Who would have thought you could make the Rolls-Royce Ghost look so sinister?
Rolls-Royce revealed a new addition to the Rolls-Royce Ghost line-up in Miami Thursday — the Black Badge — during a North America dealer meeting that saw about 100 retailers meet with the automaker’s top executives.
The automaker revealed the new model to dealers at the Mad nightclub in the hip and trendy Wynnewood section of Miami, and will do the same for customers later this week.
“We just felt this was very Black Badge,” said Richard Carter, director of communications for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “It’s very, noir; It’s very alternative; and that’s the essence of Black Badge.”
The Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge expands a line-up that began with the Wraith coupe, followed by the Phantom sedan in 2016, the Dawn cabriolet in 2017 and the Cullinan SUV in 2019. The murdered-out Black Badge models now account for more than 27% of Rolls-Royce sales worldwide, including 40% of Cullinan sales.
The darker side of opulence
To realize the Ghost Black Badge’s menacing demeanor, the company uses 100 pounds of the industry’s darkest black paint. The Spirit of Ecstasy and Pantheon Grille are darkened using a chrome electrolyte applied during chrome plating. The new model wears exclusive 21-inch wheels with as many as 44 layers of carbon fiber.
The 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge can be had in more that 44,000 different hues, although most Black Badge customers choose black.
As you’d expect, interior components are darkened including air vents and the wood veneer, along with Black Badge badging and other unique interior touches, although clients are free to specify any number of colors and trim to be used on the car’s interior.
Engineers also contributed, fitting larger air springs to alleviate body roll during assertive cornering. There’s also roughly 29 additional horsepower and a revised transmission to make the Black Badge a bit more athletic. They also reduced brake pedal travel.
A quick turn behind the wheel of pre-production prototypes revealed a car that can be driven more aggressively than your average Ghost. Grip is impressive while cornering, staying firmly planted despite some noticeable body roll. Body motions never become excessive, and rebound over bumps is very well controlled. Yet its agility doesn’t come at the expense of the brand’s legendary comfort.
An idea born in Beverly Hills
The idea of Black Badge occurred in 2014 in Beverly Hills.
“This whole notion of the alter ego of Rolls Royce, the slightly noir, naughty, edgy side of Rolls Royce is something that we were thinking about. We were looking at ways and means of lowering the age profile of our brand,” Carter said.
The Pantheon Grille and Spirit of Ecstasy also receive the Black Badge treatment.
At the time, the brand had one model, the Phantom, and an average buyer’s age of 57. “We were selling one model to a dying set of customers, and there was no future in that,” he said.
At the time, the company was about to release the first-generation Ghost, followed by its two-door spinoff, the Wraith, both of which would attract younger buyers. But the company needed more. They were searching for an idea, but hadn’t settled on anything yet.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, was waiting for a car to pick him up at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills when a murdered-out Phantom Coupe pulled up. Ötvös was stunned, and asked the owner why he modified his Phantom.
“He told me over the weekend, that he wants to be a different kind of character,” Ötvös said. “For some of the week, he is friendly and nice. But over the weekend, he wants to be something different. He enjoyed playing a different role; how he was dressed, looked and talked.”
A couple weeks later, Ötvös had similar experiences particularly in the United States, particularly in California. This led to the creation of Black Badge at a time where murdered-out cars weren’t mainstream.
A surprising success
The Ghost Black Badge is revealed for the first time at the Mad nightclub in Miami.
Initially, executives expected Black Badge models to have a 10%-15% take rate. But they were mistaken. It turned out to be a stunning success, with a far higher take rate. Currently, Black Badge represents 40% of Cullinan sales. Black Badge, along with new models like Ghost, Wraith and Cullinan, have brought the average Rolls-Royce buyer’s age down to 43, quite a large drop in a little less than a decade.
“We are even younger than Mini as a brand in the BMW Group,” Ötvös said, who then explained that the type of wealthy car buyer has changed.
“When you look into ultra-high net worth individuals, those people who are our target group worldwide, they became younger and younger over time because the way to generate wealth is very, very different from what it used to be 15-to-20 years ago.”
Rolls-Royce sees its Black Badge line as one that appeals to iconoclasts, a type of buyer that the brand has always attracted, particularly during the pre-World War II years, when all coachwork was custom built.
“Black Badge was the most instrumental piece we had in an all-new brand strategy to massively decrease the average age and illuminate the brand in a significant way,” Ötvös said.
