If you thought the advent of electric vehicles meant we’d all be squeezed into zippy, little eco-conscious cars, then a couple of key introductions at the New York International Auto Show, open to the public April 7-16, indicates American’s love affair with big vehicles is still a torrid one..
The vehicle that caught my eye at NYIAS is the edgy-looking 2024 Kia EV9. Kia is on a roll, snagging a NYIAS World Performance Car for its EV6 GTI SUV. The new EV9 goes big with third row seating for added passengers but is still rated for a 300-mile range due steady improvements in battery technology as EVs mature. Electric vehicles are the future so I’m keen on EVs that actually look like they’re from the future. The EV9 is the product of Kia’s “Opposites United” design approach that brings hard lines and smooth shapes together to create a harmonious look with some underlying tension. That’s especially evident in the new “Tiger Face” front grille flanked by some very thin LED headlights. The look is silky smooth but rugged at the same time.
The futuristic style of the Kia EV9 is matched by some forward-looking tech. Lidar perceives road hazards in perilous conditions. Level 3 autonomous driving is in the cards to permit some hands-free operation. Driver-assist features extend to outside the vehicle so you can parallel park while standing nearby using the app on your smartphone. The EV9 also is a prime example of the coming revolution presented by software-driven vehicles that can be continuously monitored and updated using over-the-air (OTA) communications—expect some features to be available on a subscription basis or one-time purchase (see the February 3 edition of Resiliency Tech for an in-depth look at software-driven vehicles and OTA). The topline version of the EV9 offers 379 horsepower and zips to 60 mph in just six seconds. Kia says the EV9 will be available by the end of the year but plans to shift production to the USA in 2024, no doubt to comply with the President Biden administration’s EV incentives that will lower costs for EV buyers. www.kia.com
Meanwhile, the new RAM 1500 REV pickup isn’t futuristic looking but it is big enough to haul the extra batteries that give it a 500-mile range, a magic figure in the minds of EV proponents who think that number will prompt widespread EV adoption. And while the RAM 1500 REV is still pretty boxy looking, the EV designation does give it juicy capabilities like being able to function as a generator—a feature called V2L—on camping trips or in an emergency blackout crisis. There’s also a power-operated front trunk for 15-cubic-feet of secure storage. The topline version offers 654 horsepower and sprints to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Look for it in the 2025 model year. www.ramtrucks.com
And then there is The Black Truck. I’ve probably watched too many Mad Max films but I’m always on the lookout at auto shows for vehicles ready for the next apocalypse. The Black Truck is Toyota LC7 Super Tourer kitted out by Australia’s Patriot Campers that fits the bill. There’s a roof-mounted tent, lots of storage space including a dog cage, a fridge for “tinnies,” a pair of rear-mounted spare tires, upgraded suspension, and a lot of accessories like winches and stuff for off-roading. The price is $125,000 which isn’t bad when you consider a supercar isn’t much good when things head south. patriotcampers.com.au
One last note: Buy this book! If you’ve ever lived in New York or have visited the Big Apple then my forthcoming new book Made In New York is a must-read. Inside are 25 amazing stories about inventions Made in New York that went worldwide. There’s Tesla, Kodak, submarines, bras and even potato chips and teddy bears! Think of it as a riff on that old Frank Sinatra tune—it was Made in New York and went everywhere! Made in New York is available for pre-order direct from the publisher, SUNY Press (university presses are the next cool thing in publishing, says the New York Times!), as well as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It would be terrific if you could pre-order as that creates a buzz among booksellers who then order more copies. So I hope your stir things up! sunypress.edu/Books/M/Made-in-New-York