The Tesla Model 3 PerformanceHandout / Tesla Teslas latest over-the-air update adds more performance to the sporty dual-motor Model 3, suggest new reports from owners.The update is available only on the dual-motor Model 3, according to Road Show, and can boost the cars acceleration off the line, leading to a new zero-to-60-mph (96 km/h) time of just 3.9 seconds. Thats 0.5 seconds faster than it used to be, and slots the vehicle just under the Model 3 Performances acceleration time of 3.3 seconds to 60 (96 km/h).There is a caveat to this boost in performance, however. The upgrade will cost US$2,000. Thats a lot of cheddar for a small boost in performance. If you were competing in real drag racing, half-a-second can mean winning or losing the race. But does it really matter when the vehicle is your daily driver? Is that significant an amount of money worth it for just a half-a-second better acceleration time? Users took to Reddit to describe their experiences, and they all seem to be pretty positive. The upgrade is described as noticeable, and worth it. People have even taken to calling updated vehicles 3D+.Tesla has not commented on the upgrade as of yet, but hopefully it will give some insight as to why the upgrade isnt free, and what exact changes were made to give the car its performance
Origin: Tesla reportedly offering a Model 3 acceleration boost for a small fee
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Watch: Tesla Model X and Ford Raptor engage in tug-of-war
YouTubers The Zunigas couldnt wait for Tesla and Ford to settle their tug-of-war beef, so they decided to stage a rematch of their own. In case you missed the Cybertruck reveal and all the memes that followed, Elon played a video clip of a Cybertruck skipping away with an F-150 in a tug-of-war like it was child dragging a reluctant puppy to the park.But skeptics, some at Ford included, pointed out the truck chosen was a two-wheel-drive F-150 and therefore not the best comparison.Enter The Zunigas guys, who happen to own a Ford F-150 Raptor with a twin-turbo V6 tuned to around 600 horsepower and a Tesla Model X, the most powerful SUV made by the brand and arguably the closest thing to a Cybertruck available. Heres the thing, if Elon wants a real challenge, he shouldve gone up against a Raptor, a big boy car, says Jose, on Team Ford, at the beginning of the video, going on to call the Tesla a Mom car and predicting that hed jack up its chassis with his truck. But when the electric Mom car was strapped to the big boy Raptor and the throttles buried, thats not exactly what happened. (Heads up, skip to the 3:00-minute mark to hear the trash talk, or to about 4:20 for the actual contest.)The Tesla comes out strong and doesnt let up, pulling the Raptor back a good distance before both drivers let up. But all may not be equal where rubber hits the road, with the Tesla wearing what some might call more appropriate tires designed for pavement, while the Raptors shoes are (likely) for off-road terrain. Is this the inevitable outcome of the Cybertruck vs F-150 rematch, or just another mismatched comparison? Give us your take
Origin: Watch: Tesla Model X and Ford Raptor engage in tug-of-war
Tesla Model 3 dominates UK EV sales figures
Tesla Model 3 dominates UK EV sales figures The Model 3 is the best selling car in the UK in 2019 to date Tesla’s Model 3 has taken the UK electric car market by storm, with more than 5,300 units registered in Q3 2019. The pure-electric saloon outsold the following four best-sellers combined for the three months covering July to September according to recently updated Department for Transport (DfT) figures. It has also shot into first place in the year’s sales charts, despite having only been on sale for a fraction of that time. Now that deliveries of the Model 3 have fully come on stream in the UK, Tesla’s most accessible model is only likely to continue that trend for the foreseeable future. Although the cheapest model in Tesla’s range, buyers opted for the most-expensive specification – the Model 3 Performance – most out of the three available trim levels. The Performance version has taken 42% of Model 3 registrations to the end of September 2019, while the entry-level Model 3 Standard Range + has accounted for a third of sales, leaving the Long Range model with 25% of the mix. Having only had 173 Model 3 units registered in Q2 2019 – deliveries only really started towards the quarter – Tesla has shifted huge numbers of the premium electric saloon since. With 5,311 units registered according to DfT data, it made the second best-selling electric vehicle in Q3 2019 VW’s e-Golf. Volkswagen shifted almost 1,200 units, putting the electric Golf just ahead of the ever popular Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. The Mitsubishi sits in third place for Q3 2019, with 1,177 registered during that time. Rounding out Q3’s best-sellers are the BMW i3 – now predominantly pure-EV registrations since i3 REX models have been phased out. With 1,135 registrations, it sits ahead of the Nissan Leaf’s 1,118 registrations, and Jaguar’s I-Pace with 1,057. The Mini Countryman Cooper S E, BMW 330e, and BMW 530e come in ahead of the Range Rover Sport P400e, LEVC TX range-extended taxi, and Renault Zoe. It’s worth remembering with the BMW models and the Zoe that these are end of run versions, with updated models released since the end of Q3 2019. These are likely to start appearing in the next set of figures for the BMW PHEVs, and in Q1 2020’s results for the Renault. It’s encouraging to see that pure-electric models have taken many