Your Blog

Included page "clone:bagelplot4" does not exist (create it now)

American’s Like it Big and That’s Why the 2019 BMW X7 W - 29 Mar 2019 06:42

Tags:

<h2>The European roads are too small for the X7 because it was conceived for the American ones</h2>
<p>BMW’s customers complained that the new-generation BMW X5 is a bit of a handful in Europe’s bustling cities, that it’s hard to find a parking spot for such land yachts. BMW nodded, looked across the Atlantic to the American coast and promptly designed a bigger truck: the X7.</p>
<blockquote readability="7 &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;It's 203.3 inches long, 78.7 inches wide, and 71.1 inches tall.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;p&gt;That makes it 1.3 inches longer than the Mercedes GLS-Class and, with a wheelbase of 122.2 inches, it’s as roomy as the longer &lt;a class=" _auto"="" href="https://www.topspeed.com/cars/lincoln-navigator/ke465.html" title="Lincoln Navigator Lincoln Navigator]. Indeed, BMW claims that each of the X7’s seats - of which there are 7 - can fit an adult comfortably.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;2019 BMW X7 exterior dimensions&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;“This car is designed for the U.S. market, and you can see that in terms of size, you can see it also in terms of seating configuration," said="" ralph="" mahler,="" the="" bmw="" u.s.="" product="" planning="" and="" strategy="" manager="" to="" <i="">
AutoGuide.
<p></p>
<blockquote readability="12 &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Talking about the seat configuration, you can get the X7 with six seats, or three rows of two seats each, and, if you decide to fold the two back rows, you'll end up with 74.86 cubic-feet of cargo space.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;p&gt;While that’s a lot, it’s still less than the 93.8 cubic-feet of room you’ll find in the GLS-Class once you fold all of the back seats.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;2019 BMW X7 interior dimensions&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;Still, it’s not all about room, even in the case of this truck that was created for the American market. Being a &lt;a class=" _auto"="" href="https://www.topspeed.com/cars/bmw/index115.html" title="BMW BMW], a brand built around the idea of creating ’driver’s cars’, the X7 also goes around like a small car, or at least that’s what Mahler claims. " i="" can="" only="" tell="" you="" because="" are="" not="" able="" to="" drive="" it…="" [but]="" don’t="" feel="" the="" weight="" of="" car,="" it="" is="" a="" true="" bmw="" as="" luxury="" sav,”="" he="" said.="" x7="" an="" sav,="" or="" sport="" activity="" vehicle,="" because,="" puts="" it,="" has="" great="" towing="" capabilities="" and="" perfect="" companion="" if="" want="" go="" kayaking="" take="" your="" bikes="" with="" you.<="">
<p>The basic X7 xDrive40i powered by a turbocharged inline-six brings to the table only 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque.</p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote> - Comments: 0

A $75,000 kit will turn a Porsche 911, Cayman, or Boxst - 26 Mar 2019 06:57

Tags:

<div class="first_image" readability="7 &lt;img name=" tccimg_100673945_m"="" float="none" src="https://images.hgmsites.net/med/porsche-911-carrera_100673945_m.jpg" title="Vonnen Performance Porsche Hybrid system" alt="Vonnen Performance Porsche Hybrid system" width="640" height="320" data-width="1024" data-height="512" data-url="https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/porsche-911-carrera_100673945_l.jpg"></div>
<p>Vonnen Performance Porsche Hybrid system</p>
<p>Porsche doesn't build a 911, Cayman, or Boxster with hybrid power, but a company by the name of Vonnen Performance will change that.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Vonnen&nbsp;is an offshoot of Porsche suspension specialist Elephant Racing, and target=&quot;_blank <em>Road and Track</em> recently spoke with the company to learn more about its upcomming aftermarket hybrid system. The hybrid system works with any Porsche 911, Cayman, or Boxster from 2012 to 2016 and swaps the flywheel for an electric motor. The company also installs a battery pack in the trunk to provide power.</p>
<p>The hybrid system monitors things such as rpm, vehicle speed, and throttle input to know when it should intervene. When it's called upon, the hybrid motor sends power to another motor mounted on the crankshaft for an additional rotating force; the ECU and hybrid system don't interact. According to <em>R&amp;T's</em> conversation with the company, the system mimics the car going down a steep hill.</p>
<p>In total, the system adds 175 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque to any Porsche model. And Vonnen&nbsp;Performance does it by only adding 120 pounds to the car's weight. The minor weight increase comes from removing the stock flywheel, which the a 38-pound electric motor replaces. The company also rips out the starter motor and 12-volt battery since the hybrid system handles both components respective functions. In the back, the 144-cell battery weighs just 80 pounds. All of the modifications don't require any cutting or chopping of the engine and chassis, which is even better news for interested owners.</p>
<p>Finally, the company adds two additional cooling systems for the electric motor and battery, which are in addition to the engine's cooling system. There's a lot going on to make this hybrid system tick. It also isn't cheap, either.</p>
<p>Vonnen&nbsp;Performance said it's working on a development car still, but the package should retail for $75,000 for all the necessary components. Such a sum could probably add more power in other manners, but a &quot;Stage II&quot; upgrade is also in the works. That system will add 350 hp to the car. Of course, you could alternatively wait until Porsche gets around to launching its </p> - Comments: 0

Tesla without Musk? SEC suit raises unthinkable prospec - 23 Mar 2019 05:41

Tags:

