After the IONIQ 5 earned Hyundai’s first N-brand treatment, it’s now due for a rugged, off-road XRT upgrade. How will it compare to Rivian’s recently revealed R3X?
Hyundai revealed the new IONIQ 5 refresh earlier this month, which includes several design upgrades, a bigger battery (with more range), and an added rear wiper.
In Korea, Hyundai added about 7 kWh of battery to the new IONIQ 5, bringing the total to 84 kWh. The changes increased the EV’s range to 485 km (301 mi) from 458 km (285 mi) previously.
On the inside, the IONIQ 5 gained additional USB-C ports alongside several relocated buttons and features for added convenience. One of the biggest upgrades is the addition of Hyundai’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, including Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.
Hyundai has yet to launch the new IONIQ 5 in the US, but prices stayed about the same in Korea at around 52,400,000 KRW ($39,400).
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)
The 2024 IONIQ 5 starts at $41,800 in the US, but Hyundai has introduced significant incentives, including a $7,500 EV lease bonus and rare 0% APR Financing.
Hyundai also announced Tuesday that its first N brand performance EV, the IONIQ 5 N, will start at $66,100 (excluding destination).
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N (Source: Hyundai)
Hyundai to add rugged IONIQ 5 XRT trim
Now, we are learning Hyundai is reportedly planning to launch a rugged XRT variant in North America. According to a report from TheKoreanCarBlog, a new prototype was recently spotted testing.
The models were fully camouflaged, but you could still see a redesigned rear bumper and new parking sensors in the front. The front bumper also appears different than the current or updated IONIQ 5.
The new Hyundai IONIQ 5 facelift (Source: Hyundai)
The prototype was spotted testing near the Hyundai/Kia Technical Center. Although Hyundai has yet to confirm, the IONIQ 5 XRT will likely feature new upgrades to boost efficiency and range.
The report suggests that the rugged EV is not likely to launch in Korea before this summer. However, the European and US models could debut by the end of 2024.
Rivian R3X (Source: Rivian)
How will Hyundai’s rugged IONIQ 5 compare to Rivian’s recently revealed R3X? The R3X design was inspired by iconic rally cars of the past, like Audi and Lancia, with a modern spin.
Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV was also recently spotted testing. The video captures the Hyundai IONIQ 9 driving by, revealing the sleek, large three-row electric SUV.
Hyundai IONIQ 9 (SEVEN) electric SUV concept (Source: Hyundai)
IONIQ 9 production is expected to begin in the first of the year, with US sales kicking off in mid-2025. It’s expected to be built at Hyundai’s new $7.6 billion Metaplant in Georgia, which is expected to begin building vehicles later this year. Hyundai expects models built at the facility will qualify for the $7,500 EV tax credit.
Are you ready to hop in your new Hyundai IONIQ 5 at some of the lowest prices since it launched? We can help you get started. You can use our link to find unbeatable deals on the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 at the closest dealer to you.
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Volvo Penta will debut its latest modular and scalable battery energy storage system (BESS) platform for the off-grid construction and mining industries at the bauma equipment show – here’s what you can expect.
Best-known for its marine engines and gensets, Volvo Penta is the power production arm of the Volvo Group, specializing in putting energy to work. Operating under the tagline, ‘Made to Move You’, Volvo Penta is headed to bauma 2025 with a plan to keep construction, port shipping, and mining operations moving productively and competitively throughout their transitions to battery and (in theory, at least) hydrogen power.
To that end, the company will show off a job site ready version of the scalable and modular BESS subsystem concept shown last year.
Volvo says its new, modular BESS subsystem will enable other OEMs and third party system integrators to seamlessly deploy electric power to meet the ever-exceeding energy needs in construction and mining.
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“Our modular and scalable battery-electric platform is designed to support the electrification ecosystem—combining high-performance drivelines with the crucial energy storage subsystems for efficient charging and operation in construction and mining,” says Hannes Norrgren, President of Volvo Penta Industrial. “We want to meaningfully collaborate with our customers on value-added customization that will enable them to stay productive, efficient, and future-ready.”
The Penta substation at bauma will be built around the company’s “Cube” battery pack, an energy-dense solution with a favorable C-rate designed to make it easy for BESS manufacturers to offer more compact job site solutions capable of charging and discharging energy with high levels of speed and efficiency, enabling both stationary and mobile BESS configurations that can change and grow to meet the evolving needs of a given asset fleet or project.
A Volvo Penta-developed DC/DC unit converts the voltage from the Cube battery packs (600 V) into lower voltage (24 V) for powering auxiliaries and portable offices.
Electrek’s Take
BESS concept packed with Penta Cube batteries; via Volvo.
