The American car manufacturer Tesla continues to embarrass itself, and the latest in a series of safety problems is a problem with the seat belt warning system. This is why Tesla is recalling over 120,000 cars.
First of all, it should be pointed out that Tesla has not received information about any crashes, injuries or deaths related to this safety system. The system is supposed to send visual and audible warnings to drivers when they are not buckled in, but NHTSA has determined that it may not work as intended in some vehicles.
According to federal vehicle safety standards, the visual warning should last at least one minute and the audible warning should last at least four seconds. Luckily for Tesla, the problem will be fixed via an over-the-air (OTA) software update.
The safety issue includes the Model S (2012 to 2024), Model X (2015 to 2024), Model 3 (2017 to 2023), and Model Y (2020 to 2023). The company state that the software will be updated in all vehicles by the end of June this year.
China has been the leader in the production of electric cars for years, and now it has become an overcrowded market with a large number of manufacturers who are finding it increasingly difficult to survive. One of them is Aiways, which in the battle of giants like BYD, Tesla or VW, decided to leave the domestic market.
Aiways Automobiles was founded in 2017, and from the very beginning, the goal was to develop a range of SUVs with electric drive. Now the company has announced that it has no plans to stay in the Chinese market due to the intense price pressure and competition that exists in this market, and that the center of global sales operations is moving to Europe (Germany).
After financial problems that forced the company to suspend car production at the Shangrao plant, Aiways still managed to find a way out and continue operations. They are currently working on a new crossover that, according to the company’s plans, should attract a larger number of customers with a low price and ensure better days for the manufacturer. According to Autocar, for now Aiways does not intend to transfer production to European soil, so the U5 and U6 models will continue to be produced in China.
The American car manufacturer Tesla officially premiered the new Model 3 Performance, as the perfect high-performance car for everyday driving.
The new Model 3 Performance is equipped with a “more capable performance-oriented chassis”, but also components that reduce mass and increase stiffness at the same time. It also got adjustable shock absorbers with hollow connecting rods that are adjusted in real time and have three different modes, Standard, Sport and Track. Mod Track is more advanced and integrates engine and suspension control, drive cooling and Tesla‘s Vehicle Dynamics Controller system into one unified system. The rest of the equipment includes a multiple anti-roll bar, ultra-high-strength steel springs and stiffer upper suspension brackets, new standard brake pads, and 20-inch wheels with high-performance Pirelli P Zero 4 tires. Tesla has adjusted the stability control setup to allow the driver more freedom to explore the car’s limits.
The exterior of the car is enriched with new sports bumpers, a new front splitter and an aggressive diffuser, which improves the aerodynamics of the car. Also, air resistance is reduced by 5 percent, and lift by 36 percent.
Inside the cabin are new heated/cooled 12-way adjustable sport seats with improved side bolsters. Also, the interior is equipped with an end-to-end NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) program, which ensures better sound insulation thanks to acoustic glass and better insulation. Carbon details and a sound system with 17 speakers, as well as a 15.4-inch infotainment system and an 8-inch screen for passengers in the back seat, are part of the standard equipment.
The Model 3 Performance features a new power unit that provides a 22 percent improvement in continuous power, and a 32 percent increase in peak power. Maximum torque is also increased by 16 percent, while energy consumption is reduced by about 2 percent. It is powered by two electric motors with 517 hp (386 kW) and 547 lb-ft (741 Nm) of torque. This allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.9 seconds with a speed of 163 mph (262 km/h). It is equipped with AWD and a battery that provides a range of 476 km on a single charge.
Orders are open and deliveries will begin in a few months at a starting price of $52,990 USD.
