Tag Archives: spring

News

What the hell is going on at Tesla?

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What a distinction a 12 months makes. In spring final 12 months, Tesla threw open the doorways of its Texas Gigafactory to traders with a purpose to lay out plans for international domination of the automotive trade with gross sales of 20 million a 12 months.

Now these plans – for a brand new Mexican plant, for an inexpensive ‘next-gen’ Model 2, for a brand new ‘unboxed’ manufacturing course of, for extra gigacasting – basically lie in ruins.

The ‘deep bench’ of executives who took to the stage to elucidate their position within the transformation has been decimated amid a sequence of brutal job cuts.

News

Posh rental automobiles: do you actually get extra on your cash?

Think rental automobile and ranks of mainstream hatchbacks spring to thoughts – vanilla autos for that fast enterprise journey or quick break and, when completed with, discarded like a spent espresso cup.

Not all rental automobiles are the identical, nevertheless. In addition to the Kia Picantos, Nissan Qashqais and the remaining, a few of the main rental firms can provide extra upmarket autos, though, as I discovered, availability might be contact and go and chances are you’ll merely be supplied ‘something similar’.

Fortunately, this isn’t the case with Avis Prestige, a specialist in supplying high-value rental automobiles at a lot of the main airports in addition to from its central London base.

At any time, its automobiles embrace Volvos, Mercedes, Audis, Land Rovers, Range Rovers and Jaguars, plus a tempting number of Porsches. Some of the automobiles, usually Volvos and Audis, you’re extra more likely to see among the many bread-and-butter leases at, for instance, Avis’s Heathrow depot the place, away from the economy-class travellers being served on the common reserving terminals, Prestige prospects get pleasure from their very own reception space.

Whether they select to rent a Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake or a Porsche 911, they obtain the identical excessive stage of service, together with a private ‘meet and greet’ on arrival.

The firm’s extra upmarket autos are typically delivered to the place prospects need them. For this motive, with solely 350 automobiles out there for the UK (to place that into context, on a typical day Avis Heathrow has round 500 common leases on web site), recognizing one thing comparable to an Avis Prestige 911 parked among the many Corsas and Golfs at Heathrow, Manchester or Edinburgh airports is a job for a aircraft spotter.

For an extended weekend, the associated fee to hire a Range Rover P440e PHEV, for instance, is £1016, though for a Porsche Cayenne Hybrid it’s far much less, at £513. “Some of our customers are successful business people and tourists,” Prestige’s Chris Domoney tells me.

“They might own expensive cars so expect to enjoy the same comfort and performance when they’re away. Others are ex-pats returning to visit family and friends, London residents who don’t own a car and want something different to head out of town for the weekend and golfers heading to play at Gleneagles or St Andrews. A few are customers considering buying a similar car and who want more than a 30-minute test drive.”

Cars

5 Must-Know Truck Maintenance Tips For Every Season

Winter climate can do a quantity on even the hardiest truck, in order spring approaches, many people look ahead to abandoning the ice, snow, and chilly that outline the coldest season in lots of elements of the nation. You might even suppose milder temperatures imply you flip your consideration to issues apart from sustaining your truck. While that could be true to a sure extent, spring might convey its personal set of points in your automobile, relying on the place you reside. Spring marks the start of the wet season in lots of elements of the U.S., making it an excellent time to organize your truck for the wet climate that’s so widespread right now of the yr. One of the simplest however usually ignored duties throughout this time is inspecting and changing windshield wiper blades. 

Even in case your blades appear in good situation, it is essential to keep in mind that the ice and snow from the winter months might have broken them, making spring an excellent time to think about getting replacements. We’ve all skilled windshield wipers that are not working correctly. It can get so unhealthy that they appear to be doing extra hurt than good as you attempt navigating the streets with minimal visibility in a downpour. Consider replacing your truck’s windshield wipers if the blades are cracked or peeling, making scratching noises, leaving streaks, not making contact with the windshield, or skipping. Installing contemporary blades may also help you keep away from these issues and keep protected on the roads.

FiatUk

FIAT reacts to Government Spring Budget 2024

  • FIAT reacts to the shortage of incentives within the Government’s Spring Budget to stimulate the sale of electrical automobiles to non-public clients 
  • Despite lack of Governmental motion, FIAT continues to supply its E-Grant of £3,000 on all electrical fashions

 

Damien Dally, Managing Director, FIAT UK, commented: 

“It’s vastly disappointing that the Chancellor has didn’t reinstate monetary incentives for electrical automobile consumers in as we speak’s price range. 

