Bugatti goes from 4 wheels to 2
Bugatti has presented its first electric vehicle at the CES. It is not a super sports car, but an electric kick scooter developed with the US company Bytech.
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Rimac completes Bugatti takeover
The Croatian electric car manufacturer Rimac will take over a majority stake in VW’s luxury Bugatti brand, as expected. The German automaker group is thus parting with a brand but will continue to hold shares in the new company Bugatti-Rimac via Porsche.
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Rimac buys majority stake in Bugatti from Volkswagen
According to a media report, the Croatian electric car specialist Rimac wants to acquire a majority stake in VW subsidiary Bugatti. Rimac is to be floated on the stock market by 2022.
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VW reconsiders three brands under electric strategy
As part of its realignment towards more economies of scale in the mass production of electric cars, Volkswagen is putting the future of its Lamborghini, Bugatti and Ducati brands to the test, according to a media report. A decision could fall next month.
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CO2 pooling: VW merges fleets with SAIC and Ford
The Chinese automotive group SAIC has joined the Volkswagen Group’s CO2 pool in the EU with its brands MG Motor and SAIC Motors Europe. This is according to an official document of the European Commission.
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Kids and grown-ups love it so
For its 110th anniversary, Bugatti is releasing a downsized version of Type 35 aka the Bugatti Baby, a race car from the 1920ies. The new Bébé II features swappable Li-ion batteries and two speed-caps at 20 kph and 40 kph so that both children and adults may take it for a spin.
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Bugatti goes Lego
The Bugatti Chiron has been produced as a fully-electric variant, but that is not the most unusual part of the unique construction – the body is made of many small plastic bricks, more popularly known as Lego.
Read moreMike O’Brien, Henrik Fisker
“Our biggest problem with Ioniq is we don’t have enough of them. I think our only problem right now is insufficient supply.”
Mike O’Brien, VP of product, corporate and digital planning for Hyundai Motor America, when asked if Ioniq sales were slow (4,881 units through June), points to a problem of supply rather than demand, esp. for the EV variant.
wardsauto.com
“My lesson learned there is that we need to make 100 percent sure of the battery technology that we launch with, which is why we chose LG Chem.”
This is Henrik Fisker, who blames parts of his previous downfall on A123 Systems, which supplied batteries for the Karma before filing for bankruptcy in 2012. With LG Chem he went for the safe option.
autonews.com
Last request.
Last request: Tesla rarely makes exceptions when it comes to its waiting list. But when they learned that a man who has cancer and probably not much longer to live wanted to absolutely own a Tesla, they gave him the top spot.
electrek.co
Tesla, BMW, China, Geely, Subru, Japan, Bugatti.
Tesla with even more range? The Californian is allegedly working on a 100 kWh battery pack. A hacker says he discovered code in the recent firmware that reveals the model name P100D, as well as the corresponding logo.
electrek.co, teslarati.com
BMW vision without drive: The Bavarian celebrated its 100th anniversary, showing off future possibilities with i.e. the autonomous BWM Vison Next 100 concept car with an extremely low drag coefficient of 0,18. So far, they did not say what the drivetrain of the future will look like. We hope that combustion engines will no longer play a big part.
autocar.co.uk, carscoops.com
Clearing up China’s market: The Chinese government has revoked the production license of 13 EV manufacturers after they repeatedly violated national requirements. Shuanghuan Auto, for example, is said to have been a little too inspired by foreign designs – not an isolated incident in China. The licenses will now be given to other manufacturers.
ecns.cn
Geely hybridises: The Chinese manufacturer has kicked off serial production of its first model featuring the newly developed hybrid drive. It plans to build some 5,000 units of the Emgrand EC7. At the end of 2015, Geely announced that it wants to fit 90 percent of its offering with electric motors by 2020.
scmp.com
Subaru electrification platform: Fuji Heavy Industries announced a single production platform for future Subaru models, which will also allow for the integration of hybrid and electric drivetrains. The Impreza will be the first to roll out on the new system this year.
reuters.com, greencarcongress.com
Road tests for diesel cars: Because six models emitted up to ten times more nitrogen oxide than allowed, the Japanese government will perform road tests for diesel vehicles. The miscreants were not VWs, but come from Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Mazda. Apparently the system that reduces emissions stopped working because of the cold.
japantimes.co.jp
Bugatti without e-power: Despite previous plans, Bugatti apparently decided at the last minute to not fit its sports car Chiron with an electric motor – a small detailed we missed. We apologize for the mistake.
