All New KIA

To date, many shopping centers and supermarkets offer chargers to supply our electric or PHEV, but in a modest way. That is to say, offering chargers of 3 kW of power or similar to be able to obtain a few kilometers of autonomy while we make our purchase. But the situation wants to change thanks to large stores like Mercadona, who will install 5,000 22 kW power chargers after facing an investment of 21 million euros, but what price will its users have to face?

And it is that while the basic 3.7 kW chargers did not have any cost -although after half an hour they stop supplying electricity-, the same will not happen with these new points. Specifically, the semi-fast charging network courtesy of Juan Roig will imply a disbursement of 0.25 euros per kWha figure that, how is it positioned against the competition?

Mercadona wants to conquer the electric chargers sector

Although it is true that many of the large electric charger companies offer considerably higher powers, the price for 22 kW loads is, as a general rule, higher than that offered by Mercadona. Specifically, charging at said power with Endesa X requires a payment of 0.35 euros per kWh; with Iberdrola 0.45 euros per kWh; with Zunder 0.20 euros per kWh; with Repsol 0.35 euros per kWh and with EDP 0.39 euros per kWh. However, every company offers subscription plans that can significantly reduce the price of charging.

But how will it work with Mercadona? At the moment, the Spanish supermarket chain has not launched a loyalty program to be able to lower the cost of cargo in its centers along with other benefits, although it would not be unreasonable for a system to be created in the not too distant future. In this way, for the moment we will have to start, stop and pay the load through the applications of Iberdrola or Repsol, who act as suppliers.

However, it must be borne in mind that not all Mercadonas will have a 22 kW charger, or at least not at the moment. And it is that it has been the supermarket network itself that has shared a list with those places where they will be presentkeeping in the rest the 3.7 kW chargers that were known to date and that, until further notice, will not undergo any change in power or use policy.

Be that as it may, this implementation of 5,000 chargers by 2024 means that Mercadona will become one of the largest private charging networks for electric cars, not only in Spain, but also in southern Europe. Even so, the supermarket firm has not yet clarified the use policy, since, even if you pay to use these chargers, It is not known if one should be making the purchase while the car is being charged or, on the contrary, we can go exclusively to supply it.

Loading… our network for electric vehicles/ud83d/udd0c. Up to 5,000 points in 2024! We multiply x6 the loading speed/ud83d/udd0b promoting the #Sustainable transport. Today we have +2,000 points that we will improve. +info: https://t.co/bkVcs7mcjQpic.twitter.com/a6Pp3RgwNp

— Mercadona (@Mercadona) February 2, 2023

Regardless of this, what is clear is that this move by Mercadona has opened the ban, since other companies such as Decathlon have announced that they will also install chargers in their centers. However, in this case there will be more options, allowing your customers to charge at 22, 50 and 150 kW.

These days are not the ideal scenario to think about buying a cheap car, but when a good opportunity arises, perhaps the most sensible thing to do is not to hesitate too much. And this is demonstrated by cars like the hybrid Hyundai Kona, variant of the Korean SUV that costs 26,040 euros, a figure that is not especially low but that makes it one of the most logical options of the moment. The best of all? Which is a price without any trick on the part of the Korean firm.

And it is that while the financing can make the total disbursement in installments considerably increase the initial figure, today we find a cash payment. In addition to the fact that we may never see a light hybrid Kona again for 26,000 euros, a price that will become more expensive with the entry into the market of the new generation.

This is the Hyundai Kona with an ECO label that can be ours for just over 26,000 euros

But to get the Hyundai Kona for 26,040 euros it is necessary to stick to a specific configuration, otherwise the payment will increase. In this way, the engine to choose must be the 1.0 TGDI mild-hybrid hand in hand with the Maxx finishwhich settles as the access equipment level, but it is not negligible for that.

