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I'm looking to buy a used car these days, but...I'm puzzled!
If you want a used car to be as little used as possible, is it the year of construction or the mileage of a car that counts the most?
You would expect the mileage of a car to increase over the years, but some exceptions make buying a second-hand car more complicated. So how do you choose?
A 10-year-old car should have 150,000 kilometers, at least if you go with an average of 15,000 per year. However, you will also find some used cars that, despite their age, have fewer kilometers. And you want to believe that these are cars that just had less use. And let's say that these are cars have genuine mileage. Or maybe not?
If the car is not imported, a check at the kilometers of MOT Center is enough to convince you. On the other hand, you can have a car that is only five years old, mainly from leasing, which, despite its few years on the road, has covered many kilometers. Five years and 150,000 kilometers mean 30,000 a year, which is not unlikely in company cars.
What do you choose? The old with the few or the new with the many kilometers? The problem is, you have to decide which of the two, age or mileage, best reflects the condition of a car. Of course, the new one has the latest technology, design, and equipment, but it is more "tired".
But the few kilometers are not enough to ensure the condition of a car, when we talk about ten years, especially if the owner thought that due to little use, it did not need regular maintenance.
So how do you choose? With age or with kilometers? What is the most reliable parameter to get the best car? What do you think?
In your opinion, is it better to buy or lease these days?
I finally am able to afford a brand new car but I am reconsidering it. This is mainly down to the loss in value I would take soon as I drive it off the car lot. That and if I end up not enjoying it, I am stuck with it. At least with a lease, I could get a new car every 2 to 5 years. So to me, leasing looks like the better option but I could be overlooking some things. I need some input.
What auto insurance do you have and what do you pay?
I am debating on switching my insurance. I am currently with Allstate. I have not had any issue with them but they want to increase my monthly cost even though I have not had any accidents. It will be going up something like $32 a month which to me, seems rather high. I am currently paying $105 so that would be nearly $140 each month.
I am looking for other options that are $100 or less but I want good coverage. I don't want some bottom-barrel coverage. What insurance do you have and what do you pay?
Electric Scooters: Are they worth it or are they just dangerous?
They are cheap, economical, they have advantages when you move in the city, but they are also dangerous.
I decided to put aside the four wheels and go for a ride with them thinking both as driver and as potential user.
I see them everywhere. On every street, at all hours of the day, by people of all ages. During the holidays, several islands were flooded as I saw small children riding them, without many precautionary measures to be honest. However they did it, electric scooters are a new, modern alternative to the movements of either teenagers or adults who use them even wearing the suit to go to work.
Given the opportunity, I left (for a while) the four wheels and tried driving such a scooter, evaluating it both as road user and as prospective owner. After all, is it worth it to pay for one, or is it still dangerous? And I do not see it only from the point of view of a parent who is opposed to everything, bicycles, motorcycles, etc, but from a more neutral perspective. After all, what are their advantages and disadvantages?
I would love to know more about them. Has anyone tried them? Feel free to share your experience.
Here are my initial thoughts, I repeat very initial thoughts of advantages and disadvantages:
+ Financially easy to get one
+ Zero consumption, fast and flexible
+ Covid-free way of transportation (Avoiding mass transits, taxis)
- Doubling the exposure to risk of accident means you have to be four times more careful
Most probably I will update/edit this list as I'm thinking more and more about my driving experience. Sometimes it's better to leave enthusiasm and hype retreat before you decide.
Not doing so might result in what is called buyer's remorse. I wish I had a dollar each time I bought something out of enthusiasm and emotion prevailed.
These days, the fastest lap record for an FWD (Front Wheel Drive) production car was "broken" on the track in Suzuka, Japan, by a camouflaged Type R. And the limits are shifting. Again.
It is much easier to expose a chassis when loading it with more than 250 horsepower only "in front". That is when it is front-wheel drive. When doing two jobs at once: both accelerating and turning - the emphasis is on the two "ands". FWD has a dual role and this has its limitations. Coincidentally, there has never been a front-wheel-drive Formula 1? Those of us who love cars in recent years - I'm not talking about our grandparents - have become driving men with the doctrine that it is impossible to manage a front-wheel-drive with more than 200 horsepower. Back then, in the mid-1980s, that was the limit of power. Today; We just admire the way front-wheel-drive evolved so much.
Take the Nürburgring for example - we'll get to Suzuka later. If you take a look at the list of production car times, it is really impressive how some front-wheel-drive "throw" in clearly stronger, more expensive but also more coveted cars. For example; A BMW M2, even though it is more powerful, more pluralistic in driving behavior but also far more expensive at a purchase price than a Honda Type R, the latter is plenty of seconds faster in the lap. To be precise, it "turns" in just 7 minutes and 43 seconds. Faster than Pagani Zonda. Or from Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera. Or the BMW M2? It completes the round in less than 8 minutes, more precisely, in 7:58 ". We are talking about chaos. As you know, the seconds on the track are not nuts. Do not swallow for fun. He wants a lot of work. Well, something similar has happened with some more front-wheel drive.
