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Volkswagen

Major improve for the ID.3: pre-sales launch with Pro S mannequin

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Volkswagen is launching the brand new ID.3 with an intensive improve. The subsequent software program and infotainment technology and the improved working idea at the moment are additionally coming into Volkswagen’s electrical compact class. The augmented actuality head-up show has been enhanced, a model new Wellness App and non-compulsory premium sound system from Harman Kardon have been added. With the improved drivetrain, the ID.3 Pro S’s output will increase to as much as 170 kW. Pre-sales for the Pro S mannequin (5 seater) with a 77 kWh lithium-ion battery (web) at the moment are open; additional variants will probably be out there to order shortly.

Imelda Labbé, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management liable for Sales, Marketing and After Sales: “The ID.3 Pro S represents the consistent further development of our product portfolio based on the needs of our customers. For example, the model now has an improved e-route planner and the option of preconditioning the battery. These are functions that have already been very well received by drivers of the other ID. models.”

New infotainment system and ChatGPT. The cockpit panorama within the ID.3 product line now has a brand new design. The latest-generation infotainment system includes a bigger touchscreen (diagonal: 32.8 cm/12.9 inches) and a brand new, intuitive menu construction. The multifunction steering wheel has additionally been enhanced, permitting for simplified and extra intuitive operation. The driving mode selector has been faraway from the housing for the Digital Cockpit and designed as a separate steering column swap – like within the ID.7, for instance. Now illuminated and ergonomically designed, the contact sliders are situated below the Infotainment system show and are used to regulate the inside temperatures and quantity. The new IDA voice assistant might be operated with pure language. It not solely permits a variety of automobile capabilities to be managed, but additionally solutions questions by accessing on-line databases akin to Wikipedia. Another new characteristic is the combination of synthetic intelligence (AI) via ChatGPT.

Stronger and extra environment friendly motor. The ID.3 will probably be outfitted with enhanced model of the earlier electrical motor, which not solely impresses with extra energy but additionally with economical consumption. In the German market, the ID.3 Pro S now delivers 170 kW as customary, whereas clients in different markets can determine after buy whether or not they wish to enhance the fundamental output from 150 kW to 170 kW by way of function-on-demand. This “power-on-demand” choice is new for Volkswagen and one other element in its improvement of digital enterprise fashions. Increasing the facility to 170 kW improves 0 to 100 km/h acceleration to 7.1 seconds. The mixed WLTP vary for the ID.3 Pro S reaches as much as 559 kilometres.

Faster charging on the go. When out and about, an progressive charging and thermal administration operate makes positive the battery is pre-conditioned forward of the subsequent DC charging cease. This implies that the ID.3 Pro S is provided with vitality as rapidly as potential on lengthy distances. The battery is heated to the optimum temperature in order that it may be charged with a most output of as much as 175 kW. This permits the charging time to be decreased by a number of minutes, notably in winter. When route steerage by the navigation system with the improved Electric Vehicle Route Planner is lively, pre-conditioning is began mechanically on the way in which to the subsequent quick-charging station. Without lively route steerage, the operate can be manually activated utilizing the charging menu within the infotainment system. Practical: routes with as much as 10 charging stops and 10 stopovers might be deliberate on a smartphone or on the internet portal after which transferred to the Infotainment system.

Assistants on board as customary. The ID.3 Pro S already has a variety of recent help techniques on board. These embody Adaptive Cruise Control ACC, Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) with pedestrian and bicycle owner monitoring, lane maintaining system Lane Assist, oncoming automobile braking when turning operate and Dynamic Road Sign Display. Also included as customary: the Car2X site visitors hazard alert operate. The system helps the motive force by offering info on what is going on on the street and is subsequently capable of give an early warning of conditions akin to roadworks, accidents, the tip of site visitors queues or emergency autos.

New and enhanced techniques. Equipment choices embody progressive techniques akin to enhanced Travel Assist with swarm knowledge utilisation. This permits assisted longitudinal and lateral steerage over your complete pace vary in addition to assisted lane altering on motorways. Park Assist Plus and the reminiscence operate for the system (computerized execution of a saved parking manoeuvre over a distance of as much as 50 metres) can be found as non-compulsory gear. Park Assist Plus has been expanded to incorporate a distant operate for distant parking functionality by way of smartphone app. The exit warning system is a brand new addition to the ID.3 product line: as an extension of the Side Assist lane change system. Within the system limits, it may well forestall one of many doorways from being opened if a automobile approaches from behind. The system points an acoustic and visible warning and, within the occasion of acute hazard, briefly prevents the door(s) in query from being opened.

