Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. There’s also just a little opinion of mine because I can. This week:
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Kia announces Niro EV Concept debut for CES next week
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Infiniti shows off more of their future design language with upcoming concept
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Ford reportedly cancels Fusion’s 2020 redesign, future even more unclear
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What’s your automotive news?
Kia Niro EV Concept
When Kia debuted the Niro back in 2016, it was a hybrid right from the get go and built from the ground up with efficient powertrains in mind. It only seemed logical that at some point it would evolve a bit and run with an all-electric powertrain as an option. Well that point is only a few days away as Kia plans to unveil an EV Niro concept at the Consumer Electronics Show next week.
So far we have a few dark images and no real hard data to go off of here, but MotorAuthority points out that it very well could run a slightly updated version of the EV powertrain in the Hyundai Ioniq Electric. The Ioniq has a 28kWh battery and a 124 mile range, so expect something similar with the Niro.
The Niro EV isn’t the only thing they’re showing off either. Kia will also be displaying a new interface system, the world’s first 5G connectivity in a car, advanced driver aids, and one of those “visions for mobility” that everyone’s coming up with these days because their marketing team said so.
[Source: Kia via MotorAuthority]
Infiniti teases new design language
Infiniti has dropped another teaser for an upcoming concept car due at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It’s a more complete picture of the Q Inspiration Concept compared to what we got last time, but with it we got confirmation that it alludes to a new design language for the various sedans they produce.
Karim Habib, Infiniti Executive Design Director, says they aimed to “take traditional sedan architecture to its next stage of evolution” with an “alternative” form. Future powertrains that are more compact (hybrids and EVs, basically) allow them to shrink the bonnet and create an “unusually long and balanced cabin” so drivers/passengers get more space for themselves.
We’ll see the concept in full on January 15th when the covers are pulled at Detroit, or maybe a few days earlier when they decide to just release everything about it online.
[Source: Infiniti]
Ford Fusion Redesign Cancelled, Future Even More Unclear
Weeks after we learned that Ford is mysteriously shifting production for the Fusion and Mondeo in such a way that makes it seem like some sort of cancellation is imminent, we get another bombshell from The Detroit News that Ford has cancelled plans for the Fusion’s 2020 model year redesign as the suits reevaluate its future.
Like last time, this revelation came from a letter that Ford sent to their suppliers which was obtained by The Detroit News. Another unnamed source with knowledge of the plan told them the Fusion and Mondeo would remain a part of Ford’s lineup for at least three more years, but after that who knows. A Ford spokesperson added that the “Fusion remains an important part of the Ford lineup for years to come with even more new fresh features on the way. We will have more news to share in the future”.
Ford could be trying to determine if it’s worth keeping the Fusion alive at all past then or if it’ll be reborn as another soulless crossover that more people will buy. We may very well see a redesigned Fusion sedan after all, but it’s starting to look a little less likely.
[Source: The Detroit News via Autoweek]
What’s your automotive news?
That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
[Image © 2018 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]