Specifically, we find equipment made up of 16-inch wheels, LED lights, automatic climate control, 10.25-inch digital dashboard, cruise control, rear parking camera and 8-inch screen with connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Car among others.

As far as mechanics is concerned, the Hyundai Kona that concerns us today boasts a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine supercharged by a turbo that produces 120 hp and 172 Nm of torque. Its management is carried out by means of a six-speed manual gearbox, and the computation allows a 0 to 100 in 11.9 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h. These are discrete figures, but they are offset by a WLTP combined consumption of 5.5 liters per 100as well as the presence of the ECO label thanks to the 48 V mild-hybrid system that it hides in its bowels.

Now, does Hyundai have any requirements when it comes to letting us take home a hybrid Kona for 26,040 euros? The truth is that no since this is the spot price of the Korean SUV. However, it must be clarified that we can enjoy a discount of 3,450 euros as long as we take advantage of financing that, after interest, will cause the total price in installments to be 32,478.15 euros.

And what happens if we opt for a non-hybrid variant of the Hyundai Kona or want to go further with the HEV? In the first case, in that of a Kona with the same 120 hp 1.0 but without micro-hybrid technology, we find a cash price of 23,590 euros, although with the disadvantage of higher consumption and losing the ECO label. And if we opt for the 141 hp Hyundai Kona hybrid HEV, the outlay to be made -also in cash- amounts to 29,290 euros.

This way, we believe that the intermediate option may be the most logical Not only because of the price, but also because it offers us the possibility of enjoying the ECO label -increasingly important in these times- and really contained consumption together with a very complete standard equipment. No, 26,040 euros is not a low figure, but attractive enough in these days of inflation to not miss the opportunity to acquire a very decent car and that has the approval of increasingly strict anti-pollution laws.

The Hyundai Kona in What car do I buy?

Now, it is necessary to clarify that, however interesting the Korean SUV may be in its last throes of life, It is not the only plausible option on the market. And we can verify this in What car do I buy?the Diariomotor comparator where we will find the largest offer of new cars and secondhand of the moment.

Thus, we discover an equally interesting Toyota Yaris Cross for 24,925 euros, an offer that allows us to save 1,675 euros. Another alternative would be the Kia Stonic, a model that, in its mild-hybrid variant, implies a disbursement of 22,550 euros. And finally the Renault Captur, a model that can wear the DGT ECO label in exchange for a payment of 24,800 euros.

But what if the Hyundai Kona is the ultimate choice but we can’t afford a new one? That we can resort to the second-hand market. It is there where we will not only save thousands of euros on your purchase, but also where we can get more powerful engines and higher finishes for less money.

We know that it is not usual to have a dilapidated V12 engine in the garage or storage room of our house, but in case the situation arises, here we bring you something that may interest you. And it is that as staunch petrolheads that we consider you, dear readers, we are sure that you not only like cars, but also everything that surrounds them. This involves automotive decoration, and what’s more petrolhead than a table made from a V12 engine in a completely homemade way? We already anticipate that no.

The same has been done by Wesly Kagan, who, by chance in life, had stowed away in his garage a V12 sourced from Mercedes-Benz, specifically an M137. And it is that after it traveled more than 240,000 kilometers, our protagonist not only decided to give it a second life, but also to put the final result on sale.

This is the table with a V12 engine that can end up in your living room

But the most interesting thing is not the process itself, which is also very revealing when doing the same project on our own, but the fact that Kagan has kept the pistons so they keep moving. And it is that, without a doubt, that is one of the main charms of this table with a V12 engine, a type of creation that is not uncommon in the different automobile auction portals.

Thus, and in addition to creating some wooden supports for the motor and therefore for the table itself, attaches a small electric motor to the crankshaft. Thanks to this, the pistons continue to move, although in a much slower way and the mere purpose of adding an extra point to a table made from a motor.

