Ferrari F8 Spider upgraded by Mansory

June 28, 2024 Francis Mitterrand Leave a comment

After last year’s F8XX Tempesta Turchese, German tuner Mansory presented another project based on the Ferrari F8 Spider with a lot of aerodynamic carbon components.

This time, Mansory used the same aerodynamic solution as in the previous project, such as a mask with a forged carbon splitter, new air intakes, aerodynamic wings, carbon openings on the front fenders, new sills, as well as a new rear diffuser with two small wings and new four ends exhaust pipes.

The interior is upholstered in turquoise leather that covers almost every surface in the cockpit, including the seats, dashboard, door panels, floor mats and steering wheel. A lot of carbon details and a few black components complete the luxurious look of the car.

When it comes to the powertrain, Mansory has upgraded the 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that now delivers 880 hp (656 kW) and 708 lb-ft (960 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission. The car is mounted on a set of 21″ front and 22″ rear wheels with forged carbon details.

Source: Mansory

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BMW canceled the contract with Northvolt worth 2 billion euros

June 28, 2024 Francis Mitterrand Leave a comment

Four years ago, BMW signed a contract with Northvolt, but the contract was recently cancelled. Northvolt is a Swedish company that produces lithium-ion batteries, and the contract was worth 2 billion euros.

In 2016, two former Tesla executives founded Northwolt, and in January they raised $5 million to expand a battery recycling facility in Sweden. In March, the company began building a new gigafactory for battery production in Heide, Germany, and is considering a new facility in Borlange, Sweden.

The reason for the termination of the contract between BMW and Northvolt is that the Swedish manufacturer did not fulfill its obligations due to problems with serial production, a delay of two years behind the original plan, but also that it produces too much waste. Battery cells would be produced from wind and hydropower.

BMW still has a contract with Northvolt to supply next-generation battery cells for Neue Klasse electric vehicles. The first next-generation car to hit the market is the iX3, which has been announced for the end of next year. After this model, an electric sedan the size of the current Series 3 will arrive, and then the iX4 sedan and station wagon are expected in 2027. The successor to the current iX2 model will also be part of the Neue Klasse family.

BMW has already started talks with Samsung SDI about the supply of batteries needed for their current electric cars.

Source: BMW

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2025 Audi RS Q8 and RS Q8 Performance

June 27, 2024 Francis Mitterrand Leave a comment

At the end of 2023, Audi presented redesigned editions of the Q8 model, and now it’s time for the refreshed RS Q8 and RS Q8 Performance, which is Audi’s most powerful SUV ever.

Audi equipped both versions with an electromechanical active stabilization system. This system works in a way that two small electric motors, positioned between the halves of the stabilizers, activate the stabilizers in the opposite direction when turning and thus reduce the tilting of the vehicle. There’s also a mechanical center differential and adaptive air suspension that can adjust the car’s height by up to 90 millimeters, 420mm discs with ten-piston brake calipers (the RS Q8 Performance comes with 440mm front and 370mm rear carbon ceramic discs), and a set of 23″ wheels.

Also, customers can now choose from three new metallic colors: Sakhir Gold, Ascari Blue and Chili Red. The RS Q8 has new mirror housings, a front spoiler, window details and a rear diffuser, while the RS Q8 Performance has matte carbon mirrors, a front spoiler and a matte gray rear diffuser. The interior comes in three equipment packages (red, gray and blue) which include perforated sports seats, Dinamica microfiber on the center console and an Alcantara steering wheel.

When it comes to the powertrain, both versions are powered by a 4.0-L twin-turbo V8 engine that in the RS Q8 delivers 600 hp (447 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque at 2,200 – 4,500 rpm. That’s enough power to push the SUV from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The RS Q8 Performance is slightly more powerful and delivers 641 hp (478 kW) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque, which is enough for acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 280 km/h (174 mph). The engine is paired with an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission that sends power to all wheels.

Speaking of the price, the RS Q8 starts at 141,900 euros, while the RS Q8 Performance is slightly more expensive and costs 155,700 euros.

Source: Audi

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