Tag Archive for: Electric

GMC EXPANDS EV LINEUP, OFFERS FIRST LOOK AT ELECTRIC SIERRA DENALI
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GMC Hummer EXPANDS EV LINEUP, OFFERS FIRST LOOK AT ELECTRIC SIERRA DENALI

GMC EXPANDS EV LINEUP, OFFERS FIRST LOOK AT ELECTRIC SIERRA DENALI

GMC has given the first look at its upcoming all-electric Sierra Denali pickup truck (availability announced at a later date), previewing the truck’s unique and premium exterior lighting sequence.

The electric Sierra, which will launch in the popular Denali trim, will be the third all-electric vehicle in GMC’s portfolio after the GMC Hummer EV Pickup (initial availability Fall 2021) and GMC Hummer SUV (initial availability early 2023).

GMC EXPANDS EV LINEUP, OFFERS FIRST LOOK AT ELECTRIC SIERRA DENALI

“Sierra Denali holds tremendous equity for GMC and our customers,” said Duncan Aldred, GMC Vice President. “We now will have an opportunity to evolve Sierra’s capabilities and technologies, as afforded by transitioning to an all-electric propulsion, while also elevating the luxurious design and comfort Denali is associated with.”

Like the GMC Hummer EV, the electric Sierra will be purposefully built on the Ultium Platform with the premium materials and capability customers have come to expect from GMC trucks.

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racebird-electric-powerboat
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E1 Series and PIF announce partnership to create world’s first electric powerboat championship

E1 Series and PIF announce partnership to create world’s first electric powerboat championship

Electric Sea Racing Limited (‘E1 Series’) and Public Investment Fund (PIF) have entered into a partnership that will see PIF support in creating the world’s first electric powerboat racing championship.

The news was revealed today during a virtual launch event, where E1 Series organisers also unveiled the new design of the electric RaceBird powerboat ahead of World Oceans Day on June 8.

The partnership represents a significant step forward in the long-term development of the championship, providing a strong foundation on which to build from and enabling the series to further accelerate preparations for the inaugural season, scheduled to take place in early 2023 – with Saudi Arabia to be one of the considered race locations.

As a major contributor to the global economy and partner of choice for innovative companies and investors, PIF’s investment in E1 is in line with its 2021-2025 strategy announced earlier this year, which focuses on 13 key strategic sectors, including sports and entertainment, and renewable energy. This includes major investments in renewable energy companies, such as ACWA Power and the Sudair Solar Energy project, as well as in the development of electric vehicles through its investment in Lucid Motors.

Series creators Alejandro Agag, Chairman of E1, and Rodi Basso, CEO of E1, were both joined live in the studio by the President of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) Raffaele Chiulli, as well as SeaBird Technologies Founder Sophi Horne, and Founder & CEO of Victory Marine Brunello Acampora to present the RaceBird powerboat.

The vessel is a completely new design and was co-created by Horne and Acampora following an extensive validation process. The RaceBird is inspired by nature and birds flying low over the water and features an outboard motor, enclosed safety canopy and hydrofoil technology.

Using innovative hydrofoil technology, the electric RaceBird powerboats will rise high above the water’s surface, allowing for minimum drag and maximum energy efficiency. Being lifted above the waves will not only improve performance, but it will also promote close and competitive racing with a reduced wake when following an opponent.

The RaceBird is specially designed for foil-to-foil racing and is capable of reaching speeds up to 50 knots (93 km/h or 58 mph), with pilots showcasing their skills using tight and technical circuits located close to shore in the heart of urban areas.

With the design now validated, the RaceBird has entered into the production phase with the expert engineers at Victory Marine concentrating their efforts and resource over the coming months on manufacturing a full fleet of race-ready electric powerboats.

Alejandro Agag, Co-Founder & Chairman of E1, said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome on board PIF as a new partner in this exciting venture. To get the backing of PIF at this early stage of development emphasises the importance of our mission to electrify marine mobility. With the new design of the RaceBird boat you see today, we hope to accelerate change in the marine industry and provide sustainable solutions for future leisure craft. The new powerboat that Sophi and Brunello designed looks like a spaceship. I’ve compared electric racing cars to podracers from Star Wars in the past, but the RaceBird looks even more futuristic. Working together with PIF, I look forward to ushering in a new era of electric powerboat racing.”

