Subaru Quietly Builds Its 20 Millionth All-Wheel Drive

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For half a century, Subaru has dedicated its engineering efforts to perfecting one feature. The brand’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system is legendary and future-proof by design. All but one model produced by the automaker are available with all-wheel drive. Recently the company hit a significant production milestone that shines a light on 50 years of development.

The name Subaru is synonymous with all-wheel drive

Subaru Logo | Robert Alexander via Getty Images

Subaru is known for its iconic symmetrical all-wheel drive system. It’s a feature that sets the brand apart and defines it. All-wheel drive vehicles make up 98% of the automaker’s overall sales. 

 Subaru’s system brings the center of gravity low and as close to the vehicle’s center as possible. Combined with the symmetrical boxer engine, this gives Subarus outstanding balance and handling. The brand doesn’t build all-wheel drive systems for its vehicles. It builds its vehicles around an all-wheel drive system.

Subaru’s reputation for reliable all-wheel drive vehicles makes the brand more popular in regions with frequent rain or snow. 15.8% of vehicles in the U.S. are all-wheel drive. As outdoor activities continue to grow in popularity, so will Subaru’s share of that market.

A milestone half a century in the making

The first All-wheel drive Subaru debuted in 1972. It didn’t hit the American market for another three years. Two years later, the Brat was released and planted the seeds for the brand’s reputation for making cars for young outdoors people. 

In 1996, Subaru began offering its entire lineup with an all-wheel drive option. The brand has stood behind that choice with one exception. The rear-wheel-drive BRZ is the only model that breaks the tradition.

After 50 years of perfecting the symmetrical all-wheel drive system, Subaru quietly hit a significant milestone. Last month, the brand’s 20 millionth All-wheel drive vehicle rolled off the production line. Five decades of dedicated design experience back the brand as it moves into the future.

The perfect marriage of past and present

The Solterra EV badging on the back of the all-wheel drive electric SUV
Subaru Solterra EV | Subaru

Subaru announced the all-electric Solterra in May 2020. The EV SUV will come with all-wheel drive standard. Brand enthusiasts are excited to see what Subaru can do with a dedicated electric vehicle.

Building an all-wheel drive system for an EV is much easier and more straight forwards than creating one for a combustion-powered vehicle. EV batteries significantly lower a car’s center of gravity. Individual electric motors on each wheel make it simple to push power to each one independently. 

Electric cars marry beautifully with the symmetrical all-wheel drive concept. It stands to reason that the automaker best known for perfecting this system will get extraordinary results from an electric vehicle. This engineering advantage could have a more significant effect on the market share that these vehicles take up.

Because it’s so easy to equip in an EV, all-wheel drive may become more common as a standard feature as more EVs enter the market. Buyers are eager for electric vehicles to become more affordable. Many are ready to make the switch from IVE. Could the Solterra usher in a new age of all-electric all-wheel drive performance vehicles?

RELATED: Off-road Subaru Wilderness Sub-brand Announced

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The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV Strikes Hard

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Did anyone warn the hybrid SUVs about the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV? Well, it might be too late for them to run and hide now. The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid arrived ahead of schedule to crush the competition. 

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV a good SUV? 

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid | Hyundai

Yes, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV is an excellent option to consider. It’s one robust, reliable, and efficient model. Also, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid will flow in its tire tracks later in the year. 

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid will go on sale in the summer with a price that begins around $35,000. For comparison’s sake, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime starts at about $38,250. So, the Santa Fe has a very competitive price. 

How much power does the Santa Fe Hybrid have? 

The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter turbo-four engine with 177 hp and a 66.9-kW electric motor with 90 hp. They combine to generate 260 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque, while the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid model features 226 hp. 

With the Santa Fe PHEV, you can expect to get an EPA-estimated 31 miles of all-electric range with a full charge. It gets about 33 MPG. A 13.8-kWh liquid-cooled battery pack makes these figures possible. 

