Opel CEO, Michael Lohscheller, says, “This second generation shows everything Opel stands for today and, in the future, it will change the perception of our brand. Our engineers still have important work to do, but I’m looking forward to presenting the new Mokka soon.” 

No specific technical information has been released but electric production vehicles are scheduled to be available in early 2021, with combustion models to follow.  

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The battery-powered Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 prototype is purpose-built and projected to deliver over 1,400 horsepower and over 1,100 ft.-lbs. of instant torque to demonstrate the capabilities of an electric powertrain in one of the most demanding race environments. 

“Ford has always used motorsport to demonstrate innovation,” said Dave Pericak, global director of Ford Icons. “Electric powertrains give us a completely new kind of performance and the all-electric Cobra Jet 1400 is one example of pushing new technology to the absolute limit.” 

The limit of the Cobra’s performance is expected to be a quarter-mile time in the low-8-second range with a top speed upwards of 170mph. 

Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 also honors the original Cobra Jet that first dominated drag strips in the late 1960s and still is a major force in sportsman drag racing today. 

Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports, says, “We saw the Cobra Jet 1400 project as an opportunity to start developing electric powertrains in a race car package that we already had a lot of experience with, so we had performance benchmarks we wanted to match and beat right now.” 

The Cobra Jet 1400 will make its world debut later this year at a drag racing event yet to be decided. 

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Toyota’s fourth generation hybrid technology features a new 1.5-litre, three-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine with a 59kW electric drive motor, combining for a total power output of 85kW. 

The system operates with a thermal efficiency of 40% producing a maximum power output of 114bhp. CO2 emissions start from below 120g/km for the front-wheel drive model with the AWD-i version from below 135g/km (WLTP provisional data, subject to homologation). 

The all electric AWD-i system directs drive torque to the rear axle when accelerating, while in normal driving conditions the Yaris Cross operates with front-wheel drive. When low-grip conditions are detected, all-wheel drive is engaged automatically. 

The engine and powertrain have been mounted on the new GA-B platform resulting with the Yaris Cross having the same 2,560mm wheelbase as the Yaris hatchback, to be released this summer, but is 240mm longer overall, with 60mm added to the front overhang and 180mm to the rear. Ground clearance is 30mm higher and the vehicle is taller and wider overall – by 90 and 20mm respectively. 

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For models with a transversely installed engine and the 8G-DCT dual-clutch transmission, a compact hybrid traction head was developed whose electric machine works as a permanently excited synchronous machine with an internal rotor. Its stator is an integral component of the traction head housing, the rotor of the electric motor comprises the low-loss separator clutch running in the oil bath.  

On-demand stator and rotor cooling make it possible to call on both the peak and continuous performance of the electric machine without any compromise. The structure of the hybrid components enables Mercedes-Benz to do without a 12V starter, as only the electric machine is used for starting and boosting the combustion engine.  

For the third-generation EQ Power hybrids the company has changed from lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePo) to lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt (Li-NMC) allowing increased cell capacity from 22 to 37 Ah. As a result, battery packs are more compact, with advantages for boot capacity and cabin space. 

A lithium-ion battery with an overall capacity of approx. 15.6 kWh serves as an energy storage unit for the electrical system. It can be charged with alternating or direct current.  The compact plug-in hybrids can be charged with alternating current (AC) within 1 h 45 min from 10-100% SoC. With the faster direct current (DC) the charging time reduces to 25 minutes from 10-80% SoC. The water-cooled batteries weigh approximately 150 kilograms.  

Third-generation Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid produces a CO2 output approximately 20% higher than a comparable model with conventional drive, mainly down to the high-voltage battery. 

Systematic use of the plug-in function, i.e. regular charging of the battery via the network, combined with the higher efficiency in operating status itself, cuts the CO2 output by 40%, even with the energy mix currently available in Germany. If the starter battery is charged exclusively with green power, the CO2 saving of the EQ Power models from Mercedes-Benz even rises to 70%. 

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The innovation centre – known internally as QUANT-City – will encompass a production facility for the nanoFlowcell itself, its membrane and the complementary bi-ION electrolytes.  

Pilot production of prototype applications is also planned. This will initially take the form of CKD (complete knock down) production of the QUANTiNO 48VOLT and QUANT 48VOLT vehicles and of stationary generators for off-grid energy supply. 

Nunzio La Vecchia, chief executive officer for nanoFlowcell Holdings Ltd, says, “We have achieved a laboratory breakthrough in our bi-ION research that has prepared the way for mass production of the electrolytes – which is a key prerequisite for the market success of our flow cell technology. Supported by investors, we will now build a pilot facility replicating the entire value-creation cycle of our technology. It will serve as a blueprint for further innovation centres for our nanoFlowcell technology to be established worldwide.” 

nanoFlowcell Holdings has secured the investment for the facility although no location has been confirmed. 

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The Revero GTE will join the GTS, GT and original Revero as the fourth model in Karma’s Revero family, initially offering two versions – both 200-mile and 300-mile range configurations.  Later in the year, a 400-mile (estimated) hyper-range version will be available.  

Built on the Karma E-Flex Platform, the GTE will also feature technology from the company’s recently announced platform development initiative.  

The Revero GTE is targeted to deliver 0-100kp/h in less than 3.9 seconds and feature electronic torque vectoring. The vehicle will be offered in two models; a standard range option of approximately 200 miles total range with a 75kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) lithium-ion battery, and an extended range with 300 miles total range and a 100kWh NMC battery. Using DC 150kW Fast Charging, GTE will reach 80% charge in under 30 minutes. Through AC charging at 11kW, the GTE will achieve a full charge overnight. 

The vehicles are scheduled to hit the market in spring 2021. 

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Badged P300e, the models combine a 200PS (147kW) 1.5-litre three-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine with a 109PS (80kW) electric motor integrated into the rear axle and powered by a 15kWh lithium-ion battery located below the rear seats.  

Charging of the PHEV models are available with a Mode 2 home charging cable, enabling a full charge from a plug socket in 6hrs 42mins.  For faster charging, the Mode 3 charging cable enables customers to plug-in to a 7kW AC domestic wall box or AC public charge points, charging from 0-80% in 1hr 24mins. Quicker charge times are achieved via 32KW DC charge points with 0-80% charge taking 30 minutes. 

Standing start performance of the Range Rover Evoque is 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds (0-60mph in 6.1 seconds), while the Discovery Sport reaches 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds (0-60mph in 6.2 seconds). Both can reach speeds of up to 135km/h (84mph) using electric power alone. At speeds above 135km/h (84mph), the electric motor is decoupled to reduce drag and optimize efficiency and re-engages when the speed falls below 135km/h (84mph). 

Power is transferred via a new eight-speed automatic transmission, 5KG lighter than the nine-speed transmission used in the other models. 

Emission data reveals the Range Rover Evoque P300e emits just 32g/km of CO2 (WLTP) and has an all-electric, zero tailpipe emission range of up to 66km (41 miles), with fuel economy of 1.4L/100km (201.8mpg). 

The Discovery Sport P300e can travel up to 62km (38 miles) using all-electric power and delivers fuel economy of 1.6L/100km (175.5mpg). The Discovery Sport P300e produces exceedingly low CO2 emissions of only 36g/km. 

The new plug-in hybrid P300e models join the existing 48-volt mild-hybrid SUVs, bringing new levels of efficiency to the premium compact SUV sector.  

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