Upgrades see increased range for Audi e-tron A series of technical changes have added more than 15 miles to the range Audi has rolled-out a series of changes to its e-tron, improving efficiency and range for the pure-electric SUV. The e-tron will now feature the same systems brought in for the recently launched Audi e-tron Sportback. The result of the changes is to improve the official driving range for the Audi e-tron 55 quattro to 271 miles (WLTP) on a charge. This sees an additional 15.5 miles added to the previous range, with no physical change to the battery or motors. A new type of braking system sees in improvement in efficiency thanks to reducing the effect of residual brake torque – losses that occur when the calipers are close to the discs. The ways the motors work is more efficient too, with the motor on the rear axle powering the e-tron when in normal driving. The front motor is almost completely disengaged for most of the time, and only kicks back in when the driver needs more power or runs in off-road mode. Audi has fine-tuned the battery technology to gain a little more usable capacity. The 95 kWh now has a net capacity of 86.5 kWh, allowing a little further range from each charge. All newly produced models will benefit from the technical upgrades, and there are no price increases linked to the changes. Prices start at £68,060 for the e-tron, including UK Plug-in Car Grant.
Origin: Upgrades see increased range for Audi etron
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Texas tuner Hennessey to hit Porsche Taycan with style and performance upgrades
A rendering of the 2020 Hennessey Porsche TaycanHennessey Performance Hennessey Performance in Texas is known for adding gobs of horsepower to new muscle cars most people assumed already had more output than they needed.But the tuner is planning to tackle its first electric vehicle next year in the form of the 2020 Porsche Taycan sedan.While past efforts have seen them crack the 1,000-hp mark with a 1,200-horse Shelby Mustang GT500; or add an extra axle to the Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss, were not certain you should expect any of those enhancements on the battery-driven Hennessey Taycan.All we know for certain is that theyll throw some wheel, tire and interior enhancements on the thing, reports Car and Driver, as well as new front and rear fascias. But it wouldnt be a Hennessey if the firm didnt also bump up the wattage coming out of the Taycans motors, right? Like some other electric performance vehicles, the Taycan is already plenty darn quick, so well see what one can do once it passes through Texas.Development of the Hennessey Taycan will begin in earnest once the first cars hit the U.S. in early
Origin: Texas tuner Hennessey to hit Porsche Taycan with style and performance upgrades
Land Rover releases some new upgrades for the old Defender
Land Rover Defender Works V8 The new Land Rover Defender is coming, we know. But the old Defender is already here, and now so are a slew of Land Rover Classic upgrade options to freshen up the old beast. Defender drivers (can we call them Defender-ers?) previously relied on aftermarket brands for that little extra tweak to the tires, brakes, suspension or engine, but now there’s a bunch of brand-approved upgrade kits that “deliver enhanced performance and on-road agility.”The kits are designed for 90 three-door and 110 five-door derivatives built between 1994 and 2016 and start with a set of diamond-turned 18-inch Sawtooth alloy wheels available for any Defender made in that range, for a ‘parts price’ of £2,160 ($3,461) — tack on another couple thousand pounds sterling if you want LR U.K. to put them on for you. For £1,822 ($2,921), the Defender Suspension Upgrade Kit will soften up the on-road experience for 2007 model years onward with modified anti-roll bars, dampers, links and bushes and adjusted coil spring rates. The Handling Upgrade Kit (around the $16,000 range) brings Defender Works V8-spec brake discs, pads and calipers to the new Sawtooth alloy wheels. The biggest package on the list is the Defender Classic Works Upgrade Kit, which combines all the wheel, brake and suspension upgrades along with some better tires and an engine adjustment that milks an extra 40 horsepower from the 2.2-litre turbo inline-four diesel in Defenders from 2012 onward. According to the brand, those improvements will get the Defender up to a new top speed of 106 mph (171 km/h). The $27,000 kit also includes some additional badging on the front wings, along with some paperwork and a tour of one of the Land Rover Classic Works facility in the U.K. or Germany, where the work will be done. More on JLR’s website right
Origin: Land Rover releases some new upgrades for the old Defender
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