Displaying items by tag: Electric cars

Monday, 07 November 2022 14:18

Known when Tesla starts producing the Cybertruck

The repeatedly delayed start of production has made this vehicle something of a myth among fans of electric vehicles.

Tesla plans to start mass production of the Cybertruck electric truck at the end of 2023, Reuters has learned. The Cybertruck was first unveiled in 2019, and production was originally slated to begin in late 2021.

The repeatedly delayed start of production has made this vehicle something of a myth among fans of electric vehicles, because many raised their hands more than the pickup will ever see serial production, writes RTS.

Despite the fact that the price of the final version of the vehicle is still unknown, nor are its exact features known, hundreds of thousands of potential buyers have already paid $100 to reserve their Cybertruck.

Three years ago, the initial price was supposed to be under $40,000, but Tesla has since raised the prices of all its models. The exact number of reserved vehicles is not known, but if CEO Elon Musk is to be believed, the company "received more orders for the pickup truck than it can fill in the first three years of production."

In line with that claim is the fact that Tesla stopped accepting orders outside the US in May.

A month ago, Tesla announced that it was preparing its factory in Austin, Texas, for the start of the new model. Musk said in a conference call with financial analysts that "early production" of the electric pickup truck is scheduled for mid-2023.

Published in Blog/News
Thursday, 03 November 2022 06:56

Charging electric cars more expensive than gasoline

Charging an electric car in Italy will cost 161 percent more than a year ago due to rising electricity prices, consumer portal Facile.it announced.

"Due to rising energy prices, charging an electric car is, in some cases, more expensive than traditional car refueling. If you don't charge your electric car at home, but at a public fast-charging station, it will cost you even more," the Italian portal reports. .

Experts have calculated that the previous cost of recharging an electric car in Italy was 50-70 percent lower than for recharging gasoline or diesel models. Now, a full battery of a "green car" can cost more than a full tank of gasoline, reports Rasha today.

The study points out that for the owner of a small car in the B segment, gasoline would cost 83 euros to drive 1,000 kilometers, that cost for a diesel car would be 71 euros, and for a car with an electric engine 85 euros to drive the same distance, while before it was only a year amounted to only 33 euros.

According to the Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Grids and the Environment (ARERA), in the third quarter of 2022 the so-called unified national price of electricity increased almost four times compared to the first quarter. As a result, the regulator took additional measures to curb the further rise in energy prices. In total, the average Italian family is expected to spend an average of 1,322 euros per year on electricity, while in 2021 the average consumption was 632 euros.

Electricity tariffs in Italy saw a record rise last month, exceeding 136 percent year-on-year, according to a study by the National Consumer Union.

The head of Italian energy think-tank Nomizma Energia said last week that Italy, along with the rest of Europe, is experiencing an energy shock of unprecedented proportions, as electricity prices have increased manifold. According to him, Italians should prepare for rationalization during the coldest winter months.

He also urged households to use alternative methods of heating, such as burning firewood and pellets, although he added that their prices had also risen.

Published in Blog/News
Tagged under

Hard times are coming for traditional European manufacturers.

The situation on the European market is changing. The key players are also changing, and one electric car made it onto the best-selling list.

September 2022 is the first month when a Tesla car was the best seller on the Old Continent. The honor went to the Model Y crossover.

A total of 29,000 Model Ys were delivered to customers in September, while the Peugeot 208 took second place with 19,000 units.

Tesla's Model Y and 3 combined sold 42,000 units, which is four times more than the sales of Volkswagen's electric models ID.3 and ID.4.

Hard times are coming for traditional European manufacturers. Although they still count on gasoline and diesel cars, which sell well, there is a danger that manufacturers like Tesla and Chinese competitors will erode their market share in the future.

Tesla strategically took root in the European market by opening a factory near Berlin, which produces the Model Y.

