Author: Auto_Evolution Online News

Skoda Expands Karoq Production To Second Plant

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Skoda Fabia Geneva Debut Teased by Official Sketch2 Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI Doing 4×4 Snow Drifts Is Just Weird3 Skoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150 HP Acceleration Test: Slightly Faster Than Claimed4 Skoda Fabia WRC Special Editon Has Green Wheels and 1.4 Turbo5 Skoda Remembers 1100 OHC Racing Car On Its 60th Birthday
Up next

Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche 911 GT3 RS Has 918 Spyder Liquid Metal Chrome Blue Hue

Skoda Expands Karoq Production To Second Plant

23 Jan 2018, 9:57 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

Mlada Boleslav may be the stomping ground of Skoda, but the Karoq’s place of origin is Kvasiny. But as demand for the compact-sized crossover keeps on growing, the automaker sees fit to add the all-new Karoq to the Mlada Boleslav plant too, effective January 2018.
33 photos“We are proud to have established Mlada Boleslav – beside Kvasiny – as a further production site for the Karoq in the Czech Republic,” declared Michael Oeljeklaus, board member for production and logistics at Skoda Auto. “The high demand for our SUV models underlines the fact that we have launched the right vehicles at the right time.”
When all is said and done, the Karoq is more appealing than the Yeti it replaces, whichever way you look at it. With pricing from less than €20,000 for the front-wheel-drive model with a manual transmission and the 115-horsepower 1.0 TSI, the newcomer bridges the gap between the best-selling Octavia and Kodiaq. A smaller crossover (subcompact in size), based on the SEAT Arona, will be added to the lineup in 2019.
To keep up with demand, Skoda poured lots of money into Mlada Boleslav to sustain production. On full song, the factory is capable of producing 320 examples of the Karoq on a daily basis. The fact of the matter is, no other Skoda except for the Karoq is made in two Czech plants, and that’s saying something about the model’s commercial success.
In addition to value for money and ample space, the Karoq is gifted with Kodiaq-infused styling and the dynamic capabilities of Volkswagen’s MQB platform. Customers who want the best Skoda can offer are offered optional extras that include LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot, a fully customizable digital instrument cluster, and the seven-speed DSG gearbox.
At the present moment, the most powerful Karoq is the 1.5 TSI and 2.0 TDI, both rated at 110 kW. Research and development head Christian Strube is advocating for a hotter Karoq, though it remains to be seen if the higher-ups will give him the go-ahead for the RS.

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

Who's Your Number One?
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

SKODA models:SKODA Karoq Small SUVSKODA Citigo 3 doors MiniSKODA Citigo 5 doors MiniSKODA Octavia Combi RS MediumSKODA Octavia Combi 4×4 MediumAll SKODA models

BMW M8 Confirmed For Debut In 2018, EV Offensive Goes Crazy

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Audi RS3 Vs. BMW M2 Is an Uneven Drag Race with Even Results2 Spyshots: 2019 BMW 8 Series Shows More Skin, Prototype Has Imposing Stance3 It's Fast, But Has the 2018 BMW M5 Lost Its Character?4 2018 BMW M550d xDrive (G30) Is a Fast Quad-Turbo Diesel in POV Test Drive5 Carbon Fiber Rocket Bunny E46 BMW M3 Is Another Kind of Restomod
Up next

2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Daily Driver Is a Dusty Devil

BMW M8 Confirmed For Debut In 2018, EV Offensive Goes Crazy

6 Dec 2017, 15:18 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

When BMW took the veils off the Concept 8 Series, a few jaws dropped for at least two reasons. One of them is the return of the 8 Series, and the other is the get-up-and-go the M8 promises from the 4.4-liter V8 engine.
17 photosExpected to develop more suck-squeeze-bang-blow than the 600-horsepower S63B44T4 in the F90 M5, the twin-turbo eight-cylinder plant will give the German automaker’s flagship the performance one would expect from a luxurious grand tourer with sporting credentials.
So when will we get to see the M8 doing its best to fend off the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe (and Cabriolet)? According to Harald Kruger, the chairman of the board of management at BMW, sometime next year production of the all-new 8 Series Coupe and M8 will kick off at the automaker’s Dingolfing plant in Germany.
Kruger also confirmed the X7 for 2018, the company's largest sport utility vehicle to date. “These are our goals for the luxury class,” further added the official, referring to “a higher segment share. A significant increase in sales and revenues.”
BMW also has big plans for the i brand, with the iX3 already confirmed on a previous occasion. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Here’s Kruger again: “We have not only secured the naming rights for BMW i – from i1 to i9. We also hold the rights for BMW X – from iX1 to iX9.”

If that sounds like overkill, it probably is. But when you think about it, securing your intellectual property is the safest thing to do as an automaker, even if some of those models are far off from production reality. The i9, iX8, iX9, all three of them serve as perfect cases in point.
The strategic focus for the BMW Group is electrification, with the Bavarian automaker expecting to deliver its 100,000th electrified vehicle before Christmas, adding to a figure that totals close to 200,000 cars. By 2025, BMW will offer 25 electrified models, of which 12 are all-electric vehicles.

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Who's Your Number One?
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

BMW models:BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (F45) CompactBMW 2 Series Active Tourer (F45) CompactBMW i8 Roadster Roadster & ConvertibleBMW i8 CoupeBMW M3 CS (F80) MediumAll BMW models

Toyota And Mazda Choose Huntsville, Alabama For U.S. Factory

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Aston Martin Returns To Newport Pagnell With DB4 GT Continuation2 Volkswagen Production Milestone: 6 Million Vehicles Manufactured In One Year3 This Is The Welding Line Where The U.S.-spec 2019 Ford Ranger Will Be Made4 Ford Ramps Up Fiesta Production To Meet Strong Demand In Europe5 Maserati Cuts Production for a Month Due to Lack of Demand
Up next

Harley-Davidson Applies For Two More Model Trademarks

Toyota And Mazda Choose Huntsville, Alabama For U.S. Factory

10 Jan 2018, 19:31 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

A whopping $1.6 billion. That’s how much Toyota and Mazda will invest in setting up a production plant in Huntsville, Alabama. Announced in May 2016, the U.S.-based joint factory will open its doors in 2021 and will see up to 4,000 workers churn out up to 300,000 vehicles per year.
50 photosLocated approximately 150 miles from the Tuscaloosa site operated by Mercedes-Benz and 15 miles from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc., the Huntsville facility is described by both parties as a “mutually beneficial long-term partnership.” What that means is, Toyota will acquire 5.05 percent of Mazda, whilst Mazda will get 0.25 percent.
Toyota’s 11th manufacturing plant in the United States, and the second in Alabama, will welcome the next generation of the Toyota Corolla to its assembly line. Mazda, meanwhile, announced that it’s working with the North American office “to introduce a totally new and different type of SUV,” a damn cryptic choice of words if you think about it for a minute.
The State of Alabama is, at the present moment, the 5th largest manufacturer of cars of light trucks in the U.S. of A. More than 150 tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers are supporting the industry, translating to something in the ballpark of 57,000 automotive manufacturing jobs in the Cotton State.
“The partnership between Mazda and Toyota will expand innovative automotive manufacturing in Alabama,” said governor Kay Ivey. “Their decision to locate this new facility in Huntsville is a testament to the talented workforce in our state. We are proud that this partnership puts Alabama on the forefront of technology in this dynamic global industry.”
Other than the new production plant, Mazda and Toyota are joined at the hip. First there’s electrification technology the two will share, then there’s the rotary extender engine, but that’s not all. If the wildest of rumors are to be believed, the next-generation Mazda6 is expected to go rear-wheel-drive thanks to the Toyota-developed FR platform. The same backbone is anticipated to help the RX-9 rotary sports car happen.

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Who's Your Number One?
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

TOYOTA models:TOYOTA Avalon LargeTOYOTA Prius c CompactTOYOTA Land Cruiser 150 Medium SUVTOYOTA Sequoia Large SUVTOYOTA Auris Touring CompactAll TOYOTA models

Maserati Cuts Production for a Month Due to Lack of Demand

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Lamborghini Urus Police Car Looks Really Threatening2 New Maserati SUV Reaffirmed By Chief Executive Officer3 New Maserati SUV Coming By 2020 With Alfa Romeo Underpinnings4 Ferrari Utility Vehicle (F16X SUV) Confirmed By Vow-Breaking Sergio Marchionne5 Dodge Challenger SRT-R Hellcat Racecar Rendering Is a Supercharged Offender
Up next