Innovative Wellness App. The Wellness App is a brand new characteristic, developed for elevated well-being whereas driving or throughout breaks. In the ID.3 Pro S, the app makes use of options akin to background lighting, sound and air con for this. The following wellness modes will probably be out there within the launch section: Fresh Up, Calm Down and Power Break. The modes can be customised: a Spotify playlist can be utilized as an alternative of the pre-programmed sound, for instance.

New sound system. The ID.3 Pro S has acquired yet one more spotlight within the type of the non-compulsory 480-watt sound system from audio specialist Harman Kardon. The 12-channel sound system gives 4 preconfigured sound settings: Pure (impartial studio sound), Relax (simple listening), Speech (deal with spoken phrases) and Vibrant (dynamic stay sound). The sound can be individually adjusted in keeping with private style by way of an equalizer.

Volkswagen

Brand Group Core will increase working revenue in Q1 2024 regardless of difficult market surroundings

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The Brand Group Core delivered sturdy monetary ends in the primary quarter of 2024. With steady car gross sales and barely decrease gross sales income, the Brand Group Core reported a big year-on-year enhance in working revenue and working return. At 6.4%, working return was nicely throughout the goal hall of 6-7% for 2024. All manufacturers contributed to this achievement, reporting greater returns on the idea of centered price administration in addition to elevated implementation of synergy and effectivity measures throughout the Brand Group. The monetary efficiency within the first quarter felt the influence of offsetting results – these included, for instance, the abrupt termination of presidency incentives for electrical vehicles within the German market and the associated low cost measures firstly of the 12 months. Furthermore, there was excessive depreciation attributable to investments in product campaigns and the associated ramp-up of electrical merchandise.
The Brand Group Core was, nonetheless, capable of counteract these results within the first quarter of 2024 with a balanced product combine. The slight dip in demand for all-electric autos (BEV) was offset by greater deliveries of ICE fashions. Overall, steady Q1 unit gross sales figures at Brand Group stage mirror these results.

Significant enhance in Brand Group revenue and return on the again of strong car gross sales and gross sales income.

Key monetary efficiency indicators affirm the energy and resilience developed by the Brand Group Core: with unit gross sales of 1,191,926, the Brand Group’s car gross sales virtually matched the excessive prior-year stage (Q1 2023: 1,192,974 autos). Even although gross sales income got here in at 32.8 billion euros – thus barely decrease than the very robust gross sales stage of the earlier 12 months (Q1 2023: 33.2 billion euros) – working revenue earlier than particular objects grew 21% to 2.1 billion euros (Q1 2023: 1.7 billion euros).

The working return (earlier than particular objects) improved by 1.2 proportion factors to six.4%. Cash outflows within the first quarter had been primarily attributable to preparations for brand new mannequin ramp-ups.

The Brand Group Core delivered 1,543,500 autos to prospects within the first quarter of the 12 months, 6.2% greater than the identical prior-year quarter (Q1 2023: 1,453,500 autos). All-electric fashions accounted for an necessary share of deliveries: essentially the most profitable all-electric fashions from the Group delivered worldwide within the first quarter of 2024 had been the ID.4, ID.3, Škoda Enyaq and ID. Buzz. Škoda delivered 12.3% extra all-electric autos in Q1 2024 in contrast with the identical prior-year quarter. At Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the rise was as excessive as 29.4%.

Key figures for the Brand Group Core:

Key financials

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Change 24/23

Unit gross sales (in 1000’s)
(incl. different autos from different manufacturers)

1,192

1,193

0%

Sales income

32.77 billion euros

33.16 billion euros

-1%

Operating revenue earlier than particular objects

2.11 billion euros

1.74 billion euros

+21%

Operating return earlier than particular objects

6.43%

5.25%

+1.2%-points

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Škoda, SEAT/CUPRA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles manufacturers every contributed to the sturdy Brand Group Core Q1 outcomes for fiscal 2024.

