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Tesla exec calls rival EVs 'little more than appliances'

Tesla's Vice President of Business Development Diarmuid O'Connell called the company's competition "little more than appliances" at the Center for Automotive Research's Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, MI yesterday. "In essence, [mainstream automakers] delivered little more than appliances," O' Connell said. "Now, appliances are useful. But they tend to be white. They tend to be unemotional." According to Automotive News, O'Connell's main critique is that vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3 don't deliver enough performance or range to draw the attention of consumers outside of a small group. The solution, in O'Connell's mind, is more power, more range, more excitement and a lower price – that last point is particularly rich coming from an automaker whose cheapest current offering, the Model S 60, costs $66,000 – although the cheaper Model 3 is on the horizon, way out there, somewhere. But some EVs are better than none, O'Connell added. "On balance, I'm happier that [traditional automakers are] doing these cars than not," O'Connell said. "I just wish they would do them better and faster." O'Connell also used his appearance at the Management Briefing Seminars to launch a volley at the Michigan legislature, blaming its opposition to Tesla's direct-sales model for the lack of available EVs in the Wolverine State. "I think if the Michigan Legislature would allow Tesla to sell cars in Michigan, we could probably address [the lack of available electric cars]," O'Connell said. Related Video:

New BMW M3 and M4 Competition Package to cost $5500

Can't decide between a standard BMW M4 or the bonkers new GTS? The Bavarian automaker has split the difference with the launch of the new Competition Package available for the M3 sedan, M4 coupe, or M4 convertible. Under the hood, BMW M GmbH upped the output from the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six from 425 horsepower to 444 – neatly bridging the gap to the 493-hp M4 GTS, and not limited to just the coupe. The power boost nets an improvement in the 0-60 time of 0.1 seconds, so if you apply it to an M3 sedan or M4 coupe with the 7-speed DCT, you'll be rocketing to 60 in just 3.8 seconds. At the other end of the spectrum, an M4 convertible with the comp pack and the manual gearbox takes 4.1 seconds for the same sprint. The M division also fitted an active suspension and diff, 20-inch forged alloys, and staggered tires. Vehicles fitted with the package can be visually distinguished by their black chrome tailpipes and glossy black trim. Fixed-roof examples also benefit from new seats, which the convertible has to forgo. So while it'll cost $5,500 to fit the Competition Package to a sedan or coupe, the cost for the convertible falls to a nice, round $5,000. Related Video: New Competition Package Amps Up The BMW M3 And M4. Woodcliff Lake, N.J.: January 13, 2016 6:00 pm EST...The BMW M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible are already regarded as the perfect combination of high-performance sports car engineering with unrestricted everyday utility. From spring 2016, all three body styles will be available with a special Competition Package from BMW M GmbH that combines added sporty personality with enhanced dynamics. As well as extensive handling upgrades, the Competition Package also comes with additional equipment features and a hike in power that takes output to 444 hp. The extra power means improved performance. The BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe with optional 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M-DCT) sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds (without Competition Package: 3.9 sec.), while the BMW M4 Convertible reaches the same speed in 4.1 seconds (without Competition Package: 4.2 sec). The sprint time for models with the standard 6-speed manual transmission is likewise 0.1 seconds faster in all cases than without the package.

Audi overtakes BMW as adulterers' favorite car brand

As Audi hopes to surpass BMW as the top-selling luxury automaker, sometimes it has to look at the small victories, too. For instance, IllicitEncounters.com - a UK dating site for married folks (also known as adultery) - is reporting that a recent poll shows that more people willing to cheat on their spouses drive an Audi. Last year, this same poll showed that BMW was the car-of-choice for adulterers.
With Audi on top (pun intended) and BMW bumped to number two, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Volkswagen round out the top five car brands owned by unfaithful wives and husbands. Check out the poll over at IllicitEncounters.com, but be sure to clear your browser history afterward. You know, just to make sure your spouse doesn't get the wrong idea about the websites you visit.