Musk’s announcement on X wasn’t the one time Tesla’s Robotaxi was talked about on April 5. Just hours earlier, it was revealed that the long-awaited Model 2 project was essentially dead. Leaked inner emails from Tesla prompt that the corporate had pulled the plug on its plans to provide an ultra-cheap household automotive. These plans stretched again to the early days of Tesla, when Elon Musk prompt that the early concentrate on premium autos was all supposed to finally facilitate a platform that would provide low-cost, but high-quality, EVs to the plenty. This thought was fleshed out as time went on, and the primary price range Tesla was set to roll off the manufacturing line in early 2025.
However, not like the repeatedly delayed Cybertruck, the Model 2 will probably by no means see the sunshine of day. Competition from Chinese EV producers, together with some that produce autos for lower than half of the Model 2’s purported MSRP, appears to be the rationale the mission was scrapped.
The one silver lining for these concerned appears to be Musk’s plans to construct a self-driving Robotaxi on the platform that the Model 2 would have used. While Musk is tight lipped on that — posting on X solely that “Reuters is dead” in response to the leaks — it could actually match with previous reports about the shared architecture. Whether we see an actual Robotaxi in August, or one thing nearer to a render or mockup, is anybody’s guess: in any case, we’re speaking about an organization whose first humanoid robotic “demo” was an individual dancing in a spandex go well with.
Bugatti included 21 photos with its current announcement about testing the bonkers track-only Bolide at Imola. They all look gorgeous, however the picture above tells you all it’s worthwhile to know. The Bolide is absurdly quick, and with a gargantuan 1,826 horsepower on faucet, it takes severe braking drive to reel it in.
That stopping energy comes from Brembo, particularly a “carbon-carbon” setup with eight-piston mono-block calipers in entrance and six-piston items on the again, every constituted of nickel-coated aluminum. All 4 clampers grip 15.3-inch carbon discs, although the entrance will get barely thicker pads and rotors. There are additionally 4 pads at every wheel. When you add all of it up, you get the biggest carbon brake system ever created by Brembo.
The outcome, based on Bugatti, is brakes on par with know-how used for LMDh and Formula 1 vehicles.
“Developing the brake system for the Bugatti Bolide was a unique and very exciting challenge for the Performance Division of Brembo, and we are proud of what we achieved,” said Brembo Chief Operating Officer Mario Almondo. “We had to re-engineer the entire system to cope with the incredible yet demanding characteristics and power of the car.”
Bugatti not too long ago took the Bolide to Imola – formally referred to as the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari – to conduct wet-weather testing. The notion of driving a 3,200-pound automotive able to over 1,800 horsepower within the rain feels like sheer insanity, however Bugatti is nothing if not persistent in evaluating its excessive machine in all climates. First revealed in 2020, we have watched the Bolide wow spectators at snazzy car shows, race up the hill at Goodwood, and we even spied it without any body panels.
The final we heard, buyer deliveries of the Bolide have been to start early this yr, or proper round now. Bugatti’s newest announcement would not supply any perception as to precisely when homeowners will start receiving their vehicles. It’s not like 1000’s of individuals are ready on it, although – solely 40 shall be made, every with a price ticket of roughly $4 million.
Last week, we witnessed not solely worth cuts on Tata EVs but additionally the announcement of the crash check outcomes for the facelifted Tata Nexon by Global NCAP
In mid-week of February, we noticed some world unveils from Renault and Skoda, whereas Tata introduced important worth cuts for 2 of their best-selling EVs. During the identical week, Global NCAP introduced a brand new crash check outcome, whereas we additionally noticed the check mule of an upcoming electrical automobile from Kia. Let’s take a look in any respect the vital highlights of the week.
Tata Tiago EV & Nexon EV Prices Slashed
Two of Tata’s best-selling electrical automobiles to date, the Tiago EV and Nexon EV, received significant price cuts last week. According to Tata, it has handed on the advantages of decreased battery pack prices to clients, making these autos extra inexpensive than earlier than.
Tata Nexon Gets 5 Stars Again
The Tata Nexon was the primary mannequin in India to attain a full 5-star security score within the Global NCAP crash check again in 2018. Now, in 2024, the facelifted Tata Nexon has achieved full 5-star safety ratings again, this time in each grownup and little one security.