Unit gross sales on the Volkswagen Passenger Cars model within the first quarter of fiscal 2024 ran at 694,617, 5% down on car gross sales for a similar prior-year quarter (Q1 2023: 730,797 autos). Given the commonly difficult market surroundings, a really robust efficiency within the first quarter of the earlier 12 months and mannequin adjustments in key quantity drivers (Golf, Tiguan, Passat), gross sales income firstly of the 12 months got here in at 19.3 billion euros, 6% decrease than the prior-year determine (Q1 2023: 20.5 billion euros). At the identical time, nonetheless, the working revenue earlier than particular objects improved by 26.8% to 770 million euros, confirming the Volkswagen model’s steady place total in a risky market. At 4.0%, the working return (earlier than particular objects) was noticeably greater than the prior-year determine of three.0%, pushed by a constructive regional combine and worth results that in flip had been counteracted by pay will increase.

Patrick A. Mayer, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand answerable for “Finance”, commented: “The solid results for the first quarter of 2024 show that our cost optimization measures are having an effect and the brand is successfully strengthening its resilience. Implementation of the Volkswagen brand’s comprehensive performance program continues to gather momentum and will make us even more effective and faster in this challenging year of 2024.”

Škoda Auto delivered 220,500 autos worldwide within the first quarter of 2024, a rise of 5.2% in contrast with the earlier 12 months. The order consumption stays promising. Sales income got here in at 6.6 billion euros, barely down on the determine for Q1 2023 (6.8 billion euros). This is partly attributable to greater materials prices. The working revenue earlier than particular objects ran at 535 million euros and the working return (earlier than particular objects) was 8.1%, barely above the extent for a similar prior-year quarter
(Q1 2023: 8.0%). With deliveries operating at 61,200 (+36%), the Octavia remained the model’s best-selling mannequin.

SEAT/CUPRA reported a constructive begin to enterprise 2024. First-quarter car gross sales by the model ran at 164,300 models, a rise of 6.2% in contrast with the primary quarter of the earlier 12 months. SEAT/CUPRA generated gross sales income of three.8 billion euros, a rise of 6.8% on the determine for Q1 2023. The working revenue earlier than particular objects developed significantly nicely, rising 57% to 226 million euros. The working return (earlier than particular objects) improved to five.9%, similar to an increase of 1.9 proportion factors on the determine for Q1 2023. These constructive figures mirror the profitable market penetration of SEAT/CUPRA and the rising recognition of SEAT/CUPRA fashions.

Business improvement on the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles model within the first quarter of 2024 was constructive. Vehicle gross sales of 121,906 models represented 17% progress in contrast with similar quarter in 2023. There was corresponding 16% progress in gross sales income to 4.2 billion euros. Particularly noteworthy is the rise in working revenue earlier than particular objects, which greater than doubled to 400 million euros (+ 134%). The working return (earlier than particular objects) got here in at 9.6%, a rise of 4.8 proportion factors.

Outlook
 The subdued financial prospects, rising competitors and political challenges will proceed to form the present fiscal 12 months. Against this backdrop the Brand Group Core because the “core of the Volkswagen Group” has outlined its key priorities: to spice up its monetary energy and innovativeness in addition to enhance its resilience. 2024 can be a 12 months of complete mannequin change. The Volkswagen model started the present 12 months with the market launch of the three most necessary quantity fashions: Tiguan, Golf und Passat. The Brand Group Core will additional strengthen its market place by debuting additional enticing new fashions such because the all-electric Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer, the long-wheelbase ID. Buzz and the CUPRA Tavascan. The Brand Group Core’s working return in Q1/24 was throughout the full-year goal hall of 6-7%. With a transparent give attention to additional decreasing complexity, shortening improvement cycles and systematically tapping into synergy potentials, the Brand Group Core is on monitor to satisfy its goal of an working return of 8% by 2026.