The Toyota RAV4 Prime has a 42-mile electric-only ranger and gets an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined. It uses a 2.5-liter inline-four engine with 177 hp and two AC motors that combine to provide 302 hp and 288 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the Santa Fe PHEV can tow up to 2,000 lbs, and the RAV4 Prime can tow up to 2,500 lbs. 

Charging times for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV hasn’t been released. But it will include a 3.3-kW onboard charger. Charging times are expected to be under four hours. The RAV4 Prime takes 12 hours to charge with a 120-volt household outlet and 4.5 hours to charge with a 240-volt charger. 

How does the Santa Fe PHEV perform? 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV driving down a dirt road
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV | Hyundai

The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in hybrid comes with standard all-wheel drive and a version of Hyundai’s HTRAC mechanical system. Up to 50 percent of the torque is sent to the rear wheels for enhanced dynamic control and agility. 

If the system senses slippery conditions, the system automatically distributes power to all four wheels. Driving modes include Normal, Smart, and Sport. This system is excellent for providing control in slippery conditions such as ice or snow. 

With the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid SEL, you get keyless entry and start, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and Wireless AppleCarPlay/Android Auto. 

Upgrade to the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid for leather surfaces, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated back seats, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, and remote smart parking assistance. 

At first glance, the Santa Fe PHEV seems like a well-rounded hybrid SUV. With the 30 miles electric range, you may be able to commute each day without using gas. Plus, it provides a luxurious interior, sporty ride, and includes rugged capability. We can’t wait to test it from behind the wheel.

RELATED: The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Just Won This Top Safety Award

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Chase Briscoe Confirms NASCAR Next-Gen Car Has Major Problems

by Gabrielle DeSantis

NASCAR has been plenty secretive about its next-gen race car. So they are coming from a place of little to no updates as to how NASCAR is coming with testing. That’s why, when Chase Briscoe confirmed that crash test dummies used in simulated NASCAR crashes were “fatal” drivers went nuts.

NASCAR is being coy about its testing and results

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway | Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images

The crash testing is taking place at Talladega. There has been no word from NASCAR about its ongoing testing for the next-gen car that was supposed to be close to ready. NASCAR has repeatedly said accidents performed did not show concerns. That the results were what NASCAR expected.

That is the extent of its communication with the drivers, teams, and public. But it also runs contrary to what has been passed around to drivers in the form of rumors. A post by NASCAR assuring drivers everything is sunshine and rainbows referred to the test dummy as having “functioned nominally.” 

The NASCAR word “nominally”

Chase Briscoe NASCAR driver
Chase Briscoe, the driver of the #04 CircleBDiecast.com Ford, walks the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Corn Belt 150 | James Gilbert/Getty Images

Nominally. That is a word that most drivers don’t want to hear when referring to the potential for survival in a NASCAR crash. Nominally. Even the definition of nominal has conflicting meanings. We would say that in theory, something might exist, but not in reality. But a live driver crashing in a race car is reality, not theory.

What happens while the drivers try to get information about the cars they may be flinging around an oval track? Four doctors will evaluate the data and then release a report. When NASCAR reviews the report and receives an OK from legal consultants, it will begin distributing to teams the approved chassis. 

Only one supplier will provide chassis for the entire series. Individual teams will no longer create their own chassis. With the holdup, while testing and reporting continue, the teams themselves feel they are behind. 

“We’re supposed to go to Bristol in a month to do a tire test and can’t get the chassis” 

“Seeing NASCAR’s presentation (in May) and the things that they’ve done with the car is very impressive and the data and all the things that go with that is very impressive and how they lay the crashes out in the simulation that they have,” said Cup driver Kevin Harvick. “I think it’s just when the drivers were a part of the process is why everybody is a little frustrated with that, and, here we are, we’re supposed to go to Bristol in a month with our car to do a tire test and can’t get the chassis.” 

If there is one issue that concerns the drivers more than any other, it is the right front impact with the wall. If the chassis compresses as intended, the driver will be relatively safe. If it doesn’t, then it is too rigid.