The breaking of the taboo, more precisely the total shuffling of the power deck, of course, caused thesecond-generationn Focus RS (Mk2), the one with +300 hp "only in front" had left me, once, speechless when I first led it in the Ford press mission , on the special routes of Monte Carlo, in France. That green hatchback was something in a front-wheel drive M3. He passed mansions through the anomalies, but the "berry" inside, and knew how to attack the bends. The sequel to FWD came cumulatively. And now, last week, the much-anticipated Type R further broke the record in Suzuka, covering 5.8 km on the track in 2:23. Almost a second faster than the existing one. A small difference, yes, but that's the evolution of the species. It is not possible with mutations.
So I think in the midst of the hypercar, the infinite horsepower - we got to talk about 1,500 horsepower in exotic constructions - and all sorts of virals flooding YouTube, the dramatic improvement of strong front-wheel drive is often left out. And that's why it deserves a thumbs up to the engineers who in some cases, like the one here, the camouflaged Honda, manage the once unthinkable. Three hundred, and more, horses only "in front"? Yes, easily. Even if I was told to choose, I would take the M2. Even if it is slower. Chaos (of another type) in my brain.
What is the real speed of the car - How many kilometers does the counter "steal"
The actual speed of a car always deviates from what the driver sees on the counter. Let's see what applies in practice.
To begin with, we must remember that the velocity of a body is defined as the rate at which its position changes over time. The counters, however, do not measure how fast we travel from point A to point B, but how fast our car wheels spin.
And then, according to the website carandmotor.gr, some simple mathematical operations are performed to calculate the instantaneous speed.
However, if the dimensions of the wheels change, the tires wear out or their pressure decreases, then the speed calculation will be incorrect. For example, if we install new tires, or increase their pressure, then the diameter of the wheels will increase. Therefore, for each rotation of the wheel the car will travel a greater distance. So our speed will be higher.
On the other hand, if the diameter decreases (due to low pressure or wear), for each rotation of the wheel, the kilometers traveled will be less.
Another reason for the discrepancy between the actual speed and the indicated speed is the requirements of European legislation.
According to the ECE R39 article, the counters must not show speeds lower than the real ones. In addition, 110% of the real speed plus 4 km / h is required as the maximum display cap. In practice, then, if a car is moving at 100 km / h the counter could show up to 114 km / h.
So to ensure that they comply with the law and to make sure that they show a lower speed than the real one, the manufacturers adjust the counters in such a way that a higher speed is indicated.
Speed lovers have a new car to dream of, since for a few hours now the record for the fastest car on Earth has been held by a model of the American company SSC.
Specifically, the Tuatara model of the American company wrote 532.6 km / h (331 miles per hour) outside Las Vegas, breaking the record held by Bugatti with the Chiron.
The record was set on Saturday, October 10 near Parub, Nevada on a State Route 160 straight.
Along with the record for the highest speed, SSC also achieved the records for the fastest mile, the fastest kilometer and the highest speed on a public road.
The driver Oliver Webb was at the wheel of the vehicle and the records were recorded by 15 GPS satellites.
Cars that went through all the public and company preparation procedures to go into production but at the "last minute" it was decided to cancel them.
It is not the most common thing in the world for a company to develop a model and at an advanced stage "pull the plug".
The life expectancy of prototypes is as specific as the reason they are made. There are not a few cases that do not "progress" beyond the "static prototype" phase which usually does not even have a configured interior.
There are significantly fewer cases of those that came very close to production but ultimately did not proceed, and here we have collected some of the most "egregious" cases. We're talking about cars that "reached the spring but didn't drink water", since their course ended shortly before their production was approved.
Toyota GT86 convertible (2013) Audi R8 TDI Le Mans (2008) MG GT (2004) Ford Fiesta RS (2004) Lancia Fulvia (2003) Volkswagen W12 (1997) Opel Calibra Convertible (1992) Mercedes-Benz C112 (1991) Porsche 989 (1989) BMW M5 E34 convertible (1989) Nissan Mid4 (1985) Citroen 2CV Super (1974)
French refinement has found its ultimate expression in the new Peugeot 408.
Between the flagship 308 and 508 Peugeot decided to place one of the most beautiful and refined models ever to leave the Sochaux factory in France, the 408.
From the first moment that the new model of the French brand was presented, it made its presence felt by having a very strong design profile which is accompanied by elegance and luxury that make it stand out even more.
The shape of the new 408 leaves no room for doubt that it is a completely modern Fastback. Its lines are clean and ensure a very attractive appearance that does not go unnoticed. Particularly at the rear, the 3D Full LED lights form the characteristic "claw", while the subtle spoiler offers in addition to beauty and improved aerodynamics.
Things get even more impressive when we move to the interior of the 408. Peugeot has put a special emphasis on luxury by placing very good quality materials in every corner of the car, having taken care that every detail is at the top level of finish and elegance. At the same time, the spaces are particularly comfortable for both passengers and their luggage (boot from 536 to 1,611 litres).
The equipment of the Peugeot 408 impresses as it has all the modern systems that the most demanding modern driver would be looking for. So the first thing he sees is the 10.0-inch digital instrument panel of Peugeot's 3D i-Cockpit, which can be configured in multiple forms, each time giving a distinct note to the operator.
The placement of the air vents above the center console is very clever, while the large infotainment screen is accompanied by another thin screen at the bottom where you can choose the layout of the switches at will.
