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It’s never easy to be different. Not even when people who are different are praised. Because being different forces you to go against the current, to defend what seems indefensible due to fashion but more than evident if you point to reason. And although in those cases one gets the applause, there is always that internal resentment of what would happen if one bowed to the currents that move the world. Mazda knows that feeling well. This small Hiroshima company is more than used to to do things in a different way. And, above all, to receive applause for it. But when you don’t just have reputation in your hands. When what is at stake is money, things are different. Mazda CX-5 technical data sheet Mazda CX-5 Body type five-seater SUV MEASURES 4,690 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, 1,695 mm high. 2,815 mm wheelbase Trunk 583 liters Maximum power 141 hp WLTP CONSUMPTION 7.0 l/100 km in front-wheel drive 7.4-7.5 l/100 km in all-wheel drive Environmental distinctive ECHO. Driving aids Mandatory by the European Union. Adaptive cruise control with lane keeping and lane change assist. Automatic parking. Others 12.9-inch screen for the instrument panel and 12.9 or 15.6-inch screen for the central unit. Apple CarPlay compatibility and Google integration as standard, including Google Store and Gemini as an AI assistant. maximum speed 187 km/h in front-wheel drive 185 km/h in all-wheel drive electric hybrid Yes, in a 24-volt microhybrid version with its 2.5 e-Skyactive G engine (141 HP) Plug-in hybrid No. Electric No. price and availability Now available to reserve from 35,200 euros. Price with campaigns and discounts from 29,995 euros. Now available. First deliveries March 2026. less different And life is full of small capitulations. Most don’t matter. Most are more important the more you have advocated walking in the opposite direction. And Mazda has done it repeatedly with all kinds of topics. One of them has been the ergonomicsthe tooth and nail defense of interiors full of buttons. Quality buttons, well thought out, well distributed and exquisite to the touch. Roulettes with a small rough frame and precise clicks. They said that giant screens were a mistake. And that the error had a reason: driving safety. Something has changed within the company that now bends to fashion that storm the market. The enormous panel that fills the Mazda 6e and that will fill the future Mazda CX-6e It seemed like a lesser evil within a greater capitulation. Without the muscle of other large companies, Mazda has taken advantage of its partnership with Changan to bring these two electric cars to Europe. Minimal investment, small risk and great loot to be won. In that case, the all-screen seemed more than justified. But the Mazda CX-5 arrives with another giant screen. 12.9 inches as standard and 15.6 inches in its most complete equipment. It is confirmation that something has changed within the company, which was decisively betting on touch and muscle memory. Now, it does it with a panel that looks great, with good organization of its menus and fluid operation. But where there were buttons For air conditioning there is now a glass surface. Only the buttons to defog the front and rear windows remain at hand, and physically, like a memory, a vestige of the past. Mazda, however, maintains buttons on the steering wheel to control the multimedia system and a screen in the instrument panel that reaches 12.9 inches, easy to read but not very configurable. To manage the air conditioning on, and its heated and ventilated seats, there is no choice but to go through the panel or, if necessary, ask Google. Distribution of the new menu on the huge screen of the CX-5 (the car will arrive in Spanish, it is displayed in English because the car has not yet been updated for our market) The company has tried to reduce friction by building its operating system on Android Automotive. You can see their hand because the menus are easy to navigate, they are well structured and the learning curve seems small. It will have Google Assistant and other services like Gemini (coming in a future update) that should make voice control easier. We can’t talk about its performance yet. The present, for sure, is more uncomfortable. It is the great discordant note in a inside that continues to perform at a good level. I get the feeling that Mazda has saved money here with some padding, such as on the doors or implementing a single surface for different functions on the steering wheel, rather than being completely individualized. Of course, they click well and precisely. The gear shift is supported by a matte piece that gives less glare but will surely collect fewer fingerprints and less dust than the previous piano black. If these details are very well hidden, the perception of quality is still higher than that of most rivals for the prices at which the new Mazda CX-5 operates. The seats offer a very good feeling in both the front and rear seats. The truth is that Mazda had us accustomed to a very high level in its interiors, both in terms of quality and adjustments. But also in the performance of its chassis. Here, the Mazda CX-5 continues to perform exquisitely, above other SUVs over 4.50 meters. The set-up, with a suspension that contains the body even when you are looking for the tickles on a secondary road, is very good. You feel very safe when you push the limits, especially in the all-wheel drive version, which is the one we tested. The car is pushed by a 141 HP 2.5 naturally aspirated engine. It is accompanied by an electric vehicle with just 7 HP, so its momentum is almost testimonial, enough to collect the ECO label, yes. Regeneration is carried out automatically and responds to approaching vehicles that precede us. If we approach a roundabout where there is a car in front, the regenerative braking is felt and the … Read more

