Piston.my

Global News

The Bugatti Mistral, a stunning roadster powered by a quad-turbocharged W-16 engine, reached an extraordinary top speed of 454 km/h, surpassing the 2016 record set by the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder at 427.4 km/h.

The speed run took place at the Automotive Testing facility in Papenburg, Germany, with Bugatti’s test driver Andy Wallace at the helm. Entering the straightaway at 200 km/h from the banking, Wallace pushed the Mistral to its limit, achieving a remarkable speed on the 4.0-kilometer track. While longer stretches like the Ehra-Lessien test track could have provided even more room to push the Mistral further, the Papenburg facility proved sufficient for this historic feat.

The Mistral, named after the powerful wind of southern France, is an engineering masterpiece. It shares its DNA with the Chiron Super Sport 300+, the first road-legal car to break the 482 km/h barrier in 2019. Powered by a quad-turbocharged 8.0-litre W-16 engine, the Mistral produces a staggering 1,578hp—100 more than the standard Chiron—and delivers power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

(more…)

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore Mitsubishi Motors’ potential involvement in the business integration being planned between Nissan and Honda. This collaboration aims to amplify synergies across the companies, enhancing their collective competitiveness in the evolving automotive landscape.

Expanding the Strategic Partnership

The discussions build on the foundational MOU signed by Nissan and Honda in August 2024, which focused on leveraging synergies in electrification and vehicle intelligence. Mitsubishi Motors has been actively participating in the framework established by this partnership and is now considering formal involvement in the joint holding company envisioned by Nissan and Honda.

The potential integration underscores the companies’ commitment to adapting to rapid shifts in the automotive industry, including the push for electrification and digital transformation. Mitsubishi Motors aims to finalize its decision on participation by January 2025.

(more…)

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore a business integration through the establishment of a joint holding company. The move aims to bolster global competitiveness and deliver innovative products and services, aligning with the automotive industry’s rapidly evolving landscape.

Driving Toward Carbon Neutrality and Innovation

The partnership builds upon an earlier MOU signed in March 2024, which outlined strategic collaboration in areas such as vehicle intelligence and electrification. Following a second MOU in August 2024, the companies expanded their cooperation to include joint research on next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

Nissan and Honda aim to accelerate their shared vision of achieving a carbon-neutral society and advancing zero-traffic fatality solutions by pooling their resources, expertise, and technologies.

(more…)

Chevrolet’s engineers have raised the bar with the new Corvette ZR1, which has been officially crowned the quickest and fastest Corvette in history. Recently tested on the High-Speed Oval Track at ATP Automotive Testing in Papenburg, Germany, the ZR1 reached a staggering top speed of 375km/h, solidifying its place among the fastest production cars ever built by General Motors.

The ZR1’s performance numbers are equally astonishing in acceleration. Chevrolet announced that the ZR1 can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.3 seconds, edging out the electrified Corvette E-Ray, which previously held the title at 2.5 seconds. This blistering acceleration places the ZR1 in the same league as hypercars like the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Lamborghini Revuelto, and Lotus Evija, all of which achieve the same 0-100km/h time.

In terms of quarter-mile performance, the ZR1 doesn’t disappoint. It covers the distance in a mere 9.6 seconds at 241km/h, putting it on par with exotic rivals such as the Ferrari 296 GTB and Lamborghini Revuelto.

(more…)

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, has announced a sweeping restructuring plan for its German operations, including more than 35,000 job cuts and capacity reductions. The deal, reached in a last-minute negotiation with unions, aims to avert mass strikes while positioning the company for a competitive future in the rapidly evolving auto industry.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hailed the agreement as a balanced and socially responsible resolution.
“It’s good news that the company and trade unions have agreed on a good, socially acceptable solution today,” Scholz said. “Despite all the hardships, it ensures that Volkswagen and its employees can look forward to a good future. This agreement reaffirms Germany’s standing as an important location for industry and the automotive sector.”

Porsche SE, Volkswagen’s top shareholder, also welcomed the move, emphasising the structural advantages it brings.
“The agreed catalogue of measures makes a substantial contribution to a structural and sustainable reduction in costs,” the company said in a statement. “The result will lead to a considerable improvement in Volkswagen’s competitiveness, laying a solid foundation for future investments.”