If anybody has a soft spot for wedge designs and the automotive future envisioned during the 1970s, it’s yours truly. While mainstream vehicles being manufactured during the Malaise Era often left a lot to be desired, the concepts were sublime and led to some of the most unique-looking production cars in automotive history. I’m talking about cars like the Lancia Stratos, Lamborghini Countach, Lotus Esprit, BMW M1, De Tomaso Pantera, and DeLorean DMC-12. Toss in the digital dashboards that were gradually appearing in standard passenger cars during the 1980s and you’ve reached the point where I would probably claim automotive styling reached its zenith after a few stiff drinks. But I’ve been told by those who can distinguish fetishization from appreciation that those designs weren’t perfect and kind of look the same when there’s enough squinting is deployed.
Apparently, someone took that premise and used it as a template for a modern prototype intended to help sell shoes. Though the company focused entirely on the basic shape of wedge cars, settling on a vehicle that resembles what a Countach might have looked like in a video game from two decades ago should the assets fail to load. Known as the United Nude Lo-Res Concept Vehicle, it’s probably one of the more-unique automobiles ever built and it’s yours for the taking now that the Petersen Automotive Museum doesn’t want it.
Currently listed on Bring a Trailer, chassis number three (of four) is comprised of 12 tinted clear polycarbonate panels intentionally styled to embody the now-retro wedge design in the most literal way possible.
From the listing:
This concept vehicle is one of four prototypes commissioned by footwear company United Nude for promotional purposes. Dubbed the “Lo-Res Car,” the vehicle was penned by United Nude founder Rem D. Koolhaas based on an abstract, low-resolution version of the Lamborghini Countach. It features clear tinted polycarbonate body panels over a steel chassis, and power is supplied by a KDS 5-kilowatt electric motor paired with a single-speed transmission. Additional equipment includes an electrically-actuated clamshell-opening body, front and rear light bars, tandem seating, and a chrome hexagonal steering wheel. The vehicle was acquired by the Petersen Automotive Museum around three years ago and is now being offered at no reserve in Los Angeles, California. It is not titled or registered for street use and is sold on a bill of sale.
Inspired by the design of the Lamborghini Countach, the first prototype of the Lo-Res Car achieved a Wallpaper Magazine Design Award in 2016. Subsequent prototypes were featured in various music videos and were also displayed at the 2018 Grand Basel automotive design showcase as well as the Petersen Automotive Museum’s Disruptors exhibition in 2019.
Beautiful it is not. But the mere fact that someone turned this polyhedron into a functioning car is kind of amazing. It’s more Cybertruck than Cybertruck, except the Lo-Res offers the powertrain of a decent golf cart and the utility of a tricycle. These shortcomings are forgivable on what’s effectively a rolling piece of modern art, however.
On the inside, the polycarbonate panels (some of which look scratched) allow occupants to see out in every direction while the tint makes it nearly impossible to see into. Though there isn’t much to look at. Opening up the clamshell allows two people to climb into the non-adjustable seats and shows just how basic the cabin in. The driver has that odd hexagonal steering wheel, the necessary pedals, and some switches — most of which are used to control the vehicle’s numerous illumination options.
Instrumentation is limited to the state of charge and a basic digital speedometer. Air conditioning, a radio, or even seatbelts would be wishful thinking.
Considering you can’t legally drive the Lo-Res on the street (and it would be a deathtrap if you did) that’s all fine. While the model’s front discs can presumably stop it in time to avoid most accidents, I’ve heard it has a hard time reaching 25 mph when carrying a passenger and it looks like it would disintegrate the moment it made contact with a real car.
Listed with no reserve, the latest bid at the time of this writing was a modest (?) $45,000. But the Lo-Res is probably best left to art snobs, rather than someone who might actually want to drive their collectables. I would argue that there are better ways for an automotive enthusiast to spend their money. Still, the United Nude design is so damn weird that we couldn’t help but show it.
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While there were plenty of examples of new cars available now, IAA 2021 in Munich featured a slew of compelling concepts.
There was plenty of buzz at the first-ever Munich Motor Show about all the battery-electric vehicles making their debut — but a look at the long list of debuts reveals that the show was also notable for the number of concept vehicles on display.
And where many of the show cars we’ve seen in recent years were simply thinly disguised variants of upcoming production vehicles, some automakers brought more classic, fantasy-in-chrome concepts to Munich.
These included the updated version of the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR with technology allowing the driver to operate vehicle functions simply by thought.
Automakers provide a glimpse at the future
Audi Grandsphere concept
Here’s a look at some of the most notable concept vehicles to roll into the 2021 Munich Motor Show.
Audi Grandsphere. The second of three futuristic concepts Audi is rolling out, the all-electric, fully autonomous Audi Grandsphere can be seen as a four-wheeled luxury jet — or, a “first class lounge” on wheels. Part of a long history of fantasy-in-chrome show cars, Audi contends it will influence future production models. Grandsphere is less radical a design departure than the earlier Skysphere which could stretch its length by nearly a foot. Grandsphere’s technology falls roughly into three distinct categories.
