Latest news with #internalcombustion
Motor 1
a day ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Mercedes Makes 'Course Correction' to Extend Combustion Engine Life
It was only a few days ago that Audi announced plans to continue producing gas-powered cars longer than initially intended , and now its long-time rival, Mercedes, is essentially saying the same thing. Head honcho Ola Källenius admitted the Stuttgart-based automaker has had to make a 'course correction' and retain internal combustion engines longer than initially planned. As a refresher, the company announced a few years back that it aimed to go fully electric 'where market conditions allow' as early as 2030. The Mercedes chairman and CEO told German magazine Auto Motor und Sport that 'electrified high-tech combustion engines will run longer than we originally expected.' While he didn't provide an exact timeline, he referred to the dual gas-and-electric strategy as the optimal solution given the slower-than-expected EV adoption: 'In the current situation, I think the most rational approach is for an established manufacturer to do both and not neglect either technology." Photo by: Mercedes-Benz Automakers retreating from their previously lofty EV goals has fueled a misconception about a general decline in the electric car market. While it's true that some companies are struggling, including Mercedes, which reported a 23% drop in 2024, the overall segment is growing. The International Energy Agency reports EV sales jumped by more than 25% last year, reaching 17 million vehicles. Additionally, BloombergNEF's annual Electric Vehicle Outlook, published just yesterday, projects sales of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles will surge by 25% this year compared to 2024, reaching nearly 22 million units. As you'd expect, China is estimated to account for the lion's share, with almost two-thirds of PHEV and EV sales, according to the same study. As with rivals BMW and Audi, China remains Mercedes' largest market, despite a 7% decline in sales last year to 683,600 combustion and electric vehicles. Speaking of which, Källenius claims Chinese buyers 'don't just use their cars to get from A to B. For many, it's also a second living room.' Maybe that explains the heavy reliance on screens in recent models wearing the three-pointed star. Germany's luxury trio will continue to offer a mix of combustion and electric cars well into the 2030s, appealing to both camps. It remains unclear what will happen in countries that follow European Union regulations, which from the middle of the next decade will prohibit automakers from selling new vehicles that emit harmful pollutants. Some car companies are likely hoping for a delay in the ban, but the EU shows no signs of backing down. Keep Up With Mercedes: Mercedes Is Killing Two Models You Probably Don't Remember Yikes: The Mercedes CLA EV Is Heavier Than a Base S-Class Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Auto Motor and Sport Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Another electric U-turn: German car giant scraps promise to end development of petrol engines
A major German car firm has become the latest auto manufacturer to perform a dramatic U-turn on its electric vehicle commitments, writing off its promised to stop developing internal combustion engines (ICE) in 2033. Instead, the Bavarian-based marque will continue to make both ICE cars and plug-in hybrids into the next decade, as part of a 'completely new' fuel-powered line-up. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner confirmed the brand's revised plans, explaining that 'flexibility' is the new direction Audi will take so it can see how 'markets develop'. The German car giant had originally planned to build its last ICE-only car next year with the new-generation Q7. However, it suggested earlier this year that petrol and diesel models could run for longer. Audi is just the latest in a line of legacy car brands to backtrack on commitments to sell only fully electric cars from 2030, with Volvo, Porsche, and Fiat all announcing plans to extend sales of ICE and hybrid cars into the next decade. It comes after the UK Government watered down its own ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars in April, allowing manufacturers to continue selling hybrids – both conventional and plug-in – until 2035. Döllner said in an interview with Autocar: 'Audi is launching from 2024 to 2026 a completely new line-up of internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and that gives us complete flexibility for at least another seven, eight, maybe 10 years, and then we will see how our markets develop. 