<div class="article-main-content" data-swiftype-index="true" readability="55.194159004868 &lt;p&gt;&lt;span class=" main-image"="" text-content1"="" date="" updated:="" 9="" 8="" 2:30="" pm="" et="" -="" adds="" details<="" pan="">
<p></p>
<p>It is nearly impossible to imagine Tesla Inc. <strong>target=&quot;_blank without Elon Musk</strong> — its chairman, CEO, largest shareholder and public face.</p>
<p>But the Securities and Exchange Commission's lawsuit Thursday has raised questions about the executive's future at the clean-energy company, sending shares spiraling.</p>
<p>The agency accuses Musk, 47, of misleading investors with his infamous Aug. 7 tweet about taking Tesla private, and seeks to ban him from serving as a director or officer.</p>
<p>That <strong>target=&quot;_blank possibility</strong>, however remote, cast a pall on the final days of a rocky quarter and is likely to renew concerns about Tesla's lack of an operating chief or a clear No. 2.</p>
<p>This weekend was supposed to be a celebratory milestone, with thousands of Model 3 sedans finally making their way to customers at delivery centers across the country as the company made a final push to achieve sustainable profits. But once again, drama surrounding Musk is taking center stage.</p>
<p>&quot;If Elon Musk resigns or is not the CEO, Tesla is a fundamentally different company that is less attractive to us,&quot; said Ross Gerber, CEOof Gerber Kawasaki in Santa Monica, Calif., which holds Tesla stock.</p>
<p>Reuters sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said that while Musk was ready to go to trial he could still settle. They did not discuss possible terms.</p>
<h3 class="title [http://www.autonews.com/article/20180928/OEM/309289965/%7B%7Blink_url%7D%7D" target="_blank title]&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p class=" abstract="" &#13;="" abstract&#13;="" <br=""></h3>target=&quot;_blank&quot; class=&quot;read-more Read more &gt;
<p></p>
</div> /content
<p>CNBC reported that Musk had turned down an SEC deal to give up his role as chairman, while Fox Business News reported that Musk had been offered a temporary ban as CEO.</p>
<p>Musk has hired Stephen Best at Brown Rudnick, who successfully defended internet billionaire Mark Cuban in an insider trading case, according to people familiar with the plans who also asked not to be identified. He also hired former Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Clark of Latham &amp; Watkins to defend him in the case, the people said.</p>
<p>Tesla shares plummeted nearly 14 percent, or $41.87, to $265.59 in mid-afternoon trading Friday in New York.</p>
<p>Aside from the drama surrounding Musk's tweet saying Tesla may go private — and his decision less than three weeks later to stay public — the company has been grappling with the departure of several top executives, most recently Liam O'Connor, vice president of global supply chain management, and Justin McAnear, vice president of worldwide finance. The Justice Department has also opened a fraud investigation.</p>
<p>Tesla and its board &quot;are fully confident in Elon, his integrity, and his leadership of the company,&quot; they said in a joint statement Thursday. &quot;Our focus remains on the continued ramp of Model 3 production and delivering for our customers, shareholders and employees.&quot;</p>
<p><strong>Big sales</strong></p>
<p>Tesla has recently emerged from months of what Musk called &quot;production hell&quot; to &quot;delivery logistics hell.&quot; The company is in a race to get its key Model 3 vehicles to customers by the end of the third quarter, which will likely lead to &quot;huge&quot; sales figures just as some investors flee with the SEC suit, Gerber said.</p>
<p>&quot;Tesla is going to blow the sales numbers out of the water, but Elon's stress and meltdowns over these past months have had a real impact on the company,&quot; he said.</p>
<p>Musk was uncharacteristically silent on Twitter Thursday, but said in an emailed statement that &quot;this unjustified action by the SEC leaves me deeply saddened and disappointed.&quot; Tesla's board, which includes Musk's brother Kimbal Musk, is widely seen by corporate governance experts as being closely aligned with the CEO. The company itself wasn't targeted in the lawsuit.</p>
<p>&quot;This was clearly a self-inflicted wound and it comes at a time that is critical for Tesla, which doesn't need any more challenges,&quot; said Michelle Krebs, senior analyst with researcher AutoTrader. &quot;They're under financial pressure to turn things around and facing an onslaught of new competitors.&quot;</p>
<p><strong>'Visionary' role</strong></p>
<p>In the spring, shareholders rejected a proposal to split Musk's role as chairman and CEO and awarded him an unprecedented compensation package that paves the way for him to stay at the company.</p>
<p>&quot;There's a 50-50 chance Musk gets removed as CEO but there's a 95 percent chance that he stays at the company,&quot; said Gene Munster of Loup Ventures. &quot;I think the SEC lawsuit has scared people. This may give the board the backbone to put Musk in a visionary role. Shareholders want him to stay on as the visionary.&quot;</p>
<p>Tesla makes the Model S sedan, Model X SUV and the Model 3 at its lone auto plant in Fremont, Calif. The company has huge ambitions to disrupt not just the auto industry but the energy markets by selling large batteries to utilities. Musk has a laundry list of big, capital-intensive projects on his to-do list: a factory in China, a semi truck, a Model Y crossover vehicle, self-driving technology and a solar roof product that is still being developed.</p>
<p>Tesla's lofty market valuation — $52 billion at the close Thursday — hinges on the expectation that Musk will deliver on those goals, said Maryann Keller, an independent auto industry consultant who used to be on the former Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group board.</p>
<p>Tesla also has more than $10 billion of debt, but only $2.2 billion in cash on its balance sheet as of the end of the second quarter. Musk traditionally has had little trouble raising money on Wall Street.</p>
<p>&quot;Without Elon, Tesla would be a debt-laden automaker that's burning a ton of cash,&quot; said David Whiston, an analyst with Morningstar Inc. in Chicago.</p>
<p>&quot;There's a ton of risk for the stock because the Tesla story is all about continuing to gain access to the capital markets,&quot; he said. &quot;As a potential investor, do you really want to invest in this company without Elon Musk? Personally, I think it would be very dangerous to do so.&quot;</p>

bmw-x2-cg-mondial-paris-2016-10_1.jpg

Source: http://www.autonews.com/article/20180928/OEM/309289965/tesla-without-musk-sec-suit-raises-unthinkable-prospect - Comments: 0

