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Opinion

Why the return of Caterham’s Drift Experience is an effective factor

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After a four-year absence, Caterham has revived its Drift Experience. The clue is within the identify to what occurs: it’s a day spent studying to float, in a Caterham.

While it’s rear-wheel drive, a Seven isn’t probably the most pure automobile on the planet through which to float. These are mild automobiles with quick wheelbases and unassisted steering: nice at scribing strains on a race circuit however not simply held sideways like an overpowered lengthy saloon automobile that has oodles of steering lock and a closely assisted rack.

So Caterham does its Sevens a favour. It takes the 360Rs it makes use of for different observe experiences, jacks up the rear suspension, places exhausting again tyres on its biggest-diameter wheels and over-inflates them. Voila: a automobile that may simply be despatched sideways and, with a little bit of observe, will keep there.

It occurs in huge empty areas at comparatively low speeds, at both Brands Hatch or Donington Park, however on broad open steering pads with cone programs laid out to steer round, reasonably than on the circuits. It’s all high-rev however low-speed stuff, so it’s appropriate for these with no observe expertise, or a great deal of it.

The automobiles are wider SV fashions so have extra footwell and leg area than narrow-bodied automobiles. And larger radiators as a result of a lot throttle use is concerned.

Back within the day, Autocar used to co-promote today. We would ship staffers alongside to satisfy our readers and have an excellent time squealing round (or into) cones in an enormous empty automobile park.

It has been years since I did one and I used to be initially out of shape, significantly since a few the check tracks we beforehand used for images and video are unavailable to us. But it comes again, and for me it’s a helpful talent. I’ve vowed to discover a option to sustain my observe.

Now, I may let you know that the day may be very helpful for studying automobile management, and that that is very worthwhile in emergency conditions on the highway, the place the Highway Code will let you know to steer into the skid, however which means nothing except you’ve skilled it earlier.

But except you drive a Seven or equal, you’ve most likely bought stability management anyway, so think about it extra about hooning and having a riot behind the wheel in secure situations.

At £359 they’re not low cost days, however I got here away drained from the quantity of driving, you’re inspired to make use of and abuse the automobiles, and the hospitality is nice. Caterham is organising 11 days this yr and all however three are offered out.

News

Winter testing: Pushing a Volvo EX30 to the restrict in Swedish Lapland

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Watching Niclas Lindberg, an ice-driving specialist, fluently testing adhesion in a Volvo EX30 is sufficient to mesmerise even a sophisticated motorist, not to mention this humble author on his first journey to Lulea, about 750 miles north of Gothenburg in Swedish Lapland.

This is the place Volvo has been testing, near the Arctic Circle, because the Nineteen Sixties. Right now, they’re evaluating the EX30 and rebadged EX40 (née XC40 Recharge).

Both vehicles have been topic to untold mileage (the precise quantity is difficult to compute, as a result of testing takes place over a number of years, with many autos concerned) throughout numerous maturity ranges, from early prototypes to remaining manufacturing vehicles.

Drivers, with numerous ranges of expertise, take a look at the vehicles in ambient temperatures of between -40deg C and +60deg C. Systems and parts should assure hundreds of various capabilities with very particular necessities.

Volvo’s senior security technical chief, Mikael Ljung Aust, has a background in cognitive science and is a driver behaviour knowledgeable. His analysis appears on the contributing components to crashes, and finally he tries to mitigate them.

He says: “Winter testing is easy sufficient. It checks how a automotive behaves, in a really strong method. It checks how a automotive behaves in extremes and, importantly, the way it interacts with drivers.

“Ultimately, from a security testing perspective, there are plenty of questions that want answering. What if it’s a wet day and there’s ice on the highway? How do the digital programs behave within the chilly? What concerning the exterior sensors? What concerning the inside ones? How does the battery final within the chilly?

“And sure, we could try and do it in some kind of hermetically sealed test environment. But nature is free!”