'We have already decided to extend the production beyond the communicated end dates of the past.' The CEO, who took to the helm at Audi in September 2023, explained that the 2033 deadline was made by Audi's previous management and that a slowdown in EV adoption in key global markets has forced the car company to reassess its deadlines. Last year, EVs accounted for less than 10 per cent of Audi's global sales, despite the fact it is one of the manufacturers to have broadened its range of battery-powered vehicles. Döllner had already hinted in March that this year Audi would decide on a new timeline for phasing out ICE cars, and that the firm had invested substantially in new-generation hybrid technology. Audi will lead development of all Volkswagen Group hardware and software architecture, basing its EV platforms on the US manufacturer Rivian's architecture through a joint venture. This will be fed into future plans for other VW Group brands, including Porsche, Skoda, Bentley and others. The first Audi models to use the architecture will arrive in late 2027 and 2028, Döllner confirmed. The new Audi A5 plug-in hybrid will be revealed next week as one of 10 new PHEV models due in 2025. The A3, A6, Q5 and Q3 will also receive plug-in hybrid variants this year. This is good news for British car buyers who are able to purchase hybrid and plug-in hybrid car until 2035 following Keir Starmer's decision to relax EV sales targets in April. Being able to buy a hybrid into the middle of the next decade is aimed to provide motorists with a stepping stone before committing to fully electric driving. Hybrids give drivers some zero emissions running but a petrol engine when long mileage journeys are called for. Audi's other plans include discontinuing the A1 supermini and Q2 crossover – smaller models sold in global markets – and instead bringing in a standalone EV roughly the size of an A3 in 2026. This is set to be the entry point for Audi's future range, taking the place of the Q1 and Q2. Döllner also said that the German firm 'will not invest heavily in new diesel generations' as its current TDI models are compliant with the EU's Euro 7 emissions regulations, so these will continue to be brought to the market – a market which is currently declining. Which manufacturers have abandoned EV-only deadlines? Volvo backtracked on its promise to sell only fully electric cars by 2030 due to a fall in demand for battery vehicles in September 2024. Instead, it's now aiming for 90 to 100 per cent of its global sales to be either pure electric or plug-in hybrid by the end of the decade. Porsche, also owned by VW Group, has watered down its aims for 80 per cent of sales to be all-electric by 2030, moving to a plan that involves selling its existing Cayenne SUV with combustion engines into the next decade. Mercedes-Benz is another German car giant that has announced it too will extend the production cycle of one of its biggest-selling combustion cars due to concerns about EV take-up. The A-Class hatchback, which was due to be retired by the end of 2024, will continue to be built through to 2026 as part of a more 'flexible' Mercedes strategy for transitioning to EVs.
Digital Trends
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Digital Trends
This week in EV tech: Audi exemplifies auto industry's EV holding pattern
The road to the future runs through the present, and it's not a straight line. This week, we're focusing on how Audi is negotiating the twists and turns on the way to an electrified future. EVs are here to stay at Audi, but a gasoline crossover SUV is still the automaker's bestselling model, and it's not ready to risk those sales just yet. That's why the 2025 Audi Q5 received a top-to-bottom overhaul for this model year, bringing its tech features and styling up to date without altering the what has proven to be a very popular package. By maintaining parallel lineups of electric and internal-combustion cars, Audi hopes to give customers more choices. But that doesn't completely level the playing field. The new Q5 may have yesterday's powertrain, but Audi isn't holding back on tech. It features the same electrical architecture, operating system, and three-screen dashboard display as the latest Audi EVs, like the Q6 e-tron. So aside from a little engine noise, there's little difference in what you can see and interact with from the driver's seat. It's not just the infotainment systems. The Q5 and Q6 e-tron are close in size, with similar space for passengers across their two rows of seats. The Q6 e-tron has a bit more cargo space, but not as much as you'd think given the lack of a bulky engine, transmission, and driveshafts. The two SUVs also have similar styling but, having now driven both, we can say that the Q5 is the more pleasant of the two. More than a difference of powertrain tech The interiors may look similar, but the materials used in the Q5 felt nicer to the touch. And the gasoline SUV had a much more refined chassis, with crisper handling and plusher ride quality, than its EV counterpart. The base Q5 is also quicker than a base Q6 e-tron in a straight line (quicker versions of the EV are available), although the rough shifts from our test car's dual-clutch transmission had us missing the smoother acceleration of an EV, even if it took a few more tenths of a second to reach 60 mph. Recommended Videos There's also more differentiation between the Q5 and its sportier SQ5 counterpart than the Q6 e-tron and the SQ6 e-tron. The latter didn't do much to justify its price premium over base models, but the SQ5 at least had a somewhat more vivacious character. The e-tron GT proves that Audi knows how to build a sporty EV, and there are plenty of other examples like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. But