Porsche Tops Luxury Sales Satisfaction; Genesis Places - 14 Mar 2019 06:30

Tags:

<p>Buying a car is more than just handing over your hard-earned cash and driving away into the sunset. The car-buying experience today is rarely easy; however, that doesn’t mean dealerships aren’t trying to reduce the hassle. According to J.D. Power and its U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index Study, communication is key between customer and dealership during a car-buying transaction. One key area dealerships can excel? Texting. According to the study, custom satisfaction rises when dealerships text. Thank you, Millennials and your ever-increasing fear of talking to someone on the phone.<span class="Apple-converted-space &nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;The study, which you can read in its entirety [https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2018-us-sales-satisfaction-index-ssi-study" target="_self here], studies customers satisfaction when buying a car from a dealership. The study then ranks each brand to see which has the most satisfied car-buying customers. It’s little surprise that luxury automakers excel over mainstream brands thanks to customers spending more money, which allows them more perks and a more comfortable car-buying experience.&lt;span class=" apple-converted-space=""  <="" pan=""></span></p> - Comments: 0

Has the conversation on sexism changed? Take our new su - 11 Mar 2019 05:13

Tags:

<p>Last year, we published a project looking at sexism in the auto industry, and now we'd like to see whether the conversation has changed.</p>
<p>We here at <em>Automotive News </em>have received a lot of feedback in the year since <strong>Project XX</strong> was published, from women and men in the industry who say they were relieved to have an opening to talk frankly about sexism and workplace issues. We've met many people at events who took the survey, and we'd love to hear from those of you we didn't get to talk to in person.</p>
<p>Last year's survey was aided by researchers from a project called the Elephant in the Valley, which surveyed women in Silicon Valley to find out how gender issues have affected their work. This year's survey is intended to see whether anything has changed.</p>
<p>Like last year, this survey is anonymous, but there is a link at the end to share contact information if you're willing to talk to a reporter.</p>
<p>We encourage you to take the survey before Nov. 4 at <strong>autonews.com/projectxx2018survey</strong>.</p>

Source: http://www.autonews.com/article/20181015/OEM02/181019777/project-xx-survey-elephant-in-the-vally

2017-08-30-07-09-07.jpg - Comments: 0

KLIMS18: Hyundai Kona Electric, 1.6 Turbo on show – ICE - 02 Mar 2019 05:39

Tags:

