Volkswagen and Ford expand cooperation into self-driving and electric car segments, Volkswagen will provide Ford with its MEB platform and invest $ 2.6 billion in self-driving technology developer Argo AI

 Volkswagen and Ford closed the week with the announcement of a new agreement expanding the automakers' strategic partnership to the self-driving and all-electric segments. Recall that we learned about the completion of negotiations between the parties on Monday, but now the details have become known with a public announcement.

 As part of the new phase, Volkswagen will invest a total of as much as $ 2.6 billion in the development of Argo AI, which develops technologies for self-driving cars. Recall that Argo AI was created by former employees of Google and Uber, earlier Ford itself invested $ 1 billion in it. In fact, Volkswagen invests in real money exactly the same amount - $ 1 billion. Another $ 1.6 billion was estimated by assets - a subsidiary of Audi Autonomous Intelligent Driving ( AID), created to develop self-driving technologies, which Volkswagen has agreed to transfer to Argo AI. AID headquarters in Munich will become the European subsidiary of Agro AI.

 Agro AI is currently testing self-driving cars with Ford in Pittsburgh, Detroit, Miami and Washington. The deal with Volkswagen opens the doors for Agro AI to the European market.

 Volkswagen and Ford expand cooperation into self-driving and electric car segments, Volkswagen will provide Ford with its MEB platform and invest $ 2.6 billion in self-driving technology developer Argo AI

 In addition, Ford, as expected, will have access to VW's signature modular platform MEB, making it much easier for the American manufacturer to electrify its lineup. As we noted in the previous post, having a ready-made platform, the manufacturer will be able to accelerate development and focus on the design of future electric vehicles. Ford has confirmed plans to release at least one massive all-electric model for the European market on the VW MEB platform, albeit only in 2023, and expects to ship more than 600,000 vehicles built using the MEB architecture to the European market over the next six years. The release of another all-electric model for Europe is currently pending management review.

 To be clear, this alliance between Ford and VW is not tantamount to a full merger - as part of the deal, the automakers will have separate autonomous vehicle businesses and different strategies, but both will use Argo software. While they will share Argo technology and VW MEB architecture, Ford and VW will definitely not be sharing revenues. In other words, they remain competitors, and they both need collaboration to accelerate the development of self-driving and electric vehicles.

 First look at Volkswagen T-Roc: 150 forces, "automatic", nice design

 It can't be, but it's true: the new Volkswagen T-Roc comes to Ukraine with a beautiful design, advanced technologies, a well-known brand - and an adequate price list. What's the catch? I'll say right away: there is no catch. But there are interesting details about the car: I was looking for them during the first static presentation of the Volkswagen T-Roc in Ukraine.

 Volkswagen T-Roc is another Golf crossover?

 In general, yes". MQB platform, front-wheel drive, dimensions of a typical C-class hatchback: length 4.23 m, width 1.82 m, height 1.57 m.I remember that the first Tiguan was originally listed as a Golf crossover, but in the second generation the model has grown noticeably in size - remember the 7-seater version of the Tiguan Allspace - and in the model line there was a place for one more car. That was the Volkswagen T-Roc. Moreover, since the place of "practical, solid, serious crossover" has already been taken, the creators focused on style and design.

 As a result, the Volkswagen T-Roc came out as one of the brightest models in the current Volkswagen range. The overall silhouette exudes dynamism - short body overhangs, wide arches, a large C-pillar and large rims work for this. The details are good: the narrow headlights are interconnected by the radiator grille, the corners of the front bumper are decorated with hexagonal borders, the taillights can be tinted. But most memorable is the chrome-plated molding stick that outlines the top of the doors and falls to the trunk.

 Bold and not boring - that is what surprises the Volkswagen T-Roc, especially against the background of more "mature" models with a traditional design. The car itself is beautiful, fit, dynamic. But there is still a choice of bright colors, two-tone body color options (for the first time for Volkswagen), several types of rims. With a total 4.3-meter body length, the crossover offers a 2.6-meter wheelbase: small overhangs.

 Small in size - at least there is enough room for people in the cabin?

 Even if there is no room for the brand's older crossovers, it is still a full-fledged model of the C-class: in the front - spacious in any direction, in the back - "enough" in the legs and "with a margin" overhead. The boot offers 445 liters of capacity in the standard 5-seater version and can be extended by folding the second row backrests. It's a pity, but the back sofa does not move back and forth. But there are ventilation deflectors at the back.

 The front fascia is styled typical of Volkswagen. Straight lines and rounded corners, familiar buttons and switches are everywhere. However, the pointed ventilation deflectors are almost a revolution for the Germans. As well as the striking options for the decorative trim of the front panel. Which, by the way, is made of hard plastic. I know that many will say "I drive, not touch the front panel." Still, it's a shame for the brand, which was one of the first to pay attention to such little things and always tried to give a sense of quality through such details.

 The spaciousness of the cabin is just like in the C-class hatchback: no more and no less. The volume of the trunk in the standard version is 445 liters with the seats folded down - about 1300 liters. However, it is not possible to flexibly regulate the space of the 5-seater cabin or the volume of the trunk - the rear sofa does not move, only the usual separate folding of the second row is provided. The front panel offers optional color finishes, but is made of hard plastic - why save? But they did not save on equipment.

