slug:automasina

Kia Corporation and Hyundai Motor Company have announced that they will implement a partnership project with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to develop the next generation of autonomous driving sensors. For this purpose, the Hyundai Motor Group-KAIST On-Chip LiDAR Joint Research Lab will be established and will be located at the Institute of Technology in Daejeon.

The goal of the research laboratory is to create compact chip sensors with high performance and new signal detection technology. In the self-driving segment, where the competition is only increasing, this would give significant advantages.

Using sensors built into a chip, to which various functions are added by semiconductor manufacturing technology, the lidar is smaller than analogues made by traditional methods, while mass production using semiconductor manufacturing processes ensures competitive prices.

Current lidar sensors measure the distance to an object by emitting light and measuring the time it takes for it to return. The next-generation method is called frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) and emits light at a variable frequency, but calculates distance by shifting the frequency of the returned light. Compared to current methods, this technology has less signal noise, can determine relative velocity with respect to objects, and can recognize interference from external light sources such as the sun. These properties give it an advantage in adverse weather conditions.

KIA car Photo: Scanpix/Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group

2024-03-03 10:31:54
#Kia #Hyundai #Motor #develop #nextgeneration #autonomous #driving #sensors

After the huge success of the electric Avenger, the Jeep brand now offers a completely new version of the model – the Jeep Avenger 4xe. The fully electric version became the 2023 European Car of the Year, but now the brand is introducing the innovative 4xe with mild hybrid technology in its range. This system offers more than just reduced emissions; it provides an electrifying driving experience in all terrain conditions.

Eric Laforge, Jeep Brand Manager Europe: “The new Jeep Avenger 4xe is a milestone in the development of the brand. The latest version of our successful model combines the Avenger’s compact dimensions and versatility with the performance of an all-wheel drive system. The result is unmatched capabilities for a more dynamic driving experience. The new Avenger 4xe crowns the brand’s 4×4 SUV offer in all segments.”

Harnessing the power of electrification, the new Avenger 4xe delivers unmatched off-road traction and performance. The car combines a 136 hp (100 kW) internal combustion engine with two 21 kW electric motors that drive both axles and deliver 190 Nm of torque to the rear wheels.

Thanks to the “power looping” technology, the new Avenger 4xe guarantees all-wheel drive traction, regardless of the battery’s state of charge, to ensure a flawless and confident driving experience in a wide variety of terrains.

At low speeds, the new Avenger 48V Mild Hybrid system also allows driving in fully electric mode, thanks to the electric motor integrated in the automatic six-speed e-DCS6 dual-clutch gearbox.

The range of Avenger variants demonstrates the brand’s commitment to providing customers with freedom of choice, as well as its determination to promote the availability of electrified vehicles. Offering a diverse range of powertrains, two types of gearboxes (automatic and manual), as well as two front-wheel drive variants and four-wheel drive, the Avenger suits the needs and preferences of a wide variety of motorists. Whether the choice falls on advanced BEV technology, an electrified 48V mild hybrid system or a traditional petrol engine, drivers can buy an Avenger that fits their values ​​and driving needs.

The combination of 48V mild hybrid technology and all-wheel drive in the Avenger 4xe model reflects the Jeep brand’s intention to offer a sustainable 4×4 driving experience while remaining open and accessible to European customers. The Jeep brand has always aimed to open itself to people and offer a full range of 4×4 vehicles tailored to the needs of every customer.

Jeep Avenger 4xe Photo: Advertisements

2024-02-29 06:30:59
#Jeep #Avenger #4xe #presented

An impressive roof spoiler, redesigned air diffuser and 22-inch wheels with a distinctive design set the new, limited edition Audi RS 6 Avant GT apart. High-quality sports seats, a new color scheme and individual numbering on the center console are used as exclusive accents in the interior. The driving experience is enhanced by the light and adjustable suspension, which is unique to the RS 6 Avant GT model, as well as the redesigned quattro sports differential on the rear axle. The model’s eight-cylinder V-engine with two turbines has a power of 630 hp and a torque of 850 Nm.

Unbeatable appearance

The new Audi RS 6 Avant GT differs from the other models in the range – RS 6 Avant and RS 6 Avant performance – with an even more impressive appearance, based on the RS 6 GTO concept car. The singleframe radiator grille and air intakes are gloss black, making the car appear lower and wider. Vertical insets on the sides of the front bumper, a new air intake grille and an expressive insert built into the front bumper brighten up the look of the car.