Mitsubishi, Daimler + Tesla, Audi, McLaren, Bugatti, Hyundai.
Mitsubishi to serial produce eX: The Japanese will launch the electric SUV eX Concept shown in Geneva. According to Autocar, the compact offroader will be available with a range of 400 km from 2020. Despite being fitted with an all-wheel electric drive, pricing is said to be similar to the combustion engine variant.
autocar.co.uk
Daimler and Tesla go separate ways: Daimler will no longer get the battery and drivetrain for the next-generation B-Class Electric Drive from Tesla, German Automobilwoche reports in their print edition. Daimler says, it can “supply itself without a problem in the future.”
wiwo.de (in German)
Audi to go H2: The H-tron Quattro concept currently on display in Geneva will go into serial production, Audi’s chief engineer Stefan Knirsch confirmed in an interview with Top Gear. The only question is when and the answer not very promising; there need to be enough hydrogen filling stations, says Knirsch. So it could be while…
topgear.com
McLaren update: The British manufacturer confirmed a relaunch of its current 650S and 675LT. The code-named P14 is said to feature a V8 and an electric motor. A first version could be shown in Geneva next year. McLaren only recently announced 15 new models by 2022 – half of them with hybrid drivetrains.
caranddriver.com, autoevolution.com
Electric sedan from Bugatti? Only a few days ago, the VW luxury brand took the wraps off the expensive and powerful Chiron, boasting a hybrid drive with a combined 1,102 kW (we reported). And Bugatti CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer is already pondering his next move: a four-door sedan, possibly purely electric.
bloomberg.com
Hyundai’s secret plans: According to media reports, the South Korean in working on a single-seat EV and electric scooter. Unfortunately, no details have been revealed, nor has Hyundai confirmed the plans. However, considering the popularity of small EVs and electric scooters in Asia, the idea is not too far-fetched.
autoblog.com, reuters.com
Rimac, Toyota, Tesla, Bugatti, Gigafactory, India.
Rimac Two: The Croatian brought a second EV to Geneva as previously suggested. The Concept_S is even more powerful than the Concept One, boasting 1,018 kW and AWD. The 82 kWh battery should last for a race or two – top speed stands at 365 kph – and the carbon model is also lighter than the original Rimac.
autoblog.com, electricautosport.com, hybridcars.com
Quirky Toyota: The Japanese carmaker’s latest hybrid seems to pay homage to the film Mad Max. The Kikai sits three people and all inner workings of the microcar are clearly visible – even for the driver, who can watch the wheels turn at his/her feet. Careful though, there is no autopilot mode yet.
technologicvehicles.com, toyota.co.uk
Model X ready for Europe: Tesla has opened the configurator for European buyers of the ‘Signature’ edition and thus reveals pricing. Prices vary from country to country but are considerably higher (around 172,000 dollars) than in the U.S., due to VAT applied on the continent.
electrek.co
For the few: The Chiron debuted in Geneva as anticipated. Its price of about 2.6m dollars could be a hurdle for some, but Bugatti says it received about 150 orders for the super hybrid. The Veyron successor sports 1,479 hp and a top speed of 261 mph despite weighing 2 tons. Production of 500 units is set for autumn.
carscoops.com, autocar.co.uk
Strike: Gigafactory construction came to a halt, as about 100 workers refused to continue working in protest of out-of-state employees hired by Tesla contractor Brycon Corp. The EV maker has denied the allegations and says the majority of workers are from Nevada.
autoblog.com, bloomberg.com
SUV tax: The Indian government plans to levy a 4 percent tax on cars that are longer than 4 metres and have a high engine capacity. Trikes, as well as electric and hybrid vehicles and FCV are exempt.
livemint.com
– Number of the Day –
Proterra buses logged more than 2 million electrical miles in the U.S.. The milestone was reached during revenue service by 63 electric buses in 9 different states. Proterra plans to double its production capacity this year.
greencarcongress.com
BMW, Faraday Future, Bugatti, Breakthrough Energy Coalition, Kia.
