All New KIA

The Chevrolet Blazer K5 It is one of the icons of the SUV world. In fact, it’s one of the first SUVs of all time, built on a frame of spars and crossmembers, with real 4×4 capabilities and lowering, but in truth, aimed at a suburban middle-class audience. That’s a story for another day, in any case. Today we come to talk about one unit that has been recently restored by Chevrolet Performance. And although it may not seem like it, this precious unit from 1977 hides a true sacrilege. TRUE?

This absolutely classic two-door Blazer it’s an electric car. Take a deep breath, you can do it. Instead of a small-block carburettor and 350 cubic inches of displacement – or a swap to some high-displacement engine from the modern LS family – we find the drive train… of a Chevrolet Bolt. A 100% electric propulsion scheme that Chevrolet Performance plans to sell as kits starting in 2021. The goal is to be able to convert any classic car into electricand this Blazer K5 is its business card.

Conversions from classics to electric cars are becoming more and more popular.

In truth, it does not seem like bad news to us. The brand continues to offer heat engine kits for the restoration of classics – ITV in the US are anecdotal, and they don’t care about swaps – and the electric side can be a very interesting alternative. Can you imagine a beautiful Chevrolet Corvair powered by an efficient electric motor, instead of an anemic six-cylinder six-cylinder? It is not a kit for all audiences, but we celebrate its launch. Let’s go to the nougat: What does the Chevrolet Performance kit offer us?

First of all, the 200 hp electric motor and 360 Nm of torque from the Chevrolet Bolt. This electric drivetrain is linked to an electronically controlled four-speed automatic gearbox, which in turn is linked to the original Blazer undercarriage, which has been restored. That is to say, It still has its gearbox, with a connectable all-wheel drive system and with its extremely hard rigid axles. The driving experience will remain primitive and very analog, only the power source used in it will change.

It has been necessary to install an electric pump for the braking system and an electric power steering.

At the rear of the Blazer, behind the seats and above the cargo space, has been mounted the 60 kWh capacity battery that normally powers a Bolt. Instead of an actual range close to 250 miles, we’re guessing the Blazer’s zero aerodynamics and weight will easily halve that number. The propulsion system uses the Bolt’s on-board charger, as well as its inverter, its thermal management system and the same control electronics. The eCrate Connect and Cruise system is literally a plug&play system.

The price has not been announced yet, but the brand says it will sell it during the first half of 2021, at a price that could be quite competitive. In the future, Ultium motors and batteries, like those that power the anabolic GMC Hummer EV, will also be included in the eCrate system.

2023 will be a year of great releases. New products that will hit the market, in most cases with hybrid and, above all, electric engines. And also many SUVs. Models that in many cases will make it worth the wait, if we want to buy a new car. Today we will talk about one of the most promising releases, which will be presented in the second half of the year.

Peugeot has managed to position the Peugeot 3008 as one of the benchmarks in its category. In the last year it has been the best-selling plug-in hybrid in Spain (2,738 registered units) and also one of the best-selling diesels in our country (6,525 registrations), only surpassed by the Audi Q3 (6,714) and the Citroën C4 (6,658).

Half of the Peugeot 3008 sold in Spain are diesel. And one in five Peugeot 3008 sold in Spain is a plug-in hybrid. A couple of pieces of information that already provide us with a more than interesting context regarding his generational change, which will be presented in the second half of 2023.

The Peugeot 3008 is one of the best-selling diesels in Spain and the market leader in plug-in hybrids

Image of the Peugeot 3008 that received an update in 2020 and that will still be marketed until the arrival of its generational replacement, which will be presented in the second half of 2023.

The SUV worth waiting for

Peugeot told us these days that the new 3008 will be presented in the second half of 2023, but also that it will be, first, an electric car.

The new Peugeot E-3008 will be in charge of launching the new platform for electric vehicles STLA Medium from Stellantis. Peugeot has also revealed that its electric autonomy will be up to 700 kilometers and that it will be marketed with three configurations of electric motors, whose power has not yet been revealed, but one of them will have a double motor – an electric motor on the front axle. and another on the rear axle.

