10 Most Efficient EVs: Electron Economy

The idea that a concept vehicle is a wild interpretation of a production car is really starting to fade. Especially thanks to the proliferation of electric vehicles, cars like the Cadillac Celestiq look closer to their concepts than ever before. Cadillac revealed that they have begun road testing a pre-production version of Cadillac's very expensive, very boutique EV out in the wild and near the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. While it's covered in camouflage and wheel covers, it does reveal a lot about the car itself.The overall shape is a match to what we've seen from the show car version of the 2024 Celestiq and you can even see the "hockey sticks" that are a defining feature of the rear quarter of the car. They are also potentially glowing under the camouflage, but the rear lighting is different on the pre-production car. Instead of the long, vertical brake light bar, we see three round lights on each side of the car, but are oriented vertically.This likely has more to do with the car's pre-production status; automakers often install basic lighting in unusual spots so the cars are road-legal without needing to rely on the production version's lighting designs. Consider it misdirection—these stand-in pieces won't give away the true light shapes.The front treatment definitely lines up with the show car save for the angled trim that flank the vertical headlights. Though, this could be due to the camo or it's a trim piece that will be added during production. You can clearly see the cooling vents located in the lower portion of the bumper as well as where the sensors and cameras are positioned for its ADAS systems.It's really fun to see the station wagon-like Celestiq hatchback come to life as we're currently being downed by SUVs and crossovers in the EV market right now. While it's a high-end production vehicle, hopefully this will bring about a trend of cool looking super-hatchbacks for the market—a rarity at the Celestiq's targeted $300,000 ultra-luxury vehicle market.

WHAT IT IS: Lincoln's first electric vehicle, an Aviator-sized SUV.WHY IT MATTERS: Lincoln promises three new EVs by 2025, a fourth in 2026, and full electrification of its portfolio by 2030. Many automakers are letting their luxury brands lead the EV charge, but Lincoln is behind the volume Ford brand.PLATFORM AND POWERTRAIN: The Lincoln Star concept offers hints of what's to come when Lincoln creates high-tech, connected luxury vehicles on Ford's new rear-wheel-/all-wheel-drive EV architecture. Given today's Lincoln lineup in the U.S. consists of four crossovers (China has an additional electric Lincoln Zephyr Reflection sedan), we expect four electric SUVs to replace them, followed by derivatives.First up should be the Lincoln Aviator EV, last up an electric Navigator from the next-gen full-size large truck/SUV EV platform. There's nothing concrete yet on the powertrain, but dual motors are a must for AWD. And although the Lincolns will ride on a different platform than the Mustang Mach-E, there could be sharing of its 75.7- and 98.8-kWh battery packs. Expect one-pedal driving, the latest Sync infotainment, a streamlined body with LED lighting, an illuminated matrix grille below the frunk lid, and lattice lightwork across the back.Anticipating advanced driver assist technologies, the concept has an interior ready for an autonomous future, with front seats that swivel to interact with rear passengers. The production model won't go that far. We expect Lincoln will add B-pillars for production models, and the A- and D-pillars will be made of metal, not glass like the concept's. The split rear gate can open to create an extra bench for tailgating, a feature that might survive into production.ESTIMATED PRICE: $70,000EXPECTED ON-SALE DATE: Q4 2024 or Q1 2025

We thought we spotted a Ford Maverick Tremor prototype a few weeks ago. It turns out the more rugged-looking Maverick we spied was indeed a Tremor, making it the fourth truck to get the off-road Tremor trim level, joining the Ranger, F-150, and Super Duty. Welcome to the family, baby Tremor. It's a good look.Want a Maverick with the Tremor package? You'll need to spring for a Maverick XLT or Lariat model equipped with the available 250-hp, 277-lb-ft 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine. That means—for now—the front-wheel-drive-only standard hybrid powertrain and entry-level XL trim cannot be combined with the Tremor, which Ford describes as "an entry-level option for buyers seeking greater off-road capability and bold styling." It's kind of like a souped-up FX4 Off-Road Package already offered on all-wheel-drive Mavericks. So, it's mostly entry-level.Visually, the Maverick Tremor wears a healthy dose of signature Tremor Orange accents, reminiscent of its F-150 brethren. The orange hue coats the tow hooks, fender vents, grille, and wheels. And of course the Tremor bedside logo is in Tremor Orange.Tremor logos are stitched into the Black Onyx seatbacks, which fittingly also have Tremor Orange stitching. There's a dose of non-orange customization in the form of a unique grille finish and blacked-out Ford logos, headlights and taillights.There's also a separate Tremor Appearance Package that includes a Carbonized gray roof and mirror caps. It also includes black side graphics on the hood and lower body.The 17-inch dark gray aluminum wheels are wrapped in 235/65R17 Wildpeak all-terrain tires, though you'll probably only notice the Tremor Orange on the inside pocket of one of the spokes. The speckle of orange almost gives the appearance of orange brake calipers when in motion.The Maverick Tremor gets "off-road tuned suspension with increased ride height" in the form of a 1-inch lift, with claimed "unique front and rear springs and shocks." We're not sure if this includes any of the mechanically similar Bronco Sport SUV's Badlands HOSS (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) system, or if Ford came up with new bits for the Maverick. Either way, the visual effect is a tougher Maverick.Paring nicely with the upgraded suspension are a tapered front bumper (for an improved approach angle of 10 degrees over the front-wheel drive Maverick Hybrid) and steel skid plates for undercarriage protection. There's also a heavy-duty transmission cooler and upgraded half-shafts.The Maverick Tremor gets five selectable drive modes, but the real story is Trail Control and the upgraded all-wheel-drive system complete with a torque-vectoring rear differential (think Bronco Sport Badlands), both of which the Maverick FX4 does not have. Trail Control is like off-road cruise control, where the driver sets the speed and steers while the truck controls throttle and braking to maintain a (slow) velocity. The torque-vectoring, also new to Maverick, includes a twin-clutch rear-drive unit with a differential lock that allows virtually all rear axle torque to go to either wheel.The 3,807-pound Maverick Tremor is, naturally, the heaviest of the Maverick clan. It can tow 2,000 pounds (indicating it's not offered with the 4K Tow Package, which ups the truck's total to 4,000 lbs) and has a payload rating of 1,200 pounds, 300 pounds less than the other Mavericks.The 2023 Ford Maverick Tremor Off-Road Package comes with $2,995 price tag, and the Tremor Appearance Package is $1,495. Ordering is available in September, with production beginning in fall.