AD #3060 – More Apple Rumors; Hyundai Santa Cruz Fully Revealed; Mercedes EQS Details Coming In
April 16th, 2021 at 11:59am
Listen to “AD #3060 – More Apple Rumors; Hyundai Santa Cruz Fully Revealed; Mercedes EQS Details Coming In” on Spreaker.
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Runtime: 11:09
0:07 More Apple Rumors Swirling
0:46 Cruise Raises More Money
1:18 Hyundai Santa Cruz Fully Revealed
3:45 Mercedes EQS Details Coming In
5:13 Hong Guang MINI EV Gets Convertible Concept
5:48 NIO Opening 2nd-Gen Battery Swapping Station
7:18 VW Launching GTX Performance Line for ID Vehicles
7:47 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line Not Worth the Money
9:24 Renault Develops First Hybrid with Legos
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MORE RUMORS SWIRLING AROUND APPLE
Rumors keep swirling around Apple that it wants to come out with its own electric car. According to a report in the Korea Times, a joint venture between LG Electronics and Magna that was established back in December and is called LG Magna e-Powertrain “is very near to signing contracts with Apple.” It’s said the JV would produce the vehicles, but that volume would remain low at first while Apple tests the water. There’s been so much speculation around an Apple EV that we’re taking this news with a grain of salt and waiting for something more concrete.
CRUISE RAISES EVEN MORE MONEY
Earlier this week, GM’s autonomous unit, Cruise, signed a deal with Dubai to provide it with autonomous robotaxis starting in 2023. And now the self-driving startup says it raised $2.75 billion in its latest funding round, which includes an additional investment from Walmart. Last year, the two companies partnered to test an autonomous delivery service in Arizona. Cruise is now valued at more than $30 billion.
HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ FULLY REVEALED
Hyundai revealed the all-new Santa Cruz pickup. Let’s start from the ground up. It rides on a modified version of the Santa Fe platform and will come out of the same plant in Alabama. As a result, the powertrain setups are pretty much the same. It’s a front-wheel drive based platform with the option for all-wheel drive. Power comes from two 2.5L engines, one is naturally aspirated, the other is turbocharged. They put out roughly 190 and 275 horsepower, respectively. And are both mated to 8-speed automatics, but the turbo features a DCT. That’s where the similarities end. The Santa Cruz has a nearly 10-inch longer wheelbase and is about 7-inches longer overall. But compared to other mid-size pickups, the Santa Cruz should be noticeably smaller. When it comes to styling, Hyundai uses words like ‘sophisticated’ and ‘rugged’ to describe the look. We see some of that ruggedness in the big, blocky fog lamps, black fender flares and “T”-shaped rear taillight that look like they’re bolted on. While the LED lamps and interior add a bit of refinement. The interior seen here has the optional 10-inch infotainment screen and instrument cluster. Oh! And we can’t forget that bed. It doesn’t look like it opens to the interior like some people thought. It is rather small, but Hyundai feels it’s filling a hole in the segment. There’s also a number of ways to extend the use of the bed and it has a locking tonneau cover that slides over top. Hyundai is opening up orders for the Santa Cruz later this month and production starts in June.
MERCEDES EQS DETAILS COMING IN
Mercedes officially presented the EQS to the world yesterday, which it claims will be the most sophisticated EV on the market. It’s built on a dedicated BEV platform which will be used for other full-size vehicles. Three models were announced. The EQS 450+, a rear drive sedan with 245 kilowatts of power, or 328 horsepower. The all-wheel-drive EQS 580 with two motors that generate 385 kilowatts, or 516 horsepower. And there’s a performance version coming with 560 kilowatts or 750 horsepower. Two battery packs are available: 80 kilowatt hours and 108 kilowatt hours. The bigger battery should deliver a WLTP driving range of 770 kilometers, or 478 miles, with the rear drive EQS 450+. And since the EQS uses the same electronic architecture as on the S-Class, it allows for over-the-air updates to the battery as well as many other systems on the car. There are a lot of cool features, including the driver’s door opening automatically as you approach the car, and closing when you press on the brake pedal, just like a Tesla Model X. We’ll get into more details on this car next week.
