Posts

China's Surprise, Tiny, E-SUV Off-Roader

Image
  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

Surprise EV Off-Roader from China

Image
  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

Chicago Puts AirTaxis into Acceleration

Image
  Windy City Air Taxi Testing Underway                                                       Source: Eve Chicago Accelerates the Dawn of Cities With Flying Taxis In what appears to be a world first, Embraer's Eve eVTOLs have been participating in real-world simulated test flights in Chicago, using helicopters as substitutes for the eVTOL flying taxis.  The test program is called the Chicago XP program and it has been taking place throughout September 2022.  So far, it is quite a success.  The helicopters, which take off and land vertically like an eVTOL which are not authorized yet to fly, have been operating out of three Chicago area heliports.  Passengers are able to use tablets with special software to see how the eVTOLs and vertiports in real, operational mode would look and work. Why the Simulations? Eve air taxis will be ready to go into fully operational service by 2026, pending regulatory clearance by the FAA and other aviation authorities.  The Chicago simulations are prov

Air Taxis Fast Lane - Chicago

Image
  Windy City Air Taxi Testing Underway                                                       Source: Eve Chicago Accelerates the Dawn of Cities With Flying Taxis In what appears to be a world first, Embraer's Eve eVTOLs have been participating in real-world simulated test flights in Chicago, using helicopters as substitutes for the eVTOL flying taxis.  The test program is called the Chicago XP program and it has been taking place throughout September 2022.  So far, it is quite a success.  The helicopters, which take off and land vertically like an eVTOL which are not authorized yet to fly, have been operating out of three Chicago area heliports.  Passengers are able to use tablets with special software to see how the eVTOLs and vertiports in real, operational mode would look and work. Why the Simulations? Eve air taxis will be ready to go into fully operational service by 2026, pending regulatory clearance by the FAA and other aviation authorities.  The Chicago simulations are prov

Volkswagen's Vision of Autonomous Cars

Image
  Fascinating New, Self-Driving, All Electric Car                                                  Source: Volkswagen VW's Gen Travel - A Tech Showcase on Wheels Volkswagen has developed a remarkable, new, Level 5 autonomous, electric travel pod that's futuristic, wild and very cool.  Called the Gen Travel, the self-driving, all electric, pod-like vehicle is an innovative design study which VW has already produced as a prototype.  It can carry 4 passengers and the interior can be customized for the nature of each trip. For example, it can be equipped with a conference table for businesspeople to work on.  Or it can be outfitted as an entertainment center on wheels with augmented reality.  And, for those just off a red-eye flight, it offers dynamic, restful lighting and reconfigurable seats that can help induce a snooze.  The cabin is bubble-like glass designed to promote autonomous relaxation as you're driven along the road.  With its gullwing doors for easy entrance and ex

VW's Cool Autonomous Travel Pod

Image
  Fascinating New, Self-Driving, All Electric Car                                                  Source: Volkswagen VW's Gen Travel - A Tech Showcase on Wheels Volkswagen has developed a remarkable, new, Level 5 autonomous, electric travel pod that's futuristic, wild and very cool.  Called the Gen Travel, the self-driving, all electric, pod-like vehicle is an innovative design study which VW has already produced as a prototype.  It can carry 4 passengers and the interior can be customized for the nature of each trip. For example, it can be equipped with a conference table for businesspeople to work on.  Or it can be outfitted as an entertainment center on wheels with augmented reality.  And, for those just off a red-eye flight, it offers dynamic, restful lighting and reconfigurable seats that can help induce a snooze.  The cabin is bubble-like glass designed to promote autonomous relaxation as you're driven along the road.  With its gullwing doors for easy entrance and ex

Skoda's Virtual Electric Race Car

Image
  Digital Fun and Games                                                                                     Source: Skoda Spectacular New Design Study Czech-based electric carmaker Skoda  has just unveiled a stunning digital design study, called the Skoda Vision GT, to showcase the future potentialities of automotive technologies and design.  The Vision GT is a digital tease of an electric race car that is based on the original,1957 Skoda 100 OHC sports car. The digital version is a single seat, open-top all electric race car with a low body and very advanced aerodynamics.  Style and Power The imaginary, digital vehicle has sleek, futuristic styling with sharp lines but also touches of the 1957 1100 OHC with its muscular body proportions and red coloring.  There are large intake valves, slim LED headlights and huge alloy wheels.  And there is a snazzy rear wing that's inspired by Formula-1 race cars. Highly Advanced Tech Skoda has filled this vehicle with the ultimate in technologi