Published in Blog/News
Wednesday, 26 October 2022 03:38

2024 Cadillac Celestiq

Cadillac has been laboring in the shadow of European luxury brands for several decades, but it hasn’t given up: witness the company’s new electric flagship, the Celestiq sedan. This stunner shares a family resemblance to the new Lyriq EV SUV, but its sleek lines, sweeping roof, and bustle rear end give it dynamic proportions and jaw-dropping presence. Cadillac’s designers say that they have incorporated design elements from the past alongside high-tech systems that predict the future direction of the American luxury brand. The cabin is just as dramatic as the exterior styling, and it dazzles with brightly colored leather, a 55-inch digital dashboard, and Eames-inspired bucket seats. The Celestiq’s assembly line will be manned by a small team of craftspeople who will hand-build each one. Customers will design their own Celestiq when they order, similar to the Rolls-Royce method of bespoke production. Will that be enough to launch Cadillac out of the shadows? We’ll see once we get to drive one.

What's New for 2024?

The Celestiq is heading for production as an all-new model for Cadillac’s 2024 lineup but don’t expect to see this showstopper sitting on your local dealer’s showroom floor. Celestiqs will be special-ordered, tailored to each customer’s specifications, and likely will be delivered as discreetly as they are purchased.

The Celestiq will be a unique model in the Cadillac lineup for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that each one will be built to order. By hand. Celestiq (pronounced “cell-es-teek”) production will necessarily be limited as a result. Cadillac says there’s essentially no limit to customization opportunities, so we expect some buyers to create Celestiqs that turn heads today and and years from now when the cars turn up at future Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Although Cadillac has yet to release pricing information for its new flagship sedan, the company has said that it will start “north of $300,000.” Customization choices will no doubt push prices even higher.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

While much of the Celestiq is highly customizable, its powertrain is not: All models come with a dual-motor all-wheel drive electric powertrain that Cadillac estimates will make around 600 horsepower. The company says that’s enough to launch the Celestiq to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, which would put it in the same league as entry-level models of the Audi e-tron GT and the Porsche Taycan. Rather than attempting to be a big sports sedan, we expect the Celestiq to take a much tamer, comfort-oriented approach to road manners—more Bentley than Blackwing. An adaptive air suspension system is standard, as is a rear-wheel steering feature that helps the long sedan maneuver more lithely in tight spots and swing tighter u-turns. It will be a while before we are able to test-drive the Celestiq, but when we do we'll update this story with driving impressions and test results.

The Celestiq will draw its electrons from an Ultium battery pack that’s large enough to deliver around 300 miles of EPA estimated driving range per charge. While that’s likely to be enough for most drivers, it’s already far behind the best. For reference, the longest driving range available in a Tesla Model S is a 402 miles, and the new Lucid Air sedan boasts a range of up to 516 miles. The Celestiq is capable of recharging on a DC fast charging connection and Cadillac says that on a 200-kW connection the battery can be juiced with 78 miles of range in just 10 minutes.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

There's no information yet about the Celestiq's fuel-economy ratings, and we likely won't know for some time just how efficient this electric luxury sedan will be. For more information about the Celestiq's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Starting with an instrument panel that is essentially one giant digital display, the Celestiq's cabin is a technological powerhouse. Four bucket seats mean each occupant will enjoy their own bubble of space. The roof is made from an electrochromic glass panel that can be adjusted from transparent to opaque, and every passenger can control their own little corner of the sky. Buttery leather, available in practically any color, lines much of the cabin, and other interesting materials are used throughout as accents. Brushed metal trim intermingles with ecologically sourced open-pore wood, which has been perforated to allow sparkles of light to shine through from the ambient interior lighting system. The cargo area is also lined with leather, is generously sized, and features attractive metal inlays on the floor. The Celestiq, by the way, is a hatchback rather than a traditional three-box sedan, similar to cars like the Audi A7 and Kia Stinger.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Most luxury cars boast large infotainment displays measuring 10.3 or 12.3 inches, but the Celestiq’s is all of w 55.0 inches spanning the entire width of the car's dashboard, much like Mercedes’ new hyperscreen. Rear-seat occupants can also enjoy their own 12.6-inch displays for watching movies, checking the internet, or controlling the car's stereo system. Speaking of stereo, the Celestiq boasts a 38-speaker AKG Studio Reference stereo system with three amplifiers and 3D surround sound.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

