All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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2025 BMW X3 (G45)

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The Bavarian manufacturer has revealed the fourth generation of the X3 which is now bigger, better equipped and with a mild hybrid system and a new plug-in drive option, the BMW X3 G45.

With a refreshed two-volume body, the new X3 is slightly larger and wider than its predecessor (G01) but with the same wheelbase. It comes with new 19″, 20″ and 21″ rims, but also a few details that are reserved for the most powerful version of the M50, whose cabin is decorated with special seats and elements in the familiar colors of the M division. The car is spacious and now offers a luggage space of 570 liters. When when it comes to price, the new generation ranges from 65,230 to 82,500 euros.

The X3 has received upgraded petrol options with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, and the plug-in petrol option has also been upgraded. Each X3 comes paired with xDrive and an 8-speed automatic transmission, with the M50 at the top of the range powered by a 3.0-L inline-6 ​​turbo gasoline engine assisted by a mild hybrid system that produces 398 hp (297 kW) and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) of torque. That’s enough power to push the car to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The BMW X3 (30e) is powered by a 2.0-L four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine combined with an electric motor for a total output of 299 hp (223 kW) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. It is equipped with a 19.7 kWh battery that ensures a range of up to 90 kilometers (WLTP) without the assistance of an internal combustion engine. Another option is a 2.0-L four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine with 255 hp (190 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque.

The cheapest option is a 2.0-L four-cylinder turbo petrol with 190 hp (142 kW) and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque, which is enough to get the car to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.8 seconds with the top speed of 215 km/h (133 mph).

Diesel fans will have to settle for just one option, a 2.0-L four-cylinder engine with 197 hp (147 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque.

Source: BMW

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2025 BMW X3 (G45)
EV

2025 Audi RS e-tron GT Performance – the most powerful Audi ever

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Four years ago Audi launched a battery electric car Audi e-tron GT, and a year later a more sporty RS version arrived on the market. Now is the time for more powerful refreshed editions and the new RS Performance flagship.

First of all, the Audi e-tron GT is now known as the S e-tron GT. It is powered by two electric motors with a total power of 680 hp (507 kW), which is more than the current RS e-tron GT. Also, the new RS e-tron GT is more powerful than its predecessor and now has 857 hp (639 kW), while the new flagship RS e-tron GT Performance is at the top of the range and the most powerful Audi ever with 925 hp (690 kW). This had a significant impact on acceleration, so now the S e-tron GT reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds (0.1 second faster than the current RS version) with a top speed of 245 km/h ( 152 mph). The RS e-tron GT accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), while the RS e-tron GT Performance reaches 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds .

In order to withstand the increase in power, Audi‘s engineers improved the air suspension as well as the optional active suspension, new brakes with steel discs were installed in the S e-tron GT, while the RS models have discs coated with tungsten carbide. Customers can also choose carbon-ceramic discs and 10-piston front brake calipers (optional).

All versions are equipped with a 97 kWh battery that allows a range of 609 km on a single battery charge in ideal conditions. The maximum charging speed has been increased from 270 to 320 kW, which means that the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes, while a ten-minute charge is enough for a range of 280 km. The battery improvements also mean that it can maintain a charging speed of more than 280 kWh for longer than the old model. Also, the battery can be cooled or heated for faster charging.

The cabin has also undergone certain changes. New seats, a new steering wheel and an optional panoramic glass roof, which can become opaque with the simple push of a button, have been installed. Audi’s virtual cockpit has also been upgraded, and there’s a new mix of materials including wood accents, Dinamica microfibre and optional 18-way adjustable seats.

When it comes to price, the S e-tron GT costs 126,000 euros, while the RS e-tron GT is slightly more expensive and costs 147,500 euros. For the most powerful Audi ever, the RS e-tron GT Performance, it is necessary to allocate 160,500 euros.

Source: Audi

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2025 Audi RS e-tron GT Performance - the most powerful Audi ever
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Are autonomous vehicles safer than vehicles driven by human beings?

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Are autonomous vehicles safer than vehicles driven by human beings? Some research shows they are, but there are always exceptions. An analysis of over 37,000 traffic accidents showed that only 2,100 cases involved vehicles with a high degree of or complete autonomy. Also, it should be pointed out that some data in the accidents that occurred are not complete, but it was enough to establish that the computer is a better driver than a person.

The research was conducted by Mohamed Abdel-Aty and Shengxuan Ding from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, and they took as an example situations with pedestrians that are most often cited when talking about the bad characteristics of autonomous driving. When a man was behind the wheel, 15% of collisions were with pedestrians, and when the vehicle was controlled by a computer, only 3%. Also, 1/5 of accidents occur due to human carelessness, while in as many as 3/4 of direct collisions, the cause is human.

The advantage of the computer is particularly pronounced in conditions of poor visibility when a person can see barely 10 – 15 meters in front of the vehicle, while the sensors show the condition up to a hundred meters in front of the vehicle. However, the sensors are not reliable in some situations, so the presence of the driver is decisive and safer in such circumstances, e.g. during sunset and sunrise. During the analysis, an additional problem was that both man and computer drive too well in today’s cars, so there is a possibility of a collision every 100 thousand kilometers.

Human beings have one great advantage, and that is situations when they will better assess and react, such as unforeseen circumstances. This is not the case with a computer, which will often block an ambulance or someone’s free access to the road.

Source: Deutsche Welle