Can You Get Sunburned Through a Car Window?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Studies have shown that Americans spend around 10 hours per week driving their cars. We’re willing to bet that not many of them apply sunscreen before getting into their cars. What’s the point? After all, you’re covered by the car’s roof, doors, and windows, right? As it turns out, you might want to think twice about that.

Sun protection is key

The McLaren 600LT Spider. | (Photo by Martyn Lucy/Getty Images)

While you’re probably well aware that being exposed to the sun can cause skin damage, you might not know how it does. According to the Insider, there are two different types of harmful sun rays:

  • UVB rays: These types of rays cause skin cancer, sunburns, and tanning.
  • UVA rays: These rays penetrate deeper into the skin and cause aging, wrinkling, and skin cancer.

As we can see, having the proper sun protection is key. However, many motorists have the false sense of security that hiding behind the glass and windshield of their cars will completely shield them from the sun’s harmful rays. But that’s not actually the case.

A car window’s sun protection can vary

When it comes to the notion of your car’s windows protecting you from the sun, there’s good news and bad news. The Insider reports, that a car’s windshield is made of laminated glass, which means that there is a layer of plastic in between two sheets of glass. This special type of glass completely blocks UVB rays and can block about 96% of the sun’s UVA rays.

The good news is that you’re definitely not going to get sunburned when the sun shines on you through the windshield. However, the bad news is that the car’s side windows are made of tempered glass, and don’t provide the same protection. In fact, tempered glass can block almost all of the UVB rays, but only around 71% of the UVA rays. In some cars, only around 40% of the sun’s UVA rays are blocked.

In a study published by the National Library of Medicine, the research showed that 53% of the drivers that participated in the study developed skin cancer on the left side of their face, 47% had it on their right side.

While you technically cannot get sunburned through a car window, this study shows that if you spend a lot of time behind the wheel every week, you are prone to possibly developing skin cancer at some point. However, certain precautionary measures can be taken.

Sunscreen and tinting

a man sits in his car, can be seen through side window
Frenkie de Jong accessing Camp Nou on Saturday, 8 May 2021, before La Liga’s match against Atletico Madrid, in Barcelona, Spain. | (Photo by Pau de la Calle/NurPhoto)

To negate the possibility of getting skin cancer in the future from driving your car, one thing you can do is tint your car’s windows. According to Rayno, a properly installed window tint can block up to 99% of the sun’s harmful rays, protecting you and the other occupants all day long.

If you can’t afford to get your car’s windows tinted yet, then the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying sunscreen with at least a 15 SPF rating in order to reduce your risk of skin cancer. After knowing everything about the sun’s harmful rays, and a little bit about car windows, we bet applying sunscreen before driving doesn’t sound so weird now, does it?

RELATED: Car Window Tinting Cost: Here’s What You Need to Know

The post Can You Get Sunburned Through a Car Window? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

The $80,000 Standard 2021 Porsche Taycan Isn’t Enough to Give You AWD

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For nearly $80,000, you might expect the all-electric Porsche Taycan to have everything. To be fair, the base trim is decked out with a ton of standard features and has decent battery life. However, some drivers might be disappointed to find that the Porsche Taycan doesn’t have standard all-wheel drive.

U.S. News reports that you can have a Taycan AWD, but expect it to cost a minimum of around $103,800. Is all that extra dough really worth sinking into this Porsche?

Which Porsche Taycan trims have AWD?

The base Porsche Taycan doesn’t have AWD due to its single-motor setup, which makes 321 hp. Every Taycan also comes with an overboost function, which pushes the single motor’s power output to 402 hp. A bigger battery pack is also available for this trim, capable of producing up to 469 hp with overboost enabled.

Although it doesn’t have AWD, the Porsche Taycan still has plenty of features to keep everyone warm. Heated seats for the cabin are standard, with optional heating for the second row. It also comes with many advanced driver’s aids to keep its wheels firmly planted on the road.

Every other Taycan has a dual-motor setup with AWD included. The Porsche Taycan S goes for just over $100,000, but the Taycan Turbo costs around $150,000. The most expensive Taycan is the Turbo S, which retails for $185,000.

AWD isn’t just for winter

Some drivers might skip a $20,000 upgrade that seemingly only offers a smoother driving experience during the colder months. However, like many sports cars, the Porsche Taycan also has a lower center of gravity. That means that an AWD sports car will probably have better handling in all weather conditions, not just a smooth track.

