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Hyperion Motors team out testing hydrogen-powered supercar in L.A.

by | Feb 18, 2021 | 0 comments

Hyperion Motors team out testing hydrogen-powered supercar in L.A.

The two-seat sexjet is claimed to have a range of 1,000 miles with a recharge time of 3-5 minutes. (Hyperion)

Hyperion Motors team out testing hydrogen-powered supercar in L.A.

 

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Hyperion Motors team was out and about downtown L.A. testing its hydrogen-powered supercar, the XP-1, and leaked these camouflaged photos. (And there are more glam shots and some details at the website. )

The company says it is uses space flight technology to store more hydrogen in less volume than any other vehicles on the road today.

The glass-canopy roof allows a wide field of view and is made of variable-tint electrochromic glass. (Hyperion)

The two-seat, all-wheel-drive sexjet is claimed to have a range of 1,000 miles with a recharge time of 3-5 minutes. It can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.2 seconds and has a top speed of 220 mph.

The monocoque chassis is an ultralight structure of titanium reinforced carbon fiber, all for the benefit of acceleration, braking, handling, top speed and efficiency, the company says. Its estimated curb weight, according to magazine reports, is less than 2,275 pounds.

The glass-canopy roof allows a wide field of view and is made of variable-tint electrochromic glass. The instrument panel is a 100-inch touch screen with gesture control.

The monocoque chassis is an ultralight structure of titanium reinforced carbon fiber. (Hyperion)

Its V-wing doors have a dramatic effect, inspired by the huge marble sculpture of the “Winged Victory of Samothrace,” dating from the early second century BC. (On view in the Louvre museum in Paris.)

The company was founded in 2011 by a team of PhD’s as a technology company focused on three divisions: Hyperion Energy, Hyperion Motors and Hyperion Aerospace. All work on hydrogen-based power and delivery.

Based in an Orange, Calif., industrial park, about 30 miles from L.A., “Hyperion seeks to completely revolutionize the transportation industry by offering convenient, high-quality, low-cost hydrogen fuel across America,” according to the website.

The team is hoping to start a limited production run sometime in 2022. Pricing has not been discussed, but I’m sure it’s a proposition of “If you have to ask, you should probably should consider instead a Toyota Mirai.”

MarkMaynard@cox.net

2021 Genesis GV80 Review

by | Feb 17, 2021 | 0 comments

2021 Genesis GV80 Review

The Genesis GV80 is a 5- or 7-seat carlike SUV that is a defining statement of luxurious refinement

The Genesis GV80 SUV

The GV80 is sold in rear- or all-wheel drive versions with a choice of two turbocharged engines. (Genesis)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Not every SUV-intender wants to climb every mountain, spool-up rooster tails in a desert pre-run or clip apexes on a road course in high-speed pursuit to define themselves or at least who they like to think they are.

Some SUV shoppers just want the spaciousness and comfort they once had in a large family sedan, which has joined the dinosaurs in an evolving world.

The front seat space has wide shoulder room and tall front headroom of almost 40 inches. (Genesis)

For them, there is the vital newcomer by a largely unrecognized brand, the Genesis GV80. The brand, a luxury spinoff from South Korean parent company Hyundai, actually launched in the U.S. in late 2016. But its debut vehicles were the G80 and G90 midsize and large sedans, which were largely overlooked by a lack of advertising, balky customer service and this country’s obsession with tall and large vehicles.

Those who did buy into the brand became fast believers. The cars were very well turned out with refined luxury and strong performance credentials. But always in the business plan was a lineup of SUVS: large, midsize, compact, “coupes” and electrified versions.

The 12.3-inch 3D instrument cluster recognizes the driver’s eyes. (Genesis)

Covid Delays

Due to COVID-19 related delays in the U.S, the logjam broke late last year with the debut of the redesigned large G80 sedan and the GV80 SUV, today’s tester.

This five- or seven-seat carlike SUV is a defining statement of elite luxury — at pricing that will send the luxury competitors back to their calculators.

