Volkswagen showcases ID Roomzz concept at Shanghai Auto Show

We saw the teaser earlier this month but now we get a closer look at Volkswagen’s new electric car concept. The ID Roomzz expands the automaker’s electric car lineup into the full-size SUV territory. This concept is a three-row SUV that will be heading into production in 2021. VW has only committed to bringing this to China so far. Style-wise it looks similar to the smaller Crozz. It has 301hp dual motors and it has a range of 280 miles and goes from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds.

The ID Roomzz is designed with autonomous driving in mind and includes Level 4 autonomy (which is full self-driving in most conditions). The seats can recline and turn 25 degrees inward to create a “lounge-like” atmosphere when you let it take the will. The traditional dash is replaced by an all-glass panel with a giant infotainment display in the center. There are “interactive light zones” that show the info to everyone inside. We doubt this will make the initial production model, but it at least shows us where VW wants to take this tech.

Source: Engadget

Maserati plans to out an electric car by 2020

Maserati might be late in the electric car game but that isn’t stopping them from building their own EV. According to Fiat Chrysler (FC) engineering head Roberto Fedeli, Maserati’s EV might show up as soon as 2020—or possibly 2019. It won’t be like its competitors, though. It could possibly be a low-volume model like a grand-tourer instead of an SUV or large sedan. Fedeli says they want to try and bring something different to the market and it won’t be following in the footsteps of Tesla. In fact, he has a few choice words about Tesla, saying that “the execution and quality of the products of Tesla are the same as a German OEM in the 1970s. Their solutions are not the best.”

One of the big challenges Maserati faces with the EV is on the sporty driving experience and signature engine note the FC division has. They have to work on the lack of sound EV engines produce as well as the weight of the batteries. Another challenge is the electric car’s inability to be enjoyed like a sports car on a normal road is “inconsistent with the brand we are representing,” says Fedeli.

Source: Car And Driver

Norway mulls over banning sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2025

Norway might be getting aggressive in getting rid of gas-powered vehicles on its roads. A local business newspaper Dagens Næringsliv reports that the Scandinavian country is considering banning the sale of gasoline and diesel cars by the year 2025. Norway is considered one of the more progressive nations when it comes to the use of electric cars and the reduction of fuel-based vehicles. Around 24 percent of vehicles sold in the country are already electric. This plan, while far from being set in stone, is being discussed by the four main political parties in the country and they seem keen on making this part of Norway’s national energy plan. This push towards electric is, of course, supported by Tesla CEO Elon Musk who tweeted the photo of the newspaper’s front page with this main headline.

Source: SlashGear

Electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV on display in Ottawa tomorrow

Mitsubishi’s Clean Across Canada electric vehicle tour reaches Ottawa tomorrow, August 25, with the public invited to see the i-MiEV at Bank St. Mitsubishi,2565 Bank St. Ottawa, ON from 11 am onwards

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