(more…)

Hyundai Motor and BAIC Group are committing $1.1 billion to revive their struggling joint venture, Beijing Hyundai Motor Co., as they aim to reposition themselves in China’s fiercely competitive auto market. The funding is set to stabilize the joint venture’s financial health and accelerate its transition toward electric vehicles (EVs), a segment dominated by domestic manufacturers like BYD.

Facing Challenges in a Shifting Market

Beijing Hyundai has experienced a sharp decline in fortunes, with sales plummeting 41% year-on-year to just 137,300 vehicles through October 2024. This stark drop reflects broader struggles faced by foreign automakers in China, who are losing market share to rapidly rising domestic EV brands.

Financially, the joint venture is in dire straits. Losses amounted to 2.6 billion yuan in the first nine months of 2024, following a 5.4 billion yuan after-tax deficit in 2023. Asset values have also shrunk by nearly 14 billion yuan from the end of 2022 to September 2024, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

(more…)

After nearly 34 years of production and 1.87 million units, Volkswagen has officially retired its legendary narrow-angle VR6 engine. The final unit of the six-cylinder powerhouse was built on December 12, marking the end of an era for an engine that became synonymous with innovation and versatility.

The Birth of the VR6

Introduced in 1991, the VR6 debuted as a 2.8-litre engine in the third-generation Passat and the Corrado coupe. What set the VR6 apart was its unique layout—a narrow-angle V design that combined features of both a V6 and an inline-six. With cylinder banks offset at an exceptionally narrow-angle, the VR6 required only a single cylinder head, simplifying its construction and reducing manufacturing costs.

This innovative design allowed Volkswagen to create a compact engine capable of fitting into smaller cars, making it a perfect choice for front-wheel-drive platforms.

(more…)

Stellantis is going through a tough time after CEO Carlos Tavares suddenly stepped down. Despite this, the company has confirmed that a new Fiat 500 will arrive in 2032. However, the current electric Fiat 500e sales have been slow, leading to production pauses.

Keeping the Fiat 500 in Turin

The Fiat 500, a popular city car in Europe, will continue to be made at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, beyond 2030. Stellantis’ European Chief, Jean-Philippe Imparato, says this decision ensures the plant stays busy and important to the company. In November 2025, a new hybrid version of the Fiat 500, called the Fiat 500 Ibrida, will be introduced to give buyers more choices.

(more…)

Over a year has passed since Mazda introduced the Iconic SP concept at the Japan Mobility Show, hinting at the return of its iconic RX series. The sleek two-seater coupe with a two-rotor engine sparked excitement and speculation about the revival of the RX line. Now, Mazda’s CEO, Masahiro Moro, has confirmed that work on the Iconic SP is progressing. While not an official confirmation of the RX’s return, his statement suggests that the project is moving forward, and fans can expect the road-going version of the car—though it may be smaller than the concept.

Mazda’s Chief Designer, Masashi Nakayama, previously hinted that the car could be smaller, possibly similar in size to the MX-5 Miata. This has led to speculation that the Iconic SP could preview the next MX-5 rather than a direct RX model. The concept was 4,178mm long, 1,849mm wide, and 45.2 inches tall, with a 1,148mm wheelbase and a weight of 1,450kg. The car’s weight distribution was balanced, which enhanced its performance potential.

(more…)

Electric vehicle (EV) battery packs are now more affordable than ever, with average costs dropping 20% in 2024 to $115 (RM517) per kilowatt-hour (kWh), according to BloombergNEF’s annual battery price survey. This sharp decline, the most significant since 2017, is attributed to an oversupply of production capacity, reduced prices for raw materials and components, and a growing shift toward lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are more cost-effective than traditional lithium-ion variants.

The affordability of EV battery packs has long been a critical determinant of the viability of electric vehicles. With prices falling so rapidly, experts anticipate that EVs could reach price parity with petrol-powered vehicles by 2026, a milestone expected to catalyze mass adoption. This projection hinges on battery pack prices dropping below $100(RM450)/kWh, a threshold considered pivotal for widespread EV affordability.

China continues to dominate the EV battery industry, producing enough battery cells in 2024 to meet 92% of global demand across EV and stationary storage applications. This vast production capacity has significantly influenced global pricing trends, making EVs in China cheaper than their petrol counterparts. However, part of this cost advantage is supported by government funding, suggesting that market forces alone may not account for the disparity.

(more…)

Archive

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube