Tesla Model S, Model X could get major interior and powertrain updates in 2020
Tesla hoped to keep details about the upcoming updates under wraps, but an eagle-eyed hacker spotted them. The S and the X are about to receive a wireless device charger, two new batteries, redesigned seats, a different charging port, and an upgraded suspension. There may be infotainment upgrades, too.
Audi Q8 will warn drivers when there are construction workers on the highway
Qualcomm technology and the Audi Q8's digital, driver-configurable instrument cluster make the feature possible. Audi identified construction zone as an important use case because the men and women working on the nation's highways put their lives at risk daily. Other areas of implementation are around the corner.
Thomas Built Buses on track to deliver Virginia’s first electric school buses
Lawmakers initially plan to replace 1,050 diesel-powered school buses with Thomas Built's electric model. This 21st-century spin on an American classic features state-of-the-art electric technology that gives it 134 miles of range while carrying up to 81 students. It doubles as a mobile power supply.
NHTSA looking into whether 500,000 Teslas have unintended acceleration problem
The reports of sudden unintended acceleration are varied, and they don't follow a set pattern. Some motorists claim their car accelerated while parking, while others claim they couldn't slow it down on the highway. The NHTSA is looking into the reports, but it hasn't opened a formal investigation yet.
Audi is leveraging technology to turn your car into a third living space
"We cannot continue looking at the car as a closed ecosystem," stressed Audi's sales and marketing boss. She adds that the firm is open to starting partnerships in a bid to bring more technology and entertainment into the car, like VR gaming and video streaming. A.I. is on her radar, too.
Here’s what Bosch hopes to learn from deploying autonomous cars in San Jose
While software-based simulations are more accurate than ever, Bosch's Kay Stepper argues there's no replacement for real-world testing. The company is running a fleet of autonomous taxis in San Jose, California, as it prepares to deploy the technology globally. Challenges persist, however.
Harley-Davidson’s second electric model will be smaller than the LiveWire
If the LiveWire is the Tesla Model S, the Mid-Power will be positioned on the same level as the Model 3. It won't be as quick, it will offer riders less horsepower, and it will come with a smaller battery pack. It will also be cheaper than the $30,000 LiveWire. It's tentatively scheduled to arrive by 2022.
Tesla is recruiting designers in China to create its first city car
Tesla thinks it would be "super cool" to design a vehicle in China for the global market, and it has started laying the groundwork for an engineering center in the world's largest electric car market. It released a sketch that suggests the model might take the form of a city car positioned below the Model 3.
Hyundai’s Genesis brand plans electric future with coupe, hatchback
Two mouth-watering concept cars unveiled by Genesis in 2018 and 2019, respectively, could reach production with electric power. The company released a teaser image that seemingly shows the Mint, a city car, and the Essentia, a sports car, as part of a six-model lineup. Its first EV is due out in 2021.
Nissan predicts you will get sick of seeing giant infotainment screens
It asked designers to take a minimalist, functional, and polished approach to creating a new generation of car interiors. The Ariya concept introduced in 2019 points the way forward with a decluttered infotainment system. It's an electric crossover expected to reach showrooms without major changes by 2021.
Volvo joins forces with China Unicom to develop 5G for its cars
Volvo aims to release in-car 5G in the early 2020s, though it hasn't provided a more specific timeframe. It predicts quicker connection speeds will allow cars to talk to the infrastructure in real-time, so they'll be able to detect traffic or find a parking spot, for example. BMW is also developing in-car 5G.
Tesla is teaching its cars to talk to pedestrians in a British accent
"Well, don't just stand there, hop in," a red Model 3 tells a pedestrian during a demonstration filmed by Elon Musk. The feature sounds frivolous, but it's useful in ride-hailing applications, and it will help autonomous cars communicate with other road users. There's no word yet on when Tesla will roll it out.
Fisker delays EMotion sedan to focus on Ocean, develop new battery tech
The EMotion concept introduced at CES 2018 remains on track for production, but it's now scheduled to arrive after the Ocean shown at CES 2020. Fisker wants to focus on cheaper, more volume-oriented models first, and it's also waiting until solid-state battery tech is ready for production.
Faraday Future plans shuttle service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas
Faraday Future argues driving between the two cities takes about as much time as flying via LAX, and it's far more pleasant. The FF91 would let passengers travel first class without the security lines and annoying kids. The FF91 has enough range to make the trip without stopping for electricity.
Bosch’s facial-recognition tech keeps you safe, entertained behind the wheel
Facial recognition technology detects if a driver is drowsy, distracted, or eating, and it also keeps an eye on passengers sitting in the back. On a happier note, it identifies the driver and adjusts a variety of parameters, like the climate control and the radio. It's on its way to production.
