Latest news with #InterestingEngineering
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BMW leaves Tesla in the dust with next-gen EV boasting unbelievable range — here's when it will hit the roads
BMW is making major moves with its Neue Klasse line of electric vehicles. Now, the renowned German brand is taking specific aim at the Tesla Model 3 with an exciting model release. Interesting Engineering reported on the 2027 i3, which will be offered in at least six different versions, or trims. The publication noted that the model is undergoing a major facelift from a "quirky carbon-fiber hatchback" to a legitimate competitor in the premium EV sedan space. The top-performance trim, the i3 M60 xDrive, is rumored to have eye-popping features, including its ability to generate 630 horsepower. That would surpass the Model 3's performance of 510 horsepower, and surely allow the model to challenge Tesla's 2.9-second 0 to 60 mph speed. Another feature worth mentioning is range, where versions like the i3 40 and i3 50 could outcompete Tesla's long-range Model 3 offerings. Sources told Interesting Engineering that the i3 50 could hit a remarkable 560 miles on one charge, which would best the Tesla Model 3 Long Range by 200 miles. The positive comparisons carry over to BMW's charging speed. The i3 is set to charge up to 217 miles in 10 minutes using 300-400 kilowatt fast charging powered by its sixth-generation battery technology. That easily bests Tesla's 250 kW top charging speed and capabilities of 175 miles in 15 minutes. BMW also recently confirmed that the Neue Klasse models will have the North American Charging Standard port, per BMW Blog. That makes them compatible with Superchargers, undercutting a major selling point Tesla once had of drivers being able to charge in the vast Supercharger network. The i3's lofty offering is an exciting development for current EV drivers and those considering making their next car an EV. EVs offer drivers industry-low maintenance costs, a reduction in tailpipe pollution, a quieter ride, and substantial fuel savings. The overall move to EVs from gas-powered cars is better for the planet, too, even as aspects of EVs, such as battery mining, make it an imperfect technology. One way consumers can maximize their EVs is by generating their own clean energy through installing solar panels instead of relying on the grid or public charging stations. EnergySage can make the process easy and help homeowners save up to $10,000 by gathering quotes from vetted installers. For those counting down the days until the i3 hits the roads, an early 2027 release looks likely with production ramping up in July 2026. Does driving range play into your decision to buy an EV? It's the main factor It's a factor Not at all I already own an EV Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BMW leaves Tesla in the dust with next-gen EV boasting unbelievable range — here's when it will hit the roads
BMW is making major moves with its Neue Klasse line of electric vehicles. Now, the renowned German brand is taking specific aim at the Tesla Model 3 with an exciting model release. Interesting Engineering reported on the 2027 i3, which will be offered in at least six different versions, or trims. The publication noted that the model is undergoing a major facelift from a "quirky carbon-fiber hatchback" to a legitimate competitor in the premium EV sedan space. The top-performance trim, the i3 M60 xDrive, is rumored to have eye-popping features, including its ability to generate 630 horsepower. That would surpass the Model 3's performance of 510 horsepower, and surely allow the model to challenge Tesla's 2.9-second 0 to 60 mph speed. Another feature worth mentioning is range, where versions like the i3 40 and i3 50 could outcompete Tesla's long-range Model 3 offerings. Sources told Interesting Engineering that the i3 50 could hit a remarkable 560 miles on one charge, which would best the Tesla Model 3 Long Range by 200 miles. The positive comparisons carry over to BMW's charging speed. The i3 is set to charge up to 217 miles in 10 minutes using 300-400 kilowatt fast charging powered by its sixth-generation battery technology. That easily bests Tesla's 250 kW top charging speed and capabilities of 175 miles in 15 minutes. BMW also recently confirmed that the Neue Klasse models will have the North American Charging Standard port, per BMW Blog. That makes them compatible with Superchargers, undercutting a major selling point Tesla once had of drivers being able to charge in the vast Supercharger network. The i3's lofty offering is an exciting development for current EV drivers and those considering making their next car an EV. EVs offer drivers industry-low maintenance costs, a reduction in tailpipe pollution, a quieter ride, and substantial fuel savings. The overall move to EVs from gas-powered cars is better for the planet, too, even as aspects of EVs, such as battery mining, make it an imperfect technology. One way consumers can maximize their EVs is by generating their own clean energy through installing solar panels instead of relying on the grid or public charging stations. EnergySage can make the process easy and help homeowners save up to $10,000 by gathering quotes from vetted installers. For those counting down the days until the i3 hits the roads, an early 2027 release looks likely with production ramping up in July 2026. Does driving range play into your decision to buy an EV? It's the main factor It's a factor Not at all I already own an EV Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
