The R8 E-Tron, which was launched in 2015, did not achieve great commercial success, with fewer than 100 units sold. However, Audi has not given up on the idea of an electric supercar. In 2018, the company presented the PB18 E-Tron, a high-performance electric vehicle concept. Unfortunately, a production version of this concept never materialized. Nevertheless, Audi is now discussing the possibility of introducing a zero-emission R8, which could be launched later this decade.
In an interview with Autocar, Oliver Hoffmann, the head of Audi’s Technical Development division, strongly hinted at the possibility of a third-generation R8. He mentioned that the upcoming Scalable Systems Platform from the Volkswagen Group could be modified and adapted for “iconic cars – sports cars and so on.”
1The Tesla Model X Is Blazingly Fast – 0 to 60 MPH In 3.8 Seconds
Tesla
Tesla makes boring cars fast. Yes, it doesn’t have the grunt of a diesel, but it certainly does its job extremely well. The Standard and Long Range variants make a massive 670 horsepower. All the variants are insanely quick, where the Standard and Long Range showcasing a zero to 60 mph time of 3.8 seconds. Such performance figures can be found in performance cars which are at least double or triple its cost.
Tesla Model X Specs
Motor Setup
Dual motor All-wheel Drive
Horsepower
670 horsepower
Torque
723 pound-feet
0-60 mph
3.8 seconds
Top Speed
155 mph
The Tesla Model X is by far the best example of when speed meets economy. The Model X isn’t just about speed though, as the Model X boasts an impressive 103 MPGe among other electric SUVs. The Model X offers both crazy speed and efficiency, which pretty much everyone wants these days on the performance front.
2The 17-inch Display Is One Of The Largest In The Segment
Tesla
Once you enter the Model X, you’ll be astounded by the lack of any buttons. All the controls of the car lie in the ginormous 17-inch display. The large infotainment screen can also be used for anything from gaming to the usual music, indulging in readily available content, and almost anything else you desire.
The screen is no longer in a portrait orientation and is instead placed in a landscape orientation found in the likes of the Model 3 and Model Y. The user interface has been revamped, bringing a lot of quality-of-life improvements such as dragging windows to rearrange them, a button to access recent apps, and a swipe-to-close feature.
The Tesla Model X is known for its iconic falcon wing doors. These doors open upwards not outwards, which provides better access to the rear row. These doors have multiple joints that make it possible for easy ingress and egress in tight spots.
The falcon wing doors also have sensors to detect obstacles in order to prevent accidental hits. These doors add a certain futuristic look to the car which makes it stand out from the other vehicles wherever you go, while also providing a sense of exclusivity and luxury. The flacon wings complement its aerodynamic and sleek exterior. The simplistic design also reduces wind resistance, which further improves the vehicle’s efficiency and range.
4The 2023 Tesla Model X Offers A Range Of 348 Miles
Tesla
The Tesla Model X can easily be said to be a technological marvel in the world of electric vehicle technology. The Model X has an impressive range of 348 miles, which is a major achievement as range anxiety is a major issue for anyone owning or looking to own an electric vehicle.
The range of an electric vehicle boils down to the efficiency of the electric motor, the capacity of the battery pack, and the vehicle weight. Driving conditions, weather, and speed are also important aspects. Tesla’s research into these factors paid off in the case of the Model X, as there is a large battery pack coupled with an extremely efficient motor, along with using features such as regenerative braking and battery preconditioning to mitigate a lot of issues that could be caused by driving style.
The Tesla Model X boasts an impressive towing capacity for an electric luxury SUV. The Model X has a towing package that allows the owner to tow a trailer with the car. The capacity of the car is 5,000 pounds, with the hitch receiver designed to support vertical loads of up to 120 pounds. This is a great addition to the vehicle as one could always help others in distress on the road.
6The Tesla Model X Has A Minimalist Cabin
Tesla
Tesla has been making its cars with a minimalist design philosophy for years. The Tesla Model X is no different, with its minimalist design being a key selling point. The car interior also follows the minimalist design philosophy, where you won’t be able to find even a single button. This makes it feel very uncluttered and easy to use. All the necessary and important controls are present in the huge 17-inch screen in the middle. The lack of buttons and knobs makes the driving experience more enjoyable and intuitive.