RollsRoyce

ROLLS-ROYCE CELEBRATES LONDON CRAFT WEEK: LONDON CALLING

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  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars showcases modern Bespoke craft at this yr’s London Craft Week
  • Inspiration taken from London, a world luxurious hub
  • Three outstanding items of workmanship might be on show at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London, in the course of the occasion, from 13 to 19 May 2024

“Craftsmanship lies at the very heart of Rolls-Royce with creativity nurtured at every turn. As a brand synonymous with perfection and craftsmanship, London Craft Week – a celebration of the very best of British craftsmanship – is a truly important occasion in our annual calendar. For the 10th anniversary of the event, I am delighted that our highly talented artisans from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood have created a stunning portfolio of Bespoke craftsmanship. Appropriately for this tenth edition of London Craft Week, the UK’s capital city has acted as inspiration for these magnificent works of craftsmanship, which celebrate London’s world-famous status as a luxury hub, as well as its rich tapestry of architecture, art, design, and culture. These exquisite examples of creativity and ingenuity will be on display at our flagship showroom in the heart of Mayfair for the duration of the event in May.”
Boris Weletzky, Regional Director – UK, Europe, and Central Asia, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

To have fun the tenth yr of London Craft Week, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will debut a outstanding exhibition of workmanship on the marque’s flagship residence in Mayfair. For this yr’s occasion, the marque has taken inspiration from London, house to among the most well-known luxurious areas on the planet, a lot of which themselves are marvellous examples of design and structure.

Internationally famend as a luxurious capital and as a location that serves as the house for a lot of Rolls-Royce clientele, London is a befitting alternative because the theme of this yr’s occasion. A metropolis comprised of many alternative areas and districts, Rolls-Royce artisans needed to seize each the trendy and conventional tradition and magnificence of London, showcasing a wealthy tapestry of landmarks. There can also be a extremely potent connection between the marque and London; co-founder, The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls, was born in Hill Street Mayfair solely a stone’s throw from the exhibition, and 14-15 Conduit was the West End headquarters of Rolls-Royce Ltd for a lot of the 20th century.

LONDON BONNET

For this yr’s occasion, artisans from the marque’s Exterior Surface Centre have drawn inspiration from the well-known haunts of London to create a real murals: a map of London introduced on the magnificent canvas of a Phantom bonnet. This extremely Bespoke bonnet, which options over 20 coats of paint and took over 100 hours to finish, showcases the marque’s peerless fluency in craftsmanship. To create the masterpiece, the bonnet was first painted in a base coat of Andalusian White, earlier than a crystal clearcoat was utilized and the outlines of the map of London have been sketched by a single artist. The subsequent step noticed an artisan airbrush the bonnet utilizing a color gradient method, to conjure the impression of a concentrate on Mayfair, the house of the exhibition. After a number of layers of airbrushing, a singular interpretation of a few of London’s most recognisable landmarks was meticulously hand-painted onto the bonnet, earlier than the art work was finalised with a sign-written ‘London’ motif and the cautious utility of gold leaf highlights.

LONDON ICONS DOOR CARD

Rolls-Royce’s extremely expert artisans from the Interior Trim Centre have created a vibrant door card for the occasion. This very particular Bespoke pattern showcases a singular perforated art work – in whole this door card includes a staggering 7,700 perforations. A vibrant Turchese leather-based has been chosen for the bottom leather-based on one facet of the door. The leather-based has then been lined with a layer of Scivaro Grey which, when perforated, reveals the Turchese undercolour, conjuring the impression of an aerial view of the River Thames. Similarly, on the opposite facet of the door, a vivacious Lime Green leather-based has been chosen as the bottom leather-based color, uncovered solely when tiny perforations within the Scrivaro Grey overcoat create a recent but summary expression of town’s world-famous structure.

PICNIC TABLE

Continuing the London theme, Rolls-Royce’s specialists working within the Interior Surface Centre have created a phenomenal picnic desk that celebrates among the metropolis’s most well-known buildings. To create this particular picnic desk, one extremely expert artisan spent over 50 hours reducing, urgent and assembling completely tessellated items earlier than the picnic desk was lacquered.

These distinctive items are indicative of the marque’s fluency in Bespoke and might be displayed within the window of Rolls-Royce’s flagship showroom, Berkeley Street, Mayfair, from 13 to 19 May 2024.