But if by some chance you don’t have a V12 in your garage -which we assume is the most normal thing- and you don’t feel comfortable enough disassembling an engine and making creations with wood, you can always buy the table that Wesley kagan has made. Specifically through eBay, where the bid for the same is, at the time we write these words, at $2,000.

Is it imperative to live in a very cold area where the weather conditions are usually adverse to install all-season tires on our vehicle? No, absolutely not: the choice of this type of compound is suitable for any car because they are not only effective on snow, they also provide safety in other more common scenarios. In Diariomotor we have been able to verify the importance of a car wearing the right footwear in the snow test that we have done with the Nissan X-Trail.

The appointment took place within the Nissan X-Over Domination, a traditional event organized by the Japanese brand and which has already accumulated seven editions: on this occasion, the setting has been the Catalan Pyrenees and, specifically, Puigcerdá and its nearby curvy roads. To get there we got behind the wheel of the Nissan Ariya, Juke Hybrid, Qashqai and X-Trail: we reserved the snow for the latter.

The Nissan X-Trail is the only SUV with seven seats and an Eco label on the market. It is also the best product that the Japanese have in Spain: not surprisingly, its production is carried out at the Kyushu plant. It is not just any factory: it is the one with the highest quality indices and where the Infiniti models, the luxury division of Nissan, are also assembled.

The Nissan X-Trail e-Power e-4ORCE

Taking into account that we tested the Nissan X-Trail at the end of 2022, we will not make an in-depth presentation of this SUV. We will simply remember that it has an approach that is as familiar as it is adventurous and that its e-Power hybrid mechanical configuration It is made up of a 1.5 VC-T three-cylinder 163 hp engine: a generator transforms the energy from this block into electricity, which feeds a power inverter and this provides power to the 1.8 kWh battery and the electric motor, who is the only one in charge of moving the wheels of the car.

In the case of the Nissan X-Trail e-Power, front-wheel drive, the electric motor delivers 204 hp and in the Nissan X-Trail e-Power e-4ORCE, a second 128 hp engine drives the car’s rear axle, generating combined power at 213 hp. This is the unit that we have tested in the snow and that, in addition, has the e-4ORCE all-wheel drive. A system that manages the power applied to all four wheels independently.

on the asphalt

Until reaching the snow-covered forest tracks where the adventure began, the Nissan X-Trail took us through the curves of the roads that surround Puigerdá. In this scenario it is easy to realize that the Japanese SUV is a much more mature product that offers a touch similar to that of an electric car, especially when accelerating when it reacts immediately: this is possible due to the operation of its hybrid mechanics that we did reference before.

We verified that the smoothness in the ride comfort is a constant: the Nissan X-Trail is very well insulated and the presence of all-season tires that are our point of union with the asphalt do not have any significant effect on our driving. The steering does not require great efforts, it is relatively precise and soft. When it comes to facing the curves, its suspension system keeps pitching from braking and rocking at bay in a car that weighs 1,961 kilos.

On snow

We leave the asphalt behind to get fully into a forest track completely covered in snow. The Nissal X-Trail does not take long to show us that, in a scenario like this, the level of safety in driving is beyond doubt. Taking into account its dimensions (L: 4.68 meters / W: 1.84 / H: 1.71) and its weight, highlights its remarkable off-road behavior which, in addition, also leaves room for enjoyment. We move with such aplomb that, if it weren’t for the landscape that surrounds us, it would seem that we are on asphalt.

Its all-wheel drive works very efficiently: Nissan explained to us that e-4ORCE technology is 10,000 times faster than a conventional one. The two axes are not linked as in a traditional all-wheel drive system, but rather it decides the amount of torque that it sends to each axle and to each wheel. Reason why it responds immediately when the track becomes more slippery, the ice makes an appearance, and the Nissan X-Trail threatens, a couple of times, to leave… but it remains in a feint.

