Tag Archives: vehicles

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

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

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The EU is changing tariffs on EVs made in China

At the beginning of June, the EU announced additional tariffs of up to 38.1% on electric cars imported from China, but according to information from some media, that decision could be changed.

Currently, imported cars made in China have a 10 percent tariff. However, as of July 4, this rate will rise to as much as 38 percent in some cases. For example, BYD will pay 17.4 percent, Geely 20 percent, and SAIC, which with the help of former British brand MG is by far the biggest seller in Europe, will pay 38.1 percent. Other brands that were cooperative will pay a 21 percent duty, and those that refused will pay 38.1 percent.

In 2023, the European Commission launched an investigation into the privileged position of electric vehicles produced in China due to subsidies. “These can also be vehicles from other manufacturers if they have used subsidies in China,” said Executive Vice President of the European Commission for an Economy Valdis Dombrovskis.

According to Bloomberg, manufacturers that cooperated during the investigation will have lower tariffs (20.8% instead of 21%). However, those who refused to cooperate will have tariffs of 37.6 percent instead of the original 38.1 percent. It should also be noted that these tariffs are temporary and that the EU will make a new decision on permanent tariffs by the end of the year.

Source: Bloomberg