“While the extension of a 5p cut in fuel duty will be welcome news to motorists, it’s estimated the cost to the Treasury will be around £5 billion to implement.”  

“The Government has missed a chance to ringfence some or all the cash that might have come from the gasoline responsibility rise and make investments it into this nation’s seemingly dwindling electrical automobile technique.  

“The Government has set the path of journey by implementing the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate and Net Zero goal however is doing nothing to incentivise non-public (retail) clients to drive electrical autos.  

“The numbers don’t lie; non-public gross sales account for fewer than one in 5 electrical automobile registrations in 2024 – and the general market share is method under the 22% mandated by the federal government as a part of the ZEV Mandate. 

“The demand for electric vehicles is waning and we are sleepwalking into an electric vehicle crisis. The Government is also potentially putting its Net Zero target at risk.”  

“Without any Government monetary incentive there’s no purpose for the patron to make the change – which is why we launched the £3,000 FIAT E-Grant final June. 

 “FIAT is doing its bit, but this requires a collective effort to reverse the downward trend. Unfortunately, it seems the switch to electric isn’t a priority for the government.” 

6th March 2024 

 

 

ENDS

Contact: 

VINCE CLISHAM
HEAD OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
vincent.clisham@stellantis.com

TEL +44(0)7835 114390

 

LUCINDA INGGS 
PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
lucinda.inggs@stellantis.com

TEL +44(0)7542 394878

MICHAEL ARNOLD
PRESS FLEET MANAGER
pressfleet@stellantis.com   

TEL +44(0)7831 829410

JEREMY TOWNSEND
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
jeremy.townsend@stellantis.com   

TEL +44(0)7827 896480

VauxhallUk

VAUXHALL RESPONSE TO SPRING BUDGET 2024

  • Vauxhall responds to the shortage of incentives supplied within the Government’s Spring Budget to stimulate the UK’s transfer to electrical automobiles
  • Vauxhall has joined the FairCharge group’s name for fairer VAT coverage on public charging to match charging charges at dwelling so these with out off-street charging usually are not penalised

James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall, commented: “Today’s Spring Budget has not delivered the acceleration wanted to cease the UK’s transition to electrical automobiles from stalling. 

“If we’re to satisfy the rightly formidable targets specified by the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate (80% of all automobiles offered to be electrical by 2030) then there must be incentives for personal automobile patrons to make the swap to electrical as there are within the majority of European nations. 

“Vauxhall will already provide its complete automobile and van line-up as electrical by the top of this yr and has quite a few extremely aggressive affords out there however we can not drive demand alone. 

“Whilst there are sturdy incentives for firm automobile drivers to make the swap to electrical – together with for these selecting luxurious automobiles – the non-public purchaser who needs a extra attainable small or household automobile receives nothing. 

“Furthermore, if you happen to can cost your electrical automobile at dwelling with off-street parking then you’ll pay 5% VAT in your electrical energy. If you don’t have a driveway and depend on public chargers then you’ll pay 20% VAT in your electrical energy. We help the FairCharge marketing campaign for a fairer taxation on charging. 

“We would call on the Chancellor to urgently set up purchase incentives to stimulate the electric vehicle market and review the unfair taxation on public charging so that the UK isn’t left behind in the race to more sustainable motoring.”

Featured

Renault Kwid vs Dacia Spring EV: In Pics Comparison

The Dacia Spring EV previews the new-gen Renault Kwid, which is anticipated to go on sale in India someday in 2025

Renault Kwid vs Dacia Spring EV

The Dacia Spring, which is nothing however the all-electric Renault Kwid, has been revealed for the European markets. It will get just a few minor design modifications in and out over the India-spec Kwid, and the brand new Spring now previews the brand new era of the hatchback.

In this story, let’s verify how completely different the 2 are visually in these photographs:

Exterior

Front

Up entrance, the Renault Kwid will get a large and massive grille flanked by slim LED DRLs. Lower down, it has the large headlight clusters within the bumper and an air dam with a number of slats. The Dacia Spring fascia will get the new Duster-like smooth grille with Y-shaped LED DRLs. There are two chrome strips operating in the direction of the Dacia emblem (which additionally covers the charging port of the EV) within the centre as nicely. Its headlight clusters, which are actually smaller and sharper, are nonetheless positioned on both aspect of the bumper.

