Tag Archives: vehicles

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EU ban on sales of combustion engines from 2035 remains

The EU has announced that it will not abandon its ban on the sale of combustion engine cars from 2035. “We are sticking to the targets for 2035, as well as those for 2025 and 2030,” said Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

When the EU announced that it would introduce new CO2 regulations from 2025, threatening heavy fines for those who did not comply, many European manufacturers rebelled. The EU then tried to find a compromise, and the deadline for reducing emissions was extended to 2027. This means that instead of measuring emissions compliance over just one year, averages will be measured over the past two years.

The group that represents manufacturers of electric vehicles and chargers, T&E, opposes the extension of the deadline, believing that the decision will not have a positive effect, because manufacturers will be able to produce less affordable vehicles, which will increase the already unattainable difference between Europe and China. They believe that the EU should be decisive in its goals and not make any concessions. However, how realistic would it be for the EU to make a radical decision?

The transition to fully electric cars is an expensive process and requires a lot of investment. This includes investment in research and development, new supply chains, training and equipping distributors and their workshops. The fact that the deadline had to be extended is an indication that the ten-year target is unrealistic. However, car manufacturers now have just three years to reach the new targets.

Source: Reuters

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1989 RUF CTR ‘Yellowbird’ sold for $6,055,000

Between 1987 and 1996, German automobile manufacturer Ruf Automobile built, from scratch, just 29 examples of the CTR Yellowbird, and one recently sold for $6,055,000 USD.

This CTR Yellowbird was produced in 1989 and is one of only nine CTRs originally finished in Definitive Blutengelb (Blossom Yellow). It is based on the narrow-bodied 911 Carrera 3.2 to keep aerodynamic drag and weight to a minimum. The original body parts were replaced by lightweight aluminum panels, which reduced the car’s weight by over 180 kg. Rain gutters have also been removed, the rear wheel arches have been widened to accommodate 17″ Speedline alloy wheels, aerodynamic side mirrors and special front and rear bumpers made of lightweight composite materials have been installed.

The car is in excellent condition, and during three decades the first owner kept it in a climate-controlled storage facility and maintained it regularly. It was registered for the first time in 2020 and sold to a new owner in the United States and has not driven a single kilometer since then. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer displayed just 1,673 km. It is equipped with an optional Leichtbau equipment package that includes aluminum front fenders, a leather-wrapped Matter aluminum roll cage, fire bottle, and Recaro racing bucket seats with shoulder harnesses.

When it comes to the powertrain, the CTR Yellowbird is powered by an air-cooled 3.4-L twin-turbo 6-cylinder engine with a Bosch motronic fuel injection, that delivers 463 hp at 5,950 rpm and 408 lb-ft of torque at 5,100 rpm. The engine is mated to an ultra-rare six-speed RUF manual gearbox.

Along with the car, the new owner received a tool kit, jack, tire inflator, roadside emergency equipment, and owner’s handbook folio, which contains the owner’s manual, warranty book, and literature relating to the Blaupunkt radio and Recaro seats, RUF Zertifikat, Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, and a copy of the original sales invoice.

Source: Gooding & Company

Gallery:

1989 RUF CTR 'Yellowbird' sold for $6,055,000
News

Audi R8 is coming back as plug-in hybrid

In March 2024, Audi announced that it would officially end production of its popular sports car R8, after 18 years and two generations. However, some reports suggest that the R8 could return as a plug-in hybrid.

According to Autocar, a third-generation R8 is in development and will be based on the same platform as the Lamborghini Temerario, with which it will also share an aluminum chassis, electronics and powertrain. This resolves the dilemma that arose earlier, that the replacement for the R8 could be an all-electric car.

The Temerario is powered by a 4.0-L V8 twin-turbo engine with 800 hp (596 kW) and 538 lb-ft (730 Nm) of torque combined with three electric motors, for a total output of over 900 hp (671 kW). The engine is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

At the end of 2023, Audi introduced the R8 Coupe Japan Final Edition as the last edition of this sports car, officially marking the end of its production. It is powered by a 5.2-L naturally aspirated V10 engine with 612 hp (456 kW) and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) of torque. The same engine powers the R8 V10 GT RWD, but this version has a seven-speed S-tronic transmission that sends power to all wheels.

The arrival of the new Audi R8 is expected in 2027, and fans of this model are now wondering if the German brand will produce a racing version, as was the case with previous generations.

Source: Autocar