AD #3127 – New BMW 2 Series Coupe; Porsche Reveals Unlikely Concept; New DBX Helps Aston’s Sales Soar
July 28th, 2021 at 11:49am
Listen to “AD #3127 – New BMW 2 Series Coupe; Porsche Reveals Unlikely Concept; New DBX Helps Aston's Sales Soar” on Spreaker.
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Runtime: 10:53
0:08 Biden Plans to Restore Obama’s Fuel Economy Rules
1:10 New DBX Helps Aston Martin’s Sales Soar
1:54 Rivian To Invest $5 Billion In New Plant
3:23 Nissan Frontier Updates
5:04 New BMW 2 Series Coupe to Debut in Munich
6:37 Porsche Reveals Unlikely Concept Vehicle
8:50 Ford Opens New Battery R&D Center
9:39 Lancia Stratos Zero Concept
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BIDEN PLANS TO RESTORE OBAMA’S FUEL ECONOMY RULES
The Biden Administration is planning to restore fuel economy rules enacted during the Obama Administration. According to the Associated Press, starting in 2023 passenger vehicles will have to meet standards set in 2019 by California and several automakers including Ford, Honda, BMW, Volkswagen and Volvo. Under that deal, automakers must increase MPGs and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 3.7% per year. In 2025, the Obama era standards would go into effect, which pushes the requirement to 5% per year. And it could go up to 7% after 2026. While Trump was in office, he rolled the target back to just a 1.5% fuel economy improvement per year. The EPA and Department of Transportation are expected to announce the proposal next week.
NEW DBX HELPS ASTON MARTIN’S SALES SOAR
SUVs are really helping to boost sales for brands traditionally known for sports and performance cars. Recently, Lamborghini set a sales record in the first half of the year. It sold nearly 4,600 vehicles and more than half were the Urus SUV. And now Aston Martin says its first half sales were up more than 220% compared to last year, thanks to its new DBX SUV. The company sold 2,900 vehicles and more than half were the DBX. That’s an impressive increase but remember sales crashed last year due to pandemic lockdowns, so that’s why it’s so large.
RIVIAN TO INVEST $5 BILLION IN NEW PLANT
Last week, reports surfaced that EV startup Rivian is looking for a location to open a second plant in the U.S. And now Reuters reports that the company will invest $5 billion in the new facility, which will also make battery cells. While Rivian hasn’t announced the location yet, construction is expected to kick off later this year with production starting in the second quarter of 2023. However, that timeline could be pushed back due to the pandemic.
NISSAN FRONTIER UPDATES
Nissan completely redesigned the Frontier pickup truck, and it’s about time. The last redesign was 17 years ago. And while we can’t reveal our driving impressions or the pricing yet, here are the basics.
It’s powered by a 3.8 liter V6 with 93% of the parts having been redesigned. It makes 310 horsepower and 281 pound feet of torque. All that power is fed through a 9-speed automatic. It will carry a 1,610-pound payload and can tow 6,720 pounds. The two-wheel-drive version delivers 20 miles to the gallon while the four-by-four gets 19 MPGs.
Much of the engineering work went into making this body-on-frame truck ride smoother and quieter. Hydraulic cab mounts reduce NVH 80%. Acoustic front side glass and more sound deadening reduced engine noise by 5 decibels, road noise by 3 and wind noise by 2.5 decibels. Two bed sizes are available, 5 feet and 6.
It’s a rugged looking truck, square and angular, with high body shoulders. Wide radius lines in the sheet metal make everything look thicker and stronger. And from the rocker panels on up, the style lines are designed to make you follow them upwards to make the truck have a lifted look.
We’ll have more to say about our driving impressions in a couple of weeks. But here’s a hint. We think Nissan just went to the head of the class.