Side

Both the India-spec Kwid and Spring EV look fairly related when considered from the aspect. That mentioned, the Kwid will get dual-tone stylised covers for its wheels, whereas the Spring comes with 15-inch wheels with black covers. Also, the roof rails current on the Kwid have been faraway from the brand new all-electric hatchback. The Spring options extra squared off wheel arches in comparison with the Kwid.

Rear

At the again, the Kwid has a less complicated design, that includes just a few badges together with the rear digicam nestled within the Renault emblem. It additionally will get a chunky black bumper. When it involves the Dacia EV, it has Y-shaped taillights to repeat the entrance LED DRL design which might be linked by an enormous black factor sporting the ‘Dacia’ branding.

Also Check Out: 2024 Renault Duster Unveiled: What To Expect

Interior

Inside, the Kwid has a dated look highlighted by the all-black theme and the ‘Kwid’ embossing on the passenger aspect of the dashboard. It has the older Renault steering wheel and the now-aged local weather management. On the opposite hand, the Dacia Spring’s cabin is an enormous step up when it comes to design and has many similarities with that of the Duster, together with the trendy steering wheel and the Y-shaped inserts on the central AC vents. It additionally has bodily buttons and rotary dials for local weather management.

Features

While Renault has outfitted its hatchback with an 8-inch touchscreen unit, the Dacia EV comes with a much bigger 10-inch show. The latter’s system goes a step additional because it even will get wi-fi smartphone connectivity.

Another large distinction between the 2 is that the Kwid is supplied with a semi-digital instrument cluster whereas the Spring EV is on the market with a 7-inch digital driver show.

Both get frequent options corresponding to all energy home windows, handbook AC, and day/night time IRVM.

Also Read: Mitsubishi Set To Make A Comeback In India, But Not In The Way You’d Think

Safety Kit

The Kwid covers simply in regards to the important security tech corresponding to twin entrance airbags, rear parking sensors, a primary tyre strain monitoring system (TPMS), and a reversing digicam. Its European EV counterpart, nevertheless, will get just a few superior driver help programs (ADAS), which incorporates autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and driver attentiveness alert, together with the essential tech like rear parking sensors and a reversing digicam.

Powertrain Differences

Renault affords the India-spec Kwid with a 1-litre petrol engine (68 PS/91 Nm), with both a 5-speed handbook gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. The Dacia Spring, however, comes with a 26.8 kWh battery pack having a WLTP-claimed vary of over 220 km. Dacia is offering a alternative of two electrical motors: 46 PS and 66 PS. The EV will get a 7 kW AC charger that may energy up the battery from 20 to one hundred pc on a 15A plug level in underneath 11 hours, or in simply 4 hours from a 7 kW wallbox unit. A 30 kW DC charger can be utilized to quick cost the EV from 20 to 80 % in 45 minutes.

Price And Rivals

The Renault Kwid is priced from Rs 4.70 lakh to Rs 6.45 lakh. As the Spring EV previews the new-gen Kwid, we anticipate Renault to introduce it right here someday in 2025, with costs more likely to begin at Rs 5 lakh. The Kwid’s rivals are the Maruti Alto K10 and Maruti S-Presso.

Read More on : Renault KWID AMT

Featured

Just-unveiled 2024 Dacia Spring EV Gives Us A Taste Of What To Expect From New-gen Renault Kwid

The new technology of the Renault Kwid might go on sale in India someday in 2025

2024 Dacia Spring (Renault Kwid EV)

  • The Dacia Spring is actually the electrical Renault Kwid for the European markets with some design adjustments.

  • New Dacia Spring EV will get 2024 Duster-like fascia, together with the grille design and Y-shaped LED DRLs.

  • It additionally will get a brand new cabin with twin digital shows as seen on the Duster.

  • Other options embrace linked automotive tech, all-four energy home windows and handbook AC.

  • Safety tech contains just a few ADAS options and rear parking sensors.

  • Comes with a 26.8 kWh battery pack with a WLTP-claimed vary of over 220 km.

  • India launch of the Spring EV-based electrical Kwid stays unsure.

Renault’s budget-oriented international model, Dacia, has revealed the new-generation Spring EV for the European markets. The Dacia Spring is actually the electrical Renault Kwid with some beauty tweaks inside and outside, and therefore the brand new one additionally previews the brand new technology of the entry-level hatchback offered in India. We anticipate Renault to convey the 2024 Spring EV to India because the new-gen Kwid someday in 2025.