ToyotaUk

FuelCell Energy and Toyota Motor North America Celebrate Launch of World’s First ‘Tri-gen’ Production System on the Port of Long Beach

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  • FuelCell Energy’s Tri-gen know-how produces three merchandise: renewable electrical energy, renewable hydrogen, and usable water
  • Marks Toyota’s first port automobile processing facility on the earth to be powered by onsite-generated, 100% renewable electrical energy
  • Both light-duty and Class 8 heavy-duty gasoline cell electrical autos have been fueled utilizing Tri-gen generated renewable hydrogen

LONG BEACH, Calif. (May 2, 2024) – FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL) and Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (Toyota) are celebrating the grand opening of the first-of-its-kind “Tri-gen” system on the Port of Long Beach, California, right now. Tri-gen makes use of biogas to provide renewable electrical energy, renewable hydrogen, and usable water, and was constructed to help the automobile processing and distribution middle for Toyota Logistics Services (TLS) at Long Beach, Toyota’s largest North American automobile processing facility that receives roughly 200,000 new Toyota and Lexus autos yearly.

“The goal of our collaboration with FuelCell Energy was to find sustainable solutions for the TLS vehicle processing facility here at the Port of Long Beach as part of our goal to remove carbon dioxide emissions from our operations,” stated Group Vice President of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at Toyota, Tom Stricker. “This groundbreaking facility shows that there are ways to reduce our emissions and burden on natural resources with scalable technology based on hydrogen.”

Thanks to FuelCell Energy’s Tri-gen platform, TLS Long Beach is Toyota’s first port automobile processing facility powered by 100% on-site generated renewable electrical energy. FuelCell Energy’s revolutionary gasoline cell know-how makes use of an electrochemical course of that converts directed renewable biogas into electrical energy, hydrogen, and usable water with a extremely environment friendly, combustion-free course of that emits just about no air pollution.

“Tri-gen demonstrates that hydrogen-based energy can benefit businesses, deliver zero-emission transportation for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, support improved air quality in local communities, reduce water usage, and deliver immediate and long-term benefits to the environment,” FuelCell Energy CEO and President Jason Few stated. “As a company, we are living our purpose when we enable visionary customers like Toyota to decarbonize their operations and harness the energy solutions offered by hydrogen—all while leaving communities with cleaner air and easing the strain on power grids and water supplies.”

Tri-gen produces 2.3-megawatts of renewable electrical energy, a part of which can be utilized by TLS Long Beach to help its operations on the port. Excess electrical energy is delivered to the native utility, Southern California Edison, beneath the California Bioenergy Market Adjustment Tariff (BioMAT) program, including a renewable, resilient, and inexpensive baseload electrical technology useful resource to the electrical grid.

Tri-gen may produce as much as 1,200 kg/day of hydrogen for the fueling wants of Toyota’s incoming light-duty gasoline cell electrical automobile (FCEV) Mirai whereas additionally supplying hydrogen to the adjoining heavy-duty hydrogen refueling station to help TLS logistics and drayage operations on the port. As of January 1, 2024, California’s Advanced Clean Fleet Regulation will solely enable zero-emission vehicles to newly register as drayage vehicles. By 2035, all drayage vehicles can be required to be zero-emission. The Tri-gen platform helps FCEV Class 8 vehicles right now and is there to help on-going migration to zero emission vehicles between now and 2035. Hydrogen manufacturing may be ramped up and down primarily based on demand. Since finishing development final 12 months, in January of this 12 months Toyota used the renewable hydrogen produced at Tri-gen to fill the primary Toyota Mirai autos at TLS, and in April the primary heavy-duty FCEV Kenworth T680 Class 8 truck was crammed on the adjoining Shell HD filling station utilizing Tri-gen-produced renewable hydrogen.

The water byproduct of hydrogen technology can produce as much as 1,400 gallons of usable water per day, which is being repurposed for TLS automotive wash operations for autos that come into port earlier than buyer supply. This helps cut back the demand on the constrained native water provides by roughly half one million gallons per 12 months.

Supporting Port of Long Beach Initiatives
 By supporting TLS operations on the Port of Long Beach, Tri-gen is anticipated to assist cut back greater than 9,000 tons of CO₂ emissions from the ability grid every year. This helps each Toyota Logistics Services’ carbon discount objectives in addition to the Port of Long Beach’s objectives as a pacesetter in revolutionary options to lowering carbon emissions.