For the first time, Audi Sport GmbH uses a completely redesigned bonnet made of carbon fiber. Behind the large 22-inch alloy wheels, integrated air outlets reduce air pressure in the wheel arches and improve brake cooling. Like the bonnet, the fenders housing the big wheels are made entirely of carbon fiber for the first time.

The car’s side profile is highlighted by insets on the side sills, exterior mirror housings with a high-gloss carbon fiber finish and 22-inch wheels with a 6-spoke design, made especially for the RS 6 Avant GT. The rear of the model features a black “RS 6 GT” inscription, a specially designed tailgate with a visually lowered lower edge, a functional air diffuser with a vertically centered reflector that makes the car look even wider, as well as an expressive double spoiler, the creation of which was inspired by motorsport . For the first time in the history of the RS 6 Avant, the roof rails have been removed for an even lower and sportier silhouette.

The RS design package Plus is standard equipment for the RS 6 Avant GT model. The black interior is complemented by several accents in an exclusive red and copper color combination, such as stitching on the steering wheel, on the sides of the center console, on the center and door armrests, as well as on the floor mats with the inscription “RS 6 GT”. The same color combination also applies to the new RS sports seats made of leather and Dinamica microfiber, as well as the “RS 6 GT” lettering below the headrests. As a special accent, the center console displays the car’s serial number from a limited series of 660 cars.

Amazing performance – from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds

The new RS 6 Avant GT has a power of 630 hp and a maximum torque of 850 Nm. That’s 30 hp and 50 Nm more than the base RS 6 Avant. The most powerful representative of this model series accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds faster than the RS 6 Avant. The RS 6 Avant GT accelerates from 0 to 200 km/h in just 11.5 seconds, which is 0.5 seconds faster than the RS 6 Avant. The maximum speed is 305 km/h, but braking is provided by the standard RS ceramic brake system.

The power of the 4.0 TFSI engine is transferred to the permanent four-wheel quattro drive via the standard eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox with optimized shift times. Like the RS 6 Avant performance, the RS 6 Avant GT uses the latest version of the locking center differential. It is extremely light and compact and distributes engine power between the front and rear axles in a ratio of 40:60. If wheel slip occurs, more drive torque is automatically directed to the axle with better grip – up to 70% can be directed to the front axle and up to 85% to the rear axle. The redesigned central differential improves driving dynamics, provides significantly more precise handling and reduces front axle slippage when cornering.

To further distinguish the special series model from other RS ​​models, the quattro sport differential on the rear axle has been specially adapted for the RS 6 Avant GT. The new parameters are aimed at better agility and more emphasis on the rear wheels in the “dynamic” driving mode. Thus, customers can enjoy sporty, neutral and very precise handling. For the first time and only on the RS 6 Avant GT model, adjustable suspension is available as standard. It lowers the body height by ten millimeters compared to the RS 6 Avant and provides a perfect combination of dynamics and comfort. Customers can also order the RS Sport Suspension Plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) or the RS Adaptive Air Suspension.

Top level production

The new RS 6 Avant GT differs from other models in the series in that it is not completely assembled on the production line in Nekarsulm. After bodywork and painting, 660 models go to the Böllinger Höfe factory where the Audi R8, Audi e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT are produced in small quantities. Located close to the Audi plant in Neckarsulm, this highly flexible factory is unique and offers the best conditions for the production of the Audi RS 6 Avant GT.

The final assembly of the cars is carried out by seven experienced workers in three assembly stations specially created for this exclusive special series model. Each car spends a whole day there. All GT-specific elements are installed manually on every 660 RS 6 Avant GT produced worldwide. This applies to the hood, fenders, side skirts, double spoiler, front and rear bumper inserts, and adjustable suspension.

2024-02-10 11:33:18
#Audi #releasing #exclusive #Avant #model #limited #numbers

“Porsche” is conducting the final tests of the new fully electric sports car “Taycan” before it enters the market in the spring of 2024, the company informed.

The new generation Taycan, Taycan Cross Turismo and Taycan Sport Turismo models have completed approximately 3.6 million test kilometers on test grounds, racetracks and public roads around the world. The new “Taycan” was also tested in extreme conditions – from plus 53 degrees Celsius in Death Valley in California to minus 41 degrees north of the Arctic Circle in Finland.

After initial computer simulations and comprehensive tests on test stands, the updated Taycan electric car is now undergoing final tests under real conditions on tracks and public roads.

“Faster, higher, further – we’ve improved the new Taycan over its predecessor. Because the changes are so extensive, the extensive testing program is almost like testing a new model,” says Kevin Geek, vice president of model lines.

