Volkswagen Budd-e Concept at CES: Microbus goes all-electric

With the world debut of a new concept vehicle at this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Volkswagen is signaling that it's seriously thinking about plugging a new generation of the legendary Microbus back into its lineup—but as an all-electric plug-in van.

The Budd-e Concept provides 373 miles of pure electric range, a next-generation vehicle architecture, and a new gesture-control interface—and previews a long-driving-range, all-electric vehicle that Volkswagen is considering building by the end of the decade.

ALSO SEE: Faraday Future Reveals 1,000-HP FFZERO1 Concept And VPA Platform

The concept looks back to Volkswagen's Microbus heritage, yet there's really no retro in this design whatsoever. Instead it's a glimpse of the future, inside and out.

Underneath, it uses a completely new Modular Electronic Toolkit (MEB) platform designed for plug-in vehicles, as well as a completely new 101-kWh battery pack. Front and rear motors give it all-wheel drive, and a top speed of 93 miles per hour.

Volkswagen claims that this very large battery can be charged to 80 percent of its capacity in just 15 minutes—presumably through the new, quicker fast-charging standard that the automaker is considering.

The Budd-e is a multi-tool of sorts, as it's also designed to function as a home auxiliary power unit, and communicating with a Smart Home or office setup. VW says that the Budd-e could also turn the vehicle into a mobile mailbox for package delivery, using a digital key.

CHECK OUT: BMW Rolls Out i8 Spyder Concept At 2016 CES Packed With Technology

Throughout the interior, the Budd-e uses digital screens rather than analog gauges (and mirrors), and trades off traditional switches and buttons for larger individual displays. Gesture controls also now work for passengers (for the sliding doors, for example), not just for the infotainment system, and the driver has a wide range of control choices such as voice, gesture, touch screen, or steering-wheel controls.

Take a good look at our photo galleries, because although many details in this concept—such as its far-out concept-car lounge-style seating—are likely not bound for production, Volkswagen does say that this concept provides a hint at future design direction for the entire brand.

More auto news from Motor Authority

Source: Volkswagen Budd-e Concept at CES: Microbus goes all-electric

Faraday reveals sleek, sporty electric concept car

© AP Photo/Gregory Bull   

The automotive future according to a new electric car maker looks an awful lot like a Corvette crossed with the Batmobile.

California-based Faraday Future debuted its sleek electric concept racecar Monday night during the annual CES show that focuses on consumer gadgets and has increasingly become a way for carmakers to show off their latest technological feats.

The 18-month-old company that has remained much of a mystery until recently revealing its primary backer, Chinese billionaire Jia Yueting, won $335 million worth of incentives from the state of Nevada last month to build a $1 billion manufacturing facility in a hard-hit Las Vegas suburb.

Not even Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, who pushed for the incentive package and attended Monday's debut, had seen the concept car. Neither had North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee although he visited the California headquarters four months ago and saw "the intelligence building around the car."

"There was no doubt about it that that was the exclamation point," he said, referring to the negotiations to land the manufacturing plant in his city. He was convinced, he said.

Emphasizing the speed at which it will develop and build cars, the company's Senior Vice President of Research and Development Nick Sampson said the company would deliver its first production car in a couple of years.

Sampson said Faraday had so far hired 750 people globally with most at its California headquarters and planned to break ground on its North Las Vegas plant in a few weeks with plans to hire 4,500 people there.

He said his company would utilize digital design and testing of parts and modular construction, making it quicker than competitors.

"You don't need to have a hundred year legacy in the automotive industry to define what the next generation of transportation needs to look and feel like," Sampson said, taking a stab at traditional car makers and likening the future of cars to the debut of the Apple iPhone nine years ago making several models of cell phones obsolete.

But Sampson wasn't saying what the company would build first for production, how much it's spent so far and also wasn't revealing much more information about the company's investors. The company is still shopping for a battery supplier, he said.

The presentation included Ding Lei, co-founder of LETV described as the Netflix of China, who said afterward that his company intends to partner with Faraday on research and development.

The road to make a profitable electric car company hasn't been easy for one of the most well-known in the marketplace. Tesla has only made a quarterly profit once since its 2003 founding.

And traditional automakers have been utilizing modular design and augmented reality in development for years.

Sampson said the difference is that Faraday will be designing only electric cars unlike other car-makers that might have to spend more time redesigning a model to fit a hybrid engine, V6 or V8.

"We're developing one core motor technology," Sampson said.

The company dubbed Monday's debut that included a clear fin running half the length of the car, a single-line of a smile for a headlight and a white interior with a seat inspired by NASA design the FFZero1.

The low-profile waist-high car remained under a white sheet, the centerpiece on a white stage in front of white curtains for most of Monday's night's presentation inside a large tent packed with people and press waiting for the reveal.

"It's an extreme tablet on wheels," said Richard Kim, Faraday's head of global design, saying the concept included the ability to project images on the road much like a "digital copilot," a smart phone dock in the steering wheel, tunnels below the car to funnel air through and a designed horizontal crease along the sides of the car he called the "UFO" line to signal the car was otherworldly.

It's a "car of concepts," he said rather than a concept car.

© AP Photo/Gregory Bull
Source: Faraday reveals sleek, sporty electric concept car

10 late model cars that are "modern collectibles"

In terms of values, the cars we generally think of as classics today tended to follow a certain pattern. Their value would depreciate significantly after a few years or after the next better, faster car came along, then they would be out in the world for another 20 years or so before being "discovered" as collectibles and seeing their values soar. There were exceptions of course, but this pattern of big depreciation followed by a 20- to 25-year lull in interest before resurgence and collectability is in general how things have worked for quite a while. It's a pattern, though, that appears to be changing. For some cars, at least, that cycle of depreciation and collectability is happening much more quickly. Just look at the air-cooled Porsche market, where cars that are less than 20 years old have seen their values explode over the past couple of years. It's a similar story with certain later model Ferraris as well.

Part of the reason for this is that as cars from the 1960s and 1970s have seen massive price increases, they've become harder to justify compared to their modern day equivalents. For years, cars of the 1960s and early 1970s often had an appealing performance advantage over newer cars, but that's no longer the case as we are currently in a golden age of high-performance. Now that an older air-cooled 911 with needs and shortcomings has become a much more expensive car, it's no longer the obvious choice when compared to a quicker and more reliable Cayman S. And because so many newer cars come with build quality that is far superior to what we had 50 years ago, even some of the most hardcore old car people are being tempted to forego another old car purchase in favor of a late model machine. Another confounding factor is the manual gearbox, a feature that car enthusiasts covet but one that is nevertheless slowly disappearing in newer cars. Late model cars that happen to be equipped with proper manuals are already commanding premium prices over their paddle-shifted counterparts. The newer "modern collectibles" aren't mass-market cars and will continue to be in the minority, but they are soon likely to become an increasingly important part of the conversation about collector cars.

Porsche Cayman GT4

When Porsche introduced the 2015 Cayman GT4 with its detuned 3.8-liter 911 Carrera S engine, GT3 brakes, active suspension proper six-speed manual, it seemed like Porsche was finally allowing the Cayman to be as good as it could be. Its sharp looks don't hurt, either, but what's likely going to turn the Cayman GT4 into an instant classic is its focus on an involved, pure driving experience and, yes, its manual gearbox. Those are admirable but increasingly rare traits in performance cars these days, so this Porsche's combination of modern technology and performance with a more analog driving feel make it a standout, the kind of standout car that appeals most to people who collect cars.

Dodge Charger/Challenger Hellcat

Dodge's Charger and Challenger Hellcats won't go down in history as the prettiest things on four wheels. They don't represent any kind of design breakthrough or technological advancement. They definitely aren't the most refined, either, but none of that matters. Two numbers, 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, caused a media firestorm when the car was released and are enough to make these cars future classics. Their throwback, good-old-fashioned American muscle thanks to their supercharged V-8s have really resonated with car people, and they're not the kind of car you can just walk into any old Dodge dealer and buy. (Click here for the current value of a 1970 Dodge Challenger.)

Any late model Ferrari with a manual transmission

The open gate shifter of a Ferrari is one of the prettiest and most instantly recognizable trademarks in the world of car interiors. The trouble is, Ferrari doesn't make them anymore. It's all paddles these days, because demand for proper manuals gradually diminished to the point that developing a new one just wasn't economical for the company. That means that the last of the Ferraris that could be had with a third pedal, cars like the F430 and the 599 GTB, are exceedingly rare. And the word "rare" in the world of Ferraris means collectible and valuable. In March of 2015, RM Sotheby's offered a 2007 599 GTB in Amelia Island. Its distinguishing feature was that even among all the carbon trim and buttons and switches, there was a shiny open gate shifter and a clutch pedal, making it one of only 20 six-speed 599s were sold in the U.S. The final price? An eye-watering $682,000. When it was new, this car would have cost closer to $200,000.

Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06

The Corvette is such an enduring model and there have been so many built that no matter what your budget is, a Corvette is almost always an option. Most Corvettes can and do experience the usual depreciation curve before becoming collector cars but, like the Nissan GT-R, the Z06 version of the C7 is groundbreaking and it appeals to die-hard speed freaks that don't care about cupholders or infotainment systems. With an even 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 comes in less than three seconds and earlier in 2015 the C7 Z06 famously blitzed Car and Driver's Lightning Lap test, beating a McLaren 650S and a Lamborghini Huracán in the process. That kind of world-beating performance makes it an important car, and importance translates to collectability. (Click here for the current value of a 1963 Corvette Z06.)

Late Model Shelby Mustangs

The recent Mustangs that Shelby has been turning out are pretty incredible. They look great, they sound better and they handle surprisingly well. They also have a big options list, which includes the Super Snake package that brings the blown V-8 to 750 hp. Like Dodge's Hellcat, it throws caution to the wind in favor of insane, tire-smoking speed. Unlike the Hellcat, though, it has the Shelby name attached to it, and that's a name that has traditionally counted for a lot in the collector car world. (Click here for the current value of a 1967 Shelby GT350)

BMW 1M

Only about 6,000 BMW 1Ms were built, and less than 1,000 made it to the U.S. It therefore has rarity going for it, and as a real BMW M car, it has pedigree and name recognition going for it as well. As the smallest and lightest M car in recent memory and with its twin-turbo straight-six, the 1M really appealed to the BMW faithful and many felt that it was a more rewarding car to drive than BMW's darling M3, and at a significantly cheaper price to boot. With that kind of appeal and because there are so few to go around, don't expect the 1M to be depreciating much.

Nissan GT-R

Older versions of Nissan's "Godzilla", the Skyline GT-R, have already passed the threshold from future classic to full-blown collectible, and the current R35 version is a sure future classic as well. The first of Nissan's all-wheel drive monsters to be available in the U.S., it was a total game changer in terms of performance, shaming much more expensive and less practical supercars with a speed per dollar ratio that had previously been the territory of the Corvette. It has also captured the imaginations of tuners across the country, so seeing a clean, low-mileage stock example at a future collector car auction won't be a surprise.

Tesla Model S P90D

The Tesla is without a doubt a car of huge historical significance that has sent shockwaves across the whole car industry as the first all-electric car with real mass appeal. It's unclear how the batteries and electric powertrains in cars like this will fare in the long run, but the car that tomorrow's collectors will want from the current crop of Teslas is the P90D. It makes the equivalent of 762 hp and 713 lb-ft of torque, and its sportiest driver setting is called "Ludicrous" mode, which is quite a novelty.

Alfa Romeo 4C

There was a long time when Alfa Romeo wasn't really making any interesting cars, and that's a shame. The 8C at the end of the last decade was a breath of fresh air, but that was a low-volume, very expensive Maserati-based car that nobody ever actually sees in person. The 4C is another story entirely. While still more expensive than most of us would like, it does come at a price that mere mortals can afford even though it looks like a million bucks. Overall, it's a gorgeous home run from a historic company that was really overdue for one.

Third Generation Dodge Viper

Just because Chrysler is having a hard time selling Vipers now doesn't mean that people won't want them in the future. It's always been a true bare bones American sports car, which is a critically endangered species in the kingdom of automobiles. Even though a similarly equipped Corvette has for a long time been a better car for cheaper, the Viper was always extremely exciting and just plain cool. As was revealed in a 2015 labor contract, though, Viper production will cease after the 2017 model year and there don't seem to be any plans to start up again. If they won't be making any new ones, then anyone and everyone who wants a late model Viper will have to look to these third generation cars.

Source: 10 late model cars that are "modern collectibles"

Maharashtra Announces Zero Road Tax , VAT, And Registration Fee For Electric Vehicles

To fight India's pollution crisis. Maharashtra government has declared an ambitious plan to waive value added tax, road tax and registration charges for electric vehicles.

"I am committing to you publicly that Maharashtra will waive VAT, Road Tax and registration for all electric vehicles in the state,"  Union power minister Piyush Goyal told reporters after inaugurating the bio-CNG plant at Mahindra World City near Chennai.

niticentral

Stating that the government would extend its support towards "cost effective solutions" that would make India cleaner and greener, Goyal said he had taken up the issue of waiving registration charges of electric vehicles with the union government and was hopeful of implementing it.

"I spoke to the chief minister (Devendra Fadnavis) about 15 minutes ago. I am hopeful of meeting him tomorrow to carry this programme further", he said. "I can assure you that we will make that happen. We want to see faster roll out of electric vehicles not only (Mahindra Group's electric vehicle) Reva but all electric vehicles in the country", he said. Asked about time frame for launching the scheme in Maharashtra, ruled by the BJP, he said, "if you look up the last 18 months on how fast the ministry (was working), you will get the answer".

