Important Innovations

    UK Billionaire's Startup Ineos Develops  Grenadier  4x4                                                                      Source:  Ineos Grenadier 4x4 Strong, Tough, Off and On-Roader Coming to US & Elsewhere British petrochemical billionaire Jim Ratcliffe and his new startup Ineos have created a very classic, strong off-roader called Grenadier 4x4 that pushes the clock back to classic off-roading & pushes the vehicle forward into the digital age.  Here are the key facts: Ineos' Grenadier 4x4 is an old-fashioned, hard core, multi-use 4x4 off-roader and on-roader, imbued with the latest hi-tech automotive technologies Ineos was founded by British petrochemical billionaire Jim Ratcliffe who wanted to do a modern version of a classic 4x4 rather than the current comfort laden SUVs for off-roading This no-nonsense, "massively strong", hard metal off-roader will go on sale in the US and elsewhere by the second half of this year starting at $50,000 Its technol

  Honeywell Leads Effort to Bring Air Taxis to Cities in Europe                                                  Source: UMiles Next Urban Air Mobility Moves Forward Spain-based UMiles Next, which specializes in unmanned aircraft systems, has just completed a series of test flights on its autonomous, Integrity eVTOL air taxi concept.  eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles), can take off and land like a helicopter and don't usually require a runway, which makes them very convenient. The test flights on Integrity included the air taxi's autonomous systems for take-off, landings and collision-avoidance.  Importantly, the flight tests included Integrity flying with a number of other unmanned aircraft.  The tests were successful.  The purpose was to demonstrate that autonomous aircraft are safe, reliable and can be seamlessly integrated into urban air spaces in the very near future. Flight Test Consortium At this time, Integrity can carry two people, reach speeds up

  Honeywell Leads Effort to Bring Air Taxis to Cities in Europe                                                  Source: UMiles Next Urban Air Mobility Moves Forward Spain-based UMiles Next, which specializes in unmanned aircraft systems, has just completed a series of test flights on its autonomous, Integrity eVTOL air taxi concept.  eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles), can take off and land like a helicopter and don't usually require a runway, which makes them very convenient. The test flights on Integrity included the air taxi's autonomous systems for take-off, landings and collision-avoidance.  Importantly, the flight tests included Integrity flying with a number of other unmanned aircraft.  The tests were successful.  The purpose was to demonstrate that autonomous aircraft are safe, reliable and can be seamlessly integrated into urban air spaces in the very near future. Flight Test Consortium At this time, Integrity can carry two people, reach speeds up

  Airbus-Aston Martin to Produce Another Series of Luxury Choppers                                                                      Source:  Aston Martin ACH 130 Aston Martin Helicopters The luxury carmaker favored by 007 secret agent James Bond - Aston Martin - has gone airborne with a sleek and very sophisticated helicopter, the ACH 130.  It just showed up in the US on its way to a buyer in Texas.  Another one has just been purchased by a buyer in South America.  Orders have also come in from Europe, Canada and Southeast Asia.  The ACH 130 is the result of a partnership between global aerospace and aviation leader Airbus' Airbus Corporate Helicopters and the legendary automaker Aston Martin.  It is a flying vehicle worthy of its own James Bond movie.  And it is now going into a second round of limited production as it is very popular with wealthy people who particularly want to pilot their own chopper. Tech Specs The chopper takes its inspiration from Aston Martin's DB11

    World's Greenest EV                                                                           Source:  Citroen Could Radically Change What Cars Are Made of Citroen's new electric concept vehicle Oli is a sporty, funky, fun lightweight pickup truck that's made from recycled honeycomb cardboard and other recycled and recyclable materials.  That has to be an automotive first.  According to Citroen executives, it is designed to be affordable, sustainable and built on the principle "the less you weigh, the less you consume".  The automaker says it equipped Oli with "just enough of everything" to really keep the weight down and the driver and passengers happy.  The EV weighs 2.204 pounds and the 40-kWh battery provides a range of 248 miles on a charge. It can recharge from 20% to 80% in about 20 minutes. Citroen hasn't provided power figures or the number of electric motors that the EV has. But Oli's maximum speed is 68 mph. The boxy EV harkens bac

 SkyFly's Axe eVTOL   Brand New Way to Fly                                                  Source:  SkyFly 2-Seat Personal Electric Aircraft You Can Assemble  London-based aviation company SkyFly has invented a 2-seat personal aircraft that is an electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing vehicle, or eVTOL. Called Axe, it can also do conventional, short distance takeoffs and landings.  The company just announced that it can be pre-ordered for delivery in 2024 and you can go with a kit to assemble it yourself.  Axe is impressive.  It has a winged airframe, a range of 100 to 200 miles and top cruising speeds of 100 mph.  Imagine soaring above traffic jams at that speed!  The electric aircraft is quiet and so compact it can be stored in your driveway. New, Unique Technologies Unlike the flying cars Jetson One and Ryse Recon, Axe is not a multicopter.  It's an innovative, two fixed-wings aircraft.  The wings are unusual in that they are pitched upwards.  This is very different from a c