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If the Spanish automobile market were a war, the Chinese car has a favorite battlefield: the plug-in hybrid. The last to arrive is the Omoda 7 SHS, a version that complements the company’s SUV range and is much closer in performance to its older brother, the Omoda 9, than to the smaller one, the Omoda 5. It does so, as always, with an endless menu of equipment, with some initial commercial offers that leave it as one of the most interesting cars in the segment. But also with very good levels of finishes inside and a ride quality that is also up to par. Omoda 7 SHS technical sheet Omoda 7 shs BODY TYPE. five-seater SUV MEASUREMENTS AND WEIGHT. 4.66 meters long, 1.875 meters wide, 1.670 meters high. 2,720 meters of wheelbase. 1,945kg TRUNK. 537 liters. MAXIMUM POWER. 279 hp WLTP CONSUMPTION. 2.3 l/100 km 92 km of electric range ENVIRONMENTAL DISTINCTIVE. Zero emissions. DRIVING AIDS (ADAS). 19 ADAS driving aids, including adaptive cruise control. 540º camera. OTHERS. Own software compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 15.6-inch screen (sliding on the top finish. 8.8-inch instrument panel and Head-Up Display. 50W wireless charging for mobile phones. Electric heated front seats. Sony sound system with eight speakers and four zones. Voice assistant that identifies the passenger’s position. ELECTRIC HYBRID. No. Plug-in HYBRID. Yeah. A 1.5 turbo combustion engine with 143 HP and two electric motors. 279 HP of combined power. electric No. price and release Now available from 42,900 euros before the Auto+ Plan aid. Omoda matches the maximum contribution of the Auto+ Plan. Price with exit campaign and aid: from 32,900 euros. winning bet The plug-in hybrid is fashionable in our country. According to ANFAC datain 2024 its sales grew by 111%. In January 2026, the growth compared to the same month of the previous year was 66.70% despite the purchase aid that later crystallized in the Auto+ Plan They were unknown. In both cases, both last year overall and in January 2026, three Chinese cars have already made their way among the best sellers in Spain. The recipe is simple. Unlike electric ones, plug-in hybrids do not pay tariffs upon entering Europe. This allows them to position themselves as the best option if you are looking for a car packed with equipment. This has translated into an increase in sales of plug-in hybridization cars in the Omoda-Jaecoo group. They assure us that last December, 50% of their sales were already represented by plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. Of the remaining half, 25% corresponded to non-plug-in hybrids. An increase in sales is therefore to be expected this year with a more complete and varied range that, above all, opts for the segments that are growing the most in Spain. With the Omoda 5 gasoline as an entry to the range, which has already been accompanied by the hybrid versionand with the Omoda 9 SHS As the company’s flagship vehicle, the Omoda 7 SHS arrives to fill the intermediate gap. In the middle of its construction, the range seemed to split in two, with an affordable but very attractive Omoda 5 and a beast in its upper zone of more than 500 HP. Omoda’s new proposal is closer to this last option than to the previous one. By image of the product on the outside but, above all, on the inside. In front of the driver we have an 8.8-inch instrument panel and a Head-Up Display available in the top trim. In the central area we have a huge 15.6-inch screen that slides (on the top finish). And it has a small electric motor and a sliding mechanism like a tape so that, if we want, we can send it to the position of our passenger and he can control the music or select the destination. As a curiosity, if the driver puts the reverse gear on, the screen returns to its central area so that the images from the cameras can be seen. But the Omoda 7 SHS is not just this curiosity, its basic equipment (Pure) already includes the 50W cooled wireless charger, the heated steering wheel, Full LED headlights and rear lights, 19 ADAS systemsor rear parking sensors, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless. The Premium finish adds the aforementioned Head-Up Display and the mechanized screen, Sony speakers with eight speakers and active audio in four zones, active noise cancellation inside the car, a “540º panoramic” camera (you can see what is under the vehicle), electric and heated front seats, electric trunk and the panoramic roof. But what seems best to me, everything the interior is up to par. The cabin is full of soft plastics wherever you can reach, the steering wheel has a good feel and, above all, there are a good number of physical buttons well distributed in the area near the driver and with good adjustments. The control of the air conditioning, the driving modes and the selection between electric or hybrid operation has good quality controls. I only give the negative point to the control of the mirrors that continues forcing you to go through the screen. All these good sensations are repeated in progress. The Omoda 7 SHS uses the plug-in hybrid scheme that we have already seen in other models of the group: 1.5 turbo combustion engine that is accompanied by two electric motors. One of them is the one that takes the reins in most cases, functioning mostly as a series hybrid to improve consumption and offer an electric feel. However, the combustion engine can also push the wheels occasionally if more power is required. This complex system is managed by a single ratio transmission and provides a maximum of 279 hp when all components are working at full capacity. That push is felt on the open road. In the Omoda 7 SHS it is not so difficult to start the combustion engine as in other cars of the group and that results in better acceleration. … Read more