All Celestiqs will come with a host of driver-assistance features from basics such as automated emergency braking to advanced hands-free driving via GM’s new Ultra Cruise system, the next generation of the company’s Super Cruise hands-free driving technology. For more information about the Celestiq's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Like the rest of the Cadillac lineup, the Celestiq will come with a powertrain warranty that trumps that of other luxury sedans. Cadillac currently covers the first dealer maintenance visit, but rivals such as the BMW 7-series offer longer periods of free maintenance. We would expect that the Celestiq's battery warranty will match that of the Chevy Bolt's at eight years or 100,000 miles.

Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
Electric components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit

Source: caranddriver.com

Published in Cadillac
Saturday, 22 October 2022 05:42

First drive: Mazda CX-60 – luxury in every way

Mazda has joined the manufacturers that offer a large SUV according to European standards, or a medium SUV according to American standards. In Leverkusen, we tested the most powerful version, which is also the most powerful production Mazda of all time.

In recent years, it has been obvious that Mazda is aiming for the premium segment and it has really become that, not only in terms of luxury, quality of finish, rich equipment, but also in terms of technology.

It is famous for technical solutions that defy general trends; then when everyone was pushing for downsizing, Mazda was increasing engine displacement.

Today, everyone is following in the footsteps of Mazda's engineers, while they prepare a concept in their laboratories that seriously disturbs other premium manufacturers.

The new issue of Auto magazine is on sale, read the driving impressions of the latest car models.

To show us what it's all about, Mazda invited us to its European headquarters in Leverkusen.

In the parking lot, we were greeted by a large number of copies of the latest model - the Mazda CX-60.

Before the ride, we were given a short presentation where we were introduced to the technology. It is definitely clear that this is a premium approach.

Mazda has developed a completely new mechanical platform for this model with a longitudinally mounted engine and primarily rear-wheel drive.

Of course, four-wheel drive versions are also available. The show of power does not end there.

For this platform, including the Mazda CX-60, engines of large volume are provided! It will be a three-liter e-Skyactiv X gasoline and a 3.3-liter e-Skyactiv D diesel.

Both have six cylinders and mild hybrid technology with a voltage of 48 volts.

While the specifications for the petrol are not yet known, they are for the diesel. It will have two power levels. The weaker one, of 200 HP, will have rear drive, while the more powerful one of 254 "horses" will be available exclusively with four-wheel drive.

The specialties don't end there either; all of these engines will have an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission without a torque converter.

What Mazda has prepared for a short press trial is the CX-60 with a plug-in hybrid combination of a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine with 191 hp and an electric motor with 175 hp.

The total power of the system is 327 "horses", making it the most powerful serial Mazda of all time.

Immediately after the presentation, we get into the car. More precisely, we climb into it, since it is quite high.

This is now the brand's largest SUV model in Europe. The Mazda CX-60 is positioned above the Mazda CX-5 in terms of its dimensions, which can be felt not only in terms of length, but also width.

This is perhaps most easily visible in the really wide central ridge between the driver and front passenger, while the passengers in the front seats have 44 mm more shoulder room and those in the back even 50 mm more.

Speaking of the difference in dimensions, it should also be said that in the rear, the Mazda CX-60 is larger than the CX-5, so the tailgate is 35 mm wider.

The trunk offers 570 liters of volume, which is more than enough for large amounts of luggage.

The cabin is definitely premium quality; there are upholstered surfaces everywhere, including those lined with real wood, with plenty of interestingly textured materials, especially on the dashboard.

The fineness of detail and finish also leaves the highest impression.

Already the settings of the driver's position let us know that the technology is at the top level; as with some German brands, the driver's height is entered here, and the sensors do the rest of the work and adjust the ideal position of the seat, steering wheel, mirrors and head-up display according to eye height.

We immediately connect the phone; this is the first Mazda with wireless Android Auto connectivity.

Larger dimensions are particularly noticeable in city driving, and the camera and parking systems are very helpful when maneuvering.