What will the i5 look like? Autocar reports that BMW is in the final stages of picking a design for the next i-model. Apparently, two configurations are still on the table – a longer version of the i3 and a sedan that could rival Tesla’s Model 3. A concept could be shown at the 100th company anniversary in spring.
autocar.co.uk
Faraday Future teases concept: The electric vehicle start-up published three teaser images of its concept car, which will be unveiled on January 4 at the 2016 CES. It is speculated to have autonomous driving capabilities and be able to go some 300 miles on one charge.
worldcarfans.com, autocar.co.uk
Veyron successor named: Bugatti confirmed that the Veyron successor will be called Chiron and will make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show 2016. The hybrid hypercar will produce about 1,500 hp and is currently undergoing its final testing. Bugatti says it already received 100 orders.
autocar.co.uk, worldcarfans.com, carscoops.com
Investing in clean energy: At the start of the Paris climate talks, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and more than 20 other billionaires have announced a new multibillion-dollar “Breakthrough Energy Coalition” to research and develop clean energy technologies. In parallel, 20 countries — including China, India, U.S., and Brazil — are joining the “Mission Innovation,” which commits them to double their R&D investments in clean energy technologies over the next five years.
forbes.com, theverge.com
Caught on camera: First images of the Kia Optima sportswagon have emerged on the web. The vehicle could be presented at the Geneva Auto Show and is rumoured to also be available as a plug-in hybrid.
autocar.co.uk, worldcarfans.com
Toyota, Tesla, Chevrolet, Mahindra, Bugatti, Audi.
Toyota fast forwards the electrification of its fleet as it plans to decrease its average new-vehicle CO2 emissions by 90 percent by 2050. This means combustion engines will become a thing of the past for the Japanese carmaker, who looks to strengthen the future instead. Some 30,000 fuel cell vehicles and 1.5m hybrids shall be sold annually by 2020. Also, Toyota plans to sell H2 buses by 2017. In terms of R&D, better batteries such as solid-state technology move even higher up the agenda. This is what we call a bright “mirai” (future).
greencarcongress.com, toyota.co.jp, toyota-global.com (The Environmental Action Plan)
Tesla cashes in: The latest software update is available from today. That much we knew. What Elon Musk failed to announce was the 2,500 dollars Tesla charges those who like to get all the autopilot functions “included” in version 7, Fortune reports. Usually, Tesla updates are free of charge.
fortune.com
Nationwide Volt rollout: The order books for the 2017 Chevrolet Volt will open this December in all North American states. Production of the 2017 version starts in February 2017 with first deliveries to commence in spring. The 2016 Volt will only be available in selected states and Canada (we reported).
insideevs.com
Mahindra goes Britain: The Indian manufacturer further clarified its plan to enter the European market with a four-door version of its electric e2o that is to land in Great Britain. In order to do so, Mahindra will set up a dedicated distribution centre on the Isles.
business-standard.com
Bugatti Chiron saved: Volkswagen’s budget cuts do not concern the planned hybrid sports car, according to Jalopnik. The prestige project Bugatti Chiron will thus be presented in Geneva next year.
jalopnik.com
Audi made in Belgium: The German carmaker will build its Q6 E-tron in Brussels starting in 2018, Belgian De Morgen learned. The electric SUV is to sit between the Audi Q5 and Q7.
reuters.com, demorgen.be (original source in Dutch)
Thunder Power, Artega, Nissan, Toyota, Bugatti, Mission Motorcycles.
