One of the most anticipated releases for the next year is the Chevrolet Equinox EV. Building on the success of the Bolt, the brand with the bow tie delivers here a founding model which aims to be distributed on a very large scale. The Equinox EV, which we do not suspect when discovering its line that it is close to – we assume – the 2 tons, was designed on the revolutionary Ultium platform developed by General Motors (GM). Billed as the most affordable electric compact SUV on the market, the Equinox EV will have one or two motors, depending on the drive mode chosen (front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive). According to its designers, its electric range could reach 482 kilometers on a full charge.
Dodge is retiring the Challenger and Charger at the end of the year, but may resurrect the latter shortly. At least, that’s the impression given by this concept study dubbed the Charger Daytona SRT. The latter has the same roar as a Hellcat 6.2L V8 (thanks to a soundtrack) and occupants will feel the jolts associated with a gearbox, even if one doesn’t exist… At Dodge , this is called eRupt Transmission. Another feature to press your shoulders against the backrest is the PowerShot, which momentarily releases more power to make overtaking maneuvers easier. “It’ll drive like a Dodge, look like a Dodge and roar like a Dodge,” its designers promise.
Its physiognomy is known to us, but the rest is unpublished. Indeed, the little Italian has been revisited by its designers. These abandon the thermal thruster that once propelled it in favor of an all-electric power unit. Expected in the first quarter of 2024, this city car is keeping its main technical characteristics secret for the time being. In Europe, where it is already making a career, the 500e uses a 32.3 kWh battery to drive its 117 horsepower electric motor. These drive the front wheels only. On the Old Continent, authorities estimate its range at 320 kilometers. More realistically, expect nearly a hundred miles less on New World roads.
After hesitating for a long time to embark on the path of electrification, Honda ended up falling behind in the electric market. The Japanese brand is betting on the Prologue in particular to make up for lost time. The result of a collaboration with General Motors, which will allow Honda to reduce its costs, the Prologue will occupy approximately the same space on the street as the current Passport. Also, according to some sources, its technical characteristics will be similar to those of the future Chevrolet Blazer EV. Acura, Honda’s luxury subsidiary, will offer a dressed-up version of the Prologue as the ZDX.
The second-generation Kona EV had its world premiere at the New York Auto Show a few days ago. This preserves the technical architecture of its predecessor, but intends to make gains in terms of habitability (the wheelbase has lengthened) and aerodynamics (Cx of 0.27). A 65.4 kWh battery powers a single electric motor producing the equivalent of 201 horsepower to drive the front wheels, the only drive mode offered. The Kona is equipped with V2L (Vehicle To Load) functionality which allows it to power household electrical appliances with the energy stored in its battery. In addition, it now allows one-pedal driving so dear to electric vehicle enthusiasts.
Expected by the end of the year, the Kia EV9 will delight large families. Indeed, this electric SUV will be able to accommodate seven passengers on board. Designed on the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP platform, the EV9 draws its energy from a 99.8 kWh battery. This ensures, according to its manufacturer, a range of up to 480 kilometers, as long as its possible owner sticks to the two-wheel drive version (propulsion). An all-wheel drive (with two motors) will also be offered, but the South Korean manufacturer is careful not to disclose its autonomy for the moment. On the other hand, he makes no secret about the towing capacity of his latest addition (2,272 kilograms) or its utility volume of 2,320 liters, once the backs of the second and third row seats are lowered.
In all likelihood, the Macan-E will make its first public appearance in its final form at the Los Angeles Auto Show next fall. This model will have two synchronous motors that will be powered by a battery whose capacity will vary, depending on the declination, between 96 kWh and 115 kWh. The Macan E will share the technical architecture of the Audi Q6 e-tron, known internally as PPE (Premium Platform Electric). This platform will benefit in particular from an 800 volt electrical infrastructure. This allows you to go from a 5% charge to 80% in just over 18 minutes on a fast terminal. It will also be compatible with a level 3 semi-autonomous driving device.
After Ford and GM, it’s RAM’s turn to electrify its full-size pickup truck. Based on a dedicated architecture (codename STLA), this RAM REV offers the choice between two accumulators to power its two power units whose total power is equivalent to 654 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque. At the entry level, this van capable of towing a load of 6,350 kilograms (14,000 pounds) offers a 168 kWh battery for an estimated range of some 480 kilometers. The prospective buyer can, for an additional fee, afford a 229 kWh “battery”, which will allow a range of some 800 kilometers.
The first deliveries of the Spectre, the first 100% electric Rolls-Royce, will begin in the fall. This majestic coupe – it is almost 5.5 meters long – will be powered by two motors linked to a battery whose size remains secret so far. Like its price, by the way. However, Rolls-Royce claims a consumption of 21.5 kWh/100 km and a range of 520 kilometers by adopting generous European calculation methods. We bet that the traditional buyer of Rolls-Royce does not attach any importance to all this data. He usually has seven other vehicles in his garage.
A nod to the past makes it easier to sell the zero-emissions conversion to the uninitiated. This is one of the reasons why the ID.Buzz, a reinterpretation of the Microbus T2 that appeared in the late 1960s, is back in service. Expected in Canada next year, this model will be longer (269 mm) to accommodate a third row of seats. For the moment, Volkswagen does not say a word about the technical characteristics of this model. We can assume that it will likely benefit from a larger battery than the one offered in Europe (77 kWh). This gives it a range of 423 kilometers according to the very generous WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure) calculation method.
