AD #2005 – Chrysler to Reveal Pacifica EV at CES, Aston Recreates Classic DB4 GT, VW Lays Out EV Infrastructure Plan
December 12th, 2016 at 11:50am
Runtime: 9:13
To watch this episode on YouTube click here.
- Denso Tests Car Sharing
- Michigan Enacts Self-Driving Laws
- NVIDIA Tests Autonomous Technology
- Aston Recreates Classic DB4 GT
- VW Lays Out EV Infrastructure Plan
- Chrysler to Reveal Pacifica EV at CES
- Henry Ford’s Secret Innovation Room
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On today’s show… Michigan and California fight to be the leaders in autonomy… reports are swirling that FCA will show off a fully electric version of the Pacifica… and we take you back in time to Henry Ford’s secret innovation room. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily the show for enthusiasts of the automotive industry.
DENSO TESTS CAR SHARING
Automakers think mobility services represent a whole new business for them to get into. They see a chance to make big money and that’s why we’re seeing so much activity in this field. And now Japanese supplier Denso is the latest to jump into that market. It just launched a car sharing program for students at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. 30 students will be allowed access to a set of three Ford Focus electric cars. They reserve a ride via an app, which they can use for running errands, going out with friends or whatever as long as they remain in the continental U.S. Denso will collect data from the program to see how it can improve car sharing and it will share results from this study at the 2017 SAE World Congress.
MICHIGAN ENACTS SELF-DRIVING LAWS
And speaking of Michigan, the state has worked hard to keep itself at the forefront of everything autonomous and now it’s doing even more. New laws just went into action that allow autonomous cars on any road with or without a driver. They also give companies the right to sell vehicles that don’t have traditional controls, like a steering wheel or pedals. I can’t help but think how silly it is that Michigan can be so progressive with autonomy, but yet it’s one of only four states that have banned Tesla from selling vehicles.
NVIDIA TESTS AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGY
Of course Michigan is doing all this to keep up with or even put itself slightly ahead of California when it comes to autonomy, but the list of companies allowed to test in Cali just got a little bigger. NVIDIA was given the green light to test its autonomous technology in the state. You’ll remember NVIDIA as one of the top companies that makes processors for self-driving vehicles and it already has its own test vehicle. This move could pave yet another way for a Chinese automaker to enter the U.S. market. Baidu was already ready granted permission to test autonomous vehicles in California, but in September the automaker formed a partnership with NVIDIA to develop an artificial intelligence platform for self-driving cars.
Still to come…Aston Martin is recreating DB4 GTs from the 1950’s
ASTON RECREATES CLASSIC DB4 GT
We’ve reported how Jaguar Land Rover have brought a few iconic models back to life, the XKSS and original Series 1, and now Aston Martin is doing the same. The automaker is going to build a limited run of 25 DB4 GTs. The original car ran from 1959 to 1963, but these continuation models will be based on a lighter weight version of which only 8 were originally built. A few changes were made to bring the car into the modern era. Under the hood is a straight six-cylinder engine that produces over 330-horsepower with three Weber carburetors. They also get an FIA-approved roll cage, fire extinguisher, and seat belts. Unfortunately they will be track-only, but something tells me the lucky 25 plunking down $1.9 million for these cars won’t mind one bit.
VW LAYS OUT EV INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
As part of its punishment for its diesel emission cheating, Volkswagen agreed to spend $2 billion to improve the EV infrastructure in the U.S. and now the company has laid out a 3-stage plan to do so. Starting next year it will install over 300 Level II or DC Fast Chargers in 15 American metropolitan areas, while at the same time developing a nationwide network of over 200 high-speed charging stations. The second step of the plan calls for “increasing awareness and fostering education about EVs, charging availability, and the benefits of electric mobility.” In California it will select a city for its Green City Initiative and set up future concepts of sustainable mobility, like EV ride-sharing. The last part allows anyone to chime in on VW’s Electrify America website that “may help inform investment plans over the next 10 years.” The $2 billion will be spread out over 30 investment cycles starting on January 16th of next year.
CHRYSLER TO REVEAL PACIFICA EV AT CES
FCA already has a plug-in hybrid version of the new Pacifica, but according to Bloomberg the company will show off a full electric version of the minivan at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show. We didn’t think FCA could pull off a good plug-in vehicle, but we were surprised at just how good the hybrid Pacifica really is. So, there’s no reason for us to think that it can’t pull off a really good pure electric vehicle too. Bloomberg also says that FCA has a electric Maserati in the works as well.
Coming up next, a look at the secret room Henry Ford used to create the Model T.
HENRY FORD’S SECRET INNOVATION ROOM
On last week’s Autoline After Hours we got a history lesson about the birthplace of the Model T, the Ford Piquette Plant. That’s because our special guest was Nancy Darga, the Executive Director of the Piquette Museum. And in the following clip, she discusses the secret room Henry Ford used to create new innovations.
