2022 Ram ProMaster: New Features, Release Date, and Pricing

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you need a highly capable van to help you meet the needs of your business, then look no further than the 2022 Ram ProMaster. With a thorough overhaul for the new model year, the 2022 ProMaster is an outstanding choice for the commercial van segment. Read more to find out about the new features, release date, and pricing of the 2022 ProMaster. 

Engine specs and performance features in the 2022 Ram ProMaster

2022 Ram ProMaster | Ram

The 2022 ProMaster comes equipped with the latest iteration of its award-winning 3.6-liter V6 engine. Mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, the engine doles out 280 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. With the powerful engine, the ProMaster is able to tow up to 6,900 pounds. The payload capacity of the ProMaster is a class-leading 4,680 pounds.

Compared to other commercial vans, the ProMaster is very maneuverable. With its new electric rack-and-pinion power steering system, the ProMaster achieves a class-leading turning diameter of 36.3 feet. Also, the ProMaster has a newly standard electric parking brake.

Eco-minded customers may wonder if Ram will produce an all-electric version of the ProMaster. The answer is yes. However, they will have to be a little patient, for the battery-electric ProMaster won’t be available until 2023.

The 2022 Ram ProMaster is a technologically advanced van

Owners of the 2022 ProMaster will benefit from its numerous advanced technologies. The new Uconnect 5 infotainment system is five times faster than the previous version and has many useful features. This includes Wi-Fi capabilities, Alexa in-vehicle assistant, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, navigation with maps over-the-air updates, and SiriusXM. Also, Uconnect 5 can connect two Bluetooth-enabled phones at the same time. 

The infotainment system is available with either a 7-inch or 10-inch touchscreen, which has dual split-screen capability. Also, Uconnect 5 is customizable. You can personalize the home screen and create up to five user profiles.

White 2022 Ram ProMaster with the rear doors opened
2022 Ram ProMaster | Ram

RELATED: How Many Miles Will a Ram ProMaster Last?

The 2022 ProMaster provides a very safe ride with its multitude of safety and driving assistance technologies. This includes standard active driving assist, forward collision warning, post-collision braking, traffic sign recognition, drowsiness detection, a rear backup camera, crosswind assist. Also, the Promaster offers optional lane keep assist, speed assist, adaptive cruise control, an active drive system, auto high-beams, and traffic sign information. Additionally, with the optional 360-degree surround-view camera, you can have a clear view on all sides of the van.

What’s the release date and pricing of the 2022 Ram ProMaster?

Ram has not yet announced an official release date for the 2022 Ram ProMaster, but customers can expect the van to start arriving at dealerships later this month (September 2021). The pricing information isn’t available yet either, but it will probably only be a modest increase from the 2021 ProMaster. The starting price for the 2021 ProMaster Low Roof model is $32,385. For the 2021 ProMaster High Roof model, it’s $36,410.

RELATED: Which Ram ProMaster Van Configuration Is Best for Camping?

The post 2022 Ram ProMaster: New Features, Release Date, and Pricing appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition Revealed

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Despite their reputation for poor reliability, Land Rover still has tons of ardent fans who are willing to deal with any repeating issues just to keep saying that they own a Land Rover. Misguided or not, you can’t say Land Rover fans aren’t loyal. For those outside of the “choir,” Land Rover is making moves to attract new customers.

There are numerous marketing techniques and strategies that automakers lean on to help get their brand in front of as many eyeballs as possible. Sometimes it’s as simple as a catchy ad campaign like Kia with those hauntingly creepy dancing hamsters. Another popular strategy is to start a cross-promotional partnership with a blockbuster film.

Land Rover partners with James Bond and ‘No Time To Die’

Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition | Land Rover

With British origins, it is not shocking that Land Rover would choose to hitch their wagon to the massive hype train following the new James Bond film No Time to Die. The latest film is expected to be the last Bond for actor Daniel Craig. A large audience is expected to flock to theaters to watch the actor’s final performance in this role which means No Time To Die is a prime cross-promotional opportunity for Land Rover.

Land Rover has announced a limited “Bond Edition” Defender V8 SUV created by their “SV” bespoke division to capitalize on the film’s opening.

Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition

The Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition seen in a side view with a puddle light featuring the "007" logo.
The Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition | Land Rover

This limited-edition collector’s edition Defender SUV is meant to look similar to those that appear in No Time To Die. The 2022 Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition features an “Extended Black Pack” with 22-inch “Luna Gloss Black” wheels, “Xenon Blue” front brake calipers, and a ‘Defender 007’ badge in the rear. The complete look is a blacked-out Land Rover with stealthy touches. The vibe could fit that of Bond himself or the henchmen chasing him.

The theme continues in the interior, with back-lit ‘Defender 007’ door-sill plates and a custom touchscreen start-up animation for the infotainment system that pays homage to Land Rover’s historic partnership with the James Bond film franchise. One more hidden touch is a puddle light that projects the ‘007’ logo on the ground. Not a very stealthy feature for a spy trying to keep a low profile but still nice to look at nonetheless.

How to get the Defender V8 Bond Edition

Only 300 examples of the Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition will be produced for the global market. With production numbers that low, prospective buyers can expect a hefty markup from any dealership that happens to get an allocation. We are speculating that since both Land Rover and James Bond are prominent U.K. brands, the majority of those 300 units will likely be reserved for that territory.

We would not be surprised if less than 100 of the SUVs make their way to the states. Vehicles that do make it to the American market will have a starting price of $114,600. That is about $9.200 more than the starting MSRP of a base Land Rover Defender V8.

Anyone lucky (or wealthy) enough to get their hands on a Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition can show off their SUV’s collectible nature by pointing out the laser-etched interior logos which list their specific car’s production number.

As unbelievable as it might seem that customers would be willing to spend an extra $9,200 plus dealer mark-up just to pretend they are James Bond during their daily commute, we can’t honestly say we wouldn’t do the same thing if we had the funds for it.

RELATED: The 2021 Land Rover Defender Is the Coolest SUV Not Recommended By Consumer Reports

The post Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition Revealed appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

2022 Renault Mégane E-TECH Electric: Is a 292-Mile Range Enough?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Did you know that Renault has covered more than 6,213,711,922 miles (10 billion kilometers) with more than 400,000 electric vehicles? While the brand has been ahead of the game in Europe, the EV revolution is picking up pace. The brand has a lot riding on the success of the Renault Mégane E-TECH Electric, but it sounds like it can deliver.

The Renault Mégane E-TECH Electric sybmolizes a new chapter

The new Renault Mégane E-TECH | Renault

The Renault Mégane E-TECH Electric is the start of something new, a press release says. This is the first car from Renault’s new Generation 2.0 electric vehicle lineup. While the brand started this journey about 10 years ago, the Mégane E-TECH Electric symbolizes the beginning of the next chapter.

Renault has been working on getting the Mégane E-TECH Electric perfect. In 2019, Renault released the MORPHOZ concept car. One year later, the Mégane eVision was the next step in the evolution. Renault credits the CMF-EV platform, developed by Alliance.

Everything, down to the new logo, shows the transformation the brand is going through.

The Renault Mégane E-TECH Electric will come with battery options

RELATED: Three Common French Car Brands You Won’t See on American Roads

The Mégane E-TECH Electric comes with two power outputs, Automotive News Europe reports. These options are 128bhp or 215bhp, plus the battery size options of 40kWh and 60kWh. The EV gets almost 300 miles of range with the larger battery option, which is pretty good for a new EV. The other offers 186 miles of range.

130kW DC-Fast charging is available, which offers a 15% to 80% State of Charge (SoC) in 30 minutes.

“With the new Megane, we think we have reinvented the classic European hatchback in an emotional way. This allows us to reconnect with what in the past has made Renault successful.”

Luca de Meo | Renault Group CEO

At this point, Renault plans to release the E-TECH Electric in the first quarter of 2022. The hope is to capture some of the audience in the C segment market, also known as the compact segment. This segment represents 40% of the European market.

