Technology

The promises of solid-state batteries such as longer range, faster charging times, and being free from rare earth metals will most definitely make electric vehicles (EVs) mainstream. Among the numerous solid-state battery start-ups out there, Colorado-based Solid Power seems to be ahead of everyone else, thanks to BMW and Ford investing in the company. These two companies could be the first to benefit from Solid Power’s new technology, but that also means they’ll share some DNA.

Bose, the makers of high-end audio equipment was the brainchild of an enterprising gentleman named Amar Bose who incorporated the Framingham, Massachusetts-based company in 1964. The man was not just an engineer who had a passion for sound but a professor at MIT who had a passion for innovation and excellence. It was this passion that lead to the success of his brand in the highly lucrative lifestyle audio space. But he didn’t stop at audio products, his passion for engineering led him to create one of the most advanced suspension systems in the world, which nearly four decades later, still feels like it came straight from the future.

Tesla’s dominance in the EV industry has been challenged many times, but Ford’s recent announcement stating the overwhelming demand for their E-crate motor and the fact that they ran out of stock in no time is a big blow to Tesla. Tesla’s software company first and car company later approach has never been under the scanner, but it appears as though things are changing for the better.

In his latest video, Doug DeMuro got to check out the new BMW i4 M50, which is supposedly the Bavarian automaker’s all-electric take on the 4 Series Gran Coupe. As with any Doug video, this is an in-depth tour of the first-ever all-electric BMW to be given the full M treatment. Granted this is an M Sport model rather than an out and out M, but with 536 horsepower on tap, I don’t see anyone complaining.

It’s no surprise that with that the i4 M50 is aimed squarely at the Tesla Model 3 Performance. The Polestar 2 was yet another noteworthy model that also goes up against the Tesla. Coming back to how the i4 stacks up against the Model 3 (457 horsepower), while it is more powerful as opposed to the Tesla, the Model 3 has a considerably longer range at 315 miles as opposed to the BMW’s 270 miles.

Nissan is in an interesting place. It gave us the first new Z in 14 years and its newly introduced Ariya is the brand’s first EV crossover. While both models have been delayed due to supply chain problems, there is another interesting development. It concerns the Nissan GT-R and the possibility of a four-door version, which may also be an EV. If what we hear is true, this could mean that the R36 generation will come in, at least, two flavors. Is Nissan planning to compete with the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S Plaid?

Doug DeMuro featured the refreshed Audi S8 in his latest video. As with any of his reviews, he dwells deeper than your typical run-of-the-mill review, going over the quirks and features of the latest S8. The A8/S8 lineup has always been the underdog and the least popular of the flagship German limousines, with its chief rivals being the Mercedes Benz S Class and the BMW 7 Series. It has often been criticized for looking too much like a scaled-up Audi A4 or A6.

Having said that, there is still a lot to like about the S8, especially when you consider that this latest model is about $15k cheaper than the outgoing model. The S8 is also ideal if you prefer to fly under the radar and the understated styling sure does come into play here. Find out why Doug thinks this might very well be the very last Audi S8 in his video below.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk will buy Twitter for $44 billion. After regulatory and shareholder approval, Twitter will become a private company upon the completion of the deal.

The board of directors of the internet tech giant even attempted to reject the purchase last week. Musk now intends to establish a "global platform for free speech.” Twitter’s stock price was up, by up to six-percent TWTR.INC after this press release.

Right from the onset, Tesla’s have always been pretty quick cars. The first-gen Roadster seems like a spec from the distant past, but it was nice to see Musk, drive up on stage in one, at the recently held ’Giga Rodeo’. Fast forward to today and the current crop of Tesla’s has turned things up to a eleven, especially when you consider cars like the Model S Plaid and the recently unveiled Model X Plaid.

Earlier this week, BMW and Audi unveiled a couple of cars. While BMW unveiled a full-fledged production car; the all-new 2023 7 Series, Audi debuted the last in the trio of its ’Sphere concepts’ the Urbansphere. concept. Both Bavarian brands have some pretty cutting-edge tech on their top drawer models. But, what I want to draw your attention to is the rear screen situation.

The new BMW 7 series was just unveiled, and while the polarising exterior design maybe not be to everyone’s taste, you just can’t ignore the futuristic minimalist cabin that is loaded to the gills with tech. Let’s talk screens for a moment and there are a fair few in the new 7.

The panel integrates two screens up front and has the driver’s instrument display and the infotainment system integrated into the same curved display. This setup is similar to what we’ve previously seen on the new i4 and iX Crossover. and now has augmented reality. built-in.

Smart is one of the automotive names you don’t hear often. While most of their models are rather unremarkable, the brand marks new beginnings with an all-new EV model. We first talked about the Smart #1 compact SUV in September 2021, when it made a debut at the IAA Munich Auto Show, and now, we have more details on it.

Car manufacturers are hard at work, coming up with more efficient powertrains. While electrification seems to be the focal point, there are plenty of companies still developing ways to make the internal combustion engine more efficient. Nissan is among these companies, with its variable compression technology, said to combine the best from gasoline and diesel engines. Here’s how it works and how it’s different from Mazda’s SKYACTIV engines.

High-performance EVs are here and they are very fast. The Tesla Model S Plaid and, now, the Lucid Air are both capable of 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in the two-second range, and both pack over 1,000 horsepower. To get an idea of just how fast cars have become, both EVs will square off against the fastest sedan from 20 years go – the BMW M5 E39 – in a quarter-mile drag race with a twist, after which both EVs will race against…a person falling from an airplane.