The smallest motorhome on the planet costs less than a cheap car
The custom Suzuki Jimny Camper is a studio on four wheels.
When in one of the most popular mini SUVs in the world you integrate a small house, a studio apartment with the basics - kitchen, bathroom, bedroom - in the back seats, you have just created the smallest caravan in the world.
The Suzuki Jimny Camper is just that. A Suzuki Jimny, which with absolute naturalness - as if its specifications and proportions were from the beginning - transformed into a self-propelled vehicle.
The small caravan on the market is, as you understand, a custom model that comes to us from Britain. It has a height of 2.6 meters and an internal height inside the "house" that is placed at the back of 1.5 meters.
This consists of a fully equipped gas kitchen, fridge, sink, toilet and a double bed that folds out to save space.
It also has an electrical circuit for the operation of the lighting fixtures and other electrical devices, a fresh water supply tank and an impure one.
Thinking of getting one! Any thoughts on this?
BMW: This is the first car that changes color (vid)
A prototype car that talks like a human, changes colors to suit the driver's mood and has no screens on its dashboard, BMW presented a few days ago.
The German automaker's BMW i Vision Dee was unveiled Wednesday night at the Las Vegas international technology show CES, with the company's CEO Oliver Zipse saying it will go into production in 2025. BMW plans to launch a new range of electric vehicles it calls Neue Klasse or "new class".
BMW's concept was very much an exhibition car, with elements that could be difficult to put into mass production and competitively priced. But Zipse told a packed theater at the Palms Casino that BMW "will bring this technology to our Neue Klasse ... in production."
The creation of Maranello was received with particular warmth and enthusiasm by the public, as it is generally accepted by all that it is a very beautiful and stylish car, which at the same time maintains the unique driving temperament of a Ferrari.
With a little delay - since Purosangue has been quite busy for the company lately - the time has come for the physical continuation of Ferrari's very special model. And the reason, of course, for the doll in the photos that accompany this text, Roma Spider.
The difference compared to the coupe version is obviously the return (after many years) of the fabric roof which can be folded in just 13.5 seconds and up to a speed of 60 kilometers per hour.
The existence of the roof has led to some aesthetic changes, such as the redesign of the rear window, while there is also a special arrangement for the storage of the roof, which according to the company does not affect the capacity of the trunk much.
At the same time, the section behind the seats has been shaped with a new patented air deflection design to minimize turbulence in the living room.
Ferrari will provide customers with the ability to choose the color of the roof fabric from a wide range of personalization options.
Under the hood is the 3.9-liter turbo V8 gasoline engine that produces 620 horses at 7500 rpm, its maximum torque is 760 Nm at 3000-5750 rpm and works with the 8-speed DCT transmission to transmit the drive to the rear wheels through the Ferrari's highly sophisticated electronic traction control systems.
Performance is on par with the coupe, with 0-100km/h done in 3.4 seconds, and 0-200km/h in 9.7 seconds. The top speed is also in this case at 320 km/h.
According to the company, the Spider is 84 kg heavier than the coupe, which is due to the roof mechanism and some reinforcements in the body for additional rigidity.
The salon remains the same as that of the Roma coupe, being very special and uniquely styled. The space for the two passengers is distinct and divided into two independent parts, while the impressive digital instrument panel remains as well as the multifunction steering wheel with the manettino adjusting various engine and transmission functions.
In the central console, which is particularly thin, there is another touch screen, with a vertical arrangement, while in front of the passenger there is another screen with additional information about the multimedia system.
The Ferrari Roma Spider will be available in the summer, with its price being as it happens in these cases slightly above the closed version.
Impounded drunk driver cars from Latvia are being sent to Ukraine under a new law to help the Russian-invaded country.
Already eight vehicles have started from the capital Riga which are part of the first convoy of cars sent after the approval of the relevant legislation by the Parliament of Latvia last month.
The MPs agreed, among other things, on the delivery of state cars to the Ukrainian army and hospitals.
Seizure of cars
Last year, Latvia changed its drink-driving law so that drivers with 1.5mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood (three times the limit) could be punished, among other things, by impounding their car, which in will then be sold by the state to third parties.
Latvia has one of the highest rates of drunk driving incidents in Europe, according to state broadcaster LSM, which reported around 3,500 such cases each year.
After the legislation, there was an escalation of seizures and state pens were filled within weeks. Against the background of the large number of cars that ended up in the state, the authorities decided to donate a few dozen vehicles to Twitter Convoy, a charity that sends vehicles to Ukraine.
"No one expected that so many people drive drunk," commented the founder of the non-governmental organization, Reinis Poznaks. "They don't have time to sell them at the rate they (the offenders) drink. That's how I came up with the idea to send them to Ukraine."
It should be noted that in the first two months of implementation of the new legislation, 200 cars have been confiscated from their owners as they were found to have alcohol in their blood above 0.15%.
The 200 seized cars the state has pledged to send each week to Ukraine will test the limits of his largely voluntary business, he said.
What is Twitter Convoy?
Twitter Convoy has already shipped nearly 1,200 vehicles following the appeal for donations it made following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Through 2022, it has raised €1 million for repairs and logistics needs of the vehicles.
