Motor News

Electric vehicle startup Canoo unveils two electric delivery vans and announces a third is on the way.
The vans, which compare in size to a wider Honda Odyssey and a wider Kia Niro, will have up to 450 cubic feet of cargo space and an EPA-estimated range of up to 230 miles.
Early models will be available in 2022, with full production coming in 2023.
While consumer EVs are where the fun is, fleet and business EVs will do a lot to reduce carbon emissions and when done correctly will actually save companies money, since EVs require less maintenance to keep on the road. Electric-vehicle startup Canoo is targeting that demographic as it unveils its upcoming delivery vehicle lineup.

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The startup is offering two different variants of its futuristic-looking electric vans, which will be priced starting at $33,000. The MPDV1, about the same overall length as the Kia Niro but about seven inches wider, has 200 cubic feet of cargo space. The taller MPDV2, roughly the same overall length as a Honda Odyssey but about eight inches wider, will have 450 cubic feet of space. Both will be powered by a single motor on the front axle outputting 200 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The MPDV1 will be outfitted with battery packs from 40.0 kWh to 80.0 kWh with EPA estimated ranges from 130 to 230 miles. The MPDV2 will get the same pack sizes, but with EPA estimated ranges from 90 miles to 190 miles likely due to the increased size of this vehicle.

Canoo

According to Canoo, DC fast charging on the 80.0-kWh battery pack will take 28 minutes from 20 to 80 percent. Since these vehicles will likely be roaming cities picking up and delivering packages, range is less of an issue than in a consumer EV.

Canoo

Canoo states that limited availability of the vehicle will begin in 2022, with full production planned for 2023. Canoo has already shown off a passenger van, and a third commercial model, the MPDV3, will be launched later and will likely be in the Class 3 truck category. As is the fashion for newly announced vehicles these days, the company is taking refundable $100 deposits to order one of the delivery vans.
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Alfa Romeo has reduced the number of trim levels available on the 2021 Stelvio and 2021 Giulia from seven to four.
The entry-level Giulia Sprint will start at $40,745 and the entry-level Stelvio Sprint will start at $42,745, with the top-end Quadrifoglio models priced at $76,345 and $82,345 respectively.
2021 Giulias and Stelvios are arriving in North American showrooms now, according to Alfa Romeo.
Navigating options and trim levels of a vehicle can be difficult when an automaker gets a little too overzealous with variants of a vehicle. It also makes manufacturing a bit of a nightmare as the production lines have to account for dozens of different options one more than a few trim levels. One or both of those reasons are likely why Alfa Romeo has announced it has trimmed the number of trim levels for the 2021 Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV.

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For 2021, Alfa Romeo will offer four trim levels: Sprint, Ti, Ti Sport, and the sportiest version, Quadrifoglio. The base Sprint model is named in honor of the 1954 Giulietta Sprint. As for what’s available on the rebranded entry-level Stelvio and Giulia, Alfa notes both vehicles will receive the same 280-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s in the current models, plus an 8.8-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, Brembo front brakes, leather seats, and forward collision warning with full-speed stop.

2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
FCA

Further consolidating its lineup, Alfa has also taken two driver assistance packages and combined them into one, called Active Assist I. The Ti models of both Stelvio and Giulia also get a standard dual-pane sunroof. The Ti Sport now receives a limited-slip differential, dark exhaust, sport rear diffuser, and 20-inch aluminum wheels. The Quadrifoglio’s standard features and powerful 505-hp twin-turbo V-6 are unchanged.
Four new colors are available: Ocra GT Junior, Rosso GTA, Rosso Villa d’Este, and the stunning Verde Montreal.
The Giulia’s base model, the Sprint, now starts at $40,745, a $350 increase from the base 2020 Giulia, while the top Quadrifoglio model is priced at $76,345. All-wheel drive costs $2000 extra on all trim levels but the Quadrifoglio, on which it’s standard.
The Stelvio starts at $42,745, only a $50 increase from the 2020 model, and the top Quadrifoglio costs $82,345. All-wheel drive costs $2000 extra on the Stelvio Sprint and is standard on the other trim levels.
Adding AWD to any of the Giulia trims and Stelvio Sprint will cost an additional $2000. The rest of the Stelvio trim levels offer all-wheel-drive standard. Alfa Romeo says the 2021 Giulia and Stelvio are currently arriving in North American showrooms.

