Important Innovations

  Toyota's Secret Weapon                                   Source: Toyota & Toyota Patent Filing Toyota Is Seeking Patent Protection For the New Vehicle Toyota is scurrying to secure patent protection on a surprise, small, hybrid-electric SUV that it's developing.  Experts say that the patent filing for the vehicle, which occurred in Australia, clearly depicts the Toyota small SU EV concept that was unveiled in December 2021, but with some very innovative new styling. Production Ready Vehicle Automotive experts believe that this is a production-ready design and quite a surprise weapon for Toyota.  The design is virtually identical to the December 2021 concept with the exception of a new, lower bumper with an unusual, embedded honeycomb pattern on the vehicle's front end, along with integrated fog lights. Based on the patent filings, the vehicle appears to be a hybrid-electric SUV with an electrified powertrain and a combustion engine.  It is likely to be built on Toyota

  One of the World's Most Coveted 4x4's                                                       Source:  Ford For Off and On-Roading After a 25-year absence, Ford is bringing back its 4x4 classic Bronco. It's coming back as a family of SUVs not just as a model.  Sales started last year but the interest level in the vehicles continues to build.  The newest model is the Bronco Sport.  The new Broncos have rugged, off-roading good looks, hefty, all-terrain tires, very bold front grills and prominent fender flares.  All the doors are removable, and a removable hardtop can also be purchased for extra fun in the sun. Standard Broncos The standard Bronco is the 4x4's 6th generation and can be driven off-road, on-road, on city streets and highways.  The new Bronco Sport is a compact crossover, built on the same platform as the Explorer SUV, so it is particularly geared to commuting suburbanites.  The Sport has all-wheel drive and contains 5 doors.  The Broncos come with either a

  SUV That's like a Hypercar                                                                           Super:  McLaren Car Concepts High Performance Driving British supercar manufacturer McLaren is famous for its performance sports cars.  The cars are always gorgeous, "lightweight and performance" vehicles.  Until now, McLaren has not joined the global SUV craze because they don't want to dilute their sports car brand and deviate in any way from their historic DNA.  With a new CEO, McLaren may be ready to change. New CEO Who Loves SUVs German born, PhD in Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Michael Leiters is McLaren's new CEO.  He has a distinguished automotive career.  He's the former chief Technology Officer of Ferrari and is the person who developed the new SUV for Ferrari, the Purosangue.  He also created the highly popular Cayenne SUV for Porsche.  He obviously loves SUVs, their sales and ongoing market growth potential.  He is more than open to devel

  SUV That's like a Hypercar                                                                           Super:  McLaren Car Concepts High Performance Driving British supercar manufacturer McLaren is famous for its performance sports cars.  The cars are always gorgeous, "lightweight and performance" vehicles.  Until now, McLaren has not joined the global SUV craze because they don't want to dilute their sports car brand and deviate in any way from their historic DNA.  With a new CEO, McLaren may be ready to change. New CEO Who Loves SUVs German born, PhD in Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Michael Leiters is McLaren's new CEO.  He has a distinguished automotive career.  He's the former chief Technology Officer of Ferrari and is the person who developed the new SUV for Ferrari, the Purosangue.  He also created the highly popular Cayenne SUV for Porsche.  He obviously loves SUVs, their sales and ongoing market growth potential.  He is more than open to devel

  Dodge Hornet Hybrid Plug-In to Be Unveiled in August                                                       Source:  Dodge Stellantis' Dodge Electrifies its Lineup Dodge, now owned by Chrysler's parent company Stellantis, is launching a new version of its iconic Hornet, which dates back to the 1950's as the Hudson and AMC Hornet. The Hornet was a legendary muscle car. The new Hornet will be unveiled in August 2022 as a compact, hybrid electric plug-in SUV. The 23-foot Hornet will be offered with a 256 hp 2.0-liter turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine or a plug-in hybrid Q4 variant that pairs a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with an electric motor. Like its predecessors, the vehicle will come with plenty of sass and attitude in the styling and design. Hornet Now Has European Roots The new Hornet resembles the recently unveiled Alpha Romeo Tonale, a compact SUV designed by Dodge's sister company Alpha Romeo.  And in fact, the Hornet will share the same architecture plat

