Connect with us

Published

on

Sedans are making a comeback. Volkswagen’s all-new upper midsize electric ID.7 sedan has finally shown its face without camouflage. Ahead of its world premiere on Monday, April 17, in China, the full details and images of VW’s fully electric ID.7 saloon have emerged.

The new ID.7 is based on VW’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) dedicated EV platform and will be the automaker’s sixth fully electric vehicle.

Volkswagen’s newest model will be the sixth fully electric vehicle in the ID. series, joining the ID.3, ID.4 SUV, ID.5, and ID.Buzz electric van (which just got a solar panel upgrade). In addition, VW sells the ID.6 in China.

The flagship model will be launched in the upper midsize segment in key regions, including Europe, China, and North America.

With a newly developed electric drive motor, VW claims the ID.7 will have significantly more power and efficiency than other MEB-based models as it’s designed for long-range travel. VW even goes as far as calling it an “electric limousine.”

Volkswagen introduced the ID.7 prototype at CES this year, initially claiming the electric sedan would have over 700km (over 434 miles) of range. The automaker included a special camouflage that creates an electroluminescent light effect.

Last month, the first images of the VW ID.7 without the special camo (still lightly disguised) emerged after a German newspaper reader spotted the new EV on a test drive and sent photos in.

We are finally seeing the production version after the Chinese Ministry of Information and Technology (MIIT) released images and specs of the VW ID.7.

Full specs and images of the VW ID.7 revealed in China

Regulatory officials released a list of cars that went through the approval process, showing images and specs of new vehicles, according to Car News China. Tuesday, it released the long-awaited VW ID.7 details.

VW-ID-7-images-1
VW ID.7 electric sedan production version (Source: Car News China)

From the images, the VW ID.7 incorporates elements from its ID Aero and ID Vizzion concepts, but the final design is unique on its own. The front end is about what you would expect from Volkswagen, with a curiously similar look to the iconic Passat model.

The production version shows a full light bar across the front, something that was not included in the prototype shown in January.

In the photo of the rear, you can see the name Vizzion included, which the concept did include full-width light bars on the front and rear, suggesting it could be called the “ID.7 Vizzion” in China.

Dimension-wise, the ID.7 is 4,956 mm long, 1,862 wide, 1,537 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,965 mm, which is very similar to the VW ID.6.

The maximum speed from the 201 hp electric motor and 77 kWh battery is 155 km/h, or less than 100 mph.

Electrek’s Take

Although the ID.7 specs and images have yet to be confirmed by VW, how does the company expect the electric sedan to be a flagship global EV with this kind of power?

It’s likely the ID.7 will have more range and power when it comes to North America, as it’s expected to go on sale in early 2024 after launching in Europe by the end of this year.

Volkswagen is promising a long-range model with over 400 miles range; something is likely to change when it comes to the US, or the term “flagship” will not be fitting.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

SUPER73 unveils new e-bike that leaves everyone scratching their heads

Published

on

By

SUPER73 unveils new e-bike that leaves everyone scratching their heads

We knew SUPER73 had something new coming soon based on recent teasers dropped on the e-bike brand’s social media pages. But after the big unveiling of the new SUPER73 MZFT late last week, riders and fans have seemingly been left with more questions than answers regarding the new electric two-wheeler.

SUPER73 took to the Moto Beach Classic in Orange County, California, to roll out its newest model, which had already drummed up hype for an expected new platform.

The company delivered on that promise, showcasing the MZFT with its new frame and features, including multiple battery options and locking storage under the flip-up seat. While some familiar features remain, such as the rear hub motor, wide dual-sport tires, and rigid frame/fork setup, the new platform definitely looks like a novel swing at a moped-style electric bike that stays true to SUPER73’s design legacy.

But beyond the obvious Class 2 sticker on the frame – indicating a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) and an included throttle – SUPER73 has been tight-lipped about any other specs. The result is an unveiling that has left many scratching their heads and asking, “But what is it?”.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Without any real sizing information, we’re left to speculate from the bike’s proportions. The bike certainly looks smaller than the large, rugged SUPER73 bikes that dominated the brand’s flagship lineup for years.

A photo with several young boys on the MZFT series seems to nail the target crowd, likely positioning the MZFT as a smaller, teen-friendly e-bike designed for the quickly growing teen boy e-bike market.

Many cities in the US are now home to groups of teenagers that ride e-bikes in packs. The trend has proven divisive, with some praising the electric two-wheelers for getting more youths outdoors and away from screens, while others bemoan the tendency for these ‘e-bike gangs’ to stray from strictly following the rules of the road.

For its part, SUPER73 has been relatively proactive with its response to criticism, focusing on ensuring its new models maintain street legal compliance and even pushing updates to older models that removed the ability to unlock higher speeds, even to the chagrin of much of the brand’s customer base.

If SUPER73 is targeting the tween boy crowd, it could be a shot at attracting those young riders before they get swayed over to Sur Rons and other non-street legal e-motos, instead drawing them into class-correct e-bikes that still invoke the fun moto-styling. One of the bikes in the image above even has two boys seated together, which would explain the apparent mounting point for additional pillion pegs on the rear chainstays of the frame (though no pillion pegs are visible in the photos or renderings).