Plag-in hybrid, weighing about two tons, does not feel quite at home on uneven city roads, due to the wheels with low-profile tires with a diameter of 20 inches, due to the suspension, which does not have adaptive shock absorbers zera a bit harder than we would expect.

The steering is surprisingly direct for an SUV, which is especially noticeable when you get out onto a winding country road or highway. This is very important, especially considering the maximum 327 "horses" available to the driver.

Precisely because of the powerful engines but also the elevated concept, Mazda has developed a new torque vectoring system.

At no point does the "nose" or rear end feel like it's running away, even when accelerating in a corner.

Moreover, the trajectory in the curve is corrected by the imperceptible activation of the brake at a certain wheel, which the driver does not notice at all, but seriously affects the stability.

It can be said that this is a great combination of SUV, sports and environmental vehicle. Power is transmitted to all four wheels, but the rear drive is primary.

Only if the need arises, up to 50 percent is transferred to the front axle.

This applies to all modes, from purely electric to classic, when the SUS engine is activated.

Considering that we are driving cars that are practically test series, a slight jerk is felt for a moment when changing the mode, i.e. when switching from purely electric to gasoline and vice versa.

In general, it is very quiet in the cabin due to the excellent sound insulation, and the silence can only be disturbed by the high-quality sound system of the Bose brand, with well-designed acoustics.

The test route was short, so we didn't have the opportunity to make sure of the real range on electricity alone, especially since we drove mostly on local roads.

Mazda promises up to 68 kilometers in the city and 63 on the highway, which is not exactly a top result, but for most buyers it is quite enough for everyday driving.

Otherwise, the electric motor is in the gearbox, so the complete construction is very compact.

In order to lower the center of gravity, the batteries are embedded in the floor. All this affected the driving characteristics.

Apart from highways with a speed limit of 100 km/h, the real testing ground for the Mazda CX-60 is the "autobahn".

You guessed it, we were looking forward to the section with no speed limit. Although they are very short due to the large crowd, they are quite enough to push the hybrid drive to its limit.

Full gas and four-cylinder gasoline in combination with an electric motor give their maximum. Only now, the petrol can be heard more clearly, and with a rather powerful sound, which is usually not the case with hybrids.

It was relatively imperceptible until the throttle was "pathosed", but now... You can simply feel the imposing power that accelerates the over two-ton car to "hundred" in just 5.8 seconds.

The fact that it accelerates strongly up to the electronically limited 200 km/h, and then suddenly stops, like when you set the speed limiter, shows how powerful the system is.

This is not so bad, most have started to limit the speed to 180 km/h...

Until the big six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines arrive, the plug-in hybrid is the only and at the same time the most powerful and fastest option.

Whichever option you choose, low registration costs await you, given that there is no tax on the use of motor vehicles for hybrids, even if they are light hybrids.

In any case, Mazda has definitely provided its customers with maximum comfort, practically at the level offered by the famous German trio, and at really affordable prices.

It is not yet known how much it will cost here, but it is certain that it will be cheaper than in Germany, where it will cost from 47,390 euros.

Electric up to 140 km/h

Considering that it is a plug-in hybrid, the Mazda CX-60 allows driving only on electricity with a range of 68 kilometers in the city cycle according to the WLTP standard, i.e. 63 kilometers on local roads.

Of course, if you drive 140 km/h, which is the maximum on electricity, the range will be somewhat less.

The first model on a new mechanical platform

The Mazda CX-60 is just the first model on the new platform with a longitudinally mounted engine and primarily rear-wheel drive.

A longer Mazda CX-80 with seven seats is expected soon, but also other surprise models.

Fast charging

Like most plug-in hybrids, the CX-60 allows charging at 11 kW chargers with a power of up to 7.2 kW.

A completely empty battery is charged to 100 percent in two hours and 20 minutes, which is quite enough to fill up a good part of the capacity while you are shopping.

Charging takes longer on the home Shuko socket in the garage, but it is certain that it can be charged during the night.

By the way, the maximum range of 63, that is, 68 kilometers of electric range in the city is included in the average gasoline consumption, hence the declared 1.5 liters per 100 kilometers.

