Subaru Teases STI EV Concept for Tokyo Auto Salon
With only a teasing picture and a brief sentence, Subaru shows its electrified future isn't just EV SUVs like the Solterra. The Japanese brand isn't backing down from making enthusiast-centric, high-performance vehicles like the 2022 Subaru WRX STI in the EV era, and this new concept for the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon—the STI E-RA—is proof of that.
The Electric Era
The announcement of this car is just a single sentence, "STI is showcasing the STI E-RA Concept developed in a new project launched with an aim of gaining experience and practice in new technologies in the world of motorsport which is making its way toward a carbon neutral era." Unfortunately, besides the picture above, Subaru hasn't said exactly what this "practice" vehicle will end up being. However, with "RA" in its name, we have some ideas or at least some hopes.
An Electrified Record Attempt?
Type RA cars have always been "Record Attempt" vehicles made to push what Subaru could produce beyond the "regular" STI models. The original RA, a Legacy, set an FIA World Speed Endurance Record in 1989, and subsequent RAs were meant for running hard on the Nordschleife, attacking the typically motorcycle-only Isle of Man course, or time attack competition. Most likely, that's what this E-RA will set to do: break or set new records for electric vehicle lap times.
Our Speculation
From the looks of the teaser image, it looks a lot like the front end of the Toyota Sports EV concept that debuted and could become the next platform shared by the two companies. It's not hard to imagine how the two companies might visually distinguish heavily related products, having plenty of experience with the BRZ and its Scion and Toyota siblings. But unlike the BRZ, this STI E-RA could pack the companies signature all-wheel-drive drivetrain, because it's an easy task to run a dual traction motor setup with one in the front and one in the rear. Or perhaps a quad-motor setup could be utilized, for the ultimate in performance torque vectoring.
Which also leads us to wonder if Subaru might leverage solid state battery tech developed by Toyota, the next holy grail of electric technology. Toyota has been working on solid-state batteries for some time, and it would make sense from an economy of scale standpoint to utilize it in as many vehicles as possible, especially space-constrained and weight-conscious sports cars.
Of course, all of this speculation could be blown out the window depending on what shows up at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon. It could end up being the next SVX, a grand tourer with a modern lightweight glass roof, or even be a callback to the least remembered XT6. We'll just have to wait and see.
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genesis gv70 Full OverviewThe learning curve can be tough, but technology has made life easier for us all—especially when it comes to cars. Remember the last time you printed MapQuest directions to get around, or carried paper maps in your glovebox? Or twisted a key to start a car? Life was complicated back then, but it's getting easier now. With connected cars becoming increasingly common and access to the world at our fingertips, we're able to get around faster. Genesis has embraced the newest technology trends and our new 2022 Genesis GV70 long-term test car is no exception. Besides getting the usual Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite navigation functionality to help you get to your destination faster, the automaker went a step further, adding technology to help you get going quicker.Scan HereIt wasn't long ago that pushbutton start switches and keyless entry were novel technologies, but our GV70 is moving a step beyond that, with both keycards and fingerprint readers to gain access and even start the SUV. Our Genesis GV70 came with a key card the size of a credit card that can be used to unlock and lock the vehicle when you don't have the physical key fob on you. All you need to do is tap the card on the driver's door handle to unlock it, and once inside, scan your fingerprint to start the car. The process is very simple, and can be useful when you're going to places where you're likely to lose things or would like to travel lightly (like a concert or the beach) because the keycard fits perfectly in your wallet.There are some downsides of the keycard/fingerprint system, though. For starters, the keycard only works on the driver's door. You can't open the tailgate or any other door with it. And as for the fingerprint reader, it must be tied in with an individual driver profile. While this likely won't be a problem in most households, one staffer's toddler accidentally locked them into Valet Mode, requiring a fingerprint of a different staffer (or a few swipes of a cell phone with the Genesis app) to unlock the onboard systems.Regardless, while we still find ourselves primarily using the key fob, the keycard and fingerprint scanner certainly have their uses.Staying Disconnected Looks good! More details?2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Specifications BASE PRICE $54,195 PRICE AS TESTED $64,670 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV ENGINE 3.5L Twin-turbo port- and direct-injected DOHC 24-valve 60-degree V-6 POWER (SAE NET) 375 hp @ 5,800 rpm TORQUE (SAE NET) 391 lb-ft @ 1,300 rpm TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,538 lb (53/47%) WHEELBASE 113.2 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 185.6 x 75.2 x 64.2 in 0-60 MPH 5.4 sec QUARTER MILE 14.0 sec @ 99.8 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 124 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.82 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 26.4 sec @ 0.67 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 19/25/21 mpg EPA RANGE, COMB 365 miles ON SALE Now Show All
This is The American Dream, the world's longest limo, at least according to the Guinness World Records organization. At 100 feet and 1.5 inches, we can't imagine it has too many challengers to its throne. But as impressive as this 25,000-odd pound, helipad-equipped, massive Cadillac is, what's even more impressive is that its restoration was completed at all. This limo was in terrible shape, a rotted hulk that would take a gargantuan effort to bring back to life.Abandoned in New York, it was first hauled to the Autoseum for an ill-fated restoration attempt. Then, with some difficulty (and a hood that flew off en route, never to be seen again), it was trucked down to the Dezerland Park car museum for another go—in several pieces—for another effort at revival. Here's what it looked like in 2013:Well, that effort has succeeded, as you can see. Michael Dezer—a prominent real estate developer in New York and Florida—and Michael Manning of Autoseum worked together to make it happen. Along the way, three Cadillacs were cannibalized, and untold amount of rust was removed, yards of leather and vinyl and carpet were employed, and the engine(s) were replaced. The subframe looks more like a bridge truss than anything you'd find in a vehicle, and in fact Manning admits rebuilding it was more of a civil engineering project than an automotive restoration.No fewer than six Eldorados were conjoined during the original construction of this 24-wheeled monster, conceived by Jay Ohrberg of Burbank, Calif.—the guy behind a few cars you may have heard of, like KITT from Knight Rider and the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future. Originally, the vehicle had a swivel function, in order to attempt to navigate corners with more grace. It's not clear if that feature was retained in the restoration. Its tail housed a helipad, whose surface could be used as a putting green whenever the chopper wasn't around. In its original iteration, it also had two engines, dozens of windows, TVs, telephones, a lounge, a waterbed, a jacuzzi, and a swimming pool with a diving board. The American Dream is now functional, to the extent that it can be. With this length and an attendant cruise-ship-like turning radius, you can't simply drive this thing around. You need to carefully plan a route to make sure it has room to maneuver. Get it stuck and it'll take some creative towing to remove it. That said, whether stationary or on the go, Manning says there's room inside for 75, plus there's a pool on the back. The interior is mostly bare at the moment—in the video, Manning hints it could be built out to fit a customer—and it's so long the other end is barely visible from inside.There's no getting around it: The American Dream is excessive to the point of impracticality. But it's still the world record holder, taking the crown from itself with a 1.5-inch stretch. It's hilarious that a distance that small has any significance for a vehicle this large, but there it is. What happens to it next is anybody's guess, but we salute you, Floridians, for reviving The American Dream in all its excess.
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