High-tech company unveils game-changing alternative to traditional rubber tires: 'Attests to the responsible management … from plantation to factory'
Tire company Pirelli turned heads after revealing a revolutionary new tire made mostly from plant-based and recycled materials, Interesting Engineering reported. The new Pirelli P Zero is the first standard-production tire "for the global market made with over 70% bio-based and recycled materials," according to a Pirelli press release. The 22-inch tires, designed specifically for Jaguar Land Rover, incorporate steel recycled from scrap metal, oils from end-of-life tires, silica derived from rice husks, and Forest Stewardship Council-certified natural rubber, Pirelli said. The tires also use bio-circular polymers made out of used cooking oil and plant-based plasticizers. All of these advancements significantly reduce the amount of dirty-fuel-based materials used in the tire but without compromising the tire's ultra-high-performance rating, according to Pirelli. The production, wear, and disposal of automobile tires take a significant, yet often overlooked, toll on public health and the environment. "Global dependence on tires produced from natural rubber and petroleum-based compounds, including plastics, represents a persistent and complex environmental problem with only partial and often-times, ineffective solutions," the EPA said in a risk assessment. The production and use of automobile tires produce heavy metals and other toxins that are released into the environment as "chemical cocktails," per the EPA. "Tire dust emitted during use is a major component of urban runoff and a source of unique and highly potent toxic substances, many of which are currently unknown or poorly described," the EPA risk assessment found. That Pirelli engineers have succeeded in developing an ultra-high-performance, 22-inch tire suitable for the luxury market while using 70% recycled and plant-based materials serves as proof that more environmentally friendly tires are possible. What factor would make you most likely to get an induction stove? Energy savings Faster cook time Cleaner air when cooking Government incentives Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In 2021, Pirelli manufactured its first tire using Forest Stewardship Council-certified rubber, and the company has said that all of its European manufacturing facilities will be FSC-certified by 2026. "This certification attests to the responsible management of the natural rubber supply chain, from plantation to factory," Pirelli said in its press release. The new Pirelli P Zero will be available on select 22-inch Range Rover wheel options, the company said. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
High-tech company unveils game-changing alternative to traditional rubber tires: 'Attests to the responsible management … from plantation to factory'
Tire company Pirelli turned heads after revealing a revolutionary new tire made mostly from plant-based and recycled materials, Interesting Engineering reported. The new Pirelli P Zero is the first standard-production tire "for the global market made with over 70% bio-based and recycled materials," according to a Pirelli press release. The 22-inch tires, designed specifically for Jaguar Land Rover, incorporate steel recycled from scrap metal, oils from end-of-life tires, silica derived from rice husks, and Forest Stewardship Council-certified natural rubber, Pirelli said. The tires also use bio-circular polymers made out of used cooking oil and plant-based plasticizers. All of these advancements significantly reduce the amount of dirty-fuel-based materials used in the tire but without compromising the tire's ultra-high-performance rating, according to Pirelli. The production, wear, and disposal of automobile tires take a significant, yet often overlooked, toll on public health and the environment. "Global dependence on tires produced from natural rubber and petroleum-based compounds, including plastics, represents a persistent and complex environmental problem with only partial and often-times, ineffective solutions," the EPA said in a risk assessment. The production and use of automobile tires produce heavy metals and other toxins that are released into the environment as "chemical cocktails," per the EPA. "Tire dust emitted