The BYD Seal is an all electrical sedan that was first unveiled in India on the 2023 Auto Expo. Now, the automaker has confirmed its launch date for India. The Seal will mark the third providing from BYD in India, following the BYD e6 MPV and the BYD Atto 3 SUV.
Renault Duster Unveiled In Turkey
The third-generation Duster SUV was unveiled in Turkey last week, this time below the Renault badge. The new Renault Duster is globally provided with each mild-hybrid and robust hybrid powertrain choices, in addition to the choice of an all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain. It is predicted to be launched in India subsequent yr.
Skoda has given a midlife update to the Octavia, which made its global debut last week. The up to date Octavia will get minor adjustments to the outside and inside design. It additionally includes a host of powertrain choices, and the performance-oriented RS variant now packs extra efficiency than earlier than.
BMW 7 Series Security Launched In India
The security version of the BMW 7 Series has landed on our shores. This BMW sedan can stand up to bullets and explosives. It is constructed for high-risk people comparable to excessive rating officers, VIPs, CEOs, and royals who want safety towards any type of assault.
This announcement will not have an effect on those that already use the Peloton Apple Watch and smartphone app to export their knowledge to Apple Health. The Peloton Apple Watch app gives performance much like GymKit, exporting efficiency knowledge comparable to tempo, distance, and timelines. However, some clients have taken to boards to argue that efficiency measurements like energy, cadence, and velocity will not be synced to Apple Health with the Peloton app. This may imply a lack of options with out compensation.
Understandably, customers who opted for a Peloton Plus over cheaper alternatives, partly or solely for GymKit, are disillusioned by Peloton’s compelled migration. Some name it false promoting, as GymKit continues to be listed as a promoting level for the Bike + retailer web page.
GymKit customers affected by this improvement can comply with the directions under emigrate to the Peloton app to make sure their efficiency continues to be tracked.
A recent announcement by the Paris government to make life extra sophisticated for heavy automobiles is an indication of the instances. SUVs have been main the worldwide markets for a decade now. Whether this can be a cheap measure or a political one, the reality is that there are different facets to contemplate other than simply weight. Physical measurement is an element, particularly on the subject of navigating slim roads or discovering a downtown parking area.
Vehicles are getting bigger. Logic says a bigger automobile will even be heavier, although the Paris ruling solely addresses weight. It prompted us to take a more in-depth have a look at sizes general, particularly since larger automobiles have not essentially translated to infrastructure modifications for extra space to make use of them.
The USA Far And Wide:
Americans love huge issues: meals, streets, and naturally, automobiles. The United States is a paradise for large vehicles and huge SUVs, and since highways and parking tons are usually giant, it is unusual to drive small automobiles. It’s been this manner because the Nineteen Fifties.
According to JATO information for the yr 2003, the typical size of passenger automobiles within the US was 196.5 inches. For reference, that is the size of an govt sedan like a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The common width that yr was 73.4 inches.
As you would possibly anticipate, passenger automobiles have grown since then however chances are you’ll not understand how a lot. In 2013 the typical size rose to 203.1 inches and width elevated to 75.9 inches. This was the interval through which pickup vehicles and SUVs actually gained a foothold within the automotive market. But 10 years later issues are nonetheless rising, resulting in document averages for 2023.
Last yr, the typical size of light-duty passenger automobiles within the US reached 206.4 inches, with the typical width as much as 77.1 inches. This is barely a pair inches away from a brand new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and it is value noting the rise in measurement shouldn’t be linked to bigger households. In truth, the annual inhabitants change within the US decreased from 0.96 p.c in 2003 to 0.50 p.c final yr. The enhance in automotive measurement is extra associated to consolation, comfort, and security requirements.
Does Europe Still Buy Small Cars?
In distinction to US patrons favoring giant automobiles, Europe has historically bought small automobiles. The incontrovertible fact that its cities had been conceived lengthy earlier than the arrival of the auto explains why parking is such a difficult activity. Additionally, Europe has been much less power self-sufficient than the United States, forcing drivers to average their gasoline consumption.
However, the recognition of bigger SUVs can’t be denied, even with patrons in Europe. In 2003, a number of years earlier than the mainstream arrival of SUVs within the Old Continent, the typical size of a passenger automobile was 169.8 inches, whereas common width was 68.3 inches. That’s akin to a brand new Volkswagen Golf. In 2013 these values had been as much as 174 inches lengthy and 70.7 inches vast. And final yr, issues in Europe had been larger than ever: 178.5 and 72.5 inches on common, to be precise.
