NextEV Nio EP9: fingers in the socket

The NextEV Nio EP9 

 The experts are unanimous: in 2025, a quarter of global automotive production will roll more or less, to the power. 
If the plug-in hybrid should carve out the lion's share, 100% electric vehicles will also experience record growth for an obvious reason: their horizon continues to expand. No more micro-urban autonomy to the ridiculous, the batteries on progress is now possible to see much farther ... and faster. This is what has just demonstrated the Chinese startups NextEV last month in London, revealing the Nio EP9.

Essay: Driving the Tesla Model S P100D

This supercar has a carbon fiber chassis, holds, neither more nor less, the title of fastest electric car in the world. Able to go from 0 to 200 km / h in just over 7 seconds and reaching 313 km / h in peak, the meteor holds the record output of 1 megawatt, or 1 360 horsepower for 1480 Nm of torque thanks four engines. A horde that Nio EP9 has leveraged on 12 October, on the famous Nordschleife of Nürburgring in Germany, beating the time of the Tesla S, established a year earlier, 17 seconds (7 minutes 5 seconds).

NextEV is not at his first attempt. The company is involved in the Formula E world championship 100% electric cars that will stop in Paris on 20 May 2017. It has also won the title from 2014 to 2015 with the Brazilian pilot Nelsinho Piquet, son of former world champion William F 1. According to Li, the founder, "the electric car will become a natural choice on the day it will exceed the expectations of its owner." It is undoubtedly the case of Nio EP9 who is not content to amazing performances. It has, indeed, an autonomy of 427 kilometers and a battery capable of recharging in 45 minutes. In style, a splendid aerodynamic flow, the Chinese Tesla adds the latest technology. Only downside: the "Circuit 24" scale 1, released in 2018 and produced only 6 copies, surely cost more than 1 million euros. The power for all wait a little ...

Here is the Mercedes of the future

The concept car Generation EQ, unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, represents the future of the electric car from Mercedes. 

The shape is classic but elegant, proportions everything was reasonable.On the stand of Mercedes Paris Motor Show in Paris , the concept car Generation EQ could almost pass for a model of the current range. The line of this SUV suggests an evolution of the current GLC and it is primarily the details that betray his pioneering aspect exuberant light signature with great fanfare blue, perfectly smooth grille, no exhaust ... All Generation shows that the EQ has been designed from a to Z as an electric car and it is no coincidence because the label EQ designate in the future all electric Mercedes.

The Generation EQ introduced a platform developed specifically for an electric range, the SUV cut through the sedan. What answer to the offensive launched by Tesla , investing gradually all segments of the automotive market. Two electric engines power the Generation EQ, one on the front and one in back. The power is substantial, with 300 kilowatts or 400 horsepower with a torque of 700 Nm, worthy of a Lamborghini.The 0 to 100 km / h was announced under 5 seconds. Autonomy, in turn, would reach up to 500 km.

A step towards the autonomous car

On board, the Generation EQ gives pride to the touch: the traditional buttons are absent, the perfectly smooth surfaces are preferred.Mercedes promises a real revolution in display, with 3D views of the environment on the navigation system, which is deployed on an extra-large screen.

Finally, Mercedes Generation ensures that the EQ is a step in the direction of the autonomous car, another favorite topic of manufacturers present in Paris. A technology called Car-to-X team concept, which allows it to communicate with other vehicles and with the infrastructure. At first, this may facilitate research stations refills or allow to circulate information about an accident faster. Ultimately, this type of technology is crucial to imagine a generalization of driverless cars. 

Citroën CXPERIENCE, future premium sedan

 RÉVÉLATION- Main attraction of the next show in Paris, the concept CXPERIENCE revives the project of an experienced tourer while it moves the lines.

Since the PSA group decided to amputate the rafters of DS and entrust the reins of upscale its new brand, voices are questioning the fate Citroën . The decision imposing the redefinition of the territory of expression of each of the three brands of the French group, has created many misunderstandings and uncertainty as to the role now assigned to Citroen. If, for lack of sufficient resources to make all of the sites, the answers have been slow to come, the future begins to brighten every day.

