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BMW Highway Assistant Crosses 200 Million KM Milestone

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BMW ’s hands-free driving tech is gaining serious traction. The brand’s Highway Assistant has now clocked over 200 million kilometres of hands-free customer use across models like the 5 Series, 7 Series, iX, X5, X6, X7 and XM. The next evolution of the system will debut with the upcoming iX3, significantly expanding its reach in Europe from a single country to over 20. With BMW Maps navigation active, the system offers entry-to-exit motorway driving, taking over both steering and speed control at up to 130 km/h. It can even perform automated lane changes, confirmed simply by a glance. BMW has built in multiple layers of safety. The system uses cameras and high-resolution maps for lane detection, while a driver-monitoring camera ensures the driver remains attentive. A dedicated control chip continuously checks system performance in real time. A key highlight of the new-generation tech is BMW Symbiotic Drive. This allows the driver to intervene—whether accelerating, ...
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Lucid Gravity Gets Hands-Free Driving via OTA Update

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Lucid has begun rolling out a major over-the-air (OTA) update for the Gravity SUV in North America, introducing hands-free highway driving along with a host of smart feature upgrades. Powered by DreamDrive 2 Pro, the new system enables hands-free control of steering, acceleration and braking on compatible highways. It also supports both driver-initiated and automatic lane changes, allowing the SUV to overtake slower traffic when needed. Despite the added autonomy, drivers are still required to stay attentive at all times. Navigation has also received a significant boost. With Google Maps Places integration, drivers now get access to business listings, ratings, photos and parking info, along with improved real-time data on charging station availability. Lighting tech gets smarter, too. Adaptive driving beam headlights can keep high beams on while automatically adjusting light distribution around other vehicles to reduce glare, enhancing night-time visibility. Lucid...
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Pirelli Pushes Sustainability with Recycled Steel in Tyres

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Pirelli has taken a significant step toward sustainable tyre manufacturing by introducing ISCC PLUS-certified recycled steel into its production process. The move follows a pilot project conducted in collaboration with reinforcement specialist Xingda and its supply chain partners. The certification, granted under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS scheme, makes Pirelli one of the first tyre manufacturers to adopt certified recycled steel at scale. To achieve this, the company worked closely with suppliers to define strict technical and sustainability standards throughout the process. The certified material will now be gradually integrated across Pirelli’s global production network using a controlled chain-of-custody system. This ensures complete traceability of the raw material, verifying its sustainable origin while maintaining product performance. ISCC has highlighted the initiative as a benchmark for collaboration across the au...
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Skoda Peaq EV Teased Ahead of June 23 Debut

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Skoda has dropped the first design sketches of its upcoming flagship electric SUV, the Peaq, ahead of its global unveiling on June 23. Inspired by the Vision 7S concept, the Peaq signals a bold new design direction for the brand’s EV lineup. Up front, it features a sleek blanked-off grille paired with a full-width LED light bar and vertically stacked headlamps. The profile is clean yet muscular, highlighted by a sharp shoulder line and pronounced wheel arches. A gently sloping roofline flows into a neatly integrated rear spoiler, while T-shaped LED tail lamps and central ‘Skoda’ lettering round off the design. The Peaq sits on a 2,965 mm wheelbase and will be offered in both 5- and 7-seat configurations. Boot space stands at an impressive 935 litres in the 5-seater, while the 7-seater offers 299 litres. Both versions also get a 37-litre frunk. Skoda will offer three variants. The entry-level Peaq 60 gets a 63 kWh battery, delivering 201 BHP and up to 460 km of ran...
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Schaeffler Showcases Next-Gen EV Tech at Symposium

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Schaeffler AG has unveiled a suite of next-generation technologies for electrified vehicles at the 13th Schaeffler Automotive Symposium in Bühl, Germany, outlining its integrated approach to energy management. At the core of the showcase were advancements in high-voltage powernet components, thermal management systems and battery technologies. The company highlighted solutions designed to improve efficiency, safety and system integration across modern EV architectures. Key innovations included oil-cooled battery cells and a dedicated battery cooling module, both aimed at enhancing thermal stability and performance. Schaeffler also presented its X-in-1 electronics integration concept, which combines multiple high-voltage functions into a compact unit, helping reduce installation space and complexity. Further developments such as vehicle-to-grid capability and advanced battery intelligence systems underline the brand’s push toward smarter, more connected electric pow...
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Renault Duster Turbo TCe 100 Delivers 19.41 km/l

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Renault India has revealed the ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of the new Duster Turbo TCe 100, with the SUV returning an impressive 19.41 km/l. The figure highlights a strong balance between everyday performance and fuel economy. Built on the brand’s new RGMP platform, the Duster Turbo TCe 100 features a powertrain specifically engineered to suit the architecture. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 100 PS and 160 Nm of torque, tuned for smooth drivability across varied conditions. Power is sent through a six-speed transmission, which enhances responsiveness while maintaining efficiency. Renault says the turbocharged setup has been calibrated to offer consistent performance without compromising on fuel savings. With its new platform and optimised engine setup, the Duster Turbo TCe 100 aims to deliver a more refined and efficient driving experience, making it a practical choice for daily use. from Indian Autos Blog https://ift.tt/cJWT8Xa via...
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Renault Trucks Updates Line-Up with New Engine, Gearbox

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Renault Trucks has rolled out a series of upgrades across its T, T High, C and K ranges for the 2027 model year, focusing on efficiency and drivability. At the heart of the update is the new DE13 R engine paired with an improved Optidriver gearbox, delivering up to 4% lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. The DE13 R engine is offered with outputs of up to 540 hp and 2,800 Nm of torque. Built using high-strength grey iron and compacted graphite iron, it is designed to handle extreme cylinder pressures of up to 250 bar. A high-pressure external fuel pump further enhances injection precision and efficiency. Complementing the engine is a revised Optidriver gearbox, now capable of shifting up to 20% faster than before, improving responsiveness and driving comfort across both highway and construction applications. Technology also plays a key role. Optivision+ predictive cruise control uses topographical data to optimise speed and gear selection, while the Predictive...
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