Thunder Power lifts curtain: The Taiwanese company officially introduced its Tesla-fighter concept in Frankfurt. There will be two variants of the electric vehicle – one with 230 kW and the other with 320 kW under the hood. Both will be able to go 650 km on one charge. Market launch in Europe is scheduled for 2017, followed by China in 2018. The U.S. will have to wait a while longer before seeing the EV hit the road.
carscoops.com
Sports car Scalo: Artega hopes to make a comeback with the Scalo, an electric version of the company’s late GT, which had caused it to go bankrupt. This time, the petrol engine was replaced by two electric motors with a combined peak power of 390 kW. The car is said to have a range of up to 400 km, while maximum speed is set at 250 kph. The Scalo will only be built to order.
autogespot.co.za, autoweek.nl (in Dutch), autobild.de (in German)
Nissan crossover concept: The Japanese presented the Gripz Concept at the IAA Tuesday, equipped with the ‘Pure Drive’ e-Power hybrid system. A petrol engine powers the electric motor also used in the Nissan Leaf. The sporty four-door crossover is said to be great for everyday routes, as well as fun to ride on the weekend.
carscoops.com, netcarshow.com
Toyota-premiere in Frankfurt: The manufacturer took the wraps off its updated version of the C-HR hybrid concept, nearly one year after showing a first glimpse at the Paris Motor Show. The production car will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show early next year, with sales to kick off in the second half of 2016.
worldcarfans.com, indianautosblog.com
Bugatti previews Veyron’s successor: Bugatti showed its newest vehicle at the Frankfurt Motor Show, dubbed the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo. The car is essentially a real life version of the car in the PlayStation Gran Turismo videogame, but is said to strongly influence the planned hybrid sportscar Chiron. Meanwhile, this concept car will sell for around 2.6m dollars.
motoring.com.au, indianautosblog.com
Failed Mission: Manufacturer Mission Motorcycles is bankrupt. Considering the past year, this may not come as a surprise. Instead of beginning to sell it electric motorcycles in September of last year, the company underwent corporate restructuring and a name change, saying it wanted to venture into the automotive market. It was even hit with a lawsuit by one of its co-founders earlier in 2014.
autoblog.com
Tesla, Toyota, Chevrolet, Mahindra, Bugatti.
Go for Tesla Model X: The carmaker opened up the online configurator for the first buyers of the ‘Signature Series,’ including colour and spec’ed options. The limited edition featuring a 90 kWh battery and 240 mile range will start from 132,000 dollars. Those who want the speedier option (ludicrous mode) will need to add another 10,000 dollars to the price tag. Other options include autopilot, ventilated leather seats and air suspension.
insideevs.com, bloomberg.com, forbes.com
New Toyota hybrids in Frankfurt: On top of the next-generation Prius, Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid will celebrate its European premiere at the IAA. Both vehicles now feature Pedestrian Recognition and Adaptive Cruise Control. The second Toyota C-HR Concept hybrid crossover will also be shown.
greencarcongress.com
Chevy Volt available: The 2016 model can now be ordered in ten more states in the U.S., including Oregon, Connecticut, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. According to Inside EVs, the first delivery will happen any day now, though GM has not announced a specific date.
insideevs.com
E-scooter from India: Mahindra will begin offering its city scooter GenZE in California, Oregon and Michigan from this autumn. Pricing starts at 2,999 dollars. The two-wheeler could also become available in other U.S. states as well as Europe. So far, Mahindra had only sold tractors in the United States.
startribune.com
IAA preview: Bugatti took the wraps off its Vision Gran Turismo, which it will present at the Frankfurt Motor Show in less than two weeks. The design is said to hint at Bugatti’s future design language, meaning it could feature elements from the Chiron. The latter hypercar will be unveiled in Geneva next year and could cost 2.2m euros.
autoblog.com, theverge.com (Vision Gran Turismo), carmagazine.co.uk (Chiron)
Audi, Daimler, Tesla, Toyota, Hong Kong, Bugatti.