<p>rel=&quot;attachment wp-att-892374 [[image https://s2.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-1.6-Turbo-1-630x420.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;630&quot; height=&quot;420&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-892374&quot; srcset=&quot;https://s2.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-1.6-Turbo-1-630x420.jpg 630w, https://s2.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-1.6-Turbo-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://s3.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-1.6-Turbo-1-850x567.jpg 850w&quot; sizes=&quot;(max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px&quot;/&gt;</p>
<p>Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) is putting on a big show at the KL International Motor Show (KLIMS) 2018. On the brand’s stand, there are new models for Malaysia (rel=&quot;noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank Santa Fe, Grand Starex facelift), cars that showcase the company’s eco-friendly tech prowess (Nexo FCEV, Kona Electric), interest gauging models (Accent) and even an N corner with the i30 N hot hatch. In this post, we’ll focus on the Kona.</p>
<p>The South Korean carmaker’s rel=&quot;noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank compact SUV for millennials first surfaced in June last year. Sitting below the Santa Fe and rel=&quot;noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank Tucson SUVs, the Kona sports bold design befitting its positioning. The face, which reminds us of the rel=&quot;noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank Citroen C4 Cactus, has slit-like LED daytime running lights sitting separately above the LED main beams, which flank the corporate Cascading Grille. Fog lamps on a narrow lower intake make it three tiers of grilles and lights.</p>
<p>The rear adopts the same tiered layout for the lamps. Hyundai says that visual relationship between the “composite lamps”, the Cascading Grille and the unique “body armour” results in a distinct character, and we don’t disagree. Note the integration of the wheel arch part of the black armour with the lower lamp surrounds, front and rear. There’s also a black “floating roof”.</p>
<p>rel=&quot;attachment wp-att-892391 [[image https://s2.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-1.6-Turbo-18-630x420.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;630&quot; height=&quot;420&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-892391&quot; srcset=&quot;https://s2.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-1.6-Turbo-18-630x420.jpg 630w, https://s2.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-1.6-Turbo-18-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://s3.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-1.6-Turbo-18-850x567.jpg 850w&quot; sizes=&quot;(max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px&quot;/&gt;</p>
<p>The Kona is 4,165 mm long and 1,800 mm wide; which makes it 129 mm shorter than a Honda HR-V, but 28 mm wider. Its roof is also 55 lower to the ground than the Honda, which gives the Korean a good stance. The wheelbase is 2,600 mm, which is just 10 mm short of the Honda, the sales and space champ of the class.</p>
<p>The Kona is available with a couple of engines globally, and among them are a 2.0 litre MPI, 1.0 litre T-GDI three-cylinder and a 1.6 litre Gamma T-GDI. The latter – with 177 PS, 265 Nm of torque, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox – is displayed here in lime green. It does 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 205 km/h.</p>
<p>Available equipment include a head-up display (HUD) with navigation, a premium sound system by Krell, wireless charging and Hyundai’s full suite of active safety and driver assist systems, as seen in our rel=&quot;noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank Ioniq Hybrid. Nice interior accents colour coded with the chosen exterior shade, too. </p>
<p>rel=&quot;attachment wp-att-892342 [[image https://s2.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-Electric-2-630x420.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;630&quot; height=&quot;420&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-medium wp-image-892342&quot; srcset=&quot;https://s2.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-Electric-2-630x420.jpg 630w, https://s3.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-Electric-2-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://s3.paultan.org/image/2018/11/KLIMS18_Hyundai_Kona-Electric-2-850x567.jpg 850w&quot; sizes=&quot;(max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px&quot;/&gt;</p>
<p>The battery-powered rel=&quot;noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank Kona Electric was released in February this year in production form. One of the most impressive mass market EVs on sale today, it packs a 64 kWh battery and is good for a claimed driving range of up to 482 km. Maximum output is 204 PS/395 Nm, pushing the EV from 0-100 km/h in a swift 7.6 seconds. There’s also a basic version with a 39.2 kWh battery, good for 300 km and 135 PS.</p>
<p>Charging the lithium-ion polymer battery up to 80% takes about 54 minutes using a 100 kW DC (CCS) fast charger. With the 7.2 kW on-board-charger, charging with AC (Type 2) takes nine hours 40 minutes for the bigger battery pack and six hours 10 minutes for the shorter-range battery pack. </p>
<p>The Kona Electric is on sale elsewhere, but its maiden appearance in Malaysia is purely as a technological showcase, along with the company’s ultimate tech flagship – the rel=&quot;noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank Nexo fuel cell EV. As for the internal combustion engined Kona, HSDM does have plans to bring it in, and the target window is Q2 2019. However, the choice of powertrain – 2.0 NA, 1.6T or even both – is yet to be determined. This one against the Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR and Mazda CX-3 – what do you think?</p>
<p><strong>GALLERY: Hyundai Kona Electric</strong>
</p>

<strong>GALLERY: Hyundai Kona 1.6 Turbo</strong>

<!— <div class="cleaner &nbsp;</div> —>
<p class="tags &lt;strong&gt;Tags:&lt;/strong&gt; [https://paultan.org/tags/klims-2018/" rel="tag KLIMS 2018]&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Source: https://paultan.org/2018/11/22/klims18-hyundai-kona-electric-1-6-turbo-on-show-ice-version-set-for-q2-2019-malaysian-debut/&lt;br/&gt;[[image http://www.voss.de/files/vo_100_standorte-weltweit/VOSS_India_Chennai_plant_(1).JPG"></p> - Comments: 0


Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License