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Renault 5 Turbo 3E, a bomb for tomorrow?


NEW – The year of the 50th anniversary of its city car, the diamond firm signs a modern reinterpretation of the famous Turbo version powered by a 380 hp electric motor.

At Renault, the neorétro works at full blast. While the evocation of the R5 presented at the beginning of 2021 in the form of an electric concept will give birth to a production car in 2024 and an electric R4 is announced at the Paris Motor Show next October, the firm of Boulogne offers us a modern reinterpretation of the famous 1980 R5 Turbo.

Among the flagship models in the history of Renault, this bombinette was one of the stars of the road races of the 1980s, notably winning three events in the world rally championship with the house driver Jean Ragnotti, the Monte-Carlo of 1981 but also the Tour de Corse in 1982 and 1985, and delighting a whole generation of private drivers. Over a career that spanned more than ten years, the R5 Turbo won several hundred victories, mainly in rallies. It also gave birth to a one-design formula on the circuit which gave rise to some memorable battles.

Renault R5 Turbo 1. S.Reisser

We suspected a little that the French manufacturer would revive this legend. Luca de Meo had spilled the beans a bit last April when the Journal de l’Automobile presented the Man of the Year award. The R5 Turbo is also a favorite of Gilles Vidal, Renault’s design director. Add the 50th anniversary of the R5 this year and you have the cocktail for a perfect alignment of the planets.

Public premiere in Chantilly

Renault

Baptized Turbo 3E, the new concept completed its first warm-up laps on Sunday September 25 at Chantilly, on the occasion of the Concours d’Elegance organized by Peter Auto. Immediately referring to the original R5 Turbo, the concept forces the line a bit with really bodybuilt wings. With a width of 2.02 meters, the Turbo 3E is 25 cm wider than its predecessor, for a length of 4 meters and a height of 1.32 meters. Spectacular, this Turbo really is with its enormous dragster spoiler attached to the base of the rear hatch, its imposing rocker panels and its racing car rear diffuser revealing a large part of the machinery.

Renault

From the original Turbo, the R5 Turbo 3E concept has the power but not the sound. A sign of the times, this concept features 100% electric propulsion. The power comes out at 380 horsepower, the maximum torque at 700 Nm. With a capacity of 42 kWh, the battery recharges in 2 hours on a 380V / 32A charger.

Camped on huge 225 x 35 R19 wheels at the front and 325 x 25 R20 at the rear, this concept was developed on a tubular racing car chassis. The weight does not exceed 980 kilos without the battery system which adds 520 kilos. The choice of a black body is not insignificant. It refers to the first development prototype of the R5 Turbo in 1978 driven by Guy Fréquelin. As at the time, we begin to dream of the return to competition of the R5 Turbo with this 3E model. Perhaps the fact of having made up his concept in a race car is not entirely innocent?

Renault

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PV for white line: the PV must be precise


By Remy Josseaume

Posted , Update

Adobe Stock

RIGHT OF THE USER – In a judgment recently published (September 13, 2022, n°21-86.424), the Court of Cassation clearly requires that an offense found for crossing a white line be written with precision.

Article R 412-19 of the Highway Code penalizes the crossing and overlapping of any continuous longitudinal line axial or dividing lanes marked on the roadway.

In the event of crossing a continuous white line, the user incurs a maximum penalty of 750 euros, a suspension of his driving license for 3 years and a loss of 3 points on the driving licence.

The overlapping of a continuous white line is, meanwhile, sanctioned with the same penalties but the sanction of loss of point is limited to 1 point on the driving licence.

In this decision, the judges finally imposed for the report of the offense to be valid that it be mentioned the name of the traffic lane but also the exact place of the offense.

The judge must therefore check that the enforcement officer has correctly informed the exact location of the offense by a precise geographical reference such as a road or kilometric point or even a street number.

Otherwise, the findings of the minutes are no longer valid until proven otherwise.

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Electric vehicle: the long-distance race


The Mercedes EQE, the first of a new generation of very aerodynamic road cars. Mercedes-Benz AG – Global Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans, photo by Deniz Calagan/Mercedes-Benz AG

TEST – The ecological transition puts the sedan back in the saddle. A new generation of zero-emission road cars refines its aerodynamics to go further. The Mercedes EQEen is the spearhead.

