Future Ferraris Will Have Some Sort of Hybrid Tech
By William Maley • November 8, 2016
Why future Ferrari models will become slightly greener
Ferrari has been able to be exempt from certain regulations concerning emissions and fuel economy since they sell less than 10,000 vehicles per year. But the Italian sports car builder is getting close to that amount as they have commited to ship 8,000 vehicles this year and raise that to 9,000 by 2019. What do you do in this case? Begin to add hybrid bits to your vehicles.
Reuters reports that Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne announced during a conference call with investors that all of their vehicles sold from 2019 will have some sort of hybrid tech. This would allow Ferrari to grow and sell more vehicles.
"Although I neither commit to this nor do I give any sort of certification of it being our objective, it is possible that the (annual sales) number could be well in excess of 10,000 cars in 2025," said Marchionne.
Marchionne also mentioned that the company would undergo a "fundamental shift" in the way it manufacturers its cars. This would include building models with a focus on luxury.
Idiot, he will probably whore out and destroy Ferrari the way he has done FCA.
I'm not sure they have to worry about anything but speed here...
Rumorpile: Next Gen Tundra to get Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid
By Drew Dowdell
A rumor has been leaked that the next generation of Toyota Tundra, coming in 2021, would have a twin-turbo V6 combined with an electric motor for its top trim trucks. The tipster posted to TFLtruck.com saying that the new motor would be based on the existing 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 found in the Lexus LS and LC 500h. It would have around 450 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque and able to achieve over 30 mpg highway.
In the Lexi, the engine produces 354 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and manages 33 mpg highways. Our suspicion is that Toyota is making up the deficit by filling the bigger Tundra with bigger electric motors and adding an expected 10-speed automatic, up from the current 6-speed.
Currently, the Tundra uses two V8s for its powertrain, a 4.6 liter making 310hp and 327 lb-ft of torque and a 5.7 liter making 381hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. Neither engine gets better than 20 mpg currently.
The next generation Toyota Tundra will be using an all-new platform dubbed F1 and will likely remain in Texas for production.
Toyota News: Rumorpile: Next Gen Tundra to get Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid
GM News: GM Selling Lordstown to Electric Truck Maker Workhorse
In a series of tweets today, Trump announced that General Motors will be selling their Lordstown plant to electric truck maker Workhorse. Lordstown was shut down in March of this year and formerly built the Chevrolet Cruze. The details of the plant sale have not yet been announced.
Workhorse is a Cincinnati based company who builds EV pickups with a built in range extender, similar in concept to the Chevrolet Volt. Workhorse's sole model is the W-15, capable of driving up to 80 miles on a charge before a gasoline powered range extender kicks in. It uses two motors to provide all-wheel drive. The only configuration available is an extended cab with 6.5 foot bed. They can tow up to 5,000 lbs and have a payload of 2,200 lbs. Pricing starts at $54,500 before tax credits.
Workhorse intends to start production for the retail market sometime in 2019. Fleet orders have already started.
GM is not denying any of the information in the tweets from Trump.
Update: General Motors has confirmed that talks are ongoing.
GM Selling Lordstown to Electric Truck Maker Workhorse
Ford News: Ford Introduces the 2020 Ford Escape
Ford unveiled the completely redesigned 2020 Ford Escape today ahead of its official showing at the New York Auto Show in two weeks. Some of the biggest news about the Escape comes under the hood where 4 new powertrains debut.
The standard engine will be a 1.5 liter Ecoboost 3-cylinder that can run as a 2 cylinder during light load situations. The engine is projected to produce 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque when fueled with premium gas. This is the first Ford engine with cylinder deactivation. The engine will be standard issue on S, SE, and SEL level trims. When properly equipped, the 1.5T will tow up to 2,000 lbs.
For those wanting more power, the Titanium trim will have a 250 horsepower, 275 lb-ft Ecoboost displacing 2.0 liters and coming standard with AWD. When running 93 octane, Ford says it will propel the Escape to 60 10% faster than the outgoing model. Towing for the 2.0T is maximum rated at 3,500 lbs. Both Ecoboost engines send power to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic.
For the Eco-minded the hybrid returns to the Escape lineup after a 7 year absence, also joined by a plug-in variant. The Plug-in uses an all new 2.5 liter 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle hybrid engine paired with a CVT. The combined output of the hybrid is rated at 198 horsepower and is capable of 85 mph in electric only mode. The hybrid will be available only on the SE Sport and Titanium trim.
The Plug-in hybrid will be available on SE, SEL, and Titanium trims. It will have an electric only range of 30 miles. Level 1 and Level 2 charging are available. Level 1 110 volt outlet takes 10 to 11 hours for a full charge from empty, switching to level 2 cuts that time to about 3.5 hours. Total system power increases over the standard hybrid to 209 horsepower, but will not be available with All-wheel drive.
Both hybrid models feature 4 EV modes that allow the driver to adjust drive settings to the most suitable for conditions and needs.
Auto EV mode - the vehicle decides whether to run on gasoline or electric power. EV Now Mode - the vehicle operates on all-electric drive. EV Later Mode - the vehicle operates on gasoline power to conserve electric miles for later EV Charge Mode - the vehicle operates on gasoline and recharges the battery for later EV only mode. Helping on the efficiency front, Ford designers made the most aerodynamic Escape ever. They made a more sloped roofline and strake, an efficient underbody, and an optimized liftgate spoiler. Overall, the 2020 Escape is 200lbs lighter than its predecessor. The new Escape is longer, lower, and wider than the outgoing model. The two ecoboost engines boast a range of 400 miles per tank, while the standard hybrid with FWD aims for a range of 550 miles.
Inside, Ford engineers optimized space to increase headroom and cargo capacity. With the second row in the fully forward position, the rear cargo area can accommodate 4 golf bags or a full size dog crate.
On the safety front, the Escape comes with Ford Co-Pilot 360 standard. Other technologies like Adaptive Cruise and Lane-Centering are available. Passengers are entertained via an 8-inch touch screen standard on SE and above. The gauge cluster is a 12.3 inch all digital system that uses 3D animated graphic to indicate drive mode.
The 2020 Ford Escape will reach dealers in the fall with the Plug-in Hybrid variant due in Spring 2020.
We will have more of the 2020 Ford Escape from the New York Auto Show on April 17th.
surreal1272