This week RPM News Weekly reports from the 2017 New York International Auto Show opening with highlights from the pre-show reveal of the monstrously potent Dodge Challenger Demon. Then it’s on to the Javits Convention Center show floor with Toyota’s new FT-4X Concept.
Meanwhile, Subaru had some big news to announce, too, with the debut of the all-new three-row Ascent SUV, and Jeep was not to be outdone by the Dodge Brotherhood of Muscle, showcasing the new Jeep Grand Cherokee TrackHawk, describing it as the culmination of efforts to design the most powerful, quickest SUV ever.
We’ll follow that up with excerpts from the introduction of the all-new all-electric Lucid Air, a transformative luxury sedan that will potentially deliver up to an amazing 1000 horsepower.
Finally, we’ll conclude with an enthusing montage of happenings all around the New York Auto Show.
Follow all of our coverage of the New York International Auto Show on the RPM News Weekly youtube channel.
Music:
Special thanks to the Youtube Audio Library and the artists that provide royalty free music.
Jupiter One – Youtube Audio Library
(Subaru Ascent) Restless Natives – Doug Maxwell / Media Right Productions
(Dodge Demon) Taking a Beating – Ethan Meixsell
(Lucid) Lunar Landing – Silent Partner
(FT-4X) Prog Climation – Josh Kirsch / Media Right Productions
Well, the best-laid plans don’t stand a chance against New England weather. Last week we announced that RPM News Weekly would be traveling to New England Motor Press headquarters in Middleboro, Massachusetts for a special report on the all-new 2017 Kia Niro. That did not happen. A fierce snowstorm got the upper hand, forcing NEMPA to postpone the event to a future date to be determined. We’ll keep you posted.
This week we’ll turn our attention to a handful of eco-friendly cars that with a little bit of Irish luck may help turn the tide of public opinion more favorably in their direction.
St. Patrick’s day may have come and gone by the time you see this news report, but to celebrate the occasion, RPM News Weekly pays tribute this week to some of the Green Cars we’re following with interest:
CHRYSLER PACIFICA
What could be more exciting that America’s most likable new minivan, the Chrysler Pacifica, getting a hybrid powertrain? A rhetorical question, maybe. But RPM News Weekly is keenly interested in seeing whether Pacifica finds it’s pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow as the automaker’s long overdue first hybrid model.
Fuel economy checks in at a respectable 84 miles per gallon equivalent when driving in all-electric mode. To figure out what that means in real dollars and cents based on what electricity costs in your locale, use our handy eQ factor which you can find on Urbandictionary.com Don’t get shamrock’d into thinking that the cost is the same as getting 84 miles per gallon of gasoline.
Even more surprising for the Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle or PHEV, is that it rates a 32 mpg rating when using gasoline thanks to its hybrid formula and a wee bit of savings courtesy of the engine start-stop technology. When was the last time you got that kind of mileage in your minivan. Likely never.
HONDA CLARITY
We can’t talk Green Car with a brogue without mentioning at least one of the several fuel cell vehicles making their way onto the scene. Everyone may be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day but these cars have been forced to show up around Los Angeles way ahead of any tours of South Boston. Why? The hydrogen infrastructure – You know all about that, right?
No hydrogen fueling stations means no reason to sell hydrogen fuel cell cars, and the only place where it’s even remotely considered easy to refuel a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is in California.
That will all change once the new order is in place. Wait for it.
Meanwhile, some very earnest people haven’t been waiting and the folks at Honda are some of them.
Ever since the automaker introduced it’s first production fuel cell vehicle, the FCX, in 2002, they’ve been on the march. The all-new Clarity Fuel Cell is actually the 2nd generation of the model, though few knew much about the first gen.
Cast aside fears that Honda has gone all futuristic with the Clarity. Aside from the whines and whooshes one might expect because of the fuel cell technology, the Clarity is more Accord than Buck Rogers. A single fill-up will get you about 366 miles down the road and the only trail you’ll leave is some residual water exiting the system. Sounds magical, but no, there are no leprechauns waving shillelaghs.
FYI, two other versions of the Clarity, a Plug-in Hybrid and an Electric vehicle will make their worldwide debut at the 2017 New York International Auto Show.
Formula E Racing
We’ll be brief in our third nod to the Green Cars among us. For that we go to the track for a look at Formula E racing.
A refreshing move in high performance racing to all-electric power, Formula E provides the speed and the challenges associated with Formula car racing but without all of the roar and the rumble…or the fumes.
There’s lots of whining, though. And it’s not just coming from the electric motors spinning at 20,000 rpms. In a strange twist, we’re hearing some resistance to the sport because of the lack of noise.
Here at RPM, we welcome the Formula E experience as a race without a booming sound track. We’ll take it for what it is and move forward into a Greener future.
Imagine a vehicle that launches from zero to 60 miles per hour in just over 2 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of just over 186 miles per hour.
Well imagination has become reality at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show where nanoFlowcell Holdings celebrated the world premiere of the first low-voltage sports cars powered by flow cell energy – notably, the QUANT 48VOLT 2 + 2 sports sedan prototype.
But what’s even more remarkable about the QUANT 48VOLT than its speed according to Nunzio La Veccia, nanoFlowcell’s Chief Technology Officer, is that its electric drive is consistently maintained at a low voltage, making it the world’s safest electric sports car from an electrical perspective.
A research and development company, nanoFlowcell Holdings describes itself as “a pioneer and shaper of future thinking in mobility and as a mentor for energy that is environmentally compatible and can be sustainably structured.”