(The AAH preview is only available in the video version of today’s show.)
To learn more about the history behind the Ford Piquette Plant, you can watch that entire discussion right now on our website, Autoline.tv or you can find it on our YouTube channel.
But that’s it for today, thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow for the latest news in the global automotive industry.
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Comments (13)
December 12th, 2016 at 12:23 pm
I assume the electric Pacifica will not have “stow and go,” but the minivan platform seems perfect for an EV. When I am under my first generation Caravan to change the oil, I am impressed with all of the wasted space, the result of having a flat floor that clears the suspension, exhaust, etc. By filling that space with batteries, they should be able to get a lot of range.
December 12th, 2016 at 12:27 pm
It will be an interesting mix of drivers and driverless cars on Michigan roads in future winters.
Since the Chrysler museum is closing, any chance of it reopening somewhere else?
December 12th, 2016 at 12:44 pm
What goes around comes back around. I believe Chrysler offered an electric Caravan for sale in the 80′s.
December 12th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
Being a British car guy, I love the Aston and wish I could afford an original. Are the three Weber carbs the ol’single type like I had on my 68 Healey and 69 MGC?
Finally, my “C” is fully restored, except the rear leaf springs need re-worked. Finding a someone to restore them in the US is near impossible. The re-pops from China and India are junk, but the EU still has many sources.
December 12th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
The Pacifica EV makes a lot of sense but doesn’t Ford offer a C-Max all electric that is stagnant in the marketplace? In order to fill the bottom ot the Pacifica with batteries, won’t that push the price upwards of $50,000 for a low end piece?
I know I’m not the target market, but $1.9 million for a low tech and seemingly simple to build DB4 seems like an awful lot of money for a “re-creation”. Have the Shelby Cobras that were built on the late 1990s using “discovered” serial numbers kept pace with the “real” Cobra market? I wonder if these buyers will ever see a return.
December 12th, 2016 at 1:18 pm
5 There is a C-Max plug-in hybrid with about 20 miles of electric range, but no pure electric C-Max, at least not in the U.S.
Yep, I’d think the Pacifica EV would be pricey, if they fill all of that space with batteries, to get 200+ miles of range. It a big vehicle.
December 12th, 2016 at 2:29 pm
While a lot of minivans do ‘pedestrian’ work around town and short trips, their claim to fame in my opinion, is over the road vacation stints. I wonder how many will be willing to pay the price to have a minivan and not be able to take it on those family vacations (where they really shine).
Maybe DB4′s need to rest on the laurels; I think if Chevy decided to rebuild the iconic ’63-67′ vettes, it would put me in an early grave (or maybe make me roll-over in one if it happens after I make that trip to the ‘race-track’ in the sky).
Getting a little tired of “retro”.
December 12th, 2016 at 3:49 pm
RE: MICHIGAN ENACTS SELF-DRIVING LAWS
I live in Michigan and this scares the hell out of me. Was our legislature high when they passed these rules? No drivers and no driver controls. Sheer stupidity. These vehicle will malfunction at some point. Everyone’s computer, cell phone, DVD recorder, any electronic device has glitches and breaks down on occation. The difference is when the autonomous vehicle malfunctions people will die.
December 12th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
We are seeing a higher accident rate with distracted driving than even drinking and driving, so some half baked computer drivers probably can’t do worse!
I read recently about a woman driving a minivan climbing the curb and wiping out a grandparent and 2 kids on the sidewalk. No explanation for her actions and no alcohol or drugs in her system. I bet they would all be alive if a computer was driving for her.
Perfection is not needed, just a better driver than most.
December 12th, 2016 at 5:13 pm
8 I’m with you. Completely autonomous driving is ready for “prime time,” only on lightly traveled interstates, if that. Even on the interstates, what would they do, drive in the passing lane at exctly the speed limit, disrupting traffic flow?
December 12th, 2016 at 8:52 pm
Yes,Chrysler built about 50 TEVans full electric minivans in 1993 for about $100,000 each.I never saw any at my dealership in Iowa,I think they were sold in only California.They had 30 6 volt NiCad batteries for 35 continuous horsepower and 70 peak hp.
December 12th, 2016 at 9:38 pm
I’m with 9 on this one. My wife was just rear ended while waiting at a red light by another driver Friday who somehow didn’t see her huge SUV in front of him. Totaled his car, though my wife’s car is not nearly as bad. I have always teased her on her choice of such large cars when she is so tiny, but not anymore.
The point of this story is that humans are by no way perfect and therefore this is not a reasonable standard for computers. In the US, there were 38,000 road fatalities in 2015. All computers would have to achieve is 37,000 road fatalities to have saved 1000 lives!
December 13th, 2016 at 8:04 am
I’ve consistently stated that a mediocre computer driver that paid 100% attention and obeyed 100% of the traffic code would be far less prone to collisions than the average distracted human driver.