Yahoo Autos This Week in Cars: Audi e-tron GT, Jeep Wrangler EV, Climate Patriotism
General Motors said this week that it expected its global profits to take a $2 billion hit in 2021 as a result of the global semiconductor shortage that has forced carmakers all over the world to cut production as they wait for crucial parts. It didn't have to be this way, though: Toyota says it is sitting on a four-month stockpile of the chips and will not have to immediately cut production in response to the chip shortages. Another round goes to the preppers.
This Week in Sheetmetal
Audi is expanding the e-tron lineup to include a 522-hp electric sedan, the e-tron GT. It will share a platform with Porsche's Taycan and Audi says it'll have 238 miles of range. Even better, there's an RS variant with 637 horsepower and a claimed 3.1-second zero-to-60 mph time in the offing.
Mercedes-Benz gave us a look at a lightly-camouflaged prototype of the 2022 C-class and confirmed that the the V-6 and V-8 variants that have populated the top of the C-class lineup in recent years will be replaced by four-cylinder engines with varying degrees of hybrid assist. But fear not: Mercedes promises the AMG C63, the halo of the C-class brand, will still have at least 500 horsepower.
Jeep traditionally uses the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, to reveal outrageous off-road capable concepts and restomods. This year the position of honor will go to something we're pretty sure will eventually find its way onto dealer lots: a Wrangler EV concept. Details are light so far, but we spot one electric motor and at least three battery modules in the drawings Jeep has released. Stay tuned to find out how far into the backcountry you can go before you need to start looking for a plug.
Playing Catch-Up
Toyota has been lagging behind its competitors in the EV game for years, a result of the company's focus on hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. But now that a commitment to transition to electric vehicles is de rigueur, Toyota is jumping on board with a promise to release two electric vehicles and a plug-in hybrid in 2022.