While other electric vehicle system operate at dangerously high voltages, the Flow cell technology in the QUANT 48VOLT can not only perform at the kilowatt output levels needed for high performance and offer an anxiety-free driving range that’s anticipated to be over 600 miles but do so with a safe maximum battery voltage of 48 volts.
One of the most important benefits of low voltage is that there’s no risk of electric shock to road users or first responders in the event of an accident. Plus, the bi-ION electrolyte liquid used in the nanoFlowcell isn’t flammable, explosive or harmful to the environment according to the company.
nanoFlowcell promotes the technology as the safest, most powerful, environmentally compatible and economical drive system for electric vehicles currently available that could be built in series production.
As it stands, the four 140 kiloWatt low-voltage motors in the QUANT 48VOLT make it the most powerful all-wheel drive low-voltage electric sports car not only at the Geneva Motor Show but anywhere on the globe.
Meanwhile, Volvo has revealed new 40 series concepts built around the automaker’s new Compact Modular Architecture.
With plans to expand into global market for premium small cars, the company is developing a range of vehicles that combine compelling exterior and interior design with leading edge connectivity, electrification and autonomous drive technologies.
Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President of Design at Volvo explains more in the video.
We go back to Geneva for our final story this week, where Hyundai unveiled its FE Fuel Cell Concept – a futuristic look ahead to the next generation of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Employing a minimalist approach to the vehicle’s styling, Hyundai sought to emphasize the non-polluting nature of the FE Fuel Cell Concept.
Woong Chul Yang, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company, described the FE Fuel Cell Concept as an important evolution of the company’s pioneering hydrogen leadership that “moves us closer to our vision for a ‘Hydrogen Society’, where transportation is clean, efficient and enhances the lives of our customers.”
The concept vehicle is part of the company’s eco-vehicle program that will see 14 or more new environmentally-focused models introduced by 2020. The FE in its name stands for “Future Eco”.
Designed to run for about 500 miles between refueling, the FE Fuel Cell Concept represents an increase of 30 percent in the power density of the fuel cell stack over the current generation Tuscon ix35 Fuel Cell.
For added convenience, the FE Concept features portable battery packs to power passenger devices as well as an integrated storage and charging space in the trunk for an electric scooter.
This week, RPM News Weekly goes on the road to ski country with Field Correspondent Rane Newcomb for a first drive report on the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT, the world’s first and only all-wheel drive American muscle coupe.
We follow that up with a look at Mopar’s 80th anniversary, then, an announcement from Volkswagen regarding a sponsorship to promote access to snow sports in the United States, and conclude this week with additional video highlights of the Challenger GT first drive event.
{See video for onsite report with Rane Newcomb in Tamworth, New Hampshire.
MOPAR
Born as a contraction of “Motor Parts” nearly 80 years ago on August 1, 1937, the Mopar brand marks its evolution over 80 years with a year-long celebration that includes limited-edition anniversary vehicles, 80th anniversary-themed service, and other special merchandise and events.
As the source for genuine parts and accessories for all Fiat Chrysler of America brands around the globe including Dodge, Jeep and RAM, Mopar originated as a maker of antifreeze products. By the 1960s, the Mopar name was synonymous with performance parts to enhance speed and handling. At that time, the brand also expanded into technical services and customer support.
Today, the company distributes parts and accessories to over 150 markets worldwide, integrating service, parts, dealer support and customer-care.
VOLKSWAGEN
Volkswagen announced this week that it has teamed up with the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors to provide 4Motion® all-wheel drive 2017 Golf Alltrack support vehicles nationwide to ski and snowboard instructors for transportation throughout the winter season. Vinay Shahani, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Volkswagen of America said the collaboration presents a great opportunity for Volkswagen to support active, outdoor lifestyles, noting that the Golf Alltrack is, “spacious, rugged and capable of handling a variety of terrains.”
The Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors comprise more than 32,500 U.S. snowsports professionals who teach an average of 20 days a winter, offering traditional alpine, cross country, snowboard and telemark lessons as well as adaptive curriculum for disabled winter sports enthusiasts.
The Holiday season is all around, and what better way to bring the joy and wonder that most of us can easily experience to patients such as those at Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
That’s just what Honda has set out to do through an immersive journey down a virtual Candy Cane Lane shared via Oculus headsets.
Honda Auto Marketing Assistant Vice President Susie Rossick explained that this year Honda had the unique privilege of transporting children at Children’s Hospital of Orange County to a virtual winter wonderland that brings the festive spirit of the holidays to the kids directly.
The program expands upon the company’s annual Happy Honda Days campaign.
In the Candy Cane Lane virtual-reality experience, a Honda sleigh pulls the viewer along a snow-covered neighborhood filled with holiday lights. As the viewer travels down the street, the lights and decorations become more extravagant while bells and harps play and illuminated snowmen and toy soldiers animate to life.
The experience culminates as the children in the hospital see virtual reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh.
Just as Santa drops a beautifully wrapped gift into their lap in the video, a real gift was placed in their lap.
A short, documentary-style video of the children’s reactions to their Candy Cane Lane VR experience has been posted on Facebook. (http://honda.us/HolidayMagic)
For every “like” or “love” the video receives, Honda will donate $1 to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, up to a total of $100,000. The video can be found on Honda’s YouTube and Twitter channels.
Nissan Introduces the 2018 Nissan Rogue Hybrid to members New England Motor Press Association Headquarters.
Nissan’s Dan Passe discusses the automaker’s role in developing the EV charging infrastructure and how the LEAF has been at the forefront, while product specialist Kurt Rosolowsky provides a run down of the all-new Rogue Hybrid.
