision satellite navigation system delivers an accuracy of 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) without physical wires, enabling quick digital redefinitions of the work area to accommodate industry leading flexible use of the lawn and aerating and scarifying without risking to damage wires. It is Husqvarna’s first step in addressing fast, large-scale systematic mowing, but it is said to be a future proof, scalable platform that in the future could be tailored to specific needs like lawn striper, fairway deck, or line painter and can be paired with other robotic mowers allowing the operator instant and continuous digital monitoring and control of multiple units. More details about the new Husqvarna CEORA will be presented during summer 2021 and mowers will start shipping to customers from early 2022. Check out CEORA in action at https://youtu.be/inBI6KrCLPo.
Volcon invites off-road EV-sector investors to WeFunder
New vehicle maker Volcon Inc. is inviting investors to join the growing electric-powersports sector by announcing a new funding round on crowdsourcing-investment platform WeFunder—the largest funding portal by number of investments, investment volume, and investor returns—at www.wefunder.com/volcon.ev. Launched to the public in early November, Volcon’s first electrified vehicle, an off-road motorcycle named the Grunt, will be delivered to customers beginning in Spring of 2021. Pricing for the Stag and the Beast utility and sport UTV models was also announced, with production to follow in late 2021 into 2022, starting at $14,995 (Stag) and $24,995 (Beast). “We are inviting the powersports community and EV startup investors to also be part of the industry’s evolution to electric by investing in the only 100-percent electric, outdoor powersports company,” said Andrew Leisner, Chief Executive Officer of Volcon. The WeFunder platform is an SEC-regulated site that allows accredited and the general public to own equity in a company for low investment amounts. Volcon also announced the purchase of a 53-acre property in northwest Austin for the company’s future factory headquarters. It said that this is the latest example of a leading EV brand joining other major electric vehicle manufacturers in the Austin area, such as Tesla, Ayro, and Hyliion, in what is becoming the electric vehicle capital of the world.