This is the first of many new EVs for the brand

RELATED: Renault 5 Turbo: Mid-Engine, RWD, Rally Racer…Hatchback

Renault has plans to launch 10 fully electric vehicles by 2030. Right now, the Megane comes in a hatchback version as well as a station wagon version. There is also the Kadjar SUV, but all vehicles have failed to make an impression on the market. The hope is that the Renault Mégane E-TECH captures the interest of people enough to jump-start sales.

It sounds like the Mégane E-TECH Electric is going to be fairly small, which is good for that market. European drivers tend to like more compact SUVs and compact cars for a variety of seasons. This happens to be smaller than the Volkswagen ID.4 and more similar in size to the Kia Niro EV.

Plus, 292 miles of range is pretty high for a first impression. It will be fun to see what else Renault puts out after this.

RELATED: $500,000 Ferrari 488 Pista Gets Wrecked by a $5,000 Renault Twingo

The post 2022 Renault Mégane E-TECH Electric: Is a 292-Mile Range Enough? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

2040 BMW i Vision Circular Concept, A 100% Recyclable Compact Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With plenty of electric vehicle concepts coming out of the 2021 Munich Auto Show, BMW took it a step further. Not necessarily just in the way of technology, but also further into the future. 19 years into the future to be exact. In 2040, BMW plans to release its i Vision Circular concept compact car. It is 100% made of recyclable materials. The vehicle is completely electric, so it’ll add to the growing BMW electric lineup. We’ll just have to wait a while to see this part of the expansion.

What we know about the BMW i Vision Circular concept

BMW iVision Circular Concept | BMW

The BMW i Vision Circular is a compact car with a hatchback body. It will be able to seat four passengers, and overall is very small. The main goal of the vehicle is to reduce components throughout so that only recyclable materials are used. Recycled plastic, aluminum, fabric, natural rubber, and a 3D-printed steering wheel make up the structure of the concept. BMW’s current smallest vehicle in the United States, the 2-series Gran Coupe, is 20 inches longer than the i Vision Circular concept.

Crystal sculptures and sound zones

Interior dashboard of the BMW iVision Circular concept recyclable vehicle
BMW iVision Circular Concept Interior | BMW

One of the most interesting things shown about the vehicle is the crystal dashboard interface. Presented in a “V” shape, BMW says the crystal sculpture displayed is meant to simulate the vehicle “thinking”. There are, what BMW is calling, “dedicated sound zones” for each seat. This means passengers can each listen to their own music-a possible look into the convenience of future Uber driving. Drivers can control the heads-up display which is the width of the entire windshield, using the crystals on the steering wheel. These are actually touchpads for the driver to use easily while steering.

How is the BMW i Vision Circular concept built?

A man develops the BMW iVision Circular concept vehicle, putting together seats from recycled materials
A Man Builds Seats From Recycled Materials For the BMW iVision Circular Concept Car | BMW

A unique color scheme covers the inside of the vehicle. The recycled upholstery that makes up the seats is a light pink-violet color, surrounded by door panels and flooring that is a minty green. The front seats are styled to seem like lounge chairs. The cabin is made up almost entirely of glass, giving the i Vision Circular the overarching front windshield. One of the most interesting things about the concept is how it is put together. Attempting to stay away from composite materials, the vehicle uses quick-release fasteners, press studs, and other technology to make it easy to break down. Does this mean no more crushing cars at the junkyard? Instead, old and out-of-service vehicles can be broken down, taken apart, and reused all over again.

BMW aims to continue boosting the number of recycled materials being used in its vehicles. Still a long way off from reaching 100%, planning shows BMW is taking steps toward reaching that goal today. This completely recyclable vehicle concept is a massive step in the right direction, as well as a statement from BMW. Just as automakers are announcing a new electric vehicle concept what seems like every day, upcycling could be next. BMW says that the i Vision Circular concept outlines the approach it needs to take to increase its current 30 percent of recycled materials in each vehicle. Though the concept seems so far out of reach right now, the ideas may lead to more reused materials in BMW vehicles much sooner than 2040.

RELATED: The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt is the Highest-Rated EV Tested by Consumer Reports

The post 2040 BMW i Vision Circular Concept, A 100% Recyclable Compact Car appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by