Which two startup companies showed new ways to get more miles out of an electric vehicle? What Chinese automaker received approval to import new models to the U.S. this week? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending March 1, 2019. Tesla has promised a $35,000 electric car with 220...
In late January, Audi sent its first fully electric-powered SUV onto the slopes where the world’s best ski racers battle for victory in the Hahnenkamm Race. The specially equipped Audi e-tron climbed the “Mausefalle” on the legendary “Streif”. With an 85 percent gradient, it is the steepest section of the spectacular downhill course.
With an 85 percent gradient, the “Mausefalle” is the steepest section of the famous “Streif” downhill course in Kitzbühel. To climb this passage, the Audi e-tron technology demonstrator was equipped with the triple motor powertrain originally shown when the e-tron SUV concept made it's debut in 2015.
With two electric motors on the rear axle and one electric motor on the front axle, (the production e-tron has only one motor per axle) the technology demonstrator achieved a total boost output of up to 370 kW and wheel torque of 8,920 Nm (6,579.1 lb-ft). This ensured full performance on the steep gradient. Audi also modified the software with respect to drive torque and torque distribution for the special conditions on the “Streif”. 19-inch wheels with spikes developed specifically for this driving event provided the necessary grip on snow and ice.
“Conquering an 85 percent gradient sounds impossible at first,” says Mattias Ekström, who was behind the wheel of the Audi e-tron technology demonstrator. “Even I was impressed with the way this car handles such difficult terrain,” adds the World Rallycross champion and two-time DTM champion. He considers this event to be one of his most extraordinary experiences.
For the greatest possible safety, the Audi e-tron technology demonstrator was equipped with a roll cage and a racing seat with a six-point harness. The vehicle itself was equipped with a belay, through which a safety cable was run. There was no pulling device.
Audi had a strong partner at its side for this project: the Austrian beverage producer Red Bull. The two companies are long-standing partners of the Hahnenkamm Race and conducted this event together. The Audi e-tron technology demonstrator also illustrated this collaboration with a special set of decals.
When it arrives in dealers this month, the longer-range 2019 Nissan Leaf S Plus will cost $37,445, including destination, the automaker said Friday. That's in line with what we expected from documents leaked earlier this year, and drives the net price of the compact hatchback close to $30,000, if federal rebates are maxed. The Leaf S Plus is...
Tesla announced it will sell the base $35,000 Model 3 this month, and will only sell cars online going forward. At the same time, CEO Elon Musk announced plans for the company's long-awaited Full Self-Driving system. The U.S. Senate confirmed Andrew Wheeler as permanent EPA Administrator. Daimler teamed up with BMW to develop car- and ride-sharing...
As it works toward an entry in the U.S. and works on a next generation of vehicles that may be sold here, China's NIO is thinking a lot about batteries getting hot—more specifically, how to avoid the issue altogether. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published Thursday a number of new patent applications from NIO USA, Inc., the American...
Making electric cars accessible to more people requires developing an ecosystem that would help drivers charge, and occasionally get to destinations that might not yet be ideal for an electric car—like a long road trip. To bridge those gaps for buyers of its upcoming EQC and other electric cars to follow, Mercedes-Benz announced last week...
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that he expects Tesla vehicles to have "Full Self-Driving" capability by the end of 2019. In a media call Thursday night to announce the base, $35,000 Model 3, Musk for the first time gave a concrete explanation of what he means by that. He said that by the end of the year, Tesla's long-promised Full Self-Driving...
Which two startup companies showed new ways to get more miles out of an electric vehicle? What Chinese automaker received approval to import new models to the U.S. this week? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending March 1, 2019. Tesla has promised a $35,000 electric car with 220... 
When it arrives in dealers this month, the longer-range 2019 Nissan Leaf S Plus will cost $37,445, including destination, the automaker said Friday. That's in line with what we expected from documents leaked earlier this year, and drives the net price of the compact hatchback close to $30,000, if federal rebates are maxed. The Leaf S Plus is... 
Tesla announced it will sell the base $35,000 Model 3 this month, and will only sell cars online going forward. At the same time, CEO Elon Musk announced plans for the company's long-awaited Full Self-Driving system. The U.S. Senate confirmed Andrew Wheeler as permanent EPA Administrator. Daimler teamed up with BMW to develop car- and ride-sharing... 
As it works toward an entry in the U.S. and works on a next generation of vehicles that may be sold here, China's NIO is thinking a lot about batteries getting hot—more specifically, how to avoid the issue altogether. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published Thursday a number of new patent applications from NIO USA, Inc., the American... 
Making electric cars accessible to more people requires developing an ecosystem that would help drivers charge, and occasionally get to destinations that might not yet be ideal for an electric car—like a long road trip. To bridge those gaps for buyers of its upcoming EQC and other electric cars to follow, Mercedes-Benz announced last week... 
![Tesla Model 3 dashboard in Autopilot testing with IIHS [CREDIT: IIHS]](https://images.hgmsites.net/tmb/tesla-model-s-dashboard-in-autopilot-testing-with-iihs-credit-iihs_100665437_t.gif)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that he expects Tesla vehicles to have "Full Self-Driving" capability by the end of 2019. In a media call Thursday night to announce the base, $35,000 Model 3, Musk for the first time gave a concrete explanation of what he means by that. He said that by the end of the year, Tesla's long-promised Full Self-Driving... 