Audi EV teased: Audi has released the first official pictures of its all-electric SUV. Set to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, the Audi e-tron quattro concept will be powered by three electric motors (one on the front axle and two on the rear axle) and feature a battery pack with cells from LG Chem & Samsung SDI, allowing for a potential range of more than 500 kilometers (310 miles).
greencarcongress.com, carscoops.com, audi-mediacenter.com
Daimler to axe Tesla drivetrain: Mercedes will no longer use Tesla’s drivetrain for the next generation of its electric B-Class, according to a new report from German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport. The carmaker is reportedly planning to develop its own components and will buy the battery from somewhere else, aiming to achieve a driving range of 500 km (310 miles) for the 2nd gen B-Class Electric Drive.
auto-motor-und-sport.de (in German)
Prius premiere in 19 days: Toyota will reveal the fourth-generation Prius in Las Vegas on September 8, a Toyota spokesman told Automotive News. He declined to comment on when the company will start production or sales of the new Prius model.
autonews.com, autoblog.com
Hong Kong goes insane: Tesla has rolled outs its Model S P85D in Hong Kong with prices starting at 852,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 110,000 USD). Tesla also started taking reservations for its Model X.
scmp.com, insideevs.com
Bugatti teases Chiron design: Bugatti has revealed the first image of its Vision Gran Turismo project. The virtual concept will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show and is said to preview the design language of the upcoming 1,500-hp hybrid supercar Bugatti Chiron.
autoevolution.com, gran-turismo.com
Deadly accident at Supercharger: A man who was working on a new Tesla Supercharger in Norfolk, Virgina has died of possible electrocution. The official cause of death has not yet been determined.
insideevs.com, 13newsnow.com, wavy.com
Tesla, Acura, Skoda, Iran, Bugatti, Bintelli.
Increased stock offering: Tesla plans to raise about 642.5 million dollars through a share sale, above the 500 million the electric car maker announced last week. The company will actually offer 2.7 million instead of 2,1 million shares to raise additional cash for the ongoing work on the Gigafactory and the development of its Model 3. Elon Musk plans to invest 20 million of his own money in the stock offering.
reuters.com
NSX production delayed again: Originally scheduled to start production this fall, Acura revealed that production of its hybrid supercar NSX is now scheduled to begin in spring 2016, although “trial production” has already started. Automobile reports that the main reason for the delay is the decision to add two turbochargers to the V6, which was made midway through development.
automobilemag.com, autoblog.com
Skoda SUV takes shape: The Czech carmaker is planning to launch its SUV model next year, German Auto Bild reports. The Skoda Snowman will be set on VW´s MQB platform and will be offered with five or seven seats. According to the report, Skoda also plans to launch a plug-in hybrid version.
autobild.de (in German)
Iranian EV subsidies? After the lifting of sanctions, Iran plans to invest in green technologies. Iranian Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar indicated that the country may introduce subsidies for purchases of electric and hybrid cars and create areas in major city centers where only eco-cars are allowed. In addition, Iran wants to attract especially Japanese automakers to build plants in the country.
japantimes.co.jp
Bugatti Chiron spied: The hybrid Bugatti Veyron successor Chiron, which is said to come with 1,500 hp, was recently spotted at the Los Angeles International Airport. Meanhwhile, the production-spec body of Bentley’s SUV Bentayga has been leaked online as a scale model ahead of its official debut at next month’s Frankfurt Auto Show. A plug-in hybrid variant of the Bentayga has been confirmed for 2017.
motoring.com.au (Bugatti), motorauthority.com (Bentley)
Bintelli expands: Bintelli, manufacturer of citEcar electric vehicles as well as exclusive U.S. distributor for Bintelli and Adly Scooters, recently opened its new headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina. The new facilities include Bintelli’s production lines, R&D, sales team and warehouse.
prnewswire.com
Bugatti, Siemens, Pathion, Spark Racing Technology.
