Shortly after starting deliveries to customers, Jesko Absolut will try to prove its speed potential on the road
February 5, 2024 at 09:10
The race for the world’s fastest production car is far from over, with Christian von Koenigsegg hinting at a new attempt later this year. The company is currently looking for a suitable route to test the limits of Jesko Absolut which is described as the fastest Koenigsegg of all time.
Founder and CEO of the company Koenigsegg revealed that the first example of Jesko Absolut has just been delivered to a customer in Switzerland and several more have already been produced. The start of deliveries sounds like the right time to attempt the world record that Christian von Koenigsegg has been talking about openly since the model debuted in 2020.
He speaks for the Swedish media Carp, Koenigsegg said: “I hope we can go for a record this year. We are currently looking for a straight section that is long enough to stop traffic, but it is not that easy,” he added, adding that the location would likely be outside of Sweden.
Koenigsegg believes their previous record of 277.87 mph (447.19 km/h) set RS Act in 2017 it still stands today as it was measured as the average of two directions and was achieved by a production car. He said of the rivals: “Bugatti was only going in one direction and with a car in a specification that customers can’t buy. Even SSCThe record is achieved with a car that is not homologated for road traffic”. In this context, Koenigsegg has made it clear that the new record attempt will be made by the production Jesko Absolut, which will be “fully approved for street use”.
The Koenigsegg Jesko The Absolut debuted at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show as the slickest version of the hypercar, with a clear focus on top speed, unlike the high-downforce Jesko Attack with its giant rear wing. Both versions feature the same twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V8 engine, producing up to 1,600 hp (1,193 kW / 1,622 PS) when running on E85 fuel. In addition to revised aero, the Absolut has a different gear ratio, model-specific suspension settings and more luggage space.
Simulations indicate that the model has a theoretical top speed 330 mph (532 km/h) although this number would be hard to achieve in real-world conditions. In a 2020 interview, Christian von Koenigsegg indicated that the final result depends on the location, the willingness of the driver and the capabilities of the car. Four years later, the company is still searching for the right stretch of tarmac to make the most of its fastest creation.
It’s likely that Koenigsegg will attempt to break both the 2022 SSC Tuatara’s official 282.9 mph (455.3 km/h) two-way record and the unofficial 304.77 mph (490.48 km/h) one-way run. Chiron Super Sport 300+ which took place at the Ehra-Lessen track in September 2019. Another competitor aiming for the record is Hennessey with Venom F5which has been doing a lot of high-speed testing over the past few years.
New eSprinter from Mercedes-Benz is a big deal. A very, very big deal. Twenty-two and a half feet long, to be exact, but I didn’t really appreciate how big it was until I opened the double rear doors, stepped inside, and stood up straight with no problem. My mind immediately filled with bad ideas about turning one into the ultimate zero-emission RV that could do double duty. slot machine delivery vehicle.
Big vans like this are about option, and while the clear intent here is to provide a zero-emissions option for businesses of all sizes, I’m left with one thought: I think I’d almost rather have this than a Ford F-150 Lightning.
But how well does it stand up to closer scrutiny? Let’s find out.
Mercedes-Benz eSprinter 2024: Quick stats
Power supply
134 or 201 horsepower / 295 LB-FT of torque
battery
113 kilowatt hours LFP
Range
273 miles (WLTP) / 200 miles (unofficial EPA estimate)
Cargo volume
488 cubic feet
Base price
$71,886 + $2,295 Destination
An electric van that can
Let’s dive into the numbers first, because for a business-oriented machine like this, capability is what matters most. It starts with cargo capacity. The eSprinter carries a whopping 488 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s a lot of room, whether you’re hauling motorcycles or literally bags of dirt.
Whatever your load, you can haul up to 2,624 pounds, secured by plenty of towing devices spread across the floor. This space is also generously lit, with composite panels on the walls, floor and ceiling to protect the van and your belongings.