The complex science behind nose-to-nose contact in the animal kingdom

The kiss for humans is undoubtedly a summit of human romanticism or the closeness between two people, and when we focus on the animal world and see them doing our ‘Eskimo kiss’ by bringing their noses together, we believe that they also they are romanizing. But the reality is that touching noses mutually is not just a sign of affection, but a high-speed data transfer. What has been seen. A new scientific review published in 2026 in Evolution and Human Behavior has brought order to decades of scattered observations of this type of communication. Their conclusion is quite clear: from bats to pigs and rats, nose-to-nose contact is one of nature’s most sophisticated communication tools. And yes, our human kiss could simply be a version 2.0 of this ancient biological mechanism. The second olfactory system. To understand why animals rub their noses, you first have to understand that most mammals smell the world in stereo, but with two different systems. The first of these is the main olfactory system that detects volatile odors such as the smell of rain. But the second goes much further, since is centered on the vomeronasal system (VMO)which is a structure specialized in detect pheromones and non-volatile substances. Its importance. This second olfactory system is the one that interests us in this case, since the signals captured by this organ do not pass through the usual filters of rational thought; They rapidly project to the amygdala and hypothalamus, the command centers for emotion, aggression, and sexual behavior. This way, when two beavers they bump their noses, they are not “greeting” each other politely; you are injecting pure chemical information about your hormonal status and health directly into your limbic system. The language of noses. The touch of two noses has many more functions than a simple sign of affection, and depending on the species, a touch of the nose can be a sentence of submission or a medical check-up. In the case of rats, nose-to-nose contact is a political tool. The queen uses intense nudging and nose contact not to demonstrate love, but to exert dominance and reproductive suppression. It’s their way of chemically reminding subordinates who’s boss and inhibiting their ability to reproduce. The success of the pigs. In livestock farming and applied ethology, nasal contact between piglets is a performance metric. The studies cited by Rasmussen show a direct correlation: a greater frequency of nasal contacts is associated with greater weight gain and survival. This makes contact function as a social cohesion mechanism that reduces stress and improves the well-being of the group. The hedgehog accident. Although we may think that all contacts are social, in solitary animals such as the European hedgehog it has been documented that many of these encounters are accidental collisions. Basically, since they have very poor vision, they approach each other olfactorily until they collide. What is interesting is what happens next in cats and other small mammals: sudden immobility. The animal “hangs” momentarily processing the chemical sensory overload it has just received. The modern kiss. Although we do something similar with kisses, even with Eskimo kisses, the truth is that we have lost a large part of the functionality of the vomeronasal organ. But it is true that we maintain the behavior. A study carried out in 2023 published in Science dismantled the myth that the kiss is a recent invention, since it was already seen in Mesopotamia and Egypt that The lip-to-lip kiss existed 4,500 years ago. Its meaning. Anthropologists suggest that behaviors such as hongi Maori, the honi Hawaiian or the misnamed “Eskimo kiss” (kunik) of the Inuit are the missing links. In these practices, the goal is not the touch of lips, but rather the sharing of breath and smell in intimate proximity. The human kiss, with all its cultural load, could be an evolutionary remnant of that biological need to get close enough so that our brains could chemically “read” each other. What for a bat is an identity recognition, For us it has become a sign of intimacy, but the underlying hardware has a common origin: the need to communicate what cannot be said with words (or with grunts). Images | Simon Hurry In Xataka | It seemed like a hidden risk for celiac sufferers, but post-pizza kisses do not worry science

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“You have to be very clear about your audience and know where to aim” This is what one of the people in charge of Ebro tells me who has seen the brand grow since its first days and who came with previous experience in one of the largest automobile groups in the world, now made up of a huge sum of brands with a diluted image that have lost their hallmark. Ebro is looking for it by pulling Chery. As we tell you in Xatakathe brand has the challenge of recover a firm that was an icon of rural Spain through Chinese capital but trying to carve out its own niche in the market. They explain to us that there are already a thousand workers in the old Nissan plant where, curiously, those first Ebros were also assembled. For now, the company continues working with kits partially assembled in China but those that are finished being sealed in Spain. The next step is for these kits to be components, more individual parts and greater weight of local assembly. Who knows if, in the future, they will be able to count on their own molds and purely Spanish manufacturing with a greater weight of Spanish suppliers. What is certain is that, until then, the brand seems to be heading in the right direction. Ebro S900 PHEV technical sheet EBRO S900 PHEV Body type. Five-seater SUV. Measurements and weight. 4,810 meters long, 1,925 meters wide and 1,741 meters high. Wheelbase of 2,800 meters. Weight not specified. Trunk. 448 liters. Maximum power. 425 HP and 580 Nm of maximum torque. WLTP consumption. 1.4 l/100 km according to the WLTP cycle. 140 kilometers of electric autonomy. Environmental distinctive. Zero emissions Driving aids (ADAS). Mandatory by the European Union. Others 15.6-inch 2.5K instrument cluster display 10.25-inch instrument panel and 8.8-inch Head-Up Display. Infotainment system compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (wireless). 50 W wireless charger. 540º camera (view of the bottom of the car). Heated and ventilated seats. 14-speaker Sony sound system. Electric hybrid. No. Plug-in Hybrid. Yes. Plug-in hybrid set with up to 140 kilometers of electric range with a total power of 425 HP. Formed by: Electric motor 1 (front / generator): 75 kW (102 HP) / 170 Nm Electric motor 2 (front-wheel drive): 90 kW (122 HP) / 220 Nm Electric motor 3 (rear-wheel drive): 175 kW (238 HP) / 310 Nm 1.5 TGDI DHE engine (front-wheel drive): 105 kW (143 HP) / 215 Nm electric. No. Price and launch. Now available from 53,990 euros without aid or commercial offers. Ebro announces a starting price of 38,990 euros with the exit campaign. Chinese car plated in Spain We could get an idea of ​​what we were going to find with the Ebro S900. If you have read our test of the Omoda 9 SHS You will have noticed that, aesthetically, it has many similarities. And its skeleton, the ingredients of the dish, are Chinese. But the chef is Spanish, there is no doubt about that. And this Ebro S900 PHEV is tuned in Spain to resemble it a little more to Spanish tastes. The result is very good. Like the Omoda 9 SHS, this Ebro S900 also arrives with a complex heart. It has a 1.5 TGDI DHE combustion engine that is accompanied by three electric motors. Two of them are at the front, with a three-speed gearbox and three clutches, and another motor is located on the rear axle. This set that generates up to 425 HP and 580 Nm of torqueis distributed as follows: Electric motor 1 (front / generator): 75 kW (102 HP) / 170 Nm Electric motor 2 (front-wheel drive): 90 kW (122 HP) / 220 Nm Electric motor 3 (rear-wheel drive): 175 kW (238 HP) / 310 Nm 1.5 TGDI DHE engine (front-wheel drive): 105 kW (143 HP) / 215 Nm So you can work on five modes different, considering what is the most efficient and appropriate for each moment: Completely electric Series hybrid: the combustion engine acts as an electricity generator and the electric motors drive the car Parallel hybrid: electric motors and combustion engine drive the wheels The combustion engine drives the wheels directly. Regenerative braking Taking all this into account, the maximum power is 425 HP and a torque of 580 Nm. Its acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 5.8 seconds and the maximum speed of 180 km/h. This power arrives through six driving modes: ECO, Normal, Sport, Snow (longer gears), Sand (more work of the hybrid engine to improve traction in sand) and Offroad (smooth torque delivery to facilitate off-road handling) All this is accompanied by a 34.46 kWh CATL battery of NMC chemistry that allows recharging of 6.6 kW in alternating current and 71 kW as peak power in direct current. We will have to wait to find out what the battery charging curve may be because Ebro only announces that to go from 30 to 80% charge with a direct current plug it takes 25 minutes, which is not a good figure if we see the size of the battery and the maximum charging power supported. All this cocktail of data is brought to shore with a very nice plug-in hybrid in its use both on the highway and off it. What draws the most attention is the game that Ebro has put on his broadcast although, and without data we cannot confirm this for sure, it is likely that it is at the expense of his consumption. When we tested the Omoda 9 SHS we said that we did not feel the approved 537 HP. You had to look for them with your foot deep and they didn’t always show their faces. It was difficult to get the car out of its lethargy as series hybriddesigned to save consumption at the expense of the combustion engine working as an electricity generator at specific revolutions and with the electric motors pushing the car. This Ebro S900 behaves very … Read more

NASA loses contact with its key orbital repeater

When you launch a probe into space that is not exactly cheap, without a doubt one of the biggest fears you can have is that it will stop send data or cut off your communication. This is precisely what has happened 225 million kilometers away with the MAVEN probe who has lost contact like NASA itself has been able to confirm. And this has been carrying out its function outside of our planet for many years now. His story. The ship, which has been orbiting Mars since 2014, it stopped communicating with Earth on December 6, 2025 and, so far, attempts by the Deep Space Network (DSN) to reestablish the connection have been unsuccessful. Although the worrying thing is not only that this scientific instrument could have been lost in space, but that MAVEN is a fundamental piece in the “interplanetary internet” that connects the Rovers on the surface with us. What we know. As NASA itself reports, everything indicated that it was a very normal day at the orbital office. MAVEN was preparing for its usual passage behind Mars that would leave it hidden, but a priori everything was working correctly inside. But logically the moment it is lost behind mars (something that almost always lasts between 25-30 minutes), the signal loses. However, on day 6, when the probe was to leave the shadow of Mars and reestablish the link with the Deep Space Network, the signal never arrived. It stayed just behind Mars with no further signs of ‘life’. Now the objective is to try to wake up the ship without success, although they assure that there are no indications that its trajectory has been altered. The worst possible moment. This is something that hasn’t had the best timingand as is known, we are already approaching the superior solar conjunction that is expected for January 2026. This phenomenon occurs when the Sun comes between the Earth and Mars, which makes communications very difficult and risky. In this way, if NASA does not recover MAVEN in these weeks, everything indicates that they will have to wait several weeks without being able to make more attempts. Because. Among the hypotheses that NASA has right now to explain this failure is radiation. Recently the Sun has been very active and a flare or cosmic ray could have corrupted the probe’s onboard computer, as already happened to other missions as Curiosity. Another hypothesis lies in atmospheric drag, since MAVEN flies really low. Thus, if a solar storm had ‘bloated’ the Martian atmosphere, the friction could have destabilized the spacecraft, forcing it to enter a mode where its antennas were not pointed at Earth. Its importance. This probe is not just a decoration in space, but rather plays a crucial role in understanding how Mars lost its atmosphere and water over the eons. It has been a resounding success, surviving well beyond its original lifespan. But in 2025, its role is more pragmatic: acting as a signal repeater. Right now the Rovers that are on the Martian surface as they are Perseverance and Curiosity They do not have the necessary power to optimally send information to Earth. This caused its data to be passed to MAVEN and other probes and then sent to Earth. In this way, losing MAVEN means leaving two probes that are much older on Mars and that could cause problems when sending this data. Images | NASA Hubble Space Telescope In Xataka | We already know when the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will be closest to Earth and what’s better: how to see it

