Tesla has made the Model 3 a better value for 2019 by dropping the price on all three of the variants listed below by $2000. The Model 3 Performance also now comes standard with the the previously optional Performance Upgrade package, which includes 20-inch wheels with summer tires, upgraded brakes, a carbon-fiber spoiler, aluminum pedal trim, a lowered suspension, and a 10-mph increase in top speed (to 155 mph).
Pros Quick acceleration and nimble handling, real-world-usable driving range, lots of future-is-now technology.
Cons More affordable variant may never arrive, driving range doesn't hold up on the highway, stark interior layout.
Pros Explosive acceleration at any speed Class leading in-car technology and driver assistance systems Easy to drive with established charging infrastructure availability
Cons Charging infrastructure in Australia lags behind the USA Some build quality issues Handling not quite as sharp as we expected
A less expensive battery pack is expected to debut later in the year. Aside from a few ergonomic issues, the 2019 Tesla Model 3 is one of the best electric vehicles on sale today.
Pros Tesla prestige at a lower price Class-leading performance and handling More technologically advanced than rivals Supercharger network access for long-distance driving
Cons Touchscreen interface design can lead to driver distraction No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay support Limited cargo capacity and interior storage
Ballistic-resistant SUV offers protection against 'violent attacks, kidnapping or organised crime. BMW has revealed the new X5 Protection VR6, an armoured version of its popular luxury SUV. According to the Bavarian marque, the X5 Protection VR6 "offers private individuals and persons at risk customised protection against violent attacks, kidnapping or organised crime".Power in the X5 Protection VR6 comes from a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine borrowed from the xDrive50i variant. Maximum power is rated at 390kW between 5500 and 6000rpm, while a peak torque figure of 750Nm is on tap between 1800rpm and 4600rpm.
The X5 Protection VR6, named in reference to its certified protection rating, is almost indistinguishable from the standard X5, but is clad all over in high-strength steel armour plating, which overlaps at each panel and trim gap to maximise coverage. Underneath, a thick aluminium splinter shield protects the powertrain and floor from explosive devices such as hand grenades, while the standard X5’s windows have been replaced with 33mm thick, polycarbonate-reinforced glass. The glazing features what BMW calls ‘post-blast protective technology’, which offers protection against secondary attacks in the wake of an explosion. Only the driver’s window is electric as standard, although an electric passenger window is an option.
We know what you want out of your luxury crossover. You want comfort. You want performance. You want protection against anti-infantry hand grenades. Well, BMW has the ride for you! Although it looks like the standard model, the new X5 Protection VR6's armor-plated bodywork protects against attacks by handguns and firearms, including AK-47s. The armored passenger compartment withstands blasts of up to 15 kilograms of TNT from a distance of 13 feet, and its Post Blast Protective Technology protects against secondary attacks; even following a blast, all windows remain firmly in position.The vehicle is fitted with high-strength steel panels in the doors, side frames, roof, and firewall. Overlapping armor plating within the door gaps and bodywork joints prevent penetration by bullets or fragments. Oh, and your suitcases will be safe as well, thanks to aluminum pieces guarding the underbody and luggage compartment.