HONG GUANG MINI EV GOES CONVERTIBLE
Sticking with EVs for a moment, China’s most popular model, the Hong Guang MINI EV, could see its lineup expanding. It’s going to be showing off a new convertible concept at the Shanghai auto show. Exterior styling has been massaged slightly and the interior features two large display screens merged into one unit. The rear seats were also removed to give the top a place to go when put down. We’ve seen conflicting reports about whether or not this vehicle will go into production, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
NIO OPENS 2ND-GEN BATTERY SWAPPING STATION
And in other Chinese EV news, NIO opened its first, second-generation battery swapping station. It partnered with Chinese oil and gas company, Sinopec, to open it at one of its locations in Beijing. The whole process is done automatically, thanks to the swapping station’s 239 sensors and four cloud computing systems. The driver just has to click a button and can wait in the car while the technology does the rest. By the way, the video you’re seeing is NIO’s first-gen swapping station because that’s what’s available. The station is capable of swapping 312 batteries per day, which means it takes a little more than four and a half minutes per swap. That’s pretty impressive and puts it on par with filling up your tank at a gas station.
GTX LINE ADDS PERFORMANCE TO VW’S ID VEHICLES
Volkswagen has its GTI and GTE performance brands and now it’s adding one for its ID family of electric vehicles called GTX. The models will feature a second electric motor on the front axle to improve traction and acceleration. And they’ll have their own sporty styling cues and lighting signature. That’s about all we know for now but Volkswagen will show off the first GTX model, an ID.4, at the end of the month.
VW ARTEON R-LINE NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY
We really like the Volkswagen Arteon, both the way it looks and the way it drives. And an R-line version just made its way through the Autoline Garage, which is the performance version. But we came away feeling that the lower trim versions offer better value for the money. Like other Arteons, the R-line is powered by a two-liter turbo that produces 268 horsepower and 258 pound feet of torque. That power is fed through an 8-speed automatic and into the all-wheel-drivetrain. That makes the car perform admirably, though this is not exactly what you would call a performance sedan. Moreover, it’s a thirsty bugger, rated at only 24 miles to the gallon–which is the same as a Ford F150 pickup with a 3.5 liter V6 and all wheel drive. Worse, the Arteon’s Lane Keeping Assist feature will have you quickly paging through the owner’s manual trying to figure out how to turn it off. It is truly annoying and adds a lot of imprecision to the steering. The R-line is pricey. The one we drove cost just over $48,000, which is a $12,000 markup from the base Arteon. Unfortunately this passenger sedan is trying to compete in a market that is walking away from passenger sedans. So far this year Volkswagen sold barely 1,000 Arteons in the U.S. market. And those are the kinds of numbers you associate with endangered species.
RENAULT DEVELOPS HYBRID SETUP IN LEGO
Here’s an interesting story about how Renault developed its hybrid powertrain. It was around 2010 when engineers were tasked with coming up with something for the Megane and Clio that was simple and easy to make. One of those engineers, a guy by the name of Nicolas Fremau, saw his son playing with Lego Technic kits and a lightbulb went off. The pieces were close enough to something he had in mind and he could make a prototype. Some drilling and gluing was required beyond the usual snapping of pieces together, but once motorized he had a working replica of his innovative idea for a 3-speed transmission. It was that exact replica Fremau took to his bosses, who eventually concluded, “If we can make it in LEGO, it will work!”
But that’s a wrap for this week. Thanks for watching and we’ll be back here again on Monday.
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Comments (35)
April 16th, 2021 at 12:31 pm
The Santa Cruz will probably do well and I wonder if Hyundai has a rear cap for it. That could really change the look similar to look more like the Santa Fe.
April 16th, 2021 at 12:38 pm
There must be a reason GM is the only one that has done the midgate, cost maybe? Patent on the design? It sure adds a lot of utility, with building a house I’ve used mine a ton in the last year.
April 16th, 2021 at 12:43 pm
Hyundai feels Santa Cruz is filling a hole in the segment, but to me, the gaping hole waiting to be filled is an actual smaller, regular cab pickup truck. Those 20 year old S-10s and Rangers are starting to get hard to find, as they rust out and wear out. The Santa Cruz will join the Maverick as another “lifestyle” vehicle. I suppose both will sell reasonably well, though, depending on the price.
April 16th, 2021 at 12:44 pm
2 Maybe structural stiffness is a factor, with the Santa Cruz being unibody.
April 16th, 2021 at 12:48 pm
Sean, A little late for April Fool’s but a couple of your new items would have made the grade.
1. Santa Cruise – GM and Hyundai jointly offer an autonomous vehicle to be used for delivering Christmas presents. Available in pickup or van, but only one color, red with a white roof.
PS The new MB EQS reminds me of a soap on a rope I once had. Does MB or Tesla offer car shaped bars of soap?