of the top places in Q3. The Model 3, e-Golf, Leaf and I-Pace show plenty of blue on the left of the above table. The BMW i3’s figures are largely pure-electric too, with only 53 of the i3’s quarterly figures made up of i3 REX models. A similar picture is painted for 2019 to date, with all of Tesla’s Model 3 figures accounted for since the start of the year. It leads the table for the first nine months of 2019, and it seems exceptionally unlikely that it will be replaced when the next set of statistics for 2019 as a whole are released in March next year. The other models remain, though in a different order. The Outlander PHEV is in second place for the year with more than 4,600 registrations, BMW’s i3 with over 3,000 units, the Jaguar I-Pace with almost 2,900 registrations, and the Mini Countryman Cooper S E just 11 units behind the I-Pace with 2,863 registrations. It’s still a little early for the Model 3 to have an impact on the UK’s total plug-in sales charts, where the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV retains its significant lead. In fact it’s stretching the gap between it and the Nissan Leaf in second place – but only just. Mitsubishi has seen 43,616 Outlander PHEVs registered to the end of Q3 2019, compared to the 26,766 Nissan Leaf models registered, increasing the lead by almost 60 units compared to Q2’s figures. The BMW i3 retains third place, ahead of the BMW 330e and BMW 530e, with around 15,000, 14,000 and 11,000 registrations respectively. The Mercedes Benz C 350e comes in ahead of the Renault Zoe, Tesla’s Model S, the VW Golf GTE, and Mini’s Countryman Cooper S E for the top cumulative registrations. The Model 3 misses out on the top 10 total UK electric vehicle sales then, but only just. Having had registrations for just over three months of the figures available – which go back to the start of 2012 – it sits in 11th place overall, and has already overtaken UK sales of the Tesla Model X, which has been on sale since Q4 2019. Newer pure-electric entrants include the MG ZS EV and Mercedes Benz EQC, which only became available towards the end of Q3 2019. As such, we expect Q4’s registrations to significantly improve on the 66 MG models and 47 EQCs registered so far. Relative growth naturally saw a big increase for the Model 3, up more than 3000% compared to the Q2 2019. PHEVs such as BMW’s 745e saw a 120% increase between the two sets of statistics, and sales of the Mercedes Benz E 300 de increased by 87%. The pure-electric Audi e-tron showed growth of 78%. All of these are new models for the quarter – with only a handful of sales accounted for in Q2 – picking up
Origin: Tesla Model 3 dominates UK EV sales figures
The newest New York City taxi cab is — the Tesla Model 3
In addition to its five stock colours for consumers, you might soon see Teslas Model 3 in bright yellow. The all-electric sedan has been approved for use as a taxicab in New York City.According to Autoblog, the Model 3 was recently added to the list of vehicles permitted by the citys Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC).Its the first all-electric car officially approved for taxi use since the first electric carriages that drove alongside horse-drawn cabs in the 1890s. The Model 3 was one of some twenty cars added to the list.In a response to Autoblog, the TLC said it didnt know who submitted the request to approve the Tesla. The city issues Alternative Fuel Medallions, but up until now, the published rules have stated these are valid only for a vehicle that is a hybrid electric vehicle or is powered by compressed natural gas that is manufactured by an original equipment manufacturer for the general commercial or consumer market. In addition, such a vehicle has to meet the same standard as other taxis, including minimum exterior size and interior volume, luggage capacity and air conditioning. Vehicles with internal combustion engines cant make more than 295 horsepower, and the Tesla meets that restriction in all but the Model 3s high-performance versions.New York previously designated an official taxicab, which most cab owners were required to purchase. In 2011, the Nissan NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow was named the official vehicle, but it was a controversial decision since it pushed out the previous greener choice, the Ford Escape Hybrid.Some believed the loss of the lucrative New York taxi market was the reason behind Fords decision to ditch the hybrid version which had far fewer consumer sales when the Escape was redesigned for 2013.In 2018, the TLC dropped the NV200 purchase requirement and approved a list of 30 possible vehicles, such as the Toyota Camry.To qualify as a taxi, the Model 3 as with every other vehicle will have to be equipped with a roof light, medallion and decals, an interior partition and cameras to photograph passengers, and be painted yellow. It will be allowed to remain in service for a maximum of seven years.LISTEN: In this week’s episode, we talk about all the electrifying news coming out of the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show with Postmedia Driving senior writer David Booth, including Ford’s bold Mustang Mach-e SUV. And, of course, we get Booth’s take on Tesla’s Cybertruck. Plugged In is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.Is the player not working? Click
Origin: The newest New York City taxi cab is — the Tesla Model 3
2020 BMW X3 lineup grows with a new plug-in hybrid model
2020 BMW X3 xDrive30eDerek McNaughton / Driving What is it?BMWs most popular model the X3 will soon be available as a plug-in hybrid with an electric range of 50 kilometres.Why does it matter?While a fully electric X3 is still a distant possibility, the X3 XDrive30e with standard AWD bridges the gap between a future BEV and the partial electric X3 today. Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder turbo engine with 184 horsepower and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission.Check out all of our latest auto show coverage hereThe high-voltage battery can be charged via a conventional household socket using the standard-equipment charging cable. In this way, the battery will fully charge in less than six hours. For commuters who travel less than 50 kilometres each day, it could be months before ever needing gas. Together, the two drive units yield 292 horsepower, allowing for a zero-to-100 km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h. Average fuel economy, when bolstered by the batterym is 2.4L / 100 kilometres.More importantly, the lithium-ion battery pack is located underneath the rear seat while the fuel tank is positioned above the rear axle, so the cargo space of 450 litres is the same as a conventional X3. When is it coming?The X3 plug-in hybrid is coming to Canada late spring, 2020, with pricing will be announced closer to the launch.Should you buy it? If you like the looks and driving dynamics of the X3, as lots of people do, then saving fuel, cutting emissions and never having to suffer range anxiety sounds like an ideal formula for this popular premium SUV.LISTEN: What do car dealers think about electric vehicles? Are they keen to have them in their showrooms? We talk to Vancouver GM dealer Blair Upton about this and much more during this week’s episode of Plugged In. Plugged In is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.Is the player not working? Click
Origin: 2020 BMW X3 lineup grows with a new plug-in hybrid model
Ferrari to reveal new model later today
Ferrari has confirmed that it will reveal a new model later today in a post on its official Instagram page. An accompanying image reveals little about the new car, but we can see a blurred grey silhouette travelling at speed, reflected in a pair of sunglasses. A video posted to the same account earlier this week features clips of famous Italian landmarks and traffic in urban areas, suggesting that it will be a less performance-focused model than the recently revealed F8 Tributo and SF90 Stradale. One possibility is that the firm will reveal a hardtop coupé variant of its entry-level Portofino sports car, following the unveiling last month of the 812 GTS and F8 Spider convertibles. In that case, we can expect it to retain the grand tourer’s turbocharged 3.9-litre V8, which produces 592bhp and 561lb ft. The new car is likely to offer a slight performance advantage over the drop-top, however, with the loss of a weighty roof mechanism. Full details of the new model will be available later today at
Origin: Ferrari to reveal new model later today
Volvo reveals XC40 Recharge as first full electric model
The four-wheel-drive XC40 Recharge features two 201bhp electric motors, one mounted on each axle, that combine to offer 402bhp and 487lb ft of torque. That enables it to achieve 0-62mph in 4.9 secs, with a limited top speed of 112mph. Power is drawn from a 78kWh underfloor battery, with Volvo citing a WLTP-certified range of more than 248 miles. Charging is available through an 11kW AC charger or a 150kW DC fast-charger, which the firm says can deliver an 80% charge in 40 minutes. The vehicle largely retains the exterior and interior styling of the conventional XC40, albeit with the addition of a new sealed fascia in place of the traditional radiator grille for the combustion engine. The model also gets Recharge branding and other minor design tweaks, while the charging port is located on the rear pillar of the car in the same place as a traditional petrol cap. Built on the same Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform as the regular XC40, the Recharge version retains largely the same dimensions with a length of 4425mm and a width of 2034mm. Because of the underfloor batteries, the XC40 Recharge has a slightly reduced ground clearance of 175mm, compared to 211mm on the regular model. The XC40 Recharge offers 413 litres of luggage capacity, a reduction of 460 litres for the regular model although, due to the space saved by the lack of a combustion engine, it gains a 31-litre ‘frunk’ storage area underneath the bonnet. The machine weighs a minimum of 2150kg, compared to 1497kg for the combustion-engined version. The XC40 Recharge is also the first Volvo to feature a new infotainment system powered by the Google Android operating system. That system features Volvo On Call, the firm’s digital platform. The likely initial price of the XC40 Recharge is similar to that of the closely related Polestar 2, the first electric model from Volvo’s spin-off performance brand. That model, which features the same electric powertrain – and identical power, torque output and range – costs £49,900 in its initial Launch Edition. Planned base models are likely to cost around £34,500. To accompany the launch of the XC40 Recharge, Volvo is also revamping its sales process. From early next year, customers visiting its website will be asked first if they want an electrified car, and a range of financial incentives designed to encourage efficient electric driving will also be offered. With Volvo aiming for plug-in hybrids to account for a fifth of its total sales next year, the firm is planning to triple production capacity for its electrified models, including the XC40 Recharge. It will also offer a new Designer’s Choice selection for Recharge models, which it says will feature “radically reduced delivery