NEW BMW 2 SERIES COUPE TO DEBUT IN MUNICH
Speaking of new vehicles, the new BMW 2 Series Coupe will make its debut at the Munich auto show in September. It’s quite a bit longer and wider than the outgoing model as well as slightly lower. Paired with an aggressive style draped over a classic 3-box layout, this is one sporty-looking car. That is further highlighted by a range of turbocharged engines. The base 4-cylinder produces 184 horsepower, but there’s also a 2.0L version for the U.S. that makes 255 horsepower. In Europe, a diesel 4-cylinder is available that produces 190 horsepower, while the top choice for all markets is a 382 horsepower 3.0L in-line 6-cylinder. All engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive. A completely new chassis setup, some of which was originally designed for the new 4 Series, also enhances that sporty feeling. The interior of the new 2 Series looks like most modern BMWs with nicely sized digital display screens and the latest iDrive system, but there’s also a little extra flair in the door panels and around the door handles. Pricing in the U.S. starts a little over $37,000, including destination charges, and goes up about $50-grand. U.S. launch starts in November, while it arrives in Europe early next year.
PORSCHE REVEALS UNLIKELY CONCEPT VEHICLE
But that’s the present. Let’s look into the future. And for Porsche that could involve a vehicle you’d never expect from the sporting brand, a van-like people mover. It recently revealed a number of concepts that had never really been seen before, one of which was a van. Wanting to build on that, Porsche designers thought about how they could apply distinct Porsche flair to something that is far removed from its classic offerings. This is what it came up with. An automated vehicle with a centrally located driver’s seat that gives the driver a very cockpit-like feeling but also the ability to swivel and face other passengers when in self-driving mode. Designers also talk about how the user experience and making the vehicle feel like it has a soul, like K.I.T.T. from the old Knight Rider TV show, will be important ways to connect with customers. But a Porsche van? Who would have thought?
Hey, be sure to join us for Autoline After Hours tomorrow afternoon. Our guest is Sujit Jain, the president of powertrain operations at Bosch North America. While the industry is heading towards electrification, Bosch believes two out of every three cars sold in the U.S. in 2030 will still have a piston engine. And Sujit says there’s still room to improve the fuel efficiency and emissions of ICEs. So join us tomorrow for some of the best insider discussions in the automotive industry.
FORD OPENS NEW BATTERY R&D CENTER
Traditional automakers are realizing they need to start making their own battery cells if they’re going to be able to power all of their future products and Ford just took a step closer to that. It announced its new global battery center, called Ford Ion Park, will be located in Romulus, Michigan. $100 million will be invested in an existing 270,000 square foot facility that will employ up to 200 engineers. They’ll be tasked with researching and developing battery and battery cell technology with an eye on future battery manufacturing. As part of its $30 billion investment in EVs through 2025, Ford says the new lab will help it speed up its development process and make better batteries.
LANCIA STRATOS ZERO CONCEPT
The Lancia Stratos Zero concept created a sensation when it was introduced by Bertone at the Turin auto show in 1970. Everyone wanted to know, “how do you get in that car?” It was impossibly small, only 33 inches tall, about 84 centimeters. And it wasn’t really meant to be driven. It was designed to make people look at it, which it succeeded wildly in doing. But it also set the stage for the wedge look which became a major design theme during that decade. It was on exhibit at the Concours d’Elegance at St. John’s this past weekend. P.S.: the hinged windshield opens up so someone can squeeze inside.
But that’s it for today, thanks for watching and have a great day.
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Comments (27)
July 28th, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Even the 2 series automatic only? So much for “ultimate driving machine,” even in the car closest to heir apparent to the old 2000s.
July 28th, 2021 at 12:14 pm
Why not just ban the importation of all cars that consume more than the required average fuel economy? If nothing else, that might keep a few domestic plants open a few years longer.
July 28th, 2021 at 12:18 pm
Biden doesn’t even know what year it is but the obamy people back in power are picking winners using tax payer money
July 28th, 2021 at 12:21 pm
I still say Rivian could save a TON of money by just making an attractive offer to Lordstown. Its a huge plant that can easily accommodate vehicle production and battery assembly. The way things look for Lordstown, they may jump at the opportunity to sell their biggest asset, pay some legal bills and close up shop. As many have said, not all of the EV startups are going to make it. The ones with minimal financing are the most vulnerable.
July 28th, 2021 at 12:26 pm
Did I hear right? Nissan midsized pickup 20 mpg? That is lower than most full-sized pickups!
BMW squeezing the most out of a dying ICE powertrain, gas and Diesel.
July 28th, 2021 at 12:34 pm
#3 Jim, please tell us how US auto industry is going to compete or survive vs the Europeans and Chinese in the coming years if they dont switch to BEVs and more fuel efficient vehicles, GM not even in Europe now, almost out in most of Asia,especially in manufacturing, all while the Chinese expand, Nio and Xpeng and soon BYD plus others will be selling in Europe .
