All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

2023 Fiat 600e

Fiat will present a small electric crossover, the Fiat 600e, by the end of the year. And before the premiere, the Italian manufacturer shared a video of the exterior and interior of this model.

This is not the first time that Fiat has shown an electric SUV without camouflage, as we could see it last month during the filming of promotional shots. However, this time we have a better insight into this model from different angles.

Although some thought that the Fiat 600e would replace the larger 500X model, this will not happen because with the new generation, the 500X moves into the compact segment, leaving room for a new electric crossover. As expected, Fiat has kept the distinctive design of the 500 model, with some new additions, and the car will be built on the same platform as the Jeep Avenger. It will be powered by an electric motor with 154 hp (113 kW) and 192 lb-ft (260 Nm) of torque, and will be equipped with a 54 kWh battery.

In some markets, the Fiat 600 will also be offered with a 1.2L three-cylinder turbo engine with 100 hp (74 kW), which will be paired with a manual transmission.

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2023 Fiat 600e

Source: Fiat

News

BMW M Series is giving up on dual-clutch transmission (DCT)

BMW is giving up on the dual-clutch transmission (DCT), but will still offer manual transmissions in several models at least until the end of the decade. This news was recently confirmed by Dirk Hacker, BMW M’s head of development.

Research and user experience have shown that today’s classic automatic transmissions are a better and more comfortable solution for everyday use in different conditions.

The first model that will not use a dual-clutch transmission is the new generation BMW M5, which will arrive soon. Power will be transmitted through an 8-speed automatic transmission that was already offered with the current M2, M3 and M4 CSL models. Hacker also stressed that DCT transmissions will likely still be available for some BMW models, but not the M-badged ones.

The BMW M5 is still in the development and testing phase, and its arrival is expected early next year. Although there is not much information about the performance of this model, some rumors say that the new generation could be a hybrid, mentioning a combination of a twin-turbo V8 engine and a single electric motor with a total output of 644 hp (474 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque in the entry version, and 738 hp (543 kW) and 737 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) in the XM Red Label model. As a reminder, the current BMW M5 is powered by a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine with 617 hp (454 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque.

Source: BMW

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BMW M Series is giving up on dual clutch transmission (DCT)
Tuning

Spofec Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II with 685 HP

When the Rolls-Royce Phantom was unveiled in 2017, the British car manufacturer did not plan a sports car but a full-sized luxury limousine. However, the German tuner Novitec presented the Spofec Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II, equipped with a special equipment kit that raises the car’s performance to a higher level.

First and most important, the engine. The car is powered by a twin-turbo 6.75L V12 engine with 685 hp (504 kW) and 745 lb-ft (1,010 Nm) of torque. The increase in power is achieved thanks to a plug-and-play control module with injection and ignition maps, as well as a modified turbine pressure control. As a reminder, the standard Phantom has 563 hp (420 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. It reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds faster than the standard model.

At first glance, the most attention-grabbing are the polished and brushed 24″ SPOFEC SP3 (Vossen) wheels wrapped in 295/30 R24 tires, while other carbon components give a sporty-elegant look. These include a new front fascia, a new spoiler that reduces the lift of the front axle, and a new one-piece panel with a subtle wing on the trunk lid.

The car is equipped with a modified adaptive air suspension that allows it to be lowered by an additional 40 mm compared to the standard model. When the car moves at a speed of more than 140 km/h, the suspension returns to its original level.

Gallery:

Spofec Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II with 685 HP

Source: Novitec