  New EV SUV That Can Power Other EVs                                                    Source:  Tata Motors From India, An EV that Uses "Digital Design Language" India-based Tata Motors, which owns Jaguar and Land Rover, is debuting a new, all electric SUV concept - the CURVV.  Both the design and the technology in the EV are breakthrough.  CURVV is capable of charging other electric vehicles.  It can also power electronic devices like laptops, cellphones and electrical appliances with a 3-pin socket.  Initial models of CURVV will be rolled out by the global automaker as a front wheel drive vehicle.  But the company says that if the demand for CURVV is strong enough, it will also be offered as an all-wheel drive vehicle.  The range on a charge for CURVV is an impressive 500 km or 311 miles. Design Features Tata uses, what it calls, new "digital design language" to imbue CURVV with features like a full-length LED light bar across the front of the car, digital scree

 Stunning   Hybrid Electric Luxury SUV                                       Source: Stock - Ferrari's Purosangue Ferrari Joins the Luxury SUV Business Italian-based, luxury sports car maker Ferrari is building its first SUV - the hybrid electric Purosangue.  Deliveries to customers will start in 2023.  The EV is currently undergoing road testing in Europe.  These are the first unobscured images of the vehicle without camouflage.  Clearly, the Purosangue, which is Italian for thoroughbred, is stunning. What We Know Ferrari has closely kept the wraps on this new vehicle.  But it is a 4 door, sleek, long and low riding SUV.  It has a long front, a slopping roof and long, curvy hood and sides.  The rear sports a full length lightbar that connects to two sets of taillights and a tailgate.  Ferrari has not disclosed technical details yet.  But it is expected that the vehicle will be offered with an 800 hp V-12 and a V-6 hybrid electric powertrain.  It may also be available as a turbocha

Purosangue   - Hybrid   Electric Luxury SUV                                       Source: Stock - Ferrari's Purosangue Ferrari Joins the Luxury SUV Business Italian-based, luxury sports car maker Ferrari is building its first SUV - the hybrid electric Purosangue.  Deliveries to customers will start in 2023.  The EV is currently undergoing road testing in Europe.  These are the first unobscured images of the vehicle without camouflage.  Clearly, the Purosangue, which is Italian for thoroughbred, is stunning. What We Know Ferrari has closely kept the wraps on this new vehicle.  But it is a 4 door, sleek, long and low riding SUV.  It has a long front, a slopping roof and long, curvy hood and sides.  The rear sports a full length lightbar that connects to two sets of taillights and a tailgate.  Ferrari has not disclosed technical details yet.  But it is expected that the vehicle will be offered with an 800 hp V-12 and a V-6 hybrid electric powertrain.  It may also be available as a tur

  Venerable Brand Targets Return to Profitability with DBX                                             Source:  Aston Martin 007 James Bond's Car of Choice UK-based Aston Martin is an historic luxury car brand that epitomizes prestige, beauty, performance, speed and panache.  It was 007 James Bond's car of choice for his spy movie adventures.  Now to bring in new customers and sustain its future, Aston Martin has created what's being called a "super SUV" - the DBX.  The DBX is of the upmost importance to Aston Martin.  The company hopes it will return it to profitability and ensure its long-term survival.  Style and Price The DBX is huge, sleek, curvy and pricey at nearly $190,000.  The powertrain was developed with Aston Martin's partner Mercedes-AMG.  They upgraded a 4-liter turbocharged V8 to pump out more than 542 hp.  Mercedes also provided the infotainment system, the interior seating and a full suite of driving modes.  The vehicle is elegant, luxurious

  Hyundai Ioniq Seven - "Category Bending Proposition"                                                  Source:  Hyundai Hyundai Showcasing the Future of Automotive Technology At the LA Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled an extra large electric SUV concept called the Hyundai Ioniq Seven, which the company calls " a category bending proposition".  The vehicle is breakthrough in several respects.  It is an advanced technology platform for Hyundai's future of big electric SUVs, which it calls SUEVs.  It is also a look at Hyundai's vision of the future of autonomous vehicles that serve as new living spaces.  And it showcases the capabilities of Hyundai's EV platform. The Electric Global Modular Platform or E-GMP can be stretched and scaled to make extra large SUVs or smaller ones.  This platform has versatility and will be used for the upcoming Ioniq 5, Kia EVs and Genesis GV60.  It is a breakthrough piece of EV technology in the automotive industry. Tech Specs The

