all-electric – Pulpaddict

Grab a chance to see Tesla’s Cybertruck in the metal

Tesla’s futuristic Cybertruck is going on a European “Cyber Odyssey” where the public will be able to get up close and personal with the vehicle for the first time.

The Cybertruck will be displayed in more than 100 locations in 20 countries, and attendees will also have the opportunity to book test drives with the award-winning Model Y and upgraded Model 3.

The all-electric pickup truck will make its first UK appearance on 4th May at Tesla Centre Park Royal (London) where it’ll be on display for the weekend.

Tesla Centre Park Royal – 4th to 5th May
Tesla Centre Westfield Shopping– 6th to 10th May
Kings Cross – 11th of May
Tesla Centre Solihull – 13th to 17th May
Birmingham Bullring – 18th to 19th May
Spinningfields Square – 20th to 21st May
Tesla Central Manchester– 22nd to 31st May
Edinburgh City Centre – 1st of June
Tesla Centre Glasgow – 2nd to 6th of June
Tesla Centre Belfast– 7th to 9th June

Marketed as “better utility than a truck, more performance than a sportscar, Cyberpunk sensibility”, the Cybertruck’s revolutionary design draws inspiration from cyberpunk aesthetics, notably showcased in movies such as Blade Runner.

Its exterior shell is made from Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel which helps protect against dents and dings and long-term corrosion, providing protection beyond industry standards.

Cybertruck’s performance variant named Cyberbeast goes from 0-60mph in just 2.6 seconds, while maintaining high-speed stability.

Standard Adaptive Air Suspension delivers millisecond adjustments to optimize both ride and handling. With steer-by-wire and rear steering, Cyberbeast offers the handling of a sportscar and a better turning circle than most sedans.

Inside the cargo bed, there are two 120V power outlets and one 240V outlet, to plug in wherever you go. For the first time, Tesla Powershare technology enables bidirectional power transfer to charge any device, other electric vehicles, and even power a home via the charger port.

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Mercedes-Benz EQB review

You’re not exactly spoilt for choice if you’re looking for an electric vehicle with seven seats. We test one of the few – the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350….

Based on the conventionally powered GLB, the EQB is a premium SUV about the same size as a BMW X3, Volvo XC60 or Lexus NX.

A handsome yet boxy sports utility vehicle with a high roofline, short overhangs and plenty of glass, it’s priced from £55,310- £62,810.

Powered by two electric motors connected to a 66.5kWh battery, it’s available in two specs – an EQB 300 or 350 – and three trim levels (AMG Line, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus).

The naming convention is a little confusing because the EQB 300 puts out 224bhp, while the 350 has 287bhp, but there you go.

Range varies from a claimed 246 miles for the EQB 300 to 253 miles for the EQB 350. The latter has a 6.2-second 0-62mph time, while the less powerful version is a tad slower at eight seconds. Both come with four-wheel drive as standard.

The EQB can be charged at speeds up to 100kW (which is average these days), meaning a 10-80% boost from a 100kW rapid charger takes as little as 32 minutes, while a 0-100% charge can be achieved overnight via a home wallbox.

As you’d expect from a vehicle sporting a three-pointed star, it’s a plush motor.

The driving position is comfortable and the supportive seats in our test car were upholstered in black Artico man-made leather.

Rear passengers are also in for a treat because there’s ample leg and headroom.

We tried the third row, and even though the pop-up seats officially can be used by people up to 5ft 4 inches tall, it is possible for six-footers to squeeze in for brief trips if the second row seats are pushed forward a bit, but it is a knees-up seating position.

With five seats in place, the EQB offers a generous 465-litre capacity. Flip down the second and third rows and you’ll have an estate car-like 1,710 litres to play with.

Up front, it’s virtually the same as the GLB, which is no bad thing, though the design is starting to look a little dated in these minimalist times.

All models have Mercedes’ familiar MBUX dual-screen infotainment system with 10-inch screens for the slick infotainment and driver’s displays. There are also three large air vents and a row of physical switches below for climate control.

