Kia Niro EV Will Get 236 Miles of Range

This time, the Korean automaker unveiled two new battery options, a U.S.-exclusive 64-kWh battery for a 236-mile range and a 39.2-kWh battery pack with a 150-mile range for other markets. These numbers translate to a 7.8-second zero-to-62-mph time and up to an 80 percent charge in under an hour using a 100kW fast charger.

Last January, Kia also present the EV in concept form as the Las Vegas Consumer ElectronicsShow without providing power numbers. As has been customary with Kia, different presentations have unveiled new specs, with CES showcasing its concept and the following International Electric Vehicle Expo in Jeju, Korea, showcasing its production version.

On the driver assistance side, the Niro EV will feature Level 2 autonomy, which is defined as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as having one driver assistance feature which can allow for “both steering and acceleration/ deceleration using information about the driving environment”. This translates to adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, where the driver is expected to assume control of the wheel.

Look for the Niro EV to debut in Europe at the Paris Motor Show in October before going on sale in Korea before the end of the year, followed by expansion to other markets.

CES 2018: KIA NIRO EV DEBUTS 238 MILE RANGE

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

‘Boundless for all’: Kia presents vision for future mobility at CES 2018

Kia has just launched a fully autonomous, all-electric concept that it says shows the potential of its current Kia Niro hybrid crossover. The concept features a futuristic interior, a new electric power train, and updated sheet metal that hints at the design direction Kia wants to take its cars in as it continues to move up market. As cool as those things all are, however, there is one thing that should catch your attention above all the others: the 238 mile driving range.

That 238 number for the Kia Niro EV trumps both Tesla’s claimed range of 220 miles for its Model 3 and Nissan’s claim of 225 miles for its updated LEAF. If the final number is even close to 238, Kia might just be able to score a PR coup. Or, you know, at least steal some LEAF sales.

Check out Kia’s official CES press release for the new Kia Niro EV, below, then let us know what you think of Kia’s odds against Nissan and Tesla in the comments section at the bottom of the page. As for the pictures- you know the drill: click to enlarge.