The 14.5-inch, split-screen infotainment display does not interfere with the driver’s sightline. (Genesis)

GV80 Pricing

The Genesis GV80 is sold in rear- or all-wheel-drive versions with either a 300-horsepower, 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or 375-hp, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6, with standard AWD.

Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and selectable driving modes of Comfort, Smart, Eco, Sport and Custom.

The GV80 2.5T (RWD or AWD) is offered in three trim levels with starting prices that range from $49,925 to $64,425.

The 3.5T is sold in four trim levels with starting prices of $60,175 to $71,975. All MSRPs include the $1,025 freight charge from Ulsan, Korea.

The center shift console has fresh function by using a low shifter dial and a large and flat dial for infotainment and other selections. (Genesis)

The top-line 3.5T Prestige tester was $72,375 with the two factory option packages (Advance and Prestige) and $400 for the gorgeous Adriatic Blue metallic paint.

Full package contents are listed in the specifications box at the end of the story.

The electronic climate system features capacitive touch controls with tactile feedback. (Genesis)

Genesis Warranties

  • 10-years/100,000-miles powertrain with enhanced roadside assistance and concierge services;
  • 3-years/36,000-miles of scheduled maintenance;
  • 3-years/36,000-miles of complimentary Genesis Service Valet care;
  • 3 years of free Genesis connected services;
  • 3 months of free SiriusXM satellite radio all access
  • 3 years of free annual multimedia and navigation updates and lifetime complimentary traffic data via HD+ Traffic radio.

And here’s the perk for which I’d pay extra: the free Genesis Service Valet for 3 years or 36,000 miles will perform a remote diagnostic check, pick up your vehicle, send a courtesy car and return your Genesis – cleaned and washed.

Find current Genesis GV80 pricing here.

In up-level models, soft materials cover every surface, from the inside of the door handles to the quilted knee pads along the console. (Genesis)

GV80 Safety Features

Among the 10 air bags is an active safety-first innovation, Genesis says. The front center air bag, located between the driver’s seat and center console, deploys in 0.3 seconds in the event of a side collision to help prevent the two front passengers from colliding with each other or with vehicle components. The feature is standard on all GV80 models.

Power lines above each wheel emphasize stance and presence. (Genesis)

Defining Features

The GV80 is not an original idea, but it is a fresh presentation of what was and what it could be for much wider range of motorists.

There is an eye for beauty in the exterior styling. The compelling design is lean, fit and balanced. The chassis lowers the body and the center of gravity for a wider cabin and secure drivability. Its 16.2-foot-long architecture sits confidently on its wheels, which neatly fill the arches. There are no replicated kinks, gimmicky bulges or Godfather jowls. Yet it is well adorned with chrome, an American staple.

Roof cross-members, transmission tunnel, front chassis extensions and parts of the rear structure are made of ultra-high-strength steel. The cowl, floor panels, rear wheel housings and other components are high-strength steel. For light-weighting, aluminum is used for the doors, hood and rear decklid, for a 90-pound savings. The top-line, all-wheel-drive tester weighs in at 5,084 pounds.

The 375-hp, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. (Genesis)

Genesis Attention to Detail

“The precise proportions and attention to every detail denote that GV80 is authentic to Genesis design principles,” said Hyundai Motor design chief Luc Donckerwolke.

Under the shapely exterior is a brain trust of advanced safety and driver-assist technologies. The so-called “machine learning” technologies merge, refreshingly for the user, without a fearsome curve of learning.

By activating the Smart Cruise Control and Highway Driving Assist (and its bank of camera and sensor arrays) the GV80 will steer, brake, corner, evade, warn the driver and find its way home.

And it can park itself, as you stand outside the vehicle, in spaces too narrow to open the door on exit.

While many of the highway steering-assist systems are still somewhat rudimentary in how they watch the road and make somewhat jerky connect-the-dots steering course. The GV80 has more refined and more-fluid steering calibrations. And while some systems will let the vehicle drift wide in sweeping corners — crossing the Botts dots or white lines — the GV80 held true to the arc, in my testing. And the guidance gave no random shut-offs, such as in bright sunlight or on California’s light gray concrete interstates, which confuse many of these systems.