Retains Key Design Elements

2024 Dacia Spring (Renault Kwid EV) front

The new Spring EV, at first look, appears to be like like a sized-down model of the third-gen Dacia Duster SUV. It will get the identical sleeker grille with twin chrome strips working from the Y-shaped LED DRLs to the Dacia brand within the centre, which acts as a flap for the charging port. Lower down, it now has smaller and sharper headlight clusters and a large bumper sporting the air inlets above and beneath it.

2024 Dacia Spring (Renault Kwid EV) side

Although its profile appears to be like largely the identical because the outgoing mannequin, the new-gen hatchback appears to be like taller than the earlier iteration. You may also discover that the wheel arches, housing the 15-inch wheels with stylised black covers, are extra squared off. The roof rails have been performed away with, making it extra aerodynamic and thus bettering its vary.

2024 Dacia Spring (Renault Kwid EV) rear

At the again, its taillight design mimics the Y-shaped LED DRLs situated up entrance. The new rear lighting setup is linked by a chunky black component having the ‘Dacia’ moniker spelled out over it.

A More Upmarket Interior

2024 Dacia Spring (Renault Kwid EV) cabin

The resemblance with the Duster is obvious inside as effectively. The Spring EV additionally will get variant-specific white/copper accents across the AC vents and the Y-shaped inserts within the central AC vents. Even the steering wheel appears to be the identical one as seen on the brand new SUV whereas the gear selector is positioned within the centre console. Thankfully, the Spring EV has been supplied with bodily buttons and rotary dials for the local weather management.

Also Check Out: Considering Buying a New Car? Watch All The Benefits of Scrapping Your Old One

What Features Does It Get?

2024 Dacia Spring (Renault Kwid EV) 10-inch touchscreen

In phrases of comforts and conveniences, the Spring EV packs a 7-inch digital driver’s show, a 10-inch touchscreen with wi-fi smartphone connectivity, all 4 energy home windows, handbook AC, and linked automotive tech. The EV additionally comes with the vehicle-to-load (V2L) characteristic, which makes it an power supply to energy different electrical gadgets.

The electrical hatchback’s security web packs rear parking sensors and numerous superior driver help methods (ADAS) together with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), visitors signal recognition, driver attentiveness alert, and lane hold help. 

Details Of Its Electric Powertrain

The Dacia Spring EV will get a 26.8 kWh battery pack appropriate for a WLTP-claimed vary of over 220 km. It is out there with a alternative of two electrical motors relying upon the variant chosen: 46 PS and 66 PS.

2024 Dacia Spring (Renault Kwid EV) charging

The new Dacia Spring EV is provided as customary with a 7 kW AC charger that may energy up the battery from 20 to one hundred pc on a 15A plug level in lower than 11 hours, or in simply 4 hours from a 7 kW wallbox unit. A 30 kW DC charger permits quick charging from 20 to 80 p.c in 45 minutes.

Expected India Price And Rivals

2024 Dacia Spring (Renault Kwid EV)

The new-gen Renault Kwid (primarily based on the brand new Dacia Spring EV) might be priced from Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom). It will proceed to tackle the Maruti Alto K10 whereas additionally going up towards the Maruti S-Presso. However, the launch of an electrical Renault Kwid in India stays unconfirmed.

Read More on : KWID AMT

Motorsport

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Is The Most Expensive Car In Its Segment

The new W214-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class debuted last Spring, and it is lastly on its technique to US dealerships. Mercedes-Benz on Tuesday introduced pricing for the brand new E350 and E450 sedans, and so they’re not low cost. The base E350 4Matic in “Premium” trim prices $63,450 and pricing climbs all the best way as much as $71,800 for the E450 4Matic in “Pinnacle” trim. All in all, it is a bit dearer than its nearest rivals.

Here’s a breakdown for pricing in every trim, together with a $1,150 vacation spot price:

Model Price
E350 4Matic Premium $63,450
E350 4Matic Pinnacle $66,000
E450 4Matic Premium $69,250
E450 4Matic Pinnacle $71,800

The E350 comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque whereas the E450 will get a 3.0-liter inline-six with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes has simplified its trim choices in recent times, packaging a whole lot of options consumers need into the bottom “Premium” trim.

