All posts by Francis Mitterrand

EV

XPeng G9 and P7 now available in Germany

Another Chinese car manufacturer, XPeng, has arrived on the European market with its two new electric models, the XPeng G9 SUV and the XPeng P7 sedan. This company was founded in 2014, and after Scandinavia and Germany, it plans to conquer other EU markets as well as Great Britain.

XPeng P7 will be offered in three versions: Long Range, Performance and Wing Edition. The standard version (Long Range) will be powered by an electric motor with 276 hp (), while the other two versions will be powered by two electric motors with a total power of 473 hp (). The Long Range version will be equipped with an 82.7 kWh battery that provides a range of 576 kilometers. The battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 29 minutes. The Performance and Wing Edition versions will have a slightly shorter range (505 km), and when it comes to the price of the Long Range version, it will start at 49,600 euros.

XPeng G9 SUV will be offered in three versions: Standard Range, Long Range and Performance. The Standard Range version is powered by a single electric motor with 313 hp (). It is equipped with a 75.8 kWh battery that enables a range of 460 kilometers. The Long Range version has a larger 93.1 kWh battery and a range of 570 km. The most powerful version, Performance, is equipped with two electric motors with a total power of 551 hp () and a range of 520 km. The 75.8 kWh battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 20 minutes. The price of this model starts at 57,600 euros.

Source: XPeng

News

Renault offers 30% cheaper EV parts

We all know that the price of new electric cars is increasing and that replacement parts are very expensive. This could change in the future, because new production methods accompanied by new innovations are predicted to bring prices down in the coming years. Until that happens, some manufacturers, such as Renault, are considering offering refurbished parts that will be 30% cheaper.

Three key and at the same time expensive components of electric vehicles will be in circulation to reduce costs. The renewed electric motor, electronics and battery will initially be offered to owners of the models: ZOE, Twingo E-Tech, Kangoo E-Tech, Master E-Tech and Megane E-Tech.

Renault is one of the brands that invests the most effort in everything that has to do with the circular economy, and at ChangeNow in Paris, it announced that by repairing parts, it wants to extend the life of components and cars, which would ultimately mean a lower cost of production but also cheaper electric cars . This plan will be implemented in Renault plants in France (Flins), Turkey (Bursa) and Spain (Seville).

The Flins plant will have the capacity to produce more than 3,000 remanufactured parts. The “Re-trofit” department is designed for the overhaul of used vehicles of any brand, while Master III owners will be offered the installation of an electric powertrain.

Source: Renault

Auctions

1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster for sale

In 1954, Mercedes-Benz introduced a two-seat sports car, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. It was first produced as a Coupe, and in 1957 it was replaced by the Roadster version of this model. One of the Coupe examples, the 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is up for auction.

When it hit the market with a list price of $11,000, it was very popular among celebrities, racing drivers and other successful individuals. This example is part of the Dare to Dream Collection and in 2013 it underwent a complete restoration by renowned marque specialist Rudi Koniczek. It is one of only 101 Roadsters from the entire production finished in extraordinary Light Blue, and one of only 211 examples produced by Mercedes-Benz during their 1959 model year.

During the restoration, the car was stripped completely while steel and aluminum panels were added into the car’s original body where required. It is equipped with Dunlop disc brakes, 3.64 ratio rear axle, color-matched wheels, a Becker Mexico radio, Talbot mirror, and Baisch-style seat belts, while its sumptuous, ergonomic interior was masterfully retrimmed in pristine red leather (1079) beneath a Dark Blue fabric Roadster top.

The car is powered by an original 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that provides outstanding performance. It is reliable enough to be a favorite of enthusiasts for vintage rallies, long-distance touring, but also for everyday driving.

This collectible Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is offered without reserve and has an estimated value of $1,500,000 – $1,800,000 USD.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster for sale