The NIO EP9 electric supercar - the world’s fastest electric car beats the Nürburgring Nordschliefe EV lap time.

• NextEV’s global brand NIO embodies the car company of the future
• Unveils the NIO EP9 electric supercar - the world’s fastest electric car
• NIO EP9 has beaten the fastest Nürburgring Nordschliefe EV lap time, achieving 7mins 5.12s

Today, at a launch event at the Saatchi Gallery in London, UK, electric car company NextEV unveiled its brand, NIO. 

This visionary electric car brand will help users rediscover the ‘joyful lifestyle’ of car ownership by creating inspiring vehicles that deliver superior performance, a new benchmark for aesthetic design and unique user experiences.

Additionally, the company unveiled its electric supercar, the NIO EP9, which has achieved a new lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschliefe. On October 12^th 2016, the EP9 lapped the 20.8km ‘Green Hell’ in 7m 05.12s, beating the previous EV lap record held, marking it out as the fastest electric car in the world. 

Additionally, on November 4^th, it smashed the EV record at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, recording a time of 1m 52.78s, eclipsing the previous record of 2m 40s.

With four high-performance inboard motors and four individual gearboxes,the EP9 delivers 1-MegaWatt of power, equivalent to 1,360PS. 

The EP9 accelerates from 0-200kph in 7.1 seconds and has a top speed of 313kph. With an interchangeable battery system, the EP9 is designed to be charged in 45 minutes and has a range of 427 kilometres.

The carbon cockpit and chassis embodies a new approach to performance vehicle design to handle the physical demands of a car with 3G cornering capabilities, with added structural solidity and aero efficiency. The EP9 is capable of achieving 24,000 Newtons of downforce at 240kph.

NextEV Founder and Chairman, William Li, said: “Today we launched our electric supercar that broke the record at the Nordschliefe. 

The NIO EP9 was born to push limits and is the first stage of automotive production for NIO. It is a statement of our vision and technical and manufacturing capabilities. It is a best-in-class product that showcases what is possible with electric vehicles. 

We believe that when the car ownership experience exceeds expectations, electric vehicles will become the natural choice for everyone, leading to a more sustainable tomorrow. And with that, our vision of a blue sky will come true.”

Alfa Romeo will launch the mainstream versions of its Giulia midsize sedan at the Geneva Auto Show.

Alfa Romeo will unveil the long-delayed mainstream versions of its Giulia midsize sedan at the Geneva auto show next week.

The debut follows presentation of the high-performance, top-of-the-line Giulia Quadrifoglio in Frankfurt last September.

The Giulia, a rival to the Audi A4 and BMW 3 series, will be shown with an entry-level 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a 2.2-liter diesel that is unlikely to be sold in the U.S. The Giulia Quadrifoglio has a Ferrari-derived 505-hp twin-turbocharged V-6.

U.S. sales of the Quadrifoglio will begin in the third quarter, with the 2.0-liter version arriving in U.S. showrooms by year end, Alfa has said. Originally, the Quadrifoglio was expected in the U.S. in the first quarter and the rest of the range by midyear.

The new 2.0-liter engine, a direct-injection, turbocharged four-cylinder, will be available in 180-hp, 250-hp and 330-hp versions. The engine also has FCA's MultiAir variable valve system.

The Giulia will also use a higher-output variant of a revised 2.2-liter diesel introduced last year on the Jeep Cherokee. The engine has a top output of 210 hp but also will be offered in more fuel-efficient 135-hp and 180-hp variants.

The Giulia, previewed at the Alfa Romeo museum in June 2015, has had a bumpy development. This month, FCA lured former Ferrari chief engineer Roberto Fedeli back from BMW Group to help fix mounting technical challenges at Alfa and Maserati.

The launch of the Giulia is months behind schedule. Supplier sources have told Automotive News Europe the Giulia failed to pass internal front, side and rear crash tests, which resulted in extensive re-engineering that has added about six months to the sedan's development time.

"We are not commenting in any way," said an FCA spokesman when asked about a delay. 

The Quadrifoglio version was due to launch in Europe by the end of last year with the base Giulia scheduled for a European debut in March, European dealers were told last June. 

The Quadrifoglio and the diesel are now set to go into production on March 31, with deliveries to Italian dealers to begin by late May or early July. The Giulia with the 2.0-liter gasoline engine is due in Europe by the end of the year.

Luca Cifferi

Automotive News

LINK HERE

Citroen uses the Geneva Show as a base for the world premiere of the new Citroen C4 Cactus Rip Curl Edition.

New Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl Special Edition to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. A unique and fun crossover, this special edition C4 Cactus introduces Grip Control for improved traction, along with new styling elements that emphasise its outdoor character.

A new type of crossover designed to shake up the sector, the C4 Cactus is continuing to expand its range with the World Premiere of a new special edition at the Geneva Motor Show. The Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl is born from the collaboration between Citroën and Rip Curl, the legendary brand from the world of surfing.