Latvian Finance Minister Arvils Aserandens said the government was inspired by the NGO's success to abandon the idea of auctioning them off. "We are ready to do anything to support the Ukrainians," he commented.
Recently the police blocked off a road in the capital Riga for half an hour in order to subject the drivers to breathalyzer tests. No one was found drunk, but last year 4,300 drivers had consumed more than the legal limit of alcohol and they were involved in almost 1,000 accidents...
In the German magazine Sport Auto we very often see tests that include laps on the world's most famous circuit, the Nurburgring Nordschleife. This time, the BMW M4 CSL had its due and proved that its differences from the "simple" versions of the M4, do the job they should.
This is also proven by the 7:17.08 "written" by Christian Gebhardt of Sport Auto, which was slightly slower than that of the official BMW tester. It was Jorg Weidinger who, on behalf of the factory, stopped the clock at 7:15.677 which was also the fastest lap ever recorded at this track by a road legal BMW model.
The M4 CSL under the front hood has the 6-cylinder in-line twin turbo with the capacity of 3.0 liters, producing for the occasion 550 hp and 650 Nm of torque. This power is transferred to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission and sends the 1,618 kg of curb weight into sustained acceleration, up to 307 km/h of the electronically limited final.
The M4 CSL needs only 3.7 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill, while when the timer reads 10.5", it "has" 200 km/h on its counter. The "diet" it has undergone has reduced the weight by 240 kg, as there are too many parts of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, such as the engine hood, the roof and some parts of the cabin.
BMW plans to build only 1,000 M4 CSLs for the global market.
Electrification is not a technology from the future. It is already defining the present
Imagine a virtually silent city. Cars with zero exhaust emissions because they emit zero pollutants, communicating with each other and with the network to reduce congestion, driving autonomously, enabling drivers to make more creative use of their commuting time. This is not a utopia but a near-tangible future, the foundations of which are being laid today with the biggest change since the invention of the car. The urgent need to slow down and reverse climate change has brought electromobility to the forefront, the gradual abandonment of internal combustion engines and their replacement by vehicles powered by electric motors that draw their energy from battery cells.
In recent years the development of electromobility technology has been rapid. In addition to its zero environmental footprint, an electric car is also much more economical to use, since, apart from the fact that the price of electricity is lower than that of fossil fuels, it has, compared to 'traditional' cars, minimal maintenance costs. However, electric cars also have significant advantages in everyday commuting: Quiet, free of vibration or the need for constant gear changes, with a direct and uninterrupted flow of energy, and therefore much easier to use, and with by far better space management, since they do not have to 'carry' a bulky internal combustion engine. Car manufacturers are constantly investing in the development of new technologies that make electric cars even easier to use: Improved battery capacity and energy management have almost eliminated the stress of autonomy, at the same time as charging times have been significantly reduced. Now an electric car with 800V architecture can charge on fast chargers up to 350 kW in about a quarter of an hour. Recent EVs have batteries that can cover distances of more than 500 km. At the same time the technology of chargers is constantly evolving and the number of fast chargers is also increasing. EVs that charge with green energy produce up to 70% less CO2 than petrol and diesel cars. In the future they will be able to contribute more thanks also to the greater use of green energy. In Europe, pure electric cars are gaining an increasing market share, reaching 12.1% in 2022 from just 1.9% in 2020.
Premiere for Label Red, the top version of the BMW XM, the second exclusive model in the history of the Munich company's M division after the legendary M1. What car?
Come and get it at an incredible price for a while... Wanted it but it was expensive? Not anymore... It has everything and you get it easily! Who said that good used ones are just right?
The BMW XM Label Red, as is its full name, also stands out visually from the standard XM by its red body details and 21-inch wheels.
Accordingly, its interior has also been redone, while the element that makes it stand out is the performance of its plug-in hybrid system. Which reaches 748 hp - a top value that leaves behind in absolute numbers the hyperSUVs of both Lamborghini and Ferrari,
The Urus of 666 hp and the Purosangue of 729 hp respectively.
To reach this price, BMW's M GmbH engineers increased the output of the 4,400cc bi-turbo V8 from the standard XM's 489hp to 585, while keeping the electrical part of the system intact. The 145 kW electric motor integrated into the automatic transmission and the 25.7 kW battery.
So the combined performance of the plug-in hybrid system reached, as we said, 748 hp and 1,000 Nm, while the electric range remained at 83 kilometers.
As for the performance, mark 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a final that with the M Drivers Package rises from 250 to 290 km/h.
From there, the active M Professional suspension is standard, as are the M brakes with six-spoke front calipers.
Production of the BMW XM Label Red will begin in August in the US, while its price has not yet been officially announced. Something that also applies to its special edition Individual Frozen Carbon Black metallic that will be produced only 500 times and will stand out from the even more intense red elements of its body.
In earlier times, and we are talking quite old now, almost a century ago, car bonnet decorations were a sign of opulence and style.
In the place where the primitive mechanisms for indicating the temperature of the refrigerator used to be placed, the manufacturers in the 30's had started to put their own statuette-emblem.
The "goddess" of Cadillac was one of them. And it adorned the front of the company's cars from 1933 to 1956.