Still, it is still a hands-on system, so don’t think you are in the rocking-chair position and can sit back and read e-mail.

The Prestige package ($6,600) includes 22-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Primacy all-season tires. (Genesis)

GV80 Interior Function

When a new house is built by a team that works as a united front, the plans are thorough to provide the function, details and strength to sell quickly in its segment. The GV80 is that house. It has the needed electrical outlets, storage areas, ergonomic comfort and fortitude for long-term ownership.

For me, it was love at first … user experience, in the 3.5T Prestige, which is the king of that castle. Think Audi interior, but with even more finesse, or Volvo XC90, but even more ergonomic.

The GV80’s full Nappa leather upgrade, quilted and meticulously stitched, is impressive and inviting to the touch. The microsuede upgrade is used extensively from the headliner to the roof pillars and beyond.

It is a completely soft-touch environment, with progressive treatments for wood-like graining and metallic trim elements. And the cabin is well soundproofed for the 21-speaker Lexicon audio system.

Driver sightlines are open over the shoulder and at the front corners (handily provided by small corner glass at the base of the windshield pillars and side mirrors, which stand out from the body.

With front headroom at almost 40 inches (with the panoramic sunroof) and a long 41.6 inches of legroom, there is a 16-way power driver’s seat with adjustable side bolsters and cushion extension and four-way power lumbar, massaging driver’s seat. The passenger has a 12-way power seat with four-way power lumbar. Both front seats are heated and ventilated. And the Advance package adds the Ergo Motion (massaging) driver seat.

Roomy Interior

The large-midsize cabin has plenty of real estate for prime placement of controls and storage areas, including purse-size capacity under the shift console. The broad center shift console has fresh function by using a low shifter dial and a large and flat dial for infotainment, audio and navi selections, without eyes leaving the road. There’s also a handwriting sensor pad in the dial, for those competent in writing and driving (not me). A generous e-bin, with a sliding cover, includes a wireless charging pad and a pair of charging USBs.

I liked the 3D electronic presentation of the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and it is of ideal width for the dual blind-spot view monitors, which trigger a rearview image for right or left turns, filling either the speedometer or tach dials.

The 14.5-inch touch screen atop the center dashboard has a low profile that is not subject to sunlight glare and it does not get in the way of the driver’s view. But it also has good width for the surround-view monitor, which includes front and overhead views. I am not precise when fitting between the parking lines, so the overhead takes away the guesswork.

The second row in the GV80

The second row has full temperature control, heated-ventilated window seats, and power recline. (Genesis)

GV80 Back Seat

Seating in the second row might be slightly more compact than some of the competition. But it is a gorgeous space (in the Prestige tester). Some of the features include ceiling-integrated flip-down vanity mirrors, full temperature control, heated and ventilated window seats, and power seat recline. There’s also a chauffeur-style power fore-aft adjuster for more legroom when needed.

The third-row option will be limited to the grandkids, with knee-crunching legroom of 30.3 inches.

There is plenty of cargo room for the long road trip. Fold the second-row seatback for about 6 ½ feet of board room. (Mark Maynard)

GV80 Cargo

There is plenty of cargo room for the long road trip. Fold a section of the 40/20/40 seatbacks for about 6 ½ feet of board space. The opening is wide at 45 inches by 43 inches with the back seat in position and 30 inches to the headliner. The roller covers stows neatly in its own compartment under the cargo floor.

Ride and Handling

The steering weight is light and steady, but controlled at high speed. You might be surprised at how this SUV pulls through a big cornering maneuver with a flat and calculated effort, with no complaining from the big Michelins. The turning circle of 39.3 feet is wide but not unwieldy when tooling the shopping mall parking wars.

At 2 ½ tons, it is comfortable with its weight. The electronically controlled suspension automatically adjusts to trim body movement and harsh hits to the tires and wheel. A new feature called Road Preview, and standard on the GV80 3.5T, uses the front-facing camera to sniff the road ahead to prepare in advance of speed bumps and potholes.