July 28th, 2021 at 1:03 pm
To me,the new Nissan frontier,looks like a Silverado from the front and a F-150 from the rear. Anyone else think this way??
July 28th, 2021 at 1:11 pm
I thought Hot Wheels made a Lancia Stratos concept but after searching online looks like they did make the Stratos but not the concept. Not nearly as wedged shaped. Maybe it was the Vector but that design had to certainly influence the likes of the 1980s Lotus Elise.
So bring back EPA requirements that will make ICEs even more expensive, which can also help place EVs on a more level playing field cost wise. Either way the consumer pays more.
July 28th, 2021 at 1:17 pm
4 Maybe Rivian should consider partnering with Lordstown. Not only get the plant for a good deal but a fully developed vehicle that Rivan could add to its offerings. Especially since the Rivian truck is between a mid-size and full size.
7 Yea I see it too.
July 28th, 2021 at 3:10 pm
when I needed a pickup in my life,I always bought american. they always seemed to suit me best.
July 28th, 2021 at 3:17 pm
How about a new 2 Series convertible…!
July 28th, 2021 at 3:20 pm
5 The Frontier does 1 mpg better than the V8 Chevy and Dodge, but 2 mpg worse than the Ford with 2.7 turbo. Yeah, 20 is not too good for a “mid size” pickup.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=43090&id=43458&id=43008&id=43688
July 28th, 2021 at 3:24 pm
10 I had a pickup once, a regular cab Chevy S10. Unfortunately, no one sells anything like that any more. I suppose it’s because they would take too many sales from the high profit monster trucks.
July 28th, 2021 at 3:26 pm
11 According the Car and Driver, there will be no new generation 2-series convertible, apparently ever.
https://www.caranddriver.com/bmw/2-series
July 28th, 2021 at 3:57 pm
12 When you actually do a fair comparison and put the Nissan up against the other midsize trucks the Ranger (2.3 Turbo)and Colorado (3.6L V6) then you see the Nissan gets 1 mpg less than GM and 3 mpg less than Ford.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=43688&id=42546&id=43615
So yeah its worse in class for MPG.
July 28th, 2021 at 4:49 pm
15 Even the semi-ancient Taco does 1 mpg better, overall than the Nissan.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=43688&id=42546&id=43615&id=43082
July 29th, 2021 at 2:24 am
Very nice seeing the Lancia Stratos Zero concept. I think it was featured in a special exhibition down in the basement of the Geneva show some years ago, but I’d forgotten how diminutive it is.
One of those truly standout designs, never mind things like human bodies’ shape!
Does someone recall a (late 60s?) Corvette concept where the entire rear and roof were hinged at the back of the car and swiveled up, with the seats moving too?
July 29th, 2021 at 8:18 am
17 Yeah I believe I know which one your talking about I believe I saw that concept at the Peterson Museum in L.A. but I visited the corvette museum in BG Kentucky that same year. So it may also have been there.
At Peterson they had a lot of the movie cars obviously being in L.A. like the Batmobile from the 60s and 90s, and Speed racer among others. Great place to visit and iconic building.
July 29th, 2021 at 8:44 am
17,18 Is this the Corvette concept?
https://youtu.be/pig8hxIANEs
July 29th, 2021 at 9:00 am
13) I liked the size of the S10 and the equivalent ranger of the time. Robbing sales from full size is not why the S10 went away back then though. That was purely consumer choice driven. Back then people made a decision between a new S10 or a cheaper used off lease Silverado with more features that would retain more resale value in the long term. The Silverado of that time was also substantially more reliable than the S10 with its tin can suspension bits, underpowered engines, and cheap and chinzy plastic interior. It was a very easy decision for the consumer. Most people chose to go for the used Silverado leaving new S10s to languish on lots.
I remember the final days of S10. GM was having fire sales to clear out inventory. They were practically paying people to take them. Obviously that is not sustainable.
Today that equation is slightly different. Full size trucks are expensive in both new and used forms. That makes Colorados/Rangers/Tacomas look more attractive in both new and used forms. Unfortunately all of those are more mid-size and pretty expensive for what they are. Their only party trick is that they are slightly cheaper than a full size. They are not necessary better value than a full size. So sales are mixed.