The Porsche Taycan is already considered way above average in that department. Without the regenerative braking present in most EVs, the Taycan definitely feels more thrilling to drive. Despite this, the steering is sharp and its body motions never feel out of control

Other benefits of an upgraded Porsche Taycan

The higher Porsche Taycan trims also boast more horsepower and better electric range. With launch control and overboost, the Taycan 4S can produce up to 522 hp. It also has the best range of the lineup, reportedly up to 272 miles with the Performance Battery plus. The Taycan 4S also has a cushier ride thanks to its standard adaptive air suspension.

The Taycan Turbo can make up to 670 hp and reach 60 mph in a clean three seconds. AMCI says that it has a maximum range of 275 miles, but the EPA only gives it 212 miles. Still, the Turbo benefits from bigger wheels and better headlights to see through any hazardous weather.

The top-of-the-line Porsche Taycan Turbo S is capable of 750 hp, with an astounding 0-60 mph time of 2.6 seconds. Unfortunately, all that power cuts its range to just 201 miles, according to EPA estimates. The Turbo S also has an exclusive wheel design and the most powerful brakes in the lineup.

The sportier trims also have some flashier interior features, like a sport steering wheel and real leather or suede upholstery. No matter what trim you have, you can expect the interior to look polished and upscale. Both rows are also spacious enough for most adults to stretch out comfortably.

Every Porsche Taycan comes loaded with plenty of useful infotainment features, including options for even fancier tech. However, many critics say that the infotainment interface is difficult for newbies to use. For a loaded sports car with both racing chops and AWD capability, we’d still say it’s worth the cash.

RELATED: It Now Costs $2,500 to Rent a New Porsche Taycan Each Month

The post The $80,000 Standard 2021 Porsche Taycan Isn’t Enough to Give You AWD appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Ford F-150 Lightning Trim Pricing Released to Reservation Holders

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Ford F-150 Lightning made quite a splash when it was announced, and the hype has not yet died down. Ford sent out the spec configurations to those who had pre-ordered the F-150 Lightning. There’s a lot of options between the trim levels, especially the battery. What do you think of this initial sneak peek of the pricing?

The Ford F-150 Lightning base trim, the Pro

Pricing for the Ford F-150 Lightning was released today | Ford

Motor1 reported that a member of the F-150 forum received an email about the pricing for Lightning. In that survey/email, the company offered insight into the price levels for the new electric truck. This Ford F-150 Lightning Pro trim offers the standard range battery or an optional extended range battery. The regular battery is estimated to be around 230 miles.

With 426 hp and 775 lb-ft from the dual e-motors. It will come in a 4×4 or Super Crew with four doors and room for five passengers. It has Co-Pilot 360 2.0 Driver Assist technology, SYNC with a 12″ touchscreen, and over-the-air updates. The Pro can tow 5,000 pounds and has a 2,000 lbs payload capacity.

Starting MSRP: $39,974

After tax credit: $42,474

XLT trim and XLT Premium Package for the F-150 Lightning

The XLT trim for the mid-series truck has some sweet upgraded color options in areas like the grille and rear bumpers. It has a 360-degree camera, eight-way power adjusting seats, and heated side mirrors. These offer both standard and long-range batteries.

XLT Starting MSRP: $52,974

After tax credit: $45,474

For the Ford F-150 Lightning XLT Premium Package, there are a few differences. Automatic locking and LED box lighting. It also offers the same Co-Pilot 2.0 Driver Assist technology as the Pro. Not too much of a difference between the two except $4,000.

XLT Premium Package Starting MSRP: $56,744

After tax credit: $49,274

Lightning Lariat and Lariat + Premium Package

For the Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat, Ford says it has enhanced technology and added comforts like leather seats, a power up/down tailgate, and signature rear lighting. The leather seats are 10-way adjustable, ventilated, and compliment the leather-trimmed steering wheel.

Lariat Starting MSRP: $67,474

After tax credit: $59,974

The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat + Premium Package is getting to the top of the line. This one includes the extended range battery and gets 563 hp. It has a 300-mile range, twin-panel moonroof, and BlueCruise. This one also offers the Technology package and the app that allows your phone to lock and unlock like a regular key. Not bad for $79k.

