Motor News

Ford unveiled a mid-size car called the Evos at the Shanghai auto show today.Although details are scarce, from the photos the Evos has an appearance with elements of a wagon, a sedan, and a crossover.This China-only model could signify what Ford’s long rumored Subaru Outback–inspired wagon for the U.S., the Fusion Active, might look like.Ford’s new mid-size car for China is the Evos, a name it used 10 years ago on a concept car that now signifies a possible replacement for our market’s Fusion sedan, perhaps in the form of the Fusion Active wagon that has been expected for a few years now.

Ford won’t say much about the Evos other than that it’s “aligned with Chinese aesthetics” and was specifically developed for that market. From the three photos Ford made available, one of which depicts it on the stand at the Shanghai auto show, the open-mesh grille and the rev counter on the instrument panel indicate the Evos is not a battery-electric car like the Mustang Mach-E. But the body proportions, from the car’s shoulder height and fastback profile to the interior’s door panels and center console, are reminiscent of that car.

Ford

As to whether you’d call it a sedan or a crossover, that’s difficult to say for certain, but it’s a good-looking vehicle. It’s not surprising that there’s quite a lot of resemblance to the concept Evos, which in 2011 previewed many styling elements of the 2013 Fusion. On the production Evos, the muscled stance and super-thin headlights from the concept look very natural on this higher-riding vehicle.

Ford

The Evos will feature Ford’s newly announced Level 2 self-driving feature called BlueCruise. Ford says it will activate on “prequalified sections of divided highways,” which is exactly how Cadillac’s Super Cruise is designed to function (by using laser-scanned 3D maps). Ford didn’t say how many miles of road in China are set up for hands-free driving. The same technology will be available in the U.S. on the Mach-E and the F-150 pickup later this year. The Evos also gets a new Ford Virtual Personal Assistant, which uses a human-machine interface to customize interior conditions. In contrast to the Mach-E’s 15.5-inch vertical display and teensy instrument panel, the Evos spans 43 inches of screens in one horizontal sweep. The VPA has a “co-driver” mode in which one side of the screen can be set up to show navigation, traffic signs, and road conditions while the passenger can look at entertainment on the other side. It also has a “relax” mode in which lighting, seat positions, and audio can be adjusted to taste. The software is modified by the Chinese tech giant Baidu and therefore unlikely to show up in other markets.Ford also hasn’t given any details about the powertrain, chassis, or anything as it relates to a potential U.S. or European version.
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The Lincoln Zephyr name is back on a concept sedan called the Zephyr Reflection Preview, which debuted at the Shanghai auto show today.Style points to notice include the fastback-style rear end and the wall-to-wall interior screens.This Zephyr could be a Continental replacement, or it could be an MKZ-size smaller sedan, but either way it’s very unlikely to come to the United States.Lincoln is bringing back the historic Zephyr name for a new concept car specifically for the China market. While the luxury brand recently canceled its MKZ and Continental models in the U.S. and now only sells SUVs here, customers in China are far more interested in the four-door-sedan body style.

Lincoln

This concept appears to be an indicator of what a new Lincoln luxury sedan for China could look like. We doubt it means much for the U.S., but it’s interesting to envision an alternate trajectory for Lincoln. We don’t know many details about the Zephyr concept, so it’s hard to know if it’s sized like a replacement for the Continental or if it’s a smaller entry similar to the now defunct Fusion-based MKZ. Its styling is reminiscent of what we’ve seen on the Aviator and Corsair SUVs and has a fastback-like greenhouse in the rear. Inside, it has wall-to-wall screens, as is the current trend.

Lincoln

Lincoln also has given no indication of the Zephyr concept car’s underpinnings or powertrain. We’d guess that the eventual production car will use some sort of plug-in-hybrid or electric drivetrain. We discovered a few years ago that Lincoln still held the trademark for the Zephyr name in the U.S. and speculated that a new rear-wheel-drive sedan model bearing that name could eventually arrive to replace the MKZ. At this point that seems like an unlikely scenario given that Ford has dropped all passenger-car models and is focusing only on trucks and SUVs going forward. So we doubt that we’ll ever see anything like this Zephyr for the U.S. market.

