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Runtime: 12:05
0:08 U.S. Can Start Building EV Charging Network
0:52 BMW M Reveals 1st High-Performance Electrified Vehicle
2:19 BMW, Volvo & DHL To Test Hydrogen Trucks
3:35 Volvo Using Radar to Detect Occupants in Vehicles
4:34 Ford Unveils New F-Series Super Duty
6:16 Kia Launches All-New Niro
8:36 Jeep Wagoneer & Grand Wagoneer Get Longer Wheelbase
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U.S. CAN START BUILDING EV CHARGING NETWORK
The Biden Administration’s plan to create an EV charging network across the U.S. just took another step forward. The Department of Transportation announced it gave all 50 states final approval to begin construction of the stations. The Infrastructure Law that passed earlier this year provides $5 billion over the next five years to install stations along 75,000 miles of highway, with the chargers being placed approximately 50 miles apart on the interstate. The Biden Administration wants electric vehicles to account for half of all new car sales by 2030 and it expects this charging network will help it meet that goal.
BMW M REVEALS 1ST HIGH-PERFORMANCE ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE
BMW’s M division is offering its first ever high-performance vehicle with an electrified powertrain. At the heart of this, we’ll say uniquely styled SUV, is a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 that’s paired with a 145 kW or nearly 200 horsepower electric motor. Combined the system puts out 480 kW or over 650 horsepower and will help get the XM from 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. If that’s not enough a more powerful version will be added later, called LABEL RED, which will generate 550 kW or nearly 750 horsepower. The XM is a plug-in hybrid that offers an estimated 82-88 kilometers of range on the WLTP cycle and 30 miles on the EPA test from its 25.7 kWh battery pack. Production kicks off at BMW’s U.S. plant in South Carolina later this year and pricing starts at nearly $160,000.
BMW, VOLVO & DHL TO TEST HYDROGEN TRUCKS
Speaking of BMW, it might surprise you to know that it’s also developing hydrogen technology. It kicked off the HyCET, which stands for Hydrogen Combustion Engine Trucks, research project with DHL, TotalEnergies and Volvo. The group will do just what its name implies; develop and test hydrogen trucks with combustion engines. And it just received a 11.3-million-euro fund to start testing trucks in Germany. Its aim is to develop two 18-tonne and two 40-tonne trucks to use during the four-year project.
VOLVO USING RADAR TO DETECT OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLES
Volvo is adding rear seat reminders to its lineup. Starting with the upcoming EX90 electric crossover that debuts in November, the automaker will install technology in its vehicles that can warn owners if a child or pet has been left in the car. Radar sensors integrated into the overhead console, roof-mounted reading lights and the trunk are able to detect sub-millimeter movement in the entire car. The system is activated when you try and lock the vehicle. If nothing is detected, the car will lock. But if it does recognize a child or pet in the vehicle, the vehicle will remain unlocked and a reminder will display on the center console screen to check the cabin for occupants. And the climate control will remain on to help lower the risk of hypothermia and heatstroke. The system will be standard in countries where the 60 GHz band is approved for automotive use.
FORD UNVEILS NEW F-SERIES SUPER DUTY
Chevy revealed the all-new HD version of the Silverado yesterday, so not to be outdone, Ford is pulling the wraps off the all-new F-Series Super Duty. We’re talking F-250 up to F-600 as well as pickups and chassis cab. The first thing you’ll notice is that grille. It might as well be a billboard on wheels with its huge flat face, massive C-shaped headlights at the sides and the big Blue Oval in the middle. In addition to grabbing your attention visually, Ford is aiming for eye-popping specs as well. It’s targeting the most towing, payload, torque and horsepower of any heavy-duty truck. Helping it achieve that is a new standard 6.8L V8 gas engine that’s targeting more low-end torque for easier take offs. A 7.3L gas V8 and a diesel 6.7L V8 are also available as is a high-output version of the same diesel engine that has a unique turbo, upgraded exhaust manifolds and special tuning. Every engine is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission, while 4-wheel drive is standard on XLT models and above. New tech helps make the truck more modern. Highlights include onboard power for tools and equipment, 5G capability, OTA updates and even a special navigation feature that provides the optimal route while towing. Look for the new F-Series Super Duty to go on sale early next year.
KIA LAUNCHES ALL-NEW NIRO IN THE U.S.
Kia is launching the all-new Niro in the American market. The crossover’s styling has been updated both inside and out and it’s slightly larger than the outgoing model. Like before, the Niro is available with a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric powertrain. The hybrid features a 1.6L four-cylinder coupled to a 32-kW electric motor along with a six-speed dual clutch transmission. That setup provides a combined 53 MPG and a driving range of 588 miles. The plug-in hybrid comes with the same engine and transmission but it’s paired with a 62-kW electric motor and an 11.1 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides an all-electric range of 33 miles. And lastly, the Niro EV is equipped with a 64.8 kWh battery and a 150-kW or 201 horsepower motor and has an EPA range of 253 miles. Kia is offering 500 kWh of free charging at any Electrify America station in the U.S. So far, Kia has only announced pricing for the hybrid which starts at about $27,800 including destination charges. The new Niro starts arriving at dealerships in the U.S. this fall.
JEEP WAGONEER & GRAND WAGONEER GET LONGER WHEELBASE
Jeep is bringing out longer wheelbase versions of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. It added 7 inches to the wheelbase, 12 inches to the overall length and another 5 inches to the cargo area. That extra space is instantly noticeable in the interior, especially in the 3rd row seat which will be quite comfortable for most adults. Customers can choose to buy a 7-passenger model with 2nd row bucket seats, or an 8-passenger one with a 2nd row split-bench seat. Jeep says the 2nd and 3rd rows offer best-in-class passenger room.
To accommodate the longer wheelbase, Jeep engineers added longer rear doors, and a longer quarter panel and glass. To help the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer “drive small” they changed the steering gear. They also added a larger gas tank that holds an additional 4 gallons of gasoline. That gives the Wagoneer over 700 miles of driving range.
These models also mark the debut of Stellantis’s all-new 3-liter, twin turbo, inline six, called the Hurricane engine. Customers can choose it over the 5.7 liter V8 in the Wagoneer, or the 6.4 liter in the Grand Wagoneer. The 6 is available in two versions, SO, or Standard Output, and HO, or High Output. The SO delivers 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. The HO delivers 510 horsepower and 500 pound-feet. So far the EPA has only rated the Hurricane in the Grand Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer L. The L is rated at 16 miles per gallon while the shorter wheelbase Grand Wagoneer gets 17 mpg. The other engine that’s available, the 6.2 liter V8, is rated at 15 mpg in the shorter one.
The Wagoneer L starts at about $65,500 and marches up to over $77,000. The Grand Wagoneer L starts around $91,500 and tops out well over $100,000.
There’s a lot more we’d like to tell you about these models, but our driving impressions are embargoed for two more weeks. That’s because Jeep is still bringing in waves of media to drive them and it wants to give everyone a fair shot at reporting on their driving experience.
Be sure to join us for Autoline After Hours tomorrow. We’ll have Martin Fisher from ZF. He’s a board member and someone who really knows what’s going on in the auto industry. Joe White from Reuters and Bill Visnic from the SAE will also be on the show. And we invite you to join the action when it gets going live at 3 pm eastern time on the Autoline website or the Autoline YouTube channel.
But that wraps up today’s show, thanks for watching.
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Seamus and Sean McElroy cover the latest news in the automotive industry for Autoline Daily.