Rodi Basso, Co-Founder & CEO of E1, said: “We’re thrilled to be working together with PIF to jointly shape the future direction of powerboating. Forming a strong partnership with a global investment powerhouse such as PIF provides a solid foundation on which to build a new sport. The RaceBird presents a unique challenge and one that the teams at SeaBird Technologies and Victory Marine have delivered on. They’ve managed to develop an innovative powerboat with an eye-catching design and factored in practical solutions ready to go racing. Shortly we’ll also be announcing our powertrain and electronics partners; we’re on schedule to hit the water soon.”

Commenting on the announcement, HE Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund, said: “This exciting investment in a new premier sport format aligns with our strategy to enable innovation globally and unlock new industries, as well as build strategic partnerships with real value add to Saudi Arabia. We believe our support for future sports will also contribute to the growth of various sectors globally.

“Our partnership with E1 will help drive the development of innovative sustainable technology, which in turn positions Saudi as an enabler in the industries of the future and the creation of new opportunities.”

Sophi Horne, Founder of SeaBird Technologies, said: “It’s amazing to finally be able to share the new RaceBird design with the world. Obviously, I’ve seen it on a screen quite a lot in the past few months! But it’s great to show the new look of the boat that the pilots will race with. The bodywork and shape of the vessel is inspired by nature and birds flying above the water’s surface. What has been interesting is trying to find a balance between how you envisage the design and combining that with optimising both performance and efficiency. The solution we settled on fortunately doesn’t compromise on either the looks or performance capabilities.”

Brunello Acampora, Founder & CEO of Victory Marine, said: “Today’s announcement is the result of many months of hard work, creating a completely new design and simulating it in a competitive racing environment. I’ve really enjoyed working together with Sophi to produce the vessel that will compete in the world’s first electric powerboat championship. Now that the design has been fully validated, we’ll begin engineering and manufacturing the boats in preparation for prototype testing and ready for the teams to receive their first delivery. For us at Victory Marine, the E1 Series is the greatest test bench for cutting-edge solutions that will change the future of navigation forever.”

Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, President of the UIM, said: “At the International Powerboat Federation, we’re delighted to be part of this groundbreaking development in the powerboating sport. The futuristic RaceBird design combined with the use of hydrofoil technology in the E1 Series reflects the pioneering spirit of this initiative and are an inspiring answer to today’s challenges facing marine mobility. It’s an exciting moment for our sport and I cannot wait to see the RaceBird on the water.”

Released ahead of World Oceans Day, the RaceBird acts as a symbol of the future ambitions of the E1 Series, to revolutionise marine mobility and reduce the pressures being placed on fragile underwater ecosystems across the world.

The next major milestone in the RaceBird development is in September when the covers come off the first full-scale model at the Monaco Yacht Show, before the start of prototype testing which is set to get underway later this year.

E1 were advised by Shoosmiths law firm and financial advisers PJT Partners.

www.e1series.com
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Fibonacci, the 200 kW electric super asymmetric catamaran
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Fibonacci, the 200 kW electric super asymmetric catamaran

Turin’s Icona Design last popped up on our radar with an insanely expensive, v8-engined supercar prototype called the Vulcano whose entire bodywork was fashioned from raw titanium. Now, it’s back with an electric yacht design inspired by “the numbers of nature.”

The Icona Fibonacci, a catamaran design out of Turin, Italy 

Icona Design

The Icona Fibonacci is an asymmetrical catamaran. Its chief nod to the Fibonacci sequence would appear to be a pair of sprawling ornamental staircases that wrap themselves around the sides giving access to the flying upper deck and the helm. It might have made more sense to call it the Steinway because its roof lifts off like the lid of a grand piano and the overall shape reminds us more of that than of a seashell.

Still, this 55-footer (16.7 m) is a beauty to look at in the renders, reasonably compact but with defined areas for socializing, sunbathing and below-deck privacy.

The Fibonacci is a 55-foot asymmetrical catamaran concept with 400 kW of electric propulsion
Icona Design

It would be powered by a pair of 200-kilowatt (270-hp) electric motors, running off a pair of 340-kWh battery packs that make it suitable for weekend cruises with around 12 hours of cruising and another 12 hours of sitting about enjoying yourself. Pure range would be about 150 miles (240 km) when cruising at 10 knots (11.5 mph, 18.5 km/h). Charging could supposedly be accomplished in 20 minutes according to the company, but that seems like a ludicrous miscalculation to us.