I am excited about the upcoming Maverick though. If it didn’t have a double cab, it would basically be an old school Ranger successor with a nice cheap price tag to match the theme of being an old school ranger. Offering an AWD variant will bring it success that the old Dodge Rampage could never achieve. It should sell pretty well if they don’t mess up the launch and give it a reputation for being unreliable. I do wonder if it will take sales away from the Ranger though. Maybe that is why Ford gave the maverick a small bed size. If you need a larger bed you move into the ranger. Maybe they are trying to protect ranger sales that way?
July 29th, 2021 at 9:52 am
20 I still see a number of S-10s on the road, even in the Indiana land of road salt, and the newest ones are 17 years old. Underpowered? Mine had a 4.3, and had plenty of power. Even the later 4 cylinder S-10s with the 2.2 weren’t bad.
I never see a first generation S-10. They have all rusted away, and most of them had less-than-stellar engines, the 2.5 “iron duke” and carbureted 2.8 V6.
If they made a regular cab version, the Maverick would be very appealing to me, if I wanted a pickup truck. Using the hybrid powertrain is great, as it will nearly double the city mpg, compared to the competition.
July 29th, 2021 at 10:34 am
21) It was amazing to me that they put the old iron duke in almost everything back then. One day I ran across a Firebird with an iron duke for sale. I knew GM offered it but was shocked to actually see it. Somebody actually bought one! The person selling it was also really proud that his Firebird had an iron duke. This seller priced it like it was a rare Ferrari and kept saying “where are you going to find another Firebird with an iron duke”. 0-60 was 20 seconds. It was so horrifically slow. I didn’t buy it of course but it would have made for a conversation starter at a cars and coffee event.
July 29th, 2021 at 10:46 am
20-21 I just wonder how big of a market is out there? Going small and only offering a tiny bed I think is a mistake. What they really need to do is offer a regular cab or slightly extended with a large bed. Seems the S-10s and Rangers were popular with the handyman of trades and delivery services. The local Napa used them for years. Capable of hauling auto parts up to a full engine if needed. Carpenders, landscapers and so many trades that haul dirty sloppy items that you don’t really want to put inside a vehicle. Bed still big enough to get some drywall or plywood but they don’t need to haul 2000 lbs or tow anything but maybe a log splitter or portable cement mixer. They don’t need but maybe 2000 lbs of towing. Most don’t need AWD.
If they could really get back to the basics and forget about driving assist features and all the sensors and just offer a small work truck that was affordable with decent power it would sell, IMO.. The problem is they always come out with the original design that is underwhelming. They wait a year and offer a better more powerful engine after they already let everyone down and people are no longer excited about it.. Release it with a proper powertrain even if you offer a lesser HP option come out of the gate with a great motor and transmission. Forget about shooting for high margins and go for economy of scale again. Sell a ton of them and make sure they are bullet proof.. A good reliable cheap small truck.. Cheap and no frills should not mean junk. Think of original WW2 Jeep. Basic utilitarian reliable hard working vehicle but modern.
With that combination a manufacturer could sell 200k a year maybe twice that if its sold world wide.
July 29th, 2021 at 11:02 am
23) No frills is a moving target. No frills these days is basically 1980s loaded. Automatic, Air, cruise, tilt, pwr windows/locks/mirrors. I was in a uhaul truck with manual everything. When I saw the crank handles on the doors; I wondered how many new drivers would even know what to do.
I was watching some old price is right compilations of new car give aways the other day. They usually run through the list of optional “features” cars came with that make them special. You quickly realize how even our base spec cars today are better equipped than high spec cars of yesteryear.
July 29th, 2021 at 11:13 am
22 I knew someone who bought an iron duke Camaro, but I don’t know why, unless he just wanted something “different.” My manual transmission iron duke Celebrity wagon was quicker, because it was lighter.
July 29th, 2021 at 1:46 pm
Lambo & Kit – Found it. An amazing automobile. Meet the Chevrolet Corvair Astro I from 1967:
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1967-chevy-astro-i
https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z1869/Chevrolet-Corvair-Astro-I.aspx
July 29th, 2021 at 4:21 pm
It even has a yoke!
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-vehicle-collection/1967_Chevrolet_Astro_I_Experimental.html