To start with, it uses an all-electric drivetrain pairing twin motors — one on each axle — to produce 711 horsepower and 686 pound-feet of torque. Grandsphere, meanwhile, features Level 4 autonomy where vehicle controls retract and occupants can shift seating to face one another. Then, the cabin becomes a showcase of smart functions. Numerous surfaces, double as video displays. And while it’s not quite up to Star Trek tech, there’s even what Audi calls a “holoride” virtual reality system.
BMW i Vision Circular
BMW i Vision Circular. The BMW show “symbolizes our ambition to be a pioneering force in the development of a circular economy,” said BMW Chairman Oliver Zipse.” The prototype is more than just a design or technology exercise. It is intended to promote an entirely new way to design, build and, eventually, recycle vehicles.
The idea is to create a circular automotive economy reliant on clean energy and reusable materials, such as the concept’s flax-based plastics and synthetic rubber. Then, when it’s time to scrap the vehicle, all its parts and components can be fully recycled. The design of the i Vision Circular moves beyond the new iX, inside and out. The show car makes use of breakthrough technologies, such as its next-gen solid-state batteries, and display screen technology directly incorporated into the windshield.
City Transformer CT-1
City Transformer. Two trends are reshaping urban highways: the need to cut emissions, and the challenge of coping with ever-increasing highway congestion. Oddly, two brands known for their pint-sized products, Smart and Mini, came to Munich with concepts much larger than what they’re known for.
Israeli startup City Transformer showed up with an EV concept that could be perfect for jaunting around town. The CT-1 measures just 92 inches in length, more than a foot shorter than the Smart ForTwo. It’s 1,000 mm, or 39 inches, wide under normal driving conditions, so tiny overall that four can fit in a typical parking space. But it can expand to a width of 1,400 mm, or 55 inches, in Performance Mode. The concept has a rated top speed of around 56 mph and can get anywhere from 75 to 112 miles per charge. City Transformer hopes to go public to raise cash and put the car into production.
Cupra UrbanRebel concept
Cupra UrbanRebel. While EVs have great green credentials, electric motors also can be incredibly quick due to the instant torque they develop. Cupra, the newest brand of the Volkswagen Group, shows how you could take advantage of that with an all-electric hot hatch. Looking like it rolled out of a videogame, the UrbanRebel measures a mere 160 inches in length, or a bit shorter than a Chevrolet Bolt. And it draws power from a single motor rated at 335 horsepower.
It also features a Boost mode that briefly bumps power up to 429 hp. That’s enough to get you from 0-100 knh, or 0-62 mph, in 3.2 seconds. The Cupra shares the same skateboard-like platform with an array of Volkswagen Group products, including the ID.Life concept also debuting in Munich. That would make it easier to put into production — something that this SEAT sub-brand apparently hopes to do by 2025. No plans for the U.S., however.
Hyundai’s Ioniq 6
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Concept. Hyundai talks a lot about sustainability these days and its primary offering in Munich was a thinly disguised “concept” version of its next battery-electric vehicle, the Ioniq 6. The production model has been delayed, Hyundai seeking to increase its range, among other things. But the show car provides a good indication of what it will look like.
Where the brand’s first BEV, the Ioniq 5, retains the design theme of current, gas models, the Ioniq 6 adopts an entirely new take on Hyundau’s ”Sensuous Sportiness” styling language. It’s almost sports car-like on the outside — much like the earlier Prophecy concept. Both Ioniq models share the same E-GMP skateboard-style platform and an electric architecture that can operate at 400 or 800 volts — the latter allowing superfast recharging. After months of delays, expect the Hyundai Ioniq 6 to debut in production form next year.
Mercedes-Benz EQG
Mercedes-Benz EQG. This “near-production study” reimagines what a Gelandewagen — or G-Class, if you prefer — will be like in the new era of electrification. As with other battery-powered models, the concept SUV has clearly spent time in the wind tunnel, aerodynamics critical to maximizing range and performance. But it’s gotten a far less radical makeover than we’ve seen in the transition from Mercedes S-Class to EQS. The EQG’s overall shape remains what Mercedes describes as “an uncompromising off-roader.”
The show SUV gets an independent suspension on the front axle, but retains a rigid torsion beam axle in back. And there are four electric motors here, twice as many as on the EQS 4Matic and AMG EQS. By positioning individual motors near each individual wheel, the automaker explains, it can offer “unique driving characteristics both on- and off-road.” No word on when a production Mercedes EQG will appear, but it’s likely to be within the next few years.
Mercedes-Benz AVTR concept
Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR. Pronounced “Avatar,” the concept initially was developed in cooperation with James Cameron, director of the smash hit movie by that name. It first debuted at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Now, it has made the trek across the Atlantic and gotten some new, cutting-edge technology along the way.