Thanks, also, to the tires with which it is equipped. For the occasion they have chosen the Michelin Cross Climate 2, that help make driving through the snow easier and more reliable. As we said at the beginning: using a suitable compound (and in a suitable state of shape) is essential and those of this type stand out for their versatility, since they work both on city asphalt and in more complicated conditions. And it doesn’t have to be a snowy road: they’ll also come in handy on one that’s wet, leafy, or even dirty.

The importance of wearing the right tires

All-season tires are designed to deal with the asphalt of the city or the highway on a daily basis and also for carry out any trip without having to worry about the weather.

Nissan explained to us that, in the specific case of Michelin, all its all-seasons have winter certification: M+S marking and the 3PMSF pictogram with the three-peaked mountain with a snowflake inside engraved on the side. This guarantees that its benefits remain perfect below seven degrees. and, in addition, they offer greater traction and adhesion capacity. They can be used throughout the year and with them it is not necessary to use chains if the snow, as in our test, makes an appearance.

Who is the Nissan X-Trail for?

After trying the Nissan X-Trail (from 42,160 euros) In two such different scenarios, asphalt and snow, it is clear that it is a perfect model for those drivers who need space, versatility and who seek balanced consumption: the official combined figure is 6.5 l/100 k. It is a useful car for a family because it allows you to cope with day-to-day solvency, although living in the city can be complicated due to its size, and safely any journey. And it has the extra of its ability to get off the asphalt.

Reliability is one of the most important factors when buying a car, both new and second-hand. A logical importance: acquiring a vehicle is a significant investment, especially considering the high prices. Whether you opt for a brand new car or a used one, The answer to this question is essential: which brands suffer fewer breakdowns? We give you a clue: Japan and Korea rule.

Recomotor is a supplier of recovered parts, which acts as a supply for professionals in the motor world and for workshops. has taken as a starting point the component requests it receives to reach a conclusion: the models that require the most repairs are the ones that suffer the most breakdowns and, therefore, are less reliable.

no surprises

The truth is that there are not too many surprises among the brands that dominate the ranking. The first three speak Japanese and Korean: they are Lexus, Toyota and Hyundai. They are followed, in this order, by Kia and three European ones: Audi, Skoda and Mercedes. The focus is not only on the podium: also in the lower part of this classification. It is there where we find the manufacturers whose models accumulate more visits to the workshop: Tesla, Alfa Romeo, Land Rover or Jaguar.

From Recomotor, he points out that the number of breakdowns suffered by a model in question is not only due to the fact that it was manufactured by a brand: It also influences your sales. If the car has been a success, there will be more units circulating and the chances of going through the workshop will be higher.

The brands and their most frequent faults

The Recomotor report reveals that, in 2022, the most demanded second-hand spare parts They were the complete engine, gearbox, turbo, ABS system, tires, steering, battery, transmission, water radiator and shock absorbers. The aforementioned supplier has crossed this data with the types of breakdowns and the brands that have caused them. With the results they have been able to establish which are the most common errors for each manufacturer.

• Wear: 20% of breakdowns come from the usual deterioration due to the use of the car. A recognizable problem in all brands.
• Electric problems: Another 20% of the errors that a vehicle has are related to one of its electrical components (batteries, central locking, window regulators, fuses and wiring). The brands that suffer the most are Renault, Alfa Romeo and Seat.

• Brakes: 15% of the visits to the workshop are caused by problems with the master cylinder, the parking brake cable and the drum brakes. The models of Citroen, Fiat and Opel are the most common.
• Steering, damping and tires: cause 15% of breakdowns with special prominence for Alfa Romeo, Audi, Chevrolet and Citroen.
• Engine: 10% of the failures are related to some problem in the mechanics and models of Alfa Romeo, Volkswagen and Peugeot are usually recurring
• feeding system: represents 5% of failures and the brands that go through the workshop the most because of it are Volkswagen, Opel and Fiat.
• Heating and ventilation: both systems also account for 5% of failures. Renault, Mercedes and Peugeot They are the ones who suffer the most.

