An In-Depth Look Tesla Supercharger 2

And here's the trick: Over the course of a year, Tesla says they will return more electricity to the grid than the cars being charged there take from the grid. It's an argument of sorts against the glaring reality that in many states, local electrical generation can actually result in an EV being dirtier, CO2-wise, than a high-mileage gas car. Musk wants you to think of your future cross-country drives in a Model S as solar powered in an indirect sort of way, so who cares about Kentucky's coal-fired power plants? (By the way, California's comparatively clean electricity doesn't need this defense.)Moreover, charging will be permanently free to Model S owners with the 85 kW-hr battery, and Supercharging capability can be purchased for the 60 kW-hr version. As Musk said, as long as you bring enough sandwiches and drinks, you could drive across the country without gas money in your wallet. Tell me, is this not Jobsian showmanship? The stations will have an expandable number of stalls depending on demand, but if it's one with, say, four stalls, two cars can be charged at full speed, while two others arriving later initially get lower priority (slower charging) until the first two reach a partial charge, and then all the charging rates are renegotiated. I doubt we'll see this as a problem for quite some time, though.No, it's still not as quick as hitting a gas station. But relaxing for 30 minutes in a Starbucks sure beats pulling a screaming generator behind your Model S.

An In-Depth Look Tesla Supercharger 1

And in that time, Tesla says the Supercharger will add about 150 to 160 miles to Model S' range. At full rip, it'll dispense energy at a nominal rate of 90 kW (but it's capable of charging up to 400 volts at 250 amps, or 100 kW) -- that's a 300 mph rate -- or 4.7 times quicker than the already very aggressive Tesla home charging solution when coupled to the optional Twin Charger on-board unit (240 volts at 80 amps).
The Supercharger is a veritable electron fire hose, delivering DC power directly into the battery and bypassing the car's on-board chargers. We recently had an opportunity to use a Supercharger prototype with a Model S and what's most unusual about it -- although it shouldn't be, I guess -- is the cable's girth. It's quite a chunk of wire. The weight of the cable is elegantly dealt with at the Supercharger station by having it vertically emerge from the bottom of what amounts to its "pump." The cable's own weight then bends it over at an angle to match the height of the car's charge port. Think of a wilting flower.
From there you just plug it in. Tesla doesn't use the SAE standard J1772 charger receptacle (i.e., the male and female parts of the plug itself) but instead uses its own, elegant-looking slim-line one. Plugging in can be a close fit, but even with the chunky cable, it's easy to do. While charging, a ring around the car's charge port blinks green -- quickly at first, then slower as the battery fills. The illumination ceases when the car's locked to avoid drawing attention. The locations of the three Superchargers serving the I-5 corridor (the Gilroy one doing so indirectly) are interestingly located, suggesting that an actual L.A. to San Francisco drive might more likely involve two shorter stops. In the next two years Tesla says it will create a Supercharger corridor cutting across the country, including a stretch between central Ontario and western Quebec.For those left anchorless by the tech-culture loss of Steve Jobs, it's time you met Elon Musk. Although as a presenter he's as startlingly improvisational (including blank pauses to think about what to say next) as Jobs was practiced slick, the crowd surrounding him at this week's event announcing the Supercharger project was no less rapt. I mean, this was a presentation of a charger for an electric car, for heaven's sake. But when Musk said "This is as important as SpaceX's docking with the International Space Station, people leaned forward to listen, hushed. Including the attorney for the Red Hot Chili Peppers standing next to me. But Musk backed the comparison up with some potent visual and conceptual arguments. Behind him was what indeed looked like a small rocket ship emblazoned with the Tesla T, apropos as the presentation was taking place adjacent to the building in which the Falcon 9 rocket is built. That's what will -- at some locations, at least -- contain the power electronics, as well as be one heck of a rest-stop attention-getter. (The kids will go nuts.) The stations themselves -- all five were built in secret and are operational -- look like miniaturized gas stations. But their roofs are actually a bank of solar cells provided by Musk's third company, SolarCity.

Extended-Length Hyundai Equus by Hermes Shown at Seoul Motor Show

An extended-length Hyundai Equus sedan customized by Hermes of Paris was shown at the Seoul auto show last week, reaffirming the automaker’s premium aspirations. Featuring a complete interior makeover as well as some exterior updates, the Equus by Hermes shows that Hyundai offers a nearly complete global lineup, from subcompact hatchback to extended-wheelbase special-edition full-size luxury sedan.

Hermes covered the Equus’ interior in leather of similar quality and workmanship as the company’s Birkin leather bags that can cost between $9000 and $15,000. The exterior features a special top coating. Hyundai hopes the one-off Equus will appeal to the ultra-rich around the globe. In total, Hermes customized three Equus sedans for the automaker. Five years ago, Hyundai asked Prada to customize three Genesis luxury sedans, which were displayed in downtown Seoul in a specially made glass tower.

Earlier in the week, the refreshed 2014 Hyundai Equus was unveiled at the New York auto show. While the ultra-luxury market may be a tough segment to enter, the automaker claims the Equus is a strong seller in South Korea where the new President Park Geun Hye chose the Equus to ride to her inauguration last month. The U.S.-spec 2014 Hyundai Equus has tweaked exterior styling and a number of improvements inside the cabin.

Should Hyundai consider a limited-edition Equus for the U.S. market like the Equus by Hermes?

Should the Hyundai Equus Be Offered in Long-Wheelbase Form?

During the last decade, Hyundai has moved its vehicles upmarket and entered rear-drive sports car and premium sedan segments. At the Seoul auto show last week, the Korean automaker showed an extended-length Equus sedan customized by Hermes of Paris, and after seeing the refreshed 2014 Equus, we’re wondering if Hyundai should consider offering a long-wheelbase version to really get the attention of American flagship luxury sedan buyers.

