Restyled Tesla Model 3: winter and cold test drive of the best-selling electric sedan

For its sixth anniversary, this electric market star is refining some weaknesses while improving style and aerodynamics. It's a shame, however, that the ergonomics have gone in the opposite direction.

Aside from the slowly arriving Chinese automakers in our markets, Tesla is one of the youngest car manufacturers. Yet, it is also one of those with the oldest average age in its range. Except for the Tesla Model Y, which was born in 2020, all of its products are over six years old, with the Tesla Model S dating back to 2012, the Tesla Model X to 2015, and the Tesla Model 3 to 2017, even though it only reached our markets in early 2019 after a slow ramp-up. It was therefore time for a facelift, even though the electric aspects of the Model 3 weren’t outdated... which, as usual, have been regularly fine-tuned without changing for this update.

Restyled Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3 Facelift: A New Look for a New Life

The Best is Inside

We appreciate it, but it’s a pity that, given its large size, some "virtual buttons" are so small, like the temperature +/- buttons, or the deactivation of the annoying and unreliable speed limit alert, making them very difficult to activate while driving without taking your eyes off the road for too long, especially since a finger moves with the suspension's movements. It's almost as if the engineers forgot that the car is in motion and validated their displays only when stationary. This leads to the ergonomics of the Tesla. Like all modern cars, the growing number of functions requires many menus and submenus.

Improving Ergonomics

It’s even possible to let the Tesla Model 3 do it automatically, selecting the forward gear if it detects an obstacle behind. However, the removal of the traditional stalks for turn signals and wipers, replaced by buttons on the steering wheel spokes, is baffling. For turn signals, the stacked buttons (down for left, up for right) are difficult to feel and require a glance to ensure you’re pressing the right one.

A Simple Steering Wheel

With some practice, they’re easier to use… on straight roads. But once you’re on a roundabout, for example, it’s almost impossible to find the button to signal that you’re taking the next exit. Fortunately, the signals cancel themselves once the maneuver is completed, but for driving safety, this is a real step backward! For the wipers, it wouldn’t be so bad if the automatic function worked well, but it’s consistently delayed in adjusting to rain intensity and doesn’t wipe often enough. You have to manually adjust the frequency via a menu on the central screen, requiring you to take your eyes off the road. Once again, a setback in terms of safety.

A Well-Made Chassis

Impressive Range

It also maintains a respectable range, provided you don’t overindulge in its quick accelerations. With an average consumption of 17 kWh/100 km off highways, this Model 3, with its approximately 57 kWh battery (Tesla doesn’t disclose the exact capacity), offers decent range figures. Thanks to improved aerodynamics, the range should show slight improvements compared to pre-facelift measurements: 318 km in the city, 278 km on roads, and 233 km on highways.

Rapid Charging

Pricing

Source: https://www.automobile-magazine.fr/

 Test - Toyota Prius PHEV: All Consumption Measurements from Our Supertest

Supertests – Plug-in Hybrid Cars

Toyota Prius PHEV

Toyota Prius PHEV

The queen of hybrid cars, the Toyota Prius now offers only one plug-in hybrid version. We put it to the test.

The Toyota Prius is the car that launched large-scale hybridization. A success story that now totals over 23 million Toyota hybrids sold worldwide. As the brand’s flagship, the sedan is now renewed with a fifth generation that’s quite surprising. 

Still attractive to look at, it now comes with a new generation of hybrid powertrains. However, it has opted for a single plug-in hybrid version for the European market. After a first highly convincing test, we decided to take it further and subject it to our Supertest.

The Supertest of Plug-in Hybrids, A Return

Toyota Prius PHEV

While electric cars, increasingly common, have raised more questions recently, plug-in hybrid vehicles are still quite interesting: better-developed mechanics, surprising range, and technologies borrowed from electric cars... 

This technology still has many advantages for certain types of drivers. We decided to evaluate one of the market's benchmarks each month.

