Bad news for Bronco and Mustang Mach-E

PLUS: Best of Carmel's Concours on the Avenue and the most memorable Brickyard 400 moments. If you have trouble reading this message, view it in a browser.         Our 25 Favorite Cars from Carmel's Concours on the Avenue   The semi-official kickoff of Monterey's annual car week.   READ MORE             Ford Will Replace Every Single Bronco Hardtop Roof   Here's why and when.   READ MORE           Chip Shortage Hits Ford Mustang Mach-E Production   Here's how Ford will reportedly compensate buyers.   READ MORE             Top 10 Memorable Moments of the Brickyard 400   The 2021 race begins a new road racing era for NASCAR at IMS after 27 years on the oval.   READ MORE             Our Favorite Affordable Chronograph Watches under $300   Equip your wrist with some pizazz without lightening your wallet.   READ MORE             The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Is More Than Enough   Take a trip with Quick Spin!   READ MORE         Unsubscribe •  Privacy Notice   autoweek.com ©2021 Hearst Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hearst Email Privacy, 300 W 57th St., Fl. 19 (sta 1-1), New York, NY 10019

Audi EV concept demonstrates variable wheelbase

PLUS: The VW ID.5 GTX heads to Munich, the Mach-E faces delays, and FedEx is getting some electric trucks.

If you have trouble reading this message, view it in a browser.     This week Volkswagen gives an early look at the ID.5 GTX, the BMW iX3 gets an update, and the Mustang Mach-E deals with the chip shortage. But first: Audi Skysphere Concept Has a Variable Wheelbase.    It's Monterey car week, which has turned into an auto show of its own in the past couple of decades as a venue for concept car debuts, and in the days leading up to the main event Audi has taken the wraps off a very ambitious electric concept dubbed skysphere. The "main event" of this concept is perhaps something you didn't know you needed in a car until this week: a variable wheelbase, which permits the sleek concept to change its overall length from 194.5 inches to 204.3 inches.     "Electric motors and a sophisticated mechanism with body and frame components that slide into one another make it possible," Audi said.   The skysphere is also designed to offer Level 4 autonomy.    "With the touch of button, the driver can take advantage of their freedom and choose their own driving experience," Audi added. "Either they pilot their 4.94-meter-long e-roadster themselves in 'Sports' mode with a reduced wheelbase, while the rear-wheel steering ensures that the vehicle remains extremely agile despite its dimensions. Or they can choose to be chauffeured around in a 5.19-meter GT in the autonomous 'Grand Touring' driving mode while enjoying the sky and the scenery, maximum legroom, and the services offered by a seamlessly integrated digital ecosystem."       The concept thus transforms from a longer-wheelbase GT (with Level 4 autonomy, by the way) into a sports car with a press of a button, letting the driver decide how to use the 624 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque on tap.    We have some doubts about the production chances of that variable wheelbase, but the 80-kWh battery and the output of the electric motors certainly sound achievable today, for a price.   The Silverado EV, due in 2023, will offer four-wheel steering as an option.    Speaking of variable features, this week Chevrolet released a short teaser video showing off one of the available items of the upcoming electric Silverado pickup, expected to arrive in 2023.     Just like the GMC Hummer model headed into production later this year, the battery-electric Silverado will offer rear-wheel steering, though perhaps not to the same degree as the Hummer model which demonstrated its crab walk ability months ago. Rear-wheel steering is promised as an option on the Silverado, but Chevy is not quite promising Crab Mode itself, which allows the Hummer to turn both the front and rear axle wheels in the same direction, permitting it to move diagonally. So while electric motors will certainly open up some new possibilities for both trucks, which will share Ultium batteries and motors, it's the more adventurous Hummer model that's likely to get the full bag of tricks.         Here's How Much Nissan Plans to Boost EV Output    The same week that President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at boosting EV rates to 50% of sales by 2030, Nissan announced similar plans. The automaker says that it is shooting for over 40% of its sales to be fully electric by 2030, with an even larger share expected to be electrified. READ THE FULL STORY FedEx Ground Is Getting These Xos Electric Trucks    Electric trucks are on their way to join the FedEx fleet, with commercial EV manufacturer Xos signing an agreement with the logistics giant to deliver 120 battery-electric vans to 35 FedEx locations. The company plans to supply the vans to FedEx Ground independent service providers (ISPs) based in Texas, California, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts. The first vans are scheduled to be delivered in the fourth quarter of this year, with the rest in 2022. READ THE FULL STORY 2022 BMW iX3 Gets a Refresh after Just One Year READ MORE The Boring Co. Eyes Austin and San Antonio READ MORE VW ID.5 Electric SUV Is Headed to the Munich IAA READ MORE Here's Why the Cybertruck is Not Tesla's Top Priority READ MORE Chip Shortage Hits Ford Mustang Mach-E Production READ MORE Hot Wheels Is Going Electric … With a Bike READ MORE       Spread the word: If you know someone interested in staying on top of the rapidly growing EV segment, feel free to pass this newsletter along. SIGN UP Follow Us Unsubscribe Privacy Notice Autoweek.com ©2021 Hearst Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hearst Email Privacy, 300 W 57th St., Fl. 19 (sta 1-1), New York, NY 10019