Finally, Recomor places special emphasis on the important role played by proper car maintenance. Regardless of the brand, following the guidelines set by the manufacturers in terms of revisions, component changes… is crucial to prevent breakdowns and not shorten its useful life. And don’t forget that proper driving also influences the good condition of your vehicle.

The ITV have been with us for decades: in charge of guaranteeing compliance with a series of minimum technical and administrative standards that allow ensure, as far as possible, that the vehicles that circulate on our roads do so in accordance with the law. In this way, the worse maintained a vehicle is, the more complicated it is usually to overcome, periodically, the different tests to which the vehicles that go to the ITV are subjected. One of the tests that generates the most “suspense” is the gas test, but there are tricks to make passing the exam easier.

Over time, technical inspections of ITV have become more demanding, especially in areas such as mechanical and administrative safety or polluting emissions. This way, for some time now it is not possible to even show up for inspection if the vehicle is not covered by a valid insurance policy. In addition, the most modern vehicles that undergo inspections also have to pass different electronic tests through the OBD diagnostic port.

In any case, we insist: the emissions tests, in which both the proper functioning of the different exhaust gas treatment systems and the engine itself are checked, are one of the great “holes” of the ITV. We do not say it, it is confirmed by the statistical data of the ITV.

There are a series of recommendations with which to increase the chances of successfully passing the ITV emissions testsuch as going with the car at service temperature or having “squeezed” the engine before entering the inspection, but if once “immersed in flour” we see that our car does not offer the values ​​it needs to give, it is still possible to try to apply an “emergency solution” that may save you.

The emergency solution for the ITV gas test

As you have read in the headline of this article, you can find the “solution” to this situation in a button on your own car. Actually, it’s not just one: the more buttons you get to press, the better the result will be. What are we talking about? Easy: push the engine more during the test without revs or throttle coming into play.

sure that You already know that the emissions test consists of two different measurements: one measurement is carried out at idle and the other, in the case of gasoline engines, is carried out at around 2000-2500 revolutions, regime that must be maintained for about 15 seconds without interruption. In the case of diesel engines, the second measurement is limited to acceleration up to the maximum speed with which the opacity of the expelled gases is determined.

Ok, but… what is that emergency solution we are referring to? Basically activate different electrical consumables when we are carrying out the test, consumables such as the lighting system, the air conditioning system, the audio system or even the heated rear window. This recommendation has a reason: when we request all this electrical energy, what we are really doing is demanding more electricity from the alternator, the component in charge of generating electricity in our car.

By demanding more from the alternator, what it does is demand more from the internal combustion engine, but since we keep the speed constant in both tests the engine management unit has to opt for an alternative with which to produce more power: inject more fuel. In doing so, actuallyWe are causing richer combustion which allows the catalyst temperature to rise rapidly and, at the same time, produces cleaner exhaust gases. It is the same operating principle that the control units apply when you start the car for the first time in the day: the idle speed is higher to heat up before the catalytic converter and for it to reach its operating temperature faster.

No luck: what could have gone wrong?

If you still have not managed to pass the gas test during the ITV inspection, you should know that you will have to return to the station to undergo the test again, since otherwise you will not be able to circulate with your vehicle. There are several elements that you should check if the gases that your vehicle is emitting are outside the legal limits:

• Catalyst: This element is one of the most important, being essential when it comes to making exhaust gases less harmful. If your car consumes oil or gasoline in excess, it is possible that the precious metals of your catalytic converter have been damaged, thus reducing its effectiveness.
• Plugs: spark plugs in poor condition cause inefficient combustion which, moreover, is not as clean as it should be. Remember that the spark plugs in your car also need to be replaced periodically.
• filters: For a gasoline engine to work correctly, it basically needs air, fuel and a spark to ignite the mixture. Check the condition of the filters, both the air filter and the fuel filter, since if they are in very bad condition they can affect the proper functioning of the engine.