by Gabrielle DeSantis

Besides their incredible performance, BMW vehicles easily stand out from rivals thanks to their unique grille designs. Once two vertical radiator grilles in the 1940s, it gradually shifted to the conjoined kidney design that everyone is familiar with. That’s why the latest grille design on the BMW 4 Series sedan has really shaken up the BMW community.

The kidney grille has been drastically shortened, now looking like a pair of buck teeth. Some thought the automaker would reconsider this design choice, but it’s still there for the 2022 model. What do critics like MotorTrend think about the 4 Series coupe’s dynamic makeover?

The bucktooth grille might be here to stay

The new BMW 4 Series grille might seem out of place at first, but MotorTrend noticed a few other design changes first. Unlike its previous generation, it no longer looks like just a copy of the 3 Series sedan. The glasshouse at the front is shorter, plus it has new accents on the sides of the doors and front fenders.

With the extra fender bits, the buck-tooth grille actually fits in nicely with the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s overall design. And despite the backlash, BMW’s head of design is very satisfied with the new grille. Domagoj Dukec told Autocar that “If you want to create something that stands out, it must be distinguished and it has to be different.”

Other BMWs with the new grille

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe isn’t the only BMW with new teeth, as evidenced by the new M3 sedan. It features a satisfying straight-six engine, plus an engaging manual gearbox on the base trim.

The BMW M4 is only available as a two-door model, making it a little less practical for some shoppers. However, it’s definitely the quicker of the two due to its lighter curb weight.

Is the 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe a good car?

Even if you’re not fond of the new grille, rest assured that it doesn’t affect the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe’s performance. The base 430i comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo-four that makes 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It’s only available in rear-wheel drive, but you can upgrade to the M440i xDrive for AWD.

These models also come with a more powerful turbo-six that makes 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. MotorTrend assures us that this engine will also be able to be paired with FWD in the future. It also currently has a mild-hybrid system that can supply an extra 11 hp to the motor.

On the M440i, a Dynamic Handling package is standard, which carries a locking rear differential, bigger wheels, and beefier brakes. The 430i Gran Coupe can have these features as optional equipment. Both powertrains come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, plus an available adaptive suspension. An active air-flap control system is also new for this year, which should make the 4 Series Gran Coupe more aerodynamic.

Since its powertrain is unchanged, we can expect it to be just as fun to drive as the two-door version. Car and Driver says the 4 Series sedan delivers a sporty ride thanks to its low gravity center and updated suspension. It can reach 60 mph in as little as 3.8 seconds, with impressive braking prowess as well.

The cabin is just as fancy as ever, and several nice bits of technology come standard. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is included, plus a host of useful driver’s aids. Optional features include a wireless charging pad and a premium audio system.

The 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, beaver fang grille and all, is expected to go on sale in August. The 430i Gran Coupe starts at $45,795, while the M440i xDrive retails for $58,995.

RELATED: Don’t Let an Ugly Face Stop You From Buying the 2021 BMW 4 Series

The post Bucktooth Grilles Aren’t Going Anywhere if the 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Is Any Indication appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Porsche announced yesterday that they’ve begun a joint venture with battery company CustomCells. Porsche’s new EV battery company is called Cellforce Group. It’s mission: to go where no electric sports car has gone before. (Or, more succinctly, to produce batteries for electric cars.)

What is Porsche’s new EV battery company all about?

Porsche has been working toward building their lineup of electric vehicles. Porsche has a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2030 while still offering all of their sports car favorites. Recently Porsche hinted at an affordable electric car joining their forces in the future. Right now Porsche has an electric Taycan and is in the process of producing an electric Macan. The Macan will be available in 2023.

To fuel these EV dreams, Porsche is looking at making their own electric batteries. They’re not the only car manufacturer looking to do this. Ford recently announced the formation of BlueOvalSK, a joint venture with SK Innovation to create batteries for its own electric vehicle lineup. In addition to Ford, other car companies are doing the same, or looking to do the same thing. 

Porsche’s Cellforce Group will be developing the EV batteries at Porsche’s Weissach, Germany location. The current headquarters for Cellforce is Tübingen. Porsche hasn’t decided a spot for the factory that will actually build the batteries. Tübingen is on the list of possibilities, due to its proximity to both Weissach and Porsche’s headquarters in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.

What does this mean for Porsche and its cars?

“The battery cell is the combustion chamber of the future,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche. This echoes Porsche’s intent to be carbon neutral by 2030. Porsche sees where the future of cars is headed. They’ve never been behind the curve, and they’re not about to be now.

The joint venture is likely to create jobs for Porsche, too. Right now the company is each contributing some employees to Cellforce, totaling 13. This number may grow up to 80 in the next four years. Cellforce Group will not only be researching battery development and use, but also actually producing and selling the battery cells as well. 

Germany is moving toward electric vehicles and carbon neutrality. Additionally, the mayor of Tübingen, Boris Palmer, said that Porsche’s new EV battery company was in line with Tübingen’s mission to be carbon neutral by 2030. The Federal Republic of Germany and Baden-Württemberg is funding the project.

How will the electric car batteries work?

Porsche’s new electric vehicle batteries will use silicon. Porsche says they will be using a new chemistry which will reduce the battery’s internal resistance. Using silicon in car batteries allows them to charge faster because the silicon absorbs lithium ions quickly. Silicon also increases the energy density. This will allow the batteries to be more powerful while remaining small. 

The CEO of Customcells, Torge Thönnessen, says that the production goals for the new plant are 100 MWh per year. This would be enough to produce batteries for 1,000 vehicles. 

As more and more car manufacturers move toward electric vehicles, we are likely to see an increase in these types of joint ventures. The more companies that participate in electric vehicle battery research, development and production, the better quality batteries we’ll have, and with longer range. Of course all of this will be good for the environment, too. 

The post Porsche Is Launching a New EV Battery Company appeared first on MotorBiscuit.