Volvo’s consideration to element means travelling removed from dwelling to know and handle a difficulty. Ljung Aust continues: “We’ve gone as far as sending engineers to America to test an edge case for our autonomous software systems. There was this bridge that set off the autonomous emergency braking – not just for Volvo – and we figured out the sensors were confusing the layout of the bridge with the rear of a truck. Using real-world data and learning from it, you see.” 

Smartphones

Need To Make A T-Mobile Device Protection Claim With Assurant? Here’s How You Do It

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Just such as you attempt to get all the data potential earlier than upgrading your device with T-Mobile, it is best to do the identical earlier than submitting a declare. As you’d count on, T-Mobile and Assurant require fairly a bit of data to course of your declare. You have to be the first account holder or a licensed person to file your declare. Before submitting your declare, you will want to assemble the next: your smartphone quantity, the make and mannequin of your machine, the date it was broken, and the final time you used it. 

Follow these steps to find out if you final used your cellphone:

  1. Go to T-Mobile.com and log into your account.
  2. Select Usage from the menu on the high of the display.
  3. Choose the kind of utilization you wish to view: knowledge, messages, calls, cell hotspots, or knowledge go.
  4. Select Download all data.
  5. Save the file to your pc.

You may want a government-issued ID and proof of possession to make your declare. If your machine was stolen, you will want the police report quantity. You also needs to report misplaced or stolen units to T-Mobile by their web site to dam your IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and cease unauthorized utilization. If your cellphone is not working attributable to an issue with supplies or workmanship, it is best to contact T-Mobile directly for assist. If you could have an Apple machine, you will get service by AppleCare.

Cars

10 Of The Most Reliable JDM Engines Ever Built

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You have most likely heard about Toyota’s JDM-only Rolls-Royce killer, the Century sedan. A automobile that sits above Lexus in Toyota’s pecking order, the Century is a meticulously designed machine targeted on final quietness, consolation, and refinement. An integral a part of that have, no less than within the second-gen mannequin, was the state-of-the-art 1GZ-FE — the one Japanese V12 engine ever made.

Effortless and creamy, the Century V12 is likely one of the smoothest engines in existence. Toyota additionally created a really dependable and sturdy machine, yielding essentially the most polished engine potential. For occasion, Toyota’s engineers used the corporate’s VVTi system, iridium electrode spark plugs, and slant-squish combustion chambers to stabilize every cylinder’s combustion.

Moreover, they made each half extra inflexible and manufactured it to very tight tolerances, all within the identify of most refinement. This, inadvertently, additionally made the engine extra strong and sturdy. Notably, the 1GZ-FE incorporates a cast metal crankshaft and valve shims coated with titanium, that are elements often put in in racing engines – not an underpowered luxurious V12. At 5.0-liter capability, the 1GZ-FE produces solely 276 horsepower (as a result of JDM automakers gents’s settlement), so no inside half is confused close to its restrict. Heck, Toyota even put in two ECUs for every cylinder financial institution, so if one fails, the engine will proceed to run on six cylinders.

Due to its overengineered nature and using unique elements, the common lifespan of the 1GZ-FE engine is sort of 300,000 miles. It’s additionally turning into more and more standard in tuning circles since Smokey Nagata put this V12 in a 1,000-horsepower Toyota Supra.

[Featured image by Ypy31 via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC0 1.0]

Desktops, Laptops

What Is A CPU? Everything You Need To Know About Central Processing Units

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In the daybreak of computer systems, processors solely had a single processing core, constructed to carry out one job at a time. However, as expertise superior, so too did the duties people demanded from computer systems. This meant the variety of cores wanted to extend. Computers with a number of cores can carry out varied duties concurrently and get them performed quicker. Now, you’d be hard-pressed to discover a processor with fewer than two cores. CPUs coming from Intel and AMD lately even have as much as 32 cores.

Processors at present additionally carry out multithreading, which suggests every core throughout the processor splits itself into a number of digital cores known as threads. A dual-core CPU usually has 4 threads, a quad-core normally has eight, and a 32-core processor usually has 64 threads. Then there’s the processor’s clock velocity, which is simply as important for efficiency because the cores and threads.