Currently, the Equus rides on a 119.9-inch wheelbase and measures 203.1 inches overall; dimensions that put it on par with the standard-wheelbase versions of its European bogies, such as the Audi A8 (117.8/202.2), BMW 7 Series (120.9/199.8), Jaguar XJ (119.4/201.9), and Mercedes-Benz S-Class (124.6/206.5 – S-Class is LWB-only in the U.S.). Each of the European models offers a long-wheelbase version that averages just over 5 inches more wheelbase and overall length.

Although Hyundai didn’t share the dimensions of the extended-length Equus by Hermes, that car appeared to have a stretch around the B-pillar – like a small limousine. Hyundai says the Equus is a strong seller in South Korea, where the new President Park Geun Hye chose the Equus to ride to her inauguration last month.

Should Hyundai offer the Equus in long-wheelbase form for the U.S. market? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

Top Cars of Top Marques Monaco

Now in its ninth year, Top Marques has evolved into a major date on the motor show calendar. A boat and watch show has joined the fray, and it has spawned a second event in Macau. What sets it apart from the standard shows is the complete lack of humdrum econoboxes -- everything that glitters seems to really be made of gold, or some other shiny precious metal. 

Then there's the test drive area. Potential buyers can take passenger rides in the world's best supercars around the Monaco Grand Prix circuit and compare them with likely competitors. OK, so the roads aren't closed, there's heavy traffic, and the drivers are limited to short bursts at full blast, but those few squirts of power have sealed million-dollar deals. As a lightweight Sperrer KTM X-Bow hounds a Koenigsegg CCX through Monaco's famous tunnel at massively illegal speeds, it's as if the noise alone could threaten the structural integrity of the walls. It's a bit hairy at times, but it is awesome to watch. The police, however, are not amused. They visit several exhibitors to discuss their driving, and even threaten to impound Hamann's SLS Hawk.

Rimac brought its Concept_One electric car to the show, and it is perhaps the most exciting machine of the year -- if it lives up to the hype. With a claimed 1088 horsepower courtesy of four independent motors, it has just as much power as a Bugatti Veyron with pure electric propulsion. It's a $1.3 million car, but it will hit 190 mph and 60 mph in less than 3 seconds if the official figures are right. There's an element of doubt, because surely a car like this should come from Bugatti or Porsche, rather than a start-up from Croatia. But if this car does what it says on paper on the tarmac, it is going to be epic

 

Tips for Connect Your MP3 Player to Your Car Stereo

Car Mp3 players make it possible for you to listen to your favorite songs wherever you may be. The good news is that you can connect your mp3 player to your car stereo so that it can play songs while you are in the car. Here is how to do just that.
Connecting your mp3 player to your car stereo requires a basic level of knowledge regarding radios and electronics. If you don't know much about these topics, read about them in articles or books or ask someone to help you.
Buy your equipment at radio or electronics stores. You could also find them in online stores. You may require a stereo cable, an RCA cord, an FM transmitter and a cassette tape adapter. If you don't plan on buying, find out whether you already have these or borrow from friends.
Use an input/output cable. If your car has an Aux-in jack with its stereo unit, you could plug the cord of the Mp3 player into it. Make sure that your Mp3 is fully charged and turn it on. Go to the menu where you are asked to select the input device: you can find options such as Aux, AM, FM, and CD player. Choose the Aux option. You could also connect your Mp3 player using an RCA cord. Remove the stereo from its console. Look for the red and white ends at the back of the stereo, and plug these into the red and white ends of the RCA. Plug the RCA cord into the Mp3 player and turn it on.
Use a cassette tape adapter. Plug the cord of the cassette tape adapter into your Mp3 player. Slide the cassette into the cassette deck and play it. The volume may sound a little bit softer than usual, so adjust the volume of your mp3 player and your car stereo as well. Just make sure that you insert the cassette properly to avoid getting your tape stuck.
Use an FM transmitter to play your Mp3. Plug the cord into the Mp3 player's headphone jack. Turn the transmitter on and select an FM channel that you can program. Choose a channel that is not used frequently or silent so that you will hear your songs clearly. Tune the stereo to the equivalent FM channel to hear your Mp3 songs in the airwaves. Take note that these take up power so buy a charger that supplies power to your FM transmitter and your Mp3 player.
Research other ways to connect your mp3 player to your car stereo. There are a lot of technological developments in the radio, electronics and automobile industry, so there may be newer methods of connection available.

HID Mot Failures

High Intensity Discharge Xenon headlights are now under Ministry of Transport and VOSA scrutiny. Many suggest HID’s are too bright and cause other road users dazzle; an argument that has brought an enforcement of law
HID Xenon lights have been around unregulated since the early 90’s, Fitted to the highest Marques. HID lights became regulated in 2010, ensuring that all new vehicles with an HID system must have automatic shutdown, self levelling system and headlamp washers.
Many cars were built prior to the 2010 legislation with a factory HID system. These vehicles are not required to have Washers and Levellers, however if fitted they MUST be in full working order to pass the MoT.
Cases have arisen where testers are failing vehicles manufactured with HID’s prior to the 2010 legislation as they did not have washers and levellers. VOSA states in its regulations ‘A car with HID lights MAY also have headlight washers and self levelling which must be checked and in working order if fitted’
This confusion may be caused due to the ready availability of spurious HID systems that fail to meet VOSA regulation. These ‘Kits’ are what testers should be looking for as many safety features are omitted, features which are a standard on factory fitted HID systems.
Xenon technology standard fitment bulbs are readily available as an alternative to retro fitment HID lights. These fully road legal bulbs closely mimic HID lights without the outlay and potential MoT failure.