With CXPERIENCE, Citroën reaffirms its commitment to remain in the high-end
Jean-Pierre Ploué, Design Director PSA
Under the slogan "be different, feel good" associated with differentiation of values, comfort and wellbeing, the new Citroën range begins to take shape. After the concept Aircross last year that foreshadows an SUV in less than two years, the public's Paris Motor Show will discover that the firm has always been governed by extreme and known for his daring and avant-garde n ' has not given up on offering a large sedan. Its historical and technical heritage confers legitimacy to pick up the thread of a story interrupted since the abandonment of the C6 whose lines beautifully withstand the test of time.

In the wheels of the CX

The front retains the dual-port grille lights but evolves with hairpin and active aerodynamic flaps.
Responding on behalf of CP16 code, the concept of Paris, like all projects Designer Office, the result of an internal competition. Gregory Blanchet, the winner does not hide to have drawn some of its inspiration from the CX and C6. At the same time, he stressed the important role played by Vincent Barbereau, the modeler who was able to interpret his sketches to give substance to surfaces whose curves and subtle reliefs are perfectly light. Finally called CXPERIENCE, the study shows a sacred presence, without aggression. Camped on huge 22-inch wheels, this sedan of 4.85 m long is in line with the codes in vogue at Citroen.

Exercise is devoid of frills, almost monolithic. Through this aerodynamic design (components and mobile flaps in the shield) and lowered (1.37 m high), there are several common denominators to large Citroën as asymmetry in treatment between the front and back, really bold with, above the wheel arch, the clean cut of the shell supposed to recall the streamlined wheel of the CX. At the start of the project, this concept should not exceed 1.35 m in height but the guard at the rear passenger roof was too low.

The treatment of back surprises with his body broken line above the wheel arch, its lights 3D rear window and falling heavily.
Inheritance also transpires through the flared windshield very tilted, the dual-port grille, dug sides, long wheelbase and the concave rear window. The latter fall more heavily than usual on a later almost too bulbous and maintaining the illusion of dealing with a notchback. The team led by Alexandre Malval has pulled it off. This concept moves the lines.
A soothing and warm cocoon

"War of the Buttons, it's over," warns a design member. So when the two opposing doors and indented in the pavilion are deployed on a passenger without a central foot, one is hardly surprised to find a space free of buttons and commands. "We just kept the button to activate the hazard warning lights, mandatory, and that of the stop & start", says Jean-Arthur Madelaine Advenier, head of interior design. All commands are now grouped in a huge touch pad (19 inch 16/3 format). Its screen can be divided into multiple windows.

The designers have made themselves pleasure in creating a true mobile salon. The making of yellow woven mesh seat and the drawing of the seats belong to the world of furniture and decoration. The soft armchairs falls within the world of bedding.
This concept shows that the premium is not necessarily associated with the leather
Jean-Pierre Ploué, director of PSA design
The shape of the dashboard is just as spectacular. Made of walnut leaf screened in 3D, it apes open wooden log. This piece in the cavity covered textile yellow belt the cockpit. If the monoline wheel refers to the CX, the technology is now well with a last cry connectivity.
The roaring rafters

Its specifications announced a capacity of nearly 300 horsepower. But useless to seek a V8 or V6 under the hood. The study CXPERIENCE strenna rechargeable hybrid powertrain being developed at PSA. This technology will enable compliance with the commitments on carbon footprint reduction is an excellent opportunity to address the lack Catalogue powerful gasoline engines.
Seating comfort is a major focus of this premium concept.
It combines a 4-cylinder direct-injection 1.6-liter petrol can deliver up to 200 hp with an electric motor of 80 kW (108 hp). The ZEV allow a reach of 60 km without rejecting a single pollutant. As for ride comfort, with the abandonment of the hydropneumatic suspension, it innovates with shock absorbers hydraulic stops.