Nexperia China has been trying to contact the Dutch headquarters for days. The only response has been absolute silence

After the escalation of tension, andThe Dutch government suspended the order to control Nexperia and Nexperia China resumed shipments of critical chips. The European automotive industry could breathe and everything was being resolved, everything except the relationship between the two Nexperias. The conflict has left an internal war that does not seem to have an easy or quick solution. what’s happening. They count in South China Morning Post that Wingtech, the company that owns Nexperia in China (we will call it Nexperia China for simplicity), has been trying to contact Nexperia Netherlands for days and has not received any response. Nexperia China called this silence “deeply regrettable and disconcerting.” Take control. Nexperia China’s intentions are not simply to have a chat. a few days ago They published a statement in their WeChat account in which they assured that “control of Nexperia has not returned to its rightful owner” and expressed their intention to use “all legal avenues” to achieve this. It seems that in Holland they do not agree with these statements and have chosen silence in response. Nexperia Netherlands. His latest official statement It is from November 19, the same day that the Dutch government announced the suspension of the control order over the company. In it, they noted that Nexperia China had stopped “operating within the established corporate governance framework and are ignoring legal instructions from Nexperia’s global management” and provided several examples, such as creating unauthorized bank accounts for clients to make payments, sending letters to clients “with false information” and misappropriating corporate seals. Current status. The conflict put the European automotive industry in checkwhich depends on Nexperia chips for electronic modules and control units of many vehicles produced on the old continent. The Dutch government revoked the order and China lifted the veto it imposed in response. Chips are flowing into factoriesbut the conflict has left a deep scar on the company whose solution seems far away. Recently Nexperia China has appointed Sophie Shen Xinjia as president expert in legal advice and law graduate, so everything indicates that there will be a legal battle for control of the company. Image | Nexperia In Xataka | China has so many electric cars running on its streets that it is going to use them to generate energy for homes

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The BYD Atto 2 has until now been a car poorly received by the market. And he had earned merits for it. In a country like Spain, where the electric car now seems to begins to spread its wingsPurely urban cars have it very complicated. With a battery of just over 40 kWh, it was very difficult to convince because in those cases leaving the urban area causes a lot of headaches. But the Chinese company has taken what seemed like a weakness and turned it into a missile to attack rivals. On a missile with a nuclear warhead. The electric version has been renewed and now offers an alternative with more than 60 kWh. But here we are to talk about the plug-in hybrid version. A car that has no rival for price and equipment. A car that with the aid that is in forcewhich they have been and those that, it is assumed, will be availableis the gateway to pluggable mobility. I would say more, it is confirmation that someone looking for a “cheap” or “accessible” car can also buy a plug-in hybrid with a Zero Emissions label and have that car for everything. Because right now there is no cheaper car with this technology on the market. Technical data sheet of the BYD Atto 2 DM-i BYD Atto 2 DM-i Body type. Five-seater SUV. Measurements and weight. 4.33 meters long, 1.83 meters wide and 1.675 meters high. Wheelbase of 2.62 meters. Weight: 1,510 kg Active version 1,620 kg Boost version. Trunk. 425 liters. Maximum power. 156 kW of power (213 HP) WLTP consumption. Approved consumption of 1.8 l/100 km in the combined cycle. Consumption of 5.1 l/100 km in the combined cycle according to BYD. Active: 40 kilometers of electric range Boost: 90 kilometers of electric range Environmental distinctive. Zero emissions. Driving aids (ADAS). Mandatory by the European Union. Adaptive cruise control with lane keeping. The brand specifies 20 ADAS systems, including a 360º camera Electric hybrid. No. Plug-in Hybrid. Yeah. Active: 40 kilometers of electric range and 122 kW (163 HP) Boost: 90 kilometers of electric range and 156 kW of power (213 HP) electric. No Price and launch. Now available to buy. Delivery of the first units in February 2026. Active: 28,200 euros without campaigns. Potential price with aid from the MOVES III Plan and discounts of 18,190 euros. Boost: 31,200 euros without campaigns. Potential price with aid from the MOVES III Plan and discounts of 20,190 euros. Price… and not only price It’s the elephant in the room. It is impossible to ignore that the BYD Atto 2 DM-i, the plug-in hybrid version, is convincing for its price. That’s why let’s put what we’re talking about into perspective. The BYD Atto 2 DM-i is sold in two versions which are inseparable from their equipment, so the package is closed. The entry-level version is called Active and comes with a maximum power of 122 kW (163 HP), 40 kilometers of autonomy and 3.6 kW alternating current charging. Just starting out, it has a 12.1-inch central screen, voice control of the infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rear parking sensors, headlights with LED technology and four USB-C points. In addition to, obviously, all the safety aids mandated by the EU and systems such as adaptive cruise control with lane keeping. For its part, the Boost version comes with 156 kW of power (213 HP), 90 kilometers of autonomy and charges in alternating current at 6.6 kW power. To the previous equipment it adds a panoramic roof with electric sunshade, 360º camera with front and rear parking sensors, electric and heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 50W wireless mobile phone charging and bidirectional charging to charge external devices. These versions are sold at the following prices: Version RRP recommended Price with campaigns Price with moves III and scrap Price with moves IIi, scrapping and financing Activate (40 km autonomy) €28,200 €25,990 €20,990 €18,190 boost (90 km autonomy) €31,200 €29,990 €22,990 €20,190 These are prices that almost seem ridiculous. At the border of 30,000 euros from the start, the car has extensive equipment that the vast majority of cars at that price lack. With the aids applied (the version with 90 km of autonomy beats those relative to an electric car due to its wide range of kilometers), the price makes its rivals blush. To put some examplesa Seat Arona that lacks any type of hybridization sells between 20,000 and 25,000 euros. He Dacia Duster microhybrid, the cheapest with some electricity, is above 20,000 euros with equipment that pales next to the BYD Atto 2 DM-i. A 160 HP hybrid Renault Captur is starting to get very dangerously close to 30,000 euros. But none of these cars can lower their price somewhat with state aid. These are just a few examples but we could continue without problems. It is not only a matter of having a technology, plug-in hybridization, which promises to move on a daily basis for a very low cost (paying 0.15 euros/kWh, we are talking about traveling about 100 kilometers in the city for 2.70 euros), it is a question of materials, perceived quality and dynamics. The car features a 72 kW (96 HP) 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that combines with a 145 kW (194 HP) electric motor to generate a maximum of 156 kW of power (213 HP) in the tested unit, the Boost. These two motors are part of what BYD calls Dual Motor, a system in which the combustion engine can directly drive the wheels or act as an electric generator that fills the battery and only the electric motor pushes the car. That has an advantage on paper. The combustion engine almost always operates at a specific speed, where it is more efficientgenerating electricity to the battery as happens in a Nissan QashqaiFor example. With the electric motor operating in most cases as the only motor, the feel of the car is that of an electric one, … Read more