Origin: Volvo reveals XC40 Recharge as first full electric model
Lamborghini’s fourth model could be an all-electric 2+2
Lamborghini is plotting to add a fourth model to its insane lineup. Sports cars, hypercars and SUVs are all covered in its range, so what it needs now is a four-seat grand tourer. And, since its 2019, probably a battery-powered one, says a new Autocar report.If you look at the timing for a fourth model line, there is the potential that this will be the right time for a full-electric vehicle, according to Lamborghini RD boss Maurizio Reggiani.The vehicle is rumoured to drop in 2025, which would coincide with parent company Volkswagen’s planned onslaught of electric supremacy.Its very possible, also, that the vehicle will use VWs PPE platform, the one that underpins the Porsche Taycan, the Audi eTron GT and a rumoured forthcoming all-electric Bentley. Performance will be important (in a 2+2). We must be fast but not quite in the same way as we need to be in our super-sports cars, Reggiani told the magazine. A fourth model line will be something a little bit different.Because of the nature of a grand touring automobile, the EV would have to have a range of at least 600 km, and by 2025 that doesnt seem like much of a stretch. The acceleration would also have to rival what Tesla is putting out these days, which means under 3.0 seconds to 100 km/h from zero.Apparently nobody knows what words mean anymore, because its unclear if the vehicle would be a four-door or a coupe. Bosses at Lamborghini are calling it a 2+2, indicating its a two-door vehicle with seats behind the driver and passenger.However, the styling is said to take after the Estoque concept, which is a four-door. Perhaps the Estoque will be considered in the design process, losing two of its doors to become a svelte, modern take on the Lamborghini Espada. We can only
Origin: Lamborghini’s fourth model could be an all-electric 2+2
Schwarzenegger sets Greta Thunberg up with Tesla Model 3 to Montreal
Tesla Model 3Tesla Climate activist and scolder of world leaders Greta Thunberg will be travelling to various North American events this month including one in Montreal in a Tesla Model 3, courtesy of none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger.The actor-turned-politician apparently made the offer after learning of her travel plans in Canada and the States during this leg of her climate crusade.While your author and many others associate Terminator and Predator movies with the former California governor, Schwarzenegger has lately been using his influence as a call to action on environmental issues. This friendship between Schwarzenegger and Thunberg may seem random, but the two have been on the same climate page for ages. The muscle-bound actor said he was starstruck after meeting the young activist earlier this year at an environmental summit in Vienna. Given his willingness to help her with her efforts right now on this side of the pond, its safe to say the sixteen-year-old made quite an impression on him.Schwarzenegger isnt new to the electric car scene, having had a Hummer H1 converted to electric power by an outfit called Kreisel Electric. Those of us with long memories will recall the actor was one of the first (if not the first) to take delivery of a civilian Humvee when they were released to the general public back in the 1990s. An electric conversion, then, ties the mans then-and-now interests together very well.After taking the world to task in a speech delivered at the UN last week, Thunberg continued to Montreal where she lead an estimated 500,000 people on that days climate strike. These events, held around the world, are intended to highlight climate change and spur people into taking real
Origin: Schwarzenegger sets Greta Thunberg up with Tesla Model 3 to Montreal
Battery runs empty in Tesla Model S police car in mid-pursuit
A Tesla Model S police cruiser ran out of battery in the middle of a high-speed pursuit, the Fremont, California police department has confirmed.Fremont officer Jesse Hartman radioed in that he was chasing down a felony vehicle but that his Model S cop car showed just six miles (10 km) of range before the battery would be empty, reports The Mercury News.Hartman asked his dispatch to have another unit take over as pursuit lead after suggesting I may lose it here in a second; other gas-powered cars picked up the chase only to drop it shortly after due to the suspects driving getting way too reckless. The Tesla, meanwhile, had to recharge in San Jose before heading back to the station.The department told Roadshow its unclear why the Tesla wasnt charged that particular day, and noted the car had been through roughly two full shifts when the chase commenced at 11 p.m. on September 20. Though this was only the EV police cars second pursuit, a representative for Fremont PD said it performed well, and that theyre overall thrilled with the Tesla as a cruiser.Even gas-powered police cars have run out of fuel on the job, the representative noted, and other units were able to pick up this particular chase anyway before terminating it.While the car usually comes back with 40 per cent or 50 per cent of its battery range remaining, perhaps this will work as a lesson to remind them to always top it off at the end of every
Origin: Battery runs empty in Tesla Model S police car in mid-pursuit
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