For now, we can’t say for sure exactly what these MZFT e-bikes will be packing under the hood, and we will have to await more news from SUPER73 regarding sizing, performance, and other specs.

But whatever the MZFT turns out to be, SUPER73 says the bikes will be hitting retail stores on November 8th and will become available online by November 10th, so we should know significantly more by then.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

US average new car price tops $50k for the first time – here’s why

Published

on

By

US average new car price tops k for the first time – here's why

The average US new car price crossed the $50,000 mark for the first time in September, according to new estimates from Kelley Blue Book (KBB). Prices have been climbing steadily for over a year, and the pace picked up this summer – but that hasn’t stopped Americans from buying.

KBB says September’s record average transaction price (ATP) was partly driven by luxury models and EVs, which pushed the market into record territory. EVs made up an estimated 11.6% of all new vehicles sold last month, which is also a record high. The average EV sold for $58,124 – up 3.5% from August’s adjusted figure.

In Q3, EV sales hit another milestone: 437,487 EVs were sold in the US, giving them a 10.5% market share. That’s nearly a 30% jump from the same period last year. With government-backed EV incentives expiring at the end of September, many buyers hurried to lock in their purchases.

Year-over-year, the average EV transaction price is basically flat, down just 0.4%. Incentives averaged 15.3% of ATP in September, or about $8,900 per vehicle – slightly lower than August but higher than a year ago, when incentives averaged 13%.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Tesla, which continues to dominate the EV market, saw an average ATP of $54,138 in September. That’s a slight dip from August and down 6.8% from a year earlier. With Tesla recently introducing the new Standard versions of the Model 3 and Model Y, KBB expects average prices across the segment to fall in the coming months. Erin Keating, executive analyst at Cox Automotive, thinks the market is “ripe for disruption.”

“It is important to remember that the new-vehicle market is inflationary. Prices go up over time, and today’s market is certainly reminding us of that,” said Keating. “The $20,000 vehicle is now mostly extinct, and many price-conscious buyers are sidelined or cruising in the used-vehicle market. Tariffs have introduced new cost pressure to the business, but the pricing story in September was mostly driven by the healthy mix of EVs and higher-end vehicles pushing the new-vehicle ATP into uncharted territory.”

Read more: US EV sales smash records in August as Tesla loses ground


The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Genesis is about to launch two new ‘electrified’ SUVs based on the GV70

Published

on

By

Genesis is about to launch two new 'electrified' SUVs based on the GV70

It’s official. The Genesis GV70 is about to get two new electrified options, including its first hybrid and extended-range (EREV) versions.

Two new Genesis GV70 electrified SUVs are coming soon

Genesis is turning 10, and it’s planning to go all out. Hyundai gave us a look at what’s coming last month during its CEO Investor Day.

The plans include Genesis expanding with new electrified powertrain offerings, including its first hybrid and extended-range electric vehicles.

Up until now, the luxury automaker has focused on fully electric (EV) or internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. By expanding into different electrified powertrains, Genesis hopes to attract new buyers to the brand while grabbing a bigger share of the luxury market.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Genesis will launch its first hybrid in 2026, the GV80. We knew the GV70 EREV would follow shortly after, but now it’s been confirmed that a hybrid model is also set to join the lineup.

We got our first look at the Genesis GV70 EREV last week. The vehicle was parked in South Korea and appeared to be nearly identical to the current model. Aside from a tag labeling it an EREV and a massive muffler at the back, it looks about the same as the Electrified GV70.

Now, we are finally getting a glimpse of the Hybrid version. The Genesis GV70 Hybrid was also caught by HealerTV in South Korea, this time with an HEV tag.

Like the EREV, the GV70 Hybrid is still covered in camouflage, but this time, you can see the vehicle has the brand’s sport package. The optional package adds sporty exterior and interior elements, including chrome around the Crest Grille and window trim.

Genesis-GV70-hybrid
The Genesis Electrified GV70 (Source: Genesis)

The vehicle is still a prototype, so it could change by the time it reaches production form. However, as the reporter points out, the GV70 Hybrid could bring a unique new look to the GV70 series.

On the side of the tire, the letters “FL” are printed, which is typically shown on Hyundai vehicles set to receive a facelift.

Genesis-GV70-hybrid
Genesis plans to launch new luxury EVs, hybrids, and EREVs (Source: Hyundai)

Genesis is expected to launch the GV70 EREV in late 2026, followed by the Hybrid version sometime in early 2027.

According to Hyundai, the EREV will have a combined driving range of over 1,000 km (620 miles). Although it still runs on an electric motor, it will feature a small gas motor that acts as a generator to charge the battery and extend the driving range.

Genesis is betting on new electrified vehicles, including EVs, hybrids, and EREVs, to drive growth. The luxury brand aims to expand into up to 20 new European markets while gaining a bigger share of the US market. By 2030, Genesis aims to sell 350,000 vehicles.

Although it had planned to only offer fully electric vehicles from 2030, Genesis backed off on its commitment. Instead, it will use hybrids and EREVs as a bridge to an all-electric future.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending