Pole to Pole EV expedition reaches South Pole
A pole-to-pole expedition set out to help raise global interest in electric mobility has achieved its goal when it came to a conclusion in Antarctica. Chris and Julie Ramsey, husband and wife adventurers, took 10 months to cover the 30,000 km adventure that started on the frozen Arctic Sea at the 1823 Magnetic North Pole and proceeded through varied terrains and conditions of North, Central and South America before treading cautiously on the remotest continent to arrive at the South Pole. This is the first time any car, not just an electric vehicle, has completed such a journey.
Their all-electric expedition vehicle was a Nissan Ariya with e-4ORCE all-wheel control, which was tested at extreme temperatures and high altitudes along the journey. The factory-standard vehicle with no change to the powertrain or battery was modified by polar mobility specialists Arctic Trucks, to accommodate 39-inch BF Goodrich tires.
Chris and Julie began planning Pole to Pole in 2017 after completing the Mongol Rally in their Nissan LEAF, the first time an EV had attempted the 10,000-km challenge.
Continental launches two tyres for new-age vehicles
The UltraContact and CrossContact H/T: these two advanced tyres were revealed at the brand’s annual ‘Contivention’ event, hosted at the Ritz Carlton in Dubai.
The UltraContact, specially developed for all sedan and coupe vehicles, is a perfect blend of performance and durability, with their capabilities showcased in Electric and Hybrid Vehicles. The Yellow Chili compound in the tyres ensures excellent mileage and long life, while the UltraShield casing provides remarkable damage protection for everyday driving. There is more to tyres than their harmonious tread pattern. Complemented by uniquely shaped sipes (grooves or channel in the tyre that improve its grip), it delivers compelling performance and short braking distances even on wet roads, while noise-absorbing elements in the grooves make for a calmer driving experience.
The CrossContact H/T (highway/terrain) tyre stands out as an exceptional choice for on-road and off-road performance with excellent handling and braking capability. Manufactured for rims with diameters between 15 and 21 inches, it has been proven on off-roading Electric and Hybrid SUVS for multi-terrain performance and endurance with an impressive resistance to aquaplaning in wet conditions. Its thoughtful design prevents stones from becoming lodged, while the sidewall design enhances steering response and maintains a smooth and quiet drive.
Kia launches plans to go ‘Beyond Mobility’
Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) was launched at CES 2024 to focus on adaptability that stands ‘Ready to Answer Every Question’. Kia envisages customized vehicles and solutions that will enhance versatility and open up limitless possibilities, catering to both businesses and individuals. The platform will offer users a blank canvas to redefine how space and mobility can adapt to their needs by providing exceptional flexibility through radical modularity aided by software solutions and bespoke services. Five Kia PBV concept models were unveiled at CES 2024 – three Concept PV5 derivatives, Concept PV7 and Concept PV1. Kia Concept PV5 will enter mass production in 2025.
Audi and BMW touch an all-time high in sales
Audi Q5 the 5-seat SUV is once again the highest selling Audi in our region – every sixth Audi sold is a Q5.
EV sales grew by a surprising 73 percent last year, led by the e-tron GT.
The BMW Group delivered a total of 2,555,341 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles to customers last year, an increase of +6.5% upon the previous year. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) sales was up by 15% with electric models almost doubling its presence (+92.2%). 2023 was also notable for Rolls-Royce with the highest ever deliveries of 6,032 cars. The year also marked the introduction of Rolls-Royce Spectre*, the marque’s eagerly awaited, first fully-electric motor car.
