AD #2545 – Carlos Ghosn Release Appealed, Hyundai Group to Offer Digital Keys, The Hottest Reveals from Geneva

This is Autoline Daily reporting on the global automotive industry.

GHOSN IS, MAYBE, POSSIBLY, COULD BE GETTING OUT OF JAIL
It looks like former Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn could be let out of jail soon. A Japanese court granted him bail yesterday but his release was delayed because prosecutors appealed the decision. If that appeal is denied, Ghosn could be released soon after he posts his $9 million bail. He’ll also have to remain under surveillance. Ghosn has been in jail for more than three months after he was arrested for allegedly under reporting his income for years. He faces up to ten years in prison if convicted on all the charges.

GM MOVES FORWARD WITH PRODUCTION PLANS
Last week, the UAW sued GM over its decision to idle several of its plants saying it violated the terms of its collective bargaining agreement. But that’s not stopping the automaker from moving forward with its plan. GM said its plant in Lordstown, Ohio will stop production on Wednesday. The facility, which builds the Chevy Cruze, is the first of five plants its idling this year in North America.

HYUNDAI AND KIA ROLLING OUT DIGITAL KEYS
Just about everything is going digital these days and now so are car keys. Hyundai and Kia, announced they’re going to start offering the feature in their vehicles. Users just have to download a smartphone app which will allow them to lock, unlock and even start their car. The Digital Key can be used by up to four people, who can all customize their preferred vehicle settings. And once the key is recognized, the car will automatically adjust the settings. The companies will start offering the new feature later this year but did not specify what market will get it first.

FORD TRANSIT VAN UPDATED
Ford updated the Transit. Two new engines are available, a 2.0L inline four-cylinder diesel and a 3.5L V6 gasoline, which are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s now available with a new intelligent all-wheel-drive system, new driver assistance features, plus new interior and seating options. The new Transit will hit dealerships this fall in the U.S.

Ok on to the fun stuff. Let’s look at some of the unveils from the Geneva auto show.

LAMBORGHINI DROPS TOP ON AVENTADOR
Last week, Lamborghini revealed the convertible version of the Huracan. And now the automaker is showing off the Aventador SVJ Roadster. The open top supercar is powered by a monster, naturally aspirated V12 that cranks out 770 horsepower. It moves from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of 350 km/h or about 217 MPH. Lamborghini is only going to build 800 of these bad boys and will start delivering them in the summer. And as you might expect an exclusive vehicle like this isn’t cheap. It will set you back nearly $575,000, so you better start saving your pennies now.

MERCEDES AMG GT R ROADSTER
Speaking of limited-edition cars, Mercedes revealed the new AMG GT R Roadster, of which it will build just 750 examples worldwide. The car is powered by a turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine, which makes nearly 580-horsepower and helps the drop-top hit 60 MPH in 3.5-seconds. A wider track, big wheels and tires and active aerodynamics also help deliver better handling and grip. Unique AMG touches include the performance seats and steering wheel and AMG-specific displays. No word on pricing just yet.

EQV IS MERCEDES’ ELECTRIC VAN CONCEPT
Mercedes also took the wraps off an electric van concept called the EQV. It’s powered by a 201-horsepower electric motor and a 100-kWh battery, which gives it a range of 249 miles. The van will make its way into production and that version will make its debut at the Frankfurt show later this year.

THE NEW VW BUG-GY
Volkswagen revealed the latest member of its I.D. family of concept cars, the I.D. BUGGY. As you can tell by the name, its inspired by dune buggies from the 1960’s. Built on the automakers MEB electric platform, its powered by a 201-horsepower electric motor, which is paired with a 62-kWh battery. That gives it a range of 155 miles based on the WLTP test cycle.

We’ll have more from Geneva, right after this.

ALFA WASN’T LYIN’
Alfa Romeo told Autoline it would have a new vehicle at the Geneva auto show and here it is, the Tonale concept. It’s a compact utility vehicle that features a plug-in hybrid powertrain. And what strikes me is, I can easily see how a design like this could be converted into a production vehicle.

KIA IMAGINES A NEW EV CONCEPT
We showed this teaser from Kia the other day and here’s a better look at the fully electric concept, called Imagine by Kia. It would fit into the large C-segment in Europe and in a world of copycat styling, we really like how original the design is.

NISSAN IMQ SIGNALS NEXT-GEN CUV
Speaking of concepts we teased that have now debuted, this is the Nissan IMQ. The automaker says it signals the direction of its next-generation of crossovers. I say, I sure hope it doesn’t include that front end. It’s just too busy for my eye and the grille is creeping into Lexus’ spindle category. It will be interesting to see how much of the IMQ is carried over into a production vehicle.

SUBARU GOING “BOLDER” WITH ITS DESIGN
And one last one. Subaru revealed the VIZIV Adrenaline Concept. It’s the first vehicle designed under its “BOLDER” design philosophy, which aims to broaden the brand’s outlook, define the characteristics of Subaru vehicles more prominently, and create more enjoyment for all passengers. I’d say it does that. The characteristics of the VIZIV Adrenaline Concept are very prominently defined.

But that’s it for today, thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.