Ferrari goes electric with its most powerful street-legal car ever: the SF90 Stradale

Ferrari SF90 StradaleSource: FerrariFerrari just launched Its most powerful street-legal car ever — a 986 horsepower road bullet with three electric motors.
The SF90 Stradale marks Ferrari's first plug-in hybrid that's not built for the racetrack. It's powered by a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 that generates 769 horsepower, but gets another 217 horsepower from three electric motors — one powering the rear wheels and two for the front.
VIDEO1:5201:52Ferrari reveals its most powerful road car everSquawk Box EuropeAll that extra juice helps the car do zero-to 62 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 211 mph.
It's not exactly the first plug-in Ferrari, famed for its thunderous V12 internal-combustion engines. The $1.5 million La Ferrari supercar, only 500 of which were produced, used electric motors to give a little boost to its V12 and push it to 950 horsepower. Ferrari's Formula One racers also use a hybrid motor-generator system.
The “SF90 Stradale” name comes from the automaker's 2019 Formula One race car, the SF90 in honor of Ferrari's 90 years in racing. The word “stradale” means “road” in Italian.
Ferrari SF90 StradaleSource: FerrariIt's fast but don't count on driving too far in battery-only mode since the all-electric range is only 16 miles.
But Ferrari's engineers had to solve some complex problems by adding a hybrid system, which added an additional 595 pounds. Ferrari shaved off some of those pounds with carbon fiber but also came up with some clever innovations.
By using the hybrid system for reverse, Ferrari was able to take out the reverse gear from the eight-speed gearbox, which saves weight. It's also all-wheel drive, to better utilize the hybrid system. And the two front electric motors also control the torque, making driving at high speeds “much simpler and easier,” according to Ferrari.
Ferrari also had to work on new aerodynamics to create more downforce and efficiencies. So it lowered the engine cover and created new diffuser and front-end systems.
Ferrari SF90 StradaleSource: FerrariThe big question Ferrari has yet to answer is price. Ferrari dealers say it will be less than the La Ferrari but likely more than Ferrari's previous V8 mid-engine, the $350,000 488 GTB, which was recently replaced by the F8 Tributo.
Either way one thing is certain: the waiting list for the SF90 Stradale will be long. Deliveries are expected to start in the beginning of 2020.
Ferrari SF90 StradaleSource: Ferrari

Ferrari SF90 Stradale To Be Equipped With YASA Electric Motors

The custom YASA motor in the SF90 Stradale is highly compact and light thanks to power density of 14 kW/kg YASA, the British manufacturer of axial-flux electric motors, boasted that it will be supplying electric motors for the world’s first plug-in hybrid Ferrari SF90 Stradale. According to the press release, YASA has been working on… Continue reading Ferrari SF90 Stradale To Be Equipped With YASA Electric Motors

Ferrari SF90 Stradale Is Brand’s First Plug-In Hybrid: Electric Future?

Ferrari SF90 Stradale trailblazes the plug-in hybrid path for Ferrari and hopefully leads to all-electric future Ferrari isn’t yet ready for all-electric cars, but there is no escape from the future and after its first tries with hybrids, the Italian manufacturer recently unveiled its first plug-in hybrid Ferrari SF90 Stradale. The all-electric range of up… Continue reading Ferrari SF90 Stradale Is Brand’s First Plug-In Hybrid: Electric Future?

Ferrari’s first plug-in hybrid is here — and it’s faster than ever

Ferrari has finally cracked open the door for electrification. The Italian supercar manufacturer unveiled the SF90 Stradale, its first plug-in hybrid. Purists might turn their noses up to Stradale’s mere 15.5 miles of all electric range. But it’s a milestone for Ferrari nonetheless, and marks a shift in the company’s views and portfolio. Now, some… Continue reading Ferrari’s first plug-in hybrid is here — and it’s faster than ever

Read Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s email to employees: Company averaged 900 Model 3s per day this week

Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks during the unveiling of the new Tesla Model Y in Hawthorne, California on March 14, 2019.Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty ImagesTesla shares rose more than 1% Thursday after CEO Elon Musk sent an e-mail to all employees saying the electric vehicle maker is close to reaching its target production numbers for the Model 3 this quarter.
The e-mail's optimistic tone helped Tesla shares turn positive for the first time in seven days. The company added over $500 million to its market cap, reaching around $34.6 billion, in early trading on Thursday.
Here's what Musk wrote to employees:
Subj. Exciting Goal!
Date: May 22, 2109
To: Everbody
As of yesterday we had over 50,000 net new orders for this quarter. Based on current trends, we have a good chance of exceeding the record 90,700 deliveries of Q4 last year and making this the highest deliveries/sales quarter in Tesla history!
In order to achieve this, we need sustained output of 1,000 Model 3's per day. Almost all parts of the Model 3 production system have exceeded 1,000 units on multiple days (congratulations!) and we've averaged about 900/day this week, so we're only about 10% away from 7,000/week.
If we rally hard, we can do it!
Thanks for your hard work
Analysts had been losing confidence in Tesla's stock during the past week as the company entered cost-cutting mode. In an email to employees obtained by CNBC last week, Musk stressed the need for “hardcore” measures to cut spending.
Citi analysts wrote Tuesday that Tesla's shares could fall more than 80% to $36, citing “lingering demand/FCF (free cash flow) concerns.” In a private call with Morgan Stanley clients Wednesday, Morgan Stanley research analyst Adam Jonas said he was skeptical about the company's ability to grow, CNBC reported.
“Tesla is not really seen as a growth story,” Jonas said on the call, which CNBC heard in a recording. Today, “It seems like a distressed credit and restructuring story.”
Loup Ventures co-founder Gene Munster gave the stock its latest downward revision Thursday. Munster expected the company would miss its delivery expectations this year especially as trade tensions drag on between the U.S. and China. He lowered 2019 delivery estimates about 10% to just 310,000 vehicles compared to guidance between 360,000 and 400,000.
While Musk's email to Tesla employees shed a light on production progress, logistics remains another challenge for the company in meeting its second-quarter delivery goals.
In the first quarter of 2019, Musk said the increase in overseas business stressed the company's logistics operations. Half of Tesla's global deliveries happened in the final 10 days of the first quarter.
Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.
Watch: How Elon Musk's tweets might be affecting the latest price targets for Tesla
VIDEO7:3607:36How Elon Musk's tweets might be affecting the latest price targets for TeslaSquawk Box

Mercedes-AMG Expected To Discontinue SL 63 At the End Of May 2019

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Mercedes-AMG Expected To Discontinue SL 63 At the End Of May 2019

22 May 2019, 19:15 UTC ·
by Mircea Panait

Home > News > Car Profile

In terms of convertibles, you’re spoiled for choice by Mercedes-Benz and the mad professors in Affalterbach. But towards the end of May 2019, the SL 63 will cease to exist until the next generation comes along with know-how from the GT.
10 photosThe R231 can trace its roots back to 2012 for the 2013 model year. Designed in 2007 and produced in Bremen, the current generation of the SL-Class received a mid-cycle refresh in 2016 for the 2017 model year. Even though Mercedes-AMG prepares to bid farewell to V12-powered models, the V8 soldiers on with 4.0 liters of displacement.
Mercedes-Benz Passion understands from Affalterbach that Mercedes-AMG is pulling out the SL 63 to focus on the successor of the R231. Speaking of which, the SL 63 didn’t receive the 4.0-liter V8 from the GT but relies on the M157 with 5.5 liters of displacement.
Not as powerful nor as torquey as the M177, the M157 is matched to the AMG Speedshift MCT 7 instead of the nine-speed transmission in M177-engined models. These being said, the truth is that AMG was too focused on the GT and A 45 to keep the SL-Class as fresh as a daisy.
There are far better open-top grand tourers out there right now, including the Bentley Continental GT Convertible and Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante. Worse still, today’s SL-Class doesn’t hold a candle to the trailblazing W198 from the 1950s. At that point in time, the Sport-Leicht in 300 SL flavor was the fastest production car in the world (260 km/h or 160 mph).
“Advanced today” and “admired forever” according to Mercedes-Benz, the most affordable SL in the United States is the 450 at $89,150 excluding destination. Level up to the 550 and you’re looking at $113,550 while the 63 retails at $154,450 excluding destination.
As mentioned beforehand, the SL 65 is no longer available because both AMG and Mercedes-Benz aren't willing to go ahead with the M279. The twin-turbo V12 is based on the M275 from the previous decade, and that one also happens to be based on the M137 from the 1990s. Without further beating around the bush, Daimler AG has no incentive to bring an antiquated design up to date.