You’ll have to get used to the Mercedes-Benz quirk of the left-hand steering wheel stalk operating both the indicator and wipers, front and back. The gear selector is another stalk on the other side.

Selected functions of the multimedia system can be operated contact-free via the MBUX Interior Assistant. Controlled via voice, touch or optional gesture input, the innovative system can over time even predict personal habits thanks to artificial intelligence. As ever with these systems, it’s not perfect, but improving with each iteration.

Adjustable heated front sports seats, automatic climate control, privacy glass, a reversing camera, lane keep assist and speed limit assist are just a few of the extensive list of goodies and tech available as standard on the EQB.

On the road, our EQB 350 test car was surprisingly fast off the line for a fairly substantial vehicle, and as you’d expect, the power delivery was effortless.

Drive modes include Eco, Comfort and Sport, plus you can also choose between five levels of brake regeneration (the clever Auto setting worked really well).

Frankly, you’ll never need to stray from the Comfort setting because Eco dulls the throttle response too much and Sport makes it hyperactive, so it’s best left for short, energy-sapping blasts.

The EQB rides smoothly and handles its bulk well. Sure, there’s some body lean in faster corners, but it is possible to have some fun in this vehicle, unlike some SUVs. With progressive brakes, sharp steering and excellent traction, it gives you the confidence to push on.

Composed and feeling nothing other than well planted, the Mercedes-Benz EQB is a superbly comfortable cruiser.

All in all, the EQB is a bit of a surprise package, but there’s no getting away from the range issue and its modest charge rate, especially if you need it for regular longer journeys. With a real-world range closer to 200 miles, more adventurous trips are going to need a bit of planning.

But if an EQB is used for shorter commutes, shopping trips and school runs, it’s a fab EV – especially if you can charge at home overnight.

Its few three-row EV rivals include the expensive Tesla Model X, the cheaper Peugeot e-Rifter, Citroen e-Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo-e Life, plus larger van-based people carriers such as the Citroen e-SpaceTourer, Peugeot e-Traveller, Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life and Nissan e-NV200 Combi.

Verdict: Not only is the Mercedes-Benz EQB one of the few pure electric seven-seater SUVs on the market, it’s also more engaging to drive than you might think. Safe, spacious, refined, well built and packed with tech, it’s a class act.

Mercedes-Benz UK

Audi Plans to Convert All Factories to Produce EVs and Confirms Q6 e-tron for 2023

Q6 e-tron EV production fantastic internal combustion cars over the years. However, those days are coming to an end. In roughly ten years from now the only new Audi you will be able to buy will be an electrified one. In a recent press release Audi confirmed that not only is the Q6 e-tron coming in 2023 but an A4 and A5 EV may not be far behind. Also, the company plans to launch only all-electric models by 2026. Audi is working on converting all factories to manufacturer EVs. And by the year 2033 the company looks to reduce factory costs by half.

There is a lot to unpack here. But it is safe to say that if you are a die-hard Audi fan that would never consider buying an EV you need to either change your attitude or look at another brand. Audi does not seem to be wavering in their commitment to become an all-electric vehicle manufacturer. By the end of the decade, Audi will be making electric-drive models at all of its production sites worldwide. “Step by step, we are bringing all our sites into the future,” says Audi Board Member for Production and Logistics Gerd Walker. “We don’t want any standalone lighthouse projects on greenfield sites. Instead, we are investing in our existing plants, so they end up being just as efficient and flexible as newly built production sites or greenfield plants.”

Q6 e-tron

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Best beaches for electric car drivers

Gareth Herincx

2 days ago
Auto News

England’s Top 10 beaches for drivers to visit in an EV this summer have been revealed in a new study by Citroën UK.

Roker and Seaburn Beaches on the North East coast are the most EV-friendly location for drivers looking for a seaside getaway.

