News Roundup: Hyundai Kona Electric, Dodge Last Call, Lamborghini PHEV, More

Purolator making large investment to electrify fleet

Purolator courier has announced a massive upgrade to electrify its fleet in Canada. The delivery service announced it plans to spend $1B to lower the carbon emissions of its delivery fleet over the next seven years. The investment would add 3,500 fully electric vehicles to its fleet and electrify more than 60 terminals. The company was the first courier in Canada to launch electric trucks nationally. It will add 100 EVs this year and 150 next year including Ford E-Transit vans and the Canadian-built BrightDrop Zevo 600.

New Kona



Hyundai showed the second-generation Kona, starting with the latest Kona Electric. The 2024 Hyundai Kona grows larger than the old model, allowing for more passenger space and much more cargo space. This time around, Hyundai says Kona was designed as an EV first, not second. The most obvious result of this is a new front trunk, but there should be many less-obvious benefits under the skin. Tech upgrades inside include new screens much like Hyundai's other latest models. The Kona will make more power and will offer a Long Range model expected to hit 490 km on the WLTP cycle. It will be able to charge around twice as quickly as the current Kona on a Level 3 plug as well. Expect the new Kona Electric on sale later this year.

Mitsubishi ups electric play



Mitsubishi announced targets to move its full lineup to hybrid and EV by the middle of the next decade and said it will accelerate its low-emissions efforts. The goals were announced as part of the company's new three-year plan. Under the medium-term plan, Mitsubishi Motors says it will build on the momentum of launches like the latest Outlander. It will also work to accelerate EV development as part of its alliance with Renault and Nissan. Expect 16 new models over the next five years, and then for half of sales to be electrified by 2030.

Dodge Last Call

https://youtu.be/-VnDi7xYvag

Dodge is getting ready to launch the ultimate version of its Charger and Challenger muscle cars and has launched the final teaser ahead of the car's reveal next week. The third Dodge Last Call teaser video is called "Scream @ 215 mph" and is most likely a nod to the expected 215 mph (346 km/h) top speed of the car. The last Last Call, a series of seven low-volume special edition cars, was supposed to have been revealed late last year. It has been pushed back multiple times, with rumours that Dodge was having trouble with the car's immense horsepower output. There's also a math equation on the anemometer in the video, which has everyone guessing what it means. The likely answer is an engine that flows 1,582 cubic feet of air per minute. The 808 hp Demon flows just 1,150 CFM for comparison. We'll have to wait and see for sure.

Lamborghini LB744 hybrid supercar to be revealed later this year



In other 1,000 hp news, Lamborghini has announced the working name and hybrid powertrain of its next supercar. The car, codenamed LB744, will use a reworked version of Lambo's 6.5L V12 and will have three electric motors. The result will be 1,001 hp, all-wheel drive, and the ability to drive about 10 km using electric power. The gearbox is a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic unit. Lamborghini promises the full reveal will come later this year.

Ultra Cruise to debut on ultra-luxury Cadillac Celestiq



GM is talking about safety and the next iteration of its hands-off driver assistance. Ultra Cruise will debut on the Cadillac Celestiq and uses more than 20 sensors including radar, cameras, and LiDAR. GM expects it to enable hands-off driving "in 95 percent of all driving scenarios." To do this, it will also have to monitor the driver. To make sure that the driver is remaining ready to take over when the computer can't manage the situation. "A deep knowledge of what Ultra Cruise is capable of, along with the detailed picture provided by its sensors, will help us understand when Ultra Cruise can be engaged and when to hand control back to the driver. We believe consistent, clear operation can help build drivers’ confidence in Ultra Cruise," said Ultra Cruise Chief Engineer Jason Ditman. GM says it expects software updates will allow for hands-free driving across nearly every paved road in Canada and the U.S. over time.