1970 Chevrolet Nova In Primer on 2040-cars

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This week in EVs: Electric Jeeps, Chevy Equinox, reborn VW bus

There's going to be tons of car news next week as the Detroit Auto Show makes its return after 48 years. OK, so the pandemic and the show's shifting calendar only made it feel like 48 years, but January 2019 was still a long time ago. As we await that wave of headlines, let's look back at the substantial week that already was, specifically in terms of the electric car news that broke. Electric Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S blaze trail to brand's EV future Jeep declared Thursday to be 4xe Day as it revealed loads of previously unknown information about its future electrification efforts. The biggest surprise was the extremely cool and 100% electric Jeep Recon. Although it looks like a Wrangler, it's absolutely not a Wrangler replacement, and is indeed quite different for reasons besides its powertrain (independent front and rear suspension, fully enclosed fenders, fixed roof). As the photos attest, though, you'll be able to remove the doors and rear-quarter windows just like a Wrangler. And again, it's electric. Expect the Recon to be one of the most eagerly anticipated new vehicles over the next couple of years. Yes, years, plural. Production will start in 2024 with reservations accepted starting early next year. Jeep Recon View 5 Photos   There was then the Wagoneer S. Despite the name, it isn't a sportier Wagoneer variant or even an electric Wagoneer. In fact, the name is temporary according to chief designer Ralph Gilles. This sleek SUV, which sure looks like Jeep's attempt at a Range Rover Vilar (not a bad thing), will apparently have a 600-horsepower electric powertrain. It too will be produced in North America starting in 2024 with reservations starting early next year. Jeep Wagoneer S View 4 Photos   There actually WILL be an electrified Wagoneer, however: the Grand Wagoneer 4xe PHEV. That's good since the Grand Wagoneer gets pretty atrocious fuel economy. Details were light regarding specs, but we did get a half-decent photo. Finally, the first of these electrified Jeeps to launch will be the Avenger. Yes, Chrysler/Stellantis is dusting off an old Dodge name for a Jeep. That Dodge in question wasn't sold in Europe, though (good for them), which is important since the Jeep Avenger will only be sold on the other side of the pond. It's mechanically based on the same platform as several French Stellantis EV SUVs, and only goes 249 miles on the far more generous European WLTP test cycle.

Corvette racer Gavin confirms Grand Sport debut in Geneva

Need further proof that Chevrolet is trying to turn the Corvette into a truly globe-spanning sports car? Then check out this Instagram post from Corvette Racing's Oliver Gavin that shows a new Grand Sport model will debut not at Detroit, or Los Angeles, or even New York, but at Geneva. In Switzerland. That's in Europe, land of Bugatti, Porsche, Ferrari, and Aston Martin. Gavin hasn't deleted the image as of this writing, but is probably getting an earful from his Chevrolet handlers at this moment. His post shows a number of press materials, including a schedule for Chevrolet's press conference, slated for late tomorrow morning (Geneva time, of course). Gavin will be handling the introduction at the Palexpo, and he'll be joined by Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter, who according to the materials will be driving the new Grand Sport on stage. It's a bold move on the part of Chevrolet, showing its homespun Kentucky-built Corvette alongside debuts like the Bugatti Chiron and Aston Martin DB11. But while we now know that the Grand Sport is coming tomorrow, our next question moves on to how it will look and perform. Will Chevy revive the classic Grand Sport color scheme – a single wide, white stripe on an Admiral Blue body with two red accents on the driver's front fender – or follow the example set by the C6, which went for a subtler look with classic Cunningham-like stripes? Will there be any performance advantages over the standard model? Perhaps less weight and a smidge more power? Chevy's Geneva presser kicks off at 10:45 a.m. or 4:45 a.m. here on America's east coast. We'll be on hand both in Geneva and here at home to cover all the excitement, so check back then. And bring coffee. Related Video:

Electric Corvette sets mile record at 186.8 MPH

When we first saw the Genovation GXE all-electric Corvette on its stand at the Battery Show 2015, we were given some impressive specs – a three-second 0-to-60 run and a 200-mile-per-hour top speed – all made possible by over 700 electric horses spittin' out more than 600 pound-feet of torque. Turns out, it may just live up to that high-speed hype. With Bob Simpson – project manager (and EVDrive co-founder) – riding shotgun and multi-record holder Johnny Bohmer holding the wheel and applying a heavy right foot, the battery-powered C6 Z06 hit 186.8 mph on the tarmac of the NASA Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. That run puts the GXE in the International Mile Racing Association (IMRA) record books under the heading of "Top Speed Street Legal Electric Car." According to the press release, which you can read below, the record was set on the car's first day of testing. Its builders have confidence it's good for even more. Though they haven't said if, or where, further speed runs would occur, we can't help but think a one-on-one match up would be interesting, say, against a certain Zombie 222. Similarly fast – it reached 177.8 mph from a dead stop at the Texas Mile – it would make for a classic confrontation. Genovation vresus Blood Shed Motors; vintage pony car versus modern sportscar; DC drivetrain versus AC, the possibilities are endless. Genovation offers its GXE for $330,000 (or $290,000, if your supply the Vette donor). It features a 6-speed manual transmission, a 44kWh battery pack and is said to be good for 150 miles on a full charge. Related Video: FLORIDA (2/29/2016) -- Genovation Cars is proud to announce a new top speed record achieved by its prototype high-performance all-electric Corvette, the Genovation eXtreme Electric or GXE. The vehicle was being tested at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds/Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, conducting research to improve vehicle performance. During the course of testing, the car broke the record for the Top Speed Street Legal Electric Car category with a speed of 186.8 mph on the date of February 23, 2016. The record was certified by the International Mile Racing Association (IMRA). The previous record was 177 mph, set by a Finnish prototype car. The GXE, based on a 2006 Z06 Corvette, includes a state-of-the-art battery management system, inverters, batteries and electric motors that produce in excess of 700-hp and 600 lb-ft of torque.