Tesla recalls 7,000 charging adapters to address overheating issue

Image Credit: REUTERS

By tech2 News Staff /  07 Dec 2016 , 15:48

Electric car maker Tesla has sent for a recall of about 7,000 adapters that are used for charging its products. The announcement comes after two chargers overheated and melted the plastic on the plugs. No other damage has been reported and Tesla has notified U.S. regulators of its voluntary recall.

According to Bloomberg, two customers reported the overheating issue in November. The accessories used were apparently not made by Tesla but manufactured by an outside supplier and haven’t been sold for at least six months. The adapter type in question is the NEMA 14-30 which are sometimes used to charge Tesla vehicles via clothes-dryer appliance outlets in U.S. homes. International customers will not be affected and the faulty chargers will be replaced in the next few weeks.

The company is also replacing the NEMA 10-30 and 6-50 adapters. These will be replaced in about three months. There hasn’t been any reports of overheating or any other fault in the above mentioned adapters, but it seems that Tesla doesn’t want to take any chances.

Here is what Tesla had to say:

In November 2016, we learned about two customers whose NEMA 14-30 charging adapters overheated. These are the only two such incidents that we know of anywhere in the world and neither resulted in any injuries or property damage. However, out of an abundance of caution, we’re replacing NEMA 14-30, 10-30 and 6-50 adapters that were made years ago by our original supplier.

If you have one of these NEMA 14-30 adapters and regularly use it, you will receive a replacement from us within the next couple of weeks. Until then, we ask that you stop using your current adapter, and that you instead charge your car in a different way, such as with a Tesla Wall Connector or NEMA 14-50 adapter (if you have one), or by Supercharging.

Although there have been no incidents with NEMA 10-30 or 6-50 adapters, they have some common elements with the NEMA 14-30, so we will be replacing those as well. These replacements will take about three months to develop and manufacture. In the meantime, since none of these adapters has ever overheated, you can continue to use them if you do not have another way to charge your car.

Porsche to announce two new variants of the Panamera at the Los Angeles Auto Show

Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, Panamera 4S, Panamera 4S Diesel, Panamera Turbo, 2016, Porsche AG. Image: Porsche.

By tech2 News Staff /  16 Nov 2016 , 16:04

Porsche is expected to announce two new variants of its second-generation 2017 Panamera sport sedan range at the Los Angeles Auto Show. According to reports, the new variants will include a new base model Panamera along with a long-wheelbase Panamera 4 Executive version. The new variants will join the Panamera 4S and 4 E-Hybrid which are expected to launch in January 2017.

CEO Oliver Blume with the new Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, 2016, Porsche AG

The new basic variant will come in a rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) options. It will be powered by a new turbocharged, 2.9-liter V-6 engine that generates 330 bhp mated with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to the company, the rear-wheel drive variant is accelerates from 0-100 kmph in 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 264 kmph.

Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, 2016, Porsche AG. Image: Porsche.

As for the long-wheelbase Panamera 4 Executive, it comes with 5.9 inches of extra rear legroom and will come with an all-wheel drive option. The long-wheelbase Executive versions will be offered as Panamera 4 Executive (330 bhp); Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive (462 bhp); Panamera 4S Executive (440 bhp); and Panamera Turbo Executive (550 bhp).

Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, 2016, Porsche AG. Image: Porsche.

The Executive variant has comes with a panorama roof, heated electronically-adjustable front and rear seats and adaptive air suspension with an electronically controlled damper system. The Panamera 4S Executive and Panamera Turbo Executive add more standard features including rear-axle steering and what Porsche calls soft-close doors. The Panamera Turbo Executive offers standard 4-zone climate control, LED headlights featuring Porsche’s Dynamic Light System, and ambient interior lighting.

Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, 2016, Porsche AG. Image: Porsche.

All the 2017 Panamera Executive models will feature an optional large rear center console, and the latest generation of Porsche’s rear-entertainment system. There will be two 10.1-inch displays in the backrests of the front seats that can be detached for more functionality or just be used as tablets.

