On today’s show… Porsche and Bentley unveil a couple of new models… mini and smart unveil a couple of electric concept cars… and Cummins unveils an all-electric Class 7 semi tractor. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.

This is Autoline Daily the show for enthusiasts of the automotive industry.

CUMMINS GOES ELECTRIC
Cummins just pulled the wraps off a fully electric class 7 semi tractor. It uses a 140 KWh battery pack instead of a 12-liter engine. The weight of the electric powertrain is roughly equal to that of the removed engine, aftertreatment, transmission and fuel tank. When paired with a trailer it has a GVW rating limit of 75,000 pounds. Cummins says it has a range of about 100 miles in city driving. Recharging takes only an hour using a 140 kW charger, but they hope to get that down to 20 minutes. The range can be extended to 300 miles with more battery packs. The truck is more aerodynamic thanks to replacing side mirrors with an in-dash camera, and by better sealing of the body and underbody. Cummins says the truck will go into production in 2019. Much of the media is making a big deal that Cummins will beat Tesla to the market, but Tesla will love hearing this announcement. It validates what it’s been saying about electric semi’s.

SMART GOES ELECTRIC
A couple of companies that make small cars are making some big reveals. First up, smart unveiled an autonomous EV concept, called the smart vision EQ fortwo. The two-seater, doesn’t include a steering wheel or pedals, instead it’s controlled through a smartphone app or voice command. And since this was developed with car sharing in mind, it features what the company calls a Black Panel Grille, which displays messages to help riders recognize their vehicle. And info can be displayed on the side windows inside the car thanks to a special film. The smart vision EQ fortwo, makes its official debut at the Frankfurt show.

MINI GOES ELECTRIC
And you’ll also see a new EV concept from MINI at the show, appropriately called the MINI Electric Concept. No details about its electric drive were revealed but the company says it has go-kart like feeling while driving. And while this looks like a MINI there are a few cues that signal it’s an electric vehicle. Including several E-badges located on the car and a closed radiator grille, since the electric powertrain doesn’t need much air cooling. The car also features some 3D printed parts. The concept is a preview of an EV MINI will come out with in 2019.

WHEW, KIA DIDN’T GO ELECTRIC
And speaking of Frankfurt reveals, Kia will unveil a stylish new hatchback, which was designed at Kia’s studio in Frankfurt. It gives an idea of what the next-generation cee’d could look like. The cee’d is a compact car that Kia has sold in Europe since 2006.

Coming up next, Porsche and Bentley just completely redesigned two of their best selling models. .

PORSCHE REDESIGNS THE CAYENNE
Porsche rocked the world when it announced it would be coming out with its first SUV, the Cayenne and now it’s launching the third generation of the utility. The styling is not all that different than the outgoing model, but it does look cleaner and more modern. While the wheelbase is still the same, the overall body length has increased nearly 2.5-inches, but is over 140-pounds lighter. The Cayenne will first launch with two turbocharged V6 engines that are mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The suspension has also been reworked and for the first time it will come with 4-wheel steering. Moving to the interior, it has an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen that can be configured for up to 6 individual profiles. The driver’s instrument cluster is centered by an analogue tachometer flanked by two 7-inch display screens. And a host of driver assist systems are now available in the Cayenne. It will be available in the U.S. midway through next year with a starting price around $67,000.

BENTLEY REDESIGNS THE CONTINENTAL GT
And speaking of new vehicles from the VW Group, Bentley just introduced the third-generation of Continental GT. While it retains some of the character lines associated with the previous models, you’ll also notice influence from the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car. The reworked twin-turbo 12-cylinder engine has been moved back in the engine bay and the front tires have been pushed forward by over 5-inches, which allows for a longer hood and the nose of the car to be lowered. Bentley also made some improvements on the interior as well. The leather seats and door panels are covered in a new stitch pattern, called diamond in diamond and, like the Cayenne, features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, but the GT’s rotates out from a hidden panel. The new Continental GT makes its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Coming up next, automakers face a classic dilemma when it comes to autonomous car technology: do you make it, or buy it?

MAGNA DEVELOPS AUTONOMY-IN-A-BOX
Automakers are racing to develop their own autonomous technology in-house. But suppliers believe they can do the same thing. Magna is proving that by unveiling what it calls MAX4, an autonomous driving platform for Level 4 for both city and highway. It uses radar, lidar and ultrasonic sensors that are designed for easy integration with any automakers’ existing and future platforms. Magna says it’s developing production-ready solutions. Delphi and Waymo are examples of other companies that are developing “autonomy in a box” systems that they will sell to automakers. Recently, FCA said it would rely on suppliers to get autonomous technology, rather than spend the money itself to develop it. And in another 5 years or so, we’ll probably learn which automaker had the right strategy to make it or buy it.

Don’t forget to join us for Autoline After Hours later today. Joining John and Gary are Joe White from Reuters and Chris Paukert from Road Show by CNET. They’ll be talking about a wide variety of topics and welcome your questions. If you’d like to ask a question, shoot us an email to viewermail@autoline.tv or send a tweet. Just look for Autoline on Twitter. That show goes live starting at 3 pm eastern time.

And that wraps up today’s show. Thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.