The ride quality can be lush but never wallowy, and helped by the broad contact patch of the 22-inch Michelin Primacy (265/40) all-season touring tires. Head-toss is low over chunks and bumps, but because of the ride height and heft, it is not as svelte as a large luxury sedan, such as the G80.

2 New Engines

Both gasoline engines feature a dual fuel injection system that combines direction injection and multi-port injection. Combining both improves fuel efficiency, performance and reduced exhaust emissions, Genesis says.

Fuel economy, using the recommended premium fuel, for the 2.0-liter engine is 21 mpg city, 25 highway and 23 mpg for rear-drive and 21/25/22 mpg for AWD.

The 3.5T AWD has ratings of 18/23/20. I averaged 19.5 mpg in combined city and highway driving, and the onboard computer indicated a long-term 18.8 mpg overall average. With the 21.5-gallon tank, there should be a cruising range of around 380 miles.

The mileage ratings are competitive with comparable versions of the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. But the Bimmer and Benz squeeze out two to three more mpgs per category, and they have slightly larger fuel tanks.

Driver-Assist Technologies

The Genesis GV80 is fluent in machine learning technology and is a conduit for advanced systems you did not know were necessary.

The bank of advanced driver-assistance systems includes:

  • Highway Driving Assist II: This second-gen system now gives assist during lane change maneuvers — when the turn signal is used — and when other vehicles merge in front of you.
  • Smart Cruise Control with Machine Learning: A world first, Genesis says, that helps the car learn the driving characteristics of — and assist — its driver.
  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist: This system is intended to automatically stop the vehicle in certain situations where there is a risk of collision with an approaching vehicle detected on the left or right side of the intersection. The system may also help detect potential collision risks in certain situations where a pedestrian is sensed in close proximity to the vehicle while in motion, for example.
  • Lane Side: LS helps prevent side collisions when merging into another lane with the ability to see two lanes over.
  • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist: BCA is essentially a Blind Spot Monitor that can alert the driver if a vehicle is detected in the driver’s blind-spot
  • Lane Follow Assist: LFA helps maintain vehicle position in the center of its lane by recognizing both lane markers and vehicles traveling ahead.
  • Lane-Change Oncoming: The so-called LO helps prevent collisions with vehicles in opposing lanes on non-divided highways or roads.
  • Junction Turning: JT automatically applies the brakes if an oncoming vehicle is detected in the opposite lane when making a left turn at an intersection.
  • Junction Crossing: JC automatically applies the brakes if a vehicle crossing from the left or the right is detected when entering an intersection.
  • Evasive Steering Torque Assist: ESA assists in avoidance maneuvers by applying steering torque once the driver has initiated steering input.
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance-Assist: RCCA warns of vehicles coming from the left or right while backing up and automatically engages braking if a collision seems imminent.

Accolades

Genesis was ranked the No. 1 premium brand in the industry for the fourth consecutive year by J.D. Power’s 2020 Initial Quality Study and No. 1 overall in the J.D. Power 2020 Vehicle Dependability Study.

Consumer Reports ranked it the No. 2 brand in its annual 2020 Report Card.

And, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded all three 2020 Genesis vehicles — G70, G80 and G90 — with their highest rating of Top Safety Pick+. With those rankings, the company claims it is the only brand in the industry with an entire lineup that is rated a Top Safety Pick+.

Building the Brand

The genesis of Genesis goes back to the Hyundai Equus, the large, V8-powered sedan intended for the ultraluxury segment, competing with such established stars as the BMW 7-series, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz -Class. The U.S. model was heralded in 2009 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and was unveiled in 2010 at the New York Auto Show.

While stylistically and technologically competitive with the competing marques, the Equus was a dark horse in the race, and not widely accepted by the mainstream U.S. motorist. The well-turned-out product was bumping against a glass ceiling of perception: that Hyundai was a value brand, without the cache of prestige.

Some reviewers considered the Equus to be cut-rate luxury and were more comfortable with the familiar and accepted stars, as if this new model could never reach its zenith.

