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Recharge Wrap-up: Venturi seeks funding for speed record, Kia partners on V2G

Venturi Automobiles has started a crowdfunding campaign to help break an EV speed record. Venturi's goal, with the help of The Ohio State University, is to set a new FIA World Speed Record for Battery Powered Electric Vehicles of over 7000 pounds with its VBB-3. Venturi set the current record at 307 miles per hour, but wants to exceed that this September at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Funders can score merchandise like T-shirts, miniature models, and even their name on the side of the car. Learn more at Venturi Automobiles' Kickstarter page. Kia is providing six Soul EVs to UC Irvine's Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP). APEP is using the electric vehicles for the development of vehicle-to-grid technology and smart charging systems. Kia says the collaboration is helpful in its goals of expanding EVs over the next five years. "Grid-connected electric vehicles offer tremendous potential in terms of energy storage and dispersion during high-demand periods," says Kia VP of Product Planning Orth Hedrick, "and Kia is excited to collaborate with APEP in the study and development of advanced smart grid technologies." Read more from Kia, or at Green Car Congress. Daimler is launching its Mercedes-Benz Energy brand for stationary energy storage. Taking on the likes of Tesla with its Powerwall, Daimler began shipping battery packs for residential energy storage in Germany in April, with an eye toward solar systems. Now, with its new brand, the company looks to expand to the global market. "By founding Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH, we are underscoring our ambition to be a technological and market leader in the field of highly efficient storage systems," says Daimler's Harald Kroger. "With our unique combination of high standards of quality and safety and positive economies of scale, we are supporting the success of the new energy era while helping to make electromobility affordable." Read more in the press release below. Daimler Establishes Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH for Stationary Energy Storage Daimler AG is continuing to expand its network of expertise in the field of lithium-ion battery applications. Within this innovative line of business, the newly established Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH is assuming the development and global sale of Mercedes-Benz brand stationary energy storage with immediate effect. Thus, Daimler is focusing even more on the growing market for stationary batteries.

Mercedes-Maybach spied inside and out sporting the huge S-Class screen

A new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is well on its way, and that means a new Mercedes-Maybach is following right behind it. We were introduced to the new Mercedes-Maybach strategy over five years ago. At the end of 2019, Mercedes added to the small collection with the GLS 600, bringing an SUV into the Maybach fold. These spy shots mark our first good look inside and outside the next-gen Mercedes-Maybach sedan. We’ll point out the massive screen first. Photos of this huge slab of screen have largely shown it turned off. Now, we get a solid look at the display all lit up and running MercedesÂ’ next iteration of MBUX. The icons and UX look a whole lot like MercedesÂ’ current infotainment system design, just blown up to a much larger size. Mercedes is surely going to hit us with some new out-there features we didnÂ’t know we wanted and may not even use, but thatÂ’s the way it goes with excessive luxury. The gauge cluster is pretty standard for new Mercedes with a flat digital screen. An “EQ” emblem displayed in the cluster also indicates that Mercedes plans to implement its EQ Boost mild-hybrid tech with the turbocharged engine(s) offered in this new generation. The current car comes in S560 (V8) and S600 (V12) variations. We don't know what MercedesÂ’ powertrain plans are for the time being, but the GLS 600 uses 48-volt technology with its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and makes 550 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. Ideally, the smooth and silky V12 sticks around in the top-shelf S-Class as well. As for the design, itÂ’s exactly what one might expect from a Mercedes-Maybach. The wheelbase is stretched compared to the regular S-Class weÂ’ve spied before, and it has the signature slatted grille. Pop-out door handles appear to be carried over from the new S-Class, too. We expect the new S-Class isnÂ’t far from a reveal. ThereÂ’s a chance it still breaks cover this year, even as most automakers face delays from the coronavirus. Once itÂ’s out, the Mercedes-Maybach is likely to follow soon after. Related video:

Vettel hopes to pull off some Ferrari 'tricks' to end Mercedes F1 dominance

MONTREAL — Sebastian Vettel says Ferrari has a few tricks up its sleeves for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix and will need to conjure up something special if it is to end Mercedes' magical run. Six races into the season, Vettel is not ready to wave the white flag and concede the title to Mercedes, which has racked up six straight wins, five of them with 1-2 finishes. But the German admits the battle had reached a critical juncture. "The next races will be really crucial for us to try and get back to the front and give a much harder time to Mercedes," said Vettel, who finished second in Monaco last month for Ferrari's best result so far this season. "It will be crucial to do it rather sooner than later, but at the moment I am not too fussed, I am not looking at, 'OK this is the date.' "Clearly we are behind, clearly there is a big margin between Mercedes and the rest and we have to lose that gap and get ahead otherwise it will be difficult to turn around. "That is as much realism as you can get."Vettel won from pole position in Canada last year and Mercedes has suggested the high-speed circuit could again favor Italian rivals whose season has yet to get into gear. But Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will like their chances as well on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Hamilton was fastest in Friday's early practice, but damaged his car when he hit the wall in the afternoon. The five-time world champion sits 17 points clear of Bottas at the top of the standings and in his bid to equal Michael Schumacher's seven Canadian Grand Prix victories between 1994 and 2004. Not that Mercedes needed another boost, but Hamilton and Bottas will have new and upgraded engines in their cars for this weekend's race. Ferrari has already introduced its first upgraded powerplants of the season, but Vettel was optimistic tweaks to the car would benefit them on a circuit that plays to some of their strengths. "There is always little tricks you can do, the question is whether they make a difference," Vettel said. "But I am not sitting here trying to paint things black we haven't done a single lap this weekend so I am quite optimistic it was a strong track for us last year. "We have some tricks up our sleeves whether they work or not we will see.