The LFP battery with a capacity of 113 kWh is located below the floor of the van in front of a independent de Dion style rear axle which includes one of two electric motors offering 134 or 201 horsepower and a maximum torque of 295 pound-feet. Yes, that’s right, it’s rear-wheel drive, but don’t count on acceleration even with the higher-powered engine.
Although power is modest, the starting price seems reasonable: $71,886 for the base eSprinter or $75,316 for the higher-powered model. Both are made in the U.S. at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Charleston, South Carolina, and both cost about $10,000 less than the Rivian electric cargo van.
The eSprinter seats two in a pair of comfortable captain’s chairs that you have to get very high into. These seats are heated and if there is an empty space next to this button, cooled seats may be available. The Mercedes-Benz sports steering wheel is also heated and loaded with a full range of touch controls on the brand’s latest luxury sedans.
An interior that is smart and durable
As in those cars, you can use these controls to control the optional MBUX infotainment system, which runs on a 10.25-inch touchscreen and is complete with “Hey Mercedes” voice control. Navigation shows chargers along your route and tells you quickly and easily what current you can expect from them. But with a maximum charging speed of 115 kW, you won’t have to be too picky about where you juice up.
The only disappointment is that those navigation commands aren’t communicated via the small digital display in the middle of the cluster, but it’s a much more comprehensive user experience than you’d typically expect in a commercial van, complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
There is no head-up display. This space on the dashboard is occupied by a series of special storage areas, one for the driver and the other for the passenger, complete with cup holders. On the one hand, it’s a comfortable place to have your morning coffee. On the other hand, I’d hate to think what would happen if that coffee overflowed and poured into the vents up there.
Plenty of other cubbies, including one with a lid and multiple USB ports in the middle of the dash, generous pockets built into the ceiling above the sun visors, and even one hidden under the passenger seat.
These seats are comfortable, but there is little room to maneuver. The partition that separates the passenger cabin from the cargo compartment requires the seats to be in an upright position, but from there you get an impressive view of the world around you.
Well, the world in front of you anyway.
A small glass window allows you to see back into the cargo area, but rearward visibility is, as expected, nil. The digital rear-view mirror helps a lot, but the camera that powers it is perched so high in the back of the van that even crossover SUVs waiting behind me at traffic lights disappear from my field of vision.
That’s just one part of getting used to riding the eSprinter, which with its generous proportions requires a little extra care when merging, cornering or generally moving around.
Around City
It also takes some extra time when accelerating. Even though I’ve driven the more powerful model, I knew the eSprinter wasn’t going to be fast, but when I got going in max range mode, I practically had to floor the pedal to pull out of a parking space. I’m all for hypermiling, but I couldn’t even get five minutes in this mode.
The next step up, Eco mode, is a bit better. The van handles great here, but on the freeway I struggled to accelerate in time to pass other cars with speed and authority. Navigating LA traffic in something five feet longer than the Escalade ESV, I felt I needed a little more oomph.
So I spent most of my time in Comfort mode, the most responsive offering that still provides relaxed throttle application but otherwise perfectly reasonable performance. At the end of my time behind the wheel, with plenty of freeway time, I was still averaging 2.2 miles per kWh, which would give a theoretical 250 miles of range without trying to be frugal.
As for actual range estimates, Mercedes-Benz says 273 miles is possible on the European WLTP cycle, which would likely be somewhere in the neighborhood of the EPA’s 250 miles.
In addition to the three driving modes, the eSprinter has five regeneration modes that are cyclically controlled using generously sized paddles on the back of the steering wheel. In top mode, the big van provides a satisfying amount of deceleration when you step on the gas pedal, but since it doesn’t come to a complete stop, it can’t quite be called one pedal.
For those who prefer to coast, disable the regeneration and the eSprinter will be happy to hurtle down the highway.
Wafting is perhaps a bit generous, but for a giant van with a load rating of 2,624 pounds, the eSprinter is remarkably compliant and comfortable. The van I was driving was loaded with nearly 500 pounds of cargo, so I didn’t experience a significantly harsher unladen experience. Regardless, I was impressed with how well the van handled pavement imperfections.