There was a time when the Model X was the pinnacle of electric vehicle technology, with little to no competition. Eight years is a long time in the electric vehicle industry, though, and the latest electric competitors have shown the cracks in Tesla’s seams. The Model X is now priced at $79,990 after a recent price slash, putting it in the same bracket as the Rivian R1S.
Neither the cheapest nor the costliest offering in the luxury electric SUV segment, there are no redeemable points to the Model X. The technology offered by Tesla does not negate the lack of quality materials used, whereas competitors in the segment offer much more features, premium ambiance, or at times both, justifying the six-figure price tag.
8No Dearth Of Cargo Space In Here
Tesla
The Tesla Model X boasts a humongous storage capacity, rivaling many bigger vehicles. It has around 37 cubic feet of cargo space and can be expanded to 85 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This much space is almost unheard of for both electric vehicles and luxury SUVs. There also is an additional 6.5 cubic feet trunk at the front, which further adds to the already ginormous storage capacity.
The Tesla Model X is quite an advanced vehicle, not only because of its electric drives and battery management systems, but also because of automotive firsts, such as the ‘Smart Summon’ feature. The feature essentially makes it so that the car can be summoned remotely to your position via the Tesla mobile app.
Another feature is the panoramic windshield present, which is a marvel in modern engineering and design. This glass stretches from the front to the middle of the car. This beautiful windshield provides a beautiful view of the surroundings and makes the cabin feel more spacious. The seating configurations of the Model X are also to be highlighted, with an option of six and seven-seat configurations where the second-row seats can be individually adjusted, providing ample legroom and top comfort.
10It Comes With The Company’s Infamous Autopilot
Tesla
The Tesla Model X is filled to the brim with the latest safety features. These can be accessed through the Safety and Security section in the car’s touchscreen. The Model X has active safety features such as collision-avoidance systems and automatic emergency braking systems, ‘Sentry mode’ which basically monitors any activity around the car when parked and locked. There also exists a feature called ‘PIN to drive’ which essentially starts the car via a PIN code that we commonly use to access our mobile phones.
One of the biggest features of the Model X is the autopilot mode, which, as the name suggests, drives the car for the driver under certain conditions. There are a multitude of sensors and cameras all over the car, which process important data and pass it through the computing unit present in the vehicle. The Autopilot isn’t perfect, however, with a lot of controversy surrounding it. In fact, with time Tesla’s Autopilot appears to have relinquished its former glory to more aggressive competitors. Some issues revolve around times when certain models crashed into stationary emergency vehicles, “phantom braking” allegations, complaints that the Autopilot straight-up refuses to work, and failure to properly navigate around obstacles and construction zones.
In late 2015, Genesis became an independent luxury division of Hyundai. Looking back, this move has proven to be a successful one. As of August 2023, Genesis has officially reached the milestone of selling over one million vehicles worldwide.
Unfortunately, the exact details of the one-millionth vehicle sold are not available. We reached out to Genesis for more information, but they were unable to provide any specific or general details about this special car. Interestingly, the company did not make a big celebration out of this achievement as they are currently focused on producing new vehicles instead.
In the aftermath of the 2015 Dieselgate scandal, government agencies worldwide are continuing to closely examine automakers. Recently, leaked documents from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority revealed that Mercedes-Benz was under investigation for allegedly employing defeat devices to bypass the latest Euro 6 emissions standards.
The leaked letter dated July 7, 2023, disclosed the presence of three software-based defeat devices in the OM642 diesel engine used in the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec. Two of the devices altered engine operation based on specific temperature parameters. The agency warned Mercedes-Benz in the letter that it must rectify the issues or face operating restrictions and recalls.
The German environmental consumer protection group, Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), published the leaked letter, which was provided by an anonymous whistleblower.
Mercedes-Benz, which is cooperating with the agency, informed Reuters that it believes it has already developed and implemented the necessary software updates to address the concerns. The increased scrutiny follows a ruling in July 2022 by the European Court of Justice, declaring software-based defeat devices as illegal. The agency originally set a compliance deadline of July 27, but Reuters reports that an extension was granted.
This is not the first time that Deutsche Umwelthilfe has scrutinized Mercedes-Benz. In November 2021, the organization released a public report accusing the company of employing eight defeat devices in its E-Class vehicles equipped with the Euro 6-compliant diesel engine, known as the OM642 power plant. DUH deemed the devices illegal, as they reduce the amount of AdBlue injected, which is necessary to neutralize harmful nitrogen oxides.
