Important Innovations

   D AILY INNOVATION BRIEF                                                                                                          By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane NEW EV BEING CALLED " ADORABLE"                                                                                                                                        Source:  Fiat The new Fiat EV called Topolino is the smallest and according to many news reports "the cutest and most adorable EV" on the market  today Topolino means little mouse in Italian which accurately reflects the EVs petite size Topolino incorporates many features of the 2024 Fiat 500 with a similar front fascia, round headlights and lower trim There are no doors on the vehicle just ropes and the roof is canvas Technically dubbed a quadricycle with a single electric engine and 5.5 kWh battery 8hp, 43 miles of range and top speed of 28 mph As a quadricycle, kids as young as 14 years old can drive it Many experts say tha

  D AILY INNOVATION BRIEF                                                                                                          By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane SWEDEN's REVOLUTIONARY LUVLY O EV                                                            Source:  Luvly Sweden's Luvly O micro EV is a revolutionary, 2-seat electric car that is redefining what a car can be Built like a F1 race car, it has a composite safety shell to protect the passengers Can be flat-packed and shipped like a piece of furniture and is being called the Ikea of cars The Swedish microcar manufacturer intends to mass produce the tiny, ultraefficient car and sell it around the world using the flat-shipping method Luvly derives its name from LUV or "Light Urban Vehicle" - small cars designed for city use Some key datapoints: Small - 837 pounds vs. average 4,000 pound EV 2 to 4-times more energy efficient Small battery 6.4kWh in 2 separate units that are removable Speed - up to

  Activesphere - Audi's Most Versatile Concept                                              Source:  Audi Activesphere Made For Those on the Move Audi has debuted its 4th and final electric concept sphere car, Activesphere, that is designed for people who love the outdoors and have a very active lifestyle.  Here are some key facts on the EV concept: All-in-one electric luxury sedan, pickup truck and off-roading EV that is Audi's most versatile concept Body of a coupe but with big, 22" wheels for significant ground clearance for off-roading EV can convert into a pickup truck as the back can become an open cargo bed 4-door crossover with a new powertrain that is designed to drive on and off-road Sits on the Premium Platform Electric powertrain or PPE that Audi is developing with fellow VW automaker Porsche, that will be deployed in 2023 Dual electric motors, 100 kWh battery, 436 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque with 372 mile range on a charge Autonomous driving as well as steering

  BMW i Vision Dee Source:  BMW Concept Dee Sedan Concept: Color Changing, Mobile Digital Display  BMW unveiled at CES 2023 an extraordinary, new concept car, BMW i Vision Dee, that is literally a color-changing infotainment center on wheels.  Here are the key facts and features: The EV sedan Dee stands for digital emotional experiences Dee's front grill area, windshield and windows can display information and entertainment Various parts of the car can display different colors simultaneously iVision Dee comes in two versions One version contains body panels that change colors through i Ink Another version communicates via a "user interface" and displays colors, symbols and infotainment both inside and on the outside of the car The front grill and headlights are a huge display that can showcase different shapes, communications and colors The side windows also function as displays BMW says the car can display moods and reactions to the driver and cars around it, such as sho

  First Images of Inception Concept Logo & Grill                              Source: Inception & Peugeot Other Concepts What to Expect of a Possibly Exceptional Concept Car Stellantis-owned, legendary French automaker Peugeot is famous for facile, functional vehicles and magnificent concept cars like Instinct, Exalt and Legend in the past few years.  Now, Peugeot is ready to present its next new concept car, Inception, that will debut at the CES 2023 in January.  No substantive images have been released yet. But Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson says it will showcase the "next-generation of e-native cars".  That means it will demonstrate the future of cars built from their inception as an electric vehicle.  Automotive experts expect the EV to be a stunner. Some Noteworthy Points The fact that the debut of Inception will take place at the world's top technology and electronics show portends that the new vehicle will be loaded with cutting edge technologies.  It also sugge

  Lancia Returns to Carmaking:  Goes All-Electric Luxury                                                  Source:  Lancia New Concept Pu-Ra Zero is Purely Radical Famed Italian automaker Lancia has returned to its roots of designing and making cars.  Now owned by Stellantis (Chrysler), Lancia has resurrected its brand with a very wild car concept, a new mission and a new logo.  The concept is as unique as it gets.  The "design sculpture" is called Pu-Ra Zero - as in pure, radical, zero emissions. And it does not resemble a conventional car.  In fact, it has no wheels, no windows and lacks most of the things that you expect to come with a car.  The concept is actually Lancia's design language for what will be its flagship EV of the future. Lancia defines their approach as a combination of design, art and innovation. Lancia is branding itself as an all-electric Italian luxury car brand with its first new models due in 2024. Despite its distinguished automotive history, Lanc

  Jeep's CJ Surge Concept                                                  Source:  Jeep Big, New Electromod - Retromod Trend An important and growing trend in the automotive industry is called "electromod" or "retromod", which essentially entails taking a classic, retro car and modernizing it with new visual upgrades and new technologies, particularly an electric powertrain.  A hot, new example is Jeep's fully electric, classic, upgraded Wrangler off-roader called the CJ Surge.  This new concept is being unveiled this week at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Automotive experts say the electric technology behind the vehicle could trigger a revival of classic American muscle cars.  CJ Surge also provides a new look and fresh perspective on the future of classic off-roading. Retromod CJ Surge is a substantive restoration of a late model Jeep CJ7.  It's been modernized with an electric motor and full battery electric propulsion system along with extensive v

  SAIC-GM-Wuling's Small, Electric Off-Roader with No Name                                        Source:  Baojun Teaser Images Very Small but Powerful Electric SUV Baojun, a subsidiary of the SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) joint venture, has just released teaser images of what is being called by automotive experts "a mystery car" that is an awesome, tiny, electric off-road SUV.  The EV has rugged, off-road styling, along with a very small footprint, boxy-rectangular contours with rounded edges and traditional off-road proportions.  The vehicle is a bit of a mystery.  At this point, it has no name and no logo.  But it is a concept car that appears to be production ready.  And, it is not being taken lightly because part of the brainpower behind it is coming from no less than GM and top Chinese automakers SAIC and Wuling. Styling Features The electric SUV has a prominent grille panel with quad LED lights on either side and LED taillights.  The doors occupy the largest portion of the

  ID Xtreme                                                  Source:  Volkswagen Fun New Concept from Volkswagen Volkswagen has unveiled a powerful, fun, new electric off-roader, called the ID Xtreme.  It's a concept car that packs 382 hp and is all-electric with zero emissions, on and off-road driving.  The EV is based on the new 2023 ID 4.  But the Xtreme contains factory upgrades, new technologies and accessories to make it ready for Xtreme off-roading.  New Technologies The Xtreme has all-wheel drive and software modifications to achieve 382 hp.  The EV has rally, off-road 18-inch wheels and sits much higher above the ground than the ID 4 to traverse rugged terrain.  The Xtreme has huge, wide, front fenders, a crash bar and a modified front bumper to give it a rugged, road-less-traveled look and feel. There is extra off-roading protection with a full aluminum underbody cover.  There's also a LED lighting bar on the roof.  VW has also added a sound generator in the wheels to

  Hyundai's N-Vision 74                                                    Source:  Hyundai Nod to the Past, Vision of the Future of Driving Hyundai is known for breakthrough technological innovations. And, its latest new car concept, the N-Vision 74, does not disappoint.  The N-Vision is a rear-wheel drive coupe/sports car, powered by two electric traction motors that are both positioned on the rear axle.  The energy comes from two sources:  a storage battery and a hydrogen fuel cell. The futuristic vehicle actually celebrates the past, the 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe designed by the legendary car designer Giorgetto Giurgiaro.  Ironically the gorgeous and powerful car concept was never built.  The new, 670 hp N-Vision 74 is a high-tech performance dynamo that many experts want to see go into production.  MotorTrend Magazine is calling it "the hottest car concept of the decade".   What's Special About This Car? For starters, as a concept, it is a fully drivable, productio