Aston Martin to launch Heritage EV program to make its old cars electric

With more and more cities shunning internal combustion engines, Aston Martin is hoping its classic cars stay relevant and legal. The company is launching a Heritage EV program where classic Aston Martins can be converted to have all-electric powertrains. If you want to drive around in your classic Aston Martin, this will be the way to go. The company is using “key components” of the technology it’s using to develop the Rapide E, a limited edition all-electric sports car the car maker plans to launch late next year.

According to Aston Martin, the first car to get a conversion plan would be the 1970 DB6 MkII Volante. They will be making Rapide E-inspired “cassettes” that can be slipped in place of the original engine and gearbox and will even be attached using the same mountings. A new screen will also be fitted inside the car’s interior, but otherwise everything else will remain the same. This means, if the owner decides to change back, that’s possible, too.

Source: The Verge

The 1,000-horsepower EV from Lucid Motors is up for preorder

California-based luxury automotive company Lucid Motors is gearing up to release its new 1,000-horsepower, 400-mile range electric vehicle and it wants interested buyers to know the car is now up for preorder. The Lucid Air, which is seen as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model S P100DL, has 100kWh and 130kWh battery packs and have long-range radar, cameras, LIDAR, and even an app and over-the-air updates. Pricing is expected to run over US$100,000 but no specific amount has been announced yet.

If getting a Lucid Air is something that interests you, you can hand over a US$2,500 deposit to reserve a “standard” production model. If you want something special, prepare to shell out US$25,500 for a “launch edition” that will be one of the first 255 cars of the production line. It might not be the best idea to buy one of the first cars off a production line, if you think about reliability. But Lucid Motors seems to be confident enough that the deposits on the car are refundable. If you’re curious about who’s behind the company. Its CTO is Peter Rawlinson, the former lead engineer for the Tesla Model S, and its chief designer is Derek Jenkins, who used to be the design head at Mazda.

Source: The Verge

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

BMW and Nissan partner to create joint fast-charger network in the US

In a move that threatens Tesla’s own Supercharger network, BMW and Nissan have partnered to develop their own public network of fast-charging stations across the United States. This new DC fast-charging network is made up of 120 stations across 19 states. Each station makes use of dual 50kW DC Fast-charging station with CHAdeMO and CCS (Combo) connectors that can charge Nissan LEAF and BMW i3 vehicles. It promises that you’ll reach 80 percent charge in about 20 to 30 minutes.

But a more important point is it uses popular charger styles, which means any EV with a quick-charge port will be able to use it to charge up. LEAF and i3 drivers will be able to locate these stations using in-vehicle navigation or the i Remote app for BMW or Nissan’s EZ-Charge smartphone app. There is no word yet when the network will be completed.

Source: Mashable