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Nissan has announced pricing for the 2021 Murano mid-size crossover, which adds three new color choices.
The base S model starts at $33,605, the SV at $36,735, the SL at $41,105, and the top-of-the-line Platinum at $45,155.
The 2021 Nissan Murano is on sale in the U.S. now.
The Nissan Murano mid-size crossover hasn’t changed much for the 2021 model year, besides adding colors and replacing the previous model year’s SV Premium package with a new Special Edition package, but a new generation should be coming soon. It starts at $33,605, and it’s on sale in the U.S. now.

Nissan

That’s for the base front-wheel-drive S model, which comes equipped with 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-season tires. All-wheel drive, which is available on all four trims, ups the S’s price to $35,155. The SV model, which also gets the set of 18s (the special edition package adds a moonroof, 360-degree camera, Prima-Tex heated front seats, and 20-inch Dark Charcoal wheels), starts at $36,735 and costs $38,285 for the all-wheel-drive model. Murano SL models start at $41,105 ($42,655 with AWD) and get a set of 20-inch wheels, while the top-of-the-line Platinum model, which gets 20-inch Dark Hyper Silver wheels, starts at $45,155 and $46,705 for all-wheel drive.

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Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 package is standard on all four models and includes automated emergency braking, high-beam assist, lane-departure and blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automated braking. The 2021 Murano is powered by a 260-hp 3.5-liter V-6 paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Three exterior colors are new for the 2021 Murano: Magnetic Black, Boulder Gray, and Scarlet Ember.
The 2021 Nissan Murano is on sale in the U.S. now starting at $33,605 for the base S model, which undercuts the Honda Passport’s base price by $105, and topping out at $46,705 for the all-wheel drive Platinum model.
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Honda is recalling 1.4 million vehicles, including a recall for 430,000 cars in 22 states that could experience breakage of the left or right front driveshafts due to salt corrosion.
This problem could cause a rollaway vehicle even when it’s left in park without the parking brake activated, but Honda says there have been no accidents or injuries reported.
Honda is also recalling 737,000 Accord, Accord Hybrid, and Insight cars for a software update and 268,000 2002–2006 CR-Vs to replace faulty window switches.
American Honda has announced recalls of 430,000 vehicles to check and potentially replace the left and/or right front driveshafts because of salt corrosion. The recall will include the 2007–2014 Honda Fit, the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, the 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, the 2013–2015 Acura ILX, and the 2013–2015 Honda Accord (the 2013 Accord is pictured above). The Accord is under a separate recall from the other vehicles, Honda said.

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The automaker said the problem with the driveshafts is “a combination of potentially damaged or incorrectly cured protective coatings during driveshaft assembly and long-term exposure to road salt primarily used in the northeastern United States.” If a driveshaft were to break, it could cause the vehicle to lose motive power or to roll while in park if the parking brake is not in use. However, Honda said no accidents or injuries have been reported to date.
A Honda spokesperson told Car and Driver that the Accord is getting its own separate recall because the problems experienced by the Accord are different. “While the ultimate end result may be the same—a corroded and potentially broken driveshaft—the root causes or identified defects behind the corrosion are a bit different, prompting two different recalls,” the spokesperson said. “The recall affecting certain 2013–2015 Honda Accords involves chemical damage to the protective coating during driveshaft assembly caused by a lubricant. The recall affecting the other listed models is related to an improper heating process during application of the protective coating, possibly leading to chipping of the paint. In both cases, the metal of the driveshaft can be exposed to road salt, which may, over a long period, cause rust and lead to breakage of the driveshaft.”
States where the recalls will take place are Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, plus the District of Columbia. Recall notices will go out in February, but owners may have to wait until parts are available, Honda said.

2020 Honda Insight.
Honda

Accord, Accord Hybrid, Insight Recalled for Software Update
Also announced today, Honda will recall 737,000 cars to update body control module (BCM) software. The problem is a “programming flaw” that could cause warning lights to light up unnecessarily and the rearview camera display, turn signals, and wipers to malfunction. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries. This recall includes 2018–2020 Accord and Accord Hybrid and 2019–2020 Honda Insight vehicles. Owners will be notified starting in January, and they are asked to take their vehicles in to dealers for a software update to address the problem.