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It is difficult to talk about the Omoda 5 without mentioning two basic aspects. The first, its price. The second, its reception in the market. With this first incentive as its flag and to continue pushing in the second aspect, the Omoda 5 adds a hybrid alternative that aspires to be one of the great references for those looking for an electric hybrid at a reasonable price. And it is that he Omoda 5 has lived until now with an exclusively gasoline version. Despite this, registrations are being good, with more than 8,000 units sold so far this year, which places it above rivals such as the Seat Ateca (5,262 units so far this year) and which can make it aspire to catch up with cars like the Citroën C4 that still surpass it in sales (more than 12,000 units until October). In fact, the company itself has confirmed to us that they expect the hybrid to far surpass the gasoline version in the sales mix. It is no coincidence that the RRP (we will talk about this later) of the hybrid is just 1,500 euros higher than the non-electrified version. Omoda 5 SHS-H technical sheet Omoda 5 BODY TYPE. five-seater SUV MEASUREMENTS AND WEIGHT. 4,373 meters long, 1,824 meters wide, 1,588 meters high. Wheelbase of 2,610 meters and weight of 1,480 kg. TRUNK. 370 liters MAXIMUM POWER. 224 HP WLTP CONSUMPTION. 5.3 l/100 km ENVIRONMENTAL DISTINCTIVE. C, ECO and Zero Emissions DRIVING AIDS (ADAS). Up to 20 ADAS aids, including those required by the European Union and adaptive cruise control with lane centering. 360º HD camera for parking assistance OTHERS. Own software compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, via Bluetooth. Wireless charging for mobile phone. USB type A and C ports for the front and rear seats. Heated and ventilated seats as standard. ELECTRIC HYBRID. Yes, with a 105 kW (143 HP) 1.5 TGDI engine and a 150 kW (204 HP) electric motor. Maximum combined power of 224 HP. Plug-in HYBRID. No. electric Yes. With a 150 kW (204 HP) engine and a 61.05 kW battery to approve 430 km. price and launch Now available: Gasoline version from 22,990 euros. Hybrid version from 23,990 euros (with discount campaign) Electricity from 26,690 euros before aid from the MOVES III Plan. To eat the entry range Until the month of October, Omoda has sold more than 10,000 units in our country. It has done so with three cars on the market and a proposal that is not the most ambitious when it comes to gaining sales. We say this because the Omoda 5 has only been sold with an unelectrified gasoline engine. A technology in clear decline in our market, accumulating 24.54% of sales so far this year compared to 34.97% for hybrids (those that, at least, have an ECO sticker). All according to ANFAC data. In addition, an electric version has been sold that has a high price (from 35,000 euros) for its 61 kWh battery and a Omoda 9 which, although it offers power and equipment superior to that of its rivals, already enters into prices (almost 50,000 euros) where Chinese options have a more difficult time competing. At least until now. The hybrid version is, therefore, a catapult to assault the entry range to this ECO label, increasingly important to enter the center of some cities or receive certain advantages when parking. Especially because it is a electric hybrid and not a mild hybrid. That is, it promises substantial savings compared to a microhybrid that uses a small combustion engine to obtain the ECO sticker but barely saves on consumption. And the first sensations are good. In our first contact we exceeded 100 kilometers in length, most of which were distributed between Madrid’s ring roads and secondary roads. Perhaps there was a lack of urban travel to deal with the regular use of these cars by the target customer, but given the volume of traffic and traffic jams, we can say that we were faced with situations similar to those seen inside a city. Consumption remained below 5l/100 kilometers and in the most congested parts where we drive at a slower pace and regenerative braking works more, we approached 4l/100 km with specific situations below this figure. They are good fuel consumption, on par with hybrid systems such as those from Toyota or Renault. Of course, the way to reach them is very different. The Omoda 5 SHS-H mounts a complex systemwith a 1.5 turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 143 HP. It has a transmission transmission with two electric motors (one acts as a propeller and the other as a generator) that take energy from a 1.83 kWh capacity battery. The goal is for the car to run most of the time with its electric motor. That is, first of all, it is the electric motor that drives the battery and the combustion engine, which works at its optimal speed, acts as an electric generator to always keep the car powered by battery. When both systems operate at full capacity, they generate up to 165 kW (224 HP) and 295 Nm. But the brand already warns that the discharge power of its battery, which can reach 85 kW (114 HP), is only available for 10 seconds and as long as the thermal and battery charging conditions allow it. What does this translate into? The Omoda 5 SHS-H rides very smoothly and silently because, as we say, the combustion engine generally works at optimal load. In fact, its sound is only felt in the cabin when a much higher power delivery is required and, therefore, it is forced to leave that ideal rpm range. Thus, it has some advantages and disadvantages that should be clarified. This smooth rolling is more evident when we accelerate from a standstill and gain speed. Here, we do not notice the presence of the combustion engine and, much less, the “whirly” sound of a Toyota combustion engine and torque converter transmission that … Read more