Chiron details: The Veyron successor by Bugatti can rightfully claim the supercar title once it hits the market in 2016. The 1,500-hp hybrid takes only two seconds to get to 62 mph, has a torque of 1,498 Nm and reaches its top speed at 288 mph.
carmagazine.co.uk
Siemens pools electric mobility efforts at a newly opened facility in the German city of Erlangen. Here, development, testing as well as serial production of converters for electric and hybrid drivetrains are now under one roof. In combination with its electric motor motor production in Bad Neustadt, Siemens can now equip tens of thousands of vehicles a year with electric powertrains. Our editor Stefan Köller had a look around during official opening this week.
read more on electrive.com
New solid-state electrolyte: Pathion presented two new derivative superionic solid-state electrolytes built upon LiRAP (Lithium-Rich Anti-Perovskite). Said to enhance energy density and power capacity as well as safety, Pathion is now working on a derivative for lithium-sulfur and sodium-ion batteries.
greencarcongress.com
Changes to electric racer: Formula E chassis manufacturer Spark Racing Technology says it will improve the electric race car’s suspension and braking systems for the second season. Drivers had repeatedly complained about the feeling of the carbon brakes.
autosport.com, electricautosport.com
– Feedback –
Most clicked link on Tuesday was Shockwave’s Defiant EV3, a new electric roadster that sits on three wheels.
knoxnews.com
Venucia, Zero, Linkker Oy, Bugatti, Chevrolet, Infiniti.
Pricing for China-Leaf: Dongfeng Nissan presented the Leaf in its Chinese version under the brand name of Venucia. First called the e30, the electric car now goes under the name Chenfeng but uses the same drive as the Leaf. Starting price (including rebates) is at 267,800 yuan, about 44,000 dollars.
carnewschina.com
Zero Motorcycles new Managing Director for Europe will be Umberto Uccelli. He brings 20 years of experience in the motorcycle industry with him and has served the likes of MV Augusta, Ducati and BMW. His first international duty will be at the Intermot 2014 trade show in October.
prnewswire.com
All-Finnish electric bus: Linkker Oy from Finland has announced the start of the production of its new electric bus powered by a drivetrain from Visedo. The aluminium frame of the bus, which is based on the eBus project governed by Technical research Center of Finland (VTT), is said to be 3 tons lighter than in standard buses.
visedo.com
Bugatti Chiron? Car And Driver reports that the successor of Bugatti’s Veyron might be named after the Bugatti race driver. The hybrid Chiron is said to come with 1,500 hp, indeed worthy of racing.
caranddriver.com
Bye-bye Volt: After three years and 35,000 miles, David Noland said goodbye to his Chevy Volt as he also drives a Tesla. With number of Superchargers increasing and the lease ending, there was simply no more need for the range-extended car. Noland still would recommend the Volt to “virtually everyone who asks.”
greencarreports.com
Infiniti QX60 hybrid review: Bengt Halvorson took this luxury Nissan for a quick drive and was a bit wary at first on what mpg he would possibly reach. The QX60 hybrid managed to impress him though with 26 mpg but the actual torque felt slightly detached from the gas pedal.
thecarconnection.com
Chevy Volt, BMW, Bugatti, Ford, Citroën, Renault.
New Volt teased: GM confirmed that it will show the next generation of its plug-in bestseller at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2015. However, apart from a teaser image not much information has been revealed about the new Volt yet.
detroitnews.com, hybridcars.com
Update BMW 7: The German carmaker released more details about its new 7-series, which will weigh about 200 kg less than its predecessor as it uses carbon, Autocar reports. Furthermore, it will indeed be offered as a plug-in hybrid right from the start, just as rumours had it.
autocar.co.uk
Bugatti promises 1,500 hp for its new hybrid Veyron, set for 2016. It will also feature an updated version of the 8-litre V16 engine, which will go from 0 to 100 kph in 2.3 seconds and comes with a top speed of 460 kph – enough to blow the likes of Porsche or McLaren away.
autocar.co.uk
Mondeo Hybrid orders open: Europeans can now order the Ford which was initially expected half a year ago. The Mondeo is also available as a hybrid which couples a two-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a battery with 1.4 kWh.
worldcarfans.com
Citroën hybrid spotted: Pictures show the Numero 9 concept car at a dealership in Shanghai, China. It is the model which will probably go into serial production as Citroën DS9 and was first shown at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show and is destined for the Chinese market.
carnewschina.com
Twizy Down Under: So far, only one Twizy has reached Australian shores and currently sits in the foyer of Renault’s offices. There, it sparks interest among customers but not more as the Twizy is not allowed for road use in Australia.
themotorreport.com.au
Bugatti, Honda, Cadillac, BMW, Bristol Cars.
