Enlarge / Honda started using VR in car design in 2017, which came in handy once coronavirus made collaborating in person impossible. (credit: Honda)

After March 2020, every automaker on the planet had to rethink how it leveraged technology. Everything from design and engineering to key partnerships needed to be rethought to keep businesses running. While Honda may not be the automaker you think of as pushing the automotive tech envelope, its long-time presence in Silicon Valley and its forward-thinking made it relatively early to the advanced tech-design game when the pandemic hit.

To that end, Honda has been using virtual reality design systems, and its long-time relationship with Google, to bring better products to Honda customers. We got an exclusive peek inside the VR studio and a brief look at Honda’s new "Google Built-In" experience coming to the 2023 Honda Accord, and perhaps a few hints at what could be coming for Honda owners and drivers alike.

Inside the Honda VR studio and a virtual Honda Prologue EV

Honda has built a completely digital design studio that helps designers and engineers on opposite sides of the world collaborate on future designs, including one of Honda’s first consumer battery-electric vehicles.

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Enlarge / The Polestar 3's bodywork has been optimized in the wind tunnel. (credit: Polestar)

After a sublime-but-limited-production GT and a stylish fastback sedan , Polestar is launching its third vehicle, the aptly named Polestar 3. It's a performance-oriented SUV on the larger side of the spectrum, built on a new EV-only platform developed together with part-owner and Geely stablemate Volvo.

Polestar opens its order books for the Polestar 3 today, but if you push that button, be prepared for a bit of a wait before you take delivery, as the first cars may only reach these shores toward the end of next year. But Polestar is pretty sure this one will resonate with a North American audience, and local production of the Polestar 3 in Ridgeville, South Carolina, should begin in 2024.

"Polestar 3 is a powerful electric SUV that appeals to the senses with a distinct, Scandinavian design and excellent driving dynamics. It also takes our manufacturing footprint to the next level, bringing Polestar production to the United States. We are proud and excited to expand our portfolio as we continue our rapid growth," said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath.

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Enlarge / A shiny black panel instead of a front grille, and more aero-efficient wheels are some of the subtle clues that this is a Mercedes-Benz EQB and not a Mercedes-Benz GLB. (credit: Jonathan Gitlin)

Mercedes-Benz provided flights from DC to Stuttgart and back, plus two nights in a hotel so we could drive the EQB and the Vision EQXX . Ars does not accept paid editorial content.

IMMENDINGEN, GERMANY—You have to be very observant to spot the difference between Mercedes-Benz's new EQB electric crossover and its GLB crossover that has been around for a couple of years now. Most obviously, there's that big glossy black panel in place of the traditional grille, now a common feature on all Mercedes EVs, but you'll also note slightly more aerodynamic wheels and the lack of any exhaust pipes, plus the EQ badges on the back, of course. And a look underneath the car reveals a flat underfloor that helps the flow of air around the vehicle in motion.

It's the latest EV from Mercedes-Benz, and it's the cheapest EV on sale to wear a three-pointed star, starting at $54,500.

The biggest difference between the GLB we tested in 2020 and the EQB is the powertrain. Open the hood and you're greeted by a mess of mechanicals, although a closer look reveals this to be the EQB's front electric motor, plus control electronics and HVAC componentry instead of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. For the US, there's a single choice of lithium-ion traction battery with a useable capacity of 66.5 kWh (70.5 kWh gross), operating at 420 V.

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Enlarge / After building the R1T adventure truck, Rivian has followed up with the R1S SUV. (credit: Jonathan Gitlin)

Rivian provided flights from DC to Albany and back, plus two nights in a hotel so we could drive the R1S. Ars does not accept paid editorial content.

Last September, we drove one of Rivian's new electric trucks and found its R1 platform highly competent on and off the road, with an impressive level of engineering that made driving to the top of a mountain almost effortless . It's been a tough few months for the electric vehicle maker since then, with supply chain issues delaying deliveries , a former executive filing a discrimination lawsuit, and shareholders upset about a rather clumsy price hike .

But Rivian remains very well-funded, and its factory in Normal, Illinois, is finding its feet building electric trucks as well as delivery vans for Amazon . Now another R1-based EV is entering production—the R1S SUV.

