Introducing many new features

The recent Formula E race in Monaco was the latest in a long series of auto races to take place in the Mediterranean city-state. Formula E chose the Monaco E-Prix as the occasion to reveal their third-generation race car, the Gen3, which is set to make it’s debuting season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E world championships. 

For decades incremental improvements in motorsport have mostly been about aerodynamics. Thanks to software engineering there is a new battlefield for innovation and competition. Performance upgrades to the Gen3 will be delivered as software updates directly to the cars operating system. 

The latest race car features a number of design, engineering, and production innovations. The car offers top speeds of over 200mph and is the most efficient formula racing car to date. Formula E have claimed that more than 40% of the energy used in a race will be produced by regenerative braking. 

Sustainability is at the core of Formula E’s missions, and in every aspect, the production of the Gen3 has taken sustainable racing into consideration. The vehicle’s batteries are even made from sustainably-sourced minerals, and the cells will be reused and recycled at the end of life. 

Click here to find out more: https://insideevs.com/news/584878/fomula-e-third-generation-electric-race-car/ 

Whilst the Formula 1 drivers generally enjoyed the layout of the Miami F1 circuit it was the surface of the track that became the biggest conversation. 

The distinctive surface did not win over many of the drivers with some stating that the track was so dirty offline that they could not risk overtaking moves. It is evident that some areas will certainly need to see improvement before the F1’s return next year. 

Despite this the race was not as bad as some drivers had feared. Fernando Alonso actually spotted how much more grip there was than expected at the outside of Turn 1 on the driver’s parade. Later on in the race Charles Levlerc was caught out by Max Verstappen being able to break so late there later on when the Red Bull driver took the lead. 

Mercedes boost Toto Wolff felt that the nature of the surface had been good for the spectacle.

“Even the track breaking, Turn 17 for example, gave great racing,” he said. “It was very difficult to break into Turn 17.

What really stood out for many of the F1 drivers was all other circuits have offered excellent grip and no problems through their inaugural events. 

There were questions prompted about why Miami had not used the same materials as elsewhere in its construction. This was then questioned further when some resurfacing work was needed before track action could begin. 

In terms of composition of the Miami tracks, it was completely different to what has been used at other venues. Due to strict government guidelines in place certain materials had to be sourced locally and had to be used in the competition of any surfaces laid. 

To find out more visit: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/what-really-happened-with-miamis-f1-track-surface/10302495/ 

Some surprising benefits

In a recent tweet Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has indicated that Tesla will make a big battery shift to LFP batteries. Addressing nickel concerns and the challenges of scaling lithium-ion production as the reason for the change.

Iron-Cathode (LFP batteries) offer many benefits compared to the standard car range batteries:

• • LFP offers a longer life cycle, in some cases it can be 10,000+ cycles. 

• • They are cobalt and nickel free meaning that they are non-toxic

• • Not only non-toxic they are a much safer battery which are less prone to explosion or fires from misuse or structural damage. 

• Lower internal resistance. This means they can deliver power faster than Li-ion and in theory means higher charging-discharge efficiency. 

Like most objects there are some drawbacks to opting for LFP batteries these include:

• • Lower voltage, there is a 0.5v difference when compared to Li-ion batteries

• Lower energy density, it is predicted to be between 15 and 20% however due to their loger life cycle after some time they will actually have more capacity compared to a similar weight Li-ion battery.

To find out more about LFP batteries visits: https://www.torquenews.com/1/lfp-batteries-pros-and-cons-elon-shifts-some-teslas-lfp 

A wide range of new choices

The auto industry is fundamentally changing due to the carbon neutrality goals in North America, Europe, and China, and the top automakers are preparing a huge ZEV onslaught to decrease their average emissions. 2022 is estimated to be the year with the highest number of new electric car concepts, world premieres, and market launches. Here are the top four Electric Vehicle models. 

1. The Aiways U6 

The Aiways U6, will be an SUV coupe. Positioned above the U5 SUV, it will be 4,805 mm long, 1,880 mm wide, and 1,641 mm tall, with a 2,800 mm wheelbase.

The Aiways U6 motor will allow accelerating from 0-62 mph in less than seven seconds. Reports have claimed that the range of the U6 will be 650 km (404 miles). The electric SUV coupe will bestow a high speed of 160 km/h. The U6 is likely to go on sale in China in the upcoming months, and is expected in Europe in the second half of the year, although European markets may get it as a lease-only model.

2. Audi E-Tron

The Audi e-tron, revealed in September 2018, will receive its mid-life facelift in 2022. New batteries, energy-saving motors, and enhanced recuperation should  increase its range to around 600 km or 373 miles on the WLTP test cycle. It has been said that the car could take the name Audi Q8 e-tron.