However, our measurement protocol has changed since then, and comparisons with previous measurements will no longer apply. Now, vehicles are tested using our common mixed measurement loop with electric vehicles, consisting of three parts (road, highway, city), in both directions. 

Toyota Prius PHEV

To avoid influencing the consumption results, performance measurements are now conducted in a separate session. Additionally, due to the changes in Supertests for electric vehicles, special attention will be paid to the charging tests.

But remember that consumption measurements are always complex exercises and only reflect the reality of our unique test. Depending on your habits, the roads you drive on, and many other parameters, the results you observe may vary. 

Our Supertests aim to measure cars in the real world, on the same roads, and under the best possible similar conditions to establish a ranked hierarchy among them.

Presentation of the Toyota Prius PHEV

Toyota Prius PHEV

Toyota Prius PHEV

It consists of a 152-hp 4-cylinder gasoline engine (M20A-FXS) using an Atkinson cycle and a 163-hp electric motor (1VM). The combined system produces a total of 223 hp, which is sent to the front wheels via the continuously variable transmission (e-CVT).

This power is possible only in the plug-in hybrid configuration due to a larger battery capacity. Positioned under the rear seat, the battery has a gross capacity of 13.6 kWh, with an estimated usable capacity of around 10.4 kWh. The battery can be recharged using a 3.3 kW AC charger, taking 4 hours for a full charge.

Our Tested Toyota Prius PHEV

 Ignoring the unnecessary utility factor of the European standard, the sedan achieves a fuel consumption of 4.6 l/100 km and 105 g/km of CO2. We conduct tests to see how this translates in the real world.

Toyota Prius PHEV

Toyota Prius PHEV in Brief

• Mechanical power: 152 hp (thermal) + 163 hp (electric)
• Total power: 223 hp
• Net power: 151 hp – 111 kW
• Curb weight: 1,555 kg
• Power-to-weight ratio: 7.38 kg/hp
• WLTP values: 0.7 l/100 km – 16 g/km of CO2 – 72 km of electric range
• AC recharge: 3.3 kW – 4 hours
• Tires: Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 – 195/50 R19 (C, A, 71)

All Our Consumption Measurements for the Toyota Prius PHEV

• HEV Mode with Full Battery: 3.9 l/100 km
  This mode allows the car to operate like any hybrid car, relying on available charge to assist the thermal engine under high demands or to limit consumption. However, with a fully charged battery, the HV mode allows a few excesses until about 88% charge remaining.

• After this point, we noticed that the electric consumption stabilizes, and the operation becomes similar to the HV mode with an empty battery.

In real-world testing, consumption was well-controlled at the beginning of the route on hilly secondary roads and highways. In the city, while the vehicle had already reached its working threshold, the Prius managed to drive using only the electric motor when needed, ending with the same charge level as at the start of the section (87%).

 On the return leg, energy loss was significantly lower, and we finished the route with 88% charge remaining. Ultimately, we recorded an average consumption of 3.9 l/100 km in this driving mode. With a 40-litre tank, this gives the Prius a theoretical total range of nearly 1,000 km before needing to refuel.

• HEV Mode with Empty Battery: 4.4 l/100 km
  When the electric driving mode is no longer possible, the Prius’ battery is not entirely depleted. The first gauge, ranging from 0 to 100%, indicates the usable remaining charge, while a second, more modest gauge shows a reserve in green. If no percentage is displayed, the vehicle's remote control app indicates a remaining 30% charge.

This generous capacity does not affect performance. The car continues to function similarly to the first mode, with the electric motor typically taking over around 30 km/h, and less frequently at a maximum of 45 km/h if conditions are favorable. We recorded a final average consumption of 4.4 l/100 km—a great performance for this plug-in hybrid sedan!

• Auto EV/HV Mode: 0.1 l/100 km
  
  This mode automatically alternates between hybrid and electric driving, but not between both engines. When the vehicle navigation is active, it manages the available charge across the entire trip. Otherwise, it favors electric driving as much as possible. The thermal engine only engages when entering the highway, leaving the electric motor to work for the rest of the journey. It is best suited for long trips.