Volvo Penta has always provided power. Historically that’s been from combustion, but the company is looking ahead, developing products that will bring energy to job sites, tractors, and more long after the last ICE engine shuts down.
Just days after Rivian announced that it would be making its iconic electric delivery vans available to anyone willing to pay for one, the company launched the new Rivian Upfit Program, offering a “one-stop shop” to help fleet managers put its EVs to work.
Launched in partnership with commercial vehicle heavyweights Ranger Design, Sortimo of North America, Bush Specialty Vehicles, Holman, LEGEND, and EV Sportline, the Rivian Upfit Program helps fleet buyers make the switch to electric by simplifying the ordering process and delivering an experience that more closely reflects the experience fleet managers get at dealerships.
Despite partnering with leading brands and launching into a well-establish market, however, the program’s web page seems largely aimed at people outside the space – even kicking off with an explanation of what upfitting is:
Upfitting is the process of customizing a vehicle in order to meet fleet, business, or individual consumer needs to tackle the job at hand. This work is done after the vehicle has been built and released from the factory, and can include everything from shelving modifications, flooring options, to sirens and flashers and much more.
The program was announced on LinkedIn with a number of photos indicating upfit options for Rivian’s R1T and R1S vehicles focused on lifeguard and roadside assistance duty, and Rivian’s van upfit with a HVAC/telecom style toolbox arrangement.
That same competitiveness has led to talented fleet managers at those franchise dealers putting in the effort to get to know the needs of the businesses and buyers in their regions, to understand what upfit options makes sense for their local markets, and – crucially – what to stock for quick turnaround when their customers need it.
Rivian is hoping its upfit partners will do a lot of that heavy lifting for them, but my two cents is that if building cars is hard, building relationships is harder, and Rivian isn’t going to make a good first impression by talking down to its customers. If you think differently, let me know how I got it wrong in the comments.
For 2025, the Ram ProMaster EV commercial van gets up to 180 miles range from its 110 kWh battery pack, new 12- and 13-foot cargo configurations to meet more fleets’ needs, and a starting price of “just” $56,495. All of which sounds … kind of familiar, right?
When Ram rolled out its ProMaster EV electric cargo van last year, the company promised a huge range of customizable features, 12- and 13- configurations, a “super high roof” variant, and more – even touting a heated windshield. Which is almost exactly what you’ll find hyped up in the latest Stellantis press release for the “All-new 2025 Ram ProMaster EV Cargo Van.”
So, if it’s basically the same van, what’s the story here?
Glad you asked – see, the 2024 announcement for the ProMaster EV made lots of promises, but anecdotal conversations revealed that the vast majority of ProMaster EVs that made it customers last year were the step van version, with its “pocket” side door and roll-up rear door.
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That makes sense, considering that’s how Stellantis’ prime customers for the Ram ProMaster EV, Merchants Fleet …
The Ram Truck brand has announced that Merchants Fleet will become a key commercial customer of the all-new Ram ProMaster electric van (EV) that debuts later this year. The agreement calls for the purchase of 12,500 Ram ProMaster EVs.
Stellantis, with input from Amazon, designed the vehicle with unique last mile delivery features and Amazon will deploy the vehicles to routes across the United States. Building on the current relationship and as part of the long-term agreement, Stellantis and Amazon will be putting thousands of BEV ProMasters on the road every year.
ProMaster EV’s unique factory step-van upfit; via Ram.
The story here, then, is that the conventional cargo variants (sliding van door, split-opening rear doors, etc.) are finally available for smaller fleets and van-lifers to order, production capacity apparently having caught up to demand. It’s that van, when ordered in a 12-foot cargo/low roof spec, that pushes that range estimate up to 180 miles. The high-roof version gets a claimed 164 miles of range.
“Our freedom of choice approach with powertrain extends to the Ram Professional lineup with an appropriate solution for last-mile delivery in the Ram ProMaster EV,” says Tim Kuniskis, Ram brand CEO. “With front-wheel drive and a low step-in height, the ProMaster is a solid player and continues to perform well in a wide variety of business sectors, such as the growing home delivery environment, construction services wholesale and IT services among others.”
For 2025, Stellantis has “repositioned” the ProMaster EV step van with a new, lower starting price to match its improved availability. The van can now be had for $69,995 plus $1,995 destination fee. That’s down significantly from the $79,990 starting price for 2024 – proving once again that old adage: good things come to those who wait.
For that money, you get the “All-new” Ram that’s so All-new, in fact, that Stellantis issued almost the exact same press photos they used at the 2024 launch. The order books for the 2025 ProMaster EV officially opened last week.
If the “All-new” 2025 model is so similar, the specs so close, the photos so indistinguishable from the 2024 model that it takes your humble author nearly a week to figure if there’s even a story here at all hardly matters for a $10,000 price cut.