Specific gearbox

Mazda has developed a specific eight-speed automatic transmission specifically for this platform that is characterized by the absence of a torque converter.

However, its mode of operation is similar - it changes gears via planetary gears and a multi-plate clutch, but it does not have converter hydraulics as an input clutch, but a multi-plate clutch in combination with an integrated electric motor and generator performs this function.

By replacing the torque converter with a clutch, torque is transmitted directly, similar to a manual transmission. In addition, friction transmission and clutch cooling have evolved to smooth start-up and high efficiency were achieved.

The Mazda CX-60's hybrid powertrain enables the independent combination of gasoline and electric motor power.

For example, when driving on electricity, the gear change is gently felt, just like when driving on gasoline, or with the help of both engines at the same time.

Such a solution enables a great saving in space.

Specifications

  • Mazda CX-60 E-Skyactiv PHEV AWD
  • Engine: 4 cylinders, longitudinally mounted
  • Volume: 2488 ccm
  • Power: 141 kW (191 hp) at 6000 rpm
  • Max. about. torque: 261 Nm at 4000 rpm
  • Electric power engine: 129 kW (175 HP) at 5500 rpm
  • Max. about. torque el. engine: 270 Nm
  • Total system power: 241 kW (327 hp) at 6000 rpm
  • Max. about. system torque: 500 Nm at 4000 rpm
  • Battery: Li-Ion, 17.8 kWh
  • Battery mass: 176 kg
  • Battery voltage: 355 V
  • Gearbox: automatic, 8 degrees
  • Dimensions (L/W/H): 4745/1890/1685 mm
  • Intermediate shaft. distance: 2870 mm
  • Trunk: 570/1726 l
  • Tank: 50 l Weight: 2055 kg
  • Max. speed: 200 km/h
  • Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 5.8 l/100 km
  • Combined consumption: 1.5 l/100 km
  • CO2 emission: 33 g/km
  • Electric range: 68 km city, 63 km outside the city
Published in Mazda

The Specter luxury coupe marked the British prestige brand's entry into the electric race.

Rolls-Royce's entry into the electric car market works in its own way. They can simply afford it, that is, they can be sure that they will easily extract a few hundred thousand euros from their fans for a huge electric coupe weighing less than three tons.

Specifically, the Specter weighs 2,975 kg, making it one of the heaviest production cars on the market right now. Of course, the Specter is not a small car, so the distance between the axles is as much as 3,210 mm.

The supporting structure is aluminum, but the burden of the huge battery cannot be hidden.

The 700 kg battery is a nice ballast in the floor of the vehicle, and with a capacity of more than 100 kWh, it enables a solid driving autonomy of 520 km, according to WLTP.

The electric drive produces 585 hp and 900 Nm, which apparently in RR they consider sufficient to satisfy the appetite of future owners, but also some basic standards of the brand.

After all, the company is no stranger to electricity because Charles Rawls was thinking about an electric car more than 120 years ago. In 1900, he bought an electric vehicle and was mesmerized by the feeling of driving without noise, vibration and stench.

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On paper, it reaches 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, but that really matters less in a car of this caliber.

Yes, the Specter is fast, but it should be experienced more like a road version of a luxury yacht, just as the rear of the car suggests.

Equipped with "Magic carpet ride" chassis and Planar suspension, the Specter will ride the mountain roads between Nice and St. Tropez like on rails.

It is not surprising that it was precisely on those roads that he performed the final tests and fine-tuning of the prototype before the start of production.

No need to waste words on the design. Suffice it to say - a pure classic, but also a never-wider LED-illuminated front fascia.

And yes, the lights are double, where the daytime ones are extremely thin, and the main ones are hidden under them. It's a recipe recently introduced by BMW and it didn't go over well with critics. It will probably pass here.

Published in Blog/News
Tagged under
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 03:01

World premiere: Electric Mercedes EQE SUV

The Mercedes EQE SUV is a versatile alternative to the EQE business sedan.

Like the Mercedes EQE sedan, the new electric SUV is available with the basic innovations of the EQS model and at the same time is more dynamic than the EQS SUV model.