• EV Mode: 64 km Range
  
  According to the WLTP standard, the Prius PHEV is credited with a 72 km range with its 19-inch wheels (86 km in the entry-level Dynamic trim). Our mixed loop test recorded a total electric range of 64 km, with a final consumption of 16.2 kWh/100 km.

This highlights the efficiency of the e-CVT transmission, unlike traditional gearboxes in other plug-in hybrids, which cause higher consumption. On the way out of our city loop (more favorable than on the return), the sedan even achieved an average of 12.3 kWh/100 km, giving it more than 80 km of range in those conditions.

• Long Highway Journey: 6.1 l/100 km
  
  As confirmed in our initial measurements, the Toyota Prius PHEV does not show significant overconsumption when the battery is empty. This is especially true during long highway trips. After several hundred kilometers, we recorded an average of 6.0 l/100 km with a full battery (88%) and 6.2 l/100 km with the battery empty (0%). The overall average was therefore 6.1 l/100 km.

Toyota Prius PHEV Performance

Charging, Full, and Usage Costs for the Toyota Prius PHEV

Toyota Prius PHEV

Top 5 Most Powerful SUVs, Up to 800 hp!

Top 5 Most Powerful SUVs

Here are the 5 most powerful SUVs in the world.

A sports car is typically low and sleek, but that doesn’t stop SUVs from venturing into the performance territory, even very high performance. Here’s a look at the five most powerful vehicles of the genre.

SUVs are everywhere—a sign of the times. Leisure vehicles are now essential in every market segment, from compact urban models to luxury giants. Also available as coupes, they often wear the tracksuit. We’ve listed here the five most powerful thermal and PHEV models on the market in their official versions. Let’s not yet open the door to tuners, “track-ready” cars, or battery giants.

1. BMW XM (653 hp)

 

BMW XM (653 hp)

1. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Motorsport division, BMW surprised everyone by not offering a supercar successor to the M1 but instead an SUV: the XM, a name more reminiscent of Citroën. Its imposing style is not universally loved, but its 4.4-liter V8 engine combined with an electric motor produces a total of 653 hp. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h, and it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.

1. Aston Martin DBX (707 hp)

Aston Martin DBX (707 hp)

1. The British brand didn’t let itself be intimidated by its rivals. Its SUV, the DBX, raised the stakes. Launched in 2020 with a 4-liter AMG V8 engine producing 550 hp, it’s also offered in China with a six-cylinder engine producing 435 hp. But by 2022, a version crossing the symbolic 700 hp barrier, exactly 707 hp, was introduced. The Mercedes-AMG V8 engine is still in place, allowing the DBX to reach a top speed of 310 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. The Aston Martin DBX707 AMR24, the F1 doctor’s car, is also available for sale.

1. Ferrari Purosangue (725 hp)

1. The prancing horse brand took its time to enter the SUV market, but this patience paid off. The Purosangue redefines the genre with its sleek silhouette. And to lead the charge, it carefully packs 12 cylinders under its hood: a 6.5-liter V12 engine producing 725 hp. This impressive powertrain allows it to reach a top speed of 310 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, matching the Aston Martin DBX 707, but with more mechanical nobility.

1. Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid (739 hp)

1. With a narrow lead over its Italian rival, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid uses plug-in hybrid technology to generate 739 hp. The 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, common within the Volkswagen group, delivers 600 hp, while an electric motor adds another 176 hp. This combination allows the fastest of the Cayenne models to reach 295 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, assuming the Sport Chrono Package option is selected. Here’s our performance test of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid.

1. Lamborghini Urus SE (800 hp)

1. The Lamborghini Urus SE, which the Italian brand calls a “super” SUV, features the same 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine as the Cayenne above, but tuned to 620 hp, with an additional 192 hp from an electric motor. The Lamborghini Urus SE can reach a top speed of 312 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. A truly thrilling family SUV.