Visitors to the Munich show will get the chance to try out the brain-computer interface by climbing into a mockup of the Vision AVTR’s driver’s seat. Using a band with electrical sensors at the back of the head, the BCI system will detect “neuronal activity,” using it to operate a variety of different vehicle functions. There’s also a glowing central controller that can read your pulse to operate many of the prototype’s functions. And AVTR also features both virtual and augmented reality technology
Mercedes-Maybach EQS
Mercedes-Maybach EQS. Based on the same EVA platform as the comparatively mainstream Mercedes EQS sedan, this “near-production one-off” takes things to new levels. That means an even more roomy and luxurious cabin, new features such as a floating rear center console and traditional Maybach details, including an “elaborate” two-tone paint finish. The interior is intended to create the feel of a high-end lounge, especially with executive-style seats and the optional Chauffeur Package.
The Maybach Concept adds unique features and details, including new door panels and armrests, trim elements in white piano lacquer and an interior finished in deep-sea blue. Mercedes didn’t offer drivetrain details but the concept likely will share what’s in the standard issue EQS, perhaps with a performance upgrade in line with the 751-hp AMG EQS also debuting in Munich.
Mini Vision Urbanaut
Mini Vision Urbanaut. If you’re getting a sense of déjà vu, that’s no surprise. The Mini Urbanaut originally appeared in 2020, but BMW’s British brand has made a number of changes to this microvan-like concept that suggest a production version is in the works. Mini insists you’ll immediately recognize its brand cues, but the styling is unlike any Mini we’ve seen before — both outside and in.
There’s certainly a lot more room inside where it adopts a sort of lounge-on-wheels appearance offering far more space than any prior Mini product. If there’s one thing that clearly does carry over it’s the broad sense of quirkiness that has traditionally defined the brand. In concept form, the Urbanaut is envisioned as a fully autonomous vehicle, allowing passengers to use the interior space as a gathering place. If brought to market in the near-term, expect to see the Mini Urbanaut still require a driver.
Polestar Re:Move
Polestar Re:Move. With this concept, Volvo’s EV spinoff focuses on a very different sort of mobility issue, the “last mile” challenge. The Polestar Re:Move is designed to replace delivery vans to improve traffic flow in traffic-clogged urban environments. The prototype uses a 2.2 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. It measures 29.5 inches wide, narrow enough to fit in bicycle lanes, yet can carry as much as 397 pounds. The frame is built using flax-based composites, rather than plastic.
Its low-carbon aluminum chassis has an electric tilt mechanism, allowing the vehicle to “lean in” to turns, allowing for a 23-foot turning radius. You likely won’t take it for a joy ride, however, as top speed is a fraction above 15 mph. While Polestar isn’t talking production plans there’s clearly a need for these delivery van alternatives and a number of similar concepts are popping up, including GM’s new, droid-like EP1.
Porsche Mission R
Porsche Mission R. This concept will influence both Porsche’s future racers and production vehicles. Porsche has long been a force to be reckoned with in racing. And it has begun getting its wheels wet in electric motorsports as part of the Formula E series. But the unveiling of the Mission R concept was clearly designed to signal that an even broader effort is in development.
The sleek Mission R concept picks up on classic Porsche design cues, with clear links to the automaker’s first production battery-electric vehicle, the Taycan. Its twin motors are capable of making “over 1,000 horsepower” in qualifying mode and running at speeds up to 300 kmh — or 186 mph for up to 30 minutes on a charge. Inside, it’s a decidedly driver-oriented layout and one of the more innovative features is the use of a video screen layout mounted directly in the center of the steering wheel. Expect to see key features from the Mission R concept to reappear on track and production models, said Porsche CEO Oliver Blume.
Smart Concept No. 1
Smart Concept #1. The Mercedes spinoff has been going through a number of changes, starting with its transformation into an electric-only brand. Smart apparently has several show cars in the works, starting with the Concept #1 debuting in Munich. It’s bigger than the products the brand has been known far — and more luxurious.
The semi-matte white exterior is contrasted by an interior lavished with rose gold. The foundation is the same as the skateboard-like platform underpinning the new Mercedes EQA battery-electric vehicle — which, Smart promises, will deliver much more “dynamic handling” than the brand has been known for. Measuring 169 inches, nose-to-tail, the prototype is almost as big as a Mini Countryman. Expect to see a final version of this concept go into production by 2023. Developed as a joint venture with Geely, it will be offered in China — where it will be built — as well as Europe, but almost certainly not the U.S., a market Smart abandoned in 2019.