It even offers easy and reasonable handling. Despite the dead battery, there’s generous body roll, but given the nine-foot height, that’s to be expected. The steering is slow, you’ll be weaving through even casual corners, but then again, it was all pretty easy. Pleasant, even.
Premature verdict
Again at the end of the day I think I’d rather have this than that Ford’s electric F-150. But while this thing is fun to drive and in many ways more practical when it comes to hauling cargo than the Lightning, it falls short elsewhere.
Towing and payload for one, the eSprinter is good to tow 4,277 lbs versus the Lightning’s 10,000 lb max. But the bigger missing areas are when it comes to flexibility in the workplace. Lightning is packed with outlets and converters that can charge everything from a shack full of cordless drills to another full-sized EV.
The eSprinter, while full of smart cubes, isn’t nearly as well-suited to powering a construction site — or actually towing a crew to get there.
But as a hi-tech delivery machine, or perhaps a taco truck that emits no emissions except for the tantalizing smell of barbacoa, the electric eSprinter is a great choice—and it’s available to order now and ship sometime later this year.
26Photos
Frequently asked questions about the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
Tim Stevens is an experienced editor, analyst and expert in the technology and automotive industry. He ran CNET’s automotive news for nine years and served as vice president of content. Before that, Tim served as Editor-in-Chief at Engadget and even had a previous life as an Enterprise Software Architect. Follow Tim on Twitter at @tim_stevens and catch him Substack.
Magnify/ Mercedes-Benz has electrified its Sprinter van, giving it more range than Ford’s E-Transit or the Rivian van.
Tim Stevens
There are many ways small businesses can celebrate their success. It could be a flashy new sign outside, fancy furniture inside, or an advertising campaign they may never have imagined when they started. But for businesses literally on the move, buying the first new van is definitely a significant milestone. In 2024, the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter may become the new aspirational acquisition for many small businesses.
Great range and plenty of space
The Sprinter has been on the American market for more than 20 years since production began at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Charleston, South Carolina. The new eSprinter is the first time it’s fully electric, and yes, this version will also be assembled in America, complete with a 113 kWh lithium ferrophosphate (LFP) battery powering a 134 hp (100 kW) or 201 hp (150 kW) motor driving rear wheels only. Mercedes estimates a range of 273 miles (440 km) on the European WLTP cycle, which will likely translate to somewhere around 250 miles (402 km) when tested with US EPA cycle.
This battery is located in the floor between the frame rails and still makes room for a spacious 488 cubic feet (13,819 L) cargo area. At nearly 24 feet (280 inches/7,112 mm), it’s plenty of room to transport a dozen or so slot machines or the entirety of Jabba the Hutt, including all his cackling pals.
The eSprinter will be assembled in Charleston, South Carolina.
Tim Stevens
Equipping the eSprinter to become an electric motorhome will require adding a new home battery as there is no way to harness the power inside the traction battery.
Tim Stevens
You can fill this volume with slot machines.
Tim Stevens
In practice, you’re much more likely to see these things hauling packages, bikes, tools, or whatever else the day’s duties call for. The one I was driving was loaded with a large box filled with 480 pounds (218 kg) of some undisclosed, presumably mundane substance.
This load did not compromise the eSprinter’s maximum payload of 2,624 pounds (1,190 kg). Still, it filled the space nicely, showcasing the numerous connection surfaces scattered across the barren but practical space. It’s also well-lit, and the side doors, tailgate and steps integrated into the rear bumper should make loading and unloading easier. Most people won’t even need to dodge when getting in and out.
There is no shortage of driving aids
Getting into the driver’s seat is a bit more complicated. That perch is high, and once you get in, you’ll look down on any driver who isn’t driving something that requires a CDL. It’s a privileged perspective of the world in front of you, an advantage that compensates for the woeful lack of visibility of anything behind you.
A digital rearview mirror helps. However, the camera powering this mirror is placed so high in the back of the van that you can’t see the car behind you at traffic lights. Would appreciate a wider angle of view.
