IONITY is the largest European network of charging stations, which has over 1,500 charging points on the old continent, and the goal is 7,000 charging points in the future. Rimac Automobili is one of the users of these charging stations, and the company recently announced that those who buy the new Rimac Nevera get free charging in Europe.
In 2021, Mate Rimac announced that the company will build a campus in Croatia with its own funds, which will be the headquarters of Bugatti Rimac. The project was completed on time, and the company recently announced that it is looking for 50 employees for the paint shop in the Rimac campus, who will join the existing team of 26 experts. Now the plan is to build a station with six chargers for visitors to use.
Rimac Nevera is the fastest electric production car, but also one of the most expensive cars in the world (USD $2 million). “When people think of Rimac, they think of the record-breaking performance delivered by Nevera, as well as the cutting-edge technologies at the heart of the company. Nevera was primarily developed as a hyper GT, more than a track-focused car, it’s actually a user-friendly car. Cooperation with IONITY allows us to raise this experience to a higher level,” said Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of Rimac Automobili.
The Rimac Nevera is powered by four electric motors with a total power of 1,914 hp (1,408 kW) and 1,741 lb-ft (2,360 Nm) of torque. It reaches 62 mph in just 1.97 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 219 mph (352 km/h). It is equipped with a lithium-manganese-nickel battery with 6,960 cells and a capacity of 120kWh.
In 2008, Ferrari unveiled a convertible version of the 430 Scuderia, the Scuderia Spider 16M, to commemorate Ferrari’s 16th victory in the Formula 1 Constructor’s World Championship. Only 499 copies were produced, and all were pre-sold to select clients. One of them, the 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia Spider 16M is up for auction.
The 430 Scuderia Spider 16M is powered by a 4.3-liter DOHC V8 engine with a factory output of 503 hp (375 kW) and 347 lb-ft (471 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed F1 automated transmission and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. This 1,340 kg (2,954 lb) heavy car reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph). It is mounted on 19″ Scuderia alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.
This example is finished in Nero, well maintained and in good condition with only 11,906 miles on the odometer. It is equipped with a black convertible soft top, silver racing stripes lighter bumper covers, carbon-fiber front fin, headlight housings, mirror housings, rear grille surround, rear diffuser, xenon headlights, heated mirrors, Scuderia Ferrari fender shields, 16M Scuderia badging, dual exhaust finishers that exit through the rear valance, stiffened chassis and a retuned suspension with ZF dampers and titanium springs, and braking is handled by yellow-finished brake calipers over Brembo carbon-ceramic rotors.
Inside, carbon-fiber-framed seats are upholstered in Nero Alcantara and cloath, and Alcantara also covers the dashboard. In front of the driver is a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with an integrated LED shift light, an engine-start button, carbon-fiber shift paddles, and a manettino dial for control of dynamic settings. Additional equipment includes a navigation system, a stereo with iPod connectivity, air conditioning, drilled aluminum pedals, and power windows and locks.
The car has a clean Carfax report that shows no accidents or other damage. It comes with a window sticker, the owner’s manual, service records, original purchase documents, a car cover, and a clean Texas title.
The auction ends on October 25 and the highest bid at the time of writing was USD $220,000.
The rise in the number of cars worldwide is a testament to the profound impact automobiles have had on human civilization. From their humble beginnings in the late 19th century to the sleek, high-tech vehicles of the 21st century, cars have revolutionized transportation, reshaped economies, and transformed societies.
The story of automobiles began in the late 19th century, with inventors and engineers envisioning a future where human beings could travel effortlessly. In 1885, Karl Benz created the first true automobile powered by an internal combustion engine, marking the birth of the modern car. This revolutionary invention paved the way for the automotive industry’s rapid expansion.
The early 20th century witnessed significant advances in automobile technology and manufacturing processes. Henry Ford, the pioneering American industrialist, introduced assembly line production techniques in 1913, drastically reducing the cost of manufacturing cars. This innovation made cars more affordable for the average person, leading to a surge in car ownership and the establishment of Ford as a global automotive giant.
In the middle of the century, we saw the automotive industry flourish with innovations such as automatic transmissions, power steering, and air conditioning. During this period, iconic car models like the Chevrolet Bel Air, Ford Mustang, and Volkswagen Beetle captured the hearts of consumers worldwide. Cars became symbols of freedom, independence, and status, driving the demand even higher. However, at the end of the century, concerns about environmental pollution and fuel efficiency began to emerge. This led to the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles and the exploration of alternative energy sources. The rise of Japanese automakers, with their focus on reliability and fuel efficiency, challenged the dominance of traditional American and European car manufacturers.
The new century brought a new wave of innovation to the automotive industry. Electric vehicles (EVs) gained prominence, with companies like Tesla leading the charge in producing high-performance electric cars. Autonomous driving technology, powered by artificial intelligence, became a focal point of research and development, promising a future where cars could drive themselves safely and efficiently.
All this time the number of cars in the world was growing. According to historical records, in 1900, there were approximately 8,000 cars in the United States, which was the leading country in automobile manufacturing and adoption at that time. This would mean that there were about several tens of thousands of vehicles globally. At the end of the 20th century, the number of cars grew to approximately 500 million to 600 million (according to the Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers / OICA).
The number of cars continued to rise rapidly in the following years, and current data indicate that there are over 1.47 billion cars in the world (according to Hedges & Company). That is a large number of cars, and if we take into account the total world population, it means that there is one car for every 5.75 inhabitants.
Most of the vehicles are located in Asia (543 million), Europe (413 million), and North America (358 million). The rest of the world is far behind, led by South America with 84 million and the Middle East with 50 million. Africa has 25 million cars while Antarctica has 50 vehicles.