"I think initially we should launch it in some cities of Maharashtra", he said.

Talking about the Bio-CNG plant situated at Mahindra World City, Singaperumalkoil about 55km from Chennai, he said, the plant would contribute to greening of India and make the country a better place to live in. "Our government will support any initiative than can provide cost-effective solutions towards making India cleaner and greener", he said. To a query, he said the ministry was working on providing feature in which gasoline stations also have charging points for electric vehicles. "We are working towards building up that infrastructure. It could be a public-private partnership.", he said.

harrisfordblog

On the rural electrification programme, Goyal said for the first time in the country, December 29 had "zero shortage of power" and everybody who wanted electricity had 100 per cent "availability".

"For the first time in the history of India, 100 per cent power was met and you had grid connectivity for all at one price which was as low as Rs 2.31. This is for the first time in the history of India", he said. The bio-CNG facility has been set up to create carbon neutral ecosystem at Mahindra World City. Spread over 1,000 square metres, the facility would have the capacity to convert eight tonnes of food and kitchen waste generated daily at Mahindra World City into 1,000m3 of raw biogas. Further the raw bio gas can be enriched to yield 400 kg per day of purified CNG grade fuel which is equivalent to a 200kW power plant, an official said.

Inputs from PTI

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Source: Maharashtra Announces Zero Road Tax , VAT, And Registration Fee For Electric Vehicles

Aston Martin Could Build Electric Supercar for Chinese Tech Company

Having signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Telv in October 2015, Aston Martin may produce electric cars for the Chinese company in future.

The agreement stated that the two companies would work together on "research projects ranging from connected car technologies through to manufacturing consultation on new electric vehicles". The first combined project could be the Aston Martin Rapide S 'connected car' concept that will be unveiled at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which is the annual global electronics and consumer technology show starting on 4th January in Las Vegas.

Founded in 2004 by Jiu Yueting, who is worth over $6 billion now, Letv is involved in a plethora of businesses. Its internet TV platform is billed the 'Chinese Netflix', while its smartphones sell like hot cakes in the Asian country. Yueting is keen for Letv to make a mark in the automotive industry and the company has taken several steps recently to do so.

In the beginning of 2015, Letv launched LeUI Auto – a system designed for use on in-car Android navigation systems that features audio and video content services along with navigation. It also announced plans for its own electric supercar that will take on the Tesla Model S, dubbed the "Le Supercar". The project is headed by former Lotus China Team head, Tony Nie and the car will be sold under the Leshi Super Electric Car Company. Apparently, the vehicle could be produced at Aston Martin's Gaydon factory in the United Kingdom

Meanwhile, Faraday Future, an automotive firm backed by Letv is looking to acquire a facility in North Las Vegas to produce EVs. The relationship among Faraday Future, Leshi Super Electric Car Company and Aston Martin is ambiguous but Faraday Future is expected to showcase an EV concept at CES 2015. Letv is also providing funding to another US-based EV company called Atieva.

That said, Aston Martin is working on its own EVs. The British company will launch an all-electric variant of the Rapide sedan as early as the end of 2017 after the RapidE Concept was shown to the visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping in London last year.

Source: Aston Martin Could Build Electric Supercar for Chinese Tech Company

Why A 2015 BMW i3 REx Replaced My 2013 Chevy Volt: Electric-Car Evolution

Why A 2015 BMW i3 REx Replaced My 2013 Chevy Volt: Electric-Car Evolution

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The car most comparable to the first Chevrolet Volt is the current BMW i3 fitted with the optional REx range-extending engine.

Both cars run entirely in electric mode until their battery packs are depleted, unlike other plug-in hybrids which switch on their engines under maximum power demand.

But few drivers can say they've owned and driven both--and one who can has contributed his thoughts and comparisons to Green Car Reports.

DON'T MISS: BMW i3 Electric Car: Why California Set Range Requirements, Engine Limits

The following article covers three years with a 2013 Chevrolet Volt and a bit more than a month with a 2015 BMW i3 REx.

It was written by Jeff Pantukhoff, of San Clemente, California, and (lightly) edited by Green Car Reports for length and clarity.

Jeff covers his decision process, his goal of avoiding travel on fossil fuels, and his long-distance trip to get his car home from the dealer where he bought it.

And he compares his new BMW i3 REx to his previous Chevy Volt for his personal uses. He writes ...

