All posts by M.K.

2023 Milivie 1 based on VW Beetle

The newly founded German company, Milivie, has announced its first project, Milivie 1. The company’s goal is to revive Germany’s biggest car icons, and the first is a limited edition car based on the VW Beetle 1303. Only 22 cars will be produced at a starting price of over 550,000 euros.

This could be good news for all fans of the VW Bug, which has been produced in 22 million copies worldwide. It is not known why a car costs so much, even more than most sports cars. For now, there is not much information from the company.

The Milivie 1 exterior is designed in retro. It is equipped with an enhanced chassis, twin central 64 mm pipes with black or titanium TIP designs, the bonnet is moved forwards 8 centimeters, distinctive ducktail featuring an integral third brake light, wider fenders. Inside, the cockpit is fully done in the current trends with modern equipment that includes a digital cockpit with twin 12.3 ”screens, wireless charging, hi-fi system and more.

When it comes to powertrain, the Milivie 1 will be powered by a 2.28L flat-four engine tuned to deliver optimum performance. paired with a 4-speed ZF automatic transmission from Porsche Carrera 2.

The car should arrive on the market in the middle of next year, when the first deliveries are expected.

Source: Milivie

Kia sales results in May 2022

In these difficult times, every positive result in the automotive industry is commendable. And while other car companies are finding different ways to survive, Kia has achieved sales growth in Europe for the second month in a row.

KIA business results in April 2022

In April, for the first time, 47,725 Kia vehicles were registered, which is 12.5% ​​more than in the same period last year. This is primarily the result of an overall reduction in the vehicle market (20.2%). When it comes to models, the highest demand was for the Sportage (8,368 vehicles sold), the Ceed (7,995 vehicles – including the Ceed, XCeed, Ceed Sportswagon and ProCeed) and the electric Niro (6,735 vehicles).

In May, Kia managed to achieve even better results, although the European car market fell by 12.5%. 48,665 vehicles were registered, which is 9.8% more than last year. As a result, Kia’s market share in the European market rose to 5.1%, an increase of 2% compared to April. When it comes to models, 35% of sales were electric vehicles. The highest demand was for Kia Ceed (8,432 vehicles), Sportage (8,143 vehicles), Niro, Stonic and XCeed.

“Times are tough for the passenger car market, but sales figures show how attractive the Kia brand and its exceptional models resonate with European customers. The automotive industry is facing major changes, but Kia continues to lead vehicle sustainability and vehicle sharing and new mobility, ”said Kia Europe President Jason Jeong.

Kia plans to offer 14 electric cars by 2027, and to become a fully electric brand by 2035.

Source: KIA

Ferrari refused to use autonomous driving

Autonomous driving is not something new, in fact several companies, such as Tesla, offer cars with this option. All this would not be possible without the IT industry, which strives in every way to improve our lives. This is exactly what happened to Ferrari, which refused to use autonomous driving in its cars.

We know we live in a time of technology, but some things are simply incompatible. So a group of IT experts insisted on holding a meeting with Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna to convince him that autonomous driving is exactly what Ferrari needs. However, to their surprise, Vigna did not show interest in such a thing. In fact, he offered them a ride in their super car, after which they said, “OK Benedetto, our presentation is useless”. That was enough for IT experts to understand why Ferrari is one of the biggest brands in the world.

This does not mean that Ferrari will give up electrification of its models. No matter what we think about it, it is destiny. Ferrari will not give up internal combustion engines either. “I believe the internal combustion engine has a lot to give,” Vigna said.

Ferrari’s plans are to electrify 60 percent of its cars by 2026, and to become carbon-neutral by the end of the decade.

Source: Ferrari