A CPU’s clock velocity determines how briskly every core handles the workload. Its velocity is measured in gigahertz (GHz), which denote what number of cycles — or steps a pc takes to finish a requirement — are tackled in a second. So, for instance, a processor with a clock velocity of 3GHz completes 3 billion cycles per second. It’s price noting that this does not imply {that a} 3.2GHz processor from 2015 is essentially higher than a 2GHz CPU from 2024. That’s as a result of engineers design the structure of newer processors to be extra environment friendly. As a outcome, it is higher to match fashions from the identical era when buying round for a CPU.

Cars

These Are The Most Powerful New Sports Sedans Built By Every Major Brand

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The i7 is BMW’s first purely electrical 7 Series sedan. This luxurious sedan has a beginning worth of $105,700 and three trims: eDrive50, xDrive60, and M70. While the bottom model makes use of a single motor to energy the rear wheels, the xDrive60 and M70 trims have a twin motor setup, giving them all-wheel drive. The very fast BMW i7 M70 is essentially the most highly effective variant, boasting 650 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to dart from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and attain a 155 mph restricted prime pace, making it the quickest BMW EV total.

As customary, BMW matches the i7 M70 with adaptive air suspension with automated self-leveling and electronically managed dampers. The suspension works with the M-tuned chassis to supply elevated consolation and higher dealing with dynamics. Additional efficiency enhancements embody the blue M-Sport brakes with giant brake discs for higher braking efficiency, energetic roll stabilization, and energetic steering.

The i7 M70 sports activities a number of M-specific design cues, together with M exterior mirrors, logos on the entrance facet panels, sculpted M facet skirts, and M High-gloss Shadowline trim. BMW’s optionally available M Performance Professional Package provides a black accent strip between the tail lamps, an illuminated grille, and a black M rear spoiler.

Cars

10 Classic Sports Cars That Are Suspiciously Cheap

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The Porsche 968 Cabriolet is a uncommon, traditional Porsche convertible, but it is usually missed by collectors. As a outcome, it is one of many least expensive traditional Porsches to purchase. One rationalization for this low value might be the automotive’s VW roots — it is derived from a mission that VW deserted and Porsche later took over. Its front-mounted four-cylinder engine can be not the purists’ selection, with most Porschephiles preferring the 911’s iconic rear-engine design.

Perhaps the most important subject for the 968 Cabriolet, nevertheless, is that it isn’t fairly probably the most of something. Buyers attempting to find most Porsche status will always go for a 911, whereas these in search of the most affordable, greatest value-for-money sports activities automotive will probably go for a Boxster. The 968 Cabriolet is not sufficiently old to be antiquated, however different low cost Porsches supply extra trendy design and energy.

The Cabriolet can be the much less sensible variant of the automotive for anybody wanting to make use of it as a every day driver or weekend street journey car. The coupe 968 includes a extra spacious trunk than many classics of its sort, alongside usable rear seats. As a outcome, it instructions a premium within the used market, leaving the Cabriolet as a compromise compared. It’s cheaper, however much less sensible. It’s not a 911, but the Boxster could be had for even much less.

[Featured image by Mr.choppers via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 3.0]

Featured

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Kia Sonet: Specifications Compared

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Both XUV 3XO and Sonet are feature-packed sub-4m SUVs, however the up to date Mahindra contender has just a few benefits just like the segment-first panoramic sunroof

The much-awaited XUV300 subcompact SUV facelift from Mahindra was lately launched within the type of the XUV 3XO. Apart from design modifications inside and outside, the Mahindra XUV 3XO has additionally develop into extra feature-rich and safer than the mannequin it replaces. One of its key rivals within the section is the Kia Sonet, so let’s see how the 3XO stacks up towards it by way of specs and options on paper.

Dimensions

Model

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Length

3990 mm

3995 mm

Width

1821 mm

1790 mm

Height

1647 mm

1642 mm

Wheelbase

2600 mm

2500 mm

Boot Space

364 litres

385 litres

  • The XUV 3XO has a 100 mm longer wheelbase than the Sonet which ought to translate to elevated cabin area as properly. 