Hybrid Bugatti? Sources at the VW group, owner of the French supercar brand, confirmed that the successor of the Veyron could get a hybrid heart. According to Reuters, this is a request of Bugatti’s new chief executive Wolfgang Dürheimer, who also is CEO at Bentley.
uk.reuters.com via hybridcars.com
Honda recalls hybrids: The company is recalling 175,356 Fit and Vezel Hybrids in Japan. The reason is a software problem which might cause the motor to accelerate unexpectedly. Eleven accidents have already been reported, though none of them heavy or deadly.
puregreencars.com
Too much for too many: Cadillac’s luxus-loving Volt brother, the ELR, apparently cannot find enough buyers. Dealers in the USA are now offering discounts of up to 12,000 dollars for the (almost) 76,000-dollar model.
transportevolved.com, greencarreports.com
BMW i8 review: Alex Kersten is nothing but in awe with the Bavarian hybrid’s appearance as well as performance. In his opinion, the “pin up car” makes you “feel special” when driving it, especially on the open and empty roads of Scotland.
carthrottle.com
New British-built plug-in? Bristol Cars hatches plans for a new luxury sedan with four electric drives – one for each wheel. The 408,000-dollar machine will come with a range extender and aims to be proper competition to the likes of Rolls Royce. So far, it is only at concept stage and a market entry not to be expected before 2016.
autoevolution.com
For the records – almost.
At Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, the Hennessey Venom has set a new speed record. 270.49mph makes it the fastest production car ever, beating the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. However, the record might not be officially recognised by Guinness as to count as a “production car” because 30 pieces will have to be produced. Unfortunately the Venom will only be build 29 times.
topgear.com
Policing on a new level.
The Dubai police force just received their new patrol car – a white-and-green Bugatti Veyron. It joins the likes of Audi R8, Bentley, Brabus B63S, Ferrari FF and Nissan GT-R already on the force. However, these super cars are less used to actually chase super gangsters but to pose in public places for tourists instead.
autoweek.com
Yasa Motors, E-Force, Bugatti, SkyWhale.
Yasa Motors secures funding: The British company is in for another round of funding worth five million pounds (8.2m dollars), raised by recurring and new investors. The money is intended to increase production capacity for Yasa’s differentiated axial flux electric motors and to sharpen the company’s commercial profile.
chargedevs.com, yasamotors.com
Swiss E-Force: Four month ago, Feldschlösschen, the biggest brewery of Switzerland has taken one all-electric E-Force into its fleet to test its performance. So far the 18-tonne lorry has proven highly reliable on its daily delivery trips in the Zurich region. On average, the E-Force covered 65 kilometres and served eleven customers loaded with 4.6 tonnes of beverages a day. The consumption of only 73 kWh per 100 km equals less than eight litres of Diesel. Before giving a final verdict, the company wants to conduct data on winter performance. Meanwhile, new drivers are being trained, to further increase the frequency of use of the e-truck.
cleanthinking.de (In German), eco-way.ch (In German)
Hybrid Bugatti super sports-car: When asked about a hybrid version of the Veyron with its already 1,200 hp, Bugatti CEO Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber simply said “Maybe.” However, he did not want to go into further details just yet. Sounds promising, does it not?!
topgear.com, electric-vehiclenews.com
Giant hybrid plane: The concept for the ‘SkyWhale’ was dreamed up by Spanish designer Oscar Viñals. His super-sized jumbo has three-storeys accommodation for 775 passengers divided by class. The airborne whale is then supposed to “swim” through the air with ‘active wings,’ powered by a hybrid electric propulsion system. It includes generators at the aircraft’s hull transforming the airstream into energy. Somehow, the SkyWhale seems too good to be true.
dailymail.co.uk, discovery.com