Top 5 Hybrid Cars on the Market

Top 5 Hybrid Cars on the Market

Many prefer sedan cars because they provide an enjoyable and wonderful driving experience. Therefore, car manufacturers have competed to launch the best hybrid sedans. The best hybrid sedans available in Saudi Arabia are as follows:

 Honda hybrid cars

honda hybrid cars

The Japanese manufacturer has a deep understanding of the trends in the automotive industry market. For example, it knows that alternative mobility initiatives begin with hybrid vehicles that offer the possibility of combining a gasoline engine with an electric motor.

Over the years, Honda has refined its hybrid vehicle lineup and currently offers not only the hybrid Accord, hybrid Insight, and hybrid Clarity, but is also likely to add the hybrid CR-V and possibly other popular models shortly.

Honda hybrid cars

The Honda dealership on the South Shore, Longueuil Honda, near Brossard and just a few minutes from Montreal, offers the full current range of hybrid vehicles and knows just how eco-friendly and stylish they are.

2020 Honda Hybrid Vehicles

the plug-in hybrid

Let’s first take a look at the plug-in hybrid Clarity, which stands out for its understated elegance, undeniable comfort, exceptional road behavior, and award-winning powertrain. The Clarity is often described as spacious (5 seats), incredibly quiet, with a build quality that rivals Honda’s luxury cars.

 But the Clarity is primarily a hybrid vehicle equipped with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor, offering a combined power output of 212 horsepower. The Clarity features a lithium-ion battery that takes a maximum of 2.5 hours to charge. 

It offers a range of approximately 80 km, which recharges while driving. Additionally, the Clarity provides ample space, and storage, and is cutting-edge in terms of technology.

As for the Honda Accord, it’s often described as an intelligent car with a sporty edge. With 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and fog lights, a good-sized sunroof, and sleek lines, the hybrid Honda Accord offers a spacious cabin, comfort to spare, the luxury expected in a sedan, and performance for long-distance driving in Quebec, Canada, and the United States

Honda hybrid cars

 This hybrid car is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that develops a combined power output (gasoline engine + electric motor) of 212 horsepower. It is undoubtedly the most fuel-efficient hybrid in its segment, consuming just 5 L/100 km. It offers countless possibilities, impeccable road behavior, and luxury.

Finally, we cannot overlook the Honda Insight in the hybrid lineup. In fact, this car is meant to be a larger version of the Civic but more refined than the popular Honda Civic. With its timeless design, the hybrid Insight offers comfort, elegance, and performance. 

It features multiple technological characteristics, a sporty steering wheel (the same one found in the Honda Accord, by the way), user-friendly controls, and a minimalist dashboard that’s incredibly useful for information display. The Honda Insight hybrid is equipped with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that can develop a combined power of 151 horsepower. Though less known than the Honda Civic, this hybrid car offers comfort, a refined interior, efficient road performance, and great reliability.

In summary, Honda’s hybrid vehicle lineup is evolving, and the Japanese manufacturer is making changes that accelerate the ongoing trend toward hybridization and electrification of its vehicles. There’s no doubt that the years to come will be even more promising for the brand with the stylized "H."

Configure your new fuel-efficient vehicle at Longueuil Honda

Longueuil Honda, a key player on the South Shore of Montreal

It is often said that Honda dealerships in Canada rack up awards and honors. Longueuil Honda is one of these experienced dealerships that focuses on the quality of its service, its customer relationships, the quality of its products, and exceptional after-sales service.

There’s no doubt that the Honda dealership on the South Shore, near Brossard and just minutes from Montreal, Longueuil Honda, is a major player in the region. In business for decades, it has served thousands of customers who keep coming back because they are convinced they get more value for their money. Longueuil Honda is a reliable choice, year after year.

read also: Has China Changed the Game in Electric Car Manufacturing? 

