Electrified 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Plug-in Hybrid Model to Debut at New York International Auto Show

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Pretty much every automaker is making a push toward electric vehicles, and Jeep, under the Stellantis umbrella, is no exception. Speculation about which Jeep model would be the next Jeep EV in the US has been high, with the Renegade and the Compass being the top contenders. That speculation has been laid to rest with the announcement that the 2022 Grand Cherokee will be the next 4xe plug-in hybrid electric vehicle from Jeep. Furthermore, it looks to be a worthy entry into the off-roading EV market.

Stellantis is moving toward electrifying vehicles

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L | FCA US LLC.

Stellantis is moving most of its auto brands toward electric vehicles, and Jeep is no exception. In fact, Stellantis just announced during their 2021 EV day that the 2022 Grand Cherokee would be the latest 4xe plug-in hybrid model for Jeep. This is perfectly in line with the Jeep brand’s vision of “Zero Emissions, 100% Freedom.”

The current Jeep 4xe models are pretty impressive

Currently, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the PHEV to beat in the U.S. Autoblog even called it “sneaky good” and proclaimed that, unlike the 392 engine, you would be seen before you are heard. It comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine paired with a 100-kW electric motor to put out a total of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The 4xe has an eight-speed automatic transmission and three driving modes; Hybrid, Electric, and E-Save. When in E-Save mode, the battery can charge when only using the gas engine. 

In Europe, drivers have more options for a Jeep PHEV with the Jeep Renegade 4xe and the Jeep Compass 4xe. According to Autoblog, the first plug-in hybrid models for Jeep have the same 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an 11.4-kWh electric motor that combines to put out 190 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, with a 240 hp option available on select trims. Jeep promises a top speed of 81 mph on electric-only power, with a top speed of 124 mph in hybrid mode.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe and the future of EV Jeeps

Not many specifics have been released regarding the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe. However, it is expected to have a powertrain similar to the Wrangler 4xe but with a little extra juice. Jeep has been rumored to be developing a 3.0-liter inline-six engine codenamed Tornado, and there is speculation that this will debut in the 2022 Grand Cherokee. Additionally, the 4xe might have 480 volts of hybrid assistance, which would keep it at the top of the pack as far as towing and power. Inside it is expected to be luxurious yet easy to clean for those who like to go off-road. The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is supposed to make its big debut at the New York Auto Show in late August 2021.

As Jeep forges ahead with its “Zero Emissions, 100% Freedom” mission, expect more from Jeep with PHEVs and electric vehicles. Hopefully, we will hear more about the Jeep Magneto, which is conceptualized to be an all-electric Wrangler with a manual transmission. Additionally, it is expected that the Renegade and the Compass will cross the pond and become available in the U.S. soon. Eventually, it is expected that Jeep will make good on its promise to have hybrid options available for every model.

After the Grand Cherokee, maybe the Jeep Gladiator 4xe will be next. The New York Auto Show promises to deliver lots of good info about upcoming Jeep 4xe models in August. Hopefully, a demonstration of that Tornado engine will be part of the show.

RELATED: The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Is Actually Good for the Family

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Genesis Debuts the G70 Shooting Brake Wagon and Confirms It’s Only for Europe

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Genesis has announced a brand-new car, the G70 Shooting Brake, but unfortunately, it won’t be available in America. In fact, it will only be available in the European market. This shouldn’t be too surprising, as the G70 Shooting Brake is a wagon, and wagons are few and far between in the U.S. but are still popular with European drivers. Regardless, here’s a look at the G70 Shooting Brake, where it’s available, and what Americans can buy instead.

A brand-new Genesis G70 that’s available only in Europe

Genesis G70 Shooting Brake | Hyundai Motor America

In the world of luxury cars, Genesis is a relative newcomer that only started making vehicles recently. However, since Genesis is the luxury offshoot of Hyundai, Genesis got off to a quick start. Many of Genesis’ cars have received quite a lot of praise, including the G70 and the G80, among others. Genesis has been smart about things, too, as it has expanded into the SUV segment with cars like the GV70. 