  • However, the Sonet affords 21 litres of additional boot area in comparison with the XUV 3XO.

Also Check Out: EXCLUSIVE: Mahindra XUV700 Gets A New Blaze Edition, Priced From Rs 24.24 Lakh

Powertrains

Model

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Engine

1.2-litre turbo-petrol

1.2-litre T-GDi (turbo-petrol)

1.5-litre diesel

1.2-litre N.A. petrol

1-litre turbo-petrol

1.5-litre diesel

Power

112 PS

130 PS

117 PS

83 PS

120 PS

116 PS

Torque

200 Nm

Up to 230 Nm

300 Nm

115 Nm

172 Nm

250 Nm

Transmission

6-speed MT, 6-speed AT

6-speed MT, 6-speed AT

6-speed MT, 6-speed AMT

5-speed MT

6-speed iMT, 7-speed DCT

6-speed MT, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed AT

  • The XUV 3XO affords a selection of two 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engines, whereas the Sonet supplies the choice of a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated (N.A.) petrol engine and a 1-litre turbo-petrol engine.

  • In each comparable parameter, the Mahindra 3XO packs extra energy and torque than the Sonet.

  • The XUV 3XO’s T-GDi (direct injection) turbo-petrol engine is probably the most highly effective selection on this comparability, producing 10 PS extra energy and as much as 58 Nm extra torque than the Sonet’s turbo-petrol engine.

  • The Sonet nonetheless affords a wider vary of transmission choices, together with the 6-speed iMT (guide transmission with out clutch pedal) and a 7-speed DCT (twin clutch automated transmission) with the 1-litre turbo-petrol and diesel engines.

  • While the XUV 3XO has the selection of two automated choices relying on the engine – a brand new 6-speed torque converter (AT) for the petrol engines however nonetheless a 6-speed AMT for the diesel. Meanwhile, the Sonet affords a 7-speed dual-clutch auto for the turbo-petrol (DCT) and a 6-speed AT for the diesel.

Features Highlights

Features

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Exterior

  • Bi-LED automated projector headlights

  • LED DRLs with flip indicators

  • LED fog lamps

  • 17-inch alloy wheels

  • Connected LED tail lights

  • Panoramic sunroof

Interior

  • Dual-tone black & white dashboard

  • Leatherette seat upholstery

  • 60:40 break up folding rear seats

  • Front centre armrest with storage

  • Rear centre armrest with cupholders

  • Height adjustable headrests for all seats

  • All-black inside with white inserts

  • Leatherette wrapped steering upholstery

  • Alloy pedals

  • Front centre armrest

  • Rear centre armrest with cupholders

  • Height adjustable headrests for entrance and rear passengers

Comfort & Convenience

  • Dual-zone AC

  • Rear AC vents

  • Cooled glovebox

  • Wireless telephone charger

  • Height adjustable driver’s seat

  • Rear wiper and washer

  • Rear defogger

  • Push button engine begin/cease

  • Power folding and adjustable ORVMs

  • Auto-dimming IRVM

  • Cruise management

  • Drive modes (petrol-AT solely)

  • Automatic AC

  • Rear AC vents

  • Ventilated entrance seats

  • Air air purifier

  • Wireless telephone charging

  • 4-way powered driver’s seat

  • Rear door sunshade

  • One-touch auto up/down driver window

  • Push button Start/Stop

  • Power folding and adjustable ORVMs

  • Multiple drive modes (automated)

  • Paddle shifters (automated)

  • Cruise management

  • Rear wiper and washer

  • Rear defogger

  • Auto-dimming IRVM

Infotainment

  • 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system

  • 10.25-inch digital driver’s show

  • 7-speaker Harman Kardon sound system

  • Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

  • 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system

  • 10.25-inch digital driver’s show

  • 7-speaker Bose sound system

  • Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Safety

  • 6 airbags

  • Electronic stability management (ESC)