BOUNDLESS FOR ALL | KIA NIRO EV PRESENTS VISION FOR FUTURE MOBILITY

Las Vegas – January 8, 2018 – Kia Motors today presents its future mobility vision at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Under its new ‘Boundless for all’ vision, Kia will bring a future in which opportunities for mobility and transportation are limitless. To broaden horizons with its mobility services, Kia is also demonstrating a range of new technologies as part of its new ‘ACE’ strategy to make its cars more Autonomous, Connected and Eco/Electric.
“‘Boundless for all’ is Kia’s future vision – where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the infinite value that future mobility will bring. This is Kia’s manifesto for its role as a mass mobility provider in the future. Consumers are bound today by the idea that a car is ‘just a vehicle’, but Kia is committed to providing a broader solution to mobility. ‘Boundless for all’ represents a future in which a vehicle can be so much more than the sum of its parts,” said Dr. Woong-chul Yang, Vice Chairman and Head of Kia R&D Center.
Kia’s ‘ACE’ strategy is based around three core elements, presenting Kia’s vision for future personal transportation:
• Autonomous – Kia plans to commercialize Level 4 autonomous driving technology, with ‘Smart City’ autonomous vehicle testing due to commence in 2021
• Connected – By 2025, Kia will adopt connected car technologies across every vehicle segment, and aim to make every single model a connected car by 2030
• Eco/Electric – Kia will introduce 16 new advanced powertrain vehicles by 2025, including a range of new hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, as well as an all-new fuel-cell electric vehicle in 2020
Alongside these technologies, Kia announced its plans to roll-out its ‘WiBLE’ car-sharing service – launched in Korea in 2017 – to new regions from 2018, starting with Europe.
Beyond Autonomous Driving: Kia’s exhibition theme for ‘connected’ vehicles
At CES 2018, Kia is presenting a range of interactive exhibits which combine existing and future technologies. These demonstrate how vehicles could be optimized for enhanced connectivity as they become more autonomous.
Kia’s exhibits at CES 2018 hint at a future ‘Beyond Autonomous Driving’. Visitors can interact with Kia’s developing autonomous drive technologies through a VR simulator, while also experiencing a V2X diorama demonstrating how cars could connect with other vehicles and the urban environment.
The company plans to operate a large-scale test fleet for autonomous technology on public roads from 2019, paving the way for commercial production of the technology. Kia aims to commercialize Level 4 autonomous vehicles in smart cities from 2021 with a new Smart City pilot project.
“Kia’s connected cars will be both boundless and connected and offer a new kind of mobility experience. Virtual reality, self-driving cars, and ‘vehicle-to-everything’ connectivity were all once considered technologies of the distant future. As they rapidly become a reality, Kia is exploring how to deploy these new technologies for its customers. Our strategy and vision for future mobility is demonstrated by a range of interactive displays, showing what our customers can look forward to,” said Vice Chairman Yang.
16 new electrified vehicles by 2025
Kia will continue to expand its range of environmentally-friendly cars in the coming years, and plans to offer a total of 16 electrified vehicles by 2025, including a fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2020.
“By 2025, we will offer a total of 16 advanced powertrain vehicles, with five new hybrids and plug-in hybrids, five new battery EVs, and an all-new mass market FCEV. Due to launch in 2020, this FCEV will spearhead Kia’s efforts to realize a zero-emission future for mobility,” said Vice Chairman Yang.
As part of this strategy, Kia is exhibiting the Kia Niro EV Concept at CES 2018. Combining the stylish design of a modern compact SUV with the high efficiency of an advanced battery-electric powertrain, the Kia Niro EV Concept represents the next step in the brand’s ongoing journey to electrification.
Created by Kia’s design studio in Korea, the Niro EV Concept is a fully-electric compact SUV. Its aerodynamically-efficient body allows air to slip over, around and beneath the vehicle with ease. The traditional grille – no longer required for engine cooling – is replaced by a smooth interactive display panel, combined with ultra-slim lamp technology in the overall front. In profile, the concept draws inspiration from the current Kia Niro, with a modish compact crossover silhouette, elevated body and wide C-pillar. The Niro EV Concept’s seamless rear aspect has clean and sharp trailing edges allowing air to flow more easily off the back of the car.
With a silent electric power train, and the anticipation that such a car would be driven most frequently on urban and suburban roads, the Kia Niro EV Concept boasts new technologies to enhance safety for pedestrians.
The concept’s new Active Pedestrian Warning System (APWS) features a combination of front view cameras, object recognition technology and front speakers. If the system detects a pedestrian or cyclist crossing in front of the car, the speakers sound an alert targeted specifically at that person, warning them of the car’s presence. APWS is matched by the Niro EV Concept’s new interactive lighting system, which offers users and pedestrians a highly-intuitive visual communication with vehicle.
Inside, the cabin has been designed with a pure, minimalist and digital appearance, creating greater user interaction with new technologies and features. With a wrap-around design to cocoon the driver and passengers, the dashboard’s horizontal layout has broad and smooth surfaces. The effect is an innate sense of space and calm in the cabin, enhanced by the soft shades of silver, grey and bronze covering every surface.
The Niro EV Concept is powered by a next-generation electric vehicle powertrain, using new production technologies earmarked for near-future EVs from Kia. Energy is provided by a high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, paired with a powerful 150 kW electric motor. The Niro EV Concept suggests a driving range of 238 miles (383 kilometers), with zero tailpipe emissions.

Source | Images: Kia.