Mercedes says that the EQE SUV is one of the most spacious representatives of its class. Still, with a 3,030 mm wheelbase that's nine centimeters shorter than the sedan, it's more compact than the EQE sedan.

As the fourth model, following the EQS and EQE sedans, as well as the EQS SUV, the EQE SUV uses a new mechanical platform designed for three-pointed star electric vehicles.

The modular drive concept enables the EQE SUV to offer a wide range of maximum total power outputs from 215 to 300 kW. Depending on the equipment and configuration of the vehicle, the European variants of the vehicle can have a WLTP autonomy of up to 590 kilometers.

In the EQE SUV, the lithium-ion battery consists of ten modules. In certain cases, the company's innovative battery management software can be updated over-the-air (OTA).

The current generation of driving assistance systems includes a number of functions that support the driver.

General standard equipment on the EQE SUV includes ATTENTION ASSIST, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Parking Package with reversing camera and Speed ​​Limit Assist. System status and activity are shown full-screen on the driver assistance display.

Additional options are available in the Assistance package, as well as in the Driving Assistance Plus package.

The mechanical basis of the new EQE SUV consists of a four-link suspension at the front and a multi-link independent suspension at the rear.

Due to the relatively short wheelbase of 3,030 millimeters and the appropriate suspension settings, Mercedes claims that the car is particularly nimble and manageable even with the basic setup.

AIRMATIC air suspension with ADS+ continuously adjustable damping is available as an optional extra. To increase the ground clearance, the vehicle level can be raised by up to 30 millimeters.

In addition to the DINAMIC SELECT programs ECO, COMFORT, SPORT and INDIVIDUAL, EQE SUV models with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system also have an OFFROAD program for off-road driving.

A rear axle steering system with a maximum steering angle of 10 degrees is available as an option.

MBUX Hyperscreen on demand

With customizable software, the MBUX display and operating system make personalized suggestions for numerous infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions. The highlight of the interior is the optional MBUX Hyperscreen.

With the MBUX Hyperscreen, the three displays merge almost seamlessly to create a screen range over 141 centimeters wide.

The front passenger in the EQE SUV has the option of a 12.3-inch OLED display with its own user interface.

The system uses intelligent camera-based blocking logic that recognizes whether the driver is looking towards the passenger display. If this is the case, the system automatically dims the dynamic content for security reasons.

Smart route planning

When it comes to navigation with "electric intelligence", the name says it all. Because based on numerous factors, it plans the fastest and most convenient route including charging stations.

It also reacts dynamically to traffic jams or a change in driving style, for example.

Navigation with electric intelligence is smart; calculates estimated charging costs per charging stop. In addition, the user can individually edit the planned routes.

Planned routes can be individually edited by adding desired charging stations along the route or excluding suggested charging stations.

Heat pump as standard

The Mercedes EQE SUV has a sophisticated thermal architecture with a heat pump as standard. This makes the system work very efficiently: excess heat from the electric drive (inverter and electric motor) as well as high-voltage batteries that would otherwise be released into the environment can be used to heat the interior.

This drastically reduces battery consumption for the heating system, thus increasing the range.

Another useful and efficient function is air conditioning control before departure. The THERMATIC automatic climate control system with two climate zones is standard in the vehicle, while THERMOTRONIC with four zones is available as an option.

Adjusted charging tariffs

From June 2022, Mercedes me Charge offers three new charging tariffs in Europe that are tailored to individual driving performance.

"Mercedes me Charge S" for occasional charging, "Mercedes me Charge M" for normal charging and "Mercedes me Charge L" for frequent charging.

With the introduction of a new, transparent tariff system, fixed prices that are valid regardless of the operator are partially available to customers. With the Plug & Charge function, the EQE SUV can also be easily charged.

Lots of high-tech features

The DIGITAL LIGHT headlight technology (special equipment) enables innovative functions, such as the projection of auxiliary markings or warning symbols onto the road.

Another highlight of the equipment is the ENERGIZING AIR CONTROL Plus. The HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter cleans the incoming outdoor air at a very high level of filtration. ENERGIZING COMFORT connects the various comfort systems in the vehicle.