3. BMW 3 Series Electric

Exclusive to China the BMW i3 is the first ever all electric BMW 3 series. The vehicle comes in a single eDrive35L variant which is 10cm longer than the regular 3 series. The i3 features a single motor RWD st-up and offers a 66.1kWh battery. The electric sedan offers top speeds of 112 mph and an acceleration time of 6.2 seconds (0-62). 

4. BYD Seal 

The BYD Seal is the second model under the brand’s Ocean series. It is set to be a great rival to the Tesla Model 3. It will come equipped with the BYD Blade Battery. It will accelerate from 0 – 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds. The design of the BYD Seal will give the impression of a four-door coupe. 

To find out more visit: https://topelectricsuv.com/featured/upcoming-electric-cars-2022-2023/

The company showing a strong resurgence

A recent report by Mercedes-Benz showed that there were 501,600 global passenger car sales during the first three months of 2022, which is a 15% decrease compared to the year before.

An area that stood out within the report was that the company made 67,800 Mercedes-Benz plug-in Passenger Car sales, which is an increase of 37% compared to the first quarter of 2021.

Battery- electric cars represented 21,900 of that number (up 210% year-over-year). Although the all-electric car sales are higher based on the new models introduced to the market, the plug- in hybrid sales demonstrated only an 8% increase year-over-year. 

Nevertheless, they remain in the majority (45,900).

Plug-in car sales in the first quarter of 2022 – Mercedes-benz (preliminary numbers): 

• • BEVs: 21,900 (up 210%)

• • PHEVs: 45,900 (up 8%)

• Total plug-ins: 67,800 (up roughly 37%)

Alongside smart (assuming that almost all are BEV’s), Mercedes-Benz sold around 74,200 plug-ins, which is estimated around 15% of the total volume. The company found that the plug-in share is much higher in Europe, at 33%.

Click here for more information: https://insideevs.com/news/579009/mercedes-electric-car-sales-q1-2022/

Ford have released their plans to electrify their vehicles throughout Europe, including conformation of a total of 9 electric models through the end of 2024, and a new 30-45 GWh battery plant. 

According to the manufacturer, the BEV sales target is above 600,000 units by 2026: 

• 2021: 23,000
• 2026: over 600,000 (compared to over 2 million globally)
• 2030: 1 million
• 2035: only all-electric vehicles

To achieve such a significant growth in BEV sales, Ford is investing into their vehicle plants in Germany, Turkey, and Romania.

In Germany, the company has plans to invest $2 billion at the Ford Cologne Electrification Centre to produce two all-new models which will be starting in 2023. The investment includes a new battery assembly facility, scheduled to start operations in 2024.

The volume of the two all new models is expected to reach 1.2 million units over a 6-year period. The original plan in 2020 was 600,000 units for the first model. The average would be 100,000 per year per model

An impressive investment is also heading to Turkey, where the company will be producing the Ford E-Transit, and Transit Custom/ Tourneo Custom. Not only this there will also be a battery gigafactory joint venture with SK On.

In Romania, Ford will be producing an electric version of the Ford Puma as well as electric versions of the next-generation Transit Courier/Tourneo Courier all will be no commencing from 2024.

In total across the company there will be 9 BEV models, and only the Ford Mustang Mach-E will be imported to Europe.

To find out more visit: https://insideevs.com/news/573357/upcoming-ford-electric-vehicles-europe/ 

Ferrari have provided their fans with an early insight to a new race car based on the 296 GTB. 

The race car is being developed just in time for the 2023 motorsport season and will initially arrive in GT3 guise. It will become a direct replacement of the 488 GT3 which was last updated for the 2020 season. 

Teaser sketches from the 296 GT3 were released by Ferrari which showed a hint at a shap design with the potential of including a long-tail element. The design inspiration of the vehicle came from the 250 LM, the car that earned Ferrari its final overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 1965.

As a result of technical regulation the 296 GT3 will bypass the electrified elements of the 296 GTB. The race car is also highly likely to skip the DCT in favour of a sequential transmission.

The 296 GT3 will reach the race track in the coming months, and the developments are currently being handled in partnership with the French race team constructor Oreca.

The vehicle has some big shoes to fill, with the 488 GT3 achieving an impressive 107 titles since its debut race, 429 if these were wins from 770 starts. These figures make it Ferrari’s most successful race car to date. 

To find out more visit: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1135340_v-6-powered-ferrari-296-gt3-race-car-to-hit-the-track-in-2023