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Wed 22 May 2019

An Evening with Professor Gordon Murray CBE – Review

‘One Formula’ Book Launch

Not for the first time this year, the Club’s motoring enthusiasts enjoyed an evening celebrating another car design legend, Professor Gordon Murray CBE.

The evening celebrated Gordon’s latest ambitious project – the result of countless hours of work and hundreds of drawings going into its creation. Not a car, but a book. Published by Porter Press, ‘One Formula – 50 Years of Car Design’ is a two-volume work encompassing nearly all of Gordon’s car designs, of which there are over 80, and our evening celebrated its day of launch.

During the evening, Gordon spoke candidly about his decision to write a book, deeming the 50-year mark as an appropriate milestone. With countless drawings, notes and sketches he was able to record the design story of each car, noting that the most difficult part was choosing what not to include.

During the evening Gordon explained his One Formula philosophy which has run throughout his career. He has always focused on lightweight race cars as the key to helping cars go faster, citing that the combustion engine has almost been pushed to its limits.

The Early Days

The evening was hosted by TV presenter, former Le Mans 24 Hours racing driver and long-term friend of Gordon’s, Alain de Cadenet.

After some motorsport success in South Africa, Gordon sold-up and boarded a converted cargo boat bound for England. It was there Gordon applied for a role at the Lotus Formula 1 team with Colin Chapman but was disappointed to hear that the manufacturer had ran out of funds.

After this setback he joined Brabham under Bernie Ecclestone’s leadership and quickly rose up the ranks. He spoke fondly of his cutting edge BT44B, a design which appeared in the rotunda in celebration of the evening. He also spoke about his other standout designs, including the short lived, but extremely successful, BT46B fan car.

The McLaren Era

Gordon and Alain then spoke about his time spent working at McLaren under Ron Dennis, and for the famous racing duo of Prost and Senna. He recalled his surprise when it was announced they couldn’t begin pre-season testing because Alain Prost had chosen to go skiing. The relaxed discipline of the team proved a big surprise to Gordon!

It was Alain’s turn to reminisce when the conversation moved onto Gordon’s road car designs, and in particular the McLaren F1 car. Alain remembered feeling the full force of the car as it raced to over 230 miles per hour when with him and Gordon in it.

The next big success story for Gordon was his McLaren F1 car competing and winning the at Le Mans 24 Hours race at its very first attempt. The Professor deemed the victory one of his greatest successes, at is demonstrated how good the car was in that it didn’t have to be modified to a huge extent. It was a resounding victory for the team.

Gordon Murray Design

Finally Gordon spoke about his decision to set up his own Design Company, Gordon Murray Design. Now in its twelfth year, the team’s latest iStream technology encompasses the lightweight ‘One Formula’ to help achieve light but robust vehicles. The platform is highly versatile, and can be tailored to fit all engine types, and even autonomous vehicles.

Gordon offered a glimpse into the other vehicles he’s currently working on, including a new autonomous vehicle. He also shared his passion for the Rocket Car built in 1991. Although he didn’t confirm a newer model was on the cards, he did reveal he was running out of reasons not to make a start.

Rotunda Cars

In celebration of the evening, two of Gordon’s designs were placed in the rotunda.

The Brabham BT44B was a Formula 1 car which was driven by Carlos Reutemann and Carlos Pace, in which both of whom achieved a Grand Prix victory.

Also displayed was the first car to be built and raced by Gordon – the IGM Ford T.1. This was his first ever racing car created in his parents’ backyard and raced in sprints, hillclimbs and South African Nation Sports Cars (Class A) before he sold up and boarded a cargo ship for England in 1969.

Greater focus for the BMW Group’s international motorsport programme: future and customers in the centre.

Munich. The BMW Group establishes its motorsport programme for the future with a clear focus. The foundation is the BMW Group strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT. With this strategy, the BMW Group is taking account of the transition in the automobile industry. Motorsport remains an integral part of BMW’s DNA and continues the resolute forward-looking… Continue reading Greater focus for the BMW Group’s international motorsport programme: future and customers in the centre.