All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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Ford has started production of the Explorer EV in Europe

June 6, 2024 Francis Mitterrand

Ford has officially started production of the electric Explorer EV at its factory in Germany. Ford invested almost two billion euros in this factory, as part of the transition to electric vehicles. The goal is to produce 250,000 electric cars a year, including the production of this compact SUV.

The car was originally supposed to be launched in September 2023, but due to the introduction of new battery standards, the production of this model was postponed. At the factory in Cologne, Ford produced the Fiesta model, but production was suspended last year in order to release full capacity for the production of the Ford Explorer EV.

This may not be the best time for Ford to start production of a new electric car considering that demand for EVs is on the decline. However, the American manufacturer expects good sales results.

Ford is considering selling gasoline and hybrid cars in Europe after 2030, which is the opposite of the original plan that only included electric vehicles. Also, demand for hybrids has increased in recent years, prompting automakers to reduce investment in EVs. The lack of charging infrastructure in Europe contributed to this, as well as the invasion of Chinese electric cars, which have been causing headaches for other manufacturers for a long time.

Source: Reuters

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2025 BMW 1 Series F70

June 5, 2024 Francis Mitterrand

A few days ago, BMW revealed the new generation of the 1 Series subcompact car, which has been on the market since 2004. It is the fourth generation of this model and the successor to the F40, the BMW 1 Series F70.

The car is somewhat more robust than its predecessor, but with the same wheelbase of 2670 mm. It is equipped with a new front grill with vertical slats interrupted by angled bars, redesigned headlights with a matrix LED high-beam and blue inserts, while the rear LED lights look like those of the current X2 model. It sits on newly designed 17- to 19-inch wheels, and buyers will be able to choose from seven metallic and two solid colors, plus four individual body colors. For the first time, a two-tone body combination with a black roof is also offered.

In the cabin, multimedia system iDrive 9, 10.25-inch driver’s display, and 10.7-inch touchscreen. Most of the conventional controls have been removed, and the previous automatic transmission lever has been replaced by a smaller selector. The seats are wrapped in Arktur fabric. Optional equipment includes sports seats covered in Econeer fabric or a combination of artificial leather (Veganza) and Alcantara, a panoramic glass roof that slides electrically, a Harman Kardon surround sound system, and a head-up display.

BMW 1 Series (118d) is powered by a 2.0-L four-cylinder engine with 150 hp (110 kW) and 360 Nm (265 lb-ft) of torque, which is enough power to push the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.3 seconds with a top speed of 222 km/h (138 mph).

Version 120 is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter in combination with 48-volt mild hybrid technology with a total power of 170 hp (125 kW) and 280 Nm (206 lb-ft) of torque. That’s enough for a sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 140 mph (226 km/h).

The 120d version is powered by a 2.0-L four-cylinder turbodiesel engine combined with a 48-volt mild hybrid system with an output of 163 hp (120 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. It has the same top speed as the 118d version, but it is faster than the sprint by 0.4 seconds. It should be noted that all versions come with front-wheel drive and a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The top of the range is the M135 version powered by a 2.0-L four-cylinder biturbo engine with 300 hp (224 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. With adaptive drive on both axles (xDrive), the M135 reaches 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Sales start in October.

Source: BMW

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1973 Porsche 911T Targa owned by the same person for 51 years

June 4, 2024 Francis Mitterrand

Well-preserved Porsche cars are really rare, and if it’s a car owned by the first buyer, that makes them even more valuable. Such is the case with this 1973 Porsche 911T Targa.

Richard, the owner of this beautiful Porsche, bought the car 51 years ago. On his YouTube account, he told the story of all the details and modifications he made to the car over the years. He bought the car in February 1973 for about $8,000 with the S option costing him an additional $10,000.

He has many memories and stories attached to this car. One of them happened in 1974 when he and his girlfriend, driving early in the morning in Los Angeles, hit a deer. Entering a slow corner, he saw a deer sitting in the middle of the road. He couldn’t stop fast enough so he slightly hit the deer. She fell on the bonnet, got up and left. She left a dent in the bonnet, but that didn’t stop them from finishing the ride.

In 1986 he moved to San Diego and the car stayed in storage for about 5 years. Thanks to Alan Jonson Racing in San Diego, he did some modifications that gave him the ability to do some autocross and some time trials. Modifications included the installation of wider 73 RS flyer fenders, chrome parts from 1973 Carrera RS on the sides of the rear bumper, rear 16-inch wheels from 1986 930 Turbo, front rear 16-inch wheels from 1986 944 Turbo. Richard decided to use acrylic paint for the reverse lights to look like the yellow lights on the models sold in Europe. This example of the 911T Targa model also has an aluminum tailgate, and up front there is a bumper from the 911S, while the aftermarket headlights contain less chrome than the original set.

Also, the door sills are from the RS model, and the trunk still has the original carpet. There is also the tool kit that came with the car, as well as the original jack, instructions for use, certificate of authenticity, stickers on the windows and complete service documentation.

Inside, most of the interior is original except for the seats, steering wheel, radio, sun visor and floor mats.

When it comes to the powertrain, this 911T Targa is powered by a 3.2-L engine with 270 hp (201 kW). The engine was taken from a 1986 Porsche 911 with about 40,000 kilometers traveled.