Tag Archives: sticker

Motorsport

All That Safety Tech Makes Crashed Cars Way More Expensive To Fix

As driver-assist expertise in automobiles expands, so does the price of manufacturing and finally, the sticker worth. It’s no secret that new and used cars are more expensive now than ever, however a brand new examine from AAA raises one other price situation chances are you’ll not consider. In the occasion of a crash – even a minor one – these tech programs will be supremely costly to restore.

How costly are we speaking about? Prices differ relying on every kind of things, however AAA discovered a mean of 37.6 % of prices concerned in repairing crash harm go simply to repair and calibrate the sensors and cameras used for superior driver programs. That contains issues like dynamic cruise management and lane-keep help the place radars and cameras are known as into motion, however older tech like rear parking sensors additionally issue into the equation.

LIDAR vs Cameras

“Vehicles outfitted with extra subtle security programs are far more widespread now, particularly since NHTSA proposed its rule requiring automatic emergency braking earlier this 12 months,” mentioned Greg Brannon, the director of automotive engineering for AAA. “Consumers should know about the repair costs associated with these technologies. But they must also understand the importance of fixing them since improperly functioning systems could result in a deadly crash.”

Taking a deeper dive into the programs, AAA evaluated three automobiles from the 2023 mannequin 12 months outfitted with superior driver help gear. On common, repairing and correctly calibrating radar sensors added $500 to $1,300 to the restore invoice. Ultrasonic sensors typically used for parking help added anyplace from $300 to $1,000, and windshield digicam programs contributed $900 to $1,200. Again, these are prices only for the tech programs. 

Another eye-opening stat within the report comes from side-view mirrors. Surround-view and blind-spot programs typically embody sensors and/or cameras within the aspect mirrors, however they will add between $740 and $1,600 to a restore price. Per AAA, that may account for 70.8 % of the associated fee to simply substitute a mirror. Yikes.

While such programs definitely add price on all sides, there’s little doubt these options save lives. A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety discovered that pickup vehicles outfitted with computerized emergency braking had a 43 % decrease fee of rear-end collisions, and harm stories have been 42 % decrease.

Motorsport

Hyundai Says Its Cars Will Always Be Fancier Than Chinese Counterparts

Hyundai says that the prices of its cars will always justify a premium over Chinese models. Meanwhile, BMW is collaborating with Mercedes to establish an EV charging network in China.

This is AM Drive, Motor1’s daily look at the news you need before you get in your car.

Hyundai Says It Will Always Be More Premium Than Chinese Automakers

Hyundai has evolved significantly since the 1990s, but so have Chinese automakers. Despite this, the South Korean company asserts its status as a more prestigious brand than any Chinese competitor. Speaking with CarSales, Hyundai’s Chief Operating Officer in Australia, John Kett, stated that the era of cheap cars is over.

“I think we’ll always be a premium to the Chinese. We’ve just got to come up with the technology to keep ahead of them, to recognize that our premium is worth it to some customers. Our benefit is that the pace of change in our portfolio is quite significant, and I think we’re going to have to keep doing that to justify the pricing position we have over our competitors. Time will tell if the technology we will bring is worthy of the premium we charge.”

John Kett emphasized that Hyundai’s profitability would have been compromised if it had continued with low prices as it did in the past. This would have hindered the company’s ability to introduce and update numerous car models. It seems like a next-generation model or a mid-cycle facelift is being released almost every other week.

Mercedes-Benz And BMW Are Collaborating on an EV Charging Network, Not on a Car:

Mercedes-Benz and BMW logos

Mercedes and BMW are officially collaborating to establish an EV charging network in China. The two German companies are forming a 50:50 joint venture owned by their local subsidiaries – Mercedes-Benz Group China and BMW Brilliance Automotive. By the end of 2026, at least 1,000 stations will be operational, with the first ones set to be inaugurated in 2024 in regions where EVs are more prevalent.

As a high-power “premium charging network,” the new infrastructure will not be restricted to Mercedes and BMW models. Other car owners will also be able to charge their EVs at these stations. Where feasible, the charging stations will offer electricity from renewable sources.

Cars

2023 Prius Prime Solar Roof: How Long Does It Take to Charge?

Deciding if the extra cost of the Prius Prime’s solar roof is worthwhile depends largely on where you plan to drive the plug-in hybrid, as well as where you will park it. Owners in sun-drenched states like California and Texas are likely to benefit the most from the solar roof, as they will have plenty of sunshine to power it throughout the year, as reported by SlashGear.

In contrast, those who live in states with changeable seasons may not see the same advantages. For instance, in Michigan, where the Prius Prime was tested in the fall, the overcast skies resulted in minimal gains from the solar roof’s power generation, as seen from the driver’s display.

Where you park your PHEV will also influence the solar roof’s efficiency. If you charge the Prius Prime in a garage or under a carport, it won’t receive direct sunlight. In this case, opting for a Level 2 home charger, which can recharge the battery in about four hours, would be the more practical choice over getting a small charge from the sun.

Smartphones

Google Reveals Prices for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro Before October Release

The standard Pixel phone, known as the vanilla Pixel, is expected to come with a higher price tag this year. The Pixel 8 will reportedly start at $699, compared to the previous Pixel 7’s price of $599. This increase in price is due to the various hardware changes both internally and externally.

Unlike its predecessor, the Pixel 8 will feature a 120Hz display instead of a 90Hz screen. It will also come with an upgraded processor, thanks to the third-generation Tensor chip. The rear camera setup will consist of a 50-megapixel primary camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide snapper, which is now capable of capturing macro photography.

Other specifications for the Pixel 8 include a slightly smaller 6.17-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) OLED screen, 8GB of RAM, a choice between 128GB and 256GB of storage, and a slightly larger 4,485mAh battery with 45W charging support. This year’s model will be available in Grey, Peony Rose, and Obsidian Black colors.