Seasoned Industry Professionals

But Hyundai’s leaders in Korea and the U.S. were betting otherwise and would establish an independent and elevated standalone brand. And a dream team of seasoned industry professionals were hired:

Luc Donckerwolke, former design director of Volkswagen Group’s Bentley, Lamborghini and Audi, is chief creative officer.

Mark del Rosso, former president of Audi of America, is CEO of Genesis North America.

Sang-Yup Lee, former designer of the Bentley Continental GT and C-6 Chevrolet Corvette, is head of design.

Filippo Perini, former Lamborghini head of design, is chief designer.

Peter Schreyer, formerly at Volkswagen and principal designer of the VW Golf, New Beetle and the Audi TT, is a president and heads design management.

Albert Biermann, former head of the BMW M performance division, oversees tuning and performance as executive vice president of performance development and high-performance vehicles.

Fayez Rahman, former development leader at BMW, is vice-president of architecture development.

Andrea Jensen, former designer at Škoda and Volkswagen, heads color and trim.

U.S company headquarters are in Fountain Valley, Calif., in the sprawling O.C. (Orange County). Vehicles are designed in Rüsselsheim, Germany; Namyang, South Korea, and Irvine, Calif. The vehicles are built in Ulsan, South Korea.

The GV80 SUV joins the lineup of G70, G80 and G90 sedans, with the slightly smaller GV70 SUV to follow later this year. (Genesis)

Why Buy the Genesis GV80?

Luxury should not be an IQ test to learn AI — Artificial Intelligence. Some of the other highly electronic luxury SUVs are intimidating to learn. Genesis smooths those learning curves with a glossy coat of empowering polish.

All of the GV80’s sophisticated displays, assist features and drivability work to lift the driver into an elevated ownership experience.

2021 Genesis GV80 AWD 3.5T Prestige

Body style: large, 5-seat, 5-door SUV

Engine: 375-hp, turbocharged and direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 with idle stop-start; 391 lb.-ft. torque from 1,300-4,500 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters

Fuel economy: 18/23/20 mpg city/hwy/combined; premium fuel recommended

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 21.1 gallons

Cargo space: 34.9-84 cu. ft. (11.6 cu. ft. behind 3rd row)

Front head/leg room: 40.2/41.6 in.

Rear head/leg room: 38.4/38.7 in. (3rd row: 34.3/30.3 in.)

Length/wheelbase: 194.7/116.3 in.

Width/height: 77.8/67.5 in.

Curb weight: 5,038 lbs.

Turning circle: 39.3 ft.

Max. towing: 6,000 lbs.

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: Smart key locking and push-button ignition, Nappa leather, 21-speaker Lexicon Quantum Logic surround-sound audio system with satellite radio, 16-way power driver’s seat with adjustable side bolsters and cushion extension and 4-way power lumbar, massaging driver’s seat, 12-way power front passenger’s seat with 4-way power-adjustable lumbar support, heated and ventilated front seats, electric parking brake with auto hold, electronically controlled suspension with road preview, 22-inch 265/40 Michelin Primacy all-season touring tires and alloy wheels, tire mobility kit (in place of a temporary spare tire), carpeted floor mats, power back seat sunshades

Safety features include: 10 air bags, hill-start assist, stability and traction controls, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist with rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot view monitor, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist and lane following assist, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-change oncoming, junction turning, junction crossing, lane-change side and evasive steering torque assist, parking collision-avoidance assist rear, forward attention warning

PRICING

Base price: $60,175, including $1,025 freight charge; price as tested $72,375

Options on test vehicle: Advance package, $5,200, includes full-leather upholstery, surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor, remote smart-parking assist, parking collision avoidance assist (rear), 21-speaker Lexicon audio system, head-up windshield display, power driver seat bolster and cushion extension, Ergo Motion (massaging) driver seat and heated second-row window seats

Prestige package, $6,600, added 22-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Primacy all-season tires, electronic limited slip differential, Nappa leather seating surfaces, microfiber suede headliner and roof pillars, 12.3-inch digital cluster, Road Active Noise Cancellation, power second-row seat recline-slide-cushion tilt, forward attention warning, power rear side window shades, ventilated second-row window seats, second-row vanity mirrors and power door closers.