Hyundai’s new Azera seems to be inspired from BMW

By tech2 News Staff /  28 Oct 2016 , 14:58

Korean car-maker Hyundai showcased its new sedan called the Azera in its hometown. Called the Hyundai Grandeur in Korea, it is said to be a country-exclusive for now as the company hasn’t announced any plans for launching it abroad.

The new car makes a stand for the company’s fight in the sedan segment and comes with Hyundai’s new hexagonal grill which was seen on the new Elantra. It also comes with with a long hood as well as elongated double headlights with rounded edges which somehow looks a lot like the BMW 5 Series.

It is a more formal looking car with the sides featuring flowing character lines that add a bit of a muscular look. At the back, the Azera gets new full width taillights which look stunning.

Even on the inside there are some major changes. Instead of the downward flowing dash of the old model, the new version features an instrument panel with a dark top portion and lighter lower section. Between the two halves of the dash is a section that rises up at the center stack that has a large touch screen and an analog clock. With this launch, Hyundai has given us glimpse of how the next Sonata could look like.

Hyundai hasn’t yet revealed the engine or performance details. Neither has it disclosed any details on the launch.

Nissan agrees to takeover Mitsubishi with a $2.29 billion investment; Masuka to stay

Image Credit: REUTERS

  20 Oct 2016 , 17:22

Nissan Motor Co Ltd said on Thursday it had completed a deal to take a controlling stake in Mitsubishi Motors Corp, and would be retaining the embattled automaker’s chief executive to ensure its recovery from a mileage cheating scandal. Japan’s No. 2 automaker has agreed to make a 237 billion yen ($2.29 billion) investment to acquire a 34 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors, making it the single largest shareholder in its smaller peer.

The deal will make Mitsubishi Motors a member of an alliance between Nissan and French automaker Renault. The two companies said that the partnership would generate significant synergies in areas including purchasing and

Audi Q3 gets special offers and discounts this festive season

By tech2 News Staff /  11 Oct 2016 , 17:43

The festive season is here and that means special offers from car makers and dealers. The recent one comes from German automobile maker Audi as the company has announced a range of discounts and offers on its popular SUV, the Q3.

This year the luxury car brand has announced city based offers which include:

1. Delhi and NCR: Down payment of Rs 5.99 lakh with EMI of Rs 48,888.
2. Mumbai and Greater Mumbai: Base model starting price of Rs 30.78 lakh with an EMI package of Rs 26,999.
3. Bangalore: Zero percent interest loans.
4. Chennai: Four years manufacturers warranty with a four year service plan. Also, four years guaranteed buyback at 45 per cent of original value with a four per cent rate of interest loan

According to NDTV, these offers have been confirmed and are

Honda Accord Hybrid to arrive in India soon, will be initially imported

By tech2 News Staff /  05 Oct 2016 , 14:30

If reports are to be believed, then Honda might be planning to bring back the Accord to India in the coming few months. The premium sedan was discontinued back in 2013, but now the ninth-generation of the car could make its way with a hybrid engine.

The new Honda Accord will come with a 2.0-litre iVTEC engine, two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery pack and an electronic control unit to churn out 209 bhp. The two-motor hybrid system is a first in this segment. In this setup, one motor is used to accelerate from a dead stop, and the second one starts the engine and charges the first motor.

However, Honda officials have said initially the car will be imported on the basis of confirmed orders. The upcoming Honda Accord will come with a sporting a lean stance along with a chrome grille, re-designed bumpers, new head-lamps with an LED strip. The dash will feature push button start, multi-information display, dual-zone automatic climate control system, steering-mounted controls, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, reverse parking camera, six airbags, and more.

The Accord hybrid will be Honda’s first and only hybrid model in India and could sell with a price tag of Rs 30 lakh and should compete against the Toyota Camry Hybrid.