Autonomy is the nerve of the war for electric vehicles. It is also its Achilles heel, especially on the highway. Past 110 km / h, due to air resistance, consumption soars. Even if in the future, charging stations spring up like mushrooms along the roads, the radius of action will remain central. Indeed, it is doubtful that motorists agree to take a break of 20 minutes, in the best case, at 1 hour, or even more on transhumance days, every 250 to 300 km to recharge the battery.

Starting from the premise that the sedan is the most efficient silhouette, the best way to delay stopping at the terminal is to rely on two levers essentially. The first is to sketch very aerodynamic lines, that is to say shapes that will be slowed down as little as possible by air resistance. The second is to carry a very large capacity battery. However, this choice has some disadvantages in terms of cost,…

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Electric vehicles: should we go at all costs?


NEWS – Does the energy crisis we are going through call into question the transition from individual mobility to all-electric? Here are some things to think about.

The auto industry didn’t need that. Clouds are gathering on the road to the individual car, especially the battery-electric model. The question is no longer taboo: should we definitively commit the automobile to all-electric in 2035 as the European Commission has decided? The end of recklessness would require, rather than multiplying the incantations, to open the debate. Without waiting. A little political courage wouldn’t hurt. The subject is too serious to skip it.

All over the world, blockages are increasing. In California, due to an episode of heat wave, it was asked to avoid recharging its electric vehicle between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. In Great Britain, from October 1st, the price of electricity will increase. Recharging some electric vehicles may cost more than refueling. We are talking about one euro per kilowatt hour. In Europe, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia caused a surge in the price of electricity, correlated with that of gas. In the space of a year, the megawatt hour has gone from 85 euros to nearly 1,000 euros. In France, the price shield cushions the shock, but the price freeze will not last forever. Already, the Minister of the Economy has announced that increases in bills would be expected. Still in France, if we knew for a long time that we had no oil, we now know that we let bad decisions spread. Result: we discover that electricity can become expensive and that we can also run out of it. The current crisis is seen as the detonator of another deeper crisis relating to the abandonment of our energy autonomy.

Synthetic fuels

According to the Fédération environnement durable association, with the closure of the Fessenheim nuclear power plant and the shutdown of 32 of the 58 reactors in the sector, France only produces 22,000 megawatts, instead of 55,000 when the entire park was in operation. Still according to the association, this energy shortage leads EDF to import up to 10,000 megawatts continuously, which represents a quarter of France’s electricity needs. An energy that comes largely from German coal-fired power stations. Even if the government assures that all French installations will be operational again by the end of the year, some no longer hesitate to brandish the threat of electricity rationing in the event of a harsh winter. What credit should be given to this new announcement?

In Chile, facilities co-financed by Porsche to develop synthetic fuel. Porsche

The automobile finds itself hostage to these new equations, with several unknowns. It is no longer excluded that the electric car will have to face, in the coming months, energy rationing and a rise in the price of the kilowatt hour. Even without the current context, we know that the price of energy is likely to increase, mainly to compensate for the drop in tax revenues linked to a reduction in oil consumption. Can society afford the luxury of seeing its mobility once again tarnished? In this context, it would not be absurd to postpone the transition to all-electric planned for 2035 and to favor technological neutrality. The sobriety advocated so often in recent times requires a reduction in production. However, the ecological transition will have a significant impact on the preservation of natural resources and the environment. As such, the sanctions put in place against Russia risk increasing the cost of electric technology. The nickel used to produce the batteries comes largely from Russia.

Recent developments also tend to show the full relevance of the combustion engine. A study by IFP Énergies Nouvelles shows that a plug-in hybrid model running on Superethanol E85 does not emit more CO2 than an electric vehicle over its entire life cycle. The gasoline-electric car is even taking over the battery electric vehicle in countries where the energy mix has a high carbon footprint. Synthetic fuels also deserve full attention. The cost price of this oil-free fuel, produced from renewable energy, is still high but, with aeronautics which will become its main market in a few years, prices should drop to an acceptable level. The advantage of eFuel is to be able to propel, without modifications, the existing fleet. The benefits are therefore immediately quantifiable. CO emissions2 of fossil origin would thus be reduced by nearly 90%.