Where assembled: Ulsan, Korea

Innovative features about the 2021 VW ID4 EV

by | Feb 16, 2021 | 0 comments

Innovative features about the 2021 VW ID4 EV

The five-seat battery-electric VW ID4 has an abundance of technology features that can simplify the driver’s life

The ID4 will be sold in two trim levels in rear- or optional dual-motor all-wheel drive, with three years of free fast-charging.

The ID4 will be sold in two trim levels in rear- or optional dual-motor all-wheel drive, with three years of free fast-charging. (Photos courtesy of Volkswagen)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The small, five-seat battery-electric VW ID4 is slightly smaller than VW’s compact Tiguan SUV. The  ID. has an 82-kWh lithium-ion battery and a driving range of 250 miles. The powertrain has 150 kW total power or 201 horsepower.

A front seat view out the windshield of the ID4

The ID4 interior appears roomy, with 41.4 inches of headroom with the optional glass roof.

VW ID4 pricing

It will be sold in two trim levels in rear- or optional dual-motor all-wheel drive at launch, with three years of free fast-charging at an Electrify America station.

The 1st Edition (2,000 units), starting at $43,999, is already sold out.

The ID4 Pro — available midyear — starts at $39,995 or $44,495 for the Pro S (Statement). The Gradient package, $1,500, adds 20-inch wheels, a black painted roof, silver roof rails and trim, and more. The AWD dual-motor option adds $3,680.

The estimated lease price for an ID4 Pro is $379 per month for 36 months and $3,579 due at signing.

Reserve and build a vehicle here with a $100 deposit.

Two-level cargo utility.

Two-level cargo utility.

Interior

The inside of the ID4 has roomy dimensions, with 41.4 inches of headroom with the glass panoramic roof (optional). The back seat has long legroom of 37.6 inches and a flat floor for comfortable three-across footroom. Its turning circle is tiny at 33.5 feet.

Standard Features Include

Fabric upholstery, ID.Cockpit (digital gauge display), leather-wrapped (heated) multi-function touch steering wheel, rearview camera system, wireless smartphone charger, four-way manually adjustable and heated front seats with two-way power recline, keyless locking and push-button start, two front USB data ports and two rear USB charging ports, touchscreen navigation system with 10-inch color center display, 60/40 split folding rear seat, power-adjustable, heated side mirrors, eight-color customizable interior ambient lighting, illuminated door handles, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, 110-volt charging cable, LED taillights, automatic LED reflector headlights with signature LED daytime running lights and DC fast charging capability.

The digital gauge display moves up and down with the steering wheel.

The digital gauge display moves up and down with the steering wheel.

Connectivity

App-Connect with wireless capabilities, Bluetooth phone-audio streaming, dynamic road sign display, 5 years of Volkswagen Car-Net remote access, Volkswagen Car-Net Hotspot +Media with 1-month/1GB trial subscription, Volkswagen Car-Net Safe & Secure, with a paid subscription.

Safety features include

Six air bags, ID.Light bar, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking (front assist), pedestrian monitoring (included in front assist), blind-spot monitor (side assist), traffic alert, park distance control (front and rear),

VW ID4 warranties

8-years/100,000-miles high voltage battery; 4-years/50,000-miles bumper to bumper; 3-years/36,000-miles roadside assistance, including free towing to the nearest Electrify America station, with no limit to the number of uses.

A charging cable is plugged into the ID4 charge door on the right rear flank of the car

3 years of free fast-charging are included with each sale or lease.

Charging

Charging at home with a Level 2 charger would take 10 hours for a fully depleted battery. Using a fast-charger can add 179 miles in 30 minutes.

Light bar

Standard on all ID4 models, the ID. Light is a thin line of 54 multi-colored LEDs at the bottom of the windshield behind the cockpit. Visible in a driver’s peripheral vision or at certain angles from outside the vehicle, the ID. Light communicates several types of messages through color and patterns. All of those have been carefully designed and engineered to help keep the driver focused on the road while giving key feedback.