 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander: More Space for Passengers

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

Table of Contents

• 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander and More Space for Passengers
• 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander and Safety Features
• 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander and Off-Road Safety
• Competitive Pricing of the Grand Highlander
• Grand Highlander Hybrid: More Environmentally Friendly
• 2024 Grand Highlander – The Best Choice

Also Read:

• Toyota Unveils the 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid
• Toyota Increases Electric Car Production
• Toyota Grand Highlander: The Ultimate Family SUV

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander: 

The Ultimate Family SUV The new 2024 Grand Highlander, set to be released in 2024, offers many upgrades based on the legacy of this family-oriented vehicle. With additional legroom and cargo space inside, a redesigned exterior, and plenty of safety features, the 2024 Grand Highlander could be the best three-row hybrid SUV on the market. It’s worth noting that the 2024 version of the Highlander offers more space for both passengers and cargo inside its extended body, which is noticeable compared to the 2023 Highlander (non-hybrid). With this newer generation, you get a spacious cabin and three rows of seating, making it the ideal family SUV.

Many hybrid and non-hybrid SUVs don’t offer enough space for passengers. The Grand Highlander fits between Toyota’s current Highlander and the larger Sequoia, making it a traditional choice for shoppers. After all, Toyota has made significant strides with its hybrid powertrains, and this model and edition are no exception. You can choose between gas and hybrid configurations, offering more legroom and storage space, which is a win for everyone.

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander and Safety Features One of the standout features of this extended Toyota SUV is its safety features. The 2024 Grand Highlander comes equipped with top-notch safety specifications, including Toyota’s TSS 3.0 suite of driver assistance features, which come standard on all Grand Highlander models, providing peace of mind on the road. With this, drivers can expect the Grand Highlander to include the following:

• Toyota’s sleek design
• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
• Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range
• Lane departure warning with steering assist
• Lane tracing assist
• Road sign assist
• Automatic high beams
• Proactive driving assistance

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander and Off-Road Safety Once again, Toyota has consistently won safety awards and continues to be a well-regarded manufacturer for families. With the extended Grand Highlander, you get the quality and safety of the Highlander in a larger package. There are numerous improvements in the overall safety of this model, making it even more attractive to those transporting children or families in the back seats.

Safe Handling of Off-Road Terrain The latest generation of the Grand Highlander is an incredibly safe SUV for families and those wanting to tackle rough, off-road terrain. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has not yet released its safety rating, but we can expect it by December of this year. The third-row seats also come with safety features, including airbags throughout the SUV, which will keep everyone safe.

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

In the event of an accident, this SUV model was rated 7.8 out of 10 by US News and was recommended by JD Power. The IIHS safety rating is still pending, but it’s expected to be released soon. Regardless, the 2024 Grand Highlander should be very close to the safety rating of the previous two-row generation. This SUV model is expected to be incredibly safe and crash-test-ready by 2024.

Competitive Pricing of the Grand Highlander For anyone wondering about the pricing of this new generation of the Highlander, hybrid models are estimated to start at $44,670. This is standard for a three-row SUV, especially one as versatile as the Highlander. This SUV family has always fallen in the middle pricing range—more expensive than others in its class but not close to luxury prices. If this were made by Toyota’s luxury sister brand, Lexus, we’d say the pricing would be a lot higher.

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

This shows how cost-effective Toyota can be, even if drivers aren’t in a luxury vehicle. The Grand Highlander will also include a factory delivery fee of $1,395 (destination charges), which is something that can also be factored into the budget. Additionally, for the 2023 Highlander (non-extended, three-row), you’d spend $36,620, but you won’t get the hybrid configuration or a spacious additional row of seats. Earlier generations offered a “third row” but not one that’s as comfortable and well-designed as the upcoming version.

Grand Highlander Hybrid: More Environmentally Friendly With the newest and largest Toyota Highlander hitting the market next year, it’s worth noting how bright the future of this family SUV is. With its larger dimensions, enhanced safety features, and sleek design that everyone will love, the Grand Highlander looks like a much-needed upgrade. This brand has ambitious plans to become more eco-friendly by the end of the decade, and the all-new Highlander will be available in a hybrid configuration.