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Mercedes-Benz is not the only automaker still facing consequences from the Dieselgate scandal, even eight years after it first unfolded. Earlier this year, former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler was fined 1.1 million euros ($1.17 million) for his involvement in the scandal. Stadler admitted his guilt in order to avoid a prison sentence. In addition, auto components supplier Bosch paid $25 million in fines last year.
In 2020, Mercedes-Benz’s parent company, Daimler, had to pay $2.8 billion to settle claims against the company in the United States. The claims came from the US Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board, the US Department of Justice, and a class-action lawsuit. More than half of the settlement amount went to various government agencies, while $700 million was allocated to resolving the lawsuit.
In a Q3 2015 investor call, Fran Shammo, a Verizon executive, mentioned that they had not yet started marketing go90. He stated, “Keep in mind we are 20 days into this. We actually haven’t done any advertising or promotion activity around this product. So, for the early stages, we are seeing very good platform stability. We are seeing very encouraging feedback. And of course, we’re looking at specific metrics like viewership, site revisits, and popularity of new shows.”
However, this doesn’t mean they weren’t planning to advertise. According to a report by the New York Post, Verizon had allocated $80 million for marketing the new streaming service.
“go90’s architect,” Brian Angiolet, expressed enthusiasm for the service in a press release, stating, “Brilliant coders and engineers and awesome content partners have invested an incredible amount of work and have taken care to create a video experience that until now has been missing for millennial and Gen Z viewers. go90 bridges the content divide between traditional and digital distributors, along with established and emerging creators.”
But there wasn’t anything particularly unique about go90. The only standout feature mentioned in the press release was the ability for users to “cut & share your favorite clips via text (SMS), email, Facebook and Twitter.” It’s worth noting that YouTube didn’t introduce its own clipping feature until July 2021, almost six years later.
Overall, the marketing copy for go90 seemed forced and trying too hard to be “hip.” For example, it encouraged users to “join or create your own ‘Crew’ to connect and share your interests with friends and other fans.”
In June 2015, Alfa Romeo unveiled the production version of the highly anticipated Giulia. This event marked the start of Alfa Romeo’s plans to reestablish itself as a leading automobile brand. The Giulia was created by a team of talented engineers, designers, and stylists and was the first of eight new models planned for the next three years. However, the only other notable vehicle to follow was the Stelvio in 2017.
Since its introduction in 2016, the Alfa Romeo Giulia has sold approximately 160,000 units in Europe, North America, and certain countries in Asia and the Middle East. Although it did not achieve its ambitious sales targets, the Giulia proved to be a highly competitive sedan.
The Giulia also played a crucial role in Alfa Romeo’s expansion into the North American automotive market. Despite launching a sedan at a time when demand for sedans was declining, Alfa Romeo managed to make an impact in the market.
And Now?
Many people are wondering whether there will be a successor to the Giulia and how quickly Alfa Romeo will continue to expand its lineup. With the decreasing demand for sedans worldwide (except in China), it is unlikely that a new Giulia will maintain the same style as the current model.
Last year, global sales of premium D-segment sedans decreased by 2 percent, with China being the exception with a 5 percent increase. In the US and Canada, sales increased by 1 percent, while in Europe, the third-largest market, sales decreased by 25 percent.
It appears that Alfa Romeo is shifting its focus towards SUVs and crossovers. After the introduction of the Tonale in the second half of 2022, the company plans to launch a smaller SUV to compete with models like the Mini Countryman and Volkswagen T-Roc. SUVs in this size category have proven to be successful for the brand, as the Tonale accounted for 67 percent of Alfa Romeo’s new registrations in Europe between January and May of this year.
The Lessons Learned
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a fantastic product that showcased cutting-edge engines and a modern platform upon its release. Its eye-catching design stayed true to the brand’s identity without being excessive. Despite its modest commercial success, the Giulia proved to be a strong contender against German sedans.
The Giulia’s underwhelming sales can be seen as an initial test for Alfa Romeo, highlighting the changing preferences of customers in the premium segment. However, it is expected that Alfa Romeo will continue to offer a successor to the Giulia, possibly in a different format.
The author of the article, Felipe Munoz, is an Automotive Industry Specialist at JATO Dynamics.