Through the association with Rip Curl – whose name alone has symbolised surfing since 1969  – Citroën is boosting the outdoor spirit of C4 Cactus through the introduction of an even more radical and adventurous version.

Citroën is providing C4 Cactus fans with a special edition that is more technologically advanced, with a higher level of all-road performance. This car is ideal for lifestyles focused on leisure and well-being. This philosophy is totally in tune with Rip Curl, a brand founded in Torquay, Australia, only a few hours’ drive from the mythical Cactus Bay surfing hotspot.

Sharing values such as innovation and creativity, both brands also share a taste for adventure. Rip Curl calls this “The Search”, meaning the search for the perfect wave. Now, the C4 Cactus Rip Curl encourages drivers to hit the road anytime, anywhere. The partnership is perfectly aligned and compliments the launch of Grip Control in the C4 Cactus range.

Grip Control – more traction, to help you get away

The Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl's major innovation is enhanced traction. Associated with the more powerful C4 Cactus engines, each mated to a manual gearbox (PureTech 110 S&S manual and BlueHDi 100 manual). Citroën’s C4 Cactus Rip Curl Special Edition is the only version to come with Grip Control. The car also features special Mud & Snow tyres to help keep it moving on difficult surfaces (Goodyear 205/50 R17 89V – Vector 4Seasons tyres).

The Grip Control system provides the benefit of intelligent traction in ‘off-road’ mode. It uses an advanced anti-skid function built into the ESP computer, which manages the traction from the driven front wheels, and has various other modes for different types of terrain. The Grip Control selector, set in the centre of the dashboard, provides access to five operating modes:

• STANDARD: to drive along sun-drenched coast roads, through sweeping mountain bends, long stretches of motorway or trendy city-centre avenues. This mode is intended for usual road conditions and normal driving use. It also lets the Grip Control system adapt automatically to the current state of the road.
• SAND: to help you get as close as you can to the most beautiful surfing spots. This mode keeps you moving on loose ground or sand, and limits the risk of the car getting bogged down.
• OFF-ROAD: allows you to drive safely on all types of slippery surfaces (mud, wet grass, dirt tracks). Acting as a limited-slip differential, this mode transfers the maximum amount of torque to the wheel with the most grip.
• SNOW: to get you to the most beautiful ski resorts. This mode instantly adapts the traction of each driven wheel to the prevailing grip conditions, letting you move calmly and securely on snowy roads.
• ESP OFF: to deactivate the ESP.

Each of the last 4 modes is operational up to a pre-set speed limit and then automatically reverts to ‘Standard’ mode.

The new Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl's increased traction promises a unique driving experience for both drivers and passengers alike, irrespective of the season or destination. It also stands apart from the crowd with its trendy compact SUV looks.

Modern, functional design

The new Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl can count on its unique design for usability and style. This special edition is both modern and dynamic, reflecting the surfer ethos. Its looks stand out, with exclusive attributes both inside and out. Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl's specific look includes: white door mirrors, white roof-bars and a white vertical strip on the wings blending geometric patterns and the Rip Curl logo. The rear quarter-lights feature the same pattern, applied horizontally, with the Rip Curl signature in white lettering. This graphic firmly places the car in the surfing world.

The Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl also features front and rear aluminium-coloured protection plates that reinforce its ‘adventurer’ identity. The functional and stylish Airbump® technology enhances the personality of the C4 Cactus and protects its bodywork. Specified with black Airbump® panels as standard, a range of optional colours (Dune, Chocolate and Grey) allows customers to personalise their C4 Cactus Rip Curl. Five body colours will be available to order at launch: Tapenade Grey, Obsidian Black, Sport Red, Arctic Steel and Pearl White. By the end of the year, Citroën intends to offer a new and unique blue body colour to further enhance the Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl’s special edition status.

The C4 Cactus Rip Curl's cabin features dynamic, energising orange detailing. The orange safety belts contrast with the interior finish of the Mica Grey fabric seats (standard specification) or the black part-leather upholstery (optional). The same colour schemes appear elsewhere in the cabin. The protective floor mats feature orange stitching and a label bearing the surfing brand's logo. To carry on the theme of contrasts with the Stone Grey ambiance on-board, the Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl's loudspeakers are also finished with an orange flourish.

With its high level of equipment, the new Special Edition C4 Cactus Rip Curl is based on the Citroën C4 Cactus Flair trim. Standard equipment includes: rear parking sensors and camera, automatic climate control, automatic headlamps and front wipers, navigation system, 6-speaker MP3 audio system, cruise control/speed limiter and tinted windows. So you can remain at one with nature, the Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl is fitted as standard with a panoramic glass roof, complete with thermal protection.

On sale in the first half of 2016, the Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl will be exhibited on the Citroën stand in Hall 6 at the Geneva Motor Show from 1 March, 2016.