Halloween is coming and the temptation is to put on some terrifying plastic contact lenses. Science has its reservations

Costumes, scares, moviespassages of terror and also the occasional party is undoubtedly something that we will see in this Halloween nightalthough among all these elements there is a protagonist that can undoubtedly become a risk to our health: colored cosmetic contact lenses. The color of the eyes. To dress up in the most faithful way to the character we want to resemble, eye color may be essential. In the case of Halloween, it may be interesting to have them red or some other color that conveys a feeling of fear, such as those of the famous ‘Valak’ or ‘The Nun‘. But it can undoubtedly be a serious problem for our health. And on many occasions we want something that is economical to be able to dress up and we can choose to buy these contact lenses in a store that is not specialized in these products such as a bazaar. All because to wear it for a while at night you are not going to invest a large amount of money in a special contact lens. But we forget that we are buying a product that will be in contact with our eyes, which are really delicate. Doubts. Ophthalmologist Damián Teillard through his TikTok account It alerts us to all the problems that can arise, such as infections, corneal abrasions, blurred vision or eye fatigue when colored contact lenses are used without adaptation, with poor hygiene or throughout the night. That is why you are committed to making the purchase at an authorized optician to try them the days before. The scientific evidence. But beyond what this ophthalmologist says, we also find a large amount of scientific literature that documents all of these problems. An exampleor we have in the magazine eye that reviews these cosmetic contact lenses and demonstrates the appearance of severe microbial keratitis associated with these products that are purchased without health control. More cases. We have another example in the TFOS report on the impact of contact lenses on the ocular surface, details that their inappropriate use (sleeping with them for example) damages the epithelium, alters the tear film and increases the risk of infection. Something quite common in a situation where many people opt for these contact lenses without having ever worn this product before, so they lack the recommendations to avoid problems when wearing them. In this way, the evidence on periocular cosmetics and ocular surface underlines that makeup and formulations around the eye They can irritate, destabilize the tears and increase discomfort if combined with contact lenses. Elevation of risk. With all this, we can see how buying contact lenses in bazaars or unauthorized websites that have poor quality produces a significant injury that can end in visual loss in the most severe cases. Among these complications we see the keratitis, conjunctivitis or corneal abrasions and ulcers that require ophthalmological treatment in many emergency cases. How to use it correctly. In order to avoid all these problems, the crucial thing is to purchase them from authorized opticians and with the advice of ophthalmological professionals. But you must also follow the basic recommendations for contact lenses, such as sleeping with them, putting them on with clean hands, not sharing them with several people, and always applying makeup after putting on the lenses and removing makeup with them to protect the ocular surface. With all this you can achieve a night of terror but without the eye ending up suffering from the misuse of contact lenses that we find in any bazaar or on the internet. Images | Grégoire Hervé-Bazin In Xataka | There is nothing that makes blue eyes blue. If we want to understand why, we have to turn to physics