Individual ENERGIZING COMFORT programs allow a special program for good mood depending on the mood or needs of the user. This improves physical comfort and performance while driving and during breaks.

The Dolby Atmos sound format raises the audio experience in the EQE SUV to a new level, according to Mercedes.

The proportions of the EQE SUV combine function and aesthetics with the sporty character of an SUV.

Wheels in sizes from 19 to 22 inches are mounted flush with the outer edge of the body.

The EQE SUV shares some aerodynamic measures with models from the same family. The chassis with numerous aerodynamic details plays a central role in the very good drag value Cd of 0.25, which is achieved despite the large cargo volume and short rear overhang.

But the dimensional concept with the flat windshield, broad roofline and recesses were also important factors.

High level of passive safety

The principles of Integral Safety apply regardless of the type of drive system. Like all other Mercedes Benz models, the EQE SUV therefore has a rigid passenger compartment, special deformation zones and state-of-the-art restraint systems.

The European version of the EQE SUV can detect whether the rear seats are actually occupied. If the passenger in the back is not wearing a seat belt, the driver receives a special warning. The so-called passenger presence reminder can indicate children in the back of the vehicle.

In vehicles for Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada, this system is fitted as standard.

Motorization

Mercedes will initially offer three versions of the EQE SUV.

The basic EQE 350+ with rear-wheel drive and a single electric motor of 292 HP (215 kW) develops 565 Nm of reverse torque.

It is followed by the EQE 350 4Matic with 4-wheel drive and two electric motors. It is interesting that the total power is the same as in the rear-wheel drive model (292 hp), but the maximum torque is higher thanks to the additional electric motor and is 765 Nm.

At the top of the range is the EQE 500 4Matic, also with all-wheel drive and two electric motors. The total power of this version is 408 hp (300 kW) and the torque is 858 Nm.

CO2-neutral production as part of eco-balance

Production of the EQE SUV will begin in December at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (USA).

A battery plant in nearby Bibb County supplies batteries for this model as well as the EQS SUV.

As of this year, all Mercedes-Benz passenger car and van plants worldwide have achieved CO2 neutral production as part of their environmental balance – including the two Mercedes plants in Alabama.

Published in Mercedes

Hurricane Ian created numerous problems in Florida, and firefighters in this American state became aware of the danger posed by submerged electric cars.

Numerous electric vehicles were under water during the hurricane, and the batteries that were soaked could soon catch fire, so the owners of such cars were warned of the danger of fire.

Jimmy Patronis, Florida's chief financial officer and state fire marshal, posted the warning on Twitter, noting that the first cases had occurred, some of which he had personally witnessed. He also posted a video of when firefighters tried to put out a fire on a Tesla Model X that caught fire in the middle of the street. One of the onlookers said that they poured more than 5,500 liters of water on the Tesla, but the car was still smoking.

Extinguishing a battery fire requires special training and understanding of electric vehicles, and a fire can last several days even with the intervention of firefighters. According to a recent study by AutoInsuranceEZ, hybrid vehicles are actually more susceptible to fires than electric vehicles, but the bigger problem is that the fire itself is extremely difficult to put out. Due to corrosion in the cells of the lithium-ion battery, the electric car can emit smoke and flames for a long time, even after being submerged in water.

As Index.hr writes, considering that Florida has the second largest number of electric vehicles in the USA (behind California), Florida is becoming aware of this problem. At the end of last year, around 100,000 electric vehicles were registered in this federal state.

Published in Blog/News
Tuesday, 11 October 2022 04:56

New Peugeot e-208 2022 review

Efficiency tweaks give the electric Peugeot e-208 supermini a greater range

Verdict
This small update to the e-208 is definitely worthwhile, adding a little extra range with absolutely no drawbacks. However, given Peugeot’s recent announcement that its electric supermini will get a bigger battery (and therefore offer a chunk more range again) and more power, you might want to wait for the new car arriving in 2023. We wouldn’t blame you either way, however.

