New York, NY – (April 11, 2019): For those who really want to unplug at the weekend electric vehicles have, in the past, had their limitations. Until now. These new all-electric and hybrid SUVs are breaking the mold and turning adventure seekers vehicle choices on their heads with fast, luxurious SUVs that are as comfortable at the country club as they are on a snow-covered mountain road. These new models prove once and for all that all-electric vehicles can be uncompromising. See them, and more, at the 2019 New York International Automobile Show.
ALL-ELECTRIC SUVs
Mercedes-Benz EQC – Reach for the Stars
EQC is a five-seat electric SUV that features an all-new drive system development with compact electric drivetrains at each axle, an 80kWh lithium ion battery with standard DC Fast Charging for a 40-minute charge, 4MATIC all-wheel drive, and an ECO Assist System with comprehensive support for electric driving. The system supports its driver with five driving programs through DYNAMIC SELECT, each with different characteristics: COMFORT, ECO, MAX RANGE, SPORT and INDIVIDUAL for an individually customizable program to reduce power consumption, the electric drivetrains are configured differently: the front electric motor is optimized for best possible efficiency in the low to medium load range, while the rear motor adds sportiness. Together, they generate an output of 402-horsepower and an estimated range of 279 miles.
AUDI e-Tron – Runs Rings Around Difficult Terrain
The Audi e-tron is a mid-size electric performance-orientated SUV for sport, family and leisure, offering the spaciousness and comfort commensurate with an Audi. The new model includes a new generation of quattro drive as standard: electric all-wheel drive which enables the electric SUV to achieve optimum traction in a variety of weather conditions and on challenging road surfaces. The SUV’s driving character can be adjusted with the standard Audi drive select across seven profiles – from comfortable, through efficient, to distinctively sporty – according to the driving situation, road condition or personal requirements. The Audi’s two electric motors accelerate the e-tron from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 124 mph.
RIVIAN – A Riveting New Entry
Rivian is a new electric vehicle manufacturer with an all-electric SUV called the R1S. The R1S is a 7-passenger SUV with up to 400+ miles in electric range, a wading depth of 1-meter, lockable storage bins that can fit the bulkiest of gear, and the performance and precise control of quad-motor AWD. This means having great driving dynamics on any surface on- or off-road, providing cargo solutions to easily store any type of gear, whether it's a surf board or a fishing rod and, very importantly, being capable of driving long distances on a single charge.
HYBRIDS & PLUG-IN HYBRID SUVs
Luxury SUVs come in all shapes and sizes as well as fuel efficient powertrains. Though not quite fully electric, these all-new luxury SUVs combine electric technology with gasoline engines to provide additional power and fuel efficiency. Here’s a look at three new models:
SMALL: LEXUS UX
The newest edition to the Lexus luxury utility vehicle line-up is the 2019 UX. The new model offers the brand’s combination of luxury and safety in a package that combines new design elements and ultra-efficient new powertrains. The new hybrid model, the UX 250h comes with a starting price of $34,000. Known as a world leader in luxury hybrid vehicles, the new model combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine found in the standard model with two electric motor/generators in a new-generation hybrid transaxle that is more compact, lighter and has less internal friction than previous Lexus hybrid systems.
MEDIUM: LINCOLN AVIATOR
Aviator offers a distinctive luxury three-row plug-in hybrid SUV that combines an elegant design, state-of-the-art technology and a refined plug-in hybrid option. Built on a rear-wheel-drive platform, the hybrid Aviator features a twin-turbocharged engine paired with the brand’s first advanced plug-in hybrid technology, marking the first time the company will offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain. This combination of power and electrified capability will help Aviator deliver a responsive, refined ride, with no powertrain-induced noise and vibration when operating on battery charge yet can use its twin-turbocharged engine if needed, easing range anxiety.
LARGE: RANGE ROVER SPORT
For 2019, the Range Rover model lineup includes the introduction of a new Plug-In Hybrid Electric powertrain. The Range Rover P400e allows the new model to drive up to 31 miles with zero tailpipe emissions when driven in all-electric mode. Combining an advanced 296-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 114-horsepower advanced 13.1kWh lithium-ion battery provides a total available power output of 398-horsepower that is available through the permanent four-wheel drive system. Together they propel the Range Rover P400e from 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds and to a top speed of 137mph. With an impressive 472 lb-ft of torque, the PHEV powertrain mixes dynamic and sustainable performance with traditional Range Rover capability, comfort and refinement. The combination of gasoline and electric power can be used in two driving modes: Parallel Hybrid mode (the default driving mode) and EV (Electric Vehicle) mode.
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Chris Sams, chris@samscrispe.com
Nick Crispe, nick@samscrispe.com