Car news, 20 November ’24: Chery targets world-first solid-state production facility, Jaguar rebrands as electric entity with new logo, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Wednesday 20 November 2024. Notably in car news today: Chinese automaker Chery claims that it is the first to build a gigawatt-hour-level solid-state battery production line, and Jaguar rebrands with a new logo in new electric push.

Browse this issue:

• Chery claims to have first gigawatt-hour-level production facility for solid-state batteries 
• Jaguar rebrands as electric entity with new logo
• More details announced for Stellantis’ STLA Frame hybrid/electric platform
• Tesla to bring 500kW chargers to the US
• Reviewed: 2025 MG Cyberster

Chery claims it has produced the first GWh-level solid state production facility 

• Chinese automaker Chery has claimed that it has created the world’s first gigawatt-hour (GWh) production line for solid state batteries. One gigawatt is 1000 megawatts, or one million kilowatts. 

• According to Car News China, Chery is building a 100,000-square-metre industrial park in Wuhu, Anhui Province, in a joint development with Anhui Anwa New Energy Company. 

• Solid state batteries have been in development for some time and are generally regarded as much safer, more environmentally friendly and have greater energy density. 

• But Chery is not alone. MG’s owner, SAIC, will use in-house developed solid-state batteries as soon as next year. 

• However, MG will debut solid-state in a premium model and only in small quantities to begin with. 

Jaguar unveils all-new logo as next step in brand overhaul

• Jaguar – which has been restyled as ‘jaGuar’ – isn’t just shaking up its entire model lineup, but also its entire look and feel, with the brand unveiling an all-new logo and ‘copy nothing’ tagline overnight.

• As well as the new font, a new interpretation of the iconic ‘leaping Jaguar’ and bold new colour scheme also feature as part of the brand campaign which certainly departs from the more restrained and traditional branding typically associated with the automaker. 

• The new look is the latest step in a major overhaul of the brand which is slowly discontinuing its entire lineup, before moving further up-market with an entirely new all-electric model range based on a new ‘JEA’ platform that’s set to compete with the likes of Porsche and Bentley as opposed to the BMWs and Mercedes’ of the world. 

• A new low-slung GT concept car previewing jaGuar’s future design direction is set to be unveiled at Miami Art Week on 3 December.

More details on new platform to underpin next-generation Ram pickups 

• Automotive conglomerate Stellantis has revealed further details of its new ‘STLA Frame’ platform that’s set to underpin next generation body-on-frame utes and SUVs from the Ram and Jeep brands.

• The platform supports internal combustion, hybrid, hydrogen, battery electric (BEV) and range-extender electric vehicle (REEV), promising 1100km of range for REEVs, 800km or range for BEVs built on the platform, as well as ~6350kg of towing capacity and ~1200kg payload capacity.

• In BEV form, the platform promises dual-motor all-wheel-drive capability, with the option for 400-volt and 800-volt architectures that have 350kW capable fast-charging capable of adding 160 kilometres (100 miles) in 10 minutes, according to Stellantis. 

• Ram and Jeep will be the first brands to launch vehicles on the STLA Frame platform, with Ram having previously released images of its next-generation all-electric pickup truck the Ram 1500 REV and 1500 RamCharger plug-in hybrid which are understood to be built on the new platform.

Tesla announces new 500kW V4 Superchargers

• American EV automaker Tesla has announced its fourth-generation Supercharger called the V4 Cabinet with capability to charge electric vehicles up to 500kW.

• The system will also be able to support vehicles between 400-volt and 1000-volt electrical architectures. 

• While the new Superchargers won’t impact charging speeds for the current Model 3 and Model Y, the Cybertruck will see a claimed 30 percent charging speed increase. 

• Currently, the hardware in the Tesla Model 3 and Y vehicles are capped at 250kW DC charging, but new models are likely to get charging upgrades in time. 

• The first sites of the V4 Superchargers are set to open in 2025 in the US market. 

MG Cyberster 2024 reviewed

• Chasing Cars contributor Nathan Ponchard’s first drive review of the 2024 MG Cyberster was published, taking a look at an unexpected treat the brand has served up for its 100th anniversary – an electric roadster 

• MG’s 21st-century nod to its famous sports cars of decades past comes in just one specification for Australia and a price tag not typically associated with the brand these days: $115,000 before on-road costs.

• The MG Cyberster is all-wheel drive via dual electric motors, producing combined power/torque outputs of 375kW and 750Nm. And it’s swift, with a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.2 seconds.

• In this review, Ponchard had just 24 hours with the Cyberster to find out if it offers more than just fast electric performance. 

READ MORE: MG Cyberster 2024 review

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Thursday 21 November at 4.30pm Sydney time.