CONTINENTAL IS BRINGING NEW WIRELESS EV BATTERY TECH TO CES

Continental claims it’s developed a new, two-part battery charging systems to benefit pure and hybrid-electric cars, and it has plans to showcase its new battery tech at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

The first part of the two-part tech innovation put forward by Continental involves wireless induction charging. It’s a concept familiar to smartphones, and one that’s being explored by other companies as well. The idea is to transfer charging power wirelessly from a ground-based charging pad to a receiver pad on the underside of the vehicle.

Nothing much new, then, in wireless charging- but it’s the second part of this idea that makes it interesting. Continental has developed what it’s calling a “micro navigation solution” that uses magnetic field sensors integrated in the ground pad to more accurately position the vehicle. The pad receives signals from the EV and responds by sending sensor data to the vehicle. When it works- and Continental is promising that it works even if snow or leaves are covering the pad- it can give EV drivers up to 90% better efficiency than parking sensors on the market today. At a charging rate of 11 kW and this new level of efficiency, a 20-minute charge can provide 20 km (about 12 miles) of additional driving range.

And- because it’s 2017, natch- Continental is promising a new app to go along with its proposed new charging infrastructure. You can get a quick snapshot of that, below, and we’ll all find out more at CES in January.

Continental Has Plans for EV Apps, Too

Faraday Future Activates New Website Prior To CES Reveal

Want to know what the first production car from Faraday Future will look like? The company activated a new front page for its website on December 13 that will show it to you — sort of. The image on the page starts with the car’s chassis. Its silhouette will be slowly filled in by a series of graphic dots over the next 20 days until it is completed at 6:00 pm on January 3. That’s when the actual car will be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The website home page will turn into a live stream at that point, viewable on any digital device.

The dots you see on the company home page represent the particle imagery the car’s computer uses to create a three dimensional view of the environment around it based on input from Lidar and other sensors. The suggestion is the car will have advanced semi-autonomous capability when built and could be capable of full self driving operation when and if regulators approve the sale of such cars. So far, Michigan is the only state to do so.

There is a link at the bottom of the page that allows interested people to create an account with Faraday Future to receive e-mail updates about when and how to reserve a car. Of course, before Faraday Future sells a car, it must first build a car. Construction of its proposed factory in North Las Vegas has stopped amid reports that it owes the general contractor millions of dollars in past due payments, but the website says construction will resume soon. Very soon.

Dan Schwartz the treasurer of Nevada has gone on record saying that the company’s principal financial backer, Jia Yueting, has no money. “Could he get more money? My sources in China say the government there isn’t financing him. I wonder where and how they’re going to continue this project.”

Faraday has recently extended its contract with the city of Vallejo in California to study whether it should build a second smaller factory and “customer experience center” in a commercial development zone owned by the city. Will Faraday Future survive? It may all depend on how the reveal in Las Vegas goes. There is a good chance the event it meant as much to convince potential investors to open their wallets as it is to wow the public.

While you are waiting for January 3 to arrive, you can amuse yourself by watching a prototype Faraday Future dust off a Tesla Model X in a drag race. The fact that the company chose Tesla’s SUV to square off against probably tells us more about what kind of car is under all that camouflage than all those dots on Faraday’s home page. Here’s a bold prediction — the first Faraday Future will be an electric SUV designed to compete head to head in features and price with the Tesla Model X. In 20 days, we will know for sure.

Source: Faraday Future press release.

Volkswagen BUDD-e Is An Electric People Mover With 250 Mile Range

The Volkswagen BUDD-e was one of the worst kept secrets at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. Everybody knew Volkswagen was bringing a new electric vehicle to the show and we were 99 and 44/100% sure it would pay homage to the iconic VW Microbus. More than any other vehicle, that humble creation spelled freedom for lots of Americans. A car with good gas mileage that you could sleep in at the end of the day? Parents loathed them; young people adored them.

It’s like the VW bus was made for the libertine ethos of the 60’s. It carried hordes of young Americans to Woodstock. It became the official car of Haight-Ashbury. Every one of them sported a peace sign somewhere and had a Janis Joplin tape in the cassette player. What better way to make nervous Americans forget about diesel cheating software than to remind them of the good times they had, kicking back and getting high in a V Dub bus?

It turns out, the BUDD-e is quite an interesting re-interpretation of the original. Volkswagen engineers worked overtime to make the electric motors as small as possible, leaving more space for the people inside. It features an L shaped couch that cascades down the wall behind the driver’s seat before turning and continuing the width of the car at the rear. The front passenger seat swivels so the person in it can enjoy valuable face time with those in back.

Best of all, it has a 101 kWh battery mounted under the floor — the largest battery in a production car to date. Volkswagen says it can go 373 miles in the European test mode. EPA numbers are typically about 1/3 less, but that still means it will have almost 250 miles of range, which is better than the Tesla Model X. With its boxy styling, it will also likely be able to haul more stuff than Model X. Volkswagen hasn’t said anything about towing capacity.

What it has said is that it will be possible to recharge the car’s battery to 80% in just 30 minutes. To do that, hints Dr. Volkmar Tannenberger, Volkswagen’s global head of electric and electronic development, it may use the 800 volt charging technology being developed by Porsche for its Mission E four door electric sports car, according to Green Car Reports. Of course, that will require an expensive and extensive modification program of existiing CCS charging facilities.

There is one area of agreement between the Volkswagen BUDD-e and the fanciful Faraday Future FFZero1. Both rely heavily on a basic architecture that can be stretched or compressed to make virtually any kind of vehicle the market demands. Volkswagen’s new chassis is known internally as MEB, which stands for Modular Electric Toolkit, assuming you speak German. VW hasn’t said the BUDD-e is definitely going into production or what it might cost, but the MEB chassis, the hand gesture controls and the extensive internet connectivity are features that will definitely be seen in Volkswagen production cars soon, says Automotive News. In fact, the dashboard features of the BUDD-e will appear in the Golf-e in Europe later this year before expanding to include other world markets.

Elon Musk has recently implored Volkswagen and other companies to make more and better electric cars. Will the family of cars built on the MEB chassis satisfy Musk’s demand? They will be appearing in showrooms between now and the end of the decade. For many folks, they can’t come soon enou

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV: Production Electric Car Unveiled At CES

Chevrolet unveiled the Bolt electric vehicle as a concept car at last year's Detroit Auto Show and today at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas it showed the production version. Most notably, the car, officially called the Bolt EV, promises more than 200 miles of range on a full charge and a price that should come in below $30,000 when all government tax credits have been factored in. That combination of range and price could help Chevrolet make a sizable dent in the EV market. Other important pieces of information like the size of the battery, the horsepowerfigures, and charging times will be revealed next week at the Detroit Auto Show, but Chevrolet did share some other bits of news about the production Bolt at CES.

Inside the Bolt will feature a 10.2-inch center touchscreen and an eight-inch instrument panel display. The touchscreen will house a unique version of the Chevrolet MyLink system. It will be customizable and offer "flip-board style" operation. It will be capable of EV navigation mapping that designs routes to maximize range and point out the locations of the nearest charging stations when needed. Eventually, the Bolt EV will also be able to project an accurate driving range by factoring in such information as driving habits, time of day, typography, and weather.  Like other Chevrolet vehicles, the Bolt EV will have OnStar 4G LTE connectivity, which can turn the car into a Wi-Fi hotspot. It will also come with a low-energy form of Bluetooth connectivity to minimize the energy draw.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Bolt owners will have access to a new MyChevrolet app. Through their smartphones, owners will be able to check vehicle charge status, look at an OnStar map service, start their cars remotely, pre-condition the cabin, schedule dealer service, and browse the owner's manual.

In the future, Chevrolet will make available what it calls "gamification." It will allow Bolt EV owners to compete with each other by comparing driving styles to see who is more efficient.

