All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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VW Moves Golf Production to Mexico

The current Golf Mk 8 with combustion engine will be sold until 2035, while the new Golf ID will arrive in 2028 on a new platform. This model will replace the Golf with combustion engine that is currently produced in Wolfsburg, and the latest information says that the Wolfsburg-based company is considering moving the production of this model to Mexico.

There is no confirmation from Volkswagen for now, and most of the talk is about Volkswagen’s largest plant in Mexico (Puebla) where one of the most famous models of the German automotive industry, the VW Beetle, was produced.

The European market has become more selective, and buyers are increasingly opting for SUVs, while once popular models like the Golf are no longer the first option. This creates additional pressure on the already difficult financial situation of European manufacturers, and moving production outside of European soil seems like a better option.

This also creates an additional problem that VW will have if the US imposes additional tariffs of 20%, which the new US president has promised.

Source: Reuters

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Shaquille O’Neal owns a unique Lucid Air Coupe

Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal is a 4-time NBA champion and the owner of several truly remarkable and valuable cars. He recently added a modified Lucid Air Coupe to his collection.

The car was modified by the American company West Coast Customs. The rear doors were removed, the B-pillar was moved back, and longer front doors were installed to make it easier for the former NBA basketball player to enter the vehicle. The Lucid name on the front was replaced with “Diesel”, and the car received rims with the Superman logo and red color to match his Rolls-Royce Cullinan. It is not known whether West Coast Customs made any other modifications.

The entry level Air Pure is equipped with an 88-kWh battery and rear wheel drive, capable of producing 430 hp (321 kW) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque, and has a range of 406 mi (653 km). The Air Dream Edition Range has a 112 kWh battery pack which can provide an estimated 520 mi (840 km) of EPA range. The most powerful version, the Air Dream Edition Performance has a combined output of 1,111 hp (828 kW) and can reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 235 mph (378 km/h).

Source: West Coast Customs

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Shaquille O'Neal owns a unique Lucid Air Coupe
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Lamborghini Lanzador is coming in 2029

In August 2023, Lamborghini announced the arrival of its first all-electric car, the Lanzador, as a GT with high ground clearance. The plan was for the car to debut by 2028, but the latest information suggests that this will not happen before 2029.

The decline in demand for electric cars has forced most manufacturers to postpone the transition to fully electric cars, so it can be said that the same reason was in this case. Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said that the company is enthusiastic about the possibilities of the new hybrid model Revuelto, but that the Lanzador will not arrive on the market as planned, but a year later. He also added that synthetic fuels could be the future.

The design of the Lamborghini Lanzador is inspired by the Sesto Elemento, Murcialago and Countach LPI 800-4. The front part shows that it is undoubtedly a Lamborghini, while the side and three-quarters of the rear resemble an off-road vehicle. On the other hand, it cannot be confused with the current Lamborghini Urus. It is equipped with active suspension and active aerodynamics.

The interior of the car is covered with materials mainly produced in Italy. The thread is made from recycled plastic, while the seat foam and some other parts are made from recycled 3D printed plastic. The carbon fiber used in the interior also contains recycled elements like recycled PET, and even the water used to dye the leather is taken from olive oil plants.

When it comes to the powertrain, the Lanzador will have two electric motors and AWD. It will be equipped with the new Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVi) driving dynamics control system, and new technology that, thanks to sensors, adapts the car’s dynamics to the driver through a sophisticated algorithm.

Source: Lamborghini

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Lamborghini Lanzador is coming in 2029