The pattern of bigger automobiles is a solution for offering extra consolation and comfort, elements that patrons naturally need in a automobile. The problem is discovering area on streets and parking tons. Will taxation cease this progress pattern? We’ll have to attend and see.
The writer of the article, Felipe Munoz, is an Automotive Industry Specialist at JATO Dynamics.
Toyota has made no official announcement concerning the design or specs of the upcoming Stout pickup truck, however the automaker introduced the EPU, an electrical compact pickup, at this 12 months’s Japan Mobility Show. The EPU was about 199 inches lengthy, over a foot shorter than the Tacoma, and about the identical dimension because the Maverick. This would make the Stout a superb choice for metropolis and suburban consumers who park their vehicles on the road or in garages. A 2020 report from Autoguide claimed that Toyota deliberate to have its total fleet of automobiles transformed to hybrid or electrical drivetrains by 2025 and the Stout will not be anticipated to hit showrooms till at the very least subsequent 12 months.
According to Cooper Ericksen, VP of product planning and technique for Toyota North America, the Stout could possibly be primarily based on the identical platform that underpins the RAV4 and Corolla. “If there’s a customer that needs a rugged, smaller body-on-frame vehicle, we can consider that,” he informed Motor Trend, “but if it’s more for urban use and less extreme off-road, then it would make more sense to use the TNGA unibody platform.”
McLaren might quickly have a brand new proprietor. A brand new report says that an announcement might come as quickly as this week revealing Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat Holding Company, will take full management of McLaren Group. The fund, wholly owned by the federal government, is reportedly negotiating a buyout with the remaining shareholders.
This time final yr, Mumtalakat had a virtually 60 p.c stake within the firm and expanded its management earlier in 2023. The fund and different traders have been an important supply of money for McLaren in recent times, serving to to maintain the operation operating as the corporate confronted quite a few manufacturing hurdles.
In a recent announcement at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the pool of 52 candidates for the 2024 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) awards has been narrowed down to nine finalists. These finalists consist of three cars, three trucks, and three utility vehicles, selected after being identified at the Detroit Auto Show in September. The final selection was made after the vehicles underwent a series of evaluations and test-drives at NACTOY’s Fall Comparison Drive in October. The winners will be revealed on January 4, 2024, at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac.
Here are the finalists for this year’s contest:
It’s worth noting that five out of the nine finalists are fully electric vehicles, continuing the trend from the previous year when six EVs were also among the finalists.
NACTOY President Jeff Gilbert highlighted the significant presence of electric vehicles and the variety within the group, including a large work truck, a hybrid, and a family sedan. He emphasized the importance of electric vehicles for carmakers and the expanding choices available to consumers.
In September, NACTOY initially unveiled a list of candidates for the 2024 awards during a press conference at the Huntington Place Convention Center in Detroit. The process resulted in a total of 10 cars, 5 trucks, and 10 SUVs being recognized as the “Best of 2024”.
Apple has announced its latest M3 chip family, just a little over a month after its September 2023 iPhone 15 event. This event showcased the iPhone 15 lineup, along with the Apple Watch Series 9 and the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra. In the event invitation, Apple had also hinted at today’s Mac announcements by featuring the Mac Finder icon.
The newly announced Mac models will come equipped with the new M3 chip family. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with XDR display will have the base M3 chip, while the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro will feature the M3 Pro chip. There will also be a MacBook Pro model with the M3 Max chip, which has the capability to power four high-resolution external monitors.
Apple has pleasantly surprised its customers by introducing a black color option for the MacBook, but this option is limited to the M3 Pro and M3 Max models. The base MacBook Pro with M3 will start at $1,599, while the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro chip will start at $1,999 and $2,499 respectively. All these models are available for order starting today. The MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip will have a starting price of $3,499.
Honda has provided more details about the upcoming release of the Civic hybrid in the US market. The popular model will be offered in both sedan and hatchback versions, joining the CR-V and Accord hybrids in Honda’s lineup of electric vehicles in America.
The Civic Hybrid sedan is scheduled to go into production in the spring of next year at Honda’s plant in Ontario, Canada. Following this, the hatchback variant of the model will be manufactured at Honda’s Indiana Auto Plant. The two-motor electric powertrain will be produced by Honda Transmission Plant in Ohio, while the 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle gas engine will be made at the Anna Engine Plant, also located in Ohio.
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