Like its truck sibling, the R1S is a friendly-looking thing, particularly compared to the more aggressive SUVs coming out of Detroit. Partly that's down to the design of the lights, which should set off your pareidolia , and partly down to what now passes for a relatively low hood height, with curved edges finding favor over sharp creases at the corners.

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Enlarge / We've come to expect controversial styling from BMW, but the iX's face is starting to grow on me. (credit: Jonathan Gitlin)

BMW provided a flight from DC to Berlin and a flight from Milan back to DC, plus nights in hotels in Berlin, Munich, and Como, so we could drive the iX M60 and attend the Villa d'Este concours. Ars does not accept paid editorial content.

These days, carmakers are in a bit of a quandary. For generations, the industry has evolved and refined its products, and now it’s time to throw away that knowledge as it pertains to internal combustion technology and learn all new things about electric powertrains. This feeling must be particularly acute in the more specialized corners of the industry, like the go-fast merchants responsible for those factory-built, souped-up sedans and SUVs with badges that read AMG, Blackwing, and the like.

BMW M is arguably the most famous, having just celebrated its 50th anniversary this past week. For decades, since the mid-engined BMW Turbo concept of 1972, the tricolor badge has been a byword for sharp handling and plenty of power, usually delivered by a peach of an engine. But the future is electrified, even at M, which is why we were in Berlin to try out its latest creation, a tweaked version of BMW’s latest electric SUV, the 2023 iX M60.

BMW's M has just celebrated its 50th anniversary by debuting an M4 CSL. But it has also just released another new M car, the iX M60. (credit: Jonathan Gitlin)

We had our first taste of the iX last summer . It's a controversial-looking thing, as with so many of BMW's more recent creations, and it's best thought of as an all-electric alternative to the more conventional X5 SUV. But the engineers at M have now gotten their hands on the iX, having already worked their magic on the i4 M50 .

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Are electric cars the future? That might be debatable for some, but the car-makers are going full steam ahead with their EV plans. While, at the moment, a country like India is not yet ready for electric vehicles in regard to the infrastructure, electricity supply, and other issues, the number of electric cars available is also very less.

You have Tata Nexon EV , Hyundai Kona , and MG ZS — the next offering is the Rs 1 crore EQC from Mercedes. Yes, that is a large gap and Volvo wants a big piece from that un-occupied space. With no compact luxury SUV that is electric on the horizon, the XC40 Recharge would have no competition as of this year or even in the foreseeable future. But what is the XC40 Recharge all about? Let’s take an exclusive look at the car before its October launch.

How does Volvo XC40 Recharge look?

It is an XC40 all right but a closer look will reveal that it is no standard petrol XC40. The front grille is changed and there is no grille since there is no engine, so you get a painted body cover.

Apart from that, the famous Thor’s Hammer Volvo style lights and compact plus boxy appearance make the XC40 look more like an SUV when compared to rivals. We also see different wheels and we can expect more color options.

The rear styling is the same which means you can see the large typical Volvo style tail-lamps that stand out. You can spot a small badge that signifies it as the EV version. Else, it is the standard XC40.

What about the interiors?

Open the solid feeling doors and it is the regular XC40. You have the same large portrait touch screen and an all-black cabin. There is stitching and the quality is very plush. Equipment levels would also be expected to be similar in order to keep the costs down but the XC40 Recharge is expected to get a few extra features.

The instrument cluster is different for the EV version, while it is the first Volvo to get a brand-new infotainment system powered by the Google Android operating system. The infotainment system also has the Volvo ‘On Call’ connected tech feature, using which you can check the range or your driving habits plus more features.

Tell me about the XC40 Recharge power and range…

Yes, these are the main factors that you should keep in mind when buying an EV. The XC40 Recharge, with two electric motors, gets a 78kWh lithium-ion battery which is located in the floor. This is an electric all-wheel-drive power-train that has a total power output of 408hp and 660Nm. The power figures are impressive too as it is capable of reaching 100kmph in just 4.9 seconds. That is proper fast! There are also drive modes and the top-speed is limited to 180 km/h only.

