All posts by M.K.

EV, News

Honda will build Sony’s first EV

Sony has joined forces with Honda to produce Sony’s first EV. It all started two years ago, when Sony introduced the concept of its first electric car, the Sony Vision-S. A year later, testing of the electric sedan prototype began. Last month, Vision-S 02 was unveiled at CES in Las Vegas.

The seven-seater, Vision-S 02, is equipped with in-seat speakers that create a 3D audio experience, a panoramic infotainment system and separate rear screens that allow you to watch a variety of content and play games via a remote connection to the Sony PlayStation console.

Sony Vision-S 02 is powered by two electric motors with a total power of 536 hp (400 kW). Vision-S reaches 62 mph in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 149 mph (240 km / h). Vision-S 02 is a bit heavier and slower.

Sony announced that it will produce the cars in cooperation with the Japanese company Honda. The cooperation will be realized through the newly established company “New Company.” The plan is for the first EVs to hit the market by 2025.

It is currently unknown whether the Vision-S and Vision-S 02 concepts will be the basis for the new Sony EV.

Source: Sony

News

Car prices are getting higher

The current situation in the world, caused by the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, affects all branches of the economy, including the automobile industry. The lack of chips, as well as problems in the supply chain around the world affect the production but also the growth of car prices. It can be said that it is not cheap to buy a new car at this time.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares expressed his concern, saying that in the United States over 80 percent of customers are paying over the MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price). He also stated that the average price of a car last year was almost $ 50,000, which is $ 6,000 more than in 2020.

In order to reduce the price of their vehicles, Stellantis is considering reducing marketing but also the franchise, which currently accounts for a third of the price of EVs.

The prices of metals most used in the automotive industry are currently at their highest: aluminum is over $ 3,500 per ton (up 27 percent), nickel is up 32 percent per ton ($ 26,000), and palladium is up 41 percent ($ 2,700) .

Earlier, Stellantis announced that it plans to become fully electric by the end of the decade.

Source: The Detroit Bereau

Gaming, News

Porsche Vision Gran Turismo has arrived with the new Gran Turismo 7

The long-awaited game Gran Turismo 7 has officially arrived on the market, bringing many exotic cars, including the Porsche Vision Gran Turismo. The game will be available to players on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro and PlayStation 5.

It took eight years for Gran Turismo 7 to hit the market, as the previous generation was produced back in 2013. PlayStation users will be delighted, and the first reactions say so, because the interest in this realistic simulation of car racing is huge.

With the virtual car, Porsche demonstrated the creative power of its design team. Although designed only for the virtual world, it opens up exciting possibilities that are otherwise regimented in the design process for a production car.

“Projects like Porsche Vision Gran Turismo are especially valuable to us in the creative process. Further development of our clearly defined Porsche Design DNA and exchange with designers from other industries is an important part of our work, ”said Michael Mauer, Vice President of Porsche Style.

Porsche Vision Gran Turismo has arrived with the new Gran Turismo 7

Low-set hood, pronounced wings, wide LED light strip at the back, are just some of the features of this concept. Access to the cabin is done by raising the roof, because the car is designed without a door. Inside, carbon and titanium were used, as well as vegan materials. The seats are positioned low, while in front of the driver is a curved display and racing steering wheel on which most of the controls are located.

It is not known whether this virtual car will go into production in the future.

Source: Polyphony Digital / Porsche