Hey, Your Top Automobile News for 27 October, 2020

Your Daily Automobile updates From Around The World [img]  [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [img]( [The Automobile News]( [Electric Vehicle Market Hits Its Tipping Point]( Electric vehicles have been the coming thing for quite some time now.  Twelve years ago Tesla TSLA-0.1% debuted its first EV, the Roadster. Ever since, EV enthusiasts have been predicting that the U.S. market for electron-powered personal transportation would soon bloom.  In the intervening years a number of promising electric cars—some from major manufacturers not named Tesla—have arrived on the market with quite a bit of hype, yet left little impression in the collective memory. EV’s that notably offered such promise, yet failed to energize a transportation revolution include Nissan’s Leaf and BMW’s i3.  In large part, the failure was due to their relatively modest driving range. The original Leaf was a practical mass-market design yet good for no more than 75 miles on a charge, inducing range anxiety on any drive more ambitious than the predictable daily commute.  Predictably, BMW brought high style and a price to match, but also came up short on endurance.  Yet the EV market is now abruptly shedding its elite, early-adopter appeal.  If the high stakes and recent, almost universal rush by manufacturers to bring fleets of wholly practical EVs to market is a meaningful indicator, we’re fast approaching the EV tipping point.  What lies beyond is a future where electric cars are the default and gasoline powered cars are relics of a carbon intensive past.  The thought is incredibly encouraging to anyone who sees electric vehicles for what they ultimately are, a key element in the larger effort to electrify as much of the economy as possible, and a vital step in lowering carbon emissions from the transportation sector.  If this all sounds too bullish, too “drinking of EV Kool-Aid,” then take a close look at the evidence of the EV market’s blooming.  The Big Three U.S. auto manufacturers have abandoned the traditional sedan market, and in turn bet their near term relevance on behemoth SUVs.  Ironically, the big vehicles generate large profits that automakers are directing toward projects of existential importance, namely the development of clean, electric vehicle technologies upon which the manufacturers have staked their future survival. Among domestic car makers, General Motors GM -2.7% is perhaps the most fully committed to such a transition plan.  The company has abandoned the traditional sedan market and, in its place, will introduce 20 EVs over the next two years, led by its recent unveiling of the Hummer electric SUV.  Meanwhile, the world’s largest automaker, Volkswagen, has announced that it will cease development of new, internal combustion-powered cars in the middle of this decade.  The automakers that have gone all in on EVs have received affirmation of their strategy from the largest U.S. car market.  In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order outlawing the sale of gas and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035.   Last week, New Jersey’s environmental regulator recommended that state do the same. This momentum is reinforced internationally by China’s requirements that EV’s account for 25% of domestic car sales within five years.  In Europe, the UK and France will outlaw the sale of new gas and diesel-powered vehicles by 2040.  Holland will implement a similar ban in 2030, and Norway in 2025.  As an added bit of evidence that EVs are the hot thing in the automobile market, EV pioneer Tesla is, no secret, now the most highly valued auto manufacturer in the world.  Tesla’s market capitalization of nearly $400 billion is four times the big U.S. auto majors’ combined stock market value.  The company has turned a profit in each of the last 5 quarters after a history of losses.  True, Tesla’s profits depend on the sale of zero-emissions vehicle credits, but the growing market for these credits only reinforces the fact that the EV maker is in the right market at the right time. And, while Tesla may not reach its goal of selling 500,000 cars this year, it won’t be far off the target.  Think about it: A single, upstart manufacturer is on the cusp of selling half a million electric cars in a single year, in the middle of a pandemic and a secular softening of automotive sales.  EVs are no longer niche products, but a growing part of the automotive mainstream. Complimenting the growth in EV deliveries, the development of fast charging networks is accelerating in China, Europe and the U.S., meeting the need to fuel EVs on the go.  In the U.S., residents of California can already rely on their EVs to transport them along popular routes, regardless of distance, with fuel security that matches that of gasoline-powered cars.  And sure, California is a universe apart from middle America, but mid-American states are building out their own charging networks that, once in place, will erode the range advantage of gasoline-fueled vehicles and make long-distance drives by EV practical. What barriers to EV’s remain?  They’re still more costly than traditional gasoline powered cars of similar quality.  The problem of range anxiety does admittedly persist.  Nevertheless, the average range of EVs sold in the United States is forecast to reach 275 miles by 2022.  That’s 80% of the distance offered by today’s Jeep Cherokee SUV. So, in October of 2020 naysayers may still say, “EV’s aren’t here yet.”  