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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Ford is upgrading Sync and offering full over-the-air updates
Fords SYNC3 features high-speed performance, an easy-to-use smartphone-like touchscreen and clean graphical interfaceAndrew McCredie / Driving Tesla has made much of the fact all its cars can be updated via over-the-air (OTA) upgrades. Now Ford is doing the same thing for legacy automakers. And although the company says that the process is a little more difficult the time it takes to download and upgrade is critical since traditional cars have but a puny 12-volt battery that is easily depleted virtually everything software-related in 2020 and later Fords, bumper-to-bumper, says said Don Butler, executive director of Fords Connected Vehicle and Services, will be upgrade-able remotely.That means that, on top of updates to infotainment and creature-comfort subsystem, new Ford engines, transmissions and even brake systems will be OTA-repairable. For instance, glitch shifting on new eight- and ten-speed automatics a common consumer complaint can now be fixed while you car is in your driveway.In fact, since Fords latest controllers can store the updates in the background, John Vangelov, Fords modem feature manager, says you can even program updates to occur while youre asleep.Meanwhile, in its steady progress from what was the worst infotainment system in the biz the original Sync to what is now one of the segment leaders, Ford is introducing the fourth generation of its infotainment system. Besides a whole bunch of new screens from the current 8-inch screen to a whopping 15.5-inch monstrosity and even a landscape-oriented version Ford is pushing cloud connectivity and machine learning even deeper into its architecture.So, says Ford, Sync 4s voice recognition is now conversational, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is now cord-free and machine learning means the system now learns your restaurant and entertainment preferences faster. On the largest 15.5-inch display, Sync will now let you run six different functions simultaneously, their controls displayed in something called Adaptive Dash Cards, Ford-speak for tiles.Whatever you call them, each of these little cards can remain minimized with basic controls or they can become the main display with full functionality. Its pretty slick and should keep Ford at the leading edge of dashboard man-machine interfaces. Ford says that accessing the cloud also increases the speed and accuracy of the built-in navigation system with up-to-the-minute updates and a wider range of information including things like parking spot availability and pricing to name but one advantage.Theres even a digital owners manual on-board that will include in-depth information on vehicle features and streamable how-to videos and more all through a searchable database.Look for Sync 4 as redesigned 2020 models arrive in Ford
Origin: Ford is upgrading Sync and offering full over-the-air updates
LEVC presents TX Shuttle as electrified mobility offering
London taxi maker LEVC has shown a shuttle-style reworking of its TX electrified cab at the Frankfurt motor show. Called the TX Shuttle, the new model uses the same 1.5-litre petrol engine and 147bhp electric motor as the TX for an electric-only range of 80 miles and overall range of 377 miles. The company says it “sees major demand in Europe for shuttle versions of the TX taxi”, and has adapted the vehicle to suit airport transfer services and minicab firms. The model’s six-seat interior receives minimal visual alterations over the standard model, but gains charging points, on-board Wi-Fi and a panoramic roof. LEVC says mobility and shuttle services have “the opportunity to specify the taxi to suit their own unique needs”, suggesting firms like Uber and Lyft could adopt the new model. The launch comes as LEVC targets increased sales across Europe. In July, the Coventry-based firm celebrated the completion of its 2500th TX taxi, but aims to rapidly ramp up production figures by exporting 70% of its cars before 2022. The firm has already sold TX models in Norway, Sweden, Hong Kong and Malaysia, but claims to have identified sales opportunities in Denmark, France and Germany, where the TX has recently been selected to front a new mobility service in the city of Offenbach. CEO Joerg Hoffman said: “The time is right for a new green mobility provider, cities are faced with ever-growing populations and the challenge of air quality. With our zero emission TX Taxi, TX Shuttle and LCV, we can change the way people and goods are moved around an urban area. “Our overall growth strategy is supported by export sales into new markets together with a new range of products. Our goal is to be the leading European green commercial mobility solution provider and I have every confidence we will achieve that ambition.” Future developments include the potential roll-out of self-charging technology, currently undergoing feasibility studies at the University of Duisenberg-Essen, and the launch of the firm’s new LCV
Origin: LEVC presents TX Shuttle as electrified mobility offering
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