2018 SEAT Leon TGI Acceleration and Fuel Consumption in the Real World

Maserati Cuts Production for a Month Due to Lack of Demand

19 Dec 2017, 20:18 UTC · by Mihnea Radu
/ Home / News / Car Profile

While most car manufacturers are talking about all-time high sales and employee bonuses for 2017, Maserati's people will be taking a month-long siesta.
5 photosMore specifically, the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans will stop being made between December 15 to January 15. Meanwhile, the Levante, which is doing slightly better, will be out of production from December 20 to January 15. And as for the GranTurismo and GranCabrio, they will be out from December 15 to January 8th, according to Automotive New Europe.
“It is clear that production is slowing down and investment in new models are on hold,” union boss Federico Bellono told the publication.
On paper at least, adding an SUV to the roster seemed like the perfect solution to Maserati's slow sales. However, competition is harsher than ever, and the V6 engine just couldn't do a good enough job to hide the Levante's flaws.
About a year after the Quattroporte was launched, it because clear that Maserati was going to continue struggling, as production was slowed. In 2017 alone, the automaker shut down the line on two other occasions.
Problems with the Chinese economy are mostly to blame now. However, the country, which is now the world's largest producer of solar energy, has also become unwelcoming for gas guzzling cars. Meanwhile, the Levante PHEV is nowhere to be seen.
It's important to understand just how small the Trident brand is right now. Back in April, it delivered its 100,000 cars. So there are fewer Maseratis in the world then there are W222 Mercedes S-Class sedans.
In 2016, Maserati's sales volume in China broke 12,000, which marks an increase of 120 times over the 100 sales made in 2004, the company's first year operating there. Today, Maserati has around 30,000 customers in China, 38 percent of whom are women. So there's still room to grow. But we're not sure the new coupe models being planned are what people want.

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

Who's Your Number One?
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

MASERATI models:MASERATI Ghibli GranLusso LuxuryMASERATI GranCabrio Roadster & ConvertibleMASERATI GranTurismo CoupeMASERATI Ghibli LuxuryMASERATI Quattroporte VI LuxuryAll MASERATI models

Australian Car Production Stops With The Last Holden VF II Commodore

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 RHD Camaro In The Pipeline As Holden's New Flagship, To Arrive In Mid-20182 HSV Rumored To Be Rebranded Into Walkinshaw In 20183 Holden Prepares To Launch Astra Sedan, Priced From AUD 21,9904 Vauxhall To Unveil Its Most Powerful Car at Goodwood, It Is a Limited Edition5 Is This the All-New Opel Insignia OPC / VXR Undergoing Testing?
Up next

Milltek Buys 2018 Honda Civic Type R, Makes Killer Exhaust

Australian Car Production Stops With The Last Holden VF II Commodore

20 Oct 2017, 15:54 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

The very first Holden to roll off the line is the 48-215 at Fishermans Bend on November 29, 1948. On October 20, 2017, the story concludes with the final VF II Commodore built at the Elizabeth plant, a Redline model which marks the end of the General Motors RWD Zeta platform and Australian car production.
8 photos“It’s the very last ‘true’ Holden, isn’t it?” Rightly so, and its replacement is a badge-engineered Opel Insignia marketed as the ZB Commodore. Front-wheel-drive by nature and capable of accommodating a V6 in the engine bay, there’s no denying the ZB isn’t the replacement the VF Commodore deserves.
Ford pulled out of Australia, and so did Toyota, leaving the sovereign country dependent on imports. All is not lost, however, as Holden prepares to welcome the Chevrolet Camaro as its new flagship in 2018. Converted to right-hand drive, of course, with the help of HSV. Oh, and by the way, HSV is expected to change its name into Walkinshaw. Because why not?
“The passion and dedication of the team here is second to none, it has been an honor to work alongside them. In the final years of production, we have been building categorically the best-quality cars to ever roll out of this plant, and our last car was our best,” declared Richard Phillips, Holden’s executive director of manufacturing. So, what happens to Elizabeth’s workers?
Up to this point, the transition program has resulted in approximately 85 percent of the workers finding new jobs. What’s more, 1,000 people will be retained as direct staff in Melbourne and across national zone offices. The 200-strong dealer network, meanwhile, consists of 6,000 employees.
Scheduled to go on sale in early 2018, the Holden ZB Commodore will be available with an assortment of four- and six-cylinder engines. The range-topping VXR will rely on a 3.6-liter V6 with a 9-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. In regard to output, 235 kW and 381 Nm of torque is not nearly enough compared to the LS3 V8 of the VF II Commodore, but then again, that’s how the cookie crumbles for Holden these days.