April 16th, 2021 at 1:07 pm
I loved the original front end of the Santa Cruz concept, but I’m warming to its new face. The concept was based on the Tucson and even though the SC has its new face, I’m surprised to learn that it’s built from the Santa Fe’s bone. So, while it will definitely be smaller then the Ridgeline and the other midsize pick-ups, it should be larger the the Ford Maverick, which based on the Escape and is in a class smaller then the Santa Fe. The Santa Cruz is styled like it is a fun and funky little run about, with eye catching looks (IMHO)! While not being able to say for sure until it’s revel, the Maverick is looking like it may be more a baby brother to its work-a-day sibling F-150 and Ranger middle child. The question is, will there be a Raptor version,or even an Adrenaline trim like Ford did with the Explorer Sport Trac a few years ago?
While the interior of the EQS is incredible, the exterior has lost a LOT of the sizzle of the EQS concept. If Mercedes could have built the EQS with the look of the original concept, IMHO, they would have had a vehicle that was tough to beat. That being said, I’m sure they will sell as many as they can build, regardless of the price. With the number of Model S’s on the road, which sell for S-Class money, only demonstrate the interest that buyers with that kind of resources are will spend it on. Now that their is a full size BEV with the Mercedes-Benz star on its hood, means that they can open their order books as customers sign their checks!
April 16th, 2021 at 1:10 pm
I find the NIO automated battery swapping concept intriguing. Not sure the infrastructure required will happen in my lifetime, although I admit the under 5 minute swap time would change my opinion of BEV for long distance travel.
April 16th, 2021 at 1:15 pm
I’m wondering if they plan to use the two tone paint scheme on all EQSs, or just as an option. While I like two tone on some cars with clear demarcation lines, like Mini, Ford Flex, and a few others, it doesn’t seem to go so well with the more bubble shape of the EQS.
If the EQS sells for similar prices to the Model S, the Benz should do very well. The Tesla has two advantages, the superchargers, and its being a hatchback, but to many buyers, I suspect neither of those things matter much.
April 16th, 2021 at 1:21 pm
6 Motor Trend thinks the Santa Cruz and Maverick will be about the same length, ~195 inches, but the Hyundai slightly wider.
April 16th, 2021 at 1:37 pm
8) Agreed. It would look better on the EQS if the black color didn’t do that weird front fender dip. Makes it look really busy in that area. I still wouldn’t like it, but it would look better.
I am not sure what the hole in the market is for Hyundai to fill. Doesn’t the ridgeline already fill the Unibody based smaller truck market? Maybe they think people are looking for an even smaller truck that offers none of the truck like capability other than hauling 1 bicycle around. Basically a Modern version of a dodge rampage but with less cargo room. Maybe that is the hole they are trying to fill? It didn’t work out for the Rampage, and that was a time period where gas was very short in supply. Maybe it will work for Hyundai this time around while Gas is plentiful. Time will tell I guess.
April 16th, 2021 at 1:42 pm
I read somewhere that the Santa Cruze had the new Tucson underpinnings.
April 16th, 2021 at 1:51 pm
Price hurts the Ridgeline. In So Cal gardeners use the small trucks.
April 16th, 2021 at 1:58 pm
Mini trucks don’t rust out in CA. The go on forever.
April 16th, 2021 at 2:05 pm
I thought Hyundai said the Santa Cruz was based off the Tucson not the Santa Fe?
April 16th, 2021 at 2:16 pm
10 The Santa Cruz will be somewhat smaller, and should be quite a bit less pricey than the Ridgeline, which starts at about $37K.
Rampage sold from ~10K to ~17K per year over the three model years it was sold, 1982-84. The VW Rabbit truck sold almost 34K its second year, 1981. The Rabbit trucks are kind of collectable now, especially with diesel engines.
April 16th, 2021 at 2:18 pm
13 Yeah, most of CA would be much easier on them than IN and MI, where they dump megatons of salt on the roads every winter.
April 16th, 2021 at 2:18 pm
Regarding the MB EQS, the exterior styling has very generic details (headlamps and taillamps). Only the tri-Star badge and droopy rear end say suggest it’s a Benz. And the door trim panels lack M-B ergonomic sensibility (the inside door release handle it too far aft). Nevertheless, the EV range is impressive.
April 16th, 2021 at 2:51 pm
I’m surprised no one has mentioned the Subaru Baja yet. Another entry in this very small market segment that was discontinued due to dismal sales. It too was supposed to be a lifestyle vehicle.
Success for the Santa Cruz depends on how many sales it takes to be profitable. The ability to sell it in other markets will help, but most other markets want more utility in their pickups, not less. I think this will be a one-time model that will hang around for a few years and then be phased out.
