This week we visited Togliatti, where the production of the new 1.8 engine with a CVT started, and also attended the Russian presentation of the Kaiyi X7 Kunlun crossover, which took place in Moscow. About this and other main news – in our review
Lada with a new engine and automatic transmission – what will the power unit be like?
Production of 1.8 Evo engines has started in Tolyatti. “Vesta” with such an engine and CVT will enter the production line in January 2024. The 1.8-liter naturally-aspirated engine retained the same characteristics (122 hp and 170 Nm) that were found in a similar engine produced until 2022, but the unit received 25 new and modified parts.
Another new feature is that Lada will receive a six-speed manual transmission for the first time, which will also work with the 1.8 engine (previously the Renault unit was used). Sales of such versions will begin next year.
We visited the plant in Togliatti and took a closer look at the 1.8 engine and CVT. Details are in the article “Lada Vesta received a more powerful engine – what’s new in it.”
The Kaiyi X7 Kunlun crossover, which is produced in the Russian Federation, has been presented
A presentation of Kaiyi X7 Kunlun took place in Moscow, the start of sales dates and approximate prices were announced. The new product is produced at the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad. In terms of class, this model can be compared with the familiar Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Mitsubishi Outlander. The design is remarkable – it was developed by an Italian studio led by the former design director of Pininfarina. The angular lines on the front of the Kaiyi X7 Kunlun are said to be a reference to the mountainous landscape. And the word Kunlun in the name is in honor of the Chinese Kunlun mountain range.
Kaiyi X7 Kunlun will be offered with two engines to choose from: 1.6 turbo (186 hp) and 2.0 turbo (238 hp). Both engines are combined with a 7-speed preselective robotic gearbox.
There are unusual solutions in the salon. For example, on the steering wheel there are buttons for starting the engine and selecting driving modes.
In front of the driver is a 12.3-inch instrument screen. In the center is a large multimedia display with a diagonal of 14.6 inches.
It was previously assumed that the cars would appear at dealers in December, but now it is reported that sales will begin in January 2024. Exact prices and configurations have not yet been announced, but the basic version will cost less than 3 million rubles, TASS writes, citing Ivan Bychkov, head of the development department of the Kaiyi model range in the Russian Federation.
Production of Ikon tires started at the former Russian Nokian plant
On Tuesday, December 12, in Vsevolozhsk near St. Petersburg, the launch of production of summer tires under a new brand was solemnly announced (in fact, their production started a week earlier, and the tires are already being supplied to retail chains).
After the sale in the spring of 2023, the Russian Nokian plant changed its name to Ikon Tires. Now the premium segment tires produced are called Ikon Autograph (formerly Nokian Hakka), and a more affordable Character line will be added later.
Three summer models were the first to go into production:
- Autograph Ultra 2 and Ultra 2 SUV – high-speed tires for powerful cars,
- Autograph Aqua 3 and Aqua 3 SUV – a model that resists hydroplaning,
- Autograph Eco 3 – wear-resistant, economical tires (with reduced rolling resistance).
In essence, the new models are the same Nokian tires; previously they were called Hakka Black 2, Hakka Blue 3 and Hakka Green 3. The tread pattern has been preserved, the same rubber compounds have been used as before. Only on the sidewalls are new patterns and markings.
The standard sizes produced are suitable for most cars in the Russian fleet, including new Chinese models. About 2% of the required variants that were previously imported are missing. Work is already underway to launch their production in Russia in the coming years.
As for winter tires under the new brand, they are expected to go into production by next season.
New Mercedes-AMG – it has 816 “horses” and a folding roof
The car with the long name Mercedes-AMG SL 63 SE Performance received a hybrid power plant and became the most powerful in the range. The Mercedes-AMG SL convertible is already 2 years old. And all this time, the most powerful version was the SL 63 4Matic+ with a four-liter V8 that produces 585 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque. This car accelerates to hundreds in 3.6 seconds. But now these results are surpassed by the SL 63 SE Performance version, and by a huge advantage!
The Mercedes-AMG SL 63 SE Performance is equipped with a hybrid power plant, the total output of which is 816 hp. and 1080 N∙m of torque! Its basis is the same 4-liter V8, but tuned to 612 hp, and another 204 “horses” are added by an electric motor mounted on the rear axle.
As a result, acceleration to hundreds of all-wheel drive convertibles with a 9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT-9G automatic transmission with a wet clutch instead of a torque converter takes only 2.9 seconds, but the top speed has changed slightly – 317 km/h instead of 315 for the purely gasoline version.
The capacity of the traction battery is only 6 kWh. Therefore, this SL can travel only 13 km on pure electricity.
The Mercedes-AMG department does not say how many kilograms all this equipment has added to the mass, but even without the battery the SL weighs almost 2 tons. This means that you can safely add a hundredweight or one and a half. Unsurprisingly, the diameter of the carbon-ceramic brake discs has been increased to 420 mm at the front and 380 mm at the rear.
On the outside, the hybrid version differs only in the charging hatch in the rear bumper and subtle E Performance badges on the front fenders. Standard equipment includes matte black 20-inch wheels with a special “aerodynamic” design. Shoes one size larger are available to order.
Of course, the top version gets AMG Active Ride Control suspension with a rotating rear axle and a hydraulic system instead of conventional anti-roll bars. Also, the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 SE Performance has specially tuned elements of active aerodynamics – a retractable front splitter and a rear spoiler.
The hybrid version also has 8 driving modes, including pure electric or battery assist. To avoid waking up the entire neighborhood during a cold start, you can make the SL run on electric power only at first.
Porsche has declassified the interior of the new Macan EV
Ahead of the debut of the electric version of the Porsche Macan crossover, the German automaker has declassified the interior of the new car. The Macan EV has three screens on the front panel.
The technical solutions used in the Macan EV interior are borrowed from the previously presented Cayenne and Panamera. A 12.6-inch display is used as an instrument cluster, and the readings are also duplicated through a projection onto the windshield. Adaptive cruise control uses elements of augmented reality: the distance between vehicles is displayed by virtual points on the road.
A separate media system display is provided for the passenger, which can be used while driving; the media content displayed on it is not visible to the driver. The climate control unit combines traditional buttons with touch panels.
2023-12-16 09:10:39
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