Volkswagen ID.Life concept car
Volkswagen ID.Life. This five-door hatchback forecasts a new 2025 Volkswagen ID electric crossover that will fill the gap between the ID.3 hatchback and ID.4 compact crossover in VW’s line-up. The ID.Life rides on the automaker’s flexible MEB architecture, a skateboard-like platform with batteries and other drivetrain components below the load floor.
The new front-wheel-drive crossover is powered by a 57kWh battery pack powering a 231-horsepower electric motor. Range is an estimated 249-miles. The battery pack can recapture 101 miles in 10 minutes using a DC fast charger. ID.Life runs 0-62 mph in 6.9 seconds and boasts a 112 mph top speed. Being a concept, you’d expect some wild ideas and ID.Life is no exception. There are no mirrors; they’ve been replaced by cameras. The yoke-style steering wheel houses the vehicle’s controls, including the vehicle’s projector screen, which rises from the dashboard when the vehicle is parked. It also hosts the vehicle’s built-in gaming console.
(Contributing Editor Larry Printz assisted in this story.)
The new Grandsphere is the second of three futuristic concept vehicles Audi is introducing as a way to examine the massive transformation it sees coming as automakers combine cutting edge technology with more traditional luxury features.
The second of three “Sphere” concepts from Audi, the Grandsphere will go on public display next week at the Munich Motor Show.
The all-electric, fully autonomous Audi Grandsphere can be seen as a four-wheeled luxury jet or, if you prefer, a “first class lounge” on wheels. While the Audi concept is part of a long history of fantasy-in-chrome show cars, the automaker contends it shouldn’t be dismissed outright.
“The technologies and design features assembled in it are expected to turn up again in future Audi series,” the automaker said in a statement released ahead of next week’s Munich Motor Show where the show car will be officially unveiled. “The Audi Grandsphere concept illustrates the brand’s claim that it is becoming a trendsetter at the top of the automotive industry for technological transformation and completely new, holistic mobility offerings.”
Second of three
From a design perspective, the Grandsphere is a bit less radical of a departure than the earlier Skysphere which had the ability to stretch its length by nearly a foot, transforming itself from a sporty grand tourer into a mobile living room. The Grandsphere measures 17.6 feet, nose-to-tail, and vaguely resembles a stretched version of Audi’s current A7 line.
Audi describe’s the Grandsphere as a “private jet on wheels.”
The technology built into the Audi Grandsphere falls roughly into three distinct categories. To start with, the show vehicle uses an all-electric drivetrain pairing twin motors — one on each axle — to produce 711 horsepower and 686 pound-feet of torque. According to Audi, that would permit a launch from 0-100 kmh, or 62 mph, in about 4.2 seconds.
Range is 750 kilometers, or 466 miles, using a 120 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. The system operates at 800 volts and can draw up to 270 kW from a Level 3 quick charger, letting it go from a 5 to 80% state-of-charge in just 25 minutes. In 10 minutes, it would yield another 300 km, or about 186 miles.
“Its range and charging speed can keep pace with those of combustion engines, making it the perfect universal car for everyday needs,” Audi claims.
Driving on its own
The Gransphere, meanwhile, features Level 4 autonomy. That’s not quite go-anywhere, anytime capability but could allow a driver to effectively hand off control on most roads and under most weather conditions.
The concept uses an all-electric drivetrain pairing twin motors — one on each axle — to produce 711 horsepower and 686 pound-feet of torque.
When that were to happen, the concept could be transformed into a mobile lounge, with business jet roominess and seats that could recline or even swivel.
“In level 4 driving, the steering wheel and pedals disappear and the front area of the cabin becomes actual free space in all its breadth, with a perfect view through the large front and side windows, as well as maximum possibilities for movement,” Audi explained.
And this is where the third level of technology comes into play, the interior becoming a showcase of smart functions.
Sitting back and enjoying the ride
“The driver and passenger positions are automatically detected and an array of personal comfort features — such as the climate control settings and the seats — are adjusted for the individual seats,” noted the Audi statement. “At the same time, the infotainment system accesses the passengers’ most recently used services and seamlessly resumes them inside the car. For instance, a video that a passenger was streaming on a tablet is automatically played back over the display surface in the Audi Grandsphere.”
The concept could be transformed into a mobile lounge, with business jet roominess and seats that could recline or even swivel.
Numerous surfaces, in fact, double as video displays. And while it’s not quite up to Star Trek tech, there’s even what Audi calls a “holoride” system using VR, or virtual reality, glasses stored in pockets on the doors.
There’s actually a fourth level of technology built into Grandsphere, an active suspension system that uses sensors to not only respond to road surfaces but also predict how to respond before the concept hits a bump or pothole.