Interior ambient lighting designs

How the  ID4 communicates with light.

The lighting communication begins when the driver sits in the ID4 with a “welcome” animation in white and blue, letting the driver know the ID4 is ready to go (because most EVs have no engine noise to indicate they’re powered up and a reverse of these colors displays when the driver leaves the car.

• When using the in-vehicle navigation system, the ID. Light shows upcoming directional prompts with an animated blue line, flowing to the left for left turns.

• If the driver or passenger want to engage the car’s voice commands, ID. Light responds in white in front of the speaking occupant.

• To help manage demands on the driver’s attention, incoming phone calls trigger a green flash in the center;

• And in an emergency braking event, ID. Light vividly flashes red.

VW ID4 specifications

Length/width: 180.5/108.9 in.

Drag coefficient: 0.28

Front head/leg room: 41.1 in. (with glass roof) / 41.2 in.

Rear head/leg room: 38.4 (with glass roof) / 37.6 in.

A rear view of a medium blue VW ID4

The VW ID4 EV is sold in two trim levels in rear- or dual-motor all-wheel drive.

Daytona Road Course Weekend, Feb.19-21

by | Feb 15, 2021 | 0 comments

Daytona Road Course Weekend, Feb.19-21

Toyota Racing stokes the fire of young racers to pursue their dream in advance of Daytona 500

Toyota Racing helps African American girl get started

‘The Dream’ tells a story of a young, African-American girl looking to achieve her dream of becoming a race car driver. (Toyota)

BY MARK MAYNARD

In the wake of Sunday’s 63rd Daytona 500 (Feb. 14) and in advance of this weekend’s Daytona Road Course Weekend, Toyota Racing released a short film today titled “The Dream.” It is an inspirational message for young enthusiasts to “Keep Calm and Keep Pushing.”

The story highlights a young, African-American girl looking to achieve her dream of becoming a race car driver. She battles back from adversity and overcomes challenges along the way. With inspiration from the historic victory by 19-year-old Gracie Trotter, who became the first female driver to win an ARCA-sanctioned race in September, and the return of Bubba Wallace to the Toyota family, our star realizes that her dream is within reach.

Toyota has a history of diversity in motorsports and continues to support several drivers of various ethnicities across all of its motorsports platforms. J.R. Todd, Antron Brown, and Alexis DeJoria have established many firsts in motorsports as they all compete for Toyota in the NHRA Drag Racing Series. Jhonnattan Castro and Ken Gushi compete in Formula DRIFT  Trotter and Kaylee Bryson are working their way through the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) driver development ranks in ARCA , late models, and USAC racing events.

The storied Daytona Road Course will host the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Feb. 19-21, just one week after the 63rd running of the DAYTONA 500.

The complete short film was produced in collaboration with whatnot Films of Charlotte, N.C. — ground-zero for NASCAR — and will reside on the Toyota Racing social channels of Twitter and Facebook along with YouTube. A 60-second condensed version was featured on Fox during the Daytona 500 broadcast.

A link to the full film can be found here

#DAYTONAROADCOURSE

 

The Greening of the Airstream ‘Silver Bullet’

by | Feb 12, 2021 | 0 comments

The Greening of the Airstream ‘Silver Bullet’

Airstream travelers can join the Caravan to Carbon Neutral campaign to help fund tree planting in national forests

An Airstream 'Silver Bullet'

Airstream will directly underwrite the planting of an estimated 118,405 trees by the National Forest Foundation. (Airstream)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The community of Airstream travelers heading out to the great outdoors can now have more confidence in their commitment to the environment and the preservation of wildlands. Through its Caravan to Carbon Neutral campaign, the maker of the iconic “silver bullet” travel trailers and motor homes will fund tree planting in national forests. And the two-pronged approach will encourage Airstream owners to do the same with the purchase of a Carbon Reduction Kit from the National Forest Foundation.

Caravan to Carbon Neutral is an industry-first initiative to neutralize estimated carbon emissions created by use of the company’s products, Airstream President and CEO Bob Wheeler, said in a statement.

