AJAC Hands Out 2024 Innovation Awards to BMW, Volvo, Range Rover
Following the Canadian Car and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards in February, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) announced the winners of its 2024 Innovation Awards on Tuesday during the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Auto Show.
These awards are split into three different categories. Let’s take a closer look.
- Also: 2024 Canadian Car and SUV of the Year Awards Announced by AJAC
- Also: 2024 BMW i5: Give Me a High Five
Best Green Innovation
First, BMW was rewarded for its fifth-generation eDrive electric propulsion system, the latest application of which can be found in the new i5 sedan. Among other things, the AJAC praised the system for eliminating rare earths from the electric motors and enabling many components to be repaired or replaced, reducing service costs. In i5 M60 xDrive trim, output is an impressive 593 horsepower.
Check out our review of the 2024 BMW i5 to learn more.
Best Safety Innovation
A global leader in automotive safety, Volvo won the second award thanks to the new EX90 three-row electric SUV, the company’s safest vehicle to date. A long-range lidar, five radars, eight cameras and 16 ultrasonic sensors combine to create a comprehensive safety shield around the vehicle. Meanwhile, the driver monitoring systems can identify if the driver is distracted or suffering a medical event. If necessary, the EX90 will pull over and come to a complete stop.
How much does it cost? We have Canadian pricing details for the EX90 right here.
Best Technical Innovation
Finally, the 6D Dynamic Suspension featured on the Land Rover Range Rover Sport SV was voted as the best technical innovation, marking the second straight year that Range Rover has won this award. It replaces anti-roll bars with a sophisticated combination of hydraulic interlinked dampers, height-adjustable air springs and pitch control to act as a semi-active system that reduces pitch and roll to help maintain a near-level body stance during cornering and acceleration.
The Range Rover Sport SV also happens to be JLR’s most powerful product ever, generating 626 horsepower.
"Electrification, automation and safety are at the forefront of people's minds when it comes to future automotive technology, and the judging panel was impressed by the reduced environmental impact of BMW's electric drive system and by the way that Volvo's latest Safety Suite reduces the frequency and severity of crashes even further. But Range Rover's clever suspension system shows that there are still many other ways to improve the vehicles we drive, whatever the powertrain,” said AJAC Awards Chair Graham Heeps.
