All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Production of EVs will be cheaper in the years to come

The price of new electric cars is on the rise, but new production methods accompanied by new innovations are predicted to bring prices down in the coming years. This would mean that the production of EVs will be cheaper than the production of ICE cars.

This prediction is based on the gigacasting process, in which, with the help of a huge press, large parts of the body are cast in one piece, instead of using dozens of welds and fasteners. Tesla was the first to use this method of producing components, and the fact that thanks to this method the Tesla Model Y was produced in 10 hours, instead of the 30 hours required for the production of the VW ID.3, shows how much of a difference it makes.

However, this method will increase the cost of car maintenance and repair. By 2027, the average cost of repairing an EV’s body and battery after a car accident is predicted to be 30 percent more expensive. This could mean the end of every damaged car, as it will be more profitable for owners to buy a new one than to repair a damaged vehicle.

Also, the price of vehicle insurance will rise, so some insurance companies will avoid providing insurance for some cars.

Source: Reuters

Auctions

2008 Tyrrell P34 is up for auction

In 1975, the American racing team Tyrrell Racing Organization introduced the strangest Formula 1 car ever produced, the Tyrrell P34. It is a six-wheeler that proved successful in its first season and led other teams to start thinking about designing their own six-wheeled platforms. However, in 1978, the project was abandoned and Formula 1 stipulated that cars must have four wheels. One example of this car, the 2008 Tyrrell P34 will be auctioned.

The car is owned by former motor racing driver Jody Scheckter, Formula 1 champion in the 1979 season. He is the only driver from the continent of Africa to have won a Formula One race or the World Drivers’ Championship. In his 8-year career (1972-1980), he achieved 10 victories, 33 podiums, 3 pole positions and 5 fastest laps.

The Tyrrell P34 was designed by Derek Gardner, Tyrrell’s chief designer. He believed that the car could have smaller wheels under the wings, while another pair of wheels would compensate for the reduced contact surface of the smaller ones. His plan was also to reduce air resistance compared to rivals that used larger tires. Also, he thought that additional wheels would enable better braking, which did not prove to be a good solution on the track.

“The braking should have been better and it was on the straights, but as soon as you turned, the little wheels would slip and you would have to let off the pedal, so there was no advantage,” Scheckter previously told Motor Sport.

The cockpit is designed so that through transparent panels the driver can better position the car in turns, see the tires and monitor their consumption.

The Tyrrell P34 is powered by a Ford-Cosworth DFV 3.0-liter V8 engine with over 475 hp (354 kW) @10,000 rpm.

The car will be auctioned in Monaco on May 11, 2024 and the estimated value is between €450,000 – €650,000 EUR.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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2008 Tyrrell P34 is up for auction
EV

2025 Lotus Emeya starts at 106,400 euros

In September 2023, Lotus premiered its first all-electric coupe limousine, the Lotus Emeya, with a few photos, without revealing many details about the car. Delivery starts in Q3, and now we know how much it will cost.

Lotus Emeya is powered by two electric motors with a total output of 905 hp (666 kW) and 726 lb-ft (985 Nm) of torque. It reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.78 seconds with a top speed of 256 km/h (159 mph). It is equipped with a 102 kWh battery which, thanks to a 350kW DC fast charger, enables a range of 150 kilometers in 5 minutes of charging. The battery will be charged to 80 percent in just 18 minutes.

Buyers will be able to choose from six body colors: Boreal Grey, Fireglow Orange, Solar Yellow, Akoya White, Stellar Black and Kaimu Grey. The car in the photos is finished in Solar Yellow with contrasting black A-pillars that “blend” with the black roof. At the back are a thin light bar that extends along the entire length, and an active rear wing that increases downforce and improves handling at high speeds.

Inside, the driver-focused cockpit is equipped with carbon fiber seats trimmed in white luxury sustainable upcycled fabric, which combined with black fabric covers parts of the dashboard and door panels. In front of the driver are the steering wheel with the lower flat part, as well as the centrally located display.

When it comes to price, Emeya will be offered in three versions: Emeya, Emeya S and Emeya R. The price of the entry model starts at 106,400 euros, the Emeya S starts at 126,950 euros, and the Emeya R starts at 150,990 euros.

Source: Lotus

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2025 Lotus Emeya starts at 106,400 euros
2025 Lotus Emeya