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Lexani Motorcars unveils plans for 2021 Cadillac Escalade Mobile Offices

Lexani Motorcars is an aftermarket shop that specializes in high-end luxury customizations for a variety of large SUVs and vans. The Corona, Calif. company aims for business-class-type vehicles, rather than "Pimp My Ride" hack jobs, and has recently been working on 30-inch extended mobile office conversions, among other projects. Up next: the 2021 Cadillac Escalade. Lexani Motorcars, not to be confused with Lexani wheels, took to Instagram to show off a vision for a custom office setup for the new-generation 2021 Escalade. Cadillac's large SUV would be extended by 30 inches and outfitted with a plethora of over-the-top luxury options. Lexani's most extreme additions include armoring, but their toys don't have to be that serious. The most immediately noticeable feature in the Escalade is the starlight headliner. Similar to what's seen in certain modern Rolls-Royces, the starry ceiling is not necessarily a new feature for Lexani Motorcars, but the design has evolved. This most recent interpretation looks like it has a specialized design, possibly one that mimics a real part of the sky.  The Mobile Office includes four massive captain's chairs, each of which has motorized functionality and quilted leather. In between each set of seats is an integrated iPad tablet, and more are seen built into the walls of the SUV. Each seat also has a fold-out desk and foot rests for reclining.  Furthermore, the Mobile Offices include hideaway big-screen TVs that pop up behind the rear seats. Other options include satellite, curtains or shades for the windows, custom trim pieces made out of high-end materials such as carbon fiber or real metals, cooled storage for drinks, and storage compartments for libation stemware. Lexani Motorcars does not list a price, as each car is configured per the customer, and it does not mention when the new Escalades will become a reality. The Escalade was originally estimated to launch in late 2020, but it's unclear whether or not that will be affected by the current production stoppages due to coronavirus.           View this post on Instagram                   Now accepting pre-orders on 2021 Escalade Mobile Offices ? Inquiries: info@lexanimotorcars.com A post shared by Lexani Motorcars (@lexanimotorcars) on Mar 23, 2020 at 3:22pm PDT           View this post on Instagram                   Look forward to rush hour?

GM Ultium tech can scavenge heat from everywhere, even you

GM likes to give us tidbits about its Ultium platform from time to time, and today it’s telling us about the platformÂ’s ability to capture waste heat from the propulsion system. In addition to capturing from the propulsion system, it can also capture humidity from both inside and outside the vehicle and even from passengersÂ’ body heat. Yes, you, your family and/or your friends are a usable heat source as far as GM EVs are concerned. It then deploys the heat in an advantageous way. If at this point, youÂ’re screaming, "Heat pump!" youÂ’d be right. WeÂ’re talking about an elaborate heat pump system that GM is using for its Ultium-based vehicles. Every Ultium-based GM vehicle gets this system that is covered by 11 patents and four publications. The waste heat it collects is used in a number of ways, but its primary use is to heat the cabin quickly and efficiently. GM claims it can heat the cabin of its Ultium-based vehicles quicker than vehicles with traditional internal combustion engines. Plus, when put to use, GM claims that using the heat pump provides its EVs with up to 10% more range than theyÂ’d have without. Beyond heating the cabin, the heat pump is capable of putting waste heat to use by preheating the battery prior to charging so that you can charge quicker. The system can even cool the propulsion system in preparation for Watts to Freedom (WTF) launch control starts. GM says this was vital in helping the Hummer EV achieve its bonkers 0-60 mph time of about 3 seconds. “Having a ground-up EV architecture gives us the freedom to build in standard features like UltiumÂ’s energy recovery capabilities,” said Doug Parks, GM executive VP of global product development, purchasing and supply chain. “This helps us squeeze more efficiency, performance and overall customer benefit out of our EVs.” GM says itÂ’s been developing heat pump technology since the EV1 and its heat pump. This is the modern evolution of that technology, and GM says itÂ’s going to be implemented in every Ultium-based vehicle as a standard feature. Related video: Green Cadillac Chevrolet GM GMC Technology Electric Future Vehicles

GM sees 'strong year' in 2018, then gold in Chevy Silverado for 2019

DETROIT — General Motors said on Tuesday it expects earnings in 2018 to be largely flat compared with 2017, but that profits should pick up pace in 2019 as its revamped line of high-margin pickup trucks hits the U.S. market. The 2018 earnings outlook was above market expectations, sending GM shares up more than 3 percent in premarket trading. "GM had a very good 2017 as we continued to transform our company to be more focused, resilient and profitable," GM Chief Executive Mary Barra said in a statement. "We are positioned for another strong year in 2018 and an even better one in 2019." GM and its Detroit rivals, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, are bringing on new trucks at a time when overall U.S. new vehicle sales have been falling, but truck sales continue to grow as consumers abandon passenger cars in favor of pickups, SUVs and crossovers. GM on Saturday fired a new round in the battle for profits from one of the U.S. auto industry's most lucrative segments when it showed a new generation of its Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck at the Detroit auto show. The new Silverado, a highlight of the event, is the successor to GM's best-selling vehicle in North America. Sales of the current Silverado rose nearly 2 percent to 585,000 vehicles in 2017. In the coming months, the company will also reveal a revamped GMC Sierra pickup truck. U.S. new vehicle sales fell 2 percent in 2017 after hitting a record high in 2016, and are expected to drop further in 2018 as interest rates rise and more late-model used cars return to dealer lots to compete with new ones. GM said on Tuesday that while it retools a factory in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, to make the new pickup trucks, it will shift some production to an Oshawa, Ontario, plant in order to avoid missing sales in a hot market for the vehicles. The No. 1 U.S. automaker said it will record a $7 billion non-cash charge for its fourth-quarter 2017 earnings related to deferred tax assets. GM said it expects capital expenditure in 2018 of around $8.5 billion, about $1 billion of which will go toward funding self-driving car technology. Last week, the company said it is seeking U.S. government approval for a fully autonomous car — one without a steering wheel, brake pedal or accelerator pedal — to enter the automaker's first commercial ride-sharing fleet in 2019. GM said it expects 2017 earnings per share at the high end of its previously forecast range of $6 to $6.50.