Now, what will happen to the internal combustion engine versions of the Peugeot 3008 range?

The new Peugeot 3008 will be marketed with three completely electric mechanics, but it will also have internal combustion engines in some markets, among which Spain could probably be

An SUV that, in principle, can be bought with internal combustion engines

Another important piece of information, especially in light of its figures in Spain, is that This new generation of the Peugeot 3008 will still continue to be marketed with internal combustion engines, at least in some markets. Peugeot has not yet confirmed whether there will be a Peugeot 3008 with an internal combustion engine in Spain, nor which engines will be offered. But it does seem that it is very likely that the new 3008 can be purchased with internal combustion engines in Spain and, at least, with some gasoline mechanics and a light hybrid system, with which it would receive the ECO label.

In fact, the Peugeot 3008 that is currently available at dealerships will still be an interesting purchase until its generational replacement. Especially with the incorporation of micro-hybrid mechanics, which will arrive in a matter of weeks at the Peugeot 3008 configurator and which will also be incorporated into the 208, 2008, 308, 5008 and 408 range. Peugeot will have two micro-hybrid mechanics, with 100 CV o 136 CV, associated with a double-clutch gearbox in which the electric motor (21 kW) is integrated. And of course enjoying the ECO label.

The Korean manufacturer Kia is experiencing a sweet moment: its sales volume does not stop growing, driven above all by an updated and technological range of products, especially if we talk about some of his latest releasessuch as the electric Kia EV6, the versatile Kia Niro, available in hybrid, PHEV and electric versions, and the new generation of the Kia Sportage, one of its most important models and, in fact, the one that has obtained the highest number of sales in our country during 2022. Now you can get a Sportage with an ECO label for less than €32,000, but… can we consider it a bargain?

Renewed less than a year ago, the new generation of the Kia Sportage shows solid arguments to become a bestseller, the brand’s objective and which it is undoubtedly achieving based on the results obtained in 2022, the year in which Kia registered more than 15,000 units of his C-SUV. The current Sportage has little to do with its predecessor: more visually attractive, with a much greater technological load and a wider range of electrified engines than ever.

Average market prices have increased significantly in recent months, and although Kia models have not been immune to them, the truth is that the increases have been less pronounced than in other brands. Proof of this are the prices of the Sportage, whose range starts at just under €29,000, although in this case from Diariomotor we are committed to highlighting what is undoubtedly one of the most interesting versions in our opinion.: microhybrid, with the most extensive equipment and for less than €32,000. Is it worth “stretching” and getting this very interesting version of the Kia Sportage?

The Kia Sportage that you should buy does not cost €29,000, it costs €31,800

The Sportage range, a rival of models like its cousin-brother the Hyundai Tucson, the Peugeot 3008 or the Skoda Karoq, starts at €28,450 for the 1.6 TGDi 150CV version with a 6-speed manual transmission and Concept equipment line, but if you want to get a complete “all in one”, youWe recommend that you bet on the 1.6 TGDi MHEV 150CV variant with manual transmission and Drive finish, which starts at €31,853.

With this engine, the Sportage accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 189 km/h, which together with an approved average consumption of 6.5 liters/100 km and the presence of the valued ECO labelmake the performance/consumption cocktail more balanced.

On the other hand, the Drive equipment It is more than complete, with standard elements such as full LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, a navigation system with a 31 cm (12.3”) curved screen, front and rear parking sensors or a rear parking aid camera. To the aforementioned price, €31,853, we must add the cost of the chosen painting, which varies between €250 and €500. Of course, it is not subject to any type of financing, so it is not necessary to contract any additional service with the brand.

The Kia Sportage in What car do I buy?

If you are interested in the kia sportsage You can consult all the data you need through our comparator portal, What car do I buy?where you can also find out the best real prices for the Korean model and any other model that arouses your interest.

