In this week’s auto gossip roundup, Toyota lifts the lid on its platform partnership with Subaru, Audi explains the A6’s mixed identity and more.
Partnership with the Toyota platform
Why did Toyota partner with Subaru to develop the new e-TNGA EV platform? “From a purely strategic point of view, this is a world in which going it alone with new developments is fundamentally wrong,” explained Andrea Carlucci, Product and Marketing Manager. “We are looking for a ladder, and we are not the only ones. We can grow, of course, but the benefits of joining forces are obvious. He cited Subaru’s affinity with four-wheel drive as one of the many reasons the company was an obvious partner for electric vehicles.
Hyundai’s practical Kona
Hyundai’s new Kona N promises fast pace and precise cornering, but R&D director Albert Biermann was keen to keep the performance crossover focused on practicality. “When the engineers presented the first prototype to me, they had already lowered the body by almost 30mm,” he recalls. “I said, ‘Hey, guys, wait a minute. We already have the i30 N and Veloster N [hot hatches]; this one really should be a hot SUV, and versatility is important.
Audi A6 mixed identity
Audi’s latest E-tron concept is a sedan with a coupe-like roofline, similar to the A7, but which received the name A6. His PPE platform development manager Johannes Arneth explained: “We really wanted to point out that it belongs to the A6 family of models. The A7 is a very successful derivative of the A6 family, and it is quite independent for its own name. But with the derivatives that could come later, the A6 seemed like the most logical choice to us. Arneth also strongly hinted that the A6 E-tron would offer a station wagon body style, which the A7 never did.
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-05-10 23:01:24