The community of Airstream travelers has a symbiotic relationship with nature and the environment, Wheeler, said. “This program brings an innovative solution to Airstreamers who want to neutralize their estimated carbon footprint from driving their Airstream and contribute to a more beautiful natural world.”

“When people travel with their Airstream, it keeps them more in touch with nature and humanity. This raises their awareness of the importance of having a healthy environment.” — Airstream owner

Airstream to Underwrite Tree Planting

The Ohio-based company will directly underwrite the planting of an estimated 118,405 trees by the National Forest Foundation. Those trees are projected to help sequester the estimated carbon generated by the first year of driving of all new Airstream travel trailers and touring coaches manufactured in 2021, Wheeler said in the statement. That figure also includes the estimated carbon emitted during the manufacturing and transportation of Airstreams from the Jackson Center, Ohio, production facility to dealerships nationwide in 2021.

Nearly every Airstream owner asked — 96 percent — in a 2020 owner survey is concerned about the state of the environment. Said one survey participant: “When people travel with their Airstream, it keeps them more in touch with nature and humanity. This raises their awareness of the importance of having a healthy environment.”

Airstream travelers

Airstream travelers can purchase Carbon Reduction Kits to support the National Forest Foundation’s tree-planting program. (Airstream)

The estimated 118,405 trees required to sequester the targeted carbon was calculated from Airstream sales forecasts for 2021.

Contributors to the findings include the company’s internal customer usage study; greenhouse gas equivalency calculators by the Environmental Protection Agency; federal fuel-efficiency estimates for gasoline-powered vehicles; publicly reported estimates from Mercedes-Benz; an Airstream aerodynamics study; and tree carbon sequestration estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Carbon Reduction Kits

Caravan to Carbon Neutral also allows any Airstream owner to help sequester additional carbon emissions through the purchase of “Carbon Reduction Kits” from the National Forest Foundation through Airstream’s e-commerce website, Airstream Supply Co. Each Carbon Reduction Kit purchase is tax-deductible, with 100 percent of the proceeds directly supporting the forest foundation’s tree-planting program:

Silver ($50): plants 50 trees to sequester approximately 25 tons of carbon over the tree’s lifetime;

Gold ($100): plants 100 trees to sequester approximately 50 tons of carbon over the tree’s lifetime;

Platinum ($250): plants 250 trees to sequester approximately 125 tons of carbon over the tree’s lifetime.

Included with the purchase of a kit will be custom decals, flags to display on their Airstream, and a badge. Learn more at AirForums.com, an online resource for Airstream owners.

“We are dedicated to leaving our natural world better than we found it,” said Wheeler, who is an executive committee member on the board of directors for the non-profit National Forest Foundation.

“Addressing the causes of climate change is central to that mission,” he said. “Transportation accounts for an estimated 28 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., so this is an area where we have a responsibility and an opportunity to lead. Research shows that RV vacations can produce less carbon as compared to similar airline, rental car, or hotel itineraries. But we felt that we needed to do more.”

This program provides an opportunity for Airstream travelers to get involved and give back by planting trees to support national forests for future generations, Mary Mitsos, National Forest Foundation president and CEO, said in the statement.

The carbon sequestration initiative opens a new frontier in Airstream’s efforts to reduce its overall environmental impact. Other efforts include that the electricity at the company’s production facility in Ohio is offset by renewable energy credits purchased through Jackson Center Municipal Power’s EcoSmart Choice program.

Certified Green Program

In addition, Airstream vehicles are Certified Green by TRA Certification, Inc., a third-party rating based on resource consumption, energy efficiency, water efficiency, and indoor air quality during the manufacturing process.

Airstream is also developing new concepts and partnering with global experts to reduce the resources used while camping, whether at a campsite or off the grid.

The company continues to focus on sustainable travel, including ways to make it easier for electric vehicles to tow an Airstream and further electrification of all of Airstream’s travel trailers.

For more information on the Caravan to Carbon Neutral initiative or Airstream, please visit the company’s social responsibility website.