Extending the range may be possible using a polymer electrolyte hydrogen fuel cell arrangement that keeps things relatively eco-friendly while seriously upping the energy density – although you’ll have to give up some space below deck to go that way.

Will this one make it to the prototype stage, or will it merely serve as a portfolio piece for Icona and its partners Hydrotec, Terra Modena, ASG Power and Studio RPR? It’s hard to say, but it sure is a nice thing to look at.

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The Mint Concept The Electric Luxury City Car.

 Seoul, Korea., February 6, 2020 — Today, Genesis announced that the 2020 G90 and Mint Concept won 2019 GOOD DESIGN® awards in the Transportation category. Genesis has been a GOOD DESIGN® award winner for five consecutive years including the G90 in 2015, the Vision G concept in 2016, the GV80 concept in 2017 and the Essentia concept & G70 in 2018.

2020 GENESIS G90 AND MINT CONCEPT NAMED GOOD DESIGN® AWARDS WINNERS

2020 GENESIS G90 AND MINT CONCEPT NAMED GOOD DESIGN® AWARDS WINNERS

2020 GENESIS G90 AND MINT CONCEPT NAMED GOOD DESIGN® AWARDS WINNERS

“As a relatively new brand, Genesis has introduced a design that greatly resonates with the luxury car market,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Executive Vice President, Chief Design Officer of Hyundai Motor Group. “The G90 is the embodiment of flagship transportation while the Mint reinterprets what a luxurious, city-focused runabout could be. The GOOD DESIGN® awards are a high water mark we aim for each time we put pen to paper.”

The GOOD DESIGN® awards, which began in 1950 and marked its 69th anniversary in 2019, are recognized for its legitimacy and authority, and selects award-winning works in each field with a focus on comprehensive evaluations of products such as aesthetic, innovative, new technology, form, concept, function, utility, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.
The 2019 GOOD DESIGN® awards were selected among about 900 entries from 38 countries worldwide.

The 2020 G90 incorporates new-car-level design changes on the exterior and interior, further enhancing its presence as the brand’s flagship sedan through the themes of Athletic Elegance and Horizontal Architecture. G-Matrix, a Genesis design hallmark inspired by light reflecting from an illuminating diamond, is applied to the headlights and taillights to emphasize refined proportions and balanced architecture. The 2020 G90 introduces multiple technology firsts for the Genesis brand, including a 12.3-inch display navigation system with touchscreen controls, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an unparalleled level of standard active and passive safety systems as part of a brand-level commitment to passenger security and comfort. All Genesis vehicles, including the 2020 G90, offer complimentary Service Valet: the exclusive, no-cost, consumer-focused service program that elevates the luxury vehicle ownership experience.

The Mint Concept introduces an all-electric luxury car for the city and represents a new vehicle typology, featuring organic design and an innovative in-car experience. The lightweight runabout reimagines the iconic shape of the city car, tailored to the needs of modern lifestyle. Mint is both highly manoeuvrable and exhilarating to drive. The overall motif skews to the sportier side of Athletic Elegance while the G-Matrix pattern serves a functional purpose, used for efficient cooling and airflow circulation around the battery floor. It is also the basis for the Mint Concept’s aerodynamic wheel design and several interior structures and flourishes. In lieu of a conventional trunk and rear hatch, the Mint Concept features a parcel shelf accessed via scissor-style side openings.

Like a carefully furnished city dwelling, its interior takes advantage of every cubic inch. The cozy space is made to feel expansive, through the use of lightweight textiles, cognac leather and mullion-free windows. Ingress and egress are made easier, thanks to the automatic swivelling of the instrument panel and bench seat. The versatility of the Mint Concept extends to the engineering of its high-density, battery-electric powertrain, which is capable of an estimated 200 miles per full charge and 350-KW fast recharging.

About Genesis

As a design-focused brand, Genesis produces fascinating models that embody Athletic Elegance, including the G70 sport sedan, the G80 and G80 Sport executive luxury sedans, and the flagship G90 luxury sedan. Genesis recently introduced GV80, its first luxury sport-utility vehicle. Based in South Korea, Genesis has launched its brand in the U.S., Canada, Russia, the Middle East and Australia. Genesis is one of the highest-ranked brands in the automotive industry by respected, third-party experts including North American Car of the Year, Consumer Reports, J.D. Power and Auto Pacific. For more information about Genesis and its new definition of luxury, please visit

https://www.genesis.com.

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