These figurines began to disappear from almost all companies for safety reasons. And they have returned relatively recently in brands such as Rolls Royce and Bentley with special mechanisms to retract in the event of a collision and not cause injury.
At Cadillac they decided to go back to the good old days. And in a completely unexpected way. In an electric car, the flagship of the Celestiq company.
The all-new electric model enters the market marking the return of the Goddess on a company car, wanting to show Cadillac's continuity from the past to the future of electrification.
The new "goddess" of Cadillac was designed by Richart Wiquist with references to the classic version of the emblem. It is entirely handcrafted and creates a feathery feel with the dress flowing backwards.
Cadillac, however, decided not to place it on the hood, but to integrate it in various parts of the body and inside the living room, in the infotainment control. A light display is also present when the car is in the process of charging.
With the Celestiq, Cadillac begins its new era, in which it wants to bring something of the glory and luxury of the past to electric models. The electric drive is good, but it lacks "feeling" and delivery.
And some such small gestures do what it takes to awaken memories in an era that seems somewhat sterile and is desperately searching for its own myths in the past.
From smartphones to cars: Xiaomi's first car leaked
Xiaomi's car is expected to be launched in 2024 as a follow-up to the creation of the company's first vehicle development department in 2021. At that time, the Chinese firm acquired the company Deepmotion Tech, which had as its main object the creation of autonomous driving technologies.
At the same time, Xiaomi is building a factory for the production of purely electric cars, already having the first prototypes of its new model ready. The latter, called the MS11, is in its final stages of development and from the photos revealed, we can see what it will look like when it hits the streets.
The first and main thing we already knew from the prototypes is that the MS11 will be a sedan model. Of course, its lines, as can be seen in the new photos, will also refer to 4-door coupe models, with a characteristic element being the large glass roof that joins the two windshields (front-rear) of the car.
At the front, as in all electric cars, there is no grille in the grille, with the almond-shaped LED lights standing out. On the side, we can see the beautiful rims, which hide behind them the yellow brake calipers. At the back, the lights join each other, while the third volume is short in length and elevated.
The MS11 will have door handles that will be hidden inside the body, but also a large Lidar radar sensor on the roof. This radar will allow the car to have expanded autonomous driving capabilities.
As for the rest of the MS11, we currently don't know the power of its electric motor or motors, battery size, etc. However, the electric motors are expected to be manufactured in-house by Xiaomi, while the batteries will come from the well-known CATL and BYD.
Xiaomi's first car comes to the market at a time when other technology companies are also developing projects to create electric vehicles. Sony and Honda have already presented a new car brand, while Huawei is also starting deliveries of its first car. We also expect to see if and when the giants of Apple and Google will also enter the "game", making the competition even bigger.
Artificial Intelligence brings a tsunami of unemployment
A few decades ago, it was robots that were met with great distrust and concern in the automotive industry. Robots eventually took over and changed the landscape of car manufacturing forever, with humans specializing in more delicate and demanding processes.
Now, the new "demon" of labor relations is Artificial Intelligence. A new generation of technologies through which things will be done much easier and in a shorter period of time than if the same tasks were performed by humans.
BMW is one of the first companies to adopt such a system for the paint department of its cars and the final quality control that takes place at the Regensburg plant.
The process of controlling the quality of colors and paint is a very delicate task, which until now required a very specialized staff with a lot of experience. And it was done practically in the hands and in the personal presence of the employee, as the last stage of the production of a car before it leaves the factory.
At the aforementioned BMW factory, where the 1 Series and the X1/X2 are manufactured, the German company claims to be the first in the world to have fully automated the process of checking and identifying paint mistakes which are then assigned to correct the corresponding robots .
In images from other factories, working technicians use special lights to locate defects, then draw a ring around them so that another group of workers can make the corrections.
But at this particular factory, a screen projects black-and-white striped patterns onto the surface of a vehicle, which is then scanned by a camera that detects any change in the reflected stripes. The computer then digitally stores the location, shape and depth of the defect, creating a 3D image of it.
From the moment the defect is detected, the specialized workers do not take over. But their role is taken by four robots who rub off the problematic paint and repair it.
BMW claims that the use of artificial intelligence throughout the process results in shorter delivery times and a consistently high level of paint quality. And it even plans to expand this new technology to its other factories in the world.
Once again, Cupra and Seat return to Automobile Barcelona, showcasing their latest innovations and the company's strong commitment to the development of new electric vehicles. During the first day of the motor show, Seat and Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths confirmed the name of the brand's future electric city car, the Cupra Raval.
A name that pays tribute to the Raval neighborhood, which is located in the heart of Barcelona. “The Raval neighborhood is one of the most amazing parts of Barcelona. And today, we are proud to announce that the brand's future urban electric car will bear this name and represent its spirit. As we did with the Cupra Born, we now want to express the essence of the Raval and continue to inspire the world from Barcelona," said Wayne Griffiths.
“The Cupra Raval is not just another car. It is an invitation to a new generation, which expects something better. An urban, revolutionary and 100% electric car, with its own character and connected to "Gen Z". Something more emotional," said Wayne Griffiths. The Cupra Raval will be produced at Seat S.A.'s main plant. in Martorell.