Hydrogen becomes credible

BMW X5 Hydrogen. BMW

At the same time, voices are being raised to defend the hydrogen electric car. A way of not putting all the eggs in one basket while the scarcity of raw materials, the lack of charging infrastructure and the price of electricity are fueling concerns. Patrick Koller, the boss of the equipment manufacturer Forvia, resulting from the merger between Faurecia and Hella, believes that hydrogen represents a solution for the future to massively decarbonize mobility. This technology solves the problems related to the use and economic model of electricity. Patrick Koller estimates that he will be able to offer a hydrogen powertrain for a 100 kilowatt-hour car for around 8,000 euros in 2030. Symbio, his joint venture founded with Michelin, is about to design a very competitive platform. The future looks exciting.

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Auto

Flashed but the PV goes to the ace!


By Remy Josseaume

Posted , Update

Jean-Christophe MARMARA/Le Figaro

RIGHT OF THE USER – At the passage of an automatic speed camera, no doubt the flash has just crackled. You are certain to have been fined but you do not receive the report. What about it?

Every year, no less than 12 million speeding tickets are processed by Rennes’ automated penalty control.

In general, the offense report is sent to the user within 15 days. It is not impossible that the PV goes by the wayside.

In fact, almost 25% of speed camera reports do not give rise to an offense report.

Despite the technology used, many minutes are not published and go to waste. There are several reasons for this loss.

PV are classified in particular because of the impossibility of reading the license plate (damaged, masked or incomplete plate).

The movement of radar vandalism also explains this situation (destroyed radar, covered, painted, etc.).

Other radar obstructions can also explain the neutralization of the PV such as tall vegetation which completely or partially prevents the identification of the vehicle.

Finally, some vehicles escape verbalization, such as motorized two-wheelers for front flashes or even certain vehicles registered abroad which cannot be the subject of legal proceedings.

Finally, be aware that the state must send you the offense within the one-year statute of limitations.

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Auto

In Chantilly, the automobile parades in its most beautiful outfits


AGENDA – Under the patronage of watchmaker Richard Mille, the sixth edition of the Chantilly Arts & Elegance competition brings together, on Sunday 25 September, the most beautiful cars in the world in the setting of the Oisien estate.

The dark hours of the coronavirus epidemic have passed, the major events are finding their place in the calendar. This is how Chantilly Arts & Elegance marks the start of the automotive season. This Concours d’Elegance, organized by Patrick Peter, has not only established itself as the equal of those that take place at Pebble Beach, California, and at the Villa d’Este, on the shores of Lake Como. This great celebration, which is part of the tradition of the competitions that enchanted France in the 1920s and 1930s, renewed the genre, also associating haute couture with the art of bodywork.

many tributes

The Lamborghini 350 GT is among the entrants in the post-war Touring body category. Lamborghini

For the sixth time since 2014, the time of a Sunday, the Chantilly event is a unique opportunity in France to (re)discover, in a majestic bucolic setting, along the canals and basins, a hundred cars among the most beautiful in the world. From the largest collections on the planet, this exceptional tray divides rare or unique pieces into 17 classes according to relevant themes. This is how, through three categories dedicated to Touring bodywork (pre-war, post-war and cars of the 2000s), Chantilly pays tribute to its owner, the Belgian Roland D’Ieteren, swept away by the Covid end 2020. Among the 14 other classes, the spotlight is on racing Alpines, Hispano-Suizas, pre-war and post-war cars in their original condition, the 70 years of the Bentley Continental R, the Italian brand De Tomaso, the Bugatti Type 55 and the rebirth of the Alsatian brand.