The “Pinnacle” trim provides stuff that may most likely be greatest described as “nice to have” however not important. Stuff like a light-up grille and “Active Ambient Lighting with Sound Visualization.” All E-Class fashions now come customary with all-wheel drive, too.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Compared with rivals, the E-Class is fairly costly. The base Audi A6 Quattro prices $58,395 whereas the brand new BMW 530i xDrive rings in at $61,195. (A rear-drive 530i is cheaper nonetheless, at $58,895.) Without a full spec sheet for the Mercedes, it is exhausting to match them like-for-like, so maybe when equally geared up the Audi and BMW are roughly equal, if not pricier. It’s an identical story with six-cylinder variations of the these mid-size luxurious sedans, too. The beautiful Genesis G80 can be a bit cheaper at $55,560 to start out.

It’s price noting that the brand new 2024 E-Class is dearer than the 2023 mannequin. The outgoing E350 4Matic began at $60,400 and the E450 4Matic costing $66,700. But, the brand new E-Class does pack a ton of technology, together with an optionally available selfie digicam. Can you actually put a value on that?

Motorsport

There Are Two New Land Cruisers Left On Dealer Lots

The Toyota Land Cruiser returns to sellers within the United States this spring after a three-year hiatus from the market. However, for those who’d desire to have the earlier technology, we have now excellent news: There are precisely two new examples left at sellers within the United States, a Toyota spokesperson confirmed to Motor1.

When requested which sellers had been holding on to the treasured Cruisers, a Toyota spokesperson informed Motor1 the corporate did not have perception to their whereabouts, which means they may very well be wherever within the nation. Searches on main car-selling web sites did not yield any outcomes, suggesting they is perhaps saved in a showroom’s stock however not listed on the market.

It’s not possible for us to name each Toyota vendor throughout the nation to ask if they’ve new Land Cruisers on the market, so we’re turning to you for assist. If you realize of a vendor holding a brand new Land Cruiser in inventory, please touch upon this publish or e-mail us at tips@motor1.com.


News

Porsche Macan to remain in UK as EU gross sales finish

Porsche will take away the combustion-powered Macan from sale within the EU in spring 2024, because it will not meet new cybersecurity guidelines, however it’s going to stay out there within the UK. 

The standard SUV, on sale since 2014, was developed earlier than the specifics of the regulation had been finalised. It shall be taken off sale within the EU in April, earlier than the laws come into power on 1 July. 

Porsche instructed Autocar: “In the EU, the combustion-powered Macan is not going to be out there indefinitely. The important cause for that is the General Safety Regulation of the European Union, to which the platform is not going to be transformed. Any fashions that don’t meet these necessities will now not be eligible for brand spanking new registration within the EU after 1 July 2024.

“As a outcome, sale of the Macan with an internal-combustion engine is predicted to be discontinued within the EU through the spring, thereby making certain that the automobiles may be delivered to prospects and registered by the deadline.

“In areas exterior the EU, the Macan with an internal-combustion engine can stay out there for longer.”

On the Macan’s future within the UK, a Porsche spokesperson stated: “The Macan is expected to remain on sale in the UK throughout 2024.”

The ICE automobile is ready to get replaced by the new electric Macan, which is technically unrelated and compliant with the brand new guidelines.

The laws included a sub-clause known as UNECE WP.29, which considerations cybersecurity and stipulates that every one new vehicles within the EU should have a cybersecurity certificates and be fitted with electronics to guard them from hackers.

Each automobile should show that it is protected in opposition to 70 vulnerabilities, together with cyber assaults throughout improvement, manufacturing and post-production.

Manufacturers will face a wonderful of as much as €30,000 (£25,732) per car if they do not adjust to the regulation.

The Macan has been a vastly vital automobile for Porsche in Europe, with 20,117 examples offered to date in 2023, based on Jato Dynamics. This compares with 8205 for the Range Rover Velar and 10,076 for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio – two of its closest rivals.

Produced at Porsche’s plant in Leipzig, Germany, the Macan is presently supplied in 4 guises: Macan, Macan T, Macan S, and Macan GTS, with the previous two powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and the latter two a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6.

Production of the Macan for markets exterior the EU is unaffected, based on Porsche. Accordingly, the combustion Macan is scheduled to be produced at Porsche’s Leipzig plant in Germany till the tip of 2025.

ANE additionally reviews that the UNECE WP.29 regulation is the rationale why Volkswagen will take the e-Up off sale subsequent 12 months, as a result of it could be too costly to combine a brand new digital structure to permit the 12-year-old metropolis automobile to stay compliant.