2020 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Recharge Wrap-up: Pikes Peak Honda CR-Z, Tesla's liquid-cooled cable

Honda will race a CR-Z hybrid in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The car will use Electric SH-AWD, which probably means it will be using electric motors to power the rear wheels. Whether the Pikes Peak CR-Z uses the same powertrain as the upcoming Acura NSX or the 3.5-liter V6 with three-motor hybrid system used in the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid is still unclear. The car will also use Acura's Precision All-Wheel Steering (P-AWS) system. The CR-Z will be piloted by Tetsuya Yamano. Read more at Hybrid Cars, or, if you read Japanese, at Response. Tesla has introduced a thinner, liquid-cooled Supercharger cable. While the convenience of not having to "wrestle a good-sized snake into the car," as Elon Musk calls it in a shareholder speech, is wonderful, it could also allow for faster charging in the future. The liquid-cooled charging cable "also has the potential for increased power of the Supercharger long-term," says Musk. A cable able to withstand larger loads could mean shorter stops when it's time for a charge. Tesla has installed the first next-generation cable at the Mountain View Supercharger. Read more at Charged EVs. Smart is offering its Twinamic automatic dual-clutch transmission on more models in Europe. In addition to the 71-horsepower Smart Fortwo, the DCT will now be available in the 90-horsepower Fortwo and the 71-horsepower Forfour. In the Fortwo, the Twinamic DCT adds ˆ1,275 (about $1,437) to the price over the manual transmission, and is an extra ˆ1,425 (about $1,606) in the Forfour. The option of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters as part of the Sport package makes driving the efficient microcar even more fun. Deliveries of the newly equipped vehicles begin at the end of July. Read more in the press release below. smart extends twinamic range for fortwo and forfour: Even more models with automatic transmission Stuttgart. Following in the footsteps of the smart fortwo with 52 kW/71 hp, the smart fortwo with 66 kW/90 hp and the smart forfour with 52 kW/71 hp are now also available with fully automatic twinamic dual clutch transmission. This costs an extra 1275 euros compared to the versions with 5-speed manual transmission (forfour: 1425 euros). This means that both model series now offer a choice between no fewer than nine engine/transmission combinations. Delivery of the new models will begin at the end of July 2015.

BMW shows 670-hp plug-in 5 Series GT concept

BMW quietly revealed a 5 Series GT concept earlier this week at an event in France, and it sports a plug-in hybrid powertrain capable of a whopping 670 horsepower. Think the upcoming Model X crossover from Tesla sounds good? BMW has something that might be just as enticing for eco enthusiasts who like their cars to be green and mean. BMW quietly revealed a 5 Series GT concept earlier this week at an event in France, and it sports a plug-in hybrid powertrain capable of a whopping 670 horsepower. That's right, a hybrid BMW hatch-crossover with more estimated power than the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. BMW's setup is called "Power eDrive," and it uses a 20-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that provides juice for two electric motors; they work with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This 5 Series GT would be able to travel for 62 miles under electric power. The prototype shows the high-performance potential of the system, but the 5 Series GT is "purely a concept," BMW spokesman Julian Arguelles told Autoblog. The GT made its global debut alongside plug-in versions of the 3 Series and X5. They used more basic eDrive systems with one electric motor teamed with a turbo four cylinder. BMW revealed the prototypes to illustrate its plans to increase production of plug-in hybrids. Its goal is to add plug-in variants to all of its "core-brand models," though specifics and timing are unclear. BMW Group Media information 1. BMW Group Innovation Days 2014: New drive technologies. (Introduction) The recently launched BMW i3 and BMW i8 are the first zero-emission vehicles in the premium segment, being designed respectively as dedicated all-electric and plug-in hybrid models. Their BMW eDrive technology promotes hallmark brand driving pleasure, while at the same time delivering major reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions – all the way to zero tailpipe emissions when operating in all-electric mode. This is BMW Efficient Dynamics taken to its logical conclusion. For more than 15 years, the Efficient Dynamics strategy has inspired and shaped the development of new models across all the BMW Group brands, resulting in the development of highly efficient vehicles that combine dynamic performance with intelligent energy management. Today, thanks to Efficient Dynamics, the BMW and MINI brands offer premium models that set benchmarks in their respective segments in terms of their exceptional balance of performance and fuel economy.

Recharge Wrap-up: No fast charger funding from GM, Tesla Model X buyer's guide

General Motors does not plan to fund any CCS fast-charging infrastructure to go along with the launch of the Chevrolet Bolt. Other automakers – Audi, BMW, Nissan, Volkswagen and, of course, Tesla - are investing in the deployment of fast chargers to aid the mobility of their EV customers. With the debut of the Chevy Bolt, which has an option for a CCS fast-charging port, Green Car Reports asked a panel of GM executives if it had similar plans. "We are not actively working on providing infrastructure [for the Bolt EV]," says GM CEO Mary Barra. Read more at Green Car Reports. Teslarati has put together a buyer's guide for the Tesla Model X. If you're considering taking the plunge and buying the new, luxury, electric SUV, there are a number of things to take into account that first-time Tesla or EV buyers may not have had to consider before – on top of the usual tough choices any car buyer faces. The guide breaks down the options into categories of pricing, battery, and performance, performance extras, seating, more options, tow/hitch options, and final options (yes, that's a lot of options). It also includes how to find the hidden 72-amp onboard charger upgrade, if that's something you want to consider. Check it out at Teslarati. Renault is an official partner of the 2015/2016 Formula E Paris ePrix. The race takes place around the Hotel des Invalides monument on April 23, and Renault will have a strong presence for the race weekend. The automaker will have its ZE range on display at the ePrix's e-village throughout the event. Renault e.dams won the 2014/2015 Teams' championship title, and is at the top of the standings for 2015/2016. Read more from Renault. EV sales are on the rise in Europe, a trend that's expected to continue according to analysts. Thanks in large part to regulatory measures, electrified vehicle sales (including mild hybrids) are predicted to grow 433 percent to 2.2 million units by 2021. EV sales grew 82.2 percent in the year leading up to September 2015. "It's no secret that the internal combustion engine is expected to be the predominant powertrain in the near term, but increased acceptance of [alternative fuel vehicle] technology, particularly pure electrification, should not be ignored," says PwC Global Automotive Leader Rick Hanna. Read more in the press release below.