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Subaru has announced that the 2022 Legacy sedan is priced starting at $23,955, a $150 increase from last year, and the 2022 Outback wagon starts at $28,070, up $150 from 2021. Most trim levels’ prices are unchanged or rise no more than $100.The newly introduced 2022 Outback Wilderness model (pictured above) starts at $38,120.The 2022 Legacy and Outback will arrive in dealers this summer.Subaru has announced a full price list for the 2022 Legacy and Outback, which are getting a few new features with prices that remain the same or have increased by $100 or less, depending on trim level. In 2021, Subaru added steering-responsive LED headlights, and this year it also gives every Outback standard LED fog lights. On the Legacy, it makes 17-inch black-finished aluminum wheels standard on the base model. In 2021, they were a $350 option. Both 2022 models will arrive at dealerships this summer, Subaru said.

The 2022 Legacy sedan comes in six trim levels, all with EyeSight driver-assist technology and all-wheel drive as standard. The base, Premium, Sport, and Limited models have a 182-hp 2.5-liter boxer-four engine teamed with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. Their prices range from $23,955 for the base model to $30,905 for the Limited. The more energetic Limited XT ($35,455) and Touring XT ($37,155) have a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, also paired with a CVT.

2022 Subaru Legacy Touring XT.
Subaru

There are only three option packages on the 2022 Legacy. The first adds blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, push-button start, keyless entry, and LED fog lights ($1000), while a second adds a power sunroof and an 11.6-inch touchscreen with navigation, an improvement over the standard 7.0-inch touchscreen ($2595). The third package, which is also available on the Outback, includes a heated steering wheel, Subaru’s Driver Focus distraction alert system, the nav screen, and the sunroof ($2045). The 2022 Outback is interesting because of the newly revealed upper trim level called the Wilderness, which is priced at $38,120. Its features are based on those of the Onyx Edition XT ($36,270), which includes a hands-free power tailgate, a 180-degree front-view camera, and a full-size spare matching the Wilderness’s Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, and Subaru’s dual-function X-mode with hill-descent control. The Wilderness differs with its higher ground clearance, at 9.5 inches versus the regular Outback’s 8.7 inches, plus special suspension tuning to make it more rugged and model-specific cosmetic touches inside and out.The Outback comes with a 2.5-liter boxer-four making 182 horsepower, with a 260-hp turbo on the Wilderness and the top Limited XT and Touring XT models. There are now eight trim levels from the base Outback at $28,070 through the Touring XT at $41,070. The base model has Subaru’s EyeSight driver-asssist technology with adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability with the standard 7.0-inch touchscreen, and a rearview camera as standard. Four option packages range from $1400 to $2045 and add features including blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, rear automated emergency braking, a hands-free power tailgate, keyless access with push-button start, an 11.6-inch navigation screen, and a power moonroof.Subaru said the two 2022 models will be available at dealerships this summer.

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Michael Fletcher via Instagram

The upcoming GMC Hummer EV stands out for its monstrous combination of size and all-electric power, but its most unique feature is the one that makes it just a little bit more nimble. We just got a closer look at what it actually looks like in real life. “Crab Mode,” also referred to as crab walk, was designed to utilize the Hummer line’s four-wheel steering and electric power to freely move diagonally from a standstill, with all four wheels turning to point on the same trajectory and going forward regardless of the position of the car itself. In theory, it is an off-roading feature designed to greatly increase the situational maneuverability of what is already set to be a king of the trails. In practice, it can also be utilized as a fascinating and unnecessary way to show off the Hummer EV’s incredible set of features in traffic.
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This video, originally captured by Instagram user Michael H. Fletcher and shared by Hummer specialist shop Mod Mafia, shows a pre-production GMC Hummer EV truck (the model with the pickup bed, distinct from the slightly smaller Hummer EV SUV) utilizing the feature in stop-and-go traffic after what looks like a day of off-road testing. The feature does not seem to be serving any meaningful purpose, but the car is able to move at traffic speeds at an odd, diagonal angle with the crab walk engaged.The sight is jarring, but that is part of the goal. The Hummer EV has the ability to quite literally move like nothing else on the road. If the truck has them, might as well try out the gadgets.