The fate of the CXPERIENCE is désormai suspended the reactions of the public in Paris. But according to some indiscretions, his language forms could inspire a future compact sedan.

BMW unveils its motorcycle of the future

For its 100th anniversary, the German manufacturer BMW presented its vision of the bike of the future, the Motorrad Next Vision 100, a technology toy.

"Total freedom." This was felt Edgar Heinrich, head of design at BMW Motorrad, when he straddled the Motorrad 100. Next Vision Unveiled for the first time Tuesday in Los Angeles for the 100 th anniversary of the German manufacturer, this prototype embodies the futuristic vision of the brand.

Side look, she adopts minimalist lines but a triangular frame that deliberately recalls the very first BMW, the R32 of 1923. In profile, it nevertheless gives the appearance of a basic, with an engine block installed in the middle of the frame. It adopts the shape of the traditional twin the manufacturer, but is free from transmission and exhausts since it is electric. "At rest, he married the bike with just. But from the first laps, engine block extends laterally. It optimizes aerodynamics and protection against bad weather en route, "argues the manufacturer in a statement.To strengthen the lines of the bike, the shock absorbers were replaced by self-damping tires that have the ability to change their structure depending on the road surface.

Future forces, the Motorrad Next Vision 100 carries with it a lot of new technology. It is equipped with intelligent systems that balance the bike."Beginners will reliably assisted, fall become impossible (...) the bike does not spill even when the driver is already down," it said. These systems also help increase driver safety by indicating the actions required along the way. If necessary, they can also intervene on the way to protect it. With these devices which we do not know the details, "the usual safety equipment, such as headphones or reinforcements are no longer necessary," says BMW.

A head-mounted driving assistant

To interact with the bike accessory is essential: the Visor. This HMD planning data in real time in the driver's field of vision without interfering."The bike knows the downstream stretch of road through the full interconnection with environmental data and intelligence systems running in the background. Based on this information, the driver receives information on the ideal line, the inclination when cornering or potential hazards, "says Holger Hampf engineer at BMW. Via this toy, the driver can also have a mirror function by looking up, and display a map lowering. 

If all this leaves more or less dreamy, this machine can obviously not take the road anytime soon. Heinrich admit that riding a motorcycle without protection remains for the moment a fantasy because the helmet is mandatory in many countries, and that self-balancing technology based on gyroscopes, is still at the stage of development. While the auto industry expects the development of the autonomous car, BMW seems to have removed the autopilot concerns.

Porsche Panamera, the 911 families (2017)

 TEST - The second generation of the Porsche Panamera manages the difficult synthesis of sportiness and comfort.

Everything and start again is erased. The first Panamera, the new generation has kept the name, the logo on the hood and the ignition key to the left of the steering wheel. Porsche has indeed offered the luxury to start from scratch to continue history of a sedan that was not unworthy (154,000 units in six years) despite an established competition and an unattractive. Developed around the great VW group MSB platform will be used by the next Audi A8, the Panamera II will galvanize fans of the genre. Train before advanced cantilever before reduced, secluded cabin backwards, elongated figure of 34 mm (5049 mm) and wider than 6 mm (1937 mm), very shifty flag (- 2 cm): the silhouette is finally rebalanced. It includes the popular Porsche codes at the point of passing for 911 4-door.
A new human-machine interface

With the Panamera, Porsche succumbs to simplifying controls.
Besides the line which is now unanimously, the Panamera II led his inner revolution. Under the name Porsche Advanced Cockpit, engineers have devised a new man-machine interface avoiding the pile of buttons on the raised black lacquered center console. The huge central touch screen of 12.3 inches includes all the information. In use, it constitutes real progress. This driver is in the manner of a smartphone. Simply touch the screen, which can be divided into several windows, to appear on the left, the drop down menu in a vertical strip. And any driver who sleeps in the driver of the Porsche appreciate to find, behind the wheel, an instrumentation cap installing an analog tachometer in the center.

