Volvo – First to Announce Commitment to All Electrified LineUp

Volvo has announced that from 2019, all new model releases will feature an electrified powertrain, meaning that it will either be a mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full EV. The brand will continue to sell cars solely powered by combustion engines until about 2023, depending on new model development timing.

While this is a big industry news, as no other traditional brands have committed to electrifying their entire lineup, it may not be considered as significant by the time 2019 and especially 2023 come around. Consider this as more of a brand direction announcement, rather than a major technological advancement.

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Commercial Tech Proven for the Retail World

We like to point to F1 for some substantial technological advances, but it’s largely the commercial side of the auto industry that serves as technology’s real-world test bed; being able to verify and put a value behind the durability, serviceability, and life-cycle costs. At this year’s annual World Truck Show, Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram all made announcements regarding different areas the customer experience such as, branding, virtual customization, and OEM approved aftermarket companies that convert fossil-fueled trucks into hybrid and full-on electric vehicles.

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Racing my Range Rover Sport on a Frozen Lake

And best of yet, I wasn’t the only one.

 Georgetown Lake is less than an hour’s drive from Denver and is the site of this year’s Land Rover Flatirons Ice Cup. 2017 was the Land Rover-exclusive event’s 14th year and featured a full model lineup from the latest Range Rover LWB to the Discovery Sport. In total, there were 26 different drivers and popularity for the event remains as high as ever. Nam Phan, event coordinator with Land Rover Flatirons, said that half of the available spots were claimed within the first day and that he regularly gets RSVP requests before a date is even set.

I had never driven a car on a frozen lake before so this was a bit strange to me. Sure, I’ve driven on plenty of black ice but never did I enjoy it or turn around to try it again. This seemed like a great opportunity to do some slip and sliding and spend the day with some fellow Land Rover owners.

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Chevrolet ZR2 – An Enthusiast’s Win and What May Follow

2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

In a great moment of when the pessimistic “oh yeah…” turns into a very enthusiastic “oh yeah!”, Chevrolet unveiled the production version of the Colorado ZR2.

The pessimism lies with over-promised concept cars and overhyped “off-road” packages that are often little more than a skid plate and a limited-slip differential. When Chevrolet introduced the 2014 ZR2 concept car, it featured an impressive list of features but it seemed a bit more fantasy than reality. But oh boy, when Chevrolet recently introduced the production version, it came out with both guns a-blazin’!

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