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The Audi A6 e-tron, revealed today at the Shanghai auto show, is a concept for an upcoming production electric sedan that will be offered alongside the internal-combustion-engine version of the A6, not as a replacement. Audi says the stylized sportback concept is “95 percent” what the production car will look like. The A6 is built on the new PPE platform, a modular and scalable design that will allow Audi to design electric vehicles from sports cars to SUVs, and is the basis for an aggressive electric-vehicle release schedule.If anything is going to repopularize sedans, it might be electrifying them. Audi’s concept for its new A6 e-tron debuted at the 2021 Shanghai auto show, and its curvy lines, twinkly lights, and long wheelbase might just win buyers back from SUVs. If it doesn’t, Audi will be offering additional electric models to its stable—which already includes the e-tron, the e-tron GT, the newly released Q4 e-tron, and Sportback versions of the e-tron and Q4.

This concept is based on the scalable Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform, a chassis design that can be lengthened, lifted, and widened as needed to support a range of EV models. The A6 e-tron concept—which will come alongside the gas-engine A6, not as a replacement—looks slick with its silver floating grille and shaved doors. We won’t see quite so radical a car in the dealerships, but Audi says the concept is “95 percent” what we’ll get in production.
Currently, Audi’s EVs use a variety of platforms: the e-tron GT is on the J1 platform, while the Q4 e-tron is on the MEB, which is the same one that underpins the Volkswagen ID.4. Going forward after 2022, however, newly developed Audi EVs will begin to use the same PPE platform as this concept. Its modular design not only allows for different-size bodies, but also single or multiple engine configurations. Not having to work around large front-mounted engines and bulky transmission tunnels gives the designers more creative space and passengers more cabin space. The A6 e-tron has almost the same exterior dimensions as the current A6/A7 but should have an even more spacious interior. We can’t say for sure, because Audi has yet to release any interior images, but it looks big from the outside.
Performance, charging, and range are crucial selling points for any electric car, and the A6 e-tron concept uses two electric motors with a total output of 469 horsepower and is, as one would expect from Audi, all-wheel drive. All the PPE-platform vehicles will use 800-volt charging tech, which makes for fast fill-ups. At a compatible station, the battery can get 186 miles of range in 10 minutes or go from 5 to 80 percent in less than half an hour. Audi expects a full charge to offer a range of more than 400 miles.

Along with fast charging, the A6 e-tron’s use of digital lighting technology in the form of matrix LEDs and OLEDs allows for very slim lights that still meet all headlight and taillight safety requirements, and go beyond, to offer customizable designs, projected turn signals for added pedestrian warning, and even playable video games. The headlights act as a projector if you park the car facing a wall. What a concept! Electric cars aren’t just starting to look cool and be viable as alternatives to gas engines; they’re fun, too.
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Genesis has revealed the electric version of the G80 luxury sedan.It’s called the Electrified G80 and will eventually be sold in the U.S.More details about its powertrain and battery pack will be coming later this year.Genesis’s mid-size luxury sedan, the G80, will be the first model in its lineup to offer a fully electric derivative. It’s called the Electrified G80 and appears to be nearly identical to the gas-powered version aside from a few minor trim differences and a different front grille that contains a panel that opens to reveal a charging port.