Behind the wheel, the two virtual dials right are customizable.
It is bordered on each side by two virtual dials 7 inches. Playing on a wheel of the steering wheel, the right ones can disappear in favor of the mapping of GPS or the onboard computer. Progress is also nestled in the advanced connectivity to have a Wi-Fi hotspot, but also from the 2017 productions of Inno Drive system gives an overview of autonomous driving the Porsche sauce. By working together navigation, adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance radars, the Panamera is able to anticipate three kilometers ahead. It adapts for example its speed when approaching a freeway exit ramp and stores you'll enter an area 50 km / h to lower consumption by 10%. We recommend the Sport Chrono Package (€ 1,878), which is enriched with a Sport mode + lowering the plate of the car, tightening the suspension and enhancing engine response.

The center tunnel which runs to the rear seats distributes four individual seats that can be enriched ventilation functions (heated and cooled) and massage. No jealous with option four air conditioning zones (€ 1,548), rear passengers enjoy a central screen to access or control some menu features such as adjust the sound level, select a playlist of music , or follow the GPS directions. Note only four seats, opening and orientation of the air nozzles can be controlled from the air vents. Still, to transport 5 people, it will go its way and await the arrival of the Gran Turismo version planned later in 2018. By then, the long rechargeable and hybrid versions have already appeared.
breathtaking acceleration

The Panamera is riveted to the ground.  It reserves travel speeds in high curves.
Meanwhile, the Panamera II strenna the new engine range "KOVOMO" the VW group and having two V8 (petrol and diesel) and a V6 2.9 liter direct petrol injection original Audi. These three biturbo engines are mated to all-wheel drive, guaranteeing a flawless traction, and the PDK dual-clutch transmission to 8 reports. With its 422 hp, the 4S Diesel, who will represent over 65% of sales offers a level of performance that is breathtaking. Perfectly soundproofed, this super GT does proves not demonstrative but allows a range of up to 1000 km with the 90-liter tank (+ 120 €) while claiming the fastest diesel world title.

The Panamera strenna air suspension with 3 rooms.
If for you the pleasure begins above 5000 rev / min, salvation through the petrol versions distilling sensations that one is entitled to expect of a sports sedan. This is the case at the wheel of the invoiced 4S € 115,967. It then accesses the extension of a lively engine and has an intoxicating sound with the Sport + mode, at the cost of somewhat brutal management of the box. With Turbo with air suspension as standard with three bedrooms instead of the previous generation (option € 2,154), change category. The engine roars; the effect is breathtaking acceleration (3.4 seconds with the Sport Chrono pack to reach 100 km / h); sensations are identical to those of the 911 Turbo. Especially with the steering rear wheels (€ 2,064) that improve agility and PDCC chassis with active roll control and electronic differential locking (€ 4,740). Given the level of performance, carbon-ceramic brakes are highly recommended (+ € 9,012). Proof of large repertoire of Turbo, to stabilized gait, its engine makes a gesture for the planet by deactivating four cylinders.

Our opinion

The new Panamera is unrecognizable, erasing the previous questionable and moving the cursor over sportiness. Certainly one can blame him reduced visibility to the rear and on both 4 S, a surassistée direction requiring micro-corrections to the steering wheel.
This is not one but three models highly differentiated character that Porsche brings to market. Petrol models truly reflect the idea that there is a "family" sports. Still, the price is steep, especially drawing on the extensive list of options. But a model 2WD less than € 90,000 is expected.

The Tesla Model S P100D claims humiliate hypercars

 Tesla announced a new even more extreme version of its large sedan Model S, the P100D, who made a big splash in the field of performance hypercars.