“That makes it possible to actively control the state of the chassis and therefore significantly reduce pitching and plunging when accelerating or braking,” the automaker said. “Thanks to the front camera, which recognizes unevenness, the adjustments happen predictively. The navigation system’s topographical data are also used to integrate curve radii, gradients, and inclines into the system’s projection.”
While Audi says the Grandsphere is a concept vehicle, it contends it will serve to influence future models it is working on.
Next up is the Audi Urbansphere. Set to debut sometime in 2022, that concept will show the sort of design and technologies the automaker believes will find a place in future products targeted for application in the crowded cities of tomorrow.
NHTSA says the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV’s battery pack, located under the rear seat, can potentially catch fire.
General Motors and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are urging owners of previously recalled 2017-19 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles to once again park their cars outside and away from houses after two recalled and repaired cars caught fire.
The company hasn’t said what sparked the fires. NHTSA says the recall involves the high-voltage battery pack underneath the backseat cushion. The packs can potentially smoke and ignite, spreading to the rest of the vehicle.
The company issued the latest advisory “out of an abundance of caution,” instructing Chevrolet Bolt owners to park their vehicles outdoors immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging overnight.
Despite the recommendation, GM says customers should continue to getting their Bolts fixed under the recall while they continue investigating the incidents. The fix limits the battery pack’s charging capacity to 90% until a permanent solution is determined. The batteries were manufactured at LG Chem’s Ochang, South Korea factory.
A continuing problem for Chevrolet
Chevrolet Bolts, shown charging, use LG Chem batteries that are at risk of catching fire.
NHTSA opened an investigation into Chevrolet Bolt fires last October, which was followed by a recall in November. The action affected 69,000 Bolts from the 2017-2019 model years, approximately 51,000 of which were sold in the U.S. The company said at the time that Bolt, resulting in two injuries from smoke inhalation. The fix limits the battery pack’s charging capacity to 90% until a permanent fix is determined. The batteries were manufactured at LG Chem’s Ochang, South Korea factory.
Owners of Chevrolet Bolts, or any GM vehicle can see of their car, truck or SUV is being recalled by visiting a special GM website and entering their vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN.
Lithium Ion batteries trial by fire
Hyundai is recalling about 76,000 Kona EVs built between 2018 and 2020.
But GM isn’t the only automaker facing lithium ion battery fires. Hyundai Motor Co., Ford Motor Co. and BMW AG have faced similar recalls in recent months.
In February, Hyundai recalled 82,000 battery-electric vehicles worldwide for lithium ion batteries that could catch fire. Vehicles affected include approximately 76,000 battery-electric Hyundai Kona EVs built between 2018 and 2020, with the rest consisting of Hyundai Ioniqs and city buses. Hyundai replaced the batteries rather than resolving the issue through software updates. The recall, which cost Hyundai $900 million, comes after at least 15 Konas reportedly caught fire.
LG Chem, which produces the cells, claims the automaker incorrectly applied recommendations about fast battery charging management. Hyundai advised vehicle owners to limit charging to 90% of the battery capacity until the cells can be replaced. Nevertheless, the battery supplier assumed 70% of the recall cost.
The 2021 BMW 330e was recalled in September 2020 for a risk of fire.
BMW issued a recall in September of its plug-in hybrid models after they were found to be at a risk for catching fire. The car’s batteries, made by Samsung, had welding debris left inside the pack that could create a short between modules. The recall covered 4,509 plug-in hybrid BMW or Mini vehicles in the U.S., and 26,900 vehicles worldwide.
Vehicles recalled include: the 2021 BMW X5 xDrive 45e; 2021 BMW 745Le xDrive; 2020-21 BMW 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance; 2020-21 Mini Cooper Countryman All4 SE; 2020-21 BMW X3 xDrive30e; 2021 BMW 330e, 330e xDrive; and 2020 BMW i8.
The growing number of fire-related recalls in battery electric vehicles illustrates the challenges involved with managing flammable lithium-ion batteries that have previously caused fires in laptops, tablets and other electric devices.
It’s been an unusually busy year for the Jeep brand which is rolling out a procession of new and updated models, including the next-generation Grand Cherokee, the revived Wagoneer, the Wrangler 4xe – and its most significant global product line the 2022 Jeep Compass.
The Jeep Compass is one of the brand’s most important global product lines.
The update of the compact crossover makes its formal debut at the Chicago Auto Show this week and features new styling, both inside and out, as well as an assortment of technological upgrades. That includes a new, 10.1-inch touchscreen featuring the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, as well as an assortment of new driver assistance systems like Active Lane Management and Rear Cross Path detection.
