Category Archives: EV

EV, News

ZEEKR 001 is coming to Europe

In 2021, a Chinese premium electric automobile brand, ZEEKR, was founded, whose primary focus was the domestic Chinese market, where it sold over 100,000 cars. Two years later, the company arrives on the European market with its flagship sedan ZEEKR 001.

Coming to the European market is part of the company’s plan for this year. Three months ago, the company’s director for Europe, Spiros Fotinos, said that this company intends to become one of the three largest premium electric brands by the end of the decade. That’s really ambitious, if we consider that their biggest competitors are brands like Tesla, BYD, Volkswagen, GM, and Stellantis.

The first examples of the ZEEKR 001 were loaded onto a ship in the port of Taicang last week, and the first two EU markets where it will be offered are Sweden and the Netherlands. The plan is to reach six markets by the end of the year, and eight by 2025.

The 001 is powered by a 400 kW electric motor which is enough to propel the car to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). Buyers will be able to choose between AWD and RWD, and the car will have a range of 620 km (WLTP).

Model 001 is not the only car from the Chinese company. After two years of existence, ZEEKR also presented ZEEKR X, which is expected to be released on the world market soon.

Source: ZEEKR

EV, News

Lamborghini Lanzador

Lamborghini is grandly announcing the arrival of its first all-electric car as a GT crossover, the Lamborghini Lanzador. It is expected to hit the market in five years, when Lamborghini will join the other major manufacturers.

The Italian automaker describes this model as a GT with high ground clearance. At first, it could be assumed that it is an ordinary crossover, but the design shows that it is not something that a typical crossover offers. The Sesto Elemento, Murcialago and Countach LPI 800-4 models served as inspiration. 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.

Inside, the cabin resembles a spacecraft, with a focus on sustainability. The materials used are 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.

The car offers a lot of space, and the rear doors offer access to a large luggage compartment, which can be increased by folding down the rear seats.

When it comes to the powertrain, there are too many secrets. It is known that it will be powered by two electric motors and will have AWD. The rear axle is equipped with a single form of torque converter. There is also the new Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVi) driving dynamics control system, and thanks to new sensors, the new technology adapts the car’s dynamics to the driver through a sophisticated algorithm.

Maybe the year 2028 is far away, but if we consider that Lamborghini intends to switch all its models to a hybrid by the end of next year, then the distance of five years is not bad.

Source: Lamborghini

Gallery:

Lamborghini Lanzador
EV

Ford Puma EV

Following the competition that pushed the transition to fully electrified cars by the end of the decade, Ford announced last year that it would also offer only electric cars from 2030. One of them is the new Ford Puma EV, which will go into production next year.

The new Ford Puma, one of the most popular sub-compact crossovers in Europe, will not differ much in design compared to the current generation. Small changes will be made to the front end. This means that the headlights will get new graphics, and the radiator grille, unlike the gasoline model, will probably remain closed due to aerodynamics.

With the all-electric Puma, Ford is trying to attract fans of B-segment crossovers. But unlike the Explorer, the electric Puma should not be based on the MEB, but instead use Ford’s electric car platform. The car is currently on the platform of the “Global B” group, which will probably be upgraded to accommodate new engines.

When it comes to engine power, it is assumed to have 134 hp (99 kW), as its van sibling. Ford currently offers engines with 181 hp (133 kW) and 265 hp (195 kW), but it is unlikely that any of them will be used in the Ford Puma. However, it is most important for Ford to keep up with the competition in terms of autonomy, so it will have to use at least a 55 kW battery. Therefore, a WLTP range of around 400 kilometers must be possible so that the target group does not choose the competition.

Source: Ford