Meanwhile, in Europe, Genesis is expanding into another segment with a new wagon model. According to Genesis, the G70 Shooting Brake, a wagon version of the G70 and will be exclusively available in Europe. This is a shame since the Shooting Brake is quite a capable wagon, and it could’ve been a great choice for some American customers.

For example, Car and Driver wrote that the Shooting Brake should get about 40 percent more cargo space than the regular G70. The other changes that Genesis made to the G70 ultimately make it a more appealing car, and Car and Driver expressed disappointment that it wouldn’t be sold in the U.S. However, as Car and Driver wrote, it makes sense why Genesis chose not to sell the Shooting Brake in America.

Size matters in the U.S. 

There are many stereotypes about Americans, but a few of them are unfortunately backed up by numbers. For example, Americans love big cars. The best-selling cars for the last few years, for instance, have been pickup trucks. They weren’t midsize pickups like the Toyota Tacoma either. Instead, they were full-size pickups like the Ford F-150 and the Chevy Silverado.

A similar trend is happening in the world of sedans and SUVs, as compact SUVs are becoming more popular than sedans, and bigger SUVs are even more popular than compact SUVs. However, in a market where size matters, one might think that a wagon would be a competitive option. However, as Car and Driver wrote, that’s not the case.

For one reason or another, wagons aren’t popular in the U.S. in contrast to their demand in Europe. There are exceptions, of course, such as the Subaru Outback, but by and large, wagons don’t sell well. As such, most automakers will bring SUVs over to America, but not wagons and more compact models. In any case, American Genesis fans don’t need to worry, as Genesis still has many great options to choose from.

What American drivers can buy instead of the G70 Shooting Brake

Genesis has a pretty simple system for naming its cars, so as one would expect, the GV70 is the SUV version of the G70. The GV70 is a compact luxury crossover, but it’s actually one of the more affordable options in that segment. It starts at about $42,000, and even when considering its trims, the GV70 is less expensive than its peers.

The GV70 is capable in many other ways too, and it comes with plenty of standard features that one may expect from a luxury SUV. For example, it has a 14.5-inch touch screen display as well as an eight-inch digital instrument display. However, since this is America, even the GV70 may be too small for some drivers. That’s where the bigger and more expensive GV80 comes in, which is also a great option.

RELATED: The 2021 Genesis GV80 Is Setting an Example Other Luxury Suvs Need to Follow

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Mick Schumacher Drove Michael Schumacher’s First Formula 1 Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Michael Schumacher is one of the biggest names in Formula 1 history. Schumacher won seven World Championships, 91 Formula 1 races, and had 155 podiums throughout his career. Lewis Hamilton has slowly been matching these Formula 1 wins. Michael’s son, Mick Schumacher, is driving for the Haas team these days and recently got to drive one of his father’s F1 cars.

Michael Schumacher’s Formula 1 Car, the Jordan 191

Mick Schumacher Drove Michael Schumacher’s First Formula 1 Car | Formula 1

Michael Schumacher started his Formula 1 career on Eddie Jordan’s team in 1991. Schumacher drove the Jordan 191 for a short time while signing to the team before switching to the Benetton team. With Benetton, Schumacher won his first title in the Benetton B194 car. Mick had the opportunity to drive the Jordan 191 around the Silverstone after the British Grand Prix.

The Jordan 191 gives us a glimpse back into Formula 1 history with some of the sponsors. The central livery is the color of 7UP, Sprite’s lemon-lime soda rival. Tic Tac was on the right side of the car, along with “Ireland.” Eddie Jordan was an Irish businessman who the team was named after. Fujifilm took the rear wing sponsorship placement, and the ever-present Pirelli tires can be seen. Ford and BP have smaller logos placed on the back of the vehicle. The car is a glimpse back in time to the start of Michael Schumacher’s stellar career.

Mick following in Michael Schumacher’s footsteps

Mick has had the chance to drive some of his father’s title-winning cars like the Benetton mentioned above B194. Michael drove the B194 in 1994 and 1995, winning his first and second titles with the team. By the time 1996 rolled around, he had moved to the Ferrari Formula 1 team and won five consecutive championships from 2000 to 2004. Michael drove the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro cars for all of his wins with Ferrari, according to F1 Technical.

Schumacher beat his record in the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro F2OO4 and won 13 races in a single season. At the same time, he won seven consecutive races and had the most points ever from a single season (148 points total).

