A teaser for the upcoming Audi A5 station wagon has been released, with its premiere scheduled for July 16. This is not a mistake: the station wagon, alongside the sedan, will now transition to the fifth series, while the A4 designation will be reserved for electric cars of a similar size. In essence, the successor to the Audi A4 with internal combustion engines will be unveiled next week. Two more significant premieres have also been announced: the Audi A6 e-tron electric car will be shown at the end of July, and in the fall, the new Audi Q5 fuel-powered crossover will make its appearance.
The Ford Raptor T1+ racing SUV, developed by Ford Performance in collaboration with M-Sport, has been unveiled. It boasts a steel space frame, a carbon fiber body, a ground clearance of 400 mm, and suspension travel reaching up to 350 mm. The prototype is powered by a modified Ford Coyote V8 engine with a 5.0-liter displacement and a dry sump system. This Ford will compete in the 2024 Baja Hungary race in August, followed by participation in the Dakar rally in January.
Toyota has joined the North American Ionna charging consortium, a group formed last year by BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis. The first charging stations under the Ionna project are expected to be operational by the end of summer, with a long-term plan to establish 30,000 electric vehicle chargers across the United States and Canada by 2030. All stations will feature both CCS and NACS charging ports.
Last year, a compact and affordable SUV, the Hyundai Exter, made its debut in the Indian market. Now, a special version called the Knight Edition has been introduced, which, in keeping with current trends, is characterized by a completely black exterior and interior design. These dark tones are subtly offset by thin red accents. The technology remains unchanged: the Exter is equipped with a naturally aspirated 1.2-liter engine (83 hp, 114 Nm), paired with a five-speed manual transmission or a single-clutch automated manual transmission.
Electric vehicle manufacturer Polestar continues to struggle despite the launch of the Polestar 3 crossover and the unveiling of the pre-production Polestar 6 supercar. The Nasdaq exchange has given the automaker 180 days to increase its share price to at least $1; it recently fluctuated between $0.7 and $0.9. This crisis situation, coupled with the imposition of prohibitive duties on Chinese electric cars in the United States, may force Polestar to lay off 30% of its workforce at its Chinese enterprises.
Despite Porsche Taycan electric car sales falling by half, the company remains committed to its electrification program. A battery-powered test mule of the next-generation Porsche Cayenne crossover has been spotted at the Nurburgring. Notably, unlike the new Macan, the Cayenne model line is expected to retain versions with internal combustion engines.
Today’s news also included coverage of the Genesis GV60 Magma electric car, the updated Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ coupes, the Red Bull RB17 hypercar, new variants of the Ineos Grenadier SUV, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro supercar, the updated Land Rover Discovery model, and the Auto Union Type 52 replica.
Automotive News Roundup: Audi A5 Wagon, Ford Raptor T1+, Polestar Struggles, and More
The automotive world is abuzz with exciting news! This week saw the unveiling of a new station wagon from Audi, a formidable racing SUV from Ford, and a look into the future of electric vehicles with the arrival of the Audi A6 e-tron. Here’s a rundown of the biggest stories:
Audi A5 Wagon Prepares for Debut
Audi is set to unveil the next generation of its popular A5 lineup, including a brand-new station wagon model. The premiere is scheduled for July 16th, and the A5 will move into a fifth generation alongside its sedan counterpart. A notable change is that the A4 nameplate will be reserved for electric vehicles in the future. This signifies a strategic shift towards electrification for Audi, where the A4 will assume the mantle of a fully electric model.
Ford Raptor T1+ Racing SUV Unveiled
Ford Performance and M-Sport have collaborated to create a powerhouse off-road racing SUV, the Ford Raptor T1+. This beastly machine boasts a steel space frame, a carbon fiber body, a remarkable 400 mm ground clearance, and suspension travel that reaches 350 mm. At the heart of the Raptor T1+ is a modified Ford Coyote V8 engine with a dry sump system, delivering impressive performance. The prototype is set for action at the 2024 Baja Hungary race in August and will go on to compete in the Dakar Rally in January.
Toyota Joins Ionna Charging Consortium
Toyota has joined forces with other automotive giants to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). The company has joined the North American Ionna charging consortium, which includes BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis. The goal is to establish a network of fast charging stations across North America, with the first stations expected to be operational by the end of summer. The long-term plan envisions 30,000 charging stations in operation by 2030. A key feature of the Ionna network is its support for both CCS and NACS charging ports, ensuring compatibility for a wider range of EVs.
Hyundai Exter Knight Edition Unveiled
Hyundai has introduced a special edition of its popular Exter compact SUV, the Knight Edition. True to its name, it features a dramatic blacked-out exterior and interior design with subtle red accents. The technical specifications remain unchanged, with the Exter powered by a naturally aspirated 1.2-liter engine producing 83 hp and 114 Nm of torque. This engine can be paired with a five-speed manual or a single-clutch automatic transmission.
Polestar Struggles Amidst Sales Slump and Rising Costs
The electric vehicle company Polestar is facing significant challenges despite the launch of the Polestar 3 crossover and the unveiling of the pre-production Polestar 6 supercar. The Nasdaq exchange has given the automaker 180 days to raise its share price to at least $1, as it has been fluctuating between $0.7 and $0.9. The company is grappling with an economic crisis and the introduction of hefty duties on Chinese electric vehicles in the United States, which might lead to a potential 30% layoff of employees at its Chinese operations.
Porsche Continues Electrification Efforts Despite Taycan Sales Decline
Despite a 50% decline in sales of its electric Porsche Taycan, the company remains committed to its electrification program. Prototypes of the next-generation Porsche Cayenne crossover have been spotted testing at the Nurburgring, hinting at a battery-powered version. While the new Macan model range will transition fully to electric power, the Cayenne will likely retain internal combustion engine options.
Other Notable News
The automotive world delivered more intriguing news this week:
- Genesis unveiled the GV60 Magma electric car, a bold and stylish addition to its EV lineup.
- The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ sports coupes received updates, further enhancing their performance and design.
- Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar made a splash, pushing the boundaries of performance and technology.
- Ineos Grenadier unveiled new versions of its robust SUV, expanding its appeal.
- Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro supercar debuted, showcasing the epitome of luxury and performance.
- Land Rover presented an updated Discovery model, featuring refined design and advanced technology.
- A replica of the historic Auto Union Type 52 race car made a comeback, celebrating a significant chapter in motorsports history.