these SUVs show that it's harder to build that level of differentiation into a mid-range electric offering like Audi's 'S' models than more extensively-engineered performance EVs. And while some EVs have closed the price gap with combustion models, the Q6 e-tron's $65,095 base price is a big step up from the $53,795 starting price of a Q5. Audi has done a great job of maintain parity on tech and features between gasoline and electric models, but that means the Q6 e-tron will likely appeal mainly to brand loyalists who specifically want an EV. It's hard to imagine many powertrain-agonistic customers choosing it after driving a Q5 — or looking at its window sticker. Policy uncertainty has automakers hedging their bets Audi's approach is typical of the current moment, though. In the United States, at least, automakers are settling into holding pattern on EV adoption as they look to balance unpredictable rates of EV sales and the fallout from Trump Administration policies with the need to capitalize on investments already made in EV production. The industry is currently holding its breath as the Trump Administration undertakes a trade war with China that could affect the supply of rare earth minerals that are a key part of the EV supply chain. Automotive News reported earlier this week that automakers were 'in full panic' over the rare earth situation. A framework was reportedly reached later in the week, but that's subject to further negotiation and potential future reversals by the mercurial U.S. president. Trump's policies are ostensibly aimed at bringing more auto manufacturing back to the U.S., but as another big piece of news from this week shows, that doesn't necessarily benefit EVs. General Motors announced that it would task its Orion Assembly plant in Michigan to build gasoline SUVs and pickup trucks, rather than the EVs previously planned. The move, part of a $4 billion investment that will also bring production of the gasoline Chevrolet Blazer and Equinox to the U.S. from Mexico, was criticized by the Sierra Club, which accused GM of all but abandoning a previous 'aspiration' to sell only electric light-duty vehicles by 2035. But at an investor conference Wednesday, GM CFO Paul Jacobson defended the move as a necessary response to both Trump's tariffs and strong demand for gasoline vehicles. And on Thursday, Trump signed an order revoking a California regulatory waiver allowing the state to end sales of most new internal-combustion vehicles by 2035. This is a rerun of policy from the previous Trump Administration, which also sought to curtail California's emissions authority. California and 10 other states quickly filed suit in response, but for now the situation creates yet more uncertainty for automakers.
Motor 1
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Lamborghini Is Sticking With Gas Engines for The Long Haul
It's been two years since Lamborghini did the unthinkable: introduced an electric car, albeit only as a concept. A production version of the Lanzador isn't coming anytime soon, as the model's launch has already been delayed by a year. The 2+2 grand tourer is now scheduled for 2029. In the meantime, it's business as usual. In fact, the Italian exotic brand has no plans to retire gas engines anytime soon. Chief Technical Officer Rouven Mohr told Australian magazine CarExpert that Lamborghini aims to keep internal combustion engines for 'as long as possible.' He remains confident that the venerable ICE hasn't reached its full potential: 'We still think that we have a lot of ideas to transport, let me say, the combustion future.' The Lamborghini Temerario's V-8 engine Photo by: Lamborghini Whether that future involves synthetic fuels remains unclear. However, the Sant'Agata Bolognese-based automaker has repeatedly said that e-fuels could be the savior of combustion engines. Whatever the case, Mohr explained that Lamborghini's decision to keep ICE in the long run is rooted in the emotional thrill electric powertrains can't deliver. It's that emotional connection that allows Lamborghini to remain 'the pinnacle in emotion.' Even so, Lamborghini has had to make compromises to meet stricter emissions regulations. The new Temerario skips the naturally aspirated V-10 engine of its Gallardo and Huracan predecessors. Instead, it's powered by a smaller, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 as part of a hybrid powertrain. Similarly, the Revuelto is also electrified, although engineers managed to retain the iconic V-12 engine. Much like its two supercars, the Urus has also been converted to a hybrid, marking the end of Lamborghini's ICE-only era. Meanwhile, archrival Ferrari has largely electrified its lineup and will (partially) unveil its first EV this October . The Prancing Horse maintains it will still be a true Ferrari, while Lamborghini insists it needs more time to create an electric car worthy of the Raging Bull badge. The Lamborghini Urus' V-8 engine Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1, Lamborghini Lamborghini isn't rushing to add a fourth model to its lineup. The Urus is sold out until 2026 and the Revuelto until 2027. The company had record sales in 2024 , with deliveries up 5.7% to 