“The dawn of the renewable hydrogen era is upon us, thanks to our collaboration with Toyota and FuelCell Energy and their innovative Tri-gen system,” stated Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “The green power generated by the Tri-gen system, and similar projects, is part of our multi-layered strategy to fuel our goal to become the world’s first zero-emissions Port.”

Tri-gen may even assist keep away from greater than six tons of grid NOx emissions, that are dangerous to each individuals and the setting right now. Using hydrogen-powered gasoline cell Class 8 vehicles in port operations has the potential to scale back diesel consumption by greater than 420,000 gallons per 12 months.

“FuelCell Energy and Toyota’s collaborative effort signifies technological innovation and also positions Long Beach at the forefront of global leadership in renewable energy solutions,’’ said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “This transformative initiative solidifies our city’s status as a trailblazer in green initiatives and shows our dedication to a cleaner, more sustainable future for our community and beyond.”

About FuelCell Energy
FuelCell Energy is a worldwide chief in sustainable clear vitality applied sciences that handle among the world’s most important challenges round vitality, security, and international urbanization. It collectively holds greater than 450 gasoline cell know-how patents within the United States and globally. As a number one international producer of proprietary gasoline cell know-how platforms, FuelCell Energy is uniquely positioned to serve clients worldwide with sustainable merchandise and options for companies, utilities, governments, and municipalities. The Company’s options are designed to allow a world empowered by clear vitality, enhancing the standard of life for individuals across the globe.

News

Nine out of ten councils don’t plan to extend parking bay sizes

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Fewer than 1-in-10 UK councils (8.2%) have plans to extend the dimensions of their parking bays, even supposing automobiles are getting greater – that’s based on information completely obtained by Autocar. 

Data from a Freedom of Information request reveals drivers of bigger automobiles will discover it more and more onerous to park their automobile with out risking punishment if the present pattern of rising automobile dimensions continues. 

Analysing how the sizes of a few of the UK’s hottest fashions have modified since 2018, Autocar in contrast the sizes of a pattern of 27 automobiles offered within the UK. It discovered that they had elevated in size by a median of 97.6mm (3.8 inches). 

The automobile within the pattern which has grown probably the most is the Peugeot 208, which is sort of 580mm (22.8in) longer than it was in 2018. 

The BMW 7 Series has grown practically a foot longer, which means it’s too lengthy for the overwhelming majority of parking areas within the UK.

Standard off-street parking bays measure 2.40 metres broad by 4.80 metres lengthy, and 7 out of the highest 10 best-selling automobile manufacturers within the UK final 12 months produce automobiles that exceed this size.

To make issues worse, 5 UK councils already impose most size restrictions on autos, placing the drivers of many big-selling fashions vulnerable to receiving fines when utilizing council-run amenities. 

Of the 287 councils that responded to Autocar’s request, 1.7% expressly ban automobiles exceeding a selected size, starting from as little as 5.00 metres as much as 5.35 metres. 

That means fashions together with the Tesla Model X, Mercedes S Class and Range Rover are unparkable in council-run amenities in Wokingham, South Hams, and Broadland and South Norfolk.

Since 2018, Autocar discovered that councils have issued greater than 357,000 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for automobiles parked exterior marked bays since 2018, raking in additional than £8m over this era.

News

Newey to complete RB17 hypercar earlier than leaving Red Bull

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Asked if the RB17 was step one in the direction of Red Bull changing into a totally fledged street automotive producer, Horner mentioned: “It’s the start of a journey. It’s an interesting starting point for us. You can never say ‘never’, but certainly this is a halo project for us.”

As probably the most modern F1 designer of his technology, one with 10 constructor championship titles throughout three groups to his title, Newey launched varied novelties to the game.

Asked if the RB17 will characteristic Newey specialities akin to a ‘blown diffuser’, Gray mentioned: “We internally generally confer with [the RB17] as ‘Adrian’s biggest hits’. There’s a variety of issues that individuals will recognise… He’s continually innovated on [this] automobile and he’s concerned in just about each side of design and engineering.

“Everyone looks at Adrian as an aerodynamicist by trade, but he’s also involved in everything from wheels, tyres, suspension, brakes, all the way through to engine.”