He indicates that immediately after entering the market, all three body variants will be offered with extensive modifications – the “Taycan” sports sedan, the versatile “Taycan Cross Turismo”, which is available with off-road equipment, and the sporty, but at the same time practical, “Taycan Sport Turismo”.

Of the 3.6 million test kilometers, 300,000 kilometers were driven in countries with cold weather and 200,000 kilometers in countries with hot weather. In Finland, about 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, the electric sports car not only demonstrated its excellent driving dynamics on snow and ice, but also achieved almost half the charging time in colder temperatures. In cold weather, the new “Taycan” showed that it can overcome even the most difficult conditions on frozen lakes and in deep snow.

Equally difficult conditions, but at the other end of the temperature scale, were also in Death Valley, where endurance tests were carried out in hot weather. The Porsche development team also tested the reliability of the battery charging system and the thermal management system in extreme temperatures.

“Porsche’s electric cars must go through the same extensive testing program as our sports cars with an internal combustion engine. In addition to outstanding performance, uncompromising everyday usability in all climates is a key requirement. In a few months, when it is launched on the market, the significantly updated Taycan will be has completed extensive testing in 17 countries around the world at temperatures from minus 41 to plus 53 degrees Celsius,” says Florian Stahl, head of Taycan testing.

“Porsche Taycan” car Photo: AFP / Scanpix

2024-02-03 11:33:03
#Porsche #Taycan #successfully #passed #difficult #endurance #tests

The number of electric cars in Latvia is slowly increasing, but you can still often hear discussions about how advantageous or disadvantageous an electric car is. What are the incentives available and does choosing a more environmentally friendly car pay off in the long run? The start-up VOOL sought an answer to these questions.

According to statistical data, 6,576 electric cars were registered in Latvia until January 1. Almost half of them are in Riga. In addition, a large part of the remaining registered cars are located in the vicinity of Riga, in the nearest counties and cities – Jelgava, Jūrmala, Ķekava, Ropaž and Mārupe counties. One of the incentives to switch to an electric car can be directly available benefits.

Free parking spaces and movement on the public transport lane

In order to encourage the transition to electric cars, several municipalities provide them with various incentives, such as free parking spaces. Owners of electric cars can use parking spaces managed by the municipality in Liepāja and parking spaces managed by “Rīgas satiksme” in Riga for free. On the other hand, in Jūrmala, electric cars are exempted from the entry fee in the administrative territory of the city. The possibility to move along the public transport lane is also a significant benefit. This will help you save time on the road and avoid traffic jams.

Support from the state and lower taxes

In addition to the benefits provided by municipalities, other support mechanisms are also available to electric car owners. There is no operating tax to be paid for electric cars, and their first registration is free. Also, registration for the first time receiving special purpose number plates and the first set of number plates is free.

In addition, state support for the purchase of an electric car is also available. When choosing to buy a new electric car, the amount of state funding will be 4,500 euros, while choosing a used electric car or a new externally rechargeable hybrid car – 2,250 euros. Support for writing off the old car is also available – 1,000 euros.

Pays off in the long run

While these benefits are nice and practical bonuses, it’s also important that these cars pay for themselves in the long run. Although an electric car costs more initially, charging and using it later is more profitable, as the expenses for electricity and charging the car will be lower. Both public charging stations and options to install one in your home are available. In addition, there are charging devices on the market that will ensure that the car is charged when electricity prices are at their lowest. This is also offered by the startup VOOL.

A big difference can also be seen in the costs of regular car maintenance. In an electric car, it is not necessary to change oil, filters or other parts that an internal combustion engine has, but an electric car engine does not, therefore the amount that needs to be invested in car repairs also decreases.

Electric car charging Photo: LETA

2024-02-03 14:29:27
#Reasons #buy #electric #car

The European automotive flagship produced 4.1 million new cars last year, which is 18 percent more than in 2022.

The past year has been productive for the German automotive industry, reports Automobilwoche. According to the Automotive Industry Association (VDA), automotive companies produced 4.1 million cars, which is 18 percent more than in 2022, but twelve percent less than in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

Exports are said to have risen by around 17 percent to 3.1 million vehicles, which is still down from 2019, when 3.5 million cars were exported.

Domestic orders decreased by 18 percent compared to the previous year, while orders from abroad decreased by three percent.

BMW production plant Photo: Scanpix

2024-01-06 11:31:27
#million #cars #produced #Germany #year