The SAIC-owned brand also released the first interior teaser image on Monday, showing a fully redesigned cabin. This redesigned design includes bold dual infotainment displays and instrument panels, along with a rotary gear selector similar to that found in the larger MG4 EV. The seats also boast diamond-stitch upholstery, something likely to be offered on higher trim levels.
Even if it’s the first time MG he showed us the upcoming model, we already know its styling thanks to leaked photos and patent drawings. Predictably, the hatchback looks like a baby version of the MG5 and MG7 sedans, adopting the brand’s latest styling language.
The front has a sharp nose and aggressive headlights. A large intake in the bumper replaces the missing grille and is flanked by aerodynamic wings. The profile is more sculpted than before, with curved lines reminiscent of Seat Ibiza. At the rear, there are a pair of horizontally placed taillights and a sporty rear bumper.
MG has also confirmed plans to replace the current petrol powertrain with a new Hybrid Plus system. Although specific technical details have not been released, the plug-in hybrid system is expected to include a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, a stand-alone electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery.
Outbound second generation MG 3 it was originally introduced in 2011, facelifted after 2018. Despite its age, the model remains a dominant force in the Australian supermini segment, benefiting from the fact that it is the most affordable new car in the country. Still, MG needed a clean design for its entry-level offering to keep it relevant until the EV-only era arrived.
The 2024 MG 3 It is expected to go on sale in Europe, the UK and Asia-Pacific regions shortly after its debut in Geneva. It’s safe to assume that the hatch will remain competitively priced like its predecessor.
The story was updated on February 5, 2024 to include new information and trailers
Growth in China’s plug-in electric car sales hit another monthly record (fifth in a row) in December, pushing the annual result to spectacular levels.
According to EV volumes‘ According to data from researcher Jose Pontes, 980,737 new electric passenger cars were registered in China in December, up 46% from a year ago.
Get a full charge
Sales of plug-in cars have surged in China
China’s plug-in electric car market is not only the largest in the world, but also accounts for the majority of global plug-in car sales. The share of plug-in cars in China was 37% in 2023 (up from 30% in 2022).
The number of registrations of purely electric cars reached approximately 618,000 (year-on-year increase of 31%). This is also a record.
Plug-in hybrids are becoming increasingly popular in China. In December, a record 362,000 units were registered (a year-on-year increase of about 80%). One of the reasons for the popularity of PHEVs is that the new models are equipped with larger batteries (roughly 40 kilowatt hours).
Registration of plug-in cars per month (year-on-year change):
BEV: about 618,000 (up 31%)
PHEV: about 362,000 (up about 80%)
Total: 980,737 (up 46%)
In 2023, more than 8 million new plug-in electric cars will be registered in China (up about 46% year-on-year), around 37% of the total (compared to 30% in 2022, 15% in 2021 and 6.3 % in 2020).
That’s a huge volume – higher than all plug-in car registrations in the rest of the world combined – and a very high market share. Pure electric cars alone accounted for about 25% of the market (compared to 22% in 2022, 12% in 2021 and 5.1% in 2020).
Plug-in hybrids have increased their market share by orders of magnitude over three years, from 1.2% in 2020 to 3% in 2021, 8% in 2022 and 12% in 2023.
Registration of plug-in cars in 2023 (year-on-year change):
BEV: approximately *5.34 million and 25% market share
PHEV: approximately *2.75 million and 12% market share
Further growth is expected in 2024, although probably not at such a rapid pace. We estimate that the new goal will be 10,000,000 sales in 2024.
In December, the best-selling plug-in electric car (and best-selling car ever) was the BYD Song family, with 72,182 new registrations. The Tesla Model Y with more than 60,000 units was second, followed by several other BYD models.
Top 10 plugins in December:
BYD Song Plus: 72,182 (14,011 BEV + 58,171 PHEV)
Tesla Model Y: 60,055
BYD Qin Plus: 41,142 (11,963 BEV + 29,179 PHEV)
BYD Seagull: 41,012
BYD Yuan Plus (aka Atto 3): 30,799
Wuling Bingo: 27,458
Dolphin WORLD: 26,814
Aito M7 EREV: 25,545
Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV: 25,015
GAC Aion Y: 22,678
In 2023, the BYD Song Plus family became the best-selling nameplate with 627,731 registrations. The Tesla Model Y had 456,394 registrations, the best result among all-electric cars and second in the overall segment of plug-in cars.