Moving on to Volvo XC40 Recharge range: More than a conventional car, the range of an EV is more important as charging stations are far too few. In the XC40 Recharge, the range figure is 418km which is one of the best in India. This figure is not an ARAI figure but on the basis of the WLTP and EPA driving cycle. However, one should expect a rear-world range comfortably near 350km or at least above 300km. This means it will take care of your daily commute for a few days without the need for any charging!

The impressive range would be the main confidence booster in buying an EV. With XC40 Recharge, you can visit Jaipur once and charge it while coming back. While it might seem tight for many to attempt that, as a city-based commuter, the XC40 Recharge could be the ideal luxury SUV. It will also get regenerative modes to adjust the regenerative braking and different modes.

What is the charging time?

The XC40 Recharge supports fast charging and the battery charges up to 80 percent of its capacity in 40 minutes. The XC40 Recharge will also get charging equipment bundled with it.

Volvo has not yet disclosed details regarding the charging infrastructure but we expect their dealers to have charging facility and they can tie-up regarding installing chargers at popular places. There are currently 25 dealerships in cities including in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi NCR – South Delhi, West Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Raipur, Jaipur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, West Mumbai, South Mumbai, Pune, Raipur, Surat, Vishakhapatnam and Vijayawada.

What would be the price of XC40 Recharge?

That is another crucial factor in determining how well the XC40 Recharge can do in India. The standard petrol XC40 starts at Rs 40 lakh while the electric version should be Rs 10 lakhs more. With a cost of Rs 50 lakh or slightly more, the XC40 Recharge should find takers since it is the only full electric SUV at this price point.

The XC40 Recharge has a good enough range and is as spacious as the standard XC40 which means the leap to electric will not compromise practicality. Volvo wants to double its volume in India in the next 2 years while it wants the majority of its sales to be electric by 2025. With the XC40 Recharge, we think it has a good chance.

The post Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric SUV: Exclusive First Review, Specs, Images appeared first on Fossbytes .

The 2021 Tesla Model Y recently received some interior tweaks and is ready to be sold in the U.S. market. The latest variant of the electric crossover Model Y, or the commonly known refreshed version, is the latest among its siblings to receive any major update.

In the past few months, Tesla brought some major updates to all of its electric cars, including the Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model 3 .

With Model Y refresh, the entire line-up of Tesla is up to date. However, compared to its siblings there are very few changes in the electric crossover SUV Model Y. Anyway, without any further ado, let’s get to the details of what all new is there in the 2021 Tesla Model Y.

2021 Tesla Model Y Refresh – Interior Changes

Recently, a member of Tesla Motors Club ‘joeinsac’ spotted the new Model Y in California and shared its images. Here’s what we can say from the images:

New Center Console

The biggest difference you see is the center console between the front seats. The center console now has a matt black finish and a retractable sliding cover. Above this sliding cover and right below the center screen is the location of the wireless charger.

Earlier the center console was in piano black color with a glossy finish. In addition, it was a foldable cover instead of a sliding one.

Customers Had Issues With Old Center Console

The problem that most owners faced was due to the high glossy surface of the center console. Due to the shiny cover, it easily catches fingerprints, scratches, and dirt frequently.

The owners had to clean it regularly. So, this was the problem with it.

Similar changes to the center console were first brought to the 2021 Tesla Model 3. However, the Model 3 received a lot more updates like a heat pump, black trims, dual pane window, and much more.

The reason Model Y gets a minor update is quite simple. The Model Y was launched in March 2020 and is already equipped with features like a heat pump and black trim of handles. Hence, it doesn’t need a major update now.

However, there’s something interesting that might surprise you. The refreshed variant of the Tesla Model Y is already in the markets in China for more than a month now.

Is Tesla Model Y China Is Ahead Of U.S. In Receiving Updates?

As per the sources, Tesla Model Y was launched earlier this year in China, and it has all the features of the updated version.

Additionally, there are more features like a heated steering wheel, HEPA air filtration system, and more. We hope these features, too, will make their way to the U.S.-focused Model Y.

What do you guys think? Share your views in the comments section below.

Source : Teslarati

The post 2021 Tesla Model Y Receives Interior Updates: Look What’s Changed? appeared first on Fossbytes .