Author: Sofia
A recent patent filing indicates Rivian is looking to alternative cooling methods as a way to speed up EV fast-charging. A patent application published Feb. 14 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) notes that thermal management during charging can take up quite a lot of power. As a solution, it proposes shifting some of the load from the vehicle’s cooling system to the charging system. Battery packs need to be within a certain temperature window to achieve peak charging speed, and according to Rivian, that cooling takes real power, which detracts from peak charge rate. That cooling…
As automakers look to boost EV efficiency, Volkswagen believes bringing development of more components in-house will lead to big gains. VW announced this strategy shift at its Tech Day 2023 event, claiming efficiency improvements of up to 20% by developing its own optimized components. “The Volkswagen Group and its brands stand for first-class products and technologies,” VW Group CEO Oliver Blume said in a statement. “Thanks to the size and breadth of the group, as well as our in-house expertise, we can leverage economies of scale.” Future Volkswagen thermal management unit developed in-house VW used to rely on several large…
Jeep must be feeling the heat from the Bronco, as it’s just added two factory-installed options to its latest JL Wrangler that are already available on the Ford. They include a wash-out floor system that can be used in lieu of traditional floor mats, and heavy-duty vinyl seats that can also be hosed down for easy cleaning. The floor system features multi-layer construction that Jeep says offers thermal protection and sound dampening properties. It also features integrated channels that line up with the Wrangler’s original floor drains. It comes in black and fits each foot well. The option costs $995…
Sports Cars Quick Facts Roadsters are the vehicles closest to the traditional sports car definition. They are 2-door, 2-seat convertibles. No one buys a genuine sports car for the mileage, cargo capacity, or cupholder count. What matters is how it handles and how fast it goes (or seems to go). The best way to determine if a specific sports car fits your wants and needs is to drive it. Amid the vast array of cars made today, if you asked 100 people what defines a sports car, you might get 100 different answers. But for those seeking to buy a…
Maserati launched a new generation of its GranTurismo for the 2024 model year, and now the car’s convertible body style has been spotted testing as a prototype. To be called the GranCabrio (the previous generation was called a GranTurismo Convertible in the U.S.), the drop-top launches later this year, also as a 2024 model. The coupe goes on sale this spring priced from $174,000, and the convertible should sell at a premium. The prototype points to the new GranCabrio featuring a soft-top roof, just like its predecessor. The roof’s profile and the shape of the side windows appear almost identical…
VerdictWe’ve waited a long time for an estate version of the BMW M3, but it’s been worth it, because it offers all of the dynamic prowess served up by the saloon, but with even more practicality. This ultra-fast wagon is a superb performance car that still delivers all the driver thrills you might crave, along with the usability and practicality of a family estate car. The tech on offer is great, but it’s the Touring’s wide breadth of dynamic ability that really impresses.The new £85,165 BMW M3 Touring could be the ultimate do-everything high-performance car. It’s only available in the…
Fewer automakers than usual spent money advertising during Super Bowl LVII. In total, there were only five traditional ad spots from three big OEMs. A number of car-adjacent ads aired during the Big Game, too, and we’ll bring you those ads in this roundup alongside the more obvious ones. We’ve compiled all of the automotive-related commercials for you here in this post so you don’t have to go searching for them elsewhere. Read on below to see what aired as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles. Ram’s Super Bowl spot offers a cure for ‘Premature Electrification’ This commercial…
The long-awaited arrival of the 2024 Volkswagen ID.Buzz in the U.S. is edging closer with the recent sighting of a prototype for the long-wheelbase version bound for these shores later this year. The electric van, which many are calling the spiritual successor to VW’s iconic Microbus, has been on sale in Europe since last fall, though the only version available is the standard-wheelbase model that measures just 185.5 inches in length, or about 1.5 inches shorter than Tesla’s Model Y compact crossover. The U.S. will get as standard this long-wheelbase version, which is expected to have an extra 10 inches…
Buyers in the market for a compelling electric vehicle that won’t break the bank have a great option in the new 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6. The sleek sedan is due at dealerships in spring and has been priced from $42,715, including a $1,115 destination charge. That starting price is for an SE grade with rear-wheel drive, 149 hp, 53 kwh of battery capacity, and an EPA range estimate of 240 miles. This particular option will only be available starting in summer. A smarter buy is the SE grade with rear-wheel drive, 225 hp, 77.4 kwh of battery capacity, and an…
Toyota could start building electric cars in Kentucky as soon as 2025 by updating an existing factory, Nikkei reported Tuesday. The move could allow Toyota vehicles to qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit under new rules, instituted under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), requiring North American assembly of vehicles and battery packs. Toyota previously announced plans to make EV batteries in the U.S. at a new North Carolina factory by 2025. Located in Georgetown, Kentucky, the factory reportedly eyed for EV production opened in 1988. It currently builds Camry Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid models for the main Toyota brand,…