Tag Archives: vehicles

News

Geely developed a battery that can ensure driving of one million kilometers

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, commonly known as Geely Holding, has produced a battery that can ensure driving of one million kilometers with minimal impact on range, and retains more than 90 percent of its capacity at temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius. It is an LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) battery with a density of 192 Wh/kg.

The new battery charges faster and takes 17 minutes and 4 seconds to charge from 10 to 80 percent. It also manages to retain 90.54 percent of its capacity at a temperature of -30 degrees Celsius, and can be charged up to 3,500 times. The secret is in its construction. It contains doped electrode materials in its composition in order to reduce the speed of the internal chemical reaction.

Geely tested the battery with a large number of tests, including the extreme ones. They pierced the battery with eight 5 mm steel needles and left it in that condition for an hour. Next, a 5.8 mm round was fired into the battery and failed to ignite it. After that, it was submerged in seawater, thrown into a fire, and even run over with a 26-ton roller. None of the tests caused significant damage.

This would definitely be a revolution in the development of batteries, and the company did not announce when production would start.

Source: Geely

News

2025 Land Rover Defender Octa

British Land Rover has introduced a new version of its Defender SUV, the Land Rover Defender Octa. It is the most powerful version of this model that will be presented for the first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which begins on July 11.

The car, which has been considered one of the best off-road vehicles for decades, received an improved chassis, steering system and adaptive suspension adapted to engine power, for minimal longitudinal and transverse tilting of the body, redesigned elements of the front and rear ends of the body, wider fenders, as well as 22- inch wheels and Brembo brakes. 20″ all-terrain tires (Goodyear Advance All-Terrain) are also available as an option, and it should be noted that thanks to the large clearance of the floor from the ground, the Defender can pass through water up to 100 centimeters deep.

The spacious interior, covered in leather, is equipped with contoured front seats with integrated headrests, and customers can choose from several different leather colors.

When it comes to the powertrain, the Defender Octa is powered by a 4.4-L V8 engine assisted by a mild hybrid system, with 635 hp (473 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that sends power on both axles. This means that the previous 5.0-L V8 option with 525 hp (391 kW) is not offered.

Land Rover Defender Octa, which is considered Land Rover’s answer to the most powerful Mercedes G-Class, costs over 156,000 euros (Edition One).

Source: Land Rover

Gallery:

2025 Land Rover Defender Octa
Auctions

1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A is up for auction

The Porsche 356 is a legend of the German, European and world auto industry. It was produced between 1948 and 1965 in four different series, the original (“pre-A”), 356 A, 356 B and 356 C. Each car, regardless of the series, is a magnet for collectors and all enthusiasts of this German brand. . One example, a 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A is up for auction.

This 356 Pre-A is powered by a replacement 1300S flat-four (P-50039) equipped with 1.6-liter pistons and cylinders, mated to a four-speed manual transmission. Four years ago, the engine was removed and resealed (by Beck’s European), at which time the piston rings were replaced, replacement valves were installed, and the flywheel and clutch were balanced. In the same year, twin Weber carburetors were installed. In 2023, the valves were adjusted, while the oil, spark plugs and fuel filters were replaced.

In 2010, the car was restored which included stripping the Reutter body down to bare metal, installing replacement floor panels, side panels, diagonals, door trim and bumpers, and repainting in its original shade of Azure Blue (Azurblau 522). In 2020, a protective film was applied to the nose, rockers and windshield paint. Also, front disc brakes and a master cylinder were replaced, and Sway-A-Way front torsion bars and Koni rear shocks were installed. It’s mounted on a set of 16″ steel wheels wrapped in 5.50-R16 Michelin X tires.

Inside, tan leather covers the seats and door panels. Additional equipment includes oatmeal square-weave carpets and full-width rubber floor mats, replacement radio with Bluetooth and Pioneer speakers. In front of the driver is a white two-spoke steering wheel and a five-digit odometer showing 55,791 miles (total mileage unknown).

The car comes with an Illinois title in the name of the owner’s LLC.

The auction ends on July 9 and the highest bid at the time of writing was USD $122,999.

Source: Bring a Trailer

Gallery:

1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A is up for auction