minivan Archives — Auto Trends Magazine

Waymo nears deployment of its self-driving vehicle fleet.

Waymo Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid — A Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan outfitted with Waymo
autonomous hardware and driverless software.

The minivan segment continues to contract with Nissan the latest manufacturer to make an exit. Only one manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler (FCA), has managed to avoid the double-digit losses experienced by its competitors, thanks in large part to demand for its newest model, the Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid.

FCA may have found a minivan ally in Waymo, an autonomous car development company owned by Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Internet-giant Google. In 2016, FCA delivered 100 Pacifica Hybrid models to Waymo for driverless car development and testing. In 2017, Waymo placed a second order, this one for 500 units.

Thousands of Chryslers headed to Waymo

Today, FCA announced that Waymo placed another order, this one for “thousands of vehicles,” in an expanded effort to apply its self-driving technology to a mass production platform.

“In order to move quickly and efficiently in autonomy, it is essential to partner with like-minded technology leaders,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. “Our partnership with Waymo continues to grow and strengthen; this represents the latest sign of our commitment to this technology.”

Waymo Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Phoenix Deployment in 2018

Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing service will launch later this year in Phoenix. The additional order will enable Waymo to expand beyond Phoenix to test its technology in 25 cities scattered across the United States, including Detroit, Atlanta and San Francisco.

“With the world’s first fleet of fully self-driving vehicles on the road, we’ve moved from research and development, to operations and deployment,” said John Krafcik, CEO of Waymo. “The Pacifica Hybrid minivans offer a versatile interior and a comfortable ride experience, and these additional vehicles will help us scale.”

Waymo’s first test of autonomous vehicles, comprised of retrofitted Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids, was held in November 2017. The experiment meant that no driver was behind the wheel, although technicians were present. The effort was a success and marked the first time a vehicle achieved Level 4 autonomy as classified by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Waymo Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Waymo and FCA Collaboration

The modified Chryslers come equipped with Waymo’s suite of autonomous hardware as well as its self-driving software. So far, the ride-hailing company has put more than 4 million real miles on the Chrysler fleet and billions more in simulated testing.

Waymo engineers work closely with FCA engineers to ensure that Waymo technology is successfully integrated into each minivan. Chrysler says the minivan’s electrical, powertrain, chassis and structural systems are what make the Pacifica Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, ideal for accommodating Waymo’s self-driving technology.

With Waymo increasing its commitment to the Pacifica Hybrid further, can a stake in Fiat Chrysler be far behind? Auto Trends believes this to be so.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Sticker price from $39,995 (plus $1,095 destination charge)
Seats seven
Engine: 3.6-liter V6 eHybrid gas
260 horsepower @ 6,500 RPM
Two electric motors
Electric variable automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 121.6 inches
Length: 203.8 inches
Width: 79.6 inches
Height: 69.9 inches
Passenger volume: 165 cubic feet
Storage volume: 32.3/87.5/140.5 cubic feet
Towing capacity: Not Recommended
EPA: 32 mpg combined
Regular gasoline
Fuel tank: 16.5 gallons
Curb weight: 4,987 pounds
IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick
Limited vehicle warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles
Hybrid electrical components warranty: 10 years/150,000 miles
Vehicle assembly: Windsor, Ontario CANADA

Photos courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Pebble Beach Announcement: I.D. Buzz Concept

Volkswagen waited until all eyes were on the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this weekend to make the announcement. The new model arrives is scheduled to arrive in 2022 or after the cop act four-door I.D. debuts.

A spacious interior VW claims will rival
the size of some large SUVs.

“After the presentations at the global motor shows in Detroit and Geneva, we received a large number of letters and emails from customers who said, ‘please build this car’,” Volkswagen CEO Dr Herbert Diess said in Pebble Beach. The Board of Management chose Pebble Beach as the location to make its announcement because, as Diess explained: “The Microbus has long been part of the California lifestyle. Now we’re bringing it back by reinventing it as an electric vehicle.”

Indeed, the new model will make a clean departure from all VW buses before it by relying on battery power only. Volkswagen says the batteries will be mounted in the vehicle floor with the remaining major electric components — electric motor, power electronics and so forth — requiring only small space. Thus, the I.D. Buzz will have interior room similar to what a large SUV offers, although the footprint will be decidedly compact.

Notably, the new model should supply a 270-mile electric range, rivaling certain Tesla models and outpacing the Chevrolet Bolt. Further, the Buzz offers 369 horsepower, ensuring this people mover has more than enough power to go places.

Sufficient standard storage space for this compact VW people hauler.

California Dreaming No More

Hinrich J. Woebcken, CEO of the North American Region, Volkswagen noted: “We are delighted that our parent company has taken the decision to produce the I.D. BUZZ. This vehicle is the perfect balance between emotion, usability and sustainability, while also showcasing our technological leadership. The high seating position, cargo capacity, overall versatility and all-wheel drive option packaged into such an appealing design is just what our customers want from us. And it’s the perfect fit for the zero-emissions American lifestyle.”

Volkswagen plans to offer a cargo variant as well, for what the company says will be “for the zero-emissions delivery of goods.” Auto Trends will supply updated information about the new VW model once those details are made known.

The Bottom Line — Volkswagen is doing everything in its power to put some distance between where it is headed — electric vehicles — and its dirty diesel scandal past. Importantly, VW is also listening to consumers who requested the I.D. Buzz Concept and that’s a big change for a company not always in tune with customer feedback.

Although designed with contemporary shoppers in mind, Volkswagen promises that its new generation “bus” will still appeal to the same kinds of consumers who prized the original early on, including surfers. California surfing, here we come!

minivan

Waymo Expands Commitment to Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid