This year was fire.
The Consumer Electronics Show has become an important car show on the yearly calendar thanks to the rapid development and adoption of tech-heavy features in modern vehicles, and the 2022 edition did not disappoint. With the EV race in full swing, manufacturers both big and small came out with guns blazing, and we were blown away with some of the cars, concepts and innovations on show, and thrilled by the announcement of some significant new models. These our favorite cars from CES 2022 in no particular order.
BMW has been delivering the EV goods as of late; just look at the i4, and the awesome-looking BMW iX. The iX made its debut in September last year, but BMW has already decided that it's time for something more badass: the iX M60. This is the first-ever all-electric M-badged performance car. The M60 gets some more aggressive styling, and a big dose of speed thanks to two electric motors that produce a combined power output of 610 horsepower, and a bone-crunching 811 lb-ft of torque. That will allow the M60 to dash to 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds.
To top things off, BMW also showcased its iX Flow model, which features the company's new color-changing paint. The iX Flow is covered in a specialized "E ink" wrap that changes colors via electrical signals that manipulate an electrophoretic technology. All we know is that it needs to come to market ASAP.
Mercedes-Benz is at the forefront of EV tech, and cars such as the EQS 450+ are proving that the German manufacturer can compete with the best of them in terms of range and performance, but the Vision EQXX Concept takes things to a whole new level. This EV concept has been designed from the ground up, and has a claimed range of over 625 miles. How does it achieve this stunning figure? It boils down to a lightweight bionic structure, a slippery exterior design, and clever thermal management. The Mercedes Vision EQXX Concept's 150 kW powertrain might not be the most impressive, but the fact that it's 95 percent efficient is. Combine this with recycled interior materials, a range of 15 miles exclusively on solar cells, and a stunning interior, and you've got one seriously impressive vehicle.
Sony might seem like an unlikely car-building candidate, but the Vision-S isn't its first rodeo. The electronics giant revealed the Vision-S 01 Sedan two years back, and now we've been treated to a stunning follow up. The Sony Vision-S 02 SUV is based on the same EV cloud platform as the Vision-S 01, and is currently in the testing phase. The Vision-S 02 SUV will be offered as a four, or seven-seater, and its dual electric motor setup is said to produce an impressive 536 horsepower. A curb weight of 5,467 lbs and a top speed of 112 mph are other headline figures.
The EV truck market is getting ready to explode, and competitors such as the Rivian R1T are already proving that electric trucks can be highly effective tools. Not to be left out of the fray, Chevrolet is getting ready to launch the Silverado EV. Unlike the Ford F-150 Lightning, which is an adaptation of an existing platform, the Silverado EV will run a new unibody design shared with the badass Hummer EV. In RST guise, the Silverado EV packs a 664 horsepower and 780 lb-ft punch, will get to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and offer a maximum range of 400 miles. First Edition Models have already sold out, so get ready for a lengthy waiting list.
Chevrolet really went big with the announcements this year. Not only is the Chevrolet Silverado EV on its way, but GM CEO Mary Barra also dropped two equally impressive bombs at CES 2022: The Chevy Equinox and Blazer are going electric. The Equinox EV will make use of the Ultium Platform which it will share with other newcomers such as the Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer EV. The Equinox EV will sell for around $30,000. Barra also presided over the announcement of an all-electric Blazer, although we still don't know exact details, or even what it's going to look like. Expect the Blazer EV to sell for around $35,000.
GM went all out at this year's CES, showcasing a number of new EVs that are bound to be big sellers, but the real eye-catcher is the Cadillac InnerSpace Concept. This two-passenger all-electric autonomous luxury vehicle looks decidedly futuristic, and packs a massive tech punch too. The InnerSpace Concept makes use of GM's new Ultifi software platform, and features AI-driven biometric input and interfaces displayed on a massive SMD LED display. Even the tires are cool: they're made of soybean oil and rice husk-based silica. Don't expect this exotic future-mobile to hit the streets anytime soon, but get ready for the tech it showcases.
Let's be honest; Chrysler's lineup isn't as impressive as it used to be, and this struggling American stalwart is in dire need of a kick in the pants. We think Chrysler got the memo because the Airflow is one cool-looking machine. The Airflow is a production-ready version of the Airflow Vision Concept revealed two years ago, and is packed with tech. It rides on an all-new EV platform and is powered by two electric motors producing just over 400 horsepower. Its 118-kWh battery allows it to travel around 400 miles between charges. The Airflow promises Level 3 autonomous driving, and an excellent user experience thanks to STLA SmartCockpit software that allows for customizable screens and user inputs.
At first glance, Vinfast might just seem like another EV chance taker, but this Vietnamese manufacturer is turning out to be a serious contender, and is already planning an all-new SUV for the US market. At this year's CES the company revealed three new models; a subcompact SUV simply named VF5, a slightly larger VF6, and the VF7, a compact crossover. Details around these new models are not crystal clear yet, but we do know that the VF8 boasts a range of 300 miles and carries a price tag of $41,000, while the VF9 has a 420- mile range and will retail for $56,000. If these new models are anything to go by, American EV manufacturers are sure to sit up and take notice.
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