Tag Archives: internalcombustion

Nearly Half Of Cadillac Blackwings Sold In 2023 Were Manuals

The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing are supposed to rejoice the tip of the internal-combustion tremendous sedan. Both are supplied with a six-speed guide transmission, Cadillac’s final, and this has proved common with consumers. A Cadillac spokesperson confirmed to Motor1 that just about half of all Blackwings bought in 2023 had been manual-equipped.

While Cadillac didn’t present a precise proportion, the model famous the almost-50-percent determine utilized to each particular person fashions, not simply the whole variety of Blackwings bought.

Take price for the guide has remained robust for the reason that CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing’s market launch in 2021. For the primary batch of 500 CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing fashions, manual take rate was 45 percent and 62 percent, respectively. Halfway via 2022, the take rate was around 40 percent for the CT4-V Blackwing and 50 percent for the CT5-V Blackwing. The quantity far eclipsed Cadillac’s preliminary prediction of round 35 p.c.

Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Track Editions - Watkins Glen IMSA Edition

There are vanishingly few manual-transmission tremendous sedans in the marketplace. Really, it’s simply the 2 Cadillac Blackwings and the BMW M3. The CT5-V Blackwing is the one V8-powered four-door you should buy as we speak, full cease.

Right now, Cadillac Blackwing sedans are bought within the U.S., Canada, and the Middle East. The CT4-V Blackwing can also be bought in Korea and Israel. But, the guide is just out there for the U.S. and Canada.

While Cadillac doesn’t escape gross sales for CT4 and CT5 fashions by trim, it did say that V-Series and Blackwing gross sales are up 55 p.c 12 months over 12 months within the U.S. All in all, Cadillac bought 9,144 CT4s right here, and 18,593 CT5s final 12 months.

Cadillac has facelifted the CT5 for the 2025 mannequin 12 months, with the Blackwing model but to debut. We’re hoping the replace means these sedans have a couple of extra years in them earlier than the model completes its transition to being all-electric. And we’re glad that consumers are getting manuals, too.

This story was up to date on 1/4/2024 at 12:30 with information on the Blackwing’s market availability.

Stellantis Predicts Combustion Engine Cars Will Remain in Use Until 2050

As automakers move towards an all-electric future, Stellantis reminds us that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles will still be around for a while. Stellantis’ Senior VP Christian Mueller states that many of the company’s current combustion vehicles will continue to operate long after the electric vehicle (EV) revolution takes place.

In partnership with energy company Aramco, Stellantis has been working to develop and use synthetic e-fuels. By testing various engines with e-fuel samples provided by Aramco, Stellantis discovered that 24 engines used in Europe by different brands ran smoothly without any modifications. The e-fuel is produced by reacting carbon dioxide with hydrogen, and Stellantis claims it can reduce vehicle lifecycle carbon emissions by 70 percent.

Biofuel oil research in laboratory

Stellantis remains committed to its Dare Forward 2030 plan, which aims to have a fully electric lineup for Europe by 2030. However, the company recognizes that customers will not immediately transition from their gas-powered cars to electric models. Stellantis acknowledges that approximately 25 percent of their vehicles are still in use after 20 years, illustrating the considerable exposure time to e-fuels and the importance of supporting long-term combustion engine use alongside the development of e-fuels.

“I think 25 percent of our vehicles are still in use after 20 years,” said Mueller. “Hence, this kind of exposure time to e-fuels is considerable, very considerable.”

Bentley Uses Biofuel At Goodwood And Crewe Factory
Bentley Uses Biofuel At Goodwood And Crewe Factory

The use of synthetic fuels for current and future combustion vehicles is not a new idea. Porsche, for example, made a significant investment into a biofuel company in April 2022. Bentley also showcased their vehicles running on biofuel at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The potential benefits of e-fuel have led the European Union to revise its 2035 ban on new combustion-powered cars, allowing for an exemption if the cars are running on e-fuel.

Furthermore, not only Europe but also US states like California, Oregon, and New York are aiming to ban new internal combustion vehicles by 2035. However, there has been pushback against these plans, and there is still time for policies to change. As the development of e-fuel progresses, the next few years promise to be fascinating.

“We are exploring all solutions to reinforce our ambitious strategy of becoming a carbon net zero company by 2038,” said Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer Ned Curic. “Drop-in e-fuels can have a massive and almost immediate impact on reducing the CO2 emissions of the existing vehicle fleet, offering our customers an easy and economically efficient option to reduce their carbon footprint – one as simple as choosing a different fuel pump at the station, with no additional modification to their vehicles.”

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class Revealed With EQXX Tech, 466-Mile WLTP Range

Generally speaking, whenever a vehicle is offered in both internal-combustion and all-electric variants, the EV version can be a bit compromised. Mercedes-Benz is flipping the script, however, with the Concept CLA-Class, revealed in Munich at IAA 2023 to preview the company’s new, electric-first compact car platform.

Based on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), the Concept CLA-Class boasts slippery styling, sustainable interior materials, and a company-estimated range of 466 miles on the optimistic WLTP scale. And although powertrain and battery details are scarce, the automaker says the CLA takes inspiration from the Vision EQXX concept for both its electric motors and dash-spanning Superscreen infotainment system.