All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Ford started production of Capri SUV in Cologne

A few days ago, Ford officially started production of its all-electric SUV, the Ford Capri, at a German plant. It is the second electric car that will be produced in this plant, and the other one is the Ford Explorer.

This is an important moment for the American manufacturer, which fell into a difficult situation with the too hasty decision to discontinue the production of ICE cars and become a fully electric brand. Now Ford has realized that the return of the ICE car is inevitable. Former head of the brand in Europe Martin Sanders, following the moves of other manufacturers, wanted Ford to take the best possible position in the EV market. However, his focus on Volkswagen was misguided. While the German company kept its strategy of selling ICE cars, Sanders hastened and discontinued the Fiesta and started preparations to do the same with the Focus in 2025. It was the wrong move, and perhaps the Explorer, which records good sales results, and Capri could be the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Capri is 4.63 meters long, is based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform and will be offered in two versions: Standard Range and Extended Range. The Standard Range is equipped with a 52 kWh battery, has rear-wheel drive, and the price starts at 44,950 euros. The Extended Range is equipped with a larger 79 kWh battery, has all-wheel drive and a starting price of 55,950 euros.

The plant in Cologne has a production capacity of up to 250,000 cars per year, and the goal is to increase production to 600 cars per day during two shifts by October.

Source: Ford

EV

Lotus Theory 1 Concept

Lotus has revealed its new Theory 1 electric concept, which heralds the arrival of a new generation of its sports cars. A production version is not planned for release before 2027.

The Lotus Theory 1 is an electric supercar with a three-seat configuration like that of the McLaren F1. It is equipped with a carbon body, butterfly doors and many other carbon components, and the design resembles the S1 Esprit from 1977. It looks slimmer, narrower and more beautiful than the Evija model.

The car also brings a lot of innovations and one of them is Lotuswear, a system of adaptive robotics covered with textiles, which Lotus developed with Motorskins and which can provide haptic feedback to the driver through the seat and steering wheel. The small pods provide pulses to suggest to the driver when to turn, and can also function as buttons. However, there are some things Lotus fans may not like, such as the Steer-by-wire system that allows drivers to adjust the ratio of steering and feel.

Theory 1 is powered by two electric motors with a total power of 1,000 hp (735 kW). It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph), and has all-wheel drive. It is equipped with a 70 kWh battery that enables a range of 402 kilometers. There are also Pirelli P Zero Elect tires, developed to reduce rolling resistance and increase range by 10 percent.

Source: Lotus

Gallery:

Lotus Theory 1 Concept
News

Toyota is developing a new engine

Toyota engineers are working intensively on the development of a new engine that could become more popular than the powerful 2JZ straight six. It is an engine that will power Toyota and Lexus cars.

The new engine is part of a family of 1.5- and 2.0-liter inline-four engines, each of which will be optimized for hybrid or plug-in hybrid assistance and compatible with alternative fuels, which could give them a chance to live long after of traditional internal combustion engines that are disappearing due to restrictions. In addition to the 400 hp four-cylinder engine, a 300 hp version will also be available, meaning Toyota will have a great choice of powertrains ready for the upcoming MR2 and Celica models.

Also, a Lexus RC coupe powered by this 600 hp (441 kW) engine, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, is currently being tested. Although Lexus has not released any information about this car, the first information came from a Japanese journalist, who had the opportunity to see the IS sedan equipped with a version of the same engine, but with 400 hp (294 kW) and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Engineers claim it’s only a motorsport project, but it seems possible that Lexus could fit the new engine into the production coupe. Whether a manual gearbox will also be installed in the new cars remains to be seen, as Lexus is not known for such gearboxes. However, a simulated manual transmission system for electric cars has been tested, so perhaps there is hope.

Source: The Drive