 So what about the package and the prices: how much?

 This is where the fun begins. Previously, Volkswagen cars were among the most expensive in the class, but the "package" Passat proved that you can wait for a good price list.

 In the case of the new Volkswagen T-Roc, there is no need to wait - the prices are adequate now: from 640 thousand UAH. (about $ 25 thousand) for the Life starter kit. And it is not "empty" at all: a 1.5 liter TSI engine with 150 hp, 7-speed. DSG- "automatic", Line Assist control system, heated seats, multimedia system with a 6.5-inch display, six airbags. Although the lack of fog lights is unpleasantly surprising, and the wheels are ordinary steel discs with caps.

 These notes have been corrected in the next Style version (about UAH 690 thousand or $ 27 thousand): 16-inch alloy wheels, 2-zone climate control, 8-inch display in the cabin, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, even adaptive "Cruise" ACC is! At the top of the model range is the Sport option (about 790 thousand UAH or $ 30.5 thousand): full LED headlights, sports seats, Active Info Display dashboard with color LCD display, rear view camera, etc. Of course, that's all prices "from". Real cars in warehouses in Ukraine are slightly more expensive due to additional options and / or paid colors: Life version - about UAH 650-660 thousand, Style - about UAH 740-800 thousand. But still, a similar price level for the new Volkswagen crossover, also with hints of design, is an excellent price list: at the level of "Japanese", "French", "Czechs", "Germans", "Koreans" ...

 What you need to know about Volkswagen T-Roc trim levels for Ukraine? Firstly, initially all cars are offered with one engine: 1.5 L TSI and AST (cylinder shutdown system, promised savings of up to 1 liter per 100 km), power 150 hp, torque 250 Nm. According to the passport data, acceleration from 0-100 km / h takes 8.4 seconds, the maximum speed is 205 km / h. Secondly, all cars get the same transmission: 7-speed. DSG and front-wheel drive. Other options for motors and transmissions for Ukraine are currently being discussed with the manufacturing plant. Thirdly, the car can offer the most modern equipment from the Volkswagen arsenal: adaptive cruise, LED headlights, LCD instrument panel. A class exclusive - electric boot lid and DCC electronically controlled shock absorbers.

 And now let's summarize: a well-known brand, a popular class, a stylish appearance, successful average configurations, a price at the market level, without overpayments - a ready-made recipe for success. I am already giving Volkswagen T-Roc a big advance for good sales and popularity in Ukraine. There is only one, but extremely important question left to answer: does it go as well as it looks? "Yes" or "no" - you will find out very soon: the Volkswagen T-Roc crossover is already in the plans for a test drive to prepare a full review.

 Formula E's new Extreme E racing series unveils Odyssey 21 at Goodwood

 At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the unusual Odyssey 21 electric crossover was shown for the first time, intended to participate in the new Extreme E racing series from the creators of Formula E.

 The prototype, weighing 1650 kg, 4.4 meters long, 2.3 meters wide and 1.9 meters high, is mounted on huge 37-inch wheels from Continental. Electric motors are installed on each wheel, their total power is 400 kW (550 hp), which allows you to pick up speed from 0 to 100 km / h in just 4.5 seconds, even on 130-degree inclines.

 The battery capacity is not being tested, but it is known that it will be produced by Williams Advanced Engineering, which supplied batteries for the first generation of Formula E cars.

 French manufacturer Spark Racing Technology will assemble 12 examples of the crossover in March 2020, with the Extreme E racing series slated to launch in early 2021. The authors of the series are going to promote electric vehicles, emphasizing the importance of preserving the fragile ecosystems of different parts of the world. The final rules for the series are still being finalized, but its creators have already signed a broadcast contract with Fox Sports.

 Recall that the McLaren team recently presented how the Formula 1 championship in 2050 will look from its point of view - electric cars with inductive charging, speeds up to 500 km / h, crazy tracks and AI assistants.

 Milan has ordered 250 electric buses for 190 million euros from the Polish company Solaris, by 2030 the city plans to completely abandon diesel buses

 Major European cities continue to demonstrate concern for the environment and air quality, not just in words, but in deeds, by switching public transport to electric tracks.

 After Paris, which recently ordered 800 electric buses for 400 million euros to replace old diesel buses on public transport routes, Milan has announced a similar deal.

 In particular, the Italian transport operator ATM Milano announced the signing of a contract worth 192 million euros for the supply of 250 electric buses with the Polish company Solaris. By 2030, Milan plans to completely replace all diesel buses on public transport routes with more sustainable alternatives.

 The first delivery of 40 Solaris electric buses is due in June 2020. It will be a 12 meter Urbino 12 model with a 240 kWh battery, 26 seats and a total capacity of 82 people. According to the manufacturer, this model is already in operation in dozens of cities in 17 European countries.

 Let us remind you that in Ukraine they want to organize the assembly of Chinese Skywell electric buses, which have already been tested in Kiev.