To rank the top 10 beaches in England for electric vehicle drivers, Citroën compared how close the highest-rated beaches on TripAdvisor were to the 10 most populated cities in the country, with the requirement that they can be reached using the 219-mile all-electric range of the Citroën ë-C4.

Additional points were awarded according to the number of public charging points within a two-mile area for each beach.

First place Roker and Seaburn beaches, in Tyne and Wear, can be reached from eight major cities using the 219-mile range of Citroën ë-C4, including Birmingham and Liverpool, while the local area contains 13 public electric vehicle chargers with speeds of up to 50kW.

For EV drivers based in London, second place Brighton beach is a short 53-mile drive away and offers more than 120 public chargers within a two-mile radius, including 20 fast chargers (7-22kW) and four rapid chargers (25kW and higher).

Third place Bournemouth Beach can be reached from six major cities and features the highest number of rapid chargers (five). With 100kW rapid charging capability, a 0-80% charge for Citroën ë-C4 can take as little as 30 minutes, while for those enjoying a whole day at the seaside, a full charge can be completed in 7.5 hours from a 7kW fast charger.

Thanks to lower running costs, Citroën UK claims ë-C4 EV drivers can enjoy an affordable seaside retreat, with the 400-mile round trip from Birmingham to Roker and Seaburn Beaches costing less than £30.

England’s Top 10 beaches for EV drivers

	Ranking	Cities accessible to beach within ë-C4’s 219-mile range	Total number of public chargers within 2 miles	Number of fast chargers (7-22kW) within 2 miles	Number of rapid chargers (25kW ) within 2 miles
Roker and Seaburn Beaches, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear	1^st	8	13	10	3
Brighton Beach, East Sussex	2^nd	5	123	20	4
Bournemouth Beach, Dorset	3^rd	6	11	4	5
Hunmanby Gap, North Yorkshire	4^th	8	1	1	0
Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall	5^th	1	6	5	1
Whitby Beach, Yorkshire	Joint 6^th	8	0	0	0
Weymouth Beach, Dorset	Joint 6^th	6	3	2	1
Sandbanks Beach, Poole, Dorset	Joint 8^th	6	0	0	0
Porthminster Beach, St Ives, Cornwall	Joint 8^th	1	3	3	0
Tunnels Beaches, Ilfracombe, Devon	10^th	3	0	0	0

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MONTEREY CAR WEEK 2018: THE QUAIL!

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is not your average 16-year-old. Yes, the swagger is there but it’s less arrogant, more confident. And if she exhibits any aggressive behavior it’s in the way she is determined to please all within her intoxicating embrace, blogs photojournalist Jim Palam.

So how did I get so lucky to gather here in the manicured splendor of the Quail Lodge & Golf Course in Carmel, floating among the magnificent motorcars, bounteous buffets and beautiful people? Ah yes, I am here to shoot the pictures and tell the stories of the event, now in its 16^th year, that many consider the Crown Jewel of all Monterey Car Week events.

So grab a glass of champagne and come-along with me for Part II of my three-part Monterey Car Week report – a peek into the pomp, polish and pleasure that is The Quail. The Rolex Circle of Champions – Best of Show 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200C, above, was the first car I photographed, not because I’m a predictor of outcomes, but because it truly has magnetic appeal – and it was parked close to the entry point of the show!

You know you’re about to experience something special when it’s not even 8 AM and they’re handing out champagne under the towering entrance gate to The Gathering.

A feature of the show-winning Lancia that first caught my eye was the chrome bumpers where rear lights would normally be. With seating and controls far forward one appears to be piloting the Lancia rather than driving it.

“Everything Else Just Became Transportation.” The folks behind the Genesis Essentia Concept Car know how to write a good tagline – and how to dazzle the Quail crowd with a big-screen video backdrop that looped stunning high-definition black & white graphics and cityscapes behind their sleek and sinister showstopper.

What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this icy-blue Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic Coupe – other than it’s more Pacific on display at The Quail – and a galactic gem wherever it dazzles!

Porsche hopes to flip the Sizzle-Switch again in 2020 with it’s all-electric Mission E Taycan, which sat book-ended with ‘48 Porsche No. 1 Type 356 on the heavenly white 70 Years of Porsche stage.

Jose Fernandez of Mexico City had a dream – to build a traditional, handcrafted, coach-built ‘Speciale’ as an homage to the Michelloti-designed, Vignale-bodied racing Ferraris of the early-1950s. With deep pockets, determination and the skills of The Creative Workshop, his Custom Coachworks 1966 Ferrari 330 GT Speciale was unveiled at The Quail. Simply WOW!

The heart of Mr. Fernandez’s dream car – a matching numbers, modified Ferrari 330 Columbo 60-degree V12, 3,967cc, SOHC, 24 valve motor. It’s a treat for the ears and eyes.

Ever been too early for something – like the unveiling of the custom-built Hennessey 7.6 Liter Twin-Turbo V8 engine capable of achieving more than 1,600 horsepower at 7,200 rpm? Me neither, until The Quail. I did get to photograph the awesome Supercar she’ll be powering though. I’m good with that.

You’re looking at Zora’s #58053, the first L88 Corvette prototype development car and Ken Kayser, the insider, one of its owners, and author who has written the definitive story (http://www.tachometerpublishing.com/order/zoras-58053) of this legendary build. It’s believed to be the first St. Louis assembled Corvette with the big-block Mark IV 427 RPO-L72 engine.

This impressive lineup of legendary Lancias sat ready to rally in front of the winner’s ramp at The Quail. The successful Martini Racing sponsorship with the works Lancia team lasted for over a decade, starting in 1982.

Chasing Classic Car’s Wayne Carini describes the size a wad of car restoration cash needs to be to bring a classic to The Quail in show-winning condition!

The gent representing the Jim Glickenhaus SCG 003S Supercar was somewhat tight-lipped about details. There’s nothing sleepy about this Sleepy Hollow, NY- based, 800-Horsepower, 2,700-pound Stradale.

This ‘78 Dome ‘Zero’ was one of the road-going Supercars developed in Japan by racing aficionado Minoru Hayashi. Dome prototypes were intended to offer an alternative to exotic European Supercars.

When Curtiss Motorcycles CEO Matt Chambers unveiled the unpainted, all electric Zeus motorcycle at The Quail Motorcycle Gathering back in May he was wearing a suit, albeit without a tie. Just three months later he has added color and performance enhancements to the Zeus and ditched the suit. I like your style, Matt!

Even though there were only 435 Kaiser Darrins produced, many of you car guys are familiar with its quirky exterior design and sliding channel doors. So I thought you might enjoy this look at this ’54 K-D’s soothing Seafoam interior. Designed by Howard “Dutch” Darrin, power came from 161-inch Six.

The Senna is the most track-focused McLaren ever built, delivering a power-to-weight ratio of 668 PS-per-tonne (659 bhp). Impressive – but not to the two ‘Twenty-Somethings’ standing next to it at The Quail. “Yeah, it’s fast but this one is just boring looking.” Apparently, the monotone color scheme left them wanting!

How to standout in a field of Porsches: Go small. This stunning ½-scale, gas-powered 356 ‘Speedster’ is a highly-detailed, fully-functional driver!

Croatian EV manufacturer Rimac Automobili brought its beautiful blue California Edition C–Two to The Quail. With a sticker price of over $2 million this hyper-EV delivers 1,888 horsepower, goes from 0 to 60 in 1.85 seconds and has an advertised top speed of 258 mph!

Well guys, I was hoping to finish this report with a cool shot of this wicked ’65 GT350 Mustang. But darn it, this visitor from Belarus walked into the picture. I’m sorry. Stay tuned for the final installment of my Monterey Car Week coverage – coming soon!

Words & Photos: Jim Palam, https://www.jimpalam.com/

For more information about The Quail Motorsports Gathering and details about next year’s event, please visit https://whatsupmonterey.com/events/monterey-car-week/the-quail-a-motorsports-gathering/457

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