Mercedes' New  7 Seat Electric SUV                                             Source:  Mercedes Benz Mercedes' Answer to the Tesla Model Y SUV  Mercedes Benz is launching its much anticipated all electric SUV, the EQB.  It is the Germany based company's answer to the Tesla Model Y, a compact SUV that is closing in on the most popular EV model spot in the world.  Sales are so strong for the Model Y in the US and China that Tesla is adding production capacity to build more at its new factories in Austin, Texas and Berlin, Germany. "Iconic Electric SUV" Mercedes launched the EQB at the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich.  Mercedes calls it "an iconic electric SUV which incorporates the square form of our off-roaders and projects them into the future".  The EQB is slightly larger than the Model Y and has an optional third row.  In all, the vehicle has 7 seats. Concerning the powertrain, the EQB will first be offered with front and rear axle electric motors - the E

  2022 Lexus LQ                                        Source:  Lexus LF-1 Concept New Design & New Course for Lexus The 2022 Lexus LQ is the luxury brand's new flagship SUV to be unveiled in early 2022.  Lexus has previewed the vehicle with the impressive LF-1 concept.  Lexus says the LQ will set a radically new course for Lexus SUVs and the focus of the vehicle is luxury not on off-roading.  The LQ will sport an all new design with a strong, straight roofline, a wide body and new grill configuration.  It will be taller and wider than its predecessors.   It will have a very dynamic appearance with strong styling lines from the hood to the back of the SUV. An Interior that is User Centric The interior of the vehicle will be ultra-plush and user centric. The LF-1's LED light show in the grill will likely be incorporated into LQ to welcome passengers as they get ready to jump onboard the vehicle.  The cabin will contain Lexus' latest infotainment center along with an opti

   Small Electric Smart SUV                       Source:  Artist Rendering SMART Concept Car                                        Source:  Geeley SEA Platform Designed by Mercedes, Developed & Produced by Geely Mercedes Smart brand, through a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz AG and China's Geely AG, will launched a Smart, electric SUV in 2022.  This will be the first vehicle model from the new joint venture between the two global automakers.  Geely is the owner of Volvo and a top global manufacturer of electric cars.   Brand New Concept Mercedes says the new vehicle will be ultra modern, sophisticated, highly advanced in connectivity and the smartest feature of all - "it will be super compact on the outside and big on the inside."  The new e-SUV will be built on a new platform, Geely's SEA platform (scalable, electric architecture) which is flexible enough to handle many sizes of vehicles. Concept Debut in Fall 2021 The new concept car will debut in the fall

007 James Bond's Car of Choice Source:  Aston Martin - DBX Debut DBX Looking for a big business turnaround, British luxury carmaker Aston Martin rolled out its first, luxury sports utility vehicle (SUV) off the assembly line today.  The brand is famous as James Bond 007's car of choice.  The DBX SUV is priced at $189,000. Financial Drivers The company has been experiencing disappointing sales since 2018.  The financial distress has been compounded this year by the COVID-19 pandemic.  To cope, Aston Martin has cut jobs and changed top management.  Since its IPO in 2018, the company's share prices has dropped 90%.  Aston Martin says it is in need of funding.  It's financials are blinking red. DBX The company is hoping that the DBX will drive them into a more profitable era.  Deliveries of the SUV start later this month.  The company says it has more than 2,000 orders for the vehicle.  Incoming CEO Tobias Moers, from Mercedes, is counting on the DBX to b

May be Tesla's Hottest Vehicle Source:  Tesla Model Y  CEO Elon Musk's Roll-Out of Model Y The Model Y is Tesla's first crossover SUV.  It's aimed at an incredibly popular segment in the US:  what's called the lower end of the EV market.  CEO Elon Musk is way ahead of schedule on production of the SUV.  First deliveries on the electric, all wheel drive crossover will start in March instead of the summer as previously announced.  Also, this SUV has additional distance.  It now can go 350 miles on a single charge, instead of 280 as Tesla had previously estimated. Big Expansion and Big Expectations Elon Musk anticipates a big market for this car.  He anticipates the Y will outsell every other vehicle that Tesla makes.  As a result, he's expanding production.  Currently, the Y is being produced at a Tesla facility in Freemont, CA.  But in 2021, he's going to expand production to Shanghai and later to Berlin.  The EV is priced at a range fro