April 16th, 2021 at 3:00 pm
18) Ah yes. Forgot about the Baja and the Brat before it. Both of them very short lived vehicles due to poor sales. Both of them also have a cult following from the people who love Quirky cars that were flashes in the pan. Both are also still have a high value for their age. But that is about it. Not saying the Santa-Cruz will be the same, but history has shown this segment to be small and tough to be a success. You are basically competing with more capable used trucks.
April 16th, 2021 at 3:19 pm
18,19 Didn’t Baja or Brat, or both, have seats in the bed?
April 16th, 2021 at 3:30 pm
20 I found my answer. Brat, the earlier one did. They were rear facing.
April 16th, 2021 at 5:12 pm
another great week of autoline,thanks
April 16th, 2021 at 5:12 pm
another great week of autoline,thanks
April 16th, 2021 at 6:45 pm
If the Santa Cruz is sucessful, maybe Ram will bring over the Ram 700 pickup, and Chevrolet the Montana/Tornado.
April 16th, 2021 at 7:24 pm
24, I’d be interested in the Chevy small truck. I don’t know that I’d buy but I’m reminiscing about my S-10 (which I really enjoyed).
April 16th, 2021 at 7:45 pm
Montana/Tornado would be a great addition to the US market, but it will never happen, because it would take too many sales from vehicles they can charge a lot more for.
April 16th, 2021 at 8:32 pm
26,would it though? If people can’t afford the bigger trucks they are losing that sale to someone else. Buyers are still going to get something , just not your brand if you don’t offer what they can actually afford .
April 16th, 2021 at 8:46 pm
27 I guess we will likely never know, since the Montana/Tornado and Ram 700 will probably never be sold in the US. If they were sold, I suppose they might take sales from small CUVs more than from other pickups. It seems that the people who buy big trucks with no need for them just like big, and wouldn’t be interested in the small, front drive Montana or Ram 700, even though they would work fine for driving to work and going to Walmart, all many buyers use their monster trucks for.
April 17th, 2021 at 4:27 am
28 I didn’t know anything about the diminutive RAM 700. It certainly looks spiffy, but seems a little on the small side for the US.
April 17th, 2021 at 5:02 am
One nice thing about the Montana pickup is that being only a front seater it still retains a large bed; that could be a differentiator. But it may also present a limiter too but back in my Motocross racing days (early ’70′s) that’s all we needed and that’s what the original small pickups came in.
April 17th, 2021 at 10:51 am
29 The RAM 700 is called Fiat Strada in most markets, and is based on one of Fiat’s B segment hatchbacks. According to the Wikipedia article, the 2-door Strada has a surprisingly large payload of 720 kg, 1587 lb.
April 19th, 2021 at 8:41 am
The problem that plagues small pick-ups is the ability to stay small. I bet there is a large market for folks that would like and could use a pick-up but are just unwilling or unable to spend 45K on a truck. So they end up opting for a used one or look to the mid-size or smaller trucks simply price driven. The problem is many really could use the full size and try and use their small truck like a full size. They will overload them and treat them like a 1/2 ton. So what does the makers do? With each refresh they add size and capability and soon the small truck is a mid-size.
The small trucks have their place and people that like to haul bikes or a dirtbike and dogs or go get mulch for their yard these little trucks are great. Fairly light small loads and all those messy items can be hauled quite well. Its the people that need the bigger truck but buy them cause of their affordability.
That’s the reason I think the ridgeline is in a different class. Its not smaller and affordable its actually still pretty expensive so those buyers know what they are getting and it fits their needs. They aren’t buying it with the misconception its cheaper than a 1/2 ton and will work. It does what they need.
This is a problem that has always plagued the small truck market and retaining buyers that don’t expect too much from the little trucks. To me that seem to be the replacement for the Elcamino and Rancharo’s which still had a load capacity of like 1200lbs in the HD version I think the light versions was like 800lbs.
April 19th, 2021 at 11:19 am
I saw a 1957 Ranchero on the road a couple days ago. You don’t see many of those.
April 19th, 2021 at 2:29 pm
Raise your hand if you have ever heard of the Volkswagen Arteon.
I don’t see too many raised hands, do you? VW probably puts all it’s advertising muscle behind its line of SUV’s.
April 20th, 2021 at 3:52 pm
#34 *Hand raised!* But I only know of it from the last auto show I attended and I saw the last gen Arteon in a VW dealer showroom (an R Line, I beleive).