Tag Archives: perceived

Opinion

Editor’s letter: Chinese automobile companies are taking again management from western rivals

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Piece by piece, western manufacturers have seen their perceived benefits over Chinese automobile corporations eroded. 

As was evident on the latest Beijing motor present, a number of Chinese automobile corporations at the moment are there or thereabouts with high quality automobiles with worldwide enchantment but that key subject of the standard and enchantment of the manufacturers and branding may be very a lot a dwell argument.

It’s one factor interesting in your house market, fairly one other when being exported, significantly when so many manufacturers and fashions are lumped collectively as ‘Chinese cars’ it doesn’t matter what they’re (together with, I’m certain you’ll have observed, on this piece already).

While the Chinese are nonetheless taking part in atone for manufacturers, it’s a bonus western automobile producers are nonetheless eager to take advantage of and speak up, together with BMW Group’s recently-appointed model and gross sales boss (and ex-China chief) Jochen Goller, who spoke to me on the latest Beijing present.

Motorsport

This Electric Sports Car Weighs Just 1,300 Pounds

Electric automobiles are perceived as heavy, huge, and boring machines targeted on sustainability. The prevailing stereotype means that electric vehicles lack the fun and pleasure that comes with conventional sports activities automobiles. However, the Carice TC2, an electrical sports activities automobile hailing from the Netherlands, shatters these preconceptions. Weighing in at a mere 1,300 kilos (590 kilograms) in base type, the TC2 proves that driving pleasure and environmental consciousness can coexist.

That area of interest machine is featured in one in every of Fully Charged’s newest episodes on YouTube, and the design attracts inspiration from iconic sports activities automobiles of the previous, notably the basic Porsche 550 Spyder. However, what units the TC2 aside is that it’s not a restomod or a package automobile – this electrical sports activities automobile is meticulously designed and constructed from the bottom up, embodying a fusion of basic aesthetics and trendy ingenuity.

Beneath the modern exterior lies an electrical powertrain. You’re in all probability anticipating huge quantities of energy to wheels, however the fact is that the TC2 has a rear-mounted electrical motor with simply 56 horsepower. A 31.5-kilowatt-hour battery pack offers electrical vitality, which is sufficient for a variety of as much as 186 miles on a single cost.

There’s no energy steering, no ABS, no brake help of any sort, no traction management, and no beeping security programs. 0-60 time? No one actually cares for the reason that TC2 is extra in regards to the pure pleasure of driving a light-weight and nimble sports activities automobile. Let’s simply say it’s fast sufficient to make you giggle.

News

New 2024 Audi Q8 range priced from £75,500

The Audi Q8 flagship SUV has undergone significant technology upgrades, improvements in perceived quality, and a simplified exterior design. In the UK, it will be available starting from £75,500.

The new Audi Q8 range, which will be released on October 10th, consists of three core specifications: S Line, Black Edition, and Vorsprung. These options offer a choice of petrol and diesel powertrains. The range also includes the performance-focused Audi SQ8, available in Black Edition and Vorsprung variants.

The entry-level S Line models come equipped with electric sports seats, keyless go, a digital cockpit, a head-up display, four-zone climate control, and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system as standard features.

As the name implies, Black Edition models feature black trim inside and out, including 22-inch wheels, door mirrors, and Audi badges. The starting price for Black Edition cars is £80,050.

The high-spec Vorsprung cars start at £99,300 and offer a panoramic sunroof, all-wheel steering, powerful LED headlights, and leather upholstery. Additional features include massage seats, heated rear seats, and power-closing doors.

The powerful SQ8 starts at £97,245 and includes bespoke exterior styling, 23-inch alloy wheels, Quattro all-wheel drive, adaptive air sports suspension, and parking assistance.

Following in the footsteps of the recently updated Audi Q8 E-tron, the German automaker’s rival to the BMW X7 includes subtle styling changes such as matrix LED lights, smoother surfacing, larger front air intakes for a more aggressive look, and a new exhaust system that promises an enhanced engine sound.

The most noticeable visual change is the redesigned grille, featuring vertical inlays with a brushed aluminum effect specific to Audi’s flagship cars. Higher-trim models have color-coded body trim for a more minimalist appearance.

The powertrain options remain largely unchanged, with the hot SQ8 using the same 500bhp 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine found in the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Lamborghini Urus. It also features cylinder deactivation, allowing it to run on four cylinders.

It is understood that the even more powerful RS Q8 will receive similar upgrades in the coming months, but there is no information yet on changes to its 592bhp V8 engine.

Beneath the SQ8 is the Q8 60 TFSI, which is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged petrol V6 engine with 335bhp. It has a 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds. All V6 engines utilize mild-hybrid technology, allowing the engine to switch off and coast for up to 40 seconds in low-demand situations.

The diesel options remain unchanged. The base 45 TDI has a 227bhp 3.0-liter V6 engine, while the 50 TDI has a 282bhp version, reducing the 0-62mph time by one second to 6.1 seconds. The top speeds are 140mph and 150mph, respectively.