opinions, first contact and photos

Come, come…and I brought electric, gasoline and hybrid versions. This is what Jaecoo could say about his arrival in Spain and, more specifically, about the Jaecoo 5the new SUV from the Chinese company. A compact option that allows the firm to open the market right where they can do the most damage. And the compact SUV market is one of the most competitive in Europe. If not the most. Jaecoo’s proposal, of course, goes directly to the heart of the European consumer’s doubts. Two cars that, each in its own way (and little trick) will sell right on the border of 20,000 euros. Jaecoo 5 technical sheet Jaecoo 5 Body type. Compact five-seat SUV. Measurements and weight. 4.38 meters long, 1.86 meters wide and 1.65 meters high. Wheelbase of 2.62 meters. 1,521 kg weight for the gasoline version. 1,785 kg weight for the electric version. Trunk. 480 liters in both versions. Maximum power. 147 HP in the gasoline version. 211 HP for the electric version. WLTP consumption. 7.0 l/100 km for the gasoline version, according to WLTP. 16.5 kWh/100 km for the electric version and 402 kilometers of autonomy, according to WLTP. Environmental distinctive. C and Zero emissions. Driving aids (ADAS). Mandatory by the European Union. The brand refers to 19 ADAS aids such as adaptive cruise control with lane change and lane maintenance assistant. Automatic lights, emergency braking with rear cross traffic alert or safe door opening warning. Others Screen for the 8.88-inch instrument panel and 13.4-inch central screen. Infotainment system compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (wireless). Head-Up Display. 50 W wireless charger. 540º camera for use off road. Heated and ventilated seats in front. Heated steering wheel. Panoramic roof. Electric hybrid. First deliveries in 2026. Plug-in Hybrid. No. electric. Yeah. Version with 211 HP, 60 kWh battery and approved range of 402 kilometers. Price and launch. Gasoline and electric versions now available. Gasoline: from 27,500 euros without discounts (the brand advances a promotional price of 19,990 euros) Electric: from 35,500 euros without discounts or aid (the brand advances a promotional price of 19,990 euros in which discounts and aid are added) In the clear Last April, my colleague Javier Lacort went to China to go to the Shanghai Motor Show. There he was already able to test the Jaecoo 5 EV, that is, the completely electric version of the Chinese compact SUV. Then he said about the car that it was “the SUV that no longer asked for permission”. Now, having upgraded to its electric and gasoline versions (the hybrids will arrive in a few months), I understand perfectly what he was referring to. “The finishes, another symptom of maturity, point in the same direction. There are no luxuries, but there is discretion“My partner said then and I think that phrase largely sums up what this car is. The company puts these versions on sale with a starting price of 27,500 euros for the gasoline version and 35,500 euros for the electric version. But its motto is different: you can have either of the two from 19,990 euros. The first with a launch campaign that has very clear ideas: sell as much as possible from the start and make the car visible, there will be time to remove the promotional discounts at the start. The second takes advantage of MOVES III Planbut that would leave the car at a maximum of 28,500 euros. That is why the company applies another discount to which Repsol also adds to put it below 20,000 euros. With that price, of course, it is almost impossible to compete. And the Chery Group is attacking with Omoda and Jaecoo to an audience that wants a car with a modern look on the inside, decent finishes and a price with which European rivals cannot (or are not directly interested) compete. Between 20,000 and 25,000 euros in a size similar to the Jaecoo 5, almost everything is Chinese proposals: DFSK, EVO, MG, DR Automobiles… And the European ones (Citroën C3, Peugeot 2008 or Dacia Duster) are not up to par in the quality of the materials used. Because, as we have said on other occasions, Chinese brands are winning over the customer at the dealership. As I will tell you later, I reaffirm myself, a Dacia Duster moves better and is very likely to consume less gasoline. But its hard plastics wherever you look and touch cannot be compared with the subtle padding spread across the doors and dashboard of this Jaecoo 5. Nor with a finish that, from the start, comes with a 13.2-inch central screen and 2K resolution, a multifunction steering wheel with a pleasant touch (and a rarely seen horizontal double radio formula), wireless CarPlay and Android Auto and heated front seats, in addition to up to 19 security systems. ADAS driving aids. For little more we add synthetic leather, ventilation for the seats, heated steering wheel, panoramic roof, electric trunk, Sony sound system with eight speakers, 50W wireless charger (with ventilation) and 540º rear view camera (you can see what is under the car), which will also reach the basic package in the hybrid versions. Tell a customer who comes from a car that is more than 10 years old and in the midst of rising market prices not to get caught up in an interior like that. More so if that car has an advertised entry price of less than 20,000 euros. And how is it going? In our case we had the opportunity to get into the electric and gasoline versions on a round trip of about 140 kilometers for each of the cars. The vast majority of this route was done on the highway and we barely touched secondary roads. It is worth pointing out this because we would have to put the vehicle’s dynamism to the test more although I did return with the feeling that, in that brief contact, I found the electric version more pleasant. and interesting… although I understand that gasoline will … Read more

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