Important Innovations

  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

  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

  Stratolaunch's Roc Carries a Hypersonic Vehicle to 23,000 Feet                                                  Source:  Stratolaunch Major Moves Toward Hypersonic Commercial Flying at Mach 6 The world's largest airplane, California-based Stratolaunch's Roc, with a wingspan longer than a football field, just aced a major test flight while carrying a hypersonic prototype plane.  The success is important on a number of levels.  It moves Stratolaunch, whose mission is to launch small, autonomous, rocket powered hypersonic vehicles from altitudes of 35,000 feet, closer to test flying its Talon A hypersonic vehicle.  And it moves the world closer to hypersonic flying at speeds of Mach 6 and more.  This will eventually include commercial passenger planes traveling at six times the speed of sound or 4,570 mph.  That would enable passengers to fly long distance air travel at warp speeds. Aviation Technologies Deployed Roc is a highly sophisticated payload release system specifica

  Stratolaunch's Roc Carries a Hypersonic Vehicle to 23,000 Feet                                                  Source:  Stratolaunch Major Moves Toward Hypersonic Commercial Flying at Mach 6 The world's largest airplane, California-based Stratolaunch's Roc, with a wingspan longer than a football field, just aced a major test flight while carrying a hypersonic prototype plane.  The success is important on a number of levels.  It moves Stratolaunch, whose mission is to launch small, autonomous, rocket powered hypersonic vehicles from altitudes of 35,000 feet, closer to test flying its Talon A hypersonic vehicle.  And it moves the world closer to hypersonic flying at speeds of Mach 6 and more.  This will eventually include commercial passenger planes traveling at six times the speed of sound or 4,570 mph.  That would enable passengers to fly long distance air travel at warp speeds. Aviation Technologies Deployed Roc is a highly sophisticated payload release system specifica

  Nissan Nismo Off-Road Frontier Concept Source:  Nissan Nismo Off-Road Frontier New Off-Roader With a Powerful Truck Powertrain The Nissan Nismo Off-Road Frontier concept is a hefty, midsize truck that takes off-road performance to a whole new level.  This V8 vehicle is so rugged, it doesn't need a road to drive on.  It has lots of power thanks to its 5.6-liter VE engine taken from the Titan full-size pickup truck.  The engine produces 400 hp and 413 pd-ft of torque in the Titan. In essence, the new concept offers Titan power in a mid-size truck. The Off-Road Frontier was built by Forsberg Racing.  It is a highly modified vehicle concept that will be showcased at the 2022 SEMA show coming up in Las Vegas. With a slew of new off-road accessories, it operates like a Baja-style, desert running machine.  Specially Equipped Off-Roader Nissan says the Frontier Off-Roader is meant to inspire Nissan Frontier truck owners with what they could do with their own truck. The off-road accessori

  Off-Road Frontier Doesn't Need a Road Source:  Nissan Nismo Off-Road Frontier New Off-Roader With a Powerful Truck Powertrain The Nissan Nismo Off-Road Frontier concept is a hefty, midsize truck that takes off-road performance to a whole new level.  This V8 vehicle is so rugged, it doesn't need a road to drive on.  It has lots of power thanks to its 5.6-liter VE engine taken from the Titan full-size pickup truck.  The engine produces 400 hp and 413 pd-ft of torque in the Titan. In essence, the new concept offers Titan power in a mid-size truck. The Off-Road Frontier was built by Forsberg Racing.  It is a highly modified vehicle concept that will be showcased at the 2022 SEMA show coming up in Las Vegas. With a slew of new off-road accessories, it operates like a Baja-style, desert running machine.  Specially Equipped Off-Roader Nissan says the Frontier Off-Roader is meant to inspire Nissan Frontier truck owners with what they could do with their own truck. The off-road access

  Super-Fast New, Recharging Technologies                                Source: Lucid & Zerova Technologies EV Maker Lucid & Zerova Technologies' New Charging Systems The magic bullet needed for EVs to take-off exponentially around the world is super-fast and super-convenient recharging.  Several new, breakthrough recharging systems have just been announced that take us closer to that destination.  Taiwan-based Zerova Technologies just introduced its Four Gun Charger that can provide 100 miles of range in 10 minutes.  And California-based EV maker Lucid has introduced its first, at home Charge Station that can fully recharge a Lucid EV in half the time most other systems take. Zerova's Technologies At the eMove 360 Show in Berlin, Zerova unveiled its 480-kW charger called Four Gun Charger.  It can zap out 100 miles of range to an EV in 10 minutes or 50 miles in 5 minutes.  It can also charge 4 vehicles simultaneously from a single unit.  The charger is designed for bot

  Super-Fast New, Recharging Technologies                                Source: Lucid & Zerova Technologies EV Maker Lucid & Zerova Technologies' New Charging Systems The magic bullet needed for EVs to take-off exponentially around the world is super-fast and super-convenient recharging.  Several new, breakthrough recharging systems have just been announced that take us closer to that destination.  Taiwan-based Zerova Technologies just introduced its Four Gun Charger that can provide 100 miles of range in 10 minutes.  And California-based EV maker Lucid has introduced its first, at home Charge Station that can fully recharge a Lucid EV in half the time most other systems take. Zerova's Technologies At the eMove 360 Show in Berlin, Zerova unveiled its 480-kW charger called Four Gun Charger.  It can zap out 100 miles of range to an EV in 10 minutes or 50 miles in 5 minutes.  It can also charge 4 vehicles simultaneously from a single unit.  The charger is designed for bot

Alpenglow:   Breakthrough Design, Technology & Innovation                                                   Source:  Alpine Hydrogen Powered, Very Sporty Car Alpine is a Renault-owned Road car and race car brand that prides itself on being at the forefront of automotive innovation.  And, true to form, its Alpenglow luxury sedan/sportscar concept was one of the brightest stars at the recent Paris Auto Show.  According to the company, this concept vehicle sets the tone going forward on design, technology and innovation for Alpine's motorsport and road cars. Aside from the beauty of the car's design, the most fascinating aspect about Alpenglow are the two hydrogen fuel tanks that serve as the luxury vehicle's power source.  The internal combustion hydrogen motor emits only water vapor.  Two polymer pontoon fuel tanks filled with hydrogen are located on either side of the cockpit.  It offers 100% zero-emissions driving.   Design Signature and Future France-based Alpine is t

Alpine's Alpenglow: New  Design, Technology & Innovation                                                   Source:  Alpine Hydrogen Powered, Very Sporty Car Alpine is a Renault-owned Road car and race car brand that prides itself on being at the forefront of automotive innovation.  And, true to form, its Alpenglow luxury sedan/sportscar concept was one of the brightest stars at the recent Paris Auto Show.  According to the company, this concept vehicle sets the tone going forward on design, technology and innovation for Alpine's motorsport and road cars. Aside from the beauty of the car's design, the most fascinating aspect about Alpenglow are the two hydrogen fuel tanks that serve as the luxury vehicle's power source.  The internal combustion hydrogen motor emits only water vapor.  Two polymer pontoon fuel tanks filled with hydrogen are located on either side of the cockpit.  It offers 100% zero-emissions driving.   Design Signature and Future France-based Alpine i

  Dacia Manifesto Concept                                                  Source:  Dacia Manifesto Electric SUV With Minimal Environmental Footprint Just when you thought you've seen the ultimate in rugged, off-roading vehicles, take a look at this formidable electric off-roader.  It's from the Renault design group Dacia and is called the Manifesto.  It was just unveiled at the Paris Auto Show.  The EV SUV has a robust, eco-smart design and is doorless to keep passengers part of and open to the environment.  Dacia claims the Manifesto has a minimal environmental footprint.  The vehicle looks like a cross between a Moon rover and a cool, fun vehicle to enjoy the great outdoors.  The innovative design team calls it a transition point from smallish, everyday EV's to more rugged, highly capable lifestyle vehicles.   Environmental Plusses The all-electric SUV is designed to be ultra-compact, very open and feather lightweight.  The design team added some very innovative touches