BMW and Samsung are Bringing 5G to an Electric SUV as soon as 2021
5G will enable in-car gaming, virtual reality experiences, and movie streaming, while opening the door to more advanced autonomous driving features. BMW and Samsung are working on integrating 5G directly into the iNext's electrical infrastructure. The electric SUV is due out halfway through 2021.
Amazon speeds up automotive offensive with offline Alexa, Fire TV for cars
Amazon is beating Apple in the race to quench the automotive industry's thirst for tech. At CES 2020, it announced far-reaching deals for Alexa integration, offline controls, Fire TV for cars, and a tie-up with ExxonMobil that will let motorists pay for gas via voice-recognition technology.
200-mph Lamborghini Huracan Evo gets full Amazon Alexa integration
Lamborghini stitched Amazon's voice assistant directly into the Huracan Evo's infotainment system to achieve seamless integration. The driver can change the radio station, turn up the climate control, turn the heated seats off, or dim the living room lights, among other functions, by speaking a simple sentence.
Bosch sheds light on its A.I.-powered Virtual Visor tech at CES 2020
The Virtual Visor folds down like a regular sun visor, but you see the outside world instead of looking at your face in the vanity mirror. A.I.-powered software darkens individual hexagons to keep sunlight out of the front passengers' eyes, while the rest of the visor remains transparent for improved visibility.
EV maker Byton reveals apps that will fill 48 inches of touchscreen real estate
Byton calls the M-Byte, its first production car, a connected device on wheels, and it backed up this claim by forming partnerships with big names in the tech world. ViacomCBS is one of the apps that will be available in its infotainment system. Software developers are encouraged to create their own apps.
Luxoft’s Halo platform turns your Uber into an office, a living room, or both
Luxoft designed its Halo platform to make staying entertained, connected, or both in the back of an Uber or a Lyft as seamless as in your living room or your office. Built using LG technology, Halo identifies the occupant via his or her smartphone, and offers a personalized interface with news, music, and more.
Airflow Vision concept previews Chrysler’s quad-screen infotainment system
Chrysler's newest concept links the 1930s to the 2020s by putting a futuristic spin on one of the brand's most forward-thinking classic models. The Airflow Vision is very likely electric, and it features a customizable, four-screen infotainment system. Its tech will seep into production models in the 2020s.
Plug-in hybrid variants of Jeep Wrangler, Compass, Renegade will rumble into CES
Jeep pledged to offer every car in its range with an electrified powertrain option by 2022, and it's starting its offensive at CES 2020. The Wrangler, the Renegade, and the Compass will receive plug-in hybrid tech called 4xe. The Wrangler's will be built around a V6, while the smaller models will use a turbo four.
Bosch’s sharp-sighted lidar rounds out its suite of self-driving technology
Bosch's lidar technology can detect a motorcycle coming the other way, while a radar might not see it because it's too narrow, and a camera can be blinded by a flash of light. All three sensor types are required to build safe, reliable self-driving cars, according to the firm. It will show its lidar at CES 2020.
More states will levy extra registration fees on electric car owners in 2020
The taxes levied on gasoline and diesel help states maintain roads, and legislators argue motorists who drive an electric vehicle are using the infrastructure for free. While some states collect a flat annual fee, Utah and Oregon are giving drivers the option of paying for every mile they drive.
Turkish government creates TOGG car brand to sell electric vehicles
TOGG unveiled a pair of close-to-production prototypes, a sedan and a crossover, scheduled to go on sale in Turkey and abroad in the early 2020s. Both are electric, and they offer between 200 and 400 horsepower depending on their configuration. They were designed by Pininfarina but the tech underneath is all Turkish.
Tesla owners will soon be able to watch Disney+ on their car’s touchscreen
Company co-founder and CEO Elon Musk announced on Twitter that the feature is coming soon, though he didn't give more specific details. Owners of compatible Tesla models willing to pay a monthly fee will be able to access Disney+ while parked, and those who regularly stop at charging stations will love the feature.
Ford could build its next Mustang-inspired electric car on Volkswagen bones
Ford is already thinking about how to keep the Mach-E's momentum going, and it's in the early stages of planning a follow-up model that will be cheaper and smaller. Company executives hinted the model will ride on Volkswagen's MEB platform, which will underpin dozens of models due out in the early 2020s.
The electric Rivian R1T pickup will be able to pull a 180 like a tank
The Rivian R1T will be the only new car capable of turning around on its own axis. This high-tech alternative to a U-turn is made possible by the truck's innovative, quad-motor electric powertrain. The left wheels and the right wheels simultaneously turn in different directions to spin the R1T around like a carousel.
Volkswagen’s friendly looking robot would autonomously charge electric cars
Once summoned via an app or the car's touchscreen, Volkswagen's friendly-looking robot knows exactly where the car in need of a charge is located. It autonomously tows a battery wagon to the parking spot, and wirelessly instructs the car to open its charging flap to start the charging process.