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Car review

Dacia Duster

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Inside is the place the outgoing automotive is feeling its age, being only a bit plain. The new one addresses that. It nonetheless doesn’t really feel like an costly, upmarket automotive: it’s all exhausting plastic in right here, but it surely’s a bit extra designed. The exterior has Y shapes as a motif within the lights and that continues with the inside air vents. Cheaper trims could be greyer, however our take a look at automotive had a splash of color on the dashboard and I used to be actually charmed by the ‘jeans’ upholstery. There’s a wide variety of trays and cubbies too.

More digital tech has sprung up, one thing I’d argue the Duster didn’t want. Entry-level trims have analogue gauges with a small display screen between the dials, and a telephone holder as an alternative of a centre display screen. I believe that could be the perfect set-up. The take a look at automobiles on the launch occasion all had a digital gauge cluster and a ten.1in central touchscreen. Both of them look good and work tremendous, however the driver show doesn’t actually present a lot added worth other than trying extra trendy for the sake of it.

For the centre display screen, I anticipated to see a model of the Google system in current Renaults, however the Duster really makes use of a bespoke system as a result of it’s cheaper to make and doesn’t tread on Renault’s toes. It’s pretty primary and due to this fact straightforward to navigate but in addition fairly laggy. A deficit in processing energy might be the place the price saving comes from.

Dacia has caught with buttons the place it counts, although, and that deserves reward. A panel of bodily switches operates the local weather management and there’s one other financial institution of buttons to the left of the steering wheel. One of these units all the driving force help methods to a private preset, which is the way in which all trendy automobiles ought to work, actually.

You can sit comparatively low, on pretty supportive seats, however the placement of the steering column makes it extra pure to take a seat greater, as does the view over the flat bonnet that this offers you. In mixture with a barely pillboxy view out (blame the decrease roofline), it conjures up one thing of a child Toyota Land Cruiser vibe.

The engineers say that the swap to the brand new platform has allowed them to create extra inside area throughout the identical footprint. Indeed, rear passengers have a bit extra leg room and boot area has risen from 445 litres to 594 litres in front-wheel-drive fashions.

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Under the skin: The tech making EV batteries smaller and cheaper

Sometimes, the most straightforward ideas are right in front of us, ready to enhance the already relatively simple engineering of electric vehicles (EVs).

Compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, EVs are simpler because they eliminate the complexity of fueling and exhaust systems, as well as the intricate emission-treatment paraphernalia.

However, EVs are still considered relatively complex due to the advanced science and electronics that power them. Stellantis, in collaboration with battery manufacturer Saft, has recently introduced the Intelligent Battery Integrated System (Ibis) to further simplify EV components using an innovative approach to battery technology.

EV powertrains consist of several basic elements. The battery, which stores and charges direct current (DC) electricity, powers the electric motors. These motors require alternating current (AC) like a regular household supply, so they are equipped with inverters to convert between AC and DC power.

Additionally, an on-board charger converts AC current from the grid into DC power to charge the battery.

EV batteries, more correctly referred to as battery packs, consist of numerous small, low-voltage lithium-ion cells. These cells are grouped into modules within the pack. Consequently, while a battery pack might generate 400V or 800V, each individual module can have as low as 11V depending on the pack’s size and design.

The Ibis project takes inspiration from photovoltaic systems to reduce EV hardware. Solar power systems use multiple solar panels that produce DC electricity, which is then fed to a single inverter to convert it into AC power. Alternatively, microinverters can be used to convert DC power to AC power as it leaves each individual panel.

The Ibis project adopts a similar approach. Each battery module includes a microinverter and a charger, eliminating the need for a separate on-board charger and a high-voltage inverter(s) for multiple drive motors.

By the end, the complete battery pack produces AC power to directly supply the motor, instead of DC power. Stellantis believes that this approach will benefit smaller EVs where space is a premium. Furthermore, this approach may be more cost-effective, as multiple smaller charger and inverter electronics are likely cheaper than their high-voltage counterparts that they replace.

While the Ibis project demonstrates innovative thinking to enhance EVs, it may not be compatible with other concepts like Volkswagen’s aim to integrate individual cells directly into the car’s chassis (“Cell2Car”).

News

Did The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Just Get Leaked Ahead Of Launch?

Sometimes, the best place to hide your new bike is in plain sight. Other times, though—moto enthusiasts do what moto enthusiasts do, and they play a mental game of ‘which one of these is not like the others?’ while scanning a large group of bikes parked together. 

We can’t say for sure that’s what happened at an Indian warehouse at the end of August 2023. However, it certainly seems to be the most likely scenario for why photos of a seemingly undisguised Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 are making the rounds across Indian motorcycle media. 

In all cases, the bike in question is seen sitting inside a warehouse, among other non-Himalayan 450 bikes. For those who are familiar with the current Himalayan 411’s details, several visual differences immediately stand out when looking at these shots of the Himalayan 450. 

For a start, the overall profile is a bit rounder, which is largely due to the reshaped fuel tank on the Himalayan 450. Gone is the blocky, angular unit that was the Himalayan 411’s calling card, and in comes a softer, curvier shape for the 450. The saddle is a new shape, and although it’s still capable of seating both a rider and a passenger, it’s now a split saddle design. A rear carrier sits just behind the passenger seat, so it’s clearly top box ready.

Given the innovations showcased on the Super Meteor 650, the round LED headlight and new LED turn signals shown in these Himalayan 450 photos also aren’t a surprise. A reshaped chassis and stressed member engine design, split front fender, and new cast side stand are some of the other more visible changes from the existing Himalayan 411.

When Will the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Launch? 

Previous leaks and sneak peaks alike seem to point to a release sometime in Q4 of 2023. So far, though, Enfield hasn’t made any official announcements confirming the Himalayan 450’s impending launch date. Since that’s the case, the OEM also hasn’t offered any official details about the new bike.

The new, liquid-cooled engine is expected to offer around 35 to 40 brake horsepower at an unspecified RPM. If that range is anywhere in the ballpark of what the actual bike produces, it will mark a significant increase over the claimed 24.3 brake horsepower at 6,500 rpm that’s currently on the books for the Himalayan 411. The current bike also makes a claimed 23.6 pound-feet of torque at between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm, as well, so it will be interesting to see how the Himalayan 450 differs.

If you’re a fan of Enfield’s Himalayan line, how excited are you about the upcoming 450? Let us know in the comments.

Cars

2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV First Drive: Enhancing Performance

The AMG EQE SUV maintains the tradition of concealing its enhanced performance, with only a few distinct features setting it apart from the standard EQE SUV.

Since the EQE SUV is an electric vehicle, it doesn’t have a traditional grille. However, it does have vertical bars in the area where the grille would be, giving the impression of a chrome growth medium between the headlights. This design choice aims to maintain consistency with gasoline-powered AMG models, which feature functional grilles with similar vertical bars.

In terms of appearance, the AMG-specific front splitter and rear diffuser are the main distinguishing factors, although they are only noticeable when compared to the standard EQE SUV. Depending on the chosen wheel design (AMG models offer 21-inch or 22-inch wheels, which are optional on the base EQE SUV), the gold AMG brake calipers may be visible, providing a better indication of the car’s performance than the slightly modified bodywork.

The overall body shape of the EQE SUV was primarily designed to minimize aerodynamic drag, an essential consideration for electric vehicles to maximize their range. While it is not clear whether the AMG modifications have improved the standard EQE SUV’s impressive drag coefficient of 0.25, the emphasis on aerodynamics does not result in the most aesthetically pleasing shape. In the color white, it resembles an asymmetrical dollop of whipped cream.