10,687 vehicles. Unsurprisingly, the Urus did the heavy lifting with 5,662 units sold, followed by the Huracan (3,609), the Revuelto (1,406), and the final 10 Aventadors. Side note: Aventador production had to be restarted after several Ultimae models perished on the burned and sunken Felicity Ace cargo ship. While Lamborghini plans to continue building V-8 and V-12 cars for the foreseeable future, it remains committed to becoming net carbon neutral by 2050. In Europe, however, the company may be forced to abandon ICE sooner if the EU enforces its proposed 2035 ban on new vehicles that produce emissions, and if synthetic fuel production doesn't scale up in time. Catch Up With Lamborghini: Lamborghini Outsold Bentley in 2024 Lamborghini Explains Why It Killed The V-10 Engine Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: CarExpert Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Auto Blog
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Mazda's Revolutionary SKYACTIV-Z Engine Promises Unheard-Of Efficiency & Power
Mazda's SKYACTIV-Z tech could change the way automakers and drivers look at gas-powered engines amid today's significant EV investment push. Mazda isn't giving up on gas-powered engines Mazda's SKYACTIV-Z project has highlighted the automaker's desire to continue innovating gas-powered engines while other legacy manufacturers accelerate investments into electric powertrain development. As a result, Mazda is establishing a portfolio balancing internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid, and all-electric models, adapting to market demand. Mazda's current SKYACTIV-Z initiative aims to create a gas-powered engine that can combust with leaner fuel mixtures, resulting in better fuel economy, lower emissions, heightened performance, greater reliability, and simplified maintenance. SKYACTIV-Z tech also converts heat normally escaping from an engine into power for improved thermal (engine) efficiency. Expert engineer Masahisa Yamakawa at Mazda said that heat insulation was the only unexplored area among the seven controlled factors that improve thermal efficiency. SKYACTIV-Z strives to offer high thermal efficiency at any RPM or speed range, achieving better fuel efficiency when an engine is running on its own while supplying greater synergistic benefits when combined with electric motors. These synergistic effects include even higher fuel economy, lower emissions, and enhanced driving performance. Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv Engine — Source: Mazda Carbon neutrality in an ICE vehicle? While carbon negativity is often linked with all-electric vehicles, Mazda is working toward carbon negativity with gas-powered engines. More specifically, the automaker is exploring SKYACTIV-Z's potential to be used with carbon-neutral fuels and testing carbon capture tech using a substance called zeolite in the exhaust pipe to absorb CO2. Combined, these two strategies could facilitate carbon neutrality in an ICE vehicle. Mazda is also working toward fulfilling the potential of internal combustion engines to release air with less CO2 than they take in, thus cleaning the environment. Michiharu Kawano, another leading ICE developer at Mazda, said: 'As things stand, it's unlikely that all cars will be replaced by battery EVs. Which is why I believe we were right to persevere with the internal combustion engine. Whether generating electricity with an engine to turn the wheels or using a motor to complement the engine's power, hybrid systems require an internal combustion engine. Even with electrification, with the exception of battery EVs, we'll still be considering solutions based on internal combustion engines. With highly efficient internal combustion engines, we can make motors smaller, which should also help control electrification costs.' Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Mazda Motors President Takashi Yamanouchi stands among the company's next-generation gasoline and diesel engines, SKYACTIVE-G — Source:If SKYACTIV-Z comes to fruition, it won't be the first time the public has experienced benefits from SKYACTIV tech. In 2010, the SKYACTIV-G debuted in the Mazda 2 and achieved a hybrid-level fuel efficiency of about 70 mpg based on the Japanese 10-15 test cycle using only internal combustion, without relying on motor assistance. Research efforts for the SKYACTIV-G began in 2005, and the tech's breakthrough followed Mazda's confirmation that compression ratio significantly impacts thermal efficiency. The seven control factors related to ideal combustion were thus identified as compression ratio, air-fuel ratio, combustion period, combustion timing, wall surface heat transfer, pumping loss, and mechanical loss. SKYACTIV tech made its debut in the Mazda2 Final thoughts Mazda's SKYACTIV-Z is a 2.5L inline 4-cylinder engine that is currently being tested and meets stringent European and North American emissions standards, while boasting strong performance. If actualized in production, SKYACTIV-Z will simultaneously elevate fuel efficiency and performance while keeping costs affordable. SKYACTIV-Z is scheduled to debut in the Mazda CX-5's next generation in 2027. About the Author Cody Carlson View Profile
