Aston Martin – Page 158 – I wish I had more to offer

Dyson gives up making his electric car

James Dyson will not revolutionize the world of cars, and builders will always judge him high. The founder and boss of the group of household appliances announced Thursday in an email to employees of the group that he was putting an end to his project to build an electric car , launched two years ago.… Continue reading Dyson gives up making his electric car

Monday Morning Auto News, Oct 07, 2019

Volvo and Geely to Merge Engine Operations in Electric Car Push – Bloomberg: Volvo and Geely to Merge Engine Operations in Electric Car Push Bloomberg
VW in talks to share its electric know-how – The Detroit News: Ford agreed earlier this year to use VW”s main electric-car platform for a high-volume car in Europe
Volvo and Geely to merge combustion-engine programmes – Autocar: Volvo engine New engine division will focus on hybrid development, while Volvo will push resour…
Week 4: As UAW GM strike takes its toll, workers vow they’re more committed than ever – Freep: Sounds of gospel music filled what was once the gymnasium in the old Gundry School, now a church with deep connections to GM’s factory workers.
Move to close training center emerges in midst of GM-UAW contract talks – Freep: Key issues remain on the table between GM and the UAW and one of those is the training center embroiled in part of a federal corruption probe.
Harley struggles to fire up new generation of riders with electric bike debut – CNBC: The bike costs nearly as much as a Tesla Model 3, and aims for a market that does not really exist: young, “green” and affluent first-time motorcyclists.
Mercedes-Benz sales soar to record on back of boost from China – FT: Mercedes-Benz sales soar to record on back of boost from China

Swedish EV firm NEVS to sell final new Saab 9-3 this month – Autocar: An unused crash test model from 2013 will be auctioned to raise funds for sustainable mobility res…
1964 Olympic cauldron returns ‘home’ to Saitama Pref. after touring disaster-hit areas – Mainichi: … diameter and weighs approximately 4 metric tons, was created by local metal worker Mannosuke Suzuki and his son Bungo, both now deceased.
Volvo, Geely to merge combustion engine operations – Reuters: Volvo, Geely to merge combustion engine operations Reuters
New Aston Martin Vantage Roadster: first images released – Autocar: V8-powered drop-top will take on the Porsche 911 Cabriolet with over 500bhp and a price tag around…
Analysis: How China is fuelling Volkswagen’s electric dream – Autocar: Volkswagen”s global ID models will be joined by China-only variants Volkswagen”s ambitious EV p…
Jobless claims up around U.S. amid GM strike – The Detroit News: As 46,000 walk picket lines outside GM facilities in 19 states, thousands laid off because of the strike are waiting for a call to return to work.
When harm comes from safety tech, what to do? – Automotive News: More than 800 motorists have lodged complaints about false positive incidents on Nissan Rogues with automated emergency braking systems.
FCA chief cleans up the messes of a legend – Automotive News: When Mike Manley was thrust into the role of CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in 2018 as his predecessor, Sergio Marchionne, lay dying, the …
V2X might speed progress on the road to autonomy – Automotive News: At the time, only Tesla appeared to be working towards “fake human” driving, by which I mean, relying on cameras/visible spectrum and using artificial …
Peugeot to ditch GTi badge? – Autocar: Peugeot to ditch GTi badge? NZ Autocar

New Aston Martin Vantage Roadster: first images released

Aston Martin has released the first images of a new Vantage Roadster, in engineering prototype form, ahead of an expected launch in the coming months. The hardtop coupé variant of Aston’s Porsche 911 rival has been on sale in its current form since 2018, following its unveiling at the 2017 Los Angeles motor show, spearheading the… Continue reading New Aston Martin Vantage Roadster: first images released

Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer urged to shake up boardroom – The Times

Aston Martin is under pressure to shake up its board and bring in directors with more experience at listed companies after a disastrous first year on the stock market. The luxury car-maker’s shares have plunged 74% since it floated a year ago, hammered by weaker demand, supply-chain problems and a profit warning that exposed its… Continue reading Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer urged to shake up boardroom – The Times

Delphi teases 800V inverter for 2022 “high-performance vehicle”

Last week, in coordination with the Frankfurt auto show, Delphi Technologies announced it will be the first major supplier for the auto industry to produce an 800-volt inverter—a component that Delphi underscores is one of the enablers to allow 800-volt charging and effectively halve charging times compared to today’s 400-volt systems.