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

Hybrid cars are the future, and we can expect this vehicle to eventually become a fully electric car. Toyota has several hybrid vehicles expected to launch in 2024, including the Tacoma, Land Cruiser, and an expanded Prius lineup. There’s a lot of environmentally friendly design and manufacturing at play here.

2024 Grand Highlander – The Best Choice Toyota first announced its “Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050” in 2015, pledging to manufacture greener, cleaner cars by mid-century. The Prius was a pioneering model introduced by the Japanese carmaker, and millions have been sold worldwide. While the Grand Highlander is not fully electric, it will be an excellent choice for those in this market and should be the ideal family SUV with three rows.

With fierce competition from nearly all other manufacturers, Toyota will need to keep pushing the limits of green hybrid design to stay ahead. As carbon emissions are increasingly regulated and the market shifts toward lower fuel consumption, Toyota is expected to lead the industry in the development and creation of hybrid vehicles.

Source: https://saudiauto.com.sa/

 The Meaning of VVTi, Its Importance, and How It Works

VVTi technology is one of the most prominent engineering innovations in car engines, developed to improve engine performance and efficiency. In this article, we will explore the meaning of VVTi, how this technology works, and why it is important in the world of modern cars.

The Meaning of VVTi

What is the meaning of VVTi?

VVTi stands for "Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence." Toyota developed this technology to optimize the timing of valve opening and closing in the engine based on different driving conditions.

VVTi technology strikes a perfect balance between high performance and fuel efficiency, making it one of the key technologies in modern car engines.

VVTi technology

How does VVTi technology work?

Analyzing Driving Conditions

VVTi technology relies on an electronic control unit that monitors driving conditions such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, and the amount of air entering the engine.

Adjusting Valve Timing

Based on the data collected by the control unit, the timing of the valve openings and closings is adjusted to achieve optimal performance.

• At low speeds, the valve timing is adjusted to reduce fuel consumption.

• At high speeds, the timing is adjusted to increase the amount of air entering the engine and improve horsepower.

read also: The 2025 Zeekr GT is a flagship high-performance luxury electric

Execution Using a Hydraulic System

The adjustments are made through a hydraulic system that controls the camshaft, allowing for smooth and precise valve timing changes.

Why is VVTi technology important?

Improving Fuel Efficiency

VVTi improves the combustion process inside the engine, reducing fuel consumption without affecting performance.

Increasing Horsepower

The technology provides strong performance when needed, especially during acceleration or high-speed driving.

Reducing Harmful Emissions

VVTi helps improve combustion, which reduces harmful emissions, making it environmentally friendly.

Comfortable Driving Experience

Thanks to the seamless transitions between different operating modes, VVTi offers a smooth and balanced driving experience.

The Meaning of VVTi

The difference between VVTi and traditional engines

Valve Timing:

In traditional engines, valve timing is fixed and non-adjustable, limiting engine efficiency. In contrast, with VVTi, valve timing is adjusted according to driving conditions.

Performance:

VVTi offers significant performance improvements compared to traditional engines, combining both power and efficiency.

Technology:

VVTi relies on advanced electronic and hydraulic systems, while traditional engines use simple mechanical mechanisms.

The Meaning of VVTi

Benefits of VVTi technology

• High Fuel Efficiency:
  

  VVTi is one of the best solutions for reducing fuel consumption without compromising performance.

• Powerful Sports Performance:

• The technology offers faster response and better performance during acceleration or high-speed driving.

• Environmentally Friendly:

  VVTi helps reduce harmful emissions by improving combustion.

• Longer Engine Life:
  By improving performance and reducing stress on the engine, VVTi contributes to increasing the engine's lifespan.

Conclusion

VVTi technology demonstrates how intelligent engineering can significantly enhance engine performance. By understanding the meaning of VVTi and how it works, we realize that it's not just an ordinary technology, but a significant step towards more efficient and environmentally friendly engines.

If you're looking for a car with strong performance and high fuel efficiency, cars equipped with VVTi technology are the ideal choice.

Source: Toyota