The company will invest 3 billion euros to convert the plant from internal combustion to electrification and will produce electric cars from 2025 based on the Volkswagen Group's Small MEB platform. Seat S.A. leads the Small BEV cluster for Volkswagen Group brands. Cupra also announced today that, together with brand ambassador, actor Daniel Bruhl, it will bring the essence of 'Bar Raval' to Berlin at the future Cupra City Garage, which will open later this year in the German capital.
Volvo presented a new autonomous driving system without supervision
Volvo Cars has begun testing its new, advanced Ride Pilot autonomous driving system without supervision. It is a system with new safety standards with wireless (over-the-air) software updates, combined with an advanced sensor system. The software was developed by autonomous driving (AD) software development company Zenseact, in collaboration with Volvo Cars' software development team.
Volvo's strategic partner Luminar played an important role in the new system. The Swedish company offers a platform with 25 different sensors which together with the latest generation Iris LiDAR sensor have created a top result in autonomous driving. The new system is expected to be fitted to Volvo's next all-electric SUV. It will be equipped with 5 radars, 8 cameras and 16 ultrasonic sensors for maximum visibility and perceptual reliability.
Before we get there, however, Volvo will continue exhaustive testing on the system to ensure it works flawlessly. Tests have already started in collaboration with Zenseact in Sweden, while data from all over Europe and America is being collected in order to have as much information as possible about possible driving scenarios.
Volvo's next step is to start testing in California. Ride Pilot in 2022 will be tested on California roads, where climatic and road conditions, as well as the legal framework, provide a favorable environment for the introduction of autonomous driving. When the system receives its final safety-focused certification, the company will launch Ride Pilot in California and gradually roll out to other regions of the world. The system will ensure time savings as the driver will be able to do other activities such as reading, working or communicating during his journey.
The sales figures obtained from the American market show that the Toyota Tacoma had, until last year, impressive performances against the competition. More specifically, the Chevrolet Colorado had half the sales of the Tacoma in 2022, while the Ford Ranger was "behind" by 150,000 units at the end of the year.
Now, with the new Tacoma set to launch later this year, Toyota is looking to further open the gap with competitors. It will offer an upgrade in all areas, taking a lot of influence from the imposing Tundra in terms of design, both body and cabin.
Toyota's "aces up its sleeve" for the new Tacoma will of course be both the hybrid version of the model, as well as the one that will be placed "opposite" the Ford Ranger and F150 Raptor, called Trailhunter. The Tacoma was designed and developed in the United States, and throughout the process, there was the "filter" of different aesthetics that takes pick ups from the category of professional tools and places them among the lifestyle options of the market.
One could say that the Tacoma is a Tundra on a smaller scale but in the end, looking at it, the differences become more and more apparent. Tacoma's sporty mood is further accentuated with integrated roof and hatch spoilers. Even in the "simple" version of the model, it is clear that the intentions of Toyota's decision-makers was to have a similar version of the Raptor - the Trailhunter.
The Tundra-inspired design continues into the cabin with an all-new interior. The steering wheel is also brand new, as well as the digital instrument panel on the 7.0 inch screen, while in the more expensive versions of the model this screen reaches 12.3 inches. The Tacoma has new Toyota Audio 8 multimedia systems and in the center of the dashboard dominates the screen-control center, with a diagonal of 14 inches.
Prices for the new model have not yet been announced, but it is estimated that in terms of pricing, it will not "depart" much from the data of its predecessor, which in its basic version started at 26,200 euros - in the USA.
Unveiling the Thrill: My Excitement for the New Subaru Crosstrek Sport
Introduction:
I am full of anticipation as Subaru, the renowned Japanese automaker, unleashes its latest masterpiece, the Subaru Crosstrek Sport. I became an ardent fan of both Subaru's performance and reliability, I find myself brimming with excitement as I eagerly anticipate June 16th the moment I can get behind the wheel of this remarkable crossover. With its sporty design, cutting-edge features, and unwavering Subaru legacy, the Crosstrek Sport delivers an exhilarating driving experience that will undoubtedly elevate my journeys to new heights.
Sporty Design:
One glance at the Subaru Crosstrek Sport, and my heart skipped a beat. The sleek lines, muscular curves, and aggressive stance exude an aura of adventure and performance. From the captivating LED headlights to the stunning alloy wheels, every detail has been meticulously crafted to captivate both the eyes and the soul. The sporty body cladding, black grille, and unique badging further amplify its rugged personality, perfectly reflecting my spirit of exploration.
Advanced Technology:
Subaru has always been at the forefront of incorporating cutting-edge technology into its vehicles, and the Crosstrek Sport is no exception. Equipped with Subaru's latest infotainment system and a vibrant touchscreen display, the cabin becomes a tech haven where convenience and connectivity intertwine seamlessly. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, (wireless), and a host of other features ensure that I am always connected to the outside world, whether for navigation, entertainment, or communication purposes. Safety is also a top priority with Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, providing an extra layer of confidence and peace of mind on every journey. This feature has stopped me from hitting many a thing.