As Delphi outlines, with 800V systems, automakers have greater freedom, to either opt for smaller, lighter cables and connectors, harvest more power via regenerative braking, or go for ultra-fast charging.

And at least one more automaker is sold on it. Delphi says that it secured a $2.7 billion deal for volume production of the 800-volt inverter over 8 years with “a premier global OEM,” on the product launch of “a high-performance vehicle” in 2022.

Cadillac electric crossover SUV based on GM BEV3 modular platform

That brings up a long list of potential products. Some or all of the upcoming Porsche and Audi vehicles built around the Volkswagen Group’s premium electric (PPE) platform are expected to be 800-volt, and Hyundai’s Genesis electric luxury cars are expected to be built around an 800-volt architecture. GM’s BEV3 platform is expected to launch in a Cadillac, with premium EVs from Mercedes-Benz expected as well.

In electric cars, the inverter is the component that changes the direct current (DC) from the battery to alternating current (AC) to be used by the motor system. Although the battery pack is by far the most expensive component in electric cars, the inverter is one of the runners-up.

Delphi Technologies 800V inverter

Delphi’s component employs silicon carbide MOSFET semiconductors from the specialist company Cree. Delphi says its Viper power switch together with that helped create a product that is 40 percent lighter and 30 percent more compact than comparable inverters.

Porsche led one of the turning points toward 800V technology. It opted, in 2015, to undertake the development of an inverter, power systems, wiring harnesses, and various accessories all in-house because they didn’t exist then from so-called Tier 1 suppliers.

Outside of the very limited Aston Martin Rapide E and fully electric racing—in Formula E, most notably—800V tech has seen little implementation so far.

That’s clearly now due to change. Even electric-truck hopeful Rivian told Green Car Reports last year that it has conceived its 400V platform for a future 800V upgrade, likely around 2022.

Based on announcements such as this from Delphi, it’s safe to say that the change to 800V is happening—from the top of the market down, because it’s more expensive—and possibly a lot faster than previously anticipated.

4Sep Twenty Twenty awarded during the Aston Martin DB7 Celebration Italdesign’s 2001 prototype is “the DB7 with Most interesting…

Italdesign’s 2001 prototype is “the DB7 with Most interesting Spec” Italdesign’s Aston Martin Twenty-Twenty was part of the DB7 Celebration Day, held at the Wormsley Estate, England, last weekend. Designed, engineered and built in 2001, the Twenty-Twenty was the first Aston Martin open-topped car, designed for the year 2020. Based on a DB7 equipped with… Continue reading 4Sep Twenty Twenty awarded during the Aston Martin DB7 Celebration Italdesign’s 2001 prototype is “the DB7 with Most interesting…

Aston Martin Is Said to Weigh New Bonds as Cash Pressures Mount

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc may soon return to Europe’s bond market to offset pressure on the luxury carmaker’s free cash flow, according to four people familiar with the matter.

Wed 11 Sep 2019Lotus appoints David McIntyre as Regional Director, Asia Pacific and ChinaDavid brings 25 years’ experience in luxury and performance a…

David brings 25 years’ experience in luxury and performance automotive experience, including 15 years in the region Tasked with building a strong and comprehensive retail network across Asia Pacific markets and China Further evidence of Lotus’ ambition to deliver significant growth in global markets (Hethel, UK – 11 September 2019) – Lotus has strengthened its… Continue reading Wed 11 Sep 2019Lotus appoints David McIntyre as Regional Director, Asia Pacific and ChinaDavid brings 25 years’ experience in luxury and performance a…

Honda: Frankfurt International Motor Show 2019

BERLIN, GERMANY, Sept 11, 2019 – (JCN Newswire) – Honda has unveiled the mass production version of its next-generation electric vehicle, the Honda e, at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. Visitors to the show will be able to see the car’s unique range of features through a series of interactive exhibits using virtual reality and… Continue reading Honda: Frankfurt International Motor Show 2019

Carmakers near CO2 cliff-edge in electrification race

PARIS/FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Time is running out for European carmakers, which have waited until the last minute to try to meet ambitious EU emissions targets and face billions in fines if they fail to comply. FILE PHOTO: A model of an electric Mini car is pictured at the booth of Siemens at the Hanover trade… Continue reading Carmakers near CO2 cliff-edge in electrification race