All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

2023 Audi Q9 is coming soon

After last month’s presentation of the Audi Q6, the Ingolstadt-based company announced the arrival of a new SUV model, the Audi Q9, as well as a new version of the existing models. The new model should be a competitor to the BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS.

The Audi Q9 will hit the market in the next three years, and could be the last with an internal combustion engine before Audi becomes an all-electric brand. When it comes to other SUV models, the Audi Q8 could get a hybrid version next year, while refreshes are also expected for the Q3, Q5 and Q7 models.

Fulfilling the goal of complete electrification, for the next few years Audi has announced the arrival of several new fully electric models such as the Q4 E-tron, A6 E-tron, Artemis project EV.

As for the rest of Audi’s range, the A3, A4, A5 and A7 could get new design solutions, A6 driver assistance technology and a mild hybrid engine, while the A8 will remain the same. The destiny of the Audi TT is questionable, since the company has not announced a new generation, nor electrification. Also, the Audi R8 will soon become electric, which means that the V10 engine will become a thing of the past.

2023 Audi Q6

Source: Audi

Hybrid, News

2023 Rodin FZERO is a new hypercar

The Rodin FZERO is a new supercar made by Rodin Cars. It is a limited edition racing car that will be produced in only 27 examples, and the first deliveries are expected next summer.

Although it looks big, the FZERO weighs less than 700 kg thanks to the carbon body. It is equipped with a carbon fiber composite chassis, titanium 3D printed hydraulic cylinders to actively maintain ride height and aerodynamic performance, springs actuated via pushrod & rocker arrangements, hydraulic ride height control, a set of 18-inch magnesium OZ Racing rims wrapped in Avon tires, and carbon- ceramic brakes with 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston rear calipers. Inside, there is a single seat with a 6 point FIA F1™ safety harness.

When it comes to the powertrain, the hypercar is powered by a 4.0-liter V10 twin-turbo engine with 986 hp (725 kW) and 671 lb-ft (910 Nm) of torque which, in combination with an electric motor with 130 kW and 86 lb-ft (116 Nm), delivering a total of 1,160 hp (853 kW) @ 9,000 rpm and 757 lb-ft (1,026 Nm) of torque @ 7,250 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via an eight-speed sequential titanium gearbox. The Rodin FZERO boasts a top speed of 223 mph (360 km/h).

Source: Rodin Cars

EV, News

2023 Porsche Taycan Turbo S is the king of the Nürburgring

In 2019, the Porsche Taycan Turbo S set the fastest lap time among production cars with 7 minutes and 42 seconds on the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife. Many have tried to drive faster than the Taycan Turbo S but without success, until last year when a new record was set by the Tesla Model S Plaid. It was a sign for Porsche to come back and show its power.

The basic Porsche Taycan Turbo S is powered by two electric motors with a total power of 750 hp (560 kW) and 774 lb-ft (1,050 Nm) of torque. It reaches 62 mph in 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 161 mph (260 km/h). However, this was not enough, so the Stuttgart-based company equipped the car with a new performance package and PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) system, which will be available for the new 2023 model at a price of 13,377 EUR.

The car was additionally equipped with racing seats and a roll cage, and test driver Lars Kern was behind the wheel of the Porsche Taycan Turbo S. The rest of the equipment was standard as in the base model, which meant that the car had the same weight. The new fastest lap time among electric production cars is 2 seconds faster than the Tesla Model S Plaid, 7 minutes and 33 seconds.

If we talk about the fastest cars on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in general, they are the Nio EP9 with 6 minutes and 45 seconds (2017) and the VW ID. R with 6 minutes and 5 seconds (2019).

Source: Porsche