But proponents of electric transportation can counter, without fear of having to eat their words, that EVs are well on their way. [Read More]( The post [Electric Vehicle Market Hits Its Tipping Point]( first appeared on [TheAutomobileNews.com](. [Read Full Story]( [This Lowered Maruti Swift With Custom Alloys Looks Utterly Gorgeous]( Here, we have a modified Maruti Swift, which looks aggressive and sporty with lowered springs, custom wheels, and chrome delete Maruti Swift is one of the most popular cars in India, owing to its affordability and fun-to-drive nature. The latter characteristic also makes it a favourite among auto enthusiasts, a lot of whom love to personalise and customise their vehicles. The Swift has a lot of aftermarket support, and we’ve seen plenty of modified examples out in the streets. Here, we have another such example, beautifully customised by Hashir, a resident of Kerala. The vehicle sports plenty of aesthetic changes, like a new front grille and a front splitter. The car also gets chrome delete, i.e., all the chrome parts have been replaced by piano black elements. The headlamps are smoked and partially covered, which gives the car an aggressive face. At the side, we see custom 17-inch alloy wheels, with 205/40 Nankang tyres. The roof has been blacked out, save for a few inches on the left and right side, which adds a little character to the styling. The car also gets blacked-out ORVMs and window visors. At the rear, we see a pair of LED taillamps, with piano black embellishments, along with a prominent roof-mounted spoiler, blacked-out to match with the roof. This modified Swift has been lowered with the use of Cobra suspension springs. The front end of the car has been lowered by 30mm, and the rear is just a shade lower than that as well. The exhaust system has also been modified, and features a free flow pipe. We’re sure the vehicle will turn a lot of heads, either by its looks or by its noise! No changes have been reported to the engine and transmission. This particular model is the petrol variant of the Swift, which sports a 1.2-litre engine. This motor develops a maximum power figure of 83 PS and peak torque of 113 Nm. There are two transmission options on offer – a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT. The price of the 2020 Maruti Swift ranges from Rs. 5.19 lakh to Rs. 8.02 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). In the Indian market, it competes with the likes of Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, Tata Tiago, and Ford Figo. [Read More]( The post [This Lowered Maruti Swift With Custom Alloys Looks Utterly Gorgeous]( first appeared on [TheAutomobileNews.com](. [Read Full Story]( [10 Most Anticipated Supercars Of 2021]( 2021 will be marked by a staggering number of new supercars, many of which will be fully electric. Here are the 10 everyone’s most excited about. With each passing year, technology advances, changes, and shifts. While many areas of consumer tech like cell phones are the obvious and most instantly noticeable areas when it comes to this change, cars are as reliant and important on and to technological change. Just look at cars from 5 years ago, features like lane keep assisting, and radar-guided cruise control was once top-end tech, but now are being incorporated into a large portion of new cars today. Yet, the greatest area when it comes to automotive technological advancement is the ones most people can only dream of – supercars. Defined by beautiful and/or outrageous styling, typically mid-engine, and being uncompromising in offering all the latest performance capabilities, style, and technology. Thanks to their hefty price tags, supercars can afford to pour massive development into areas on the cutting edge of technology. Naturally ending up as icons of the auto industry, supercars tend to inspire the progress of technology across all cars as automakers try to keep up with the trends they create. Today, this advancement in supercars comes at a blistering pace. With just a few years separating today’s paradigm of hybrid supercars dominating the performance game, and the old belief that an electric car could never be fun, a single year alone brings dramatic new entries to the supercar playing field. With some truly incredible machines on the horizon, here are 10 of the most anticipated supercars that are planned to hit the road in the coming year: McLaren Elva Paying tribute to their Can-Am racing roots, the McLaren Elva is one of the purest modern performance-oriented supercars, built specifically to offer an unparalleled driver-focused experience. With just a glance, you can tell the Elva is something truly special, and something focused on achieving the ultimate in performance. The latest car to join McLaren’s Ultimate Series, which contains dream cars like the P1 and Senna, the Elva brings ridiculously low weight, a beautifully aggressive sculpted aerodynamic form, massive power, and a lack of windshield to the table. Built almost entirely from carbon fiber, the Elva uses a groundbreaking Active Air Management System to achieve optimal downforce and drag. But a low weight and aerodynamic mastery are one thing, power is another, and with an 803 hp V8, the Elva ticks all the performance boxes in a truly stunning fashion. Ferrari 812 “GTO” It’s yet to be confirmed by Ferrari themselves, but spy shots from Maranello have proven that the prancing horse is brewing up something special for the 812. Last used on the 599, the GTO nameplate signifies a hardcore, race-bred supercar, and some of the best road-going performance that Ferrari has to offer. Similar to the 599, the 812 is Ferrari’s front-engine V12 flagship supercar. With the 599 as well as many Ferrari models typically lasting 5 years in production, the 812 – introduced in 2017, is rumored to be due for a replacement soon. When the 599 reached its final years of production, the GTO was introduced to give it a proper send it off. While these are all rumors based on spy photos, the timing of said photos, and the aggressive aerodynamic tweaks seen on the test car point to a hardcore version of the 812 being in the works. Regardless of whether it ends