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BMW recalls chargers for 2018, 2019 plug-in models

2018 BMW i3s
BMW issued a recall for the charge cords of virtually all the 2018 and 2019 plug-in vehicles it has built for sale in the U.S.

According to the recall notice on the NHTSA's website, capacitors in the charge cords could fail, resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.

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The recall affects BMW's plug-in hybrid models. They include the 330e; 530e and 530e xDrive; 740Le xDrive iPerformance; X5 xDrive 40e; and the Mini Countryman S E All4. It also includes all 2018 BMW i3 hatchbacks, with and without the gasoline range extender, and all 2019 BMW i8 and i8 Roadster models.

In all, the recall covers 3,501 cars.

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Owners should expect to be notified beginning in mid-November to take their vehicles to a dealership, where the charge cord will be inspected. If dealers find damage they will replace the charge cord for free.

The recall notice on the NHTSA's website warns, “An electrical shock or fire can increase the risk of injury or death.”

The recall does not affect charging the cars with permanently installed home chargers, Level 2 chargers, or charge cords bought from third parties, only the cords BMW supplied with the cars.

UPDATE 1-BMW teams up with Sweden’s Northvolt, Umicore for electric car batteries

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Roaring replica Lister V8 roadster for genuine driving thrills

Lister is legendary in the annals of motorsports, a low and lean sports car created in the 1950s by British manufacturer Brian Lister and incorporating Jaguar mechanicals, later adding Chevy V8s to the mix. Last year, the Lister Motor Car Company announced a continuation version of the Lister/Jaguar Knobbly race car.  Whether one of the… Continue reading Roaring replica Lister V8 roadster for genuine driving thrills

Aston Barclay acquires The Car Buying Group

Aston Barclay has expanded into the consumer car buying sector with the completion of its acquisition of The Car Buying Group (TCBG). TCBG buys over 10,000 used cars nationwide on behalf of car owners and features at number 20 in the 2018 Sunday Times Tech Track 100 list of the UK’s fastest-growing private technology companies.… Continue reading Aston Barclay acquires The Car Buying Group

British company resurrects classic MGB and Jaguar XKSS as electrics

RBW electric MG Roadster
First, it was the Porsche 911, then the Jaguar E-Type. Now it's the MGB.

Converting classic old cars into electrics has become the rage across Europe.

The latest comes from RBW Classic Electric Cars in the UK, which isn't taking classic MGBs and modifying them, but recreating new classic MGBs with electric powertrains.

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The bodies will come from British Motoring Heritage, which builds replacement parts and body shells for classic British cars.

The powertrain will come from Zytek Automotive, a division of automotive supplier Continental, which provides powertrains for everything from electric Smart cars to Formula E and LeMans racers.

According to third-party sources, the car will have 94 horsepower and will deliver 0-60 mph acceleration of about 8 seconds, and a top speed of 105 mph. Range is estimated at 155 miles.

RBW electric MG Roadster

Pictures show the car with LED headlights with signature rings, and a charge port offset to the side of the rear of the car where the classic MGB's fuel filler was.

RBW is accepting orders for 13 of the $110,000 the e-MGBs for 2019.

Buyers can order them in either left- or right-hand drive configuration.

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In case three of the most iconic sports cars of the 1960s aren't enough, RBW has another trick up its sleeve.

It is developing an electric version of the Jaguar XKSS, a classic road-going version of the D-Type race car that won Le Mans three years in a row from 1955 to 1957, and made famous as one of actor Steve McQueen's favorite sports cars.

The RBW electric XKSS is reported to cost more than $197,000.

For Bosch, diesel still has a future

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Judge rejects Lime request to block e-scooter rivals in San Francisco

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu Lime just lost a last-minute bid to delay the launch of San Francisco’s electric scooter pilot program. A judge has denied the company’s request for a temporary restraining order that would have blocked Skip and Scoot from launching their services in the city on October 15th. The company had wanted the San… Continue reading Judge rejects Lime request to block e-scooter rivals in San Francisco