The Bolt will come with a healthy list of safety features. One very unique feature is the rear camera mirror that will provide an 80-degree view behind the car instead of the usual 22-degree view from a rearview mirror. A Surround Vision camera system will offer a bird’s-eye view of the car during low-speed driving and when parking. Michelin self-sealing tires will seal around nails and small punctures. Other safety features will include blind spot monitors, rear cross traffic alert, rear park assist, lane keep assist, front automatic braking and front pedestrian braking, and a teen driver mode.

Faraday Future Underwhelms At Consumer Electronics Show

Faraday Future has been ratcheting up expectations for the past few months. The secretive electric car start-up from Southern California has been hinting that its first prototype would make us start thinking about cars in a whole new way. In a recent teaser video, it asked “What if the back seat was the new front seat?” and “What if all those cars parked in driveways had more interesting lives?”

At 8:00 pm Pacific time on Monday, January 4, it finally pulled the wraps off its FFZero1 to reveal…..a single seat jet fighter kind of a car with a swallow tail, clear plastic cockpit cover, 4 electric motors, 1000 horsepower and a top speed of 200 miles an hour. Wait, what? This is the groundbreaking, paradigm shattering, never seen anything like it before car that will make Elon Musk quake in his boots?

The motoring press gave a collective shrug, as if to ask, “Is this all you got?” The headlines are filled with such adjectives as “ridiculous,” “bizarre,” and “wild.” Is this what Chinese billionaire Jia Yeutang spent his money on? Surely the company isn’t spending a billion dollars to construct a factory in North Las Vegas to build something like this, are they? That would be insane. There is virtually no market for this car.

Actually, the answer is “No.” This is just a prototype, a car designed to let the world know the wonders Faraday Future is capable of. In fact, this car doesn’t even run. The only way to drive it is on a virtual test track back at company headquarters. Here’s a video of what that looks like.

So what’s the big deal about Faraday Future? For one, it doesn’t actually plan to sell to private customers. It says the chassis underneath the FFZero1 is fully customizable and can be used to produce sports cars, sedans, SUVs and pickup trucks. Customers will simply choose what kind of vehicle they want today and summon one to the front door. It could be a jaunty roadster on a sunny summer day or a pickup truck to haul building materials in.

The underlying platform features what the company calls Variable Platform Architecture. “That platform is done on a very modular and flexible basis such that we can change the size of the platform,” says Nick Sampson, a senior VP in charge of R&D and engineering told The Verge. “We can change the number and power of the drive systems. We can change the physical size and electrical size of the battery packs, so we can get bigger and larger packs and smaller packs both on the electrical size and physical size because of the modularity of how the battery architecture is being done, which is unique compared to anybody else in the industry. The underlying story is all about the platform that’s being built.” In other words, pay no attention to the goofy time machine you see here. We are going to build really terrific cars — in about 4 years or so.

And what does Jia Yeutang get for his billion dollar investment? Control over the video screen that will sit in the center of every Faraday Future car ever built. People will have a lot of time on their hands while they are being driven to and fro by the self driving cars of the future. Heaven forefend they be bored for one millisecond. Yeutang will make his money delivering what is known as “content” to all those video screens. He already is in the content business in his home country, where his company is known as “the Netflix of China.”

Faraday Future will certainly be disappointed in the lack of excitement and buzz generated at CES. But as one person who wrote a comment online said succinctly, “Nothing to see here. Move along.”

Faraday Future Cuts A Deal With Nevada For New Factory

Faraday Future, the secretive automotive start-up from Southern California, has agreed to build a new $1 billion dollar factory in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The deal was announced by company officials and Nevada governor Brian Sandoval on Thursday. According to Bloomberg News, Nevada has agreed to a package of tax incentives and sales tax credits worth $215 million over 15 years. “This solidifies Nevada as the place where the future of transport is happening,” the state’s economic development director, Steve Hill. “People throughout the globe, throughout the country, are talking about Nevada. This is an exceptional opportunity.”