In a rigid situation, the car absorbs less of the forces upon impact. Instead, the driver absorbs more of them. That leads to more serious injuries to drivers. 

“I would assume if things went fantastic, we would have heard about it pretty soon”

Chase Briscoe #14 Ford
Chase Briscoe, the driver of the #14 One Cure Ford, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart at Atlanta Motor Speedway on July 11, 2021 | Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

“Simulation, while very, very good, is still not the real thing,” Hamlin said. “We were eagerly awaiting what the results were going to be from the June 30 test. I guess there are rumors that start from people that are kind of close to it, and it doesn’t sound great. But again, there’s no hard data. “I would assume if things went fantastic, we would have heard about it pretty soon.”

“It’s our butts in the car and our heads in the car,” Penske driver Joey Logano told Fox Sports. “The car looks strong, which is good in a lot of ways. But in other ways, you’ve got to have some crush zones. So I think we’re all curious to see what the numbers come back at.”

RELATED: Revealed: The Next-Gen Ford, Chevy, Toyota Nascar Racers

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A Porsche 911 Hybrid Was Spotted in Testing

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Porsche, like many luxury brands, has embraced the electric future of vehicles. The all-electric Taycan is a smash hit that changed people’s expectations for electric vehicles. Recently an exciting test car was spotted on the Nurburgring that hints at a hybrid 911 on the horizon.

Porsche has had great success with electric vehicles

Porsche logo | Sean Gallup via Getty Images

Like most other major automakers, Porsche has embraced hybrid and electric technology. The brand currently offers one all-electric model (the Taycan) and two plug-in hybrid models (the Cayenne E-Hybrid and the Panamera E-Hybrid). Its first all-electric vehicle has met with stunning success. 

The Porsche Taycan has outperformed the combined sales of the 718 and the 911. Only the Cayenne and Macan sold more. Its popularity has shaped public perception of EVs. The brand has already changed what people think an all-electric vehicle can look and feel like. 

A tell-tale yellow sticker gives the Porsche 911 hybrid away

Early glimpses of test cars in development often give insights into upcoming models. A Porche 911 was recently spotted at the test track, sporting a yellow sticker. The yellow sticker s a requirement of all hybridized vehicles being tested in Germany.

Porsche confirmed it built the Mk8 (992-series) 911 to accommodate hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems. The blacked-out rear window of the recently spotted test vehicle is likely intended to hide the earliest version of those systems. With the tell-tale yellow sticker identifying it as a hybrid, it’s not hard to imagine what’s hiding behind the black paint.

Production specs could vary significantly from the test car spotted on the Nurburgring. If the test car is any indicator, the hybrid 911 will not be a plug-in model. Photos of the test car published by carscoops show no visible charging port door.

An all-electric 911 is still years away

The chrome 911 badging of a red Porsche
Porsche 911 badging | Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Porsche’s entries to the electric and hybrid markets have hit the mark. A hybrid 911 would be a compelling and exciting example of what a hybrid can do. The Porsche name, backed by 90 years of sports car expertise, can change public perceptions about the limitations of electric vehicles.

The brand has made conflicting statements about a future all-electric 911. Hints that a hybrid 911 is a stepping stone toward an all-electric version directly oppose quotes from the brand’s CEO. 

In 2018, Former Head of Sports Car Development August Achleitner told Autocar: “We’ve taken the experience we gained with hybrid versions of the Cayenne and Panamera, as well as the 918 Spyder, and applied it to the new 911. In the future, this will allow us to offer [the 911] with pure-electric capability.”

In March 2021, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume held a media call before the company’s annual meeting. He had this to say about an all-electric 911: “The 911 is our icon. We will continue to build the 911 with a combustion engine. The concept of the 911 doesn’t allow a fully electric car because we have the engine in the rear. To put the weight of the battery in the rear, you wouldn’t be able to drive the car.”

RELATED: Porsche Reveals We Shouldn’t Expect an Electric Porsche 911 for a Really Long Time

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