News

BMW X8 / XM

The rumors about the BMW X8 / XM proved to be true, as its arrival was confirmed by BMW CEO Olivier Zipse. The car is being developed under the name “Project Rockstar”.

Prototypes have already been seen during testing. New renderings, published by Kolesa, show what the BMW X8 might look like.

The new X8 should arrive by the end of the year, and it probably won’t have a vertical grille like the iX and other newer BMW models. The headlights are split, while the four ends of the exhaust pipes are placed vertically.

The roof drop line indicates limited headroom in the rear seats, but BMW is full of surprises so it’s hard to predict the company’s plans.

The render does not show the cover for the fuel tank, and rumors say that it will have two because there is a possibility of developing a PHEV version.

The BMW X8 will be powered by a V8 engine and an electric motor and will be offered in two versions. The base model will have 617 hp (460 kW), while the more powerful X8 M Competition will have 740 hp (552 kW). That would make it the most powerful SUV in BMW history.

The car should first appear on the U.S. market next year.

Source: kolesa.ru

News

Lotus Emira V6 First Edition

Lotus recently unveiled its latest model with an internal combustion engine, the Lotus Emira. Now Lotus has announced the specifications for the Emira V6 First Edition, and production will start early next year.

The Emira V6 is powered by a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine with 400 hp (298 kW) and 317 lb-ft (430 Nm) of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddleshift. As an option, there is also a six-speed manual transmission that works at a slightly lower torque.

The V6 First Edition body will be offered in several vibrant paint colors, such as Hethel Yellow, Nimbus Gray, Magma Red, Dark Verdant and Shadow Gray. It will be equipped with LED lights all round, heated power-fold door mirrors and rear parking sensors and titanium exhaust finisher.

Inside, Lotus offers several leather and Alcantara colors with three color stitching and heated seats, all as standard. There’s also a 10.25-inch centrally mounted touch-screen and a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster ahead of the multi-function steering wheel.

The Lotus Emira V6 First Edition is driven on ultra-light forged 20-inch wheels. For braking and stopping there are two-piece brake discs with branded calipers.

The price of the car in the UK is £ 75,995 ($ 102,935).

Source: Lotus

EV, News

Rolls Royce Spectre EV

Rolls Royce has decided to stop the rumors and announce to the world that it is in the process of making its first electric coupe, the Spectre EV. This is a historic step forward for the company that announced the electric novelty earlier through the 102EX and 103EX concepts.

Interestingly, although it was announced Rolls Royce will not use the BMW platform, but its aluminum platform introduced in 2017. This platform has been used on Phantom models, Cullinan and Ghost.

Rolls Royce not only announced a new model, but also presented a camouflaged prototype as a big surprise. The shape and proportions themselves are very reminiscent of the Wraith, and are expected to have two doors, a low roofline and a long front cover.

“It’s not in any way the successor of the Wraith. It’s a different proposition for our clients. It will feel very different, it will look very different,” said Rolls-Royce CEO, Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes.

He added: “We will go from combustion engines straight into electric when we substitute certain positions in our portfolio, and that is the way forward,” he said.

Before production begins, the prototype will make at least 2.5 million kilometers in all possible conditions. This will simulate as much as 400 years of use.

The first deliveries will be in 2023, and the brand will be fully electric by 2030.

Source: Automotive News Europe

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