Unparalleled Performance:
The Subaru Crosstrek Sport is more than just a pretty face. Beneath its hood lies a powerful heart that yearns to be unleashed. Powered by a robust engine and Subaru's legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the Crosstrek Sport is ready to conquer any terrain with unwavering poise and control. Its impressive ground clearance and X-MODE with Hill Descent Control make it the perfect companion for off-road adventures, while the sport-tuned suspension ensures a thrilling experience on the asphalt. This is especially important in Florida's slick roads during those unexpected weather events. Whether I'm exploring the Everglades or navigating through the bustling city streets of Miami, the Crosstrek Sport promises an engaging and dynamic drive.
Versatility and Practicality:
Subaru has long been known for its commitment to practicality, and the Crosstrek Sport stays true to this philosophy. With its spacious interior, flexible cargo space, and intelligent storage solutions, it effortlessly adapts to my ever-changing needs. Whether I'm embarking on a weekend camping trip, transporting bulky sports equipment, or simply running daily errands, the Crosstrek Sport's versatility ensures that I am always well-prepared and ready for any adventure life throws my way.
Conclusion:
As I eagerly await the arrival of the new Subaru Crosstrek Sport, my excitement knows no bounds. Its sporty design, advanced technology, unbeatable performance, and practicality have all contributed to fueling my anticipation. Subaru has once again raised the bar, and I am confident that the Crosstrek Sport will deliver a driving experience that exceeds my expectations. With every passing day, I inch closer to realizing my dreams of exploring the world with this exceptional crossover by my side. The future is bright, and the Subaru Crosstrek Sport will undoubtedly be the catalyst for unforgettable adventures that lie ahead.
In the last two years, Aston Martin has reversed the negative climate that prevails in the company and has laid the foundations for its development.
This can be seen both from the sales of its production models and from its course in Formula 1 this year.
The new management structure led by Lawrence Stroll and the money from the fund that he invested in the British company changed its course until then.
Stroll recently gave an interview in which he outlined his business plan for the next five years. However, he clarified that the details of this will be officially announced on June 27, as part of the Capital Markets Day to be held then.
According to Jewish Canadian Business, Aston Martin will introduce its all-electric model in 2026, despite the fact that there is no particular pressure to create such a vehicle. "I don't have many of our customers asking me for a purely electric vehicle of ours," said Stroll.
In addition, the CEO of the British company emphasized that the Plug-in hybrid system will be the one that has priority in its new cars and will definitely be installed in them in the next decade as well.
We remind you that its first model with the PHEV system is the Valhalla, which was delayed in its production but its sales will be within the next year.
Tragic drivers: They should probably review their road skills
Some people, as can be seen from the video below, simply "don't have it" with driving and have to accept it and move on with their daily lives, without endangering everyone around them.
Some drivers even think that they are much more "intelligent" than some others, as a result of which, of course, tragic mistakes are made on the road.
Many times some of them can be dangerous. Here's a list of tragic drivers who don't count for anything as it seems.
Volkswagen an exclusive collaboration with the producers of the upcoming animated film 'Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir', which will feature a range of EV's, including the legendary Scarab.
It is certainly not the first time, in the model's 85-year history, that it has become a protagonist on the big screen.
Certainly, however, it is of special interest for the digital model of the film - which will premiere on July 5 in cinemas, before being made available on the Netflix platform - created exclusively for its needs. Or if it's a preview of the future electric Beetle concept.
Regarding the above, VW remains silent. However, the digital model of the film retains all the design requirements of a future EV, with the corresponding references and curves of the glorious past. Next to the Beetle, as well as other electric models of the brand, such as the ID Buzz.
The iPhone will recognize the indicators on the dashboard
With the new touch screens and the increased services of the systems found inside modern cars, the driver has countless information at his fingertips. In many cases, however, the multiple information leads to confusion as there are new symbols and updates that the driver does not recognize easily.
One solution is to refer to the car's manual to find out what a symbol means, or to "google" the internet for information. Apple, wanting to solve this problem, decided to update its software in order to recognize all the new symbols of the car.
More specifically, iOS 17 new iPhones will be able to recognize symbols through the Visual Lookup tool. The user can use the phone's camera to take a picture of the symbol they don't know, and the iPhone doesn't recognize the symbol and even offers information.
The same application for the time being is able to recognize monuments, plants, animals (etc.), like the equivalent Google Lens of Android. Now the iOS software will also be able to recognize the new car symbols. According to Apple, the company's next iOS 17 software update is scheduled for September.
Which historic company brings the first cheap electric to the market?
Electrics are expensive and for few. But this will soon change and the 25,000 euro figure will drop for models that will appeal to a wider audience.
Citroen aims to enter the small and affordable electric market by launching the new e-C3 in October.
The particular model that is part of the renewed C3 range and the initial cost calculation is to be under 25,000 euros in Europe.
The electric e-C3 is a first sample of the new generation of the electric Stellantis group to promote the market of more affordable EVs.
Citroen's small electric will be based on a platform specially designed for battery electric vehicles and which shares dimensions with the current C3 model.
It will share elements with the C3 on sale in India and South America, which uses Stellantis' Smart Car platform – an improved version of the group's widely used CMF-B platform.
No technical characteristics have been announced, although the French company already has that it is about 4 meters long, will be particularly spacious and will have all the modern comforts (air conditioning, electronic aids, etc.).