up being called the 812 GTO, if the rumors and assumptions based on the photos and Ferrari’s typical lineup changes are true, you can expect to see the 812’s hardcore form released around late 2021 – and if the 599 GTO is anything to go by, it’ll be worth the wait. Tesla Roadster Unveiled in 2017, the new Tesla Roadster made waves across the industry, signaling the return of Tesla’s original car, but with shocking levels of performance for the price. Originally a Lotus Elise modified with an electric drivetrain, the first generation of Tesla Roadster was a cool and innovative car but was by no means a show-stopping, ultra-competitive supercar. The new Roadster, however, flies in the face of its origins and plans to show up all the established supercars with its mind-blowing speed. With the base model capable of doing the 0-60 MPH sprint in just 2.1 seconds, and on to a claimed quarter-mile time of 8.8 seconds, the new Tesla Roadster is absurdly fast. Not just fast though, the Roadster comes with some supremely sleek and simple looks, seating for 4, and a (claimed) range of 621 miles. With an estimated base price of around $200,000 USD, expect to see Tesla Roadsters dominating the supercar scene once deliveries begin. Lotus Evija When released in the 2000s, the Tesla Roadster was among the only performance electric cars out there, based on the quick and nimble Lotus Elise. Coming full circle, 2021 will see Lotus enter their own electric performance machine into the ring: the Evija. While many of us car enthusiasts aren’t too excited about the future of cars being electrified, the Lotus Evija shows exactly what makes the new wave of electric cars something to be excited about – absolutely ridiculous amounts of power and acceleration, as well as new rules for designing a car. Not many things can replace the scream of a high-strung gas-powered engine in a supercar, but having nearly 2,000 hp on tap with instant power delivery is definitely one of them. Uniquely styled with awesome laser head and taillights, the Lotus Evija is an awe-inspiring technological marvel. While planned for release in 2021, don’t expect to see it stateside, as unfortunately, the Evija isn’t road legal in the US. Maserati MC20 Storming into the supercar playing field with gorgeous style and race-oriented engineering, the MC20 is Maserati’s latest work of art, and the first true supercar to bear their trident badge in over a decade. - While Maserati’s sports cars like the GranTurismo have stuck around, their last true supercar was the MC12, which was released 15 years ago. Bringing the Maserati Corse (MC) nameplate back, the MC20 goes above and beyond, packed to the brim with gorgeous Italian styling, and a competitive amount of advanced performance technology. Powered by a twin-turbo V6, the MC20’s heart is bespoke, being a completely new F1 derived design by Maserati that lays down 630 hp while mounted in the middle. With a lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum construction, beautiful styling, talks of a later electric version, and an estimated starting price of $195,000, the MC20 is sure to be a hit when released in 2021. Aston Martin Vantage Aston Martin’s long-running performance bred grand touring nameplate, the new Vantage is not entirely new, but carries one point of distinction that makes it a ray of hope in today’s performance market. A continuation with minor tweaks to the drop-dead gorgeous looks introduced with the Vantage’s 2018 refresh, the Vantage is as beautiful as ever, inside and out. With a sumptuous and luxurious interior, and a V8 engine laying down 503 hp, the Vantage is the best of both worlds, offering great performance with comfort and luxury to boot. But, that’s not all that different from previous years, what makes the 2021 Vantage so special though, is its transmission. In a market where manual transmissions are no longer standard, and almost every supercar uses some form of automatic, the Vantage bucks the trend, offering a 7-speed stick shift as the standard transmission option. For those who still enjoy rowing gears, and are fans of grand tourers, the new Vantage is the supercar for you. Aston Martin Valhalla While the new Vantage carries the long-running nameplate with a gorgeous modern flair, the Valhalla is something new, something powerful, and something incredibly special. The “Son of Valkyrie,” the Aston Martin Valhalla takes direct inspiration from Aston’s absolutely insane race-bred monster, and tones it down just enough to be a more manageable car for the road. That’s a relative term though, as the Valhalla is still an aerodynamically optimized, Formula 1 derived rocket. Powered by a turbocharged V6 inspired by modern F1 engines, the Valhalla uses a hybrid-electric drivetrain to take the power even further. Made almost entirely from carbon fiber, packed with insane amounts of leading-edge technology, and downright gorgeous with its streamlined form, the Valhalla is bound to be one of the most spectacular sights when it hits the road in 2021. [Read More]( The post [10 Most Anticipated Supercars Of 2021]( first appeared on [TheAutomobileNews.com](. [Read Full Story]( ------------------ You Might Like [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](        ------------------ Connect with TheAutomobileNews on Facebook and Twitter [fb](  [tw]( ------------------ You received this email because you operate or create content for a website/service and based on your website it seemed like this could be important information to you and your users. TheAutomobileNews daily newsletter is managed by [Postbox Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd.]( C-4/5, IBD Emporia, Kolar Road, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, INDIA, 462042 Want to change how you receive these emails? [Update your preferences]( or [Unsubscribe]( Â