Lariat + Premium Package Starting MSRP: $79,474

After tax credit: $71,974

The Ford Lightning Platinum trim

Finally, the Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum trim has everything. “Unmatched premium and fully loaded, checks all the boxes inside and out,” Ford says. This one also has the extended range battery for 300 miles of range, plus 22″ bright machined wheels with ebony black pockets. It has a Vador Black high gloss front grille, skid plates, and signature front lighting. Plus an upgraded sound system, HD radio, and the Max Trailer Tow Package.

Platinum Starting MSRP: $89,874

After tax credit: $82,374

These numbers likely aren’t final as the rollout has not started yet. There is also information about further upgrades. The extended-range battery will cost an extra $10,000 for the Pro should buyers upgrade for the 300-mile range. The Tow Technology Package is an extra $1,948, and the Max Trailer Tow Package is $865. For 9.6 kW Pro Power Onboard, which ass two additional 120v outlets and an additional one in the bed, this is an extra $1,070. Some interesting offerings for the F-150 Lightning.

RELATED: Lordstown Motors Has “No Binding Purchase Orders” for EV Truck Endurance

The post Ford F-150 Lightning Trim Pricing Released to Reservation Holders appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Do Teslas Have Ventilated Seats?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With summer quickly approaching, ventilated seats have become a popular option for many car shoppers. This cooling function is primarily optional on many luxury cars, but you can still find it on cheaper models. Tesla used to offer ventilated seats on some of its models but discontinued them to make way for new options.

However, News ABC reports that ventilated seats have finally made a return on two Tesla models. Which ones have cooled seats, and how much do they cost?

The Tesla Model X has ventilated seats

The interior of the Tesla Model X | Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images

The Tesla Model X boasts a completely refreshed interior for 2021, complete with a new dashboard design and 17-inch touchscreen. In addition to ventilated front seats, every rider can enjoy tri-zone climate control and HEPA air filtration. Not only does it keep the interior smelling clean, but it keeps out harmful particles that can make you sick.

There’s also an additional infotainment screen for the backseat passengers, with reportedly as much processing power as current-gen gaming consoles. Every Model X is also equipped with a 22-speaker audio system that features active noise cancellation. There’s plenty of charging power onboard, with enough wattage to quickly charge laptops and phones.

The Tesla Model X is available as either a Long Range or Plaid model. The Long Range can drive up to 360 miles on a single charge and reach 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The Plaid model is a full 1.3 seconds faster and only loses 20 miles of range.

In addition to blisteringly fast acceleration, the huge windshield also gives drivers excellent visibility. Each Tesla Model X has three seating layouts, accommodating up to seven passengers. You can also add on full self-driving capability, which will later include self-steering, for an additional $10,000.

Cooled seats for the Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S has all the same interior features as the Model X, including those air-conditioned seats. The climate control system also features Cabin Overheat Protection, designed to always keep the interior at a safe temperature. That’s especially useful considering the panoramic glass roof on this car. While it’s a cool feature, it can undoubtedly allow a lot of the sun’s rays to permeate the interior.

There’s even a “Dog Mode” that keeps the cabin cool if you have to leave pooches inside. Although you won’t need them in the summer, the Model S has standard heating functions for every seat. Many luxury automakers charge you extra to have heating for the backseat riders, so it’s a nice perk.

One major difference between the Tesla Model S and X is available seating. The Model S only has room for five riders, but this allows it to have a higher storage capacity. It has nearly 26 cubic feet with all the seats upright, with a maximum of 58 cubic feet. The frunk adds yet another 5 cubic feet.

The Model S Long Range is both faster and more efficient than its Model X sibling. It gets 405 miles of range with a reported 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds. The pricier Plaid model gets 390 miles of range and doesn’t even need two seconds to reach 60 mph.

Which model is right for you?

If price is a deciding factor, the Tesla Model S Long Range is your best bet. It starts at $74,490, while the Plaid model costs $50,000 more. The Model X Long Range retails for $84,690 and the Plaid version starts at $114,690.

While the Model S might seem like a better value, the Tesla Model X offers more space for passengers. No matter which version you get, at least you can stay cool with ventilated seats.

RELATED: 5 of the Weirdest Tesla Easter Eggs

The post Do Teslas Have Ventilated Seats? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by