OCTOBER 17, 2022

Lexus Prescribes Taut Chassis, More Intelligence for ’23 RX

Test Drive
We test the ’23 Lexus RX, a significant upgrade of the original CUV, complete with the control, comfort and intelligent driver assistance needed to take on traffic and travel in style.

Acura 1.5L Sets the Bar for Small-Displacement ICEs

2022 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems
The 1.5L turbocharged engine delivers an impressive 200 hp and 192 lb.-ft. (260 Nm) of peak torque. Those are solid numbers for engines 30% bigger.

Tula Technology Ahead of the e-Motor Curve

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
Tula Technology unveils its latest innovation, Dynamic Motor Drive (DMD). The software is used to pulse electric motors in a way that improves efficiency 3%, according to the company.

Back to the Future: Meyers Manx Goes Electric

Despite battery heft, the new Meyers Manx dune buggy weighs about the same as the original from the ’60s, but with four times the propulsion from dual, rear-mounted electric motors.

VW Chattanooga Test Lab Puts Batteries Through Abuse

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
Volkswagen’s new U.S. battery test lab checks locally assembled lithium-ion battery packs for a variety of issues, using state-of-the-art equipment.

Toyota's Refreshed Highlander Powered by New Turbo-4

The ’23 Highlander’s new 2.4L turbo-4 makes 265 hp. It also produces 310 lb.-ft. of torque, a 17% improvement over the outgoing 3.5L V-6’s 263 lb.-ft., Toyota says.

Structural Supercapacitors Could Supercharge Future BEVs

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
A European project for structural supercapacitors could mean future EVs will share the same technology that aids today’s supercar performance.

Scalable Battery-Electric Van Built for Last-Mile Delivery

The Shyft Group began developing a battery-electric chassis in the summer of 2021. The result is the Blue Arc van, which is specifically designed for fleet operators whose drivers cover the last mile between a warehouse or depot and the final customer.

Study: Consumers Don’t Understand Autonomous Vehicles

J.D. Power reports confusion about terms, technology and safety of self-driving cars.

Consultancy: Three of Four New Vehicles Sold by 2030 Electrified

The Roland Berger consultancy forecasts global BEV sales will grow from 4.6 million out of 77.2 million units in 2021 to 38 million out of a projected 100.6 million units in 2030.

Flying Taxis Preparing for Maiden Commercial Flights as Early as 2024

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies, Eve Air Mobility, Hyundai, Joby Aviation, Vertical Aerospace, Volocopter, Wisk and others are vying to be the first in the air to transport packages and passengers. Investors are pumping significant money into this emerging sector, as major airlines and logistics companies preorder thousands of units that are expected to take off by 2026.