“The new 2022 Jeep Compass ushers in new levels of comfort and functionality, with premium styling and craftsmanship inside and out,” said Jim Morrison Vice President, Jeep Brand North America. “Sophisticated and well equipped, the Compass stays true to its benchmark 4×4 capability and on-road dynamics, but with even more refinement and precision. It also boasts a host of new attributes and innovative technologies designed to keep consumers connected and make their lives easier.”
A key product in the Jeep line-up
The Compass has played a critical role in the growth of the Jeep brand, especially in global markets. It slots into a niche between the entry-level Renegade and the bigger and more well-equipped Cherokee model.
For now, Jeep is sticking with its 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, but a plug-in hybrid option is reportedly in the works.
While it rides on a car-like crossover platform, Jeep offers an assortment of different trim levels, including the Compass Trailhawk targeting buyers looking for the ability to head off-road.
Though the basic underpinnings may be carried over, the 2022 Compass gets some welcome updates to both its interior and exterior design. The goal was to get the SUV a more “refined, confident attitude,” suggests designer Tim Anness. All versions get new, slimmer LED headlamps framing the familiar Jeep seven-spoke grille. There are new fog lamps and the lower grille grows slightly larger to improve engine cooling.
Individual trim levels now adopt more distinctive details. With the Trailhawk, for example, there are “Jeep Teeth” on the matte black grille. Limited models get a distinctive exterior appearance package with black-pained lower trim, as well as projector LED headlamps, LED foglights and 19-inch wheels.
Jeep designers worked hard to give the 2022 Compass a more refined interior.
The Compass cabin has often been faulted for its relatively lackluster design and extensive use of lower grade plastic. As with the new Grand Cherokee, Jeep is moving the Compass up a big step for 2022, with more upscale materials and a higher-tech focus. That includes the 10.1-inch center stack display and an optional, 10.25-inch digital cluster. More luxurious features, including first-ever heated rear seats, will now be available.
A new Latitude LUX trim package adds a variety of amenities. These include leather, heated front seats, leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, eight-way power driver seat with two-way power lumbar adjustment, auto-dim rearview mirror, 7-inch full-color cluster, 10.1-inch digital touchscreen radio, remote start and security alarm.
More tech, more capabilities
The 2022 Compass retains its Tigershark 2.4-liter inline-four engine making 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. And it can tow up to 2,000 pounds.
The Compass Trailhawk boasts a more distinctive look – and improved off-road capabilities.
Two gearboxes are available, including a 9-speed automatic on 4×4 models that, with Trail Rated packages, adds a rock-crawl setting for serious off-roaders. The package is capable of delivering as much as 31 mpg on the highway thanks to an upgraded engine start-stop system. Sport and Latitude 4×2 models feature a 6-speed automatic.
Jeep claims to have upgraded the Compass crossover’s suspension tuning and steering for improved handling and ride-comfort on-road.
The automaker also has expanded the list of advanced driver assistance systems. These include Full-speed Collision Warning with active brake and pedestrian/cyclist detection, Active Lane Management with LaneSense Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist and Blind-spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path detection. The new, semi-autonomous Highway Assist system will become available shortly after the launch of the 2022 model.
Plug-in hybrid may be coming
The automaker also is hinting that a 4xe plug-in hybrid package could be added in the next couple years. Similar to the Wrangler 4xe, it would offer the ability to drive more than 20 miles in all-electric mode. It also could run off-road in near silence, relying on battery power.
Pricing will be released closer to autumn, when the first versions of the 2022 Jeep Compass reach U.S. showrooms, but expect a starting price of around $26,000.
The 2022 BMW 2 Series coupes are on their way. Dynamic testing, drivetrain, and suspension tuning on the two-door compact are nearing conclusion. Production begins in the late summer of 2021.
The new BMW 2 Series is being described as more nimble, agile, and powerful than previous models.
Tuning and testing at Nurburgring’s Nordschleife and on public roads around Munich, the new 2’s drivability is key.
The 230i and M240i AWD will be the first out of the gate, with the 230i xDrive and M240i to follow.
The M240i xDrive has a 3.0 liter, inline 6-cylinder TwinPower turbo under hood, producing 382 horsepower. Backed up by a standard 8-speed sport Steptronic automatic, alas there’s no mention of a manual transmission option.
xDrive AWD systems have an M sport rear differential to add traction and stability while accelerating, according to BMW.
There’s a front lip spoiler, splitter, air curtains, deflectors, and underfloor covers for the fuel tank and rear differential. BMW attributes a 50-percent reduction in front-end lift to the aerodynamic package.
Twelve percent more torsionally rigid than its predecessor, BMW has also increased front and rear tracks to add rigidity.
New shocks enhance ride comfort, while better responding to road conditions. The optional Adaptive M suspension adds electronically-controlled shocks with settings that are more dynamic or comfort-oriented.
