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GM details its Ultium Drive modular EV powertrain offering up to 1,000 horsepower

General Motors is committed to launching 20 electric vehicles in North America by 2023, and most of these will be powered by a modular battery system branded Ultium and sit atop GM’s third-gen EV platform.

The electric drive system powering the actual wheels will be branded Ultium Drive, GM said Wednesday.

Like the batteries, the drive system going into GM’s upcoming electric fleet will be a modular system. Its outputs will range from 235 up to 1,000 horsepower. One of the 1,000-hp EV has already been confirmed as the GMC Hummer EV pickup truck due for a reveal on October 20 and production from fall 2021. It would make sense for the oft-rumored electric Corvette to also feature the 1,000-hp setup.

The Ultium Drive portfolio will consist of five interchangeable drive units each with a single-speed transmission and power control unit fully integrated. GM will also use three types of electric motors for the drive units.

GM Ultium Drive family

Depending on the positioning of the drive units, they will be able to deliver front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive configurations. One of the drive units has been described as an all-wheel-drive assist unit, i.e. it will add traction when slip is detected. This particular setup is expected to feature on an all-wheel-drive Corvette, among other vehicles.

GM boasts Ultium Drive will deliver better response than comparable internal-combustion engines, along with the ability for highly accurate torque vectoring.

GM said it is handling the development of the Ultium Drive units and will also manufacture them in-house. GM has developed the Ultium batteries with South Korea’s LG Chem, but will manufacture them at its own plant currently under construction in Lordstown, Ohio.

So where might we see the Ultium Drive units beyond the Hummer EV and potential Corvette variants? GM has already revealed the identities of 12 of its upcoming EVs that will use the drive units. Two of the 12 are the Hummer EV pickup and a related SUV. Others in the pipeline include the Cadillac Lyriq crossover SUV and Cadillac Celestiq flagship sedan.

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September 16, 2020
NISSAN Z PROTO UNVEILED: THE NEW NISSAN 400Z?

It’s been a long time coming but the Nissan Z Proto, the next in the line of Z sports cars from Nissan, has finally been unveiled. But there’s a catch, it’s not coming to Europe!

First of all, this is a prototype, but it looks near as dammit production ready as we expect it to be called the Nissan 400z when it does arrive. It features a striking design that takes cues from Z cars of old, with a fastback, sloping coupe body that emanates that of the original Datsun 240z.

Alfonso Albaisa, head of design for Nissan, said: “Ultimately, we decided the Nissan Z Proto should travel between the decades, including the future. The shape of the hood and the canted, teardrop-shaped LED headlights are both unmistakable reminders of the original Z. The rectangular grille’s dimensions are similar to the current model with the addition of oval grille fins to offer an updated modern look. The form continues to exude both sportiness and elegance.”

There are no official tech specs but we do know that it features a twin-turbo V6 engine, likely the VR30DETT found in the Infiniti Q50 (also known as the Nissan Skyline in Japan) and in that form in produces a healthy 400hp, taking the fight to the likes of the Toyota GR Supra and Porsche Cayman.

Crucially, that V6 engine is paired up to a six-speed manual, although we have no doubts that a paddleshift auto will be put in place as an option, too, when the production car is ready.

Elsewhere, the wheels are likely to be that of Rays like previous Z cars and those come in 19inch spec. Tyres are 255/40R19 and 285/35R19 (front and rear) making us more hopeful of that 400hp power figure. Behind those wheels, at the moment at least, is the brake setup from the Nissan GT-R; whether they will be in place on the production car is hard to say given the cost of said setup.

Inside, Z car fans will be pleased to hear that it gets rid of the dated interior from the Nissan 370z and comes with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and digital cluster, with leather dominating the dashboard. Thankfully, that old school Japanese tuner vibe lives on inside, with a host of gauges including a boost gauge, featuring prominently in the cabin.

