Understanding the Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG Coupe 2025

Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG Coupe 2025

 It's official, in addition to the A6 e-tron, a new Audi A6 combustion engine is coming... March 4, 2025

It's official, in addition to the A6 e-tron, a new Audi A6 combustion engine is coming... March 4, 2025

The replacement for the Audi A6 will not be the Audi A7, but a new A6. It's official, it will be unveiled on March 4, 2025. The manufacturer backpedals in its nomenclature. Explanations.

It's hard to understand anything about Audi! Indeed, the brand with the rings had clarified things specifying that even numbers, followed by the e-Tron suffix, would now characterize 100% electric vehicles, such as the Audi Q8 e-tron, or the recent Audi A6 e-tron. While odd numbers would be the prerogative of electrified combustion models (micro hybrid and plug-in hybrid), it is for this very specific reason that the Audi A4 that has just left the scene has been replaced by the Audi A5.

It took barely time to get used to this new nomenclature, which really didn't last long. The Volkswagen group's premium brand is already reshuffling the cards and abandoning them. The official press release has just been released: a "new Audi A6 with internal combustion engine will be revealed worldwide on Tuesday, March 4, 2025." Small detail: Why a capital letter to Tuesday and March? It remains a mystery.

The replacement for the Audi A6 will be called the Audi A6

The 2018 Audi A6 will hand over to a new A6 on March 4.© Audi.

But let's get back to the most important thing, in other words, the one that we have been announcing for some time now, as the future Audi A7, the one that will replace this year, the Audi A6 C8 type, launched in 2018 and then restyled in 2022 which will finally be called Audi A6. The latter will simply carry, internally, the code C9 designating the ninth generation of the brand's "business" sedan, which takes into account in this total the four versions of the Audi 100. Back to square one...

In addition, this new logic will not be retroactive, says the manufacturer. Understand this, that the new Audi A5 which recently arrived in dealerships will keep this name, which will suddenly go against the tide in the range.

Breaking the deadlock

Audi will probably never admit it, but this division between even/electric and odd/combustion led it straight to a dead end. Indeed, what to name the future electric Audi A3? According to this logic, due to the upcoming arrival of an A4 e-tron, it could only become the Audi A2 e-tron, while its format would be more imposing than the future Audi Q2 e-tron. A paradox and a route for customers that can also confuse it with the Audi A2 MPV.

In the end, the Audi A6 will remain the Audi A6, a rival to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class with unchanged names and it will coexist in the range with the 100% electric Audi A6 e-tron... until further notice..

New 2025 BMW iX: all the info and photos of the largest BMW electric SUV

New 2025 BMW iX

The largest of BMW's electric SUVs, the BMW iX, which set the tone in short, is going through a restyling. It's an opportunity to change his physique a little but above all to evolve on a technical level. We take stock.

Like the BMW 7 Series "Bangle" at the turn of the millennium, the BMW iX - stemming from the Vision iNext concept from 2018 - surprised everyone when it was presented in the fall of 2020. A year later, he transformed the test drive into a production model while being an aesthetic manifesto and a technological laboratory. A vast program!

Now halfway through its career, we can see its influence on the design of the range. It has been given a sober but clearly visible restyling coupled with a technical evolution, allowing it to stay one step ahead of the competition. The launch of the restyled BMW iX will take place in spring 2025. BMW is targeting core markets: the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

For the restyled BMW iX, this starts with the definition of a new range consisting of the 45, 60, and 70 versions instead of the 40, 50, and 60. In detail, the 45 version, which replaces the 40, gains 82 hp, for a total of 408 electric horsepower for a torque value of 700 Nm (+70 Nm). At the heart of the range, the BMW iX 60 (which takes over from the BMW iX 50 and not the BMW iX M60) has an additional 21 hp (544 hp).

The BMW iX remakes its ranges

For the restyled BMW iX, this starts with the definition of a new range consisting of the 45, 60, and 70 versions instead of the 40, 50, and 60. In detail, the 45 version, which replaces the 40, gains 82 hp, for a total of 408 electric horsepower for a torque value of 700 Nm (+70 Nm). At the heart of the range, the BMW iX 60 (which takes over from the BMW iX 50 and not the BMW iX M60) has an additional 21 hp (544 hp).

Finally, the BMW iX M70 has increased by 40 hp compared to the BMW iX M60 and now tops the offer with 659 hp for a torque value of 1,100 Nm (+85 Nm). The technical specifications of the latter do not change in terms of top speed, remaining electronically limited to 250 km/h, nevertheless, the 0 to 100 km/h exercise increases from 3.8 to 3.5 seconds.

The restyled BMW iX xDrive 45

• 408 hp at 8,000 pm
• 700 Nm from 0 to 5,000 rpm0 to 100 in 5.1 sec
• vmax 200 km/h
• autonomy WLTP : 490 - 602 km

The restyled BMW iX xDrive 60

• 544 hp at 8,000 pm
• 765 Nm from 0 to 5,000 rpm0 to 100 in 4.6 sec
• vmax 200 km/h
• Autonomy WLTP : 563 - 701 km

The restyled BMW iX M70 xDrive

• 659 hp at 13,000 rpm,100 Nm from 0 to 5,000 rpmpmto 100 in 3.5 sec
• vmax 250 km/h
• WLTP autonomy : 521 - 600 km

The restyled BMW ix also benefits from new cell technology for the batteries with, according to the manufacturer, an improved energy efficiency of around 30% or 94.8 kWh while the charging power is increased to 175 kW for the BMW iX xDrive45. The 60 and 70 versions have high-voltage batteries at 109.1 kWh and 108.9 kWh respectively, with a maximum charging power of 195 kW in both cases.

And in alternating current, the charge is 22 kW. The aim is to increase the range to 700 km for the xDrive60 version, i.e. a gain in range of 60 km, to be verified during our independent measurements. BMW mentions 600 km for the xDrive45 and M70 xDrive.

If only by its look, the restyling of the BMW iX is clearly visible. This Phase 2 adopts a Neue Klasse-style light signature. While the shape of the bumper is characterized by vertical side scoops framing a grille with a diagonal striped pattern, it is the filiation with the new BMW X3 that is neat. We can also see in its stripes a bit of the recently restyled VolvoXC90. To align rowing and plumage, the BMW iX also raises the tone with an M Sport package delivered as standard on the top 70 version, which now has 23-inch wheels.

At the rear, the cosmetic changes are more subtle with a verticalization of the reflectors that modifies the contours of the black insert at the bottom of the bumper while the lights adopt a red texture and are no longer crystalline. No need for more.

No inner revolution, just more connectivity

New 2025 BMW iX

In the cabin, there are no major changes, in fact at its launch in the fall of 2021, the BMW iX set the tone with an instrument cluster on a double panoramic panel. This interface was subsequently adopted by the entire range during model renewals and restyling (the facelifted BMW 3 Series can attest to this). There is therefore no need for the BMW iX to modify its furniture.

The change is more about the BMW 8.5 operating system and technological treats such as audio and video streaming as well as in-car games, a way of going to Tesla's toes. In addition, connectivity is optimized thanks to 5G mobile radio antennas. For access, the BMW Digital Key can call on your smartphone with easy sharing and individually configurable access rights.

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

 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/