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

Who's Your Number One?
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

HOLDEN models:HOLDEN Ute Small PickupHOLDEN Ute Small PickupHOLDEN Barina MiniHOLDEN Commodore Wagon LargeHOLDEN Commodore Wagon LargeAll HOLDEN models

Citroen C4 Hatchback Going Out Of Production, Replacement Coming In 2020/2021

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 2018 Citroen C4 Cactus Gets Progressive Hydraulic Cushion Suspension System2 2018 Peugeot Partner Test Car Blows Smoke Like a Chainsmoker3 Peugeot/Citroen Comeback on U.S. Market Inevitable4 New Citroen C5 Confirmed For European Market, Coming In 20205 2018 Citroen C3 Aircross Makes MPVs Look Obsolete At Frankfurt
Up next

Cartoon Wrapped Tesla Model S Seems to Be Owned by Wile E. Coyote

Citroen C4 Hatchback Going Out Of Production, Replacement Coming In 2020/2021

27 Oct 2017, 14:36 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

The introduction of the C4 Cactus facelift is a two-sided matter for Citroen. The compact-ish crossover effectively replaces the C4 hatchback, which is one of the least exciting cars in the segment, as well as one of the oldest.
11 photosNot accounting for the first generation (2004 to 2010), the C4 hatchback has been with us since 2010. Also offered as a sedan and in Aircross flavor, the C4 also brought forth the DS 4, which happens to suffer from peculiar flaws.
Listed on the French and British configurators from €18,950 and £21,310, respectively, you know the C4 hatchback doesn’t have a winning chance against the likes of the cheaper and funkier C4 Cactus. So what did Citroen’s higher-ups decide given this dire situation? Phase it out, of course!
The confirmation comes from Xavier Peugeot, senior vice president of product planning at Citroen. “The current C4 is a seven-year-old design and we had to make a decision. We will stop production and the C4 Cactus will take its place,” he told the peeps at Autocar, and that settles the deal. But what will happen with the void left by the C4 hatchback? After all, the compact segment is hugely popular in Europe, and Citroen cannot afford to misstep.
As it happens, the French automaker is developing a C-segment hatchback for launch in 2020, 2021 at the latest. An all-new model from the ground up, the all-new C4 hatchback is expected to ride on the EMP2 platform, which underpins many cars in the PSA lineup, from the Peugeot 308 to the DS 7 Crossback, as well as light commercial vehicles such as the Toyota Proace.
Needless to highlight, the 2020/2021 Citroen C4 hatchback will borrow the Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension system from the C4 Cactus and C5 Aircross. According to Citroen head honcho Linda Jackson, “we are talking here about 21st-century comfort in suspension and seats.”

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

Who's Your Number One?
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

CITROEN models:CITROEN E-Mehari Small SUVCITROEN E-Mehari Small SUVCITROEN C4 Cactus CompactCITROEN DS7 Crossback Medium SUVCITROEN C4 Picasso Medium MPVAll CITROEN models

Polestar 1 Production Plant Starts Construction In China

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Volvo V60 Polestar Keeps the Four Cylinder Flag Flying Against AMG C 43 Wagon2 Rebecca Jackson Reveals 2018 Volvo XC60's Flaws3 Volvo V90 Cross Country Volvo Ocean Race Has Carpets Made From Ocean Trash4 Polestar 1 Convertible Rendering Is So Good, It Should Be Built5 Polestar 1 Immediately Gets Rendered as a Shooting Break, It's That Beautiful
Up next

2019 BMW 8 Series Shows Up in German Traffic, M850i Rumors Increase

Polestar 1 Production Plant Starts Construction In China

20 Nov 2017, 13:55 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

Chengdu isn’t just one of the most populous areas in the People’s Republic of China, but it briefly served as the capital of the country from 1949 until the closure of the Chinese Civil War. Chengdu is the region’s equivalent to Silicon Valley in the United States, which might have had something to do with Polestar deciding to set base in this area of China.
21 photosSpun off from Volvo as a standalone brand and controlled by Geely, Polestar announced that the production facility for the 1 plug-in hybrid supercoupe is coming together in Chengdu. By mid-2018, the factory should be completed and ready to start tooling and pre-production tests.
The nine-month construction plan is challenging in its own right, but then again, the Polestar 1 is a plug-in hybrid unlike any before it. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Polestar highlights the plant “will be the most environmentally-responsible car factory in China.” And that’s saying something considering China’s environmental record isn’t all that green.
“We are building a Production Centre that is a reflection of our brand,” declared head honcho Thomas Ingenlath. “A facility that is modern, progressive, technically advanced and environmentally responsible. The Polestar Production Centre will be an embodiment of the Polestar brand.”
Described by its maker as a grand touring coupe, the 1 features a performance-oriented powertrain with 600 horsepower on tap and up to 150 kilometers of electric range. To whom it may concern, that translates to the longest pure electric distance of any hybridized car in the world.
Production of the 1 will start by mid-2019 and be capped at 500 examples per year, with pricing expected to range from €130,000 to €150,000 ($153,000 to $177,000) for the entry-level trim. There’s also the possibility Polestar will adopt the Care by Volvo subscription service introduced by the XC40. It all boils down to a flat fee that covers things such as the cost of the car, insurance, and maintenance into one monthly paid installment.