In a subsequent interview Newey expanded on the listing, telling Autocar, “It will be a skirted car, so flexible skirts – because we can – and clearly large ground effect tunnels, active suspension as it could be driven on circuits that aren’t as smooth as [F1 tracks] and we’re trying to avoid having very stiff suspension.“It will also have exhaust blowing, all the tricks that we’ve learned [in F1], in other words.”

News

Honda e:Ny1 set to be renamed at upcoming facelift

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Honda is altering the naming of its electric cars after prospects discovered the e:N badging too troublesome to pronounce.

The Japanese model unveiled the brand new naming system on the Beijing motor show, beginning with the Ye P7 large SUV that can go on sale in China later this yr.

Honda UK imports its sole EV, the e:Ny1 small SUV, from China, the place the e:N naming conference comes from, and the identify can be modified when the automotive is facelifted, a supply near Honda mentioned.

“Customers in China just can’t pronounce it,” the supply instructed Autocar.

The replace, anticipated subsequent yr, will even incorporate a few of the design options of the P7, together with the illuminated Honda badge, the supply mentioned.

In China, Honda makes use of both the e:NS1 or e:NP1 name for its small electrical SUV, relying on whether or not the automotive is made by its three way partnership with Dongfeng or that with GAC, whereas in Europe it makes use of e:Ny1.

Under the brand new naming scheme, Honda in China has stored the P and S letters relying on which three way partnership builds the automotive, which means it may in Europe rename the automotive the Y1.

Keeping the Y factor would additionally keep away from awkward conversions with McLaren or Audi if utilizing the P1 or S1 identify.

Audi has been very protecting of its naming system, final yr forcing Chinese EV maker Nio to vary the identify of its ES6 and ES8 SUVs on the idea that they sounded an excessive amount of like S6 and S8.

The new P7/S7 is the primary of Honda’s new Ye Series vehicles, primarily based on a newly developed EV-specific platform. Honda has mentioned it can launch a complete of 10 new EVs in China by 2027.

The separate EV branding is a part of a method by Honda in China to maneuver its model upmarket within the change to electrical in an effort to raised compete amid a brutal worth battle. 

The change to the brand new naming and design language got here too late for the brand new e:NS2 mid-size hatchback, which has simply gone on sale in China at ¥159,800 (£17,700) – a worth so low-cost that Honda loses the equal of £5500 per automotive, the supply mentioned. 

The e:NS2, which may doubtlessly comply with the e:Ny1 to Europe, has a 68.8kWh battery pack for a CLTC vary of 339 miles.

Honda sells the e:Ny1 within the UK from £39,995, though it has been giving heavy reductions (presently £3000, with finance at simply 1.9% APR) in an effort to hit its ZEV mandate goal for 2024.

News

Official: Adrian Newey to depart Red Bull

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Red Bull Racing design guru Adrian Newey, whose vehicles have dominated Formula 1 for many years, will go away the squad within the first quarter of subsequent yr – and he’ll spend his remaining months with the agency ending its deliberate RB17 hypercar.

The 65-year-old joined the power drinks large’s Formula 1 squad in 2006 and has been instrumental in its rise to turning into one of many sport’s main outfits. During his 19 years with Red Bull, the squad has claimed seven drivers’ championships, six constructors’ titles and 117 victories.

Newey is not immediately employed as a part of the Red Bull Racing operation however has been chief know-how officer of the Red Bull Technology Group, and since 2014 his transient has been widened to incorporate different initiatives outdoors of F1. That job shift was, partially, to fend off a serious push for Newey’s providers from Ferrari.

As a part of his Red Bull Technology Group position, Newey was concerned within the improvement of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar and has since begun work on Red Bull’s first hypercar, named the RB17. That automobile, resulting from be revealed this yr, is a 1250bhp V8 delicate hybrid with a claimed £5 million value and is designed primarily for track-day use.

In a launch asserting Newey’s departure, Red Bull Racing stated he would “step back” from his F1 duties to “focus on final development and delivery” of the RB17 and he’ll “remain involved in and committed to this exciting project until its completion”.

In an announcement, Newey stated it had been “a great honour to have played a key role” in Red Bull’s F1 success, however he added: “I feel now is an opportune moment to hand that baton over to others and to seek new challenges for myself.”