A category of the contest pays tribute to the 70 years of the Bentley Continental R. Bentley

Undoubtedly a day like no other, Chantilly Arts & Elegance is the prelude in Europe to the centenary festivities of the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year. Two classes are reserved for him: speed and aerodynamics on the Hunaudières and the performance index race. Among the vehicles involved, we note the presence of the Peugeot 905 Evo from 1992 and a Panhard Monopole X86 from 1956. Finally, the party would not be complete without the presence of the latest concept cars from the manufacturers who will parade with models dressed by great fashion designers. Yesterday, today and tomorrow: elegance again and again. The celebration could not be complete without mentioning the picnic on the lawns of the domain, one of the highlights of the day on Sunday, but also the presence of many brand clubs which will also be entitled to their prize.

Information on www.chantillyartsetelegance.com

Peter Auto

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Auto

Honda refines its electric offensive in two-wheelers


NEWS – The Japanese manufacturer plans to launch ten zero-emission models by 2025.

Absent from the first wave of electric two-wheelers that is sweeping the market, Japanese manufacturers have not given up on taking the ecological transition train. These leaders in the motorized two-wheeler market sharpen their weapons in the secrecy of the design offices. First manufacturer of engines in the world, Honda has even just specified its program. While it has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality for its motorcycle business in 2040, the world’s leading manufacturer has announced that it intends to launch at least ten electric models globally by 2025. Without going into the In detail, its range of electric two-wheelers will have to cover a wide range of needs, ranging from small urban models to large displacements. If we can expect to see equivalent 50, 80 and 125 cm3 scooters surge, motorcycles capable of competing with the Harley-Davidson LimeWire should also see the light of day. All these machines do not have a global vocation and the choice of countries will depend on marketing will depend on demand and the type of market.

Honda

Over the next five years, Honda aims to sell one million units of electric vehicles, which remains a drop in the bucket compared to an annual production of 18 million units. By 2030, the manufacturer aims to sell 3.5 million units. This is how we can expect the arrival of eight models in Europe by 2025: the first five planned by 2024 will be intended for mainly urban use and therefore compact and affordable machines. In addition, between 2024 and 2025, Honda will launch three models in the leisure segment.

At this stage, the technology has not been specified but it is known that the market leader has signed a cooperation agreement with Piaggio, Yamaha and KTM for the development of the standardization of interchangeable accumulators. Only information: it will be solid batteries. All these machines will be connected to ensure a conclusive experience for users. The on-board system will thus be able to select the best route based on the remaining range and communicate the location of the charging stations.

The surprise of this program is based on the announcement of electric bicycles, a first for the Japanese manufacturer, which aims to position itself as a complete player in individual mobility. In parallel with its electrification program, Honda is not giving up internal combustion engines. It will continue to develop them with a view to achieving carbon neutrality by the 2040s. It is pursuing a major development program for machines running on ethanol. In addition to the flex-fuel model (E100) launched in Brazil, the Japanese manufacturer plans to market flex-fuel models containing 20% ​​ethanol in India at the beginning of next year. Honda isn’t alone in caring about the environment. Yamaha, its main competitor, has also announced a major program to reduce CO2 emissions.2 which will allow it to aim for carbon neutrality by 2050.

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Ford Mustang, in the seventh dimension


NEW – Neither quite the same, nor quite another: the best-selling sports car in the world is subtly but entirely renewed.

At Ford, the best meets the worst. In the first category, there are flashes that take the form of the GT supercar transformed into a beast of Le Mans, a boosted Focus in an ST definition and a Mustang which has been enthroned for nearly 64 years at the top of the car market. sport. On the B-side, there’s a design that struggles to find its inspiration and the borrowing of the Apaches’ horse name for an electric crossover.

Ford

On the A side, we are pleased that the brand with the blue oval maintains its best-selling sports car in the world since 1964 with more than 10 million copies in six generations. This is how a new model is about to invest the landscape. It was presented at the Detroit show. Fans of the genre can be reassured. The style of the real Mustang evolves smoothly. No question of confusing the many fanatics of the model. The lines tend, the veins are more numerous, the curves more pronounced but the general silhouette is always recognizable among a thousand. The front shield is still made up of three segments while the LED optics give it a meaner look.

