Hyundai teases rendering of IONIQ

Hyundai’s new electric vehicle, IONIQ, is set for a January 2016 unveil. But the carmaker isn’t waiting that long to show off the new ride. New renderings of the vehicle show off the interior and exterior of the car. Its design concept not straying far from the other sedans made by the Korean automaker—from the roofline, hood, to the body lines. According to Hyundai, aerodynamics played a big role in the IONIQ’s exterior build. Wind resistance needed to be reduced while efficiency had to be improved.

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Ford to invest $4.5 billion, release 13 new Electrified Vehicles by 2020

On the way next year is a new Focus Electric, which features all-new DC fast-charge capability delivering an 80 percent charge in an estimated 30 minutes and projected 100-mile range - an estimated two hours faster than today's Focus Electric. (Graphic: Business Wire)With an industry-wide shift in focus to electrified and hybrid vehicles, Ford has announced its plans to invest in developing EV solutions and technologies in the US and Canada.

Ford is investing an additional $4.5 billion in electrified vehicle solutions by 2020 as well as changing how the company develops vehicle experiences for customers.

“For 70 years, market research has been done by asking people for their opinion. But Ford has always been fundamentally skeptical about that. Henry Ford used to say, ‘If I asked people what they wanted, they would have asked for a faster horse.’”

Ford is adding 13 new electrified vehicles to its portfolio by 2020, when more than 40 percent of the company’s global nameplates will come in electrified versions. This represents Ford’s largest-ever electrified vehicle investment in a five-year period.

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Aston Martin’s Rapide sedan gets an electric version

If you could afford the US$200,000 Aston Martin Rapide sedan, you might want to consider investing in the electric version of said vehicle. Aston Martin just unveiled the RapidE concept (capital “E” for emphasis on the electric part). It looks similar to the petrol-powered Rapide but it is purely electric. A big chunk of the engineering work done to this car was facilitated by Williams (you know, of F1 fame). It’s expected to be ready for production in two years. Thanks in part to investment by Chinese VC firm ChinaEquity, the production of this car is possible. If plans push through, this concept will be built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire in the United Kingdom.

Source: Aston Martin | Via: The Verge

Toyota to release special edition Prius c, limited to 1,500 units

There will only be 1,500 units of the special edition Prius c hybrid called the Prius c Persona Series. It’ll come in two versions that offer the same specs but come with different trim colours. The main body colour of this electric vehicle will be black and buyers have the option to get it either in Electric Lime or Cherry Pearl. The colours run through the lower front grille, under the headlights, on the trim near the side windows, and the mirrors.

This Prius c Persona line will don Persona series badges and have 15-inch black alloy wheels. Prius c vehicles come in a numbered grade scale and this model is built on grade Two, meaning it gets fabric-trimmed two-tone seats; 6-way adjustable driver’s seat; 60/40 split fold-down rear seats; cruise control; cargo area cover; and engine immobilizer. Fuel economy of this EV is rated for 53mpg in the city. It’s equipped with a 1.5L four-cylinder engine with 73hp and 82 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with an electric motor and battery system, which if combined outputs total of 99hp. Under EV mode it can run solely on electric power for under a mile while remaining below 25mph. Toyota hasn’t said yet how much the special edition will cost but it will come out in the US in December.

Source: Toyota | Via: SlashGear