I absolutely loved my 2013 Volt; it was the best car I had ever owned to this point. It had a sticker price of $44,120 and I leased it  for $405/month, with $800 down, including tax and a lease-protection plan, from a dealer 75 miles from my home in Southern California. The lease gave me 10,000 miles per year.

While shopping, I called seven Chevy dealers with lease ads in all. Only one at that time would actually deal with me on the phone, and that dealer gave me the best deal available at the time for a fully loaded Volt.

In the three years that I owned my Volt, I drove a total of 19,054 miles, experienced no warranty issues, had three recalls costing me zero dollars, and did one oil change and two tire rotations, totaling $86.33 for maintenance.

ALSO SEE: 2017 BMW i3 Electric Car: 100- To 110-Mile Range, Battery Pack Retrofit?

And I burned just 117.6 gallons of fuel. I have the great benefit of free recharging in my garage, as that electricity use is included in my monthly homeowner-association fee.

My previous car had been a 2000 Volkswagen Passat that averaged 20 mpg, so over my three-year Volt lease, I burned 835.7 fewer gallons and saved approximately $2,925 in fuel costs (based on an average of  $3.50 per gallon).

My Passat averaged $1,250 per year in maintenance and repairs, totaling $3,750. Netting out the $1,500 rebate I received from California for the Volt, my lease actually cost about $180 per month--to drive a brand-new, fully warranted $44,120 electric car for three years instead of my 2000 Passat. That made it quite the bargain!

At the time I leased it, it was the best alternative, as I could not afford a Tesla Model S and I had to drive more than 80 miles a day a few times a month. I didn't want to deal with the anxiety of an electric car with less than 100 miles of range.

Overall, my Volt was a pure joy to drive. I always drove it in "L" and the majority of the time in "Sport" mode.

According to the Volt's stats, my car averaged 150 mpg and I drover solely on electricity more than 75 percent of the time. The funny thing is that every time the gas generator kicked in and I started to burn fossil fuel, I felt really guilty.

MORE: 2014 BMW i3 REx Vs Chevy Volt: Range-Extended Electric Cars Compared

Over the last year I've been trying to decide what I would do once my Volt lease was up.

Buying it as a used car was out of the question for two reasons. The residual was way too high (at $27,628) and electric-car technology is changing too fast.

As an early adopter, I evaluated all alternatives and decided that a two-year lease, if I could find one cheap enough to offset the loss of the California rebate (which requires a higher minimum), was all I wanted to do

(Note: When I leased my i3 in October, BMW offered only 24- or 36-month leases. Now it offers 30-month leases too, which qualify for the California rebate of $2,500 for an all-electric i3 and $1,500 for an i3 REx.)

Source: Why A 2015 BMW i3 REx Replaced My 2013 Chevy Volt: Electric-Car Evolution

Volkswagen Is Teasing a Brand New All-Electric Car

Next week, Volkswagen will show off its all-electric concept car as it tries to distance itself from the diesel emissions cheating scandal that has eviscerated sales and forced the company to restructure.

In prelude to the unveiling at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the automaker has dropped a few hints. The latest image, tweeted on Wednesday, appears to reveal the rear of the concept car.

Dr. Herbert Diess, chairman of Volkswagen's passenger car division, will unveil the concept car—which many believe will be a microbus—on stage Tuesday. He is expected to focus on electrification and connected car technologies.

In the weeks since VW said it would appear at CES, the company has released a number of teasers via Twitter and YouTube about its highly anticipated car. One of the first, a photo of the front grill of a square-looking VW vehicle, prompted speculation that the company would reveal a microbus.

This latest photo adds to that theory. It shows a few letters (or is it numbers too?) that auto enthusiasts speculated were part of the car's name. They spelled "UDD.e," which led many people to try to guess at the rest as if playing Wheel of Fortune. A few options:

Budd.e (Volkswagen really does want to be your buddy)

Dudd.e (The opposite of what Volkswagen wants)

Mudd.e (Oh! An all-terrain microbus)

The "D" in the photo could also be viewed as a "0" and the U could be a "4." Perhaps the name is a number (with an "e" slapped on the end for electric) instead.

Whatever the car's name, Volkswagen's future depends on its ability to move past the emissions cheating scandal. And that means more than trotting out a concept car—even if it is electric. It will mean production models. Other VW-owned units such as Audi and Porsche are already making moves to electrify their lineups.

Audi of America president Scott Keogh told Fortune during a dinner event ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show in November that by 2025, at least one quarter of all Audi cars sold in the U.S. will have a plug. Earlier this month, Porsche announced it would produce an all-electric four-door sports car—its first on the market.

Source: Volkswagen Is Teasing a Brand New All-Electric Car