Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla Model X towing drag race, Porsche 918 salvage auction
Wed, Mar 23 2016
A Porsche 918 Spyder has gone up for auction. Unfortunately, it's a salvage auction, and said performance plug-in hybrid is totally mangled. The gut-wrenching photos reveal an even sadder detail, as the car's odometer shows it only logged 92 miles before being involved in what appears to have been a terrible wreck (though the listing describes the miles as "not actual"). The current bid on the Copart auction site is up to $106,000, and the listing shows a $600,000 repair estimate. The very expensive hunk of metal and carbon fiber is located in Long Island. Check out the listing for yourself, or read more at MotorAuthority.
GKN Driveline says that German drivers are more interested in plug-in hybrids (especially with all-wheel drive) than conventional hybrid cars. In a poll of more than 1,000 drivers commissioned by GKN, 75 percent preferred PHEVs to standard hybrids, while 61.2 percent said that 50 kilometers (31 miles) of electric range is enough for their daily driving duties. About 81 percent are "wary of hybrids," most believing them to be a poor value. 52 percent said their ideal car would combine a plug and all-wheel drive. "We believe that plug-in hybrids with all-wheel drive make sense," says GKN Automotive President of Engineering Peter Moelgg, "and the public's positive response to vehicle programmes that offer this combination – like the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, BMW i8, and Porsche 918 Spyder – can only continue to grow." Read more in the press release below.
NEW RESEARCH REVEALS GERMAN DRIVERS PREFER PLUG-IN HYBRIDS
Lohmar, Germany, 22 March 2016: Drivers now consider plug-in hybrid vehicles to be more attractive and practical than conventional hybrids, a survey commissioned by GKN Driveline has revealed. The poll of motorists showed that 75% preferred the idea of plug-ins, with 61.2% agreeing that an electric range of 50km would meet their daily needs.
The independent online survey asked over 1,000 German motorists for their views on driveline technologies such as hybrids and all-wheel drive as well as issues ranging from the environment to their vehicle preferences. The survey found that although 96% of drivers say they are environmentally conscious to some degree, when it comes to cars, the environment takes a back seat to more practical considerations.
Around 81% say they are wary of hybrids, with 62.8% citing "poor value for money" as the main reason. Conversely, just 25% described all-wheel drive vehicles as "expensive" to purchase or run, with most associating the technology instead with off-road capability (73%), safety (37%) and higher performance (36%). These attitudes seem to translate into higher expectations at car dealerships. Around half of people (49%) expected their car dealership to offer a plug-in hybrid option and 52% agreed that their perfect car would combine plug-in charging with all-wheel drive.
GKN Automotive President of Engineering Peter Moelgg said: "Drivers are environmentally conscious and like technology to offer clear benefits. The challenge is introducing eco-friendly technologies that add real value for them. We believe that plug-in hybrids with all-wheel drive make sense – and the public's positive response to vehicle programmes that offer this combination – like the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, BMW i8 and Porsche 918 Spyder – can only continue to grow."
The survey also indicates that the factor most likely to persuade drivers to consider a plug-in hybrid was greater availability of charging points (52%), followed by tax incentives (45%). Performance improvements (33%) scored slightly higher than environmental concerns (32%).
"It's clear that for many drivers, making future vehicles more rewarding to drive is as important as protecting the environment," said Theo Gassmann, GKN Driveline Senior Director Product Technology Advanced Engineering. "At GKN, we believe that driveline innovations must do both. We are developing a new generation of plug-in hybrid systems that will make personal mobility more sustainable and enjoyable for decades to come."
The survey correlates with Germany's current vehicle parc, with 2.3% of people using a hybrid as their main vehicle, 23.4% driving diesels and 72.6% driving gasoline. Just 0.3% of those surveyed currently drive a pure electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.
Over a third (37%) of drivers still believe gasoline engines provide the best driving experience, hybrids came second in the poll with 13.5%, just beating diesels with 12.8%. Twice as many male drivers chose hybrids (17% compared to 9%). Twice as many women stated they were unsure (37% compared to 17%).
GKN has been pioneering the introduction of eAxle technology since 2002, launching the industry's first eAxle applications with PSA Peugeot Citroen. The company was awarded Official Porsche Technology Partner status for its contribution to the plug-in hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder programme. It launched the world's first two-speed eAxle in the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 and also supplies the eAxle on the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine PHEV programme.
Lohmar, Germany, 22 March 2016: Drivers now consider plug-in hybrid vehicles to be more attractive and practical than conventional hybrids, a survey commissioned by GKN Driveline has revealed. The poll of motorists showed that 75% preferred the idea of plug-ins, with 61.2% agreeing that an electric range of 50km would meet their daily needs.
The independent online survey asked over 1,000 German motorists for their views on driveline technologies such as hybrids and all-wheel drive as well as issues ranging from the environment to their vehicle preferences. The survey found that although 96% of drivers say they are environmentally conscious to some degree, when it comes to cars, the environment takes a back seat to more practical considerations.
Around 81% say they are wary of hybrids, with 62.8% citing "poor value for money" as the main reason. Conversely, just 25% described all-wheel drive vehicles as "expensive" to purchase or run, with most associating the technology instead with off-road capability (73%), safety (37%) and higher performance (36%). These attitudes seem to translate into higher expectations at car dealerships. Around half of people (49%) expected their car dealership to offer a plug-in hybrid option and 52% agreed that their perfect car would combine plug-in charging with all-wheel drive.
GKN Automotive President of Engineering Peter Moelgg said: "Drivers are environmentally conscious and like technology to offer clear benefits. The challenge is introducing eco-friendly technologies that add real value for them. We believe that plug-in hybrids with all-wheel drive make sense – and the public's positive response to vehicle programmes that offer this combination – like the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, BMW i8 and Porsche 918 Spyder – can only continue to grow."
The survey also indicates that the factor most likely to persuade drivers to consider a plug-in hybrid was greater availability of charging points (52%), followed by tax incentives (45%). Performance improvements (33%) scored slightly higher than environmental concerns (32%).
"It's clear that for many drivers, making future vehicles more rewarding to drive is as important as protecting the environment," said Theo Gassmann, GKN Driveline Senior Director Product Technology Advanced Engineering. "At GKN, we believe that driveline innovations must do both. We are developing a new generation of plug-in hybrid systems that will make personal mobility more sustainable and enjoyable for decades to come."
The survey correlates with Germany's current vehicle parc, with 2.3% of people using a hybrid as their main vehicle, 23.4% driving diesels and 72.6% driving gasoline. Just 0.3% of those surveyed currently drive a pure electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.
Over a third (37%) of drivers still believe gasoline engines provide the best driving experience, hybrids came second in the poll with 13.5%, just beating diesels with 12.8%. Twice as many male drivers chose hybrids (17% compared to 9%). Twice as many women stated they were unsure (37% compared to 17%).
GKN has been pioneering the introduction of eAxle technology since 2002, launching the industry's first eAxle applications with PSA Peugeot Citroen. The company was awarded Official Porsche Technology Partner status for its contribution to the plug-in hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder programme. It launched the world's first two-speed eAxle in the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 and also supplies the eAxle on the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine PHEV programme.
Related Gallery 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Factory Tour
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- News Source: Electrek, YouTube: Arctic channel, MotorAuthority, Copart, GKN
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By John Beltz Snyder
See also: Alfa Romeo unveils more details about US-spec Giulia, NHTSA, IIHS, and 20 automakers to make auto braking standard by 2022, NHTSA, IIHS, and 20 automakers to make auto braking standard by 2022.