The 2022 F1 cars will see a lot of upgrades

“This car is the embodiment of the new regulations,” Nikolas Tombazis noted. The shape of the car improved the airflow. This will also allow drivers to battle wheel-to-wheel, which is a significant change over the current vehicles. The floor is more straightforward, and the design is a bit more simple to allow for more standardized parts. More standardized parts will help lower the cost and will benefit all of the teams. 

The F1 chief designers said making the car cheaper and more affordable was an important factor for 2022. This means that the smaller teams like Haas will compete against the bigger teams like Mercedes-AMG Petronas, McLaren, and Red Bull Racing. It is no secret Mick is following in his dad’s footsteps. Perhaps one day soon, we will see him in more of Michael Schumacher’s Formula 1 cars, like the Ferrari.

RELATED: How Fast Are Formula 1 Cars vs. Nascar and Other Race Cars?

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Jeff Bezos Took the Rivian R1S to the Blue Origin Launch

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It makes the most sense to be styling and profiling on your way to a rocket ship, that’s why Jeff Bezos took a Rivian R1S. The Blue Origin stole the show as a rocket, but the 2021 Rivian R1S deserves attention, too, as a sleek all-electric SUV.  

Jeff Bezos used a 2021 Rivian R1S before going to space 

2021 Rivian R1S | Rivian

Ground control to Major Tom, what the heck is that cool SUV on the ground? Well, if you were around for the Blue Origin rocket launch, then you may have laid eyes on the futuristic 2021 Rivian R1S SUV. 

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fellow crew of future astronauts that went to the edge of space rode to the launch pad in the all-electric R1S. But Amazon is one of the largest Rivian investors, with a $700 million stake. 

Over 100,000 Rivian vehicles were ordered by Amazon to will last-mile delivery and shipping needs for its Prime delivery service. A few vehicles have already hit the streets, but the remainder should arrive by 2030. 

A spokesperson shared that Rivian Rivian loaned several pre-production R1S pickups to the Blue Origin team to assist with launch-day transportation. While these vehicles didn’t go to space, they still seem out of this world. 

What is the R1S? 

The 2021 Rivian R1S is an electric vehicle that looks to take on the Tesla Model X because it’s currently the only other three-row electric SUV that’s available. It’s expected to start around $70,000, while the Model X has an MSRP of $79,990. 

Like the Tesla Model X, the R1S will be sold directly to customers. Rivian is following in Tesla’s footsteps by setting up a network of service centers and stores. Imitation is the best form of flattery, right? 

Anyways, the R1S is pretty similar to its 2021 Rivian R1T pickup truck sibling. The smallest 105-kWh battery pack offers a combined output of 402 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. It provides 240 miles of range on a full charge. 

The 135-kWh battery pack is the mid-level option and generates an incredible 753 hp and 826 lb-ft of torque with a range of 310 miles. Performance specs for the largest 180-kWh battery pack haven’t been released, but it’s expected to have a 410-mile range. 

The R1S can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds and tow up to 7,700 lbs. It can also carry a payload of up to 1,800 lbs and has a ground clearance of 14.5 inches. It has a camper with a pull-out kitchen and an optional 12V refrigerator too. 

What is the R1S interior like? 

2021 Rivian R1S interior
2021 Rivian R1S interior | Rivian

The 2021 Rivian R1S may not have the same interior as the Blue Origin Rocket, but it’s still luxurious enough to impress Jeff Bezos. It features contemporary styling with premium leather and upscale wood trim. 

It features a 12-cubic-foot front trunk or frunk, a large rear cargo area, a split tailgate, and a spacious third row. You can easily access the sizeable digital gauge display and horizontally oriented infotainment system. 

The infotainment system features haven’t been released, but it’s safe to expect Apple CarPlay, Android Wireless, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless phone charging. Standard safety features include automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. 

The Rivian R1S Launch Edition, which starts at around $75,000, will be delivered this fall. Other trims, such as the Adventure Trim, will be released in 2022. We can’t wait to get behind the wheel to see how this electric beast performs! 

RELATED: The ‘Forest Edge’ Trim Isn’t Even the Coolest Rivian R1S Feature

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