EV, News

The end of Volkswagen internal combustion engines

Volkswagen has announced that it will stop selling cars with internal combustion engines from 2035. The first continent to which the decision will apply is Europe.

As previously announced by several other car manufacturers, Volkswagen has also decided to move to the production of fully electric vehicles. This decision applies only to Volkswagen vehicles, not to the Volkswagen Group. The information was confirmed by Volkswagen Sales Director Klaus Zellmer.

In an interview with Muenchner Mercury, Klaus Zellmer also stated that, somewhat later, the decision on full electrification of vehicles will begin to apply to North America and China. South America and Africa will be covered by this decision when the political and infrastructural conditions for its implementation are met.

Whether 2050 (as announced) will be the end for Volkswagen internal combustion engines and the beginning of the green era remains to be seen.

Source: Muenchner Mercury

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The first video of the Chinese rover Zhurong

Since its launch in July 2020, Chinese rover Zhurong has sent several photos on May 14. This time, the Chinese Space Agency (CNSA) released a video recorded by a wireless camera.

The video shows the landing of the rover Zhurong on the surface of Mars. Zhurong is a six-wheeled robot designed to explore a part of Mars called Utopia Planitia, a 3,000-kilometer-wide basin area. It weighs 240 kg (530-lb). It is expected to map the landing area in 90 days.

Rover Zhurong - 0
Rover-Zhurong-1
Rover-Zhurong-2

Zhurong is similar to NASA’s Spirit and Opportunity rovers, made in the early 2000s. It is equipped with radar, high-resolution cameras, a weather monitor, magnetic research detectors, as well as other instruments necessary for research.

The video was sent using a Tianwen-1 orbiter that is supposed to collect data on the surface of Mars and the atmosphere. It is expected to do the job for the next 687 days (one Mars year).

The video release was used to celebrate 100 years of the Chinese Communist Party.

Source: BBC

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BMW 8 Frozen Black Edition and the BMW X5 Pleasure Edition – For the Japanese Market Only

BMW has prepared special editions of its two models only for Japanese customers. These are a special series of the BMW 8 Frozen Black Edition and the BMW X5 Pleasure Edition, and each model will be produced in just 20 copies.

The X5 Pleasure Edition offers a comfortable driving package at an affordable price. The package includes a choice of body color, 21-inch wheels, adjustable air suspension, advanced driving assistance technology. The seats are upholstered in leather, while the trims are made of ash wood.

The Pleasure Edition is powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine with 286 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The car is based on the X5 xDrive30d and will sell for around $ 93,000.

The BMW 8 Frozen Black Edition is based on the 840i model. The body, brake calipers, grilles, tailpipes are done in black. Inside, the cabin is upholstered in Merino leather and Alcantara. The car comes with 20 inch 728M wheels.

The Frozen Black Edition is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with 335 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a manual eight-speed transmission. The car will cost around $ 135,340 (Coupe) or $ 136,240 (Gran Coupe).

Source: BMW

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