As if that were not enough, thanks to the complete buying guides that illustrate the information of each model, you will be able to know at a quick glance the best and the worst of the Korean model, of its competitors and, ultimately, of any model on the market. All this seasoned with the reviews of the editorial team of Diariomotor.

At this point in automotive history we should not be surprised by what is known as rebranding, or what is the same, take a car from another brand, change the logo and sell it in another firm. This move is usually carried out with the aim of reducing global emissions without resorting to excessive investment or introducing a “new” product in a somewhat obsolete firm. The case that concerns us today, that of the new Mazda2 Hybrid, is an example of the first scenario, being a vehicle identical to the Toyota Yaris from which it starts. Their only difference? That the Mazda is 4 euros more expensive.

And it is that this is one of the points that generates the most uncertainty, since the distance between both models is really ridiculous. In the case of the Mazda2, the Japanese firm has marked for its clients a disbursement of 21,554 euroswhile Toyota asks for the most basic hybrid Yaris 21,550 euros.

The Mazda2 Hybrid is only 4 euros more expensive than the Toyota Yaris

But let’s see what the arguments of both are and know which one to opt for, at least through their finishes, since mechanically they are identical. On the one hand, the Mazda2 Hybrid for 21,554 euros is associated with the Pure Plus trim levelwhich offers standard elements such as 15-inch wheels, automatic climate control, LED taillights, adaptive cruise control and a 7-inch screen with smartphone connection through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In the case of the Yaris we must go to the Active Tech finish, which includes 16-inch wheels, automatic climate control, 8-inch screen, keyless access and start, and reversing camera, among others. That is to say, that Toyota’s offspring is slightly better equipped than the Mazda2 Hybrid despite the fact that the difference – although ridiculous – in price is in favor of the Yaris.

It could be that the mechanical section was a sufficient argument to make the Mazda utility more expensive, but the truth is that it is not. And it is that in both cars we find the same three-cylinder atmospheric 1.5-liter that, hand in hand with an electric motor, produces a total of 116 hp. In turn, this set awards both the Toyota Yaris and the Mazda2 Hybrid with the DGT ECO label.

So which of the two should we choose? The answer can be found in three sections: the standard equipment -which we have already seen is slightly better in the Yaris-, the optional ones that each brand allows us to choose, and the after-sales service. For example, Toyota offers a 10-year warranty, while Mazda offers 6 years or 150,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.

Nevertheless, Toyota’s warranty must be taken with a grain of salt. This is because the firm does not offer you a 10-year warranty with the vehicle, but rather, for each year that you spend maintenance at the official home, you can renew the warranty for one year as long as the car is less than 10 years old. and less than 185,000 kilometers.

Be that as it may, we choose the Mazda2 Hybrid or the Toyota Yaris we are taking, for practical purposes, the same car, with all the good and all the bad that this implies. So if you are considering one of the two, the most practical thing is to assess what each one is looking for in a car, analyze the after-sales service and analyze what use we would give the vehicle and which of the two services would compensate us more.

If Richard Hammond is known for something, it is, without a doubt, for being one of the three presenters of Top Gear. This role continued to take on relevance for English on The Grand Tour, a program for which he is currently a presenter. However, Hammond is also famous for something less enjoyable, and it is because he has suffered many accidents throughout his careerand some of them quite serious.

After all, he has dedicated himself -and is dedicated- to not only testing some of the most fascinating cars in the world, but also to carrying out challenges in which he can find himself involved in tricky situations. So, Richard Hammond has decided to sit down and review, for 13 minutes, all the accidents that he has suffered as a presenter of Top Gear and The Grand Tour.

Suffer with Richard Hammond as he goes over each and every one of his accidents

But not only with cars, but also with motorcycles, trucks and even boats. Yes, Richard Hammond’s evidence record goes much further than that of any regular journalist, also causing him to find himself in totally bizarre situations.

But without a doubt one of the worst accidents Hammond has suffered has been at the controls of a Rimac. Such was the magnitude of the blow that the electric supercar ended up being burned down, although luckily for our protagonist he was able to get out of the car on his own feet.

Even so, Richard Hammond himself remembers an accident with a small Daihatsu van that, in addition to his own injuries at the time, It continues to cause pain in the head and neckand that has not been, apparently, one of the worst blows he has suffered throughout his career as a car tester.

Known as one of the most temperamental and exclusive supercars of its time, the Aston Martin One-77, as its name indicates, only 77 units were manufactured for the whole world… or that is at least what was believed until today. And it is that at some point, a wealthy client of the brand convinced Aston Martin to build him the One-77 No. 78a unit that hides a peculiar story behind it, which we can consider quite a rarity and which is now looking for a new owner.

While the 77 owners of the Aston Martin One-77 won’t be happy to discover that a chassis number 78 of their prized collector’s item was made, the truth is that for the rest of the world, the story behind this true last One-77 is quite curious. Despite costing more than one and a half million euros at the time, with such a reduced production, the quota of orders for this supercar soon closed, which meant that many of the brand’s customers were left without the option to satisfy their whims. .

However, someone in the United States did succeed, because they managed to convince Aston Martin to sell him one of eleven development prototypes that were used during the One-77 tests. Specifically, the basis of this project had served the brand to cover 38,358 km in all types of scenarios, including circuits such as Nardó or Nürburgring, as well as participation in different motor events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed, in addition to playing the role of Safety Car at the Aston Martin Racing Festival held in Le Mans.

Aston Martin agreed to this client’s request, carrying out a deep restoration process of this unit of the One-77 to be able to be taken to the streets under the chassis number “10711”. During this process that took 7 months, numerous components of the vehicle were replaced. such as suspensions, clutch, tires, exhaust, diffuser, headlights or the entire interior of the passenger compartment, finishing off this unit with the painting of its bodywork in Copper Pearl color. Curiously, neither the gearbox nor the 750 hp 7.3 V12 naturally aspirated engine were replaced..

And now this unit, after passing through several hands in the United States, is back for sale. Having already accumulated 40,840 km at this time, we are talking about the most used Aston Martin One-77 of its entire lineagebut also the one that hides a more curious story. However, buying this unit brings with it a series of drawbacks, since you need to go through the workshop to repair the air conditioning, a task valued at $45,000, to repair the windshield wiper motor ($10,000), in addition to solving other problems that prevent the multimedia system or the electrical adjustment of the mirrors from working correctly.

If there is something that we have been denouncing for a long time, not only motoring journalists, but also the clients themselves, it is the abusive and unnecessary minimalism in cars. And it is that the increasingly reduced presence of physical buttons does not do any favors, quite the contrary, and one of the brands that has cut its losses has been Tesla. But someone has taken action on the matter, and has created physical controllers for Elon Musk’s models They do not require any physical connection.

That someone -or rather company- is Greenmission, a Norwegian company that has developed what he has named Ctrl-Bar. These are six physical controls designed for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, two of the best-selling models of the American firm in Norway, which is why this ingenious system is in high demand.

Tesla’s absurd minimalism could fall apart with this invention

And it is that it is not for less that these solutions are born, especially when we find cars in which every function is integrated into a 15-inch screen that does not offer a single physical control. Thus, Greenmission poses quite an ingenious system but still has a long way to go.

We are talking about four physical buttons installed just below the screen. The two dials have the function of regulating the temperature, while the four buttons can vary their function to suit the driver. In addition, these do not require a physical connection with the car, but they act commanded by the Tesla application.

This allows its user to flirt with almost any car function, and the buttons are connected via bluetooth with our mobile phone. This causes that there is a small delay between the moment in which we activate the physical control and the response takes place. Be that as it may, from the company they assure that they continue working on improving the system and that it will adapt to the updates that Tesla models experience.