The BYD Qin Plus family was third overall, followed by three all-electric BYDs: Yuan Plus (338,490), Dolphin (334,800) and Seagull (253,664).
Top 10 Plugins for January to December:
BYD Song Plus: 627,731 (92,983 BEVs + 534,748 PHEVs)
Tesla Model Y: 456,394
BYD Qin Plus: 434,910 (123,170 BEV + 311,740 PHEV)
BYD Yuan Plus (aka Atto 3): 338,490
Dolphin WORLD: 334,800
BYD Seagull: 253 664
Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV: 237,878
GAC Aion Y: 235,717
WORLD Han: 227,705 (106,904 BEVs + 120,801 PHEVs)
GAC Aion S: 220,904
* BEV and PHEV versions of the same models were counted together in the source.
The Tesla Model 3 was 12th with 146,910 units, but apart from the Model Y, no other foreign electric cars in China in 2023 managed to break into the top 20.
Audi has made some radical design changes over the years – just look at how it replaced the boxy B2 80 from the early 1980s with the curvaceous B3 generation model from the second half of the decade. But most of the time, its design evolves only subtly from one generation to the next. The 2025 A5 Sportback you see here is an all-new car, but the connection to today’s liftback sedan is clear.
So he’s handsome but familiar. There is no radical modification of the headlights and no controversial modification of the radiator grille. Nothing to rock the boat. But at BMW’s arch-rival Audi, designers are preparing the new 3 Series and aren’t content to add a set of recessed door handles and say ‘job done.’ The next 3 Series, which will be available with a choice of combustion or electric powertrains, will look very similar to last year’s Vision Neue Klasse concept, and to our eyes it’s a much more interesting design than what we can see on these spies. shots.
Should the Audi designers have been bolder? Perhaps it adopted the split headlight treatment used on the upcoming A6? Maybe, but we can be sure that not everyone will like it BMW looks, and that could play into Audi’s hands. And it’s not like it’s identical to the outgoing A5. Audi fans will immediately notice the slimmer grille and new-generation LED headlights. Inside, they’ll find a simplified console and the same two-spoke steering wheel as other recently introduced Audis.
However, after running the configurator, they won’t find the EV option. Audi reserves badges with even numbers for electric cars, so the current internal combustion A4 will be retained and the A5 will get a station wagon variant. There will be another A4, but it will be an EV, and the A5 will only offer buyers a choice of mild hybrid and PHEV powertrains. And based on what we know about the latest VW Passat and Tiguan, we can expect at least one of the plug-in options to be a 268-horsepower (272 PS) combo consisting of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and 19.7+ kWh capacity battery that gives the EV a range of more than 60 miles (97 km).
We’ll find out the full engine lineup and have a clearer idea of whether Audi will bring back the A5 coupe and convertible when the Sportback launches later in 2024. The next 3 Series won’t be revealed for at least another year. , but which car are you looking forward to the most?
45 long years have passed since the original Mad Max the film was released, and yet the film, as well as its sequels, continue to inspire some car owners to build tribute cars to the franchise. This 1972 AMC Javelin was built as a tribute Mad Max 2 and is currently for sale in Greenbank, Washington with an asking price of $15,000. Would you be willing to pay that much for it?
Transforming the Javelin into a car that would look right at home on the set of Mad Max, the owner painted it matte black and fitted a new set of wheels wrapped in massive Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires. Ground clearance has also been raised to make the car more suitable for off-roading, although we certainly wouldn’t be driving this car on any difficult trails.
The seller acknowledges that AMC the original 304 cubic inch V8 has also been rebuilt and now features redesigned valve seals, heads and springs, as well as upgraded Edelbrock cams, lifters, timing gear and timing chain. While Facebook Marketplace extract doesn’t mention how much power the car pumps out, adding that the original transmission has been modified with modern planetary gears and a powerful Hughes torque converter. Improved performance is complemented by modernized brakes.