  The M3 Touring is One Powerful Car                                                       Source:  BMW Hot Automotive Launch in Late 2022 BMW has unveiled its long-awaited and much anticipated BMW M3 Touring wagon.  This is the M3's sixth generation and the first wagon.  The vehicle has a long and distinguished history dating back to 1986.  With a 509-horsepower powertrain and all-wheel drive, the vehicle is designed to perform smoothly, sleekly, powerfully and be a lot of fun to drive. It is said to be BMW M's birthday gift to itself. Elegant Design The vehicle has a distinctive, very long roof and very sporty, sculptured body lines.  The M3 Touring's cabin has a nearly 15" curved infotainment touchscreen display that operates BMW's operating system 8 software system.  There is also a 12.3" instrument cluster.  The hatchback has 18 cubic feet of cargo space that expands to 53 cubic feet when the seats are down. Tech Specs The M3 Touring is a performance vehi

BMW's M Super Wagon is Here                                                       Source:  BMW Hot Automotive Launch in Late 2022 BMW has unveiled its long-awaited and much anticipated BMW M3 Touring wagon.  This is the M3's sixth generation and the first wagon.  The vehicle has a long and distinguished history dating back to 1986.  With a 509-horsepower powertrain and all-wheel drive, the vehicle is designed to perform smoothly, sleekly, powerfully and be a lot of fun to drive. It is said to be BMW M's birthday gift to itself. Elegant Design The vehicle has a distinctive, very long roof and very sporty, sculptured body lines.  The M3 Touring's cabin has a nearly 15" curved infotainment touchscreen display that operates BMW's operating system 8 software system.  There is also a 12.3" instrument cluster.  The hatchback has 18 cubic feet of cargo space that expands to 53 cubic feet when the seats are down. Tech Specs The M3 Touring is a performance vehicle.

  Cupra's Gaming Motif - Gamification of the Car                                        Source:  Cupra Car Designed as a Lifestyle Interest Volkwagen-owned, sports, race car and EV maker Cupra has created a concept car that is a brilliant idea.  The car is designed to appeal to young,14-year-old gamers and bring them back to buy when they legally can in the future.  The vehicle, called Urban Rebel, has a controller-styled steering wheel and a big digital dashboard, all fashioned-on gaming electronics.  Some automotive experts are calling the Urban Rebel the gamification of cars. The company calls it a look at the future through the eyes and interest of future buyers. Cupra says that 80% of 14 year olds are gamers. The EV is a marketing strategy that plays right into the megatrend of vehicles reflecting the owner's lifestyle.  Today's teen gamers should feel very comfortable with the key driving apparatus in the small, all-electric EV.  Urban Rebel will be on the market and

  Cupra's Gaming Motif - Gamification of the Car                                        Source:  Cupra Car Designed as a Lifestyle Interest Volkwagen-owned, sports, race car and EV maker Cupra has created a concept car that is a brilliant idea.  The car is designed to appeal to young,14-year-old gamers and bring them back to buy when they legally can in the future.  The vehicle, called Urban Rebel, has a controller-styled steering wheel and a big digital dashboard, all fashioned-on gaming electronics.  Some automotive experts are calling the Urban Rebel the gamification of cars. The company calls it a look at the future through the eyes and interest of future buyers. Cupra says that 80% of 14 year olds are gamers. The EV is a marketing strategy that plays right into the megatrend of vehicles reflecting the owner's lifestyle.  Today's teen gamers should feel very comfortable with the key driving apparatus in the small, all-electric EV.  Urban Rebel will be on the market and

  2023 Ford Ranger Raptor                                                  Source:  Ford Mid-Sized Off-Roading Truck with 392 hp The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor with 392 hp is coming to the US and going on sale in 2023.  It will also be launched in Europe with 284 hp in late 2022. The US version will likely have some additional adaptations over the global version. The Ranger Raptor has a powertrain similar to that of the Branco Raptor.  The US model will have a twin turbo 3.0 liter EcoBoost V6 engine that will deliver 392 hp and 430 pound-feet of torque. The European version has been tuned to deliver 284 hp and 362 pound-feet of torque. More Tech Specs Both the US and the European twin turbo engine versions are coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission.  There are 33" BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires.  The vehicle has seven different drive modes, a new suspension system with Fox 2.5-inch live valve internal bypass shock absorbers and an electronically controlled exhaust system t