Since becoming a member of Red Bull, Newey has designed a string of title winners for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. His 2023 automobile is probably the most dominant in F1 historical past. Before becoming a member of the squad, he beforehand designed F1 race and title winners for Williams and McLaren.

Team boss Christian Horner stated: “When Adrian joined Red Bull, he was already a superstar designer. Two decades later, he leaves as a true legend.” Horner added that the RB17 will “be a fitting testament and legacy to his time with us.”

German title Auto Motor und Sport first revealed Newey’s plans to depart Red Bull final week, which the BBC has subsequently reported to be linked to the controversial state of affairs surrounding misconduct allegations in opposition to Horner. Earlier this yr, an investigation cleared Horner of any wrongdoing, though the complainant has since appealed that call.

The state of affairs with Horner is claimed to have sparked an influence wrestle inside Red Bull that has left Newey sad.

Subsequent reviews earlier than Newey’s departure recommend that latest negotiations have targeted on the size of his ‘gardening go away’, though it’s unclear if Newey will pursue one other job or just selected to retire from F1 and give attention to different initiatives and pursuits.

Car review

Used Renault Twizy 2012-2021 evaluate

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A reasonably typical seatbelt, two pedals, two indicator stalks and a wholly regular steering wheel characterise a driving setting that may make the Renault Twizy really feel fairly acquainted.

This can be true have been it not for the central driving place and for the truth that – even with the non-obligatory scissor doorways of our check automobile lowered – the cockpit by no means feels remotely enclosed.

A excessive driving place makes for good all-round visibility. But most testers agreed that they felt as in the event that they have been driving on the Twizy moderately than driving in it. It’s an impression underlined by the air speeding into the cabin the place typical home windows would possibly in any other case be, and on a cold day at cruising speeds it makes you conscious about the shortage of any cabin heating.

The Twizy gives its driver as a lot room as any supermini. Its controls are simple to make use of and the digital speedometer, journey pc and battery meter are clear. 

The inside plastics are hardy sufficient and simple to wipe clear – necessary provided that there’s no solution to shield them from rain and street grime – however they do really feel low cost, reminding you extra of the cubbies and fittings on a mass-market bike than these of a up to date automobile. 

Ironically, a giant bike would possibly provide extra storage than the Twizy. The principal cubby – a 31-litre field behind the rear seat – is fiddly to open and difficult to entry and would barely accommodate a small purchasing bag.

Although it might be a a lot safer and extra energy-efficient technique of getting across the metropolis, the Twizy barely appears to supply any extra practicality than a giant scooter. 

On the gear entrance, the usual Twizy acquired disc brakes, an digital engine immobiliser, regenerative braking, day-time-running lights, and a driver’s airbag included, whereas Expression trim added a digital drive and speedo show, a lockable rear cupboard space and heated windscreen.

The range-topping Dynamique mannequin gained flooring mats, alloy wheels and a selection of 14 color collections, whereas these wanting to make use of their Twizy as a industrial automobile can achieve this with the Cargo mannequin, which eliminated the rear seat and changed it with further cupboard space.

Technology

Why Russia Still Uses Armored Military Trains Today

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Russia’s war in Ukraine has confirmed expensive in males and materiel, with purported tank losses close to 3,000 alone. Therefore, it comes as no shock that Russia would use what it already has, together with armored trains. These trains are completely fitted to the well-established railways that run all through the nation, together with these from the Luhansk area all the way down to Crimea. Two Russian armored trains that noticed service in Ukraine, the Baikal and the Amur, beforehand served within the Southern Military District as of 2015. They have been dusted off after relative inactivity to move automobiles and personnel, and to restore broken railways. In August 2016, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu used these similar trains in operations associated to the Donbas War.

Russia deployed two extra high-tech armored trains to Ukraine theater known as the Yenisei in 2022 and the Volga in 2023. These trains are manned by Railway Troops, who, in keeping with the TASS information company, have been the “first in the zone of a special operation in Ukraine to launch drones for surveillance without stopping the train.” These trains are outfitted with heavy 20 mm metal armor and an assortment of weaponry and missiles together with 23 mm anti-aircraft weapons, machine weapons, anti-tank missiles and smoke grenades, and might be configured as wanted.

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