We don’t know much about the G80’s electric drivetrain other than the fact that it will come standard with all-wheel drive and claims up to 310 miles of range by the global NEDC standard or 265 miles by the Korean standard. Genesis has yet to provide a battery-pack size or power output, but does say that standard fast-charging capability will be able to replenish the battery pack from 10 percent to 80 percent charge in 22 minutes. A claimed zero to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds means the electric model should be quicker than the G80’s base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, if not as fleet as the optional twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6.
The interior appears to have the same elegant dashboard design as the gas model, but Genesis says it has incorporated numerous recycled materials. Genesis has eschewed the futuristic exterior and interior design touches seen on other electric luxury sedans such as the Audi e-tron GT and Mercedes EQS in favor of a look that’s essentially indistinguishable from the conventional G80.Genesis says it will release more U.S.-specific details about the Electrified G80 later this year, which suggests it will go on sale on our shores either in late 2021 or early 2022. It will likely start command a significant price premium compared with the gas-powered G80, which starts at $48,745.
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The Lexus ES is in store for a few minor changes as it rolls into the 2022 model year.Slightly tweaked headlamps, a revised grille design, and new wheels are visual identifiers for 2022 models.Inside, the ES receives new touchscreen infotainment systems; the ES’s driver-assistance tech also gets a few upgrades.Lexus showed off the refreshed 2022 ES sedan at the Shanghai auto show today, but unless it’s parked directly next to a 2021 model, you might be hard-pressed to tell the difference. That’s probably okay, as this latest generation ES is still looking attractive even though we’re midway through its life cycle. Say what you want about the spindle grille, this sedan’s design has otherwise aged well.
Some minor tweaks to the headlights have been made, and they now feature bi-LED lamps as well as an auto-leveling feature. The grille has been tweaked, and new wheel designs have been added. Even so, the ES more or less looks the same as it did last year. Speaking of appearance, the more aggressively-styled F Sport trim will be offered on the hybrid ES300h model for the first time. Buyers of the V-6–powered ES350 F Sport model will now have the option of a new Dynamic Handling package, which adds adaptive dampers as well as Sport + and custom drive modes.
The most noticeable change for 2022 is actually on the inside, as the ES’s infotainment display has been swapped out for a touchscreen unit and has been moved closer to the driver for easier access. This fixes a minor gripe we’ve had with the ES since its last redesign, which required drivers to interact with a rather fussy touchpad on the center console as the sole way to control the car’s infotainment system. An 8.0-inch touchscreen is standard but, as in 2021 models, buyers can upgrade to a larger 12.3-inch unit.

Also on the technology front, the 2022 ES receives the upgraded Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 suite of driver-assistance features. The step from 2.0 to 2.5 brings pedestrian and cyclist detection as well as a few new features, including Intersection Turning Assist and Curve Speed Reduction, the latter of which reduces the vehicle’s speed in sharp corners when using adaptive cruise control. The updated ES will also be offered in two new colors, Iridium and Cloudburst Gray, along with a few new interior color schemes and newly available black open-pore wood trim. You can expect to see the 2022 ES at Lexus dealers in the fall.
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The Toyota bZ4X electric crossover, previewed by this concept vehicle, will be the first of Toyota’s new Beyond Zero EVs to arrive next year. It’s built on the Toyota and Subaru co-developed electric platform, and this model has a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup.There will eventually be 15 new Toyota EVs, with seven to carry the bZ name. Toyota says it has 15 new electric vehicles on the way, of which seven will use the moniker bZ, for Beyond Zero. The first to arrive will be the bZ4X crossover, previewed by this concept vehicle—a logical choice, since the RAV4 was Toyota’s best-selling car in the U.S. last year. The bZ4X will arrive in mid-2022 with others, including an electric pickup truck, to follow in the next few years.
The bZ4X concept is similar in shape and size to the RAV4 crossover but lower, with a longer wheelbase and sharper styling. From the outside, the concept captures the ethos of bold, futuristic EV looks, but we can’t say the same for the interior. It’s taken over by an awkwardly bulky steering column, with a digital gauge cluster set back far apart from the steering wheel that has an oversize hub with buttons for the cluster and driver-assistance features. A large touchscreen extends up out of the center console, which has a rotary shifter placed in the middle and storage underneath with two USB-C ports.

Toyota hasn’t said anything about battery size or range, but the bZ4X will have to compete with other electric crossovers such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, with up to 305 miles of range, and the Tesla Model Y with 326 miles of range on its Long Range model. The bZ4X, along with additional upcoming Toyota models, will be built on the e-TNGA electric vehicle platform that Toyota developed alongside Subaru, and it supports single-motor front- or rear-wheel-drive setups or dual-motor, all-wheel-drive models, like this bZ4X. A single-motor bZ4 should also be available, and we’ll see an electric vehicle from Subaru, too.
We’ll know more details about the Toyota bZ4X soon, and it will arrive in the U.S. in the middle of next year. We expect the production version to cost around $40,000 given that the plug-in-hybrid RAV4 Prime starts at $39,220.
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