Peugeot announced a not-insignificant update to its e-208 electric supermini at the end of last year. This boosted the car’s range and tweaked the line-up’s trim structure (along with its pure-petrol 208 sibling), while introducing some style changes to higher-spec models.

But even as we’re testing this new version, Peugeot has revealed still bigger improvements for its e-208.

While the car coming in 2023 will get a bigger battery and motor for more range and power, don’t discount this model just yet. Despite no increase to the battery size of the car here, the e-208’s range is now up to 225 miles from 217 miles, a near-four per cent increase, thanks to a revised final drive ratio in the car’s transmission.

Put simply, this reduces the electric motor’s revs when cruising, in turn lowering energy consumption and boosting range. It’s teamed with new ultra-efficient tyres, while a tweak to the heat pump means more efficient use of energy.

On test the e-208 used its energy at a predictable rate; even if it was slightly more than one mile used for every one mile travelled; this relationship still means you can plan journeys accordingly, knowing in advance if you’ll need to stop to charge.

The e-208’s 100kW charging capability hasn’t been updated, but it didn’t need it, so the 50kWh battery takes 30 minutes for a 10-80 per cent charge. The home charging time might be more important to many owners; using a 7kW wallbox, a full charge from empty takes seven and a half hours.

With the motor still producing 134bhp, the Peugeot will cover 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds. Acceleration is still smooth and as swift as you’d ever need from a supermini, with good initial response that tails off towards 50mph. The flexibility the 260Nm of torque and single-speed automatic gearbox give you is great, too.

In town, the e-208 rides patchy roads relatively well. You do get jostled around a little inside, but this is to be expected to some degree because the suspension must absorb inputs and control a body laden with a significant chunk of battery mass. That can also be felt on twisty country roads, where the small steering wheel and quick steering offset some of this slight lethargy.

It still offers as much grip and bite as you’d ever need, and fairly nimble handling. Combined with the instant torque delivery and solid low-down punch EVs tend to bring, this is where the e-208’s fun lies.

There’s also a challenge to be had in maximising regenerative braking and trying to use the left pedal as little as possible. On this front, even in the stronger B mode we’d like a little more motor-derived retardation because it doesn’t allow for one-pedal driving. But it’s an intuitive set-up that’s easy to get to grips with on roads from country routes to motorways. In this latter environment the e-208 is relatively comfortable at speed, although high-speed cruising still isn’t its natural habitat, even with the transmission improvements; you’ll still find the car consuming energy faster than you’d like at a steady 70mph.

Inside, the e-208 is as funky as ever, with a 3D digital dash and a 10-inch central touchscreen. However, the infotainment is also still flawed, with loading times that are longer than rivals’ systems, even if the Peugeot’s does boast plenty of functionality.

Source: autoexpress.co.uk

Published in Peugeot

We are already used to cheap car copies from China, but the latest model offered on Alibaba has "stepped up the game". For only 2,710 euros, you get a not-so-faithful copy of the Range Rover, in a much smaller package with a range of 200 kilometers.

Copies of famous cars coming from China are not rare. A good number of companies from the most populous country in the world have based their products on stealing the designs of well-known brands.

The latest victim of plagiarism is the Range Rover. The Chinese company Sea Biscuit has offered a model on Alibaba that will attract a lot of attention, mostly from the British company's lawyers because it is an obvious design theft. This car has a starting price of €2,710, which is less than most things on the accessories list of a real Range Rover.

For this money, which does not include transportation costs, customers are offered a fully electric microcar with an electric motor that develops 68 hp, while the maximum speed is 50 km/h. The power is transmitted to the rear wheels, and after 10 hours of charging at a classic, domestic outlet, this copy of the Range Rover can travel a maximum of 200 kilometers.

Of course, they did not copy the quality of the interior from the British manufacturer.

As Auto Klub writes, there are cheap plastics everywhere, while the seats are made of fake leather. However, there are two miniature screens and a socket for charging a mobile phone, which add a bit of luxury to the interior.

It should be noted that a discount is also available for larger quantities, so in case the customer orders more than 100 copies, the price drops to only 2,000 euros.

Published in Blog/News
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