Faraday expects to have 4,500 employees with an average wage of $22 an hour at the North Las Vegas factory, Hill said. The total economic impact from the new factory is estimated at $85 billion over 20 years. It is expected to generate $760 million in tax revenue during that period for state and local governments and schools, Hill said.

Nevada is trying to re-position itself as something more than a gambling mecca and haven for legal prostitution.  The transformation began when Tesla Motors selected a vacant tract of land north of Reno as the site for its GigaFactory, a project that will ultimately add up to $5 billion to the state’s economy.

The Nevada legislature must still approve the proposed incentive package, but that is not expected to be a problem. Governor Sandoval traveled to China earlier this year to negotiate with Faraday’s principal investor, Jia Yeuting. He is currently #17 on Forbes’ list of China’s wealthiest men. Last year he was #78. It has been a very good year for Yeuting, whose LeTV company sells electronics and online content throughout Asia.

Faraday says it will unveil a concept version of its new car at the Consumer Electronics Show, which kicks off January 5 in Las Vegas. Until then, very little is known about the company, other than general statements on its website. About 60 former Tesla employees are now working for Faraday, including Nick Sampson, senior vice president of R&D and engineering, and Dag Reckhorn, vice president of global manufacturing. Reckhorn was deeply involved with creating the production facilities for the Tesla Model S.  Faraday’s lead designer is Richard Kim, a veteran of BMW.

Like all start-ups, Faraday promises to “disrupt” the car business with “ground breaking” new technology, “state of the art” connectivity, and “advanced” autonomous driving features. There are hints that it will pioneer new ownership models and focus on delivering content to the central touch screen so drivers never have to be out of touch with the Facebook and Twitter accounts. Recently, Tamara Warren of The Verge, was among a group of reporters invited to take a tour of the company headquarters near Los Angeles, where a Faraday was on display but kept under wraps. She was sworn to secrecy, but said “the shape was distinct from anything I’ve seen on the road.”

Elon Musk has said recently he craves more competition in the electric car marketplace. With Faraday just down the road, BAIC about to jump into the pool with Atieva, NextEV lurking in the shadows, and new cars in the offing from Google and Apple, it looks like Elon is going to get his wish.

Tesla Model X Appears At CES: Video Walkaround

While its name may suggest smartphones and laptops, the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas has become an important venue for carmakers to announce new in-car technology.

The 2015 CES exhibition floor was littered with cars, including this pre-production prototype of the upcoming Tesla Model X all-electric seven-seat crossover utility vehicle on display at the Panasonic booth.

While the Model X still won't go on sale for several months yet, Germany's TechVideo has provided a closer look at the car with a short walkaround video.

Panasonic is Tesla's lithium-ion battery cell supplier, as well as an investor in the company and a partner in the development of the carmaker's massive battery "gigafactory."

Tesla Model X at 2013 Detroit Auto Show

This particular Model X could well be the same pre-production vehicle shown previously by Tesla, and spotted driving on California roads.

The video gives a close look at the electric SUV's exterior and interior styling, with which many Tesla fans are probably quite familiar by now.

The interior features a digital gauge cluster and a large, tablet-like display--as in today's Model S sedan--and three rows of seating that can accommodate up to seven occupants.

The roof-hinged "Falcon" doors should make getting in and out of the back easy--provided the Model X isn't parked in a garage with a low ceiling.

Model X deliveries are scheduled to start in the third quarter of this year, after multiple delays.

Tesla Model X at 2013 Detroit Auto Show

The Tesla SUV first appeared in January 2012, and was originally expected to begin deliveries in December 2013.

However, the launch was pushed back repeatedly. The most recent delay was announced in an earnings report back in November.

Tesla has said it needed more time for additional quality and validation testing. It has not, as yet, shown a final production version of the Model X.

Given the surging market for SUVs and crossover utility vehicles, however, the first Tesla SUV is likely to do well in the market.

Source: Green Car Reports