2002 Honda CR-V.
Honda

CR-V Recalled for Window Switch
Separately, Honda is recalling 268,000 CR-Vs from model years 2002–2006 over a problem with the power window master switch. The automaker said rain or spilled liquids could seep into the switch in the driver’s door if the window is open, eventually making it possible for the switch to overheat, melt, and cause damage to the switch and an “associated wire harness.” There is also a risk of fire, Honda said. There have been 16 reports of related fires but no injuries. These switches were previously recalled in 2012, at which time they were repaired instead of replaced. The current recall begins in January, and this time Honda will replace switches in affected vehicles.
For all recalls, owners can check the Honda or Acura recall sites or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalls website to find out if their vehicle is involved.
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The 2021 Toyota Mirai fuel-cell vehicle, out later in December, gets an impressive price reduction of $9090 compared with the outgoing model.
The vehicle will be available in two trims: the $50,455 XLE and the $66,955 Limited.
All Mirais will come with a $15,000 fuel credit and 21 days of free car rentals, too.
Price drops are common enough in the automotive world: a few hundred here, a few hundred there. But the cash difference between the 2021 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle and the previous generation is rather extreme at $9090. That’s a huge gap between the vehicles and probably enough that a few folks who bought the current 2020 Mirai may be subject to extreme buyer’s remorse.

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2020 Toyota Mirai

The 2021 Toyota Mirai starts at $50,455, while the 2020 Mirai will empty your bank account to the tune of $59,545. For those looking for a more premium Mirai experience, Toyota has introduced a Limited trim level for 2021 that starts at $66,955. This pricier fuel-cell vehicle comes with a moonroof, 19-inch black aluminum wheels (20-inchers are an $1120 option), rain-sensing wipers, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, three climate zones, a parking assistant, and a host of other standard features.
Buying a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle might not be in the cards for most, considering the lack of nationwide infrastructure, so Toyota has a starting lease price of $499 for the XLE and $549 for the Limited trim level. Whether purchased or leased, all new Mirais come with a $15,000 credit for hydrogen fuel and 21 days of complimentary vehicle rentals for the first three years of ownership. Presumably that’s for times when owners want to drive beyond the limits of the hydrogen-fueling infrastructure.
As of now, that infrastructure is pretty much limited to California. If enough fueling stations open up in other states, Toyota will likely sell the vehicle in those regions, but for now, it’s a California-only sedan. The 2021 Mirai is expected to go on sale later this month.
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Lordstown Motors and RV retailer Camping World held a joint press conference today, saying they are teaming up to electrify camping vehicles as well as to service Lordstown’s Endurance electric trucks.
The first vehicles will be “Class E” electrified travel trailers that are powered via battery packs instead of the traditional generator when hookups are unavailable.
Camping World is also working with Good Sam to make sure there will be charging stations for these trailers and for a future electric RV.
Lordstown Motors, the Ohio-based EV startup, has been in the news for its plan to produce the Endurance electric pickup for fleet sales. But the company has also been busy taking a look at the current rise in RV usage and enthusiasm for van life. To that end, it’s teaming up with Camping World to build electrified travel trailers and, eventually, an electric RV that both companies are calling a Class E RV.

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On the service center news, Lordstown sees the proliferation of Camping World locations as a good match for the small Midwestern city. Camping World would service Lordstown’s Endurance trucks and possibly in the future sell the trucks as well. This would free up Lordstown from having to build out its own service centers. It would also help jump-start electrification within the RV industry, which both companies talked about during a joint press conference from Ohio today.

Lordstown, Camping World CEOs on the floor at Lordstown Motors’ plant in Ohio on December 15.
Camping World via Facebook

The partnership will also yield electrified RVs and travel trailers. Lordstown will likely adapt its platform to accommodate an RV and will work on a battery for travel trailers that can be integrated by companies such as Thor that build fifth wheels. Those vehicles will be available through Camping World. The retailer’s CEO, Marcus Lemonis, said the company will spend $4 million updating its infrastructure to handle electrification, which would include training its service and call centers to include the needs of Endurance trucks and electrified travel vehicles. They will also work with Good Sam (of which Lemonis is also the CEO) to ensure they have EV charging stations for both electric RVs and trailers at Camping World locations.
Camping World plans to have a mock environment ready for testing by June 2021 and an electrified trailer available to test in 2021. Consumers should see them on sale in 2022, the company projected.
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