Concept Cars

Hyundai unveiling possible next-gen Tucson concept with a plug-in hybrid powertrain

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Nov 16, 2019, 2:40 pm

The Vision T is likely a look at the design language of the new Hyundai Tucson.

Image courtesy of Hyundai

Next week, Hyundai will unveil a new plug-in hybrid SUV concept car. The model is the seventh in the automaker's series of Hyundai Design Center concepts that combines "emotional value" with "sensuous sportiness" in an application of the company's new design language.

"We pursue innovative solutions in design and add emotional value to our product experience through sensuous sportiness design language," said SangYup Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center. The SUV concept is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain indicating its eco-lifestyle focus and its inherent balance with the environment in which it is driven.

Hyundai Vision T concept SUV car front PHEV The side profile of the design shows off a new vision for Hyundai's compact SUV.Image courtesy of Hyundai

The SUV has a theme of parametric fantasy and transcendent connectivity. All of the concept SUV's body structures are connected from the body to light or trim features. The overall look is a seamless take on design boundaries, perhaps signifying the future seamlessness of home, vehicle, entertainment, and transportation spaces.

Ambient light reflects off concave and convex surfaces to create a sense of tension, according to Hyundai.

The vehicle features an evolution of the Hidden Signature Lamp (as seen on the new Sonata) and features a parametric air shutter that deploys to help adjust aerodynamics and design. The shutter is closed when the vehicle is stationary then moves to effect airflow, aerodynamics, and fuel efficiency.

Why might it be the next Tucson? Hyundai has already disclosed that this concept has the dimensions of a compact SUV. That ticks the Tucson box. There's also the name of the vehicle "Vision T" and the fact that nearly every SUV in the Hyundai lineup has either debuted or undergone a significant redesign in the last 18 months except Tucson. It's logical that Tucson would be up next and that it would evolve Hyundai's powertrain offerings given the success of the Kona EV.

Earlier, Hyundai announced that 13 new products would be making their way into the company's portfolio in the coming years including the Hyundai Santa Cruz truck.

No details about the car's plug-in hybrid powertrain are yet available. The full concept car will be revealed during AutoMobility LA.

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Nissan Energy Perks by EVgo gives Leaf owners $250 in charging credit

Nissan Leaf and Leaf Plus owners can charge their vehicles via EVgo stations.

Photo courtesy of Nissan North America

Earlier this year, Nissan and EVgo announced a new investment in America's charging infrastructure. Now, the two companies have announced a new program, Nissan Energy Perks by EVgo. The program provides $250 of pre-paid charging credits that can be used on the EVgo charging network for new Nissan Leaf owners and lessees.

"Nissan is a long-time leader in electric vehicles and this new partnership with EVgo will give Nissan LEAF owners confidence powered by tens of thousands of chargers across America," said Aditya Jairaj, director, EV sales and marketing, Nissan North America. "Convenient access to public chargers can be incredibly helpful for LEAF owners in their day-to-day lives."

The EVgo changing network is made up of more than 750 public charging stations. At those stations there are a total of 30,000 public EV chargers including 1,200 fast chargers.

This offer is only available in select markets including:

  • Albany-Schenectady-Troy Albuquerque-Santa Fe Atlanta
  • Austin
  • Bakersfield
  • Baltimore
  • Boston (Manchester)
  • Burlington-Plattsburgh
  • Charleston, SC
  • Charlotte
  • Chattanooga
  • Chicago
  • Chico-Redding
  • Cincinnati
  • Cleveland-Akron (Canton)
  • Colorado Springs-Pueblo
  • Columbia, SC
  • Columbus, OH
  • Dallas-Ft. Worth
  • Denver
  • Detroit
  • Eugene
  • Fresno-Visalia
  • Ft. Myers-Naples
  • Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR
  • Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson
  • Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York, PA
  • Hartford & New Haven, CT
  • Honolulu
  • Houston
  • Indianapolis
  • Jacksonville
  • Kansas City
  • Knoxville
  • Las Vegas
  • Los Angeles
  • Madison, WI
  • Miami-Ft. Lauderdale
  • Milwaukee
  • Monterey-Salinas, CA
  • Nashville
  • New York
  • Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melborne
  • Palm Springs
  • Philadelphia
  • Phoenix (Prescott)
  • Pittsburgh, PA
  • Portland, OR
  • Portland-Auburn, ME
  • Providence-New Bedford
  • Raleigh-Durham (Fayettville)
  • Reno
  • Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto
  • Salisbury, MA
  • Salt Lake City
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco-Oakland
  • San Jose
  • Santa Barbara-San Margarita-San Luis Obispo
  • Seattle-Tacoma
  • Spokane
  • Springfield-Holyoke, MA
  • St. Louis
  • Tampa-St. Petersburg (Sarasota)
  • Tucson (Sierra Vista)
  • Washington, DC (Hagerstown)
  • West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce

"The future of driving is electric, and EVgo is focused on delivering reliable and convenient fast charging for everyone," said Cathy Zoi, CEO of EVgo. "Anyone who has tried an EV loves it, and EVgo and Nissan are making it easier for more drivers to make the switch to an electric vehicle."

Leaf owners traveling where the EVgo network isn't as extensively built up can utilize the company's roaming access to ChargePoint chargers. ChargePoint has more than 28,000 Level 2 chargers and 300 fast chargers equipped with a CHAdeMO connector.

Recently, EVgo announced partnerships with Electrify America and EV Connect to expand its customers' charging network availability.

According to EVgo, more than 100 million Americans live within a 15-minute drive of an EVgo fast charger.

The 2019 Nissan Leaf offers 150 miles of all-electric range and starts at $29,990. The 2019 Leaf Plus has 216 miles of range and starts at $36,550. The listed price of both models is before any federal, state, or local tax incentives have been applied.

More than 100 million Americans currently live within a 15-minute drive of an EVgo fast charger, including those built in partnership with Nissan along the I-95 corridor on the East Coast and along the DRIVEtheARC corridor in California from Monterey to Lake Tahoe.

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Electric Vehicles

To modernize a classic, VW added an e-Golf electric powertrain to a 1972 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus

Volkswagen is exploring the potential of modernizing classic cars with new electric powertrains.

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

Classic cars sure are pretty to look at. But, they're not so great when it comes to running clean. A new movement in the classic car community looks to change that, swapping old engines for fresh electric motors.

Chevrolet highlighted the trend earlier this year on a 1962 Chevrolet C-10 pickup truck and now Volkswagen is getting in on the game, showing off a 1972 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus that has been retrofitted by EV West to include the powertrain from a VW e-Golf.

Electrified 1972 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus

Electrified 1972 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

Volkswagen has exchanged the powertrain in a 1972 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus for that in a 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf.

"Their passion for classic-car culture and commitment to renewable energy made EV West the ideal choice for this project," said Mathew Renna, VP G4, Volkswagen North American Region. "We thought, who better to see if the e-Golf powertrain would be the perfect fit for our older vehicles. It's great to see that the spirit of hot rodding is going to live on into the electric age."

The stock powertrain from a 2017 e-Golf features a 35.8kWh battery system that gives the Bus 125 miles of all-electric range. The powertrain sits in the rear compartment of the Bus, which previously held the vehicle's stock air-cooled 60-horsepower four-cylinder engine. The battery units are housed inside custom engineered and reinforced enclosures under the Bus's front seats where the fuel tank used to sit.

According to Volkswagen, "The independent rear suspension of the Type 2 Bay Window makes a perfect mate to the transverse driveline which is contained in a single unit that houses the 100kW synchronous AC permanent magnet electric motor, one-speed transmission and charging system."

The Bus's stock long-throw shifter now features park, reverse, neutral, drive, and regenerative braking modes. It has been fitted with a retro-inspired multifunction digital EV gauge on the dashboard.

"We are very excited to be a part of this project," said Michael Bream, Founder and CEO of EV West. "Merging a historic model from an iconic brand with the technology of today, is just one of many ways that we can step closer to a more sustainable future while continuing to enjoy our rich automotive heritage."

The Bus is painted Kansas Beige and Pastel White. It is not currently for sale.

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