by Gabrielle DeSantis

General Motors is exploring new frontiers…on the moon. In an announcement on May 26, 2021, GM said that they’ll be teaming up with Lockheed Martin to develop a moon buggy for NASA. GM and Lockheed Martin worked together to develop a conceptual Lunar Terrain Vehicle in an answer to a request for information (RFI) by NASA last year. This isn’t the first time that GM is sending a lunar rover to the moon; they’ve designed rovers that made it to the moon on three Apollo missions.

The NASA moon buggy will make it safer for Artemis astronauts to move around the surface of the moon. It will also be easier to transport scientific equipment. 

In a statement, Lockheed Martin Space executive vice president said, “These next-generation rovers will dramatically extend the range of astronauts as they perform high-priority science investigation on the Moon that will ultimately impact humanity’s understanding of our place in the solar system.”

NASA has wanted to develop moon rovers for some time, and put out a RFI in early 2020. The RFI stated that NASA was interested in ideas which would allow them to explore more of the lunar surface using robots. NASA specifically wanted ideas that included autonomous driving, electric vehicle systems and the ability to traverse rough terrain.   

Why did NASA choose GM to send a lunar rover to the moon?

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Steve Clarke, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for exploration, said, “We also want to hear from industry leaders in all-terrain vehicles, electric vehicles, and more—this is not exclusive to the space industry,” notes Smith. “We want our rovers on the Moon to draw on, and spur, innovations in electric vehicle energy storage and management, autonomous driving, and extreme environment resistance.”

Currently NASA expects their astronauts to be able to walk up to a half mile in their spacesuits,. GM’s rover would allow astronauts to explore more of the moon. NASA wants to explore the lunar South Pole, which has never been visited by humans before. 

This isn’t GM’s first space venture

In fact, GM has been to the moon before. GM worked with Boeing to develop the rover that the Apollo 15 astronauts drove on the moon in 1971. The GM lunar rover also went on two other moon missions, which basically makes them old pros in the space travel realm.

The Apollo rover traveled less than five miles on the surface of the moon. The Artemis rover is sure to tack on many more miles than that. 

The obstacles facing the Artemis moon buggy will be different than those facing the Apollo rover. The sites that the Artemis moon buggy will traverse will be darker and colder.  

The GM-Lockheed Martin partnership will look toward the future

Lockheed Martin says that the moon buggy they develop with GM won’t just suit NASA’s current needs, but anticipate what NASA will need as well. This look to the future is in line with GM’s recent announcement that they will be moving toward all electric vehicles by 2035.

So what does GM and Lockheed Martin’s moon buggy look like?

Right now there are no definitive designs drawn up. GM says they’re waiting for more information from NASA. They expect that there will be multiple designs, and possibly multiple rovers, too.

The post GM Is Headed to Space…Again appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Lexus IS has been refreshed for the 2021 model year and among its revisions is a new look and new tech. But are these features worthy enough to stand up to another entry-level luxury sedan like the Infiniti Q50? Let’s see how these two sedans stack up.

The 2021 Lexus IS sedan still exudes luxury

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If you like the Lexus IS when it was redesigned back in 2014, then you’ll love it now. Take a glance at the 2021 IS and you’ll notice that it’s really only slightly different than the previous model. That’s because Lexus kept a lot of the same body lines and curvatures of the last IS sedan and reshaped the front and rear fascias.

Ultimately, the 2021 Lexus IS features more aggressive headlights and upward-sloping taillights complete with a light bar that goes across the trunk. On the inside, the Lexus IS remains largely the same, as all of the buttons on the center console, the steering wheel, and even the seats remain the same. However, a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is now available. Previously, you had to solely rely on the clunky touchpad on the center console (which still exists), but now you can toggle through menus easier with the touch of a finger.

Under the hood, the Lexus IS can be outfitted with a  241-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder engine (IS300) or a 311-hp, 3.5-liter V6 (IS350). And if you want to make your IS350 look a little sportier, you can opt for the F Sport package that includes dark 19-inch wheels, an updated exhaust, mesh front grille, and an optional red leather interior. There is also the option for a Dynamic Handling package with adaptive dampers.

The 2021 Infiniti Q50 is a formidable rival

RELATED: Is the Infiniti Q50 Worth Buying?

Infiniti has always been known for producing luxuriously powerful cars and the Q50 is no exception. Not much has changed for the 2021 model year save for a new “Sensory” trim level that features 19-inch wheels, leather seats, a 16-speaker Bose sound system, and open-pore wood trim. The mid-level Luxe trim now comes standard with a host of driver-assist features and the Signature Edition adds a sense of richness with its saddle-brown interior and dark-chrome exterior trim.

One of the Q50’s highlights is that it comes standard with a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 300 hp and is paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission. According to Car and Driver’s testing, this combination is good for a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, as compared to the Lexus IS’ 5.6-second time. So it’s safe to say that the Infiniti Q50 is the quicker car.

However, performance doesn’t make the Q50 a clear winner as Car and Driver pointed out that its ride was “jittery” and “sometimes harsh,” which is not too indicative of a premium luxury sedan. They also stated that the car’s steering was light, but not too responsive. By the sound of it, the Q50 is great for acceleration, and we’re sure it feels nice on the inside, but the Lexus IS is still provides more of an all-around luxurious aura in our eyes.

If you want luxury, then choose the Lexus

That all being said, if you care about performance a little more than luxurious opulence, then choose the Infiniti Q50. However, if you think you would enjoy a plush ride, a comfortable and classier interior, and a good amount of power, then choose the Lexus IS. Fortunately, both cars are priced in the $40,000 to $55,000 range depending on the trim level you choose.

The post 2021 Lexus IS vs 2021 Infiniti Q50: The Classier Choice Is Clear appeared first on MotorBiscuit.