There have also been a few tweaks to the Javelin’s interior, though we’re not sure we’d classify them as “upgrades.” The door panels have been removed and there is now a very industrial looking dash with simple switches and gauges. There’s also a fire extinguisher inside, although you’d hope it’s never actually needed.
Owner she picked a good time to sell because the new Mad Max movie is right around the corner and will be released on May 24th. Furiosa: The Mad Max Sagastarring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth.
Last week we presented sales data that initially named the Tesla Model Y as the world’s best-seller However, Toyota has now finished tallying its own numbers and it looks like the Corolla may have taken the top spot. Well, sort of, because it all depends on how you interpret the data, so let’s dive deeper into the story to give you some clarity.
The original report was based on figures compiled by Jato Dynamics, which openly admitted that reports of Toyota’s global sales had yet to be confirmed. But it argued that enough global markets had reported sales to provide that Tesla Model Y an almost unassailable lead.
Turns out, it wasn’t completely unassailable for Toyota. Now that the company has completed the census global sales number, a company spokesperson told Carscoops that it has officially sold “approximately 944,000 RAV4s and 1.64 million Corollas globally in 2023″.
While that’s less RAV4s than reported last week, it’s a lot more Corollas than expected. The compact car thus moves ahead of the Model Y, which Tesla sold 1.23 million units worldwide. Flock Dynamics.
So is this the final verdict? Not so fast.
Toyota offers various Corolla models or Corolla-based vehicles around the world, including various variants for China and the Corolla Cross, which is also available in North America. To clarify, we reached out to Toyota to clarify which models were included in this overall sales figure.
“This includes all Corolla nameplates globally, Corolla SDN, X (Corolla Cross in the US), Hatchback (Auris), Wagon, Fielder (JPN) and GR Corolla, but does not include the Levin (China),” a Toyota spokesperson told us.
The Corolla is available in various body styles, including a crossover version, offered in various markets around the world.
As you can tell, there’s some ambiguity here, as Toyota’s count includes both different variants (the compact car in sedan, wagon and hatchback body styles, as well as the Cross) and different nameplates of the same vehicle in certain markets.
If Toyota counts the Cross in its count, why can’t we also count the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y as one, especially since they’re essentially two versions of the same car that many people have a hard time telling apart from certain angles? According to Tesla’s own figures, in 2023 the two models combined sold 1,739,707 units worldwide.
If we were to follow that logic, the Model 3 and Y combined would outsell the extended Corolla family by roughly 100,000 units worldwide in 2023 (Tesla’s 1.74 million vs. Toyota’s 1.64 million).
Any way you slice it, it’s a remarkable achievement for an American EV company that had either the best-selling model line or the second-best-selling nameplate overall, not to mention the world’s best-selling crossover in 2023.
This impressive result is the result of a 63 percent year-on-year increase in sales. The Model Y was also central to Tesla remaining the world’s largest electric car maker, ahead of BYD, whose sales momentum likely beat the American company in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Corolla’s success is likely to be seen as just further confirmation that Toyota’s slow approach to EV adoption is certainly justified. The Japanese company is touting the success of its internal combustion and hybrid vehicles after global sales of electric vehicles slowed. The unexpected slump in sales prompted investors to exit the EV market, and some automakers significantly slowed their EV development plans.
Porsche recently unveiled the Macan EV 2024, an all-new electric crossover with up to 630 hp (470 kW) and acceleration from zero to 96 km/h in just 3.1 seconds in Turbo trim.
That’s faster than 911 GT3 and significantly faster than the Macan GTS with an internal combustion engine. The latter is equipped with a 434 hp (323 kW) 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 engine that allows it to accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h in 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 169 mph or 272 km/h (with summer tires ).
Our question of the day for you is, which Macan would you most like to own for the long haul until it reaches the end of its useful life?
