Tag Archives: vehicles

Tuning

Manhart CRE 700 based on Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance

In 2023, Mercedes introduced a new generation of C-Class that no longer uses a V8 but a more powerful plug-in hybrid four-cylinder engine, without a distinctive sound, the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance. It is an impressive car with racing technology that the German tuner Manhart took to a higher level with the project called MANHART CRE 700.

The CRE 700 is painted black, which is standard for most Manhart projects, with a wide gray and thin red stripe running from the front fascia over the hood and roof to the rear. It is equipped with Manhart lowering springs by H&R that lower the body by approximately 20 millimeters, new exhaust system with sports downpipe, MHtronic module, 300-cell catalytic converters, 20″ rims with red details wrapped in 265/35 ZR20 ront and 275/35 ZR20 rear Michelin tires.

Inside, the interior of the standard C 63 S E Performance is retained. The dark cabin is still adorned with sports seats, red seat belts and carbon fiber accents.

When it comes to the powertrain, the CRE 700 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor for a total of 725 hp (541 kW) and 826 lb-ft (1,120 Nm) of torque. That’s more than the 671 hp (500 kW) and 752 lb-ft (1,020 Nm) of torque available in the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance. Power is sent to all wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Manhart could continue to work on the plug-in hybrid model and potentially expand the range of tuning options in the future, of course, depending on demand.

Source: Manhart

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News

Americans want EVs under $50,000

Are ICE cars losing the battle with electric cars or do they still have a chance to survive? According to a survey in the United States, almost 3/4 of Americans said that they plan to buy an all-electric car in the future, and several factors will be decisive: performance, range and lower price.

Currently, the price of electric cars is on the rise, and the demands and expectations of customers are increasing. According to BCG, only 12 percent of customers are satisfied with their electric cars, and it is estimated that this will increase to 30 percent when the next-gen EVs arrive. Buyers want a vehicle that costs under $50k, has a range of 350 miles (563 km) and can be charged in 20 minutes, and there are few cars that can currently meet these requirements. One of them is the Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE RWD Long Range.

New production methods accompanied by new innovations are predicted to bring prices down in the coming years, which will make the production of EVs cheaper than the production of ICE cars. This is based on the gigacasting process, in which, with the help of a huge press, large parts of the body are cast in one piece, instead of using dozens of welds and fasteners. Tesla was the first to use this method of producing components, and the fact that thanks to this method the Tesla Model Y was produced in 10 hours, instead of the 30 hours required for the production of the VW ID.3, shows how much of a difference it makes.

However, this method will increase the cost of car maintenance and repair. By 2027, the average cost of repairing an EV’s body and battery after a car accident is predicted to be 30 percent more expensive. This could mean the end of every damaged car, as it will be more profitable for owners to buy a new one than to repair a damaged vehicle.

Most manufacturers will have no problem meeting customer demands when it comes to range, but charging the battery in 25 minutes is more realistic than the expected 20 minutes. On the other hand, the price will be the biggest problem. Production costs do not depend only on the manufacturer but on global problems that are currently affecting all industries.

Source: BCG

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Shell plans to replace oil stations with electric charging stations

The increase in the number of electric cars on the road necessarily requires an increase in the number of charging stations, which opens new business opportunities for oil companies to become interested in this field of investment. One of them is the British company Shell, which intends to increase the number of its electric charging stations.

The British company announced the “Energy Transition Strategy 2024” plan, which includes investment in the construction of charging stations. However, this requires a large amount of money, and the first move Shell intends to make is to sell 1,000 of its current oil stations over the next two years.

In 2023, Shell Recharge EV had 27,000 electric chargers in various locations around the world, and last year that number was increased to 54,000 chargers. Now, the company intends to increase the number of chargers to more than 300,000 worldwide by the end of the decade.

“There are about 40 million electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road in the world today, and by 2030 there are expected to be 275 million. The availability of chargers will be critical for the growth of electric vehicles,” the company said.

Although Shell’s chargers are not compatible with the Tesla Supercharger or Electrify America networks, the British company has over 3,000 chargers in 31 US states, and more than 3,400 additional chargers are in development. Also, Shell Recharge EV last year opened its largest electric vehicle charging station (258 chargers) at the airport in Shenzhen, China. It was a good business decision considering that data shows that more than 3,300 electric vehicles use this station every day.

Shell believes that the demand for oil will decrease over time and that gasoline will not be primary in the future. “We believe that oil demand growth will slow down in the second half of this decade, and a more intense decline could occur in the next decade due to increased efficiency and growth in sales of electric vehicles,” the company said.

Source: Bloomberg