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  • Rivian R1T: A Luxury Electric Pickup Truck You Have to See

    Rivian R1T: A Luxury Electric Pickup Truck You Have to See

    The futuristic design and electric engine would make you almost think you were looking at a Tesla truck. However, the Rivian R1T is not from Elon Musk’s controversial company, but is its own beast altogether. RJ Scaringe, the CEO of Rivian, describes the R1T as a vehicle designed to “enable adventures.”

    Rivian R1T: Luxury Electric Pickup

    rivian-r1t
    Jalopnik

    Design

    A glance at this futuristic truck tells you a lot about it. It’s sleek, it’s aerodynamic and it looks like something from the future. The front face has no grille, and the headlights are an odd oval shape. It’s impossible to mistake this vehicle for anything other than a high-tech new vehicle.

    That design works in Rivian’s favor. We love the slick lines and Tesla-esque design ethos. It screams “luxury” while also underscoring how durable and usable this vehicle is.

    The hood of the R1T pops open to reveal a front trunk that you can store things in. That’s because there’s no engine in the front! Much like Tesla before it, the Rivian R1T takes full advantage of its unique electric power source.

    Battery Options

    The star of the show is the top-billed massive “400+ hour” 180-kWh battery. The next model down has a 135-kWh battery rated for above 300 miles. Finally, the smallest battery is a 105-kWh model rated for 230 miles. In any event, the truck is a rugged beast that looks well-suited for a variety of terrains and adventures.

    All battery types will also support DC fast charging. That’s important for batteries with a capacity this high. The fastest charge supported can add 200 miles of range to the vehicle in only half and hour. However, how many stations offer that kind of power is unclear.

    Bottom Line

    Expect to see the revolutionary Rivian R1T hit the road in November 2020. When it does, you can expect to see the base model with the smallest battery for $69,000. After a rebate of $7,500 that brings the base price down to $61,500, which is around the price of a normal luxury truck.

    All of that with an all-electric motor and sleek design? Sign us up! Is it 2020 yet?

  • Introducing the Vision iNext

    Introducing the Vision iNext

    No, it’s not the newest Apple phone. The Vision iNext is a crazy-looking concept car from BMW that promises to be all-electric. BMW has introduced the concept as a new direction for their “i line” of cars, such as the i3 and i8. This, however, is iNext, and it looks pretty funky. Needless to say, we’re interested in this odd car, but it may not see the light of day. Let’s talk about this cool-looking concept.

    visioninext
    Slashgear

    Vision iNext: Next Big Thing?

    BMW wants the iNext to go into production and be released to mass market by 2021. If it is launched then, it will be the first mass-market BMW with their long-range battery. It will also be the first BMW made with their new vehicle architecture. And, as you can tell from the concept car, that’s an odd architecture indeed.

    The very sci-fi looking concept car is sure to change a bit between now and production. As you can see, it has no side mirrors. Instead, it sports side cameras. However, given regulations regarding vehicle safety in the US, it will almost certainly need to add mirrors to the sides. Additionally, the incredibly thin, blue headlights are likely to be made more visible and standardized to make the vehicle easier to see on the road at night.

    Interior Design

    The interior is exceedingly luxurious, with lush carpets and sleek finish everywhere around. Backseat displays are projected onto surfaces, so you can use everything from books to posters to back-stop the display. The front infotainment system is said to be controlled by smart gesture control, a la the iPhone X. The steering wheel and pedals are also retractable, as the vehicle is intended to have Level 3 self-driving autonomy.

    While it’s still a good while before this car goes into production, it’s definitely striking. The futuristic design shows an eye toward what cars may look like in the upcoming decade. If self-driving, autonomous vehicles become plausible and commonplace, we can foresee some huge changes in the world of transportation. BMW’s concept car might seem far-fetched, but they plan to have it hit market by 2021. Can things change that much in 3 years? We’re excited to find out.

  • Ten Best Electric Cars for 2018

    Electric cars are the future of automobiles, if you ask certain experts. While they might not yet dominate the highways in terms of numbers, they’re becoming more popular every year.

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    This year, it’s time for you to join the hype and switch to electric, for the environment and for your wallet! Today, we’re looking at the best electric cars for 2018.

    Fiat 500e

    We’re starting our list with the fun, spunky and dependable Fiat 500e. Sporting a European look and an eye for style, this electric car is fun to drive. It has a short-ish range of 84 miles, so it’s best if driven in the city. For those looking to take to the highway, this one isn’t the best pick. It also doesn’t have a ton of room for cargo, and the seats are somewhat cramped. That said, the Fiat 500e has a slick, retro-style interior and a fun personality. The interior is also replete with awesome technology, like a touchscreen and voice commands. If you’re looking for a fun vehicle to get you around the city, this is a great pick!

    Volkswagen e-Golf

    While the gas-powered Golf is a great vehicle, the electric version sacrifices little to run on electrons alone. If you’re a fan of passenger room and Volkswagen’s signature charm, this is a great electric car for you. It has a range of 125 miles on a charge, and it’ll only set you back around $29,000. The best part about this car is that it’s also pretty fun to drive!

    Chevrolet Bolt

    A recognizable name, the Chevy Bolt is a fine choice for electric car. Its superb range is its biggest selling point: it can go 238 miles on a single charge! That’s no joke! That kind of range would usually set you back, but the Bolt start around $35,000. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both supported, and the huge infotainment touchscreen looks great. The Bolt is a solid choice and a very futuristic electric car!

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    Ford Focus Electric

    The Ford Focus Electric might not be the most stylish electric, but it’s a solid pick. It boasts a standard 115-mile range, making it good for city and highway travel. The make is high-quality, and the car is dependable and responsive. It doesn’t have a lot of power, but that’s not really the point. If you need an affordable, dependable electric car, the Focus is a great pick.

    Hyundai Ioniq Electric

    The Ioniq is available in three distinct configurations, including two hybrid styles. It can be acquired in a plug-in style hybrid configuration, which makes it the only car available in all three electric configurations. That said, this article is about electric cars, and the Ioniq is a fantastic choice in its electric configuration. It’s affordable, starting just under $30,000, and has great performance. It has a respectably long range, coming in at 124 miles on a charge. It also boasts a 7-inch touch-screen display and has support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

    Kia Soul EV

    The Soul might not have much range, coming in at 93 miles on a charge, but it makes up for it in interior room. If you’ve got kids, or often cart a ton of passengers around, the Soul is a great pick. It’s a good buy for the money, too, starting around $32,000, and that’s not even counting the money you’ll save not having to buy gas! If you’re looking for a great size and an electric engine, the Soul EV is the car for you!

    Nissan Leaf

    The roomy, highway-capable Nissan Leaf is a great pick for those looking to see what the deal electric cars is. The Leaf sports a 107-mile range on a charge, which means you don’t have to charge up as much with this one. While it’s not the most powerful car on the highway, you won’t really notice the lack of power during normal drives.
    This is an all-around great car with little to detract from it!

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    BMW i3

    BMW’s name is always indicative of a certain level of quality, and that remains true for the i3. The i3 doesn’t sacrifice any power to be all-electric, bringing a stellar 170 horsepower to bear on an 81-mile charge. You can even opt for a bigger battery to get a 114-mile range, making this a versatile and flexible electric choice. The carbon fiber body of this vehicle makes it impressively light and zippy around turns, and the interior is futuristic. However, the i3 is a little expensive, starting at $42,400.

    Tesla Model X

    The original Tesla, the Model X is well-known among electric car enthusiasts for its luxury and performance. Tesla’s cars are powerful, fun to drive and have great range, and the Model X is no exception. Tesla cars are able to use the Supercharger network, exclusive to the company, to charge the batteries very rapidly. That means you spend less time waiting for a charge and more time on the road! The only downside to the Model X, however, is the price tag: it’s a luxury vehicle, and that’s reflected in the price. It starts at $85,500, but it has a nearly 300-mile range and an incredible 2.9-second 0 to 60.

    The Best of the Electric Cars Available in 2018: Tesla Model 3

    The most affordable Tesla doesn’t sacrifice any of that trademark luxury to be $35,000. It has a 215-mile range standard, a luxury interior and a huge touch-screen display instead of a gauge cluster. If you’re a Tesla faithful but without mad money to burn on a car, the Model 3 might be for you. It’s the only car in its price range that rivals the Chevy Bolt’s range, and it does that while looking much cooler. If you’re looking for a great car that happens to also be electric, look at the Tesla Model 3.

  • Believe it or Not, Volkswagen’s Record-Breaking I.D. R is Electric

    Believe it or Not, Volkswagen’s Record-Breaking I.D. R is Electric

    While some still doubt electric cars, Volkswagen has brought a record-breaking electric car to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The I.D. R is a powerful vehicle because of, not in spite of, its electric engine. The record, an astonishing 7:57:148, wowed the competition and showed that a sub-8-minute time was actually possible.  

    How Electric Beat Combustion 

    The Hill Climb is a great place for an electric race car to show up combustion engines. For one, the attitude of the hill makes it difficult for combustion to occur in the engine. For another, the temperature range is ideal for batteries. Further, you need not worry about range beyond the relatively short climb, so the battery doesn’t have to be big. The lack of the combustion engine cuts the weight of the vehicle down considerably, too! 

    I.D. R: Awesome, if Unpractical 

    While the record-setting vehicle is certainly a treat to see in action, it’s hardly a read-world indicator of electric supremacy. While companies are making great strides with electric engines, the I.D. R is hardly the model to base on. For one, it was made specifically for high-end racing and would be impractical in normal situations. Volkswagen isn’t trying to market it that way, of course, but it’s still worth noting. The best part of showcases like this, for automakers, is the controlled setting.  

    That all said, this does inspire confidence that electric innovations in everyday vehicles is on the way. While many still feel as though electric is a distant fantasy, companies like Volkswagen and Tesla are looking to change that. Tesla, for its part, is having some issues with production numbers, but their ambition is unquestionable.  

    One thing is certain though: if Volkswagen can set world records at prestigious races with an electric engine, the time for electric to shine is now. Oil companies will fight it tooth and nail, but electric might just be the way of the future. I, for one, can’t wait to not have to gas up anymore; that stuff’s expensive!