There’s no denying that both are capable performance vehicles, as they should be. The GTS version of the ICE Macan, which has been in production since 2014 and has undergone several facelifts over the years, has a starting MSRP of $86,800. On the other hand, the all-new, all-electric Macan EV 4 starts at $79,000. However, those who desire the range-topping Macan EV Turbo will need to shell out at least $105,300.
Those initial costs are pretty serious, but perhaps the real thing to worry about is the long-term costs for the owner who, like many Porschephiles, intends to keep the car for a long time. Electric vehicles they are generally associated with lower routine maintenance, but on the other hand, changing the battery in any EV can be expensive and complicated. Electric motors also fall into this category. There’s a reason used Cayenne plug-in hybrid variants are priced at the lower end of the spectrum.
At the same time, maintaining the twin-turbocharged V6 and the rest of the drivetrain is a costly undertaking. One could end up paying more for fuel and routine maintenance over the lifetime of a gas Macan than for an EV and a one-time battery replacement, especially after the factory warranty expires.
Here’s the real kicker, though. Both SUV they are sure to offer miles of smiles for a lifetime. We already know that ICE Macans are fast, handle well and are elegant. It’s highly likely that the Macan EV won’t disappoint on these fronts either, with added technology, improved acceleration, increased interior space and reduced routine maintenance.
The Macan GTS is probably the last bastion of truly fast combustion-powered Macans. It’ll never require a battery change to rival the price of a run-of-the-mill Miata, and it’ll always sound better—unless you’re a fan of the artificial sound Porsche provides for the Macan EV.
Our question to you is simple. Which of these two powerful machines would you rather live with if you were burdened with maintenance costs incurred outside the warranty period? Let us know which one you would choose using our poll below and leave a comment on why you chose the way you did.
Saudi Arabia will soon have an all-electric fleet of police cars supplied by Lucid
February 4, 2024 at 3:29 p.m
Lucid Motors may face challenges in terms of stock prices and car deliveries amid slowing EV sales, but the company is poised to receive a capital injection that doubles as free advertising for its vehicles. We’re referring to the upcoming fleet of all-electric police cars, all based on the Lucid Air sedan, set to hit the streets of Saudi Arabia.
First ever police vehicle by Lucid was unveiled on February 4 at the World Defense Show in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Conversion Lucid Air it has black and white police paint on the roof and other equipment. What looks like an oversized assembly of sirens and strobe lights serves as a carrier for a police drone. Press the button to open the top cover and allow the drone to take off.
A single photo of the vehicle hiding under a transparent cover was posted on X (ex-Twitter) by local media. Saudi project. This was followed by a revealing video of the police cruiser, recorded on X by the Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia.
While we don’t have photos of the interior, it’s likely that they do Lucid modified the cabin to better suit the needs of law enforcement officers. These modifications often include additional screens and a mobile radio, although it is possible that some of these elements have been integrated into the large infotainment display.
In any case, the World Defense Show runs from February 4-8, so we expect more photos of the EV to be available online soon, along with more information about the fleet.
The news is not surprising, given that Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund holds up to 60 percent of Lucid Motors. The local government has struck a deal with Lucid to buy up to 100,000 electric cars over the next decade, with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) investing $10 billion in the automaker.
Lucid Motors – which has the only electric car factory in the region – is expected to play an important role in Saudi Arabia’s transition from fossil fuels to battery-powered cars, along with state-owned startup Ceer, a joint venture between PIF and Foxconn. For now, the Lucid factory in Saudi Arabia is limited to re-assembling vehicles that come as kits from the Arizona factory in the US.
company #Lucid_Motors It is introducing a special design for public security vehicles in Saudi Arabia, which is expected to be unveiled on the sidelines of the World Defense Exhibition next week. pic.twitter.com/aNH7zoBceJ
company #mines A few days ago I signed a contract with a company #Lucid_MotorsSupplying high quality aluminum panels to Lucid factories in America for 3 years and today leaked a special design for public safety vehicles in Saudi Arabia that will soon be on display at the World Defense Expo. $LCID Air Sapphire ⚡️👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/gC7J3FHbLF
