Daily Archives: September 13, 2017
Smart Scraps Combustion Engine Production, To Go Full EV In 2019
By 2019, we will no longer see Smart vehicles with combustion engines, according to Smart CEO Annette Winkler. In the next three years, Smart will slowly move away from using combustion engines and will instead focus on designing and producing electric vehicles.
The move will start in Europe and North America with the Fortwo and Forfour in the forefront. The two models will be sold only with a full-electric drive in 2019. The Asian market and the rest of the world will follow “as soon as possible after.”
This is not the first time that an automaker is fully scrapping the production of combustion engines as more and more car manufacturers move towards an electrified future.
The EV Smarts, however, won’t have much of a range. The Fortwo’s current range is about 70 miles while the Forfour belongs on the same range. Winkler seemed to have thought about this move a lot, even the fact that the brand is only offering short-range EV cars.
For Smart, the pricing is more important than the range. To be able to have a longer range, the company would have to use bigger-capacity batteries and therefore, driving the prices up. Charging up the cars shouldn’t be a hassle at all since supermarkets and car parks will be fitted with fast charging stations.
The Smart CEO seems to know that not producing petrol engines means cutting off a big chunk of the market, but she’s taking it in stride. They have already “prepared” the factory and the dealers about the upcoming change in market reaction.
As you can remember, Smart was the first car to be designed especially for city use. It was also the first company to offer a customization and personalization packages in a cheap car. Do you often use your gadgets to change what’s on the dashboard? That’s Smart’s idea, too. It’s known to push boundaries, and as the first company to come up with an EV in Europe back in 2009, we’re sure Smart will do just fine.
3 Amazing Features of the 2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
As if Porsche hasn’t done enough on its Cayenne, it now launched the 2019 Cayenne Turbo at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo is definitely more powerful, sportier, and more aggressive. With a V-8 engine, the Turbo version of the Cayenne will surely give every competitor a run for its money.
1. Minimal Exterior Difference
So far, we haven’t seen a lot of difference between the base model, the S, and the Turbo. The three have the same headlights and general fascia, though Turbo’s side intakes and grill are larger. The Turbo has no fog lights up front and the radiator grille is more open compared to the other two models.
At the rear, the only differences are the rear diffuser and the square exhaust outlets. Topping off the Turbo’s more aggressive styling are 21-inch wheels.
2. Luxurious Interior
When you enter the Turbo, it almost feels likes the base model and the S model, albeit the instrument cluster in front of the driver has a single analogue gauge in the center with a seven-inch digital display on either side. On the right, you can find a 12.3-inch infotainment and navigation display.
Standard equipment that went along with the cool setup of the instrument cluster are a 710-watt Bose sound system, 18-way sport seats, heated seats in the front and rear, heated steering wheel, and integrated headrests.
3. Lightweight but Powerful
Under the hood, as mentioned above, you’ll find a new 4.0-liter V-8 engine that produces 550 horsepower and 567 pound-feet of torque. That’s an increase of 30 horsepower and 14 pound-feet of torque from the outgoing V-8. The engine is paired with Porsche’s new eight-speed automatic transmission with traction management and all-wheel drive.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds or 3.7 seconds if you have the Sport Chrono package. What makes this even more amazing is the fact that it comes with a new lightweight chassis that shaved off a few pounds compared to the previous generation.
The Cayenne Turbo promises a very smooth drive, thanks to the new three-chamber air suspension, active suspension management, and active shock absorber.
Top 3 Things About The New Suzuki Swift Sport Hatchback
It’s honestly cute as a button, so is it any wonder why the Suzuki Swift Sport Hatchback remains to be a favorite in whatever market it is in. The Swift Sport Hatchback looks like the Mini Cooper minus that expensive price tag. Perhaps, that’s where its appeal comes from.
Since it was introduced to the market back in 2005, the Swift Sport has been a favorite. It remains to be one today, though there are lots of competitions out there.
1. Powertrain
Because this is not your usual Swift, the Sport hatchback weighs 2,100 pounds and receives some muscles through the turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four that can deliver 138 horsepower. It is paired with a six-speed manual transmission that works well with the front-wheel drive system.
To experience on-road smoothness and maneuverability, the Suzuki Swift Sport Hatchback is also equipped with 17-inch wheels while its tires are 1.6 inches wider than the previous and current generations. Why do the tires have to be wider? These will help the car for high-speed stability.
2. Exterior
Who doesn’t love how the Swift Sport Hatchback looks? For anyone who cannot purchase a Mini Cooper, here’s your next best thing. Now that the car has been upgraded, the grille and the front intakes are larger and angrier-looking than the regular model’s. There are also two big exhaust outlets that can be seen from the rear bumper.
3. Safety
It may be tiny, but the Swift is looking after its driver and passengers. Among its suite of active-safety tech are automated emergency braking and lane departure warning.
The Suzuki Swift Sport Hatchback can compete with the Ford Fiesta ST, but unfortunately for American consumers, they won’t ever get their hands on a Suzuki since this has pulled out from American shores years ago. For whatever reason, the brand failed to capture the American market.
