Tag Archives: vehicles

News

The VW VR6 engine has come to an end

Leave a comment

The VR6 engine debuted at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show in the third-generation Golf and has since been installed in 1.87 million cars. 34 years later, it has come to an end. This was confirmed by Andreas G. Schleith, PR manager for Volkswagen passenger cars on his LinkedIn profile.

Over time, the VR6 engine has powered numerous models, including the Passat, Corrado, Touareg, Phaeton, Transporter, Sharan, CC or Beetle, but also cars from other brands in the Volkswagen Group such as the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Seat Leon and Škoda Superb. Even Mercedes-Benz has used this engine in its Vito model, with certain modifications.

Since 2010, the VR6 engine has only powered cars produced for the North American and Chinese markets, as it has stopped being installed in new cars in Europe due to stricter environmental standards.

Source: Andreas G. Schleith via LinkedIn

News

Hyundai drivers prefer physical buttons over touchscreen

Touch screens have become standard in most new cars, making car interiors look clean and stylish. They provide more options for controlling the car’s functions, and when the vehicle is not moving, they work perfectly well to use. However, Hyundai has done research that shows American drivers don’t really like touchscreens.

Hyundai conducted several tests on a certain group of users and found that people are stressed and annoyed when they want to adjust something quickly but fail to do so. It takes more time to find digital controls, which takes their attention away from the road creating uncertainty while driving, while they find physical buttons easier to use.

“When we introduced infotainment screens to our vehicles, we tried to integrate the controls as well, but people don’t prefer it,” Hyundai’s vice president of design in North America Ha Hak-soo told the Korea JoonAng Daily.

Hyundai has already started offering physical buttons alongside touchscreens, such as in the new Ioniq 5. Some believe that drivers could still accept only touchscreens if the driver assistance system were improved, which some automakers are trying to do.

Source: Hyundai

News

BMW started production of the new 1 Series

BMW has announced that it has started production of the fourth generation 1 Series, and the car will be produced at their factory in Leipzig, Germany.

Visually, a hatchback body style has been retained with a redesigned front and rear bumper, new LED lights. Earlier spy photos confirmed that the M version will feature deeper fenders, a discreet rear spoiler and quad tailpipes, just like the outgoing M135i xDrive. Inside, the new 1 Series will be equipped with a new digital cockpit and the latest technical solutions.

When it comes to the powertrain, the new 1 Series is offered in several options: 118d, 120d, 120 and M135 xDrive. The most powerful version of the M135 xDrive comes with a 2.0-L gasoline engine with 300 hp (224 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque, and AWD. That’s enough power to push the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The 120 version is powered by a 1.5-L twin-turbocharged 170 hp (127 kW) three-cylinder mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels.

The diesel options 118d and 120d, are powered by a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine with 150 hp (112 kW) and 163 hp (121 kW), combined with a 48-volt mild hybrid.

The fourth generation BMW 1 Series will arrive on the market at the end of the year.

Source: BMW

Gallery:

BMW started production of the new 1 Series