Ford

At the rear, the light signature still rests on three vertical bars but they go up on a very pronounced spoiler to display an arrow-shaped fold. The rear overhang For the first time, each version is entitled to its own styling cues. The GT finish thus benefits from additional air intakes on the bonnet as well as oversized air intakes in the grille. It adds a diffuser at the rear. A Dark Horse version cut for the track completes the range. Associated with the 5-litre V8, this model is distinguished by an exclusive finish including a black grille, side skirts, a reinforced chassis and sportier settings, a Torsen limited-slip mechanical differential, an active valve exhaust for the benefit of sound , Brembo brakes, enlarged wheels, a handbrake with an electronic Drift mode and the replacement of the Mustang logos by that of the Dark Horse.

A large digital panel

Ford

The evolution is more marked inside. The modernism of the latest Mustang is based on a dashboard integrating a large digital panel consisting of a double screen of 12.4 and 13.2 inches and concentrating most of the controls, a central console facing the driver and a more refined. A sign of the times, the new Mustang receives all of the latest driving aids leading the driver on the road of the autonomous car: reading of road signs, intelligent adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, lane keeping assistance , braking assistance.

No hybridization

Under the hood, developments remain limited. If the two engines of the sixth generation are renewed – the 4-cylinder 2.3-liter Ecoboost and the 5-liter V8 – in Europe, only the most efficient version will be imported. Revised and corrected, the naturally aspirated V8 will produce around 500 horsepower. It can be associated with the 10-speed automatic transmission or the six-speed manual gearbox and equip the two silhouettes, the coupé and the convertible.

Ford

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Peugeot e-308, sedan and station wagon SW arrive in the world of silence


NEW – In mid-2023, the Sochaux manufacturer will offer the latest generation of its compact in a 100% electric version.

While waiting to launch vehicles developed specifically for electric vehicles, Peugeot continues to convert part of its existing range to zero-emission propulsion. After the 208 and the 2008, it will be the turn of the 308 to benefit from the middle of next year with an electric traction chain. A transformation authorized by the use of the EMP2 multi-energy platform. Available in two silhouette versions – saloon and station wagon SW – the e-308 will be distinguished from its sisters by its closed grille, its underbody, its specific rims and its blue “e” badges.

Peugeot

Compared to the e-208 and e-2008, the e-308 benefits from slightly different technology. It adopts a larger capacity battery – 54 kWh gross (51 kWh net) – distinguished by a new chemistry composed of 80% nickel, 10% manganese and 10% cobalt. With these accumulators which operate at 400 volts, Peugeot announces a consumption of around 12.7 kWh/100 km, which translates into a range of around 400 km, according to the WLTP protocol. The battery powers a new electric motor with a power of 156 horsepower and a torque of 260 Nm. As a reminder, this represents 20 horsepower more than for its sisters.

The e-308 will be equipped with an 11 kW on-board charger as standard. On a fast public terminal, it will be possible to recharge at 100 kW, which will recover 60% (from 20 to 80%) of the battery capacity in less than 25 minutes.

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Purosangue, the family Ferrari


The presence of an atmospheric V12 under the hood of the Purosangue has caused such enthusiasm that the order book is full for the next four years. Ferrari

NEW – For three days, customers from all over the world have been coming to Pisa, in Tuscany, to discover the first 4-door model from the Italian sports car firm: an unprecedented crossover with a V12 engine.

A 4-door Ferrari: this has never been known. Enzo Ferrari always declared that, during his lifetime, there would never be this type of model, judging this architecture incompatible with the philosophy of the brand he had created in 1947. He considered that his 2 + 2 coupes were enough to satisfy its customers who need space and versatility. The Pininfarina body however tried to make him change his mind, realizing a 4.83 meter limousine in 1980. Luca di Montezemolo being on the same line as the founder, we thought the file was definitely closed. During the 2010s, the irrepressible enthusiasm of motorists for SUVs, the volume ambitions of Sergio Marchionne and the brand’s IPO ended up upsetting the house doctrine. Announced in 2018, the project to develop an SUV with Ferrari sauce has just given birth to the Purosangue (pronounced “purosangai”).

In Maranello, we take shelter behind the specificities of the project listed under…

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