during use is a major component of urban runoff and a source of unique and highly potent toxic substances, many of which are currently unknown or poorly described," the EPA risk assessment found. That Pirelli engineers have succeeded in developing an ultra-high-performance, 22-inch tire suitable for the luxury market while using 70% recycled and plant-based materials serves as proof that more environmentally friendly tires are possible. What factor would make you most likely to get an induction stove? Energy savings Faster cook time Cleaner air when cooking Government incentives Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In 2021, Pirelli manufactured its first tire using Forest Stewardship Council-certified rubber, and the company has said that all of its European manufacturing facilities will be FSC-certified by 2026. "This certification attests to the responsible management of the natural rubber supply chain, from plantation to factory," Pirelli said in its press release. The new Pirelli P Zero will be available on select 22-inch Range Rover wheel options, the company said. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Startup develops revolutionary new 'superwood' that can resist fire and water: 'Nature's most highly evolved structure'
Wood isn't yielding to concrete and steel when it comes to being the construction material of the future. That's because a Maryland-based company's lumber breakthrough could soon put it in contention as the leader. InventWood's product isn't your grandfather's two-by-four. Superwood has 10 times the strength-to-weight of steel and is six times lighter. What's more, it's fire-, rot-, and pest-resistant, with a production process that's 90% cleaner than steel — all while mimicking the look and feel of regular lumber, per the company website. "Superwood demonstrates what's possible when we combine nature's most highly evolved structure with revolutionary science," InventWood CEO Alex Lau said in an Interesting Engineering report. It all starts with a molecular-level transformation. Superwood is made by removing specific "components" at the timber's cellular level. The experts use food-safe chemicals for the "molecular reinvention." The wood is compressed, increasing density by a factor of four, and creating hydrogen bonds between the cellulose fibers. It's part of how the material becomes stronger and resistant to rot. Finishing treatments can provide customized design stylings, InventWood added. Environmentalist and entrepreneur Paul Hawken said the product could shape the future of worldwide construction. It's "an extraordinary breakthrough that exalts the genius of the natural world," he said, per IE. What is stopping you from upgrading to a heat pump system? The cost of installation I live in a cold area I don't know enough about it I already have one Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The company secured $15 million in a funding round, and it intends to begin shipping products from Frederick by September. Its total fundraising has hit $50 million in private and government sources. The innovation got its start from research completed by University of Maryland Professor Liangbing Hu, as IE noted. The university has made headlines before for genetic modifications to wood that makes it stronger for construction use. Elsewhere, experts at Michigan Technological University are working with layers of wood and resin to form stronger materials. Some architects are even predicting that wooden skyscrapers will soon become more common as safe and sustainable alternatives to dirty concrete and steel towers. For its part, the building and construction sector accounts for 37% of global heat-trapping air pollution, according to the United Nations. Those toxins are linked by NASA to increased risks of severe weather, which are even impacting insurance premiums and coverage. Consumers and builders can encourage cleaner innovations by supporting entrepreneurs who are developing better materials. Investing in their enterprises is a way to build a portfolio that aligns with your personal values. Meanwhile, an easy way to curb pollution coming from your home is to switch to LED lightbulbs. If you replace your home's old lightbulbs with the newer illuminators, you can save hundreds of dollars a year on your power bill while producing five times less pollution. For InventWood's part, company officials said the team is working on strategic partnerships for product deployment in North America. By supporting local economies, the company intends to provide a sustainable alternative to imported steel and aluminum, as IE reported. "We're prioritizing domestic sourcing and production to maintain the exacting standards Superwood requires," Lau said. "We're focused on ensuring every step of our process, from forest to final product, delivers uncompromising quality while supporting American manufacturing." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
