Consumer Electronics Show | More details on the models unveiled

Chevrolet Silverado electrifies itself to start a new chapter

After several months of waiting fueled by not very revealing photos, General Motors has finally unveiled the game of its first all-electric pickup truck, the Chevrolet Silverado EV. Equipped with numerous technical advances and taking its battery literally as a structural element, this new model is one more step in the electrification of a key category.

But first of all, it is impossible not to draw a direct comparison between this Silverado EV and the Ford F-150 Lightning whose arrival is imminent. When it kicks off in the spring of 2023, this all-electric newcomer will seek to showcase all of its strengths with the RST livery. The culmination of the Silverado EV’s hierarchy, it will be pricey at $ 119,948, in exchange for plenty of intriguing features.

Four directional wheels are one of them, as is an air suspension capable of increasing ground clearance by up to 5 cm. The power of this introductory version is rated at 660 hp and its torque at 780 lb-ft, all produced in concert by two electric motors. That’s more than the F-150 Lightning in its top-performing livery (563 hp and 775 lb-ft).

The towing capacity of the two pickups is equal at 4,534 kg for the Chevrolet, while the F-150 will be able to tow up to 4,536 kg. The Silverado will nevertheless have a lower allowable payload of 590 kg as opposed to 816 kg when comparing these more equipped versions. The Silverado RST also advances a significantly longer range of 640 km, against the 483 km of the rival. The argument that makes the van with the bow tie even more convincing remains its compatibility with 350 kW charging stations, which will make the operation much faster than for the F-150, limited to 150 kW.

Note that a much cheaper version will arrive in spring 2024 with a starting price of $ 54,748, an identical range of 640 km and 510 hp of power.

Enjoy the space

Like the F-150, this Silverado EV will be entitled to a front trunk where we will have found a large V8. The rear body will also benefit from an opening in the passenger compartment for carrying longer objects. Chevrolet claims that with the rear seatbacks down and the panel down, the pickup will be able to stretch that overall length up to 10’10 ”(3m 8). It will be remembered that the Chevrolet Avalanche pickup truck introduced this feature in the early 2000s.

General Motors will obviously paint a more complete portrait of the various versions offered closer to its marketing, but this Silverado EV is already impressive with truly revolutionary characteristics to appease a traditionalist clientele.

First Look at the Electric Equinox

Chevrolet also released the first pictures last week of its fully electric Equinox, which will be on view in dealer showrooms as early as fall 2023. If it arrives late in the arena, it will try to play the argument of accessibility with a starting price of $ 35,000 and an undeniably futuristic design.

Chrysler Airflow Announces Chrysler’s Entry into All-Electric

Several gave Chrysler for dead after the creation of Stellantis almost a year ago. The brand was going nowhere with an aging model line-up left behind without a guideline. We now know what this future will look like, which will be done by recharging rather than refueling at the pumps.

The first in a line of electric models will be called Airflow. Fans of vintage cars will no doubt recognize this name used by a model of the brand produced from 1934 to 1937. Misunderstood, it was revolutionary in the way it used aerodynamics.

Admittedly, Stellantis had little explanation to provide about the full posture of this Airflow, which should logically be part of the segment called to expand compact electric SUVs. The style study is driven by a duo of 150 kW electric motors, suggesting a total theoretical power of over 400 hp. We advance an estimated range of between 563 and 644 km, according to the manufacturer.

The whole is wrapped in an elegant body and relatively consensual in its treatment, which is not surprising given its positioning. It also incorporates a new infotainment system that can be continuously updated in the cloud and whose touch screens take up practically the entire dashboard.

No production schedule has been put forward for the moment, but it should logically arrive at dealerships in 2025, the year targeted by Chrysler for the marketing of its first electric model. The entire range will make the shift by 2028.

The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX hunts driving range records

The anxiety related to electric autonomy has faded somewhat in recent years thanks to the development of new technologies making it possible to better manage the use of energy and to store more of it. However, this does not prevent manufacturers from continuing their quest for kilometers. Mercedes-Benz demonstrates this with its Vision EQXX prototype.

Basing its approach on a bodywork that pierces the air with a drag coefficient of just 0.17 cx, this exercise uses only one 203 hp engine to reduce electricity consumption as much as possible. The efficiency of the latter is obvious, while 95% of the energy ingested is relayed to the wheels.

It is thus estimated that this sedan manages to consume only 10 kWh / km and can reach more than 1000 km on a full load in the European cycle (WLTP). A more optimistic figure than the North American measurement method, but which remains very impressive.

To reduce the mass to be moved, engineers have used plastics reinforced with carbon fiber and fiberglass in many components. Aluminum alloys are also used, allowing a total weight of 1750 kg, which is barely 100 kg more than a Chevrolet Bolt.

The interior of the Vision EQXX is also made with certain recycled materials, both in textiles and plastics.

Mercedes-Benz specifies that many technologies developed within the framework of this program could be transposed to production vehicles. It will be very interesting to see how this initiative unfolds over the next few years.

Sony takes a further step towards automotive production

Well-known electronics maker Sony unveiled a second prototype electric vehicle at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), confirming its interest in breaking into the automotive market.

Two years after unveiling an electric sedan at the same event, this time we saw the first release of an electric SUV named Vision-S 02. Based on slightly more generous dimensions than those of the Tesla Model Y, he shares a profile similar to that of the possible American competitor. It will also be able to accommodate seven passengers.

Like most players based on electric platforms, the Vision-S 02 will have at its disposal two electric motors whose combined power reaches 536 hp.

Sony being Sony, the focus is on on-board technology with a plethora of screens, supported by a 5G internet entry point and real-time updates.

At the same time, Sony has specified that it will set up in the spring a new subsidiary simply called Sony Mobility Inc., something which implies the possibility of the upcoming marketing of vehicles in the manufacturer’s portfolio.