The autonomy that the company seeks is over 300 kilometers, but we still do not know either the capacity of the battery or the engine it will use.
According to the company, the small electric will be offered with a very simplified range with as few as five options, so that economies of scale can be made at the Slovakian plant that will produce the C3 electric.
Citroen's intention with the presentation of this model is to create a rampart in front of the threat of the Chinese with their small and cheap electric models, which threaten the European market.
With the presentation of the e-C3, Citroën seeks to strengthen the limited range of small European electrics, where the future of electrification and the large profitability of the companies will be decided in the coming years.
Five things to check in your car before the holidays
The first thing we need to do before we go on holiday is to get our car serviced. In fact, in addition to the classic freshening of oil and fluids, we should draw the attention of our mechanic to the suspensions and brakes.
On holiday we tend to go off-road too which means the suspensions will need to be in good shape to cope. Also, the brakes need to be new as they take more strain with the extra load, heat and downhill island and country roads.
Tires
We don't go anywhere without tires in good condition. So we should get an expert to examine our car's tires and inform us of their condition. On vacation we will drive on roads with very bad pavement, so a worn tire can bother us for a whole day and spoil our mood.
At the same time, we should ensure that the spare is in good condition to be prepared in case of a puncture, as well as having the necessary tools to change a wheel or repair a tire. Air conditioning
In addition to the regular service, it is very important that the air conditioning system is in good condition. The high temperatures that prevail in the summer force us to make continuous use of the air conditioning in order to be as comfortable as possible in the car cabin.
In addition to the correct operation of the air conditioning for maximum soul, we should also take care of cleaning the circuit. An air conditioning system without harmful substances will definitely create a cleaner environment inside the car.
Minor damages
It is good to properly assess any minor damage that exists in various parts of the car. A small knock on a door, a detached bumper, an unfastened plastic can create unexpected problems and spoil our vacation.
In order not to lose our time along the way, it is good to visit a repair shop to fix these minor damages. Equipment
Before we leave for vacation, it is good to have equipped the car with the essentials. In other words, we should have a bottle of antifreeze for the refrigerator in a safe place, we should check if we have the essentials in case of a breakdown and stop on the side of the road, we should make sure that the fire extinguisher is functional and we should have updated the car's documents (security, KTEO, etc. ).
The small electric SUV, Baojun Yep has already debuted in the Chinese market and is attracting quite a lot of interest.
So the joint venture SAIC-GM-Wuling is considering the possibility of presenting the model also as a pick up, which will certainly have its own special interest. The Baojuon Yep pick up naturally shares most of its design with the SUV. It has a redesigned back, it is a two-seater, while in the door of the loading area, we see that a spare wheel is also accommodated.
The wheels look bigger, while the ground clearance has been increased to emphasize the more hard core character of the professional version of the – incredibly interesting design – model. with a total length of 3,381 mm, the pick up seems to be "shorter" than most European city cars.
Like the SUV, the pick up, if it is decided to produce it, will be available with an electric motor with a capacity of 68 hp and 140 Nm of torque, which will offer a top speed of 100 km/h to the model. Its range is 303km on a single charge (according to Chinese CLTC), while Baojun has not given details about its capacity.
The price of the small SUV starts at 10,500 euros...
Xpeng Motors was founded in 2014 with the aim of producing pure electric cars and its first model was presented four years later in 2018.
Obviously, the Chinese company is very young, even by the criteria applied in the Asian country. Even more so with the historical data of the European and/or American Automotive Industry.
But Xpeng Motors executives don't seem to be deterred by the fact. On the contrary, what for some seems like a disadvantage, they turn it into an advantage, trying to bring new perceptions to a new car, regarding the technology of batteries and their charging, as well as the level of equipment.
The company participates in the Munich Motor Show, showing off its models. It was also attended by Brian Wu, President of Xpeng Motors, who in his speech to the attendees announced its business plan for the European market.
As he said, in the coming months the company will open official agencies within 2024 in three of the largest and most important markets of the Old Continent. In Germany, which hosted the exhibition, in France and Britain.
As Wu said, the cars it will make available in these countries - and with which it will try to gain market share - are the G6 and G9 (its two SUVs) and the four-door P7.
Mercedes-Benz now has a wide range of purely electric models that bear the given corporate identity and high creation criteria of the German company.
Of course, the development and production of new models is part of the process. Another important part of this concerns the part of service and the provision of services to customers.
So, when it comes to its purely electric models, Mercedes-Benz executives decided to follow Tesla's example and create their own network of public fast chargers. Its name is "Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Network".
As announced by the German company, the beginning will take place in the fall when the three fast charging stations will start operating. These will be in Germany (Mannheim), China (Chengdu) and the USA (Atlanta). Each station will have six fast chargers which will have a power of up to 400 kW.
In the relevant business plan announced by Mercedes-Benz, it is predicted that by the end of next year more than 2,000 stations will be created around the world, with the ultimate goal of exceeding 10,000 by the end of the current decade.
According to what the company announced, its fast chargers will be able to serve electric vehicles that have a different charging system ("CCS1", "CCS2", "NACS" and "GB/T"). This means that it will be possible to service vehicles from other car manufacturers.
