All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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Chrysler Pacifica PHEV produced in 100k copies

In 2016, Chrysler introduced a plug-in hybrid version of its higher-end minivan, the Chrysler Pacifica. It took just seven years for the company to produce 100k copies of the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV.

Once very popular in Europe, minivans are a rarity today, but in the US they are still very common on the road. The Chrysler Pacifica PHEV is the only plug-in hybrid minivan that qualifies for the full $7,500 federal tax credit, and when you add in other tax credits, it’s easy to see why demand for this car continues.

Early last year, the company announced that it would go all-electric by 2028, with a long-term goal of producing more than 25 electric vehicles in the United States by 2030. Chrysler’s upcoming crossover is one of those 25, and it’s an SUV based on the STLA Large platform. Chrysler’s first electric vehicle was supposed to be based on the Airflow concept, but the concept was stopped due to design.

Another car manufacturer from the Stellantis Group, Jeep, has so far presented two electric vehicles intended for the American market. The Recon, which will go into production next year as a 2025 model, and the Wagoneer S, with a range of 400 miles. Both models will be produced at the Windsor plant.

Source: Chrysler

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BMW M3 CS Limited Edition at the Nürburgring Nordschleife

The world’s most famous race track where car companies bring their sports cars to show their real potential and compete against the competition is the Nürburgring Nordschleife. This time it hosted one of the BMW cars, the BMW M3 CS Limited Edition.

BMW M3 CS Limited Edition at the Nürburgring Nordschleife

M3 CS Limited Edition is powered by a 3.0L inline-six biturbo engine with 550 hp (405 kW) and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque. That is more power compared to the standard M3 Competition, which has 510 hp (375 kW), but also 34 kg less. Power is sent to all wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. It reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.4 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 302 km/h (188 mph).

The car is equipped with lightweight components such as a carbon hood, a titanium exhaust system, carbon front seat shells, and ultra-light 19 and 20-inch reinforced rims wrapped in 275/35/19 (front) and 285/30/20 (rear) Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2.

When it comes to the time achieved on the track, the BMW M3 CS Limited Edition covered the 22.8 kilometer long track in 7:28.760. That’s faster than the time achieved by the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde, as well as the BMW M5 CS.

Source: Nürburgring via YouTube

Gallery:

BMW M3 CS Limited Edition at the Nürburgring Nordschleife
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Attempt failed, driver survived

In the past, we have seen different situations where some have tried to do the almost impossible with cars, like the Top Gear team that tried to destroy a Toyota Hilux 12 years ago. A similar failed attempt took place in Russia where a famous Russian stuntman from a Lada Niva tried to jump from one building roof to another.

The Top Gear team placed the car on top of a building that was being prepared for demolition. After the controlled explosion and demolition of the 23-story building, Toyota Hilux was smashed and bashed almost beyond recognition. However, using basic tools, the mechanic succeeded and started the engine. Unbelievable.

Well, the Russian team was not so successful in their attempt. Their crazy attempt with a driver in a car, unlike the Top Gear crew, did not go as well as they had hoped. Evgeny Chebotarev and his team were too ambitious. The car was not powerful enough to reach the required speed in a short distance, so instead of landing on another building, the Lada hit a wall and fell from the top of the three-story building to the ground. After the fall, the car looked destroyed, luckily the driver was uninjured.

The attempt failed, the driver survived.

Source: NewsX Russia Today via YouTube