4dr Hatchback Low Miles Sedan Pdk Gasoline 3.6l V6 Cyl White on 2040-cars

Auto blog

New European charging network will offer speeds up to 350 kW

It's about to get easier to fast-charge your electric vehicle across Europe thanks to four major automakers working together in a new joint venture. BMW, Daimler (Mercedes-Benz), Ford, and the VW Group (Audi and Porsche) have all signed a Memorandum of Understanding to install about 400 DC fast charging sites in Europe. As you may know, there are different types of fast chargers, but the ones that this group is talking about installing will be able to charge an EV in much less time than other stations. That's because these chargers will offer power levels of "up to 350 kW." Compare that to what's generally considered the current gold standard, the Tesla Superchargers, which have rates of up to 145 kW and a statement not that long ago from a Ford exec that suggested that 150 kW chargers would be the new normal. Of course, the Tesla chargers use the company's proprietary connector and the new network the JV is setting up will use the CCS standard. The first new stations will go up in 2017 and those 400 sites are just the beginning. A joint statement by the JV says that EV drivers will "have access to thousands of high-powered charging points" by 2020 along highways and main roads. "The charging experience is expected to evolve to be as convenient as refueling at conventional gas stations," the companies said. While not every electric vehicle will be able to take advantage of the 350 kW charging rate, the companies involved would be silly to build the infrastructure without vehicles that can handle that kind of energy flow. The JV says it would welcome participation from other automakers and will cooperate with interested regional partners. Related Video: News Source: Daimler Green Audi BMW Ford Mercedes-Benz Porsche Volkswagen Electric fast charging

The holidays are coming and this Singer Designs book is great

None of us should expect to get one of Singer's beautifully reimagined Porsche 911s for the holidays, but a new book titled One More than 10: Singer and the Porsche 911 at least lets you give, or receive, some sensational photos of them. The 275-page book tells the story of Singer founder Rob Dickinson and what inspires him to put so much effort into making 911s even better. The opinions of auto writers and industry personalities accompany Dickinson's tale, but the lavish photography is the true highlight. Based on the preview photos in the gallery above, the shots perfectly capture the company's machines from all the best angles. Former Autoblogger Michael Harley co-authors the book. There might still be time to order the $85 book for a friend (or yourself) in time for the holidays because the publisher guarantees delivery by Christmas for the first 200 of them. Dickinson will also sign copies at the Petersen Museum's re-opening preview day on Dec. 6. The publisher will also offer 100 copies of a limited edition for a hefty $911. These will come in a custom display case from Singer's craftspeople, and they'll include exclusive artwork. SINGER VEHICLE DESIGN EXCLUSIVITY MAY NOW BE MORE ATTAINABLE AS POINT OF ENTRY BEGINS WITH BACKGROUND STORY "One More than 10: Singer and the Porsche 911" New Book – Perfect Holiday Gift for Porsche 911 Fans PR Newswire, LOS ANGELES – November 10, 2015 As the world continues to take notice of a little restoration shop in Southern California that has provided a re-birth of sorts to old and tired Porsche 964s, many have come to believe the ability to enter the inner circle of Singer Vehicle Design was well beyond reach. However, as the holiday season draws upon us, there's one pathway to ownership within a less limited perspective that enthusiasts just may find easier on their pocket-book too – that being the release of the background story of the impeccable craftsmanship within Rob Dickinson's "re"imagination of Porsche 911s and the launch of his book "One More Than 10: Singer and the Porsche 911" currently available at www.singervehicledesign.com on a pre-order basis, as well as through publishing house Stance & Speed at http://www.stanceandspeed.com/automotive-books/one-more-than-10-singer-and-the-porsche-911.

It's time for Corvette to attack Porsche

For most of its existence, Porsche was a smug little sports car company with a fairly limited lineup and small but steady sales. Any time the company strayed from its air-cooled, rear engine formula, the purists would turn their noses. The 944? The 948? "Not a proper Porsche," they'd sniff. And then came the greatest sin of them all: the Cayenne. To the purists, this was treason. Porsche making an SUV? Horrors! Of course, you all know how it turned out. Porsche grew to be a profit-generating juggernaut within the Volkswagen Group. And since one SUV wasn't enough they added another, the Macan. By the end of the decade Porsche will have quadrupled its global sales. You have to wonder what else it has up its sleeve. Couldn't this be a lesson for General Motors? It has a terrific sports car brand in Corvette. In fact, it's arguably the most iconic brand within GM's full-line portfolio. But for its entire existence that brand has been locked up within Chevrolet. Maybe it's time for GM to treat Corvette as a stand-alone company. Maybe it's time for GM to unlock that brand and treat Corvette as a stand-alone company. A Corvette SUV could be a killer first step. Since Porsche only makes two SUVs, maybe Corvette could make three. Small, medium, and large. And just as Porsche has the Panamera, an executive sedan from team Corvette could become an instant "gotta-have" for the yacht-buying jet set. Of course, the Corvette purists will cringe. And the biggest hue and cry will come from Chevrolet's US dealers. That's why the best place to launch the new Corvette brand would be far away from those franchisees: in China. Chinese consumers have no pre-conceived ideas that 'Vettes can only be sold in Chevy stores. And Chinese enthusiasts very much admire Corvette's historic pedigree. You've no doubt read about how Chinese authorities are cracking down on conspicuous consumption. That makes the timing even better. Corvette's selling point has always been that it is an amazing bargain for the performance you get. What a perfect way to undercut Porsche. In fact, pairing the Corvette brand with Cadillac in China could be just the shot in the arm that Cadillac's Chinese dealers need. Despite having very competitive cars, Cadillac lags far behind Audi, Mercedes, and BMW. What Cadillac dealers need is a lot more showroom traffic. And a jaw dropping lineup of Corvette-branded vehicles could bring in throngs of buyers.