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Category: Highlight

  • Zeekr: Geely launches new brand for premium electric vehicles

    Geely on Tuesday announced the establishment of a new brand for premium electric vehicles.

    Called Zeekr (Ji Ke in China), the brand will initially operate in China but eventually expand to global markets, including potentially the United States.

    The first model from Zeekr will be launched as early as this fall. It will be based on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) modular EV platform unveiled by Geely last year. The flexible platform, which enables a range of over 400 miles, will eventually be used by most Geely brands, including Volvo.

    Geely SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) modular EV platform

    Geely SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) modular EV platform

    More models will follow in quick succession. Geely said there will be at least one new Zeekr launched every year over the next five years. Zeekr won’t have any of its own plants but will outsource production to Geely which is getting into the contract manufacturing game.

    To stand out, Zeekr will be positioned as an EV technology company similar to Tesla. As such, it will develop its own core systems like batteries and battery management systems, as well as electric motors. It will also establish its own value chain.

    Unlike some of Geely’s other brands, Zeekr will be fully owned by Geely and related entities. Its ownership will be split 51:49 between Geely Holding and the Geely car brand. Geely Holding Chairman and founder Li Shufu will serve as chairman of Zeekr.

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  • Lingenfelter supercharged the Chevrolet Blazer to over 400 hp

    The current-generation Chevrolet Blazer doesn’t have the off-road capability of its predecessors, so Lingenfelter Performance Engineering decided to focus on horsepower when it came to tuning the vehicle. The General Motors-centric tuner is now offering a supercharger kit that should make this Blazer really blaze.

    First spotted by Muscle Cars & Trucks, the package adds an Edelbrock TVS1740 supercharger to the stock 3.6-liter V-6 engine. Specifications haven’t been finalized, but the blower is expected to boost output by 40% over the stock 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. That equates to around 431 hp and 378 lb-ft.

    Lingenfelter released photos showing some subtle visual changes, including stripes and “supercharged” lettering on the hood, but overall the modified Blazer looks mostly stock.

    Lingenfelter supercharged Chevrolet Blazer

    Lingenfelter supercharged Chevrolet Blazer

    The company hasn’t discussed any upgrades beyond the supercharger and graphics package, but suspension and brake upgrades seem like a good idea to handle the extra power.

    Pricing information hasn’t been released either, but Muscle Cars & Trucks noted that Lingenfelter offers a similar kit for the Chevrolet Colorado (which uses the same V-6 engine), priced from $5,550 for the standalone kit, or $6,995 with installation and dyno testing.

    Lingenfelter will also shoehorn a 6.2-liter LT4 V-8 into the Colorado’s engine bay. Normally found in the Camaro ZL1 (and the discontinued C7 Corvette Z06 and Cadillac CTS-V), the supercharged LT4 develops 650 hp from the factory, but Lingenfelter can upgrade it to 720 hp with an optional pulley kit. That swap would be much more difficult in the Blazer, because of its transverse engine layout, but we can dream, right?

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  • 2021 Ford Shelby Super Snake, 2022 BMW i4, GMA T.50: This Week’s Top Photos

    The Ford Mustang GT-based Shelby Super Snake delivers a meaty 825 hp, and now it’s available with a speedster body. If you’re interested you had better be quick, as just 98 examples will be built for the 2021 model year.

    Pagani Huayra R

    Pagani Huayra R

    A car even more exclusive than the Super Snake speedster is the new Huayra R from Pagani. The car is the spiritual successor to the Zonda R launched in 2009, and it packs a newly developed V-12 that spits out 850 hp without the need for forced induction or electrification.

    Gordon Murray's first drive in a GMA T.50 prototype

    Gordon Murray’s first drive in a GMA T.50 prototype

    Another supercar in the headlines this week was the T.50 from Gordon Murray Automotive. Prototypes are currently being tested ahead of the start of deliveries in 2022.

    2020 Porsche Macan GTS

    2020 Porsche Macan GTS

    One of the cars we tested this week was the Porsche Macan GTS, which was updated for 2020. While it may not have huge dollops of power, it somehow manages to deliver an engaging driving experience unmatched by other crossovers.

    2021 BMW M3

    2021 BMW M3

    Another car we tested was the redesigned 2021 BMW M3, which might just be the best example of the nameplate yet. While it follows a familiar formula, BMW has mixed things up a bit with the addition of all-wheel drive.

    BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse with the 2022 BMW iX and i4

    BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse with the 2022 BMW iX and i4

    BMW presented two of its next-generation electric vehicles this week. One is a mid-size crossover dubbed the iX, and it starts sales in early 2022. The second is a sleek sport sedan dubbed the i4, which we should also see in dealerships by early 2022.

    2022 Kia EV6

    2022 Kia EV6

    Another EV in the headlines this week was Kia’s twin to the recently revealed Hyundai Ioniq 5. Kia’s version is called the EV6, and it’s a crossover styled using the Korean brand’s new Opposites United design philosophy.

    2021 Hyundai Staria

    2021 Hyundai Staria

    And finally, Hyundai unveiled a van called the Staria. It features a design inspired by spaceships and can manage to seat up to 11 thanks to its four rows. Sadly, there are no plans to bring the Staria to the United States.

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