Sadly, though, this all means very little to us here in the UK, with Nissan admitting that this car won’t officially come to Europe. That being said, with the UK recently signing a free trade agreement with Japan, perhaps importing an RHD JDM example to the UK won’t be as expensive as you might think. Either way, it’s nice to see the Z car return to the automotive industry. What do you think of the Nissan Z Proto?

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September 16, 2020
Nissan Z Proto previews next-generation sports car with twin-turbo V-6, retro-modern design

The Nissan Z car has inspired generations of sports car fans since it was released in 1969. It has been an upstart, a disco-era style statement, an upscale sports car, and a long-in-the-tooth coupe just trying to hold on. All the while, it aimed for driver engagement and a sense of style. The Z Proto Nissan showed on Tuesday combines all of those elements, along with elements of design from the car’s six generations.

The prototype appears to be a thinly disguised version of the Z35-generation production model due in the next 18 months to two years, at least from a design standpoint.

Nissan provided sparse information, so let’s start with what we know. The Z Proto combines styling elements from past Zs with an eye toward the future.

Nissan Z Proto

“Our designers made countless studies and sketches as we researched each generation and what made them a success,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s head of design. “Ultimately, we decided the Z Proto should travel between the decades, including the future.”

The first-generation car, the 240Z, inspired the shape of the hood, the canted teardrop LED headlights, and the long-hood, short-deck profile with the cabin pushed back. The current model’s rectangular grille sits up front, and the Z32 300ZX of the 1990s can be seen in the taillights and the shape of the rear end, especially above the rear diffuser. The pearl yellow paint is a tribute to a popular color on both the 240Z and Z32 300ZX generations.

Nissan Z Proto

But the Z is modern, too. Carbon-fiber trim is used for the side skirts, front lower lip, and rear valance to reduce weight and fit a modern aesthetic.

The Proto Z is 4.7 inches longer than the current car, likely due to longer overhangs. It’s also marginally taller and wider. It rides on 19-inch wheels, while the current model has 20s. Chief engineer Hiroshi Tamura said the 19s give the car enough tire for a reasonable ride quality.

Under the long hood sits a twin-turbocharged V-6 hooked to a 6-speed manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive layout.

Nissan Z Proto

Inside, the Z Proto features an exclusive dished steering wheel that sits in front of a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with the tach in the middle and the 7,000-rpm redline at the 12 o’ clock position. The one picture Nissan shared shows boost and water and oil temperature gauges in the cluster, though analog versions of those gauges also line the top of the dashboard.

The Z Proto’s black upholstery features yellow contrast stitching on the seats, instrument panel hood, dashboard, and door panels to play off the exterior color. The seats appear to be upholstered in a combination of leather and synthetic suede with yellow stripes. A center screen, likely an 8.0-inch touchscreen, on the dash provides infotainment functions.

What we don’t know starts with the engine. Nissan hasn’t confirmed how much power it will create or what size it is. Infiniti has a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that makes 400 horsepower. That’s likely the setup for the next Z. In fact, we expect the car will be called the 400Z.

Nissan Z Proto

We also don’t know what changes will be made to the structure and suspension, though we suspect not many. Nissan only shared that “work is underway to synchronize the power with the grace and control that has defined the Z for the past 50 years.” It appears that the next Z will use the same platform as the current car and Tamura said it will drive like a dance partner. The switch to 19-inch wheels could also reduce unsprung weight, which improves handling. Tamura told us last year that the next-gen Z might not be much lighter, but its suspension should help it drive like it is.

In addition, we don’t know what model year the next Z car will be, its trim levels, standard and optional equipment, available safety features, and pricing. Will the new Z offer a higher-performance Nismo model? Will it stay in line with the current model’s roughly $32,000-$48,000 pricing structure? When will it hit the market?

We’ll learn more about these and other questions as Nissan prepares the next-generation production Z, perhaps by the end of 2021 as a 2022 model.

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September 16, 2020