All posts by Francis Mitterrand

EV, News

2023 VW ID. Aero

After ID.4 and ID.5, hatchback ID.3 and van ID. Buzz, Volkswagen has introduced its new electric model, the ID. Aero. It will be produced in China only for the Chinese market. Next year, Volkswagen will also unveil a version for the European and American markets, which will be produced at the Emden plant, Germany.

The all-electric luxury sedan is Volkswagen’s response to rivals, the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4. In fact, the goal of VW is to attract the attention of the upper class of Chinese families with this model. The medium-sized premium sedan has a longer wheelbase and provides plenty of space inside.

The design of the front of the car is something that has not been seen on conventional VW models. Thin LED Matrix lights and a light line that extends the entire length, while the back is a wide light element like the one on the Audi Sportback. The extent to which Volkswagen designers took care of the design is also shown by the air resistance coefficient of 0.23.

VW did not disclose performance data, but said it would ID. Aero have a range of 385 miles (620 km). It will be built on the same MEB platform for electric cars as other models from the VW ID family. When it comes to propulsion it is assumed that it will use the same electric motors available in other VW electric vehicles. It is equipped with a 77 kWh battery and a set of 22 inch wheels.

Source: Volkswagen

News, Tuning

6XTM – Audi RS6 Avant with widebody kit

The Audi RS6 Avant is a station wagon with outstanding performance, but there are always those who think they can make any car better, depending on tastes. So the German tuner G&B Design decided to present the 6XTM, an upgraded station wagon with a more aggressive look.

The tuner has prepared a new body kit for the Audi RS6 Avant, which includes specially made parts that increase the size of the car by eight centimeters. New engine hood, new front grille, lip spoiler, sills, rear apron, rear spoiler, side extensions and more, are just some of the parts that make the look of the caravan more aggressive. Also, there is a new set of Jager rims measuring 21×12, and the tuner named its creation 6XTM.

G&B Design did not change the performance of the RS6 Avant. The car is still powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 591 hp (435 kW) at 6250 rpm and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. That’s quite enough for a family car, which reaches 62 mph in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 156 mph (251 km / h). Power is transmitted to all wheels via 8-speed automatic transmission.

Source: G&B Design

News

McLaren 720S Spider controlled by head movements and breath

This year’s Goodwood Speed ​​Festival, in addition to the premiere of new cars, also brought some technological innovations. Former Indy Racing League driver Samuel Schmidt controlled the McLaren 720S Spider with head movements and breath. This is the first time anyone has used this type of technology at this event.

Thanks to Arrow Electronic, the 2021 McLaren 720S Spider has been adapted for Samuel Schmidt who, after an accident in 2000, became quadriplegic. He controlled the acceleration and braking of the car by inhaling and exhaling through a “sip-and-puff” device. The car was equipped with infrared cameras that monitored its movements. Also, the driver wore a semi-autonomous SAM Suit exoskeleton to help him walk.

New mobility solutions can restore a certain level of autonomy to those who for some reason are unable to drive a vehicle. Level 3 autonomy is already on public roads, but we will wait a few more years for fully autonomous vehicles with Level 5 autonomy. It is not yet known exactly what the role of Arrow technology will be in the future.

The company also plans to launch races with self-driving technology, and as things stand now this could soon become a reality.

Source: Goodwood Speed ​​Festival