The HondaJet began deliveries in 2015, and now Honda announced a significant expansion to the range by introducing a new, larger aircraft in 2028. The plane maker doesn’t yet have a name for the new offering, but it’s targeting the ability to fly non-stop across the United States.
The new plane will be a production version of the HondaJet 2600 Concept (pictured below) from 2021. The company will sell the larger aircraft alongside the existing HondaJet Elite II. Like other offerings, Honda mounts the engines on pylons above each wing, which is an unconventional design for business jets.
Honda intends the new jet to have 20 percent better fuel efficiency than other planes in this segment. It would have 40 percent better economy over larger, medium-sized business jets.
The plane can over 2,625 nautical miles (3,021 miles) with four passengers and a pilot on board. This is significantly more than the HondaJet Elite II that can go 1,547 nautical miles (1,780 miles) in the same configuration.
The upcoming jet would fit up to 11 occupants, and a single pilot can fly it. In comparison, the HondaJet Elite II fits seven or eight, depending on the configuration.
The aircraft would cruise at 450 knots (518 miles per hour) and an altitude as high as 47,000 feet. The HondaJet Elite II cruises at 422 knots (486 mph) at up to 43,000 feet.
“The new aircraft will surpass the performance, comfort, and efficiency of typical light jets by providing a medium-sized jet experience,” the Honda Aircraft Company said in the announcement.
The table below shows what we know about Honda’s new plane and compares the specs to the HondaJet Elite II:
Upcoming Honda Aircraft
HondaJet Elite II
Engine
Williams International FJ44-4C
GE Honda HF120
Avionics
Garmin G3000
Garmin G3000
Passenger Capacity
1 Pilot, 10 Passengers
2 Pilots, 9 Passengers
1 Pilot, 6 Passengers
2 Pilots, 5 Passengers
OR
1 Pilot, 7 Passengers
2 Pilots, 6 Passengers
Range With Pilot And Four Passengers
3,021 Miles
1,780 Miles
Maximum Cruising Speed
518 MPH
486 MPH
Maximum Cruising Altitude
47,000 Feet
43,000 Feet
The HondaJet 2600 Concept debuted in Las Vegas in 2021. Even then, the company touted the aircraft’s ability to perform non-stop, coast-to-coast flights. The business also projected 120 cubic feet of baggage capacity versus 62 feet from the HondaJet Elite II.
The video below is from the 2600 Concept’s debut and provides a glimpse at the interior.
Something strange happened on September 26, 2015, that transcended the world of auto racing to become an incident of global interest. At the start of a Porsche one-make race in Spain, a small collision took place on the first lap that saw one 911 come to rest neatly atop another one. Now, that bizarre collision is captured in a detailed 1:43 scale diorama depicting the corner, skid marks galore, and the two damaged race cars.
Spark Models is the company behind this build. Known for producing a wide range of diecast race car replicas, this could be the first time any company designed and created a specific crash in such detail. The two Porsche 911 race cars aren’t simply stacked either – Spark Models accurately recreates the liveries for the two cars involved in the crash, then applies simulated damage to each that’s also race accurate. As for the track, it represents turn three at Circuito de Navarra in Spain though the final resting spot for the cars isn’t as accurate as the cars themselves. Still, we get the idea. And we love it.
To refresh your memory, the actual crash occurred less than 30 seconds into the Porsche Carrera Cup France race. Drivers Jules Gounon, Alexander Cougnud, and Joffrey de Narda were fighting for the lead when Cougnud tapped De Narda. This spun De Narda (driving the no. 9 Porshce) around just ahead of the very sharp turn three at Navarra, leaving De Narda in the unwelcome position of facing traffic.
Still, we doubt he expected to see the underside of Gounon’s no. 169 driving up the windshield. Wheel-to-wheel contact with Cougnud sent Gounon airborne just enough to clear De Narda’s nose. Momentum carried the green-trimmed Porsche neatly to the roof, with the nose resting on the rear wing. The balance was near perfect, though Gounon did suffer minor injuries. As for De Narda, repairs were made and he was back on track to score a victory later in the race weekend.
On its website, Spark Models states the 1:43 scale model of the crash is still in development. However, preorders through retailers such as Hobby Search have begun, showing a price of approximately $155 with an estimated release date of September 2023.
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