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

Who's Your Number One?
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

VOLVO models:VOLVO V60 Polestar CompactVOLVO S60 Polestar CompactVOLVO V60 Polestar CompactVOLVO S60 Polestar CompactVOLVO XC40 Small SUVAll VOLVO models

Volvo XC40 Starts Production, T5 Twin Engine PHEV And EV Coming In 2018 And 2019

The smallest utility vehicle Volvo ever made is now production reality. The XC40 started rolling off the assembly line in Ghent, Belgium today, and the first customer-bound crossovers are en route to Volvo dealers.

To date, Volvo received more than 13,000 orders for the newcomer of the XC family… (continue reading >>)

Dual-Motor Model 3 Production Imminent As Tesla Registers First VINs

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Proposed Tesla Compensation Plan for Musk Makes Him the Richest Man in the World2 Tesla Semi Prototype Caught Driving in Sunnyvale, California3 Armormax Tesla Model S P100D Is The World’s Fastest Bulletproof Car4 Tesla Model 3 Owner Risks License to Check Top Speed, Gets a Bonus5 New Tesla Roadster Has Over 1,000 HP, Engineering Explained Says
Up next

Ferrari 488 Sport Special Series Unveiled During Private Presentation

Dual-Motor Model 3 Production Imminent As Tesla Registers First VINs

23 Jan 2018, 13:09 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

Production of the Model 3 started with great pomp and circumstance in July 2017, and to this day, Tesla has yet to hit the production target it has set for the most affordable car it has ever offered. But 2018 will see Tesla hopefully get its act together.
5 photosA quick look at Tesla.com reveals all-wheel-drive Model 3s will start production in spring 2018, with international deliveries of left-hand drive vehicles to start in the second half of the year. Come 2019, the Fremont plant will welcome the right-hand drive Model 3 for markest such as the UK.
But first, let’s focus on the Dual-Motor Model 3. According to Model 3 VINs on Twitter, the Palo Alto-based electric vehicle automaker registered 19 examples of the dual-motor variant, ranging from vehicle identification numbers 8370 to 8388. A look-up on NHTSA.gov confirms the info.
Given these circumstances, Tesla is certain to have addressed some of the bottlenecks that hampered the Model 3 in the past. And as it’s the case with the S and X, the 3 with Dual-Motor integrates a permanent-magnet motor in the front axle that should mirror the output of the rear drive unit.
It remains to be seen if it’s the same design as the electric motor in the rear-wheel-drive Model 3, which develops 258 horsepower according to the EPA filing when matched with the extended-range battery. The Model 3 Performance, on the other hand, is certain to up the ante even further. The difference is likely to be made by the output of the rear electric motor.
Whatever kind of surprise the automaker has in mind for the Model 3 Dual-Motor and Model 3 Performance, you can bet your sweet bippy 2018 will be a better year for Tesla's new contender in the EV arena. Production was upped in December 2017 to more than 1,000 Model 3s per week. By the end of the first quarter of 2018, the production target is 2,500 units per week.
New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

Who's Your Number One?
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

TESLA MOTORS models:TESLA MOTORS Roadster Coupe CabrioTESLA MOTORS Model S LuxuryTESLA MOTORS Model 3 Medium PremiumTESLA MOTORS Model X Large SUVTESLA MOTORS Model S LargeAll TESLA MOTORS models

JK/JKU Wrangler Production Ending In April, JT Scrambler Pickup Truck Incoming

The JL and JLU are the best Wrangler models yet in more than one way, but Jeep hasn’t pulled the plug on the JK and JKU. The former-generation SUVs are still being manufactured in Toledo, Ohio, but the end is near for both models.

A WARN notice filed by Hyundai Mobis North America with the Sta… (continue reading >>)