When we tried the Tesla Model P85D for a 0 to 100 km / h on circuit, it is not as brutal acceleration (yet indescribable) that struck us that the fact that all this takes place on board a large luxury sedan unmatched silent operation. For P100D declination, announced Wednesday by Tesla, the recipe is the same, with an additional dose of madness. At the time of our test, we qualified for the P85D "fastest sedan in the world." The P100D will it approach the performance of the fastest car title, period. This new version accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 2.7 seconds, according to the manufacturer founded by Elon Musk. The acceleration performance of Porsche 918 and LaFerrari are not far away. A Lamborghini Aventador SV, despite its powerful V12 750 horsepower, is exceeded.

The score is simply amazing for a car that exceeds 2.2 tonnes. Tesla beautiful game to stress that it is impossible for families to travel aboard a hypercar, while the Model S shall without harm to the task.

A very expensive option

His secret: a new battery of 100 kWh, which boosts performance when excessive speed mode is engaged. This option is very expensive: 134 500 dollars in the United States for the vehicle, 10 000 additional dollars for US customers who come to order for a P90D version that would benefit from more power and 20 thousand dollars for installation on a P90D already delivered which it will recycle the old battery. However, the new battery provides autonomy surplus, which now exceeds 600 km according to Tesla. The new Model X SUV can also be ordered in Version P100D, with the same beneficial effect on acceleration or autonomy.

Top 10 Things that Ruin Your Car’s Paint/Finish

I’ve been always keen on a car’s finish. My sister used to mock me back in college when I used to spend a tad bit more time really making it spic and span and sparkle. I would’ve probably beaten the Karate Kid in a waxing contest (Wax in, wax out, Daniel-san!).

But everyday trips and exposure to elements beat the heck out of your car’s paint never mind if you’ve used a tad more carnauba wax than your usual application. Here top 10 peeves that ruin a cars finish:

• Dirt/Dust - Sticks unless you shampoo it off
• Mud
• Rain water - With pollution, that’s acid!
• Pollen - Parking under a tree may give you shade but tree sap too.
• Tar
• Chips of rock
• Bird droppings - Bird droppings are acidic too that eats away your paint.
• Tree sap
• Salt Common in snowy climates
• Car keys in the hands of a vengeful ex

Maybe you could think of some and put some more in the comments!

BMW 7 Series: A Technological Marvel?

When the collocation of “technology” and “marvel” appears in the context of cars, I always expect it to be something that came from the land of Mr. Roboto. However, the Telegraph just featuredtheir take on the new BMW 7 Series and Peter Dron is calling it a technological marvel.

The 7 Series is BMW’s bet in the full-size luxury vehicle market and their answer to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Audi A8. With this new incarnation, the 7 Series now easily becomes the largest among its competitors. But to compensate for the size, the car is equipped with the whole nine-yards of control systems like BMW’s Optimum Driving Dynamics system that makes the car nimble despite the size. That, you (or your driver) might need when you have the range-topping V8 (dubbed as the “world’s most efficient V8 engine”).

As a luxury car, you can expect those little trinkets that make you feel like a VIP. There are a lot of options to choose from like lane departure warning, steering heater, proximity warning, dynamic drive, and integral active steering.

But is it a technology marvel? Sure it is loaded with all the electronics but I doubt if those could give the Evo and the Impreza a run for their money. Or perhaps the Nissan GT-R which maximized all the technology that Nissan can get their hands on. Or perhaps the Veyron, which is an all-around technology marvel. But nothing about the 7 Series screams razor-sharp cutting edge. Well, probably because luxury cars need not be flashy. A fitting analogy for the 7 Series might just be Alfred - the dapper butler complete with coattails who can fiddle around Batman’s computers.

Checking Your Car’s Engine Oil

If your new into cars, you have to be really committed in keeping it in good running condition and that means making a habit of checking a lot of things daily. One of the most crucial ones - engine oil. The lube is your car engine’s blood. Running without it and your engine will conk out. Too little, and it will cause problems major enough to consider an overhaul, or worse, a new engine. So make sure that your oil level is at optimum range. Here’s how to check the engine oil level.