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Alastair Sloane

Laser safety system Apple of Volvo’s eye

May 8, 2023 by Alastair Sloane

A laser measuring system available in premium Apple iPhones is a contributing reason why Volvo bills its all-electric EX90 as its safest vehicle ever. The new SUV – the replacement for the current XC90 flagship – is expected to land in New Zealand later next year. Volvo NZ general manager Ben Montgomery said he has already received 22 deposits. EX90 gets a camera-based … [Read more...] about Laser safety system Apple of Volvo’s eye

Atto 3: Confucius and the Tinder trap

April 28, 2023 by Alastair Sloane

We bumped into each other at a BP station, both befuddled in front of two electric car chargers. He wanted to charge a top-up to an app on his smartphone.  “Been trying for a while,” he said. “Keeps telling me there’s a problem with charging as a guest.”  He said he was in Auckland for the day on business from Tauranga. The stitching on his shirt pocket had … [Read more...] about Atto 3: Confucius and the Tinder trap

Dieselgate gets blame for Euro7 pain

March 30, 2023 by Alastair Sloane

Volkswagen’s Dieselgate scandal is being blamed for what a growing number of carmakers say is an unreasonably hasty move by the European Commission (EC) to impose strict new Euro7 emission regulations. An EC spokesperson told Reuters that the proposed Euro7 emissions tests were important because of "scandals in the past about cheating devices". Euro7 would widen real-driving … [Read more...] about Dieselgate gets blame for Euro7 pain

Carmakers get relief from piston engine ban

March 28, 2023 by Alastair Sloane

The German government has thrashed out a deal with the European Union to allow sales of vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) to continue past 2035, so long as the vehicles burn carbon neutral “e-fuels.”  The EU’s plans to ban sales of new C02-emitting cars from 2035 were well underway before Germany halted progress by demanding an exemption for ICE cars that … [Read more...] about Carmakers get relief from piston engine ban

Nazi deputy’s Mercedes-Benz for sale 

March 23, 2023 by Alastair Sloane

A Mercedes-Benz that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler gifted to his deputy Rudolf Hess before the outbreak of World War II is expected to fetch around $NZ3 million at auction in the US next month. The 1934 500 K Offener Tourenwagen, or “open touring car”, is believed to be one of five unrestored examples of 500 K variants in existence. It has been in a private museum in West … [Read more...] about Nazi deputy’s Mercedes-Benz for sale 

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The Good Oil

French carmaker Renault has won the 2025 European Car of the Year award with the all-electric R5 supermini (pictured). It’s the brand’s second win in a row, following the new Scenic’s gong in 2024. The R5 led the vote count from start to finish from the 60 jurors in 23 countries. It received 353 points, beating the Kia EV3 (291 points) and the Citroen C3/e in third place with 215 points. It’s Renault’s eighth win in the 62-year history of the Coty award. The R5 goes on sale in the UK this month. There are two main drivetrains: a 90kW motor/40kWh battery model with a 300km range, and a 112kW/52kWh example with a 400km range. The R5 starts in price at £22.995, or $NZ50,000.

EU carmakers seek trade deal with Trump

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are among carmakers urging the European Union to get a favourable trade deal with US President Donald Trump. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) wants to keep open trade with both the US and China. It fears Trump, who promises heavy tariffs on Chinese imports to the US, will look unfavourably on countries that continue to trade freely with Beijing. Ola Kallenius, president of the group and chairman of the management board of MB, said in a letter to EU leaders:  “Overall, it is essential to recognise that trade with China and the US is most vital for the prosperity of the European economy.The EU should seek a grand bargain with the US and attempt to avoid a potential trade conflict.”

Diesel fuels EV concept for US military

A  go-anywhere EV concept for the US military uses an onboard 12kW diesel generator to top up the batteries on the move.  The all-wheel-drive has 800-volt technology and a 200kWh battery pack to power three electric motors, two in the rear and one up front. Claimed output is 745kW/15,590Nm, or 1000hp and 11,500 ft-lb of torque.  The four-seater was developed by the defence division of General Motors and is based on the platform of the Hummer SUV. It rides on Fox performance shock absorbers and 37-inch tyres and comes with “exceptional” approach and departure angles for off-road mobility. Maximum range using the generator to keep things ticking over is said to be around 500km.

We are the World

The outside temperature in Midland, Texas, was 40.5C when staff at the local office of the US National Weather Service set out to show the cabin of a closed car can literally get baking hot in summer. They mixed up a batch of chocolate chip cookies and laid them on the car’s dashboard – the surface of which showed a temperature of 87.7C. A little over four hours later the cookies were ready to eat. “Even though ours weren’t golden brown, we can confirm that they are done and delicious,” the staff wrote on Facebook.

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Electric G-Wagen takes you for spin

https://youtu.be/NwHbJ7HN1sU

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