Improved road feel comes from new, stiffer front axle support bearings. Another option, variable sports steering, reduces steering effort while improving driving feel.
Meanwhile, the 2 Series is out there killing cones in pursuit of fine-tuning the suspension. We’ve not yet reached the point of cone conservation.
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has finally seen the light of day. It was about time, given all the fuzzy photos and hype prior to dropping today. More like a dull thud than a big bang, but here it is.
Hyundai describes the Santa Cruz as groundbreaking, and that may be so. Tabbed a sport adventure vehicle, it’s meant for urban consumers who want to be outdoors. They just can’t bring themselves to live where Uber Eats and Doordash can’t deliver.
We’ve just cut through its entire reason for being. Maybe the trick grille with hidden lights that can only be seen when it’s lit is the Santa Cruz’s signature. It could also be the voluminous hood and wheel arches, the latter armor-like. We should be much more enamored than we are, but ‘designed in California’ isn’t that big a deal.
There’s a 2.5-liter, in-line four-banger with direct-injection, 190 horsepower, and 180 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s hooked to an eight-speed auto transmission, mostly for efficiency. Then there’s a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, with 275+ HP, and 310+ lb-ft of torque. The turbo’s mated to an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, presumably to help with responsiveness. Both drivetrains are connected to HTRAC, Hyundai’s all-wheel-drive system. Until we have the opportunity to get a Santa Cruz out in nasty weather, it’s there to make you think you’ll be okay in snow or on ice. A Sport setting provides more torque to the rear wheels, though not enough to get the Cruzer in the next “Fast And The Furious” installment.
The Santa Cruz is, in a pickup truck sort of way, meant to do more than it should. Take towing for example. The normally-aspirated four-cylinder has a 3,500-pound rating, and the Turbo model? It gets a 5,000-pound rating.
How much praise can be heaped on the interior? Design teams focus on the number of cupholders, part of the selection process.
The center stack’s home to the infotainment screen, and an optional digital cluster. Makes you think you’re better informed.
Stubby’s what the Santa Cruz is. There’s early registration in late April for sales that start this summer. The line forms to the left.
While automotive enthusiasts have mixed opinions on the cultural clout of electric vehicles, there’s one aspect of electrification that’s undeniably cool — the resto-mod potential. Despite the historic appeal of driving around in vintage automobiles, they’re often painfully slow with ridiculously long braking distances and a lack of standard features many people living today would deem unacceptable. If you don’t believe me, select a random friend and ask them to parallel park a car without power steering or automatic transmission. Chuck in maintenance costs that are often well above average and it’s little wonder why so many Baby Boomers have been spending their retirement years outfitting the classic-era (or older) cars they grew up with with modern conveniences and components.
But we’ve also started seeing manufacturers (and even some intrepid entrepreneurs) taking the foundational concepts of resto-modding and adding electric propulsion. Some executions even seem to be pushing the boundaries of what we could effectively call automotive restoration, like Hyundai’s Pony Heritage EV.
Based on a first-generation Hyundai Pony hatchback (which the United States never saw), the Heritage utilizes a mystery electric powertrain and some new hardware without mucking up the Giorgetto Giugiaro/Italdesign bodywork. The car itself is supposed to be a tribute to Mr. Giugiaro and the brand’s first official product as much as it is a chance to show off what the current Hyundai design department can do — and it appears to be successful on all fronts.
Sadly, this makes it more of an art car (technically from the “Reflections in Motion” collection) than a conceptual design the manufacturer is mulling over for future production. The car has been completely gutted to make way for modern embellishments, with the interior getting a nearly complete overhaul. Rather than the traditional dashboard, Hyundai lead designer Hak Soo Ha directed staffers to install nixie tubes. While impractical, cathode displays could have made into production vehicles from the 1970s, assuming the manufacturer was unhinged enough to ignore their delicate nature.
Other upgrades include revamped upholstery and trim pieces, LED tail and headlamps, fender-mounted cameras (instead of mirrors), and some new bumpers, door pulls, and wheels.
Hyundai has made it clear that there’s no plan to put this thing into production, noting that the Ioniq 5 is already filling the space that a modern, regulations-compliant Pony EV would occupy. But we hope it serves to inform future automobiles, as this seems like the natural evolution of the modern-retro aesthetic that’s been catering to baby boomers (and those with an affinity for the classics) for over two decades.
While malaise era remakes don’t sound all that appetizing on paper, there’s a growing number of shoppers who grew up with (and now fetishize) digital displays or Speak & Spell vehicle notifications that are nearing their peak buying power. This old-meets-new, cyber vintage vehicle aesthetic could turn out to be wildly lucrative once more manufacturers realize there’s already a market for it.
The new BMW 2 Series is being described as more nimble, agile, and powerful than previous models.