  • 360-degree digicam with blind view monitor

  • All wheel disc brakes

  • ABS with EBD

  • Front and rear parking sensors

  • Tyre stress monitoring system (TPMS)

  • Electronic parking brake with auto maintain

  • ISOFIX youngster seat anchors

  • Level 2 ADAS (adaptive cruise management, visitors signal recognition, lane preserve help, autonomous emergency braking)

  • 6 airbags

  • Electronic stability management (ESC)

  • 360-degree digicam

  • ABS with EBD

  • Front and rear parking sensors

  • Tyre stress monitoring system (TPMS)

  • All wheel disc brakes

  • ISOFIX youngster seat anchors

  • Level 1 ADAS (lane preserve help, ahead collision warning and avoidance help, and excessive beam help)

  • Both XUV 3XO and Sonet include a complete listing of options, together with twin 10.25-inch screens, 7-speaker premium audio programs, wi-fi telephone charging, 360-degree digicam, and 6 airbags.

  • However, the XUV 3XO has an edge over the Sonet because it additionally will get dual-zone AC and section first panoramic sunroof. The XUV 3XO’s infotainment system may even help wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay but it surely will not be obtainable immediately for early consumers who can anticipate it later through an OTA replace.

  • But the Kia Sonet has its personal premium consolation benefits over the 3XO such because the ventilated and powered entrance seats,  in addition to a built-in air air purifier.

  • Both SUVs additionally include superior driver help programs (ADAS). However, the XUV 3XO options stage 2 ADAS, which incorporates visitors signal recognition and adaptive cruise management.

  • On the opposite hand, the Sonet options stage 1 ADAS and contains lane preserve help, autonomous emergency braking, and ahead collision warning. However, it doesn’t embrace adaptive cruise management.

Price

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Rs 7.49 lakh to Rs 15.49 lakh (introductory)

Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 15.69 lakh

All costs are ex-showroom

At these introductory costs the Mahindra 3XO is extra reasonably priced than the Kia Sonet in each entry-level and top-variant types. 

Also Check Out: Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Key Rivals: Price Talk

Final Takeaway

The Mahindra XUV 3XO and Kia Sonet present robust competitors to one another by way of specs and options. The XUV 3XO holds a number of benefits over the Sonet, reminiscent of dual-zone AC, stage 2 ADAS, section’s first panoramic sunroof, and a extra highly effective direct injection turbo-petrol engine. On the opposite hand, Kia’s subcompact SUV additionally affords ventilated entrance seats and the choice of a superior automated torque converter transmission with its diesel engine and a sportier DCT for the turbo-petrol unit.

With the same pricing as properly, choosing between the 2 turns into a matter of choice. If cabin area, efficiency and segment-leading options are your precedence, the XUV 3XO is extra for you. However, if you happen to want the ventilated seats greater than the multi-zone local weather management and like a smoother automated transmission, particularly with the diesel engine, then the Sonet is the higher decide.

Read More on : XUV 3XO on road price

Featured

2024 Porsche Panamera Showcased In India For The First Time

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It is priced at Rs 1.69 crore, which got here out final yr, and comes with a V6 twin-turbo petrol engine

The third-generation Porsche Panamera has lastly landed on Indian shores 5 months after it was launched within the nation. Priced at Rs 1.69 crore (ex-showroom), the 2024 Panamera comes with an up to date design, a sporty and have packed cabin, and a V6 powertrain. Here is the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know concerning the 4-door efficiency saloon.

Exterior

Compared to the earlier technology, the 2024 Panamera will get refined design adjustments. The entrance now will get a redesigned bumper with bigger air dams, and it comes with new headlights which have been derived from the Taycan. 

On the aspect, it comes with new alloy wheels, and also you additionally get the choice of a number of new wheel designs (a few of which price over Rs 5 lakh). The rear has been redesigned as properly which now comes with slim related LED tail lights.

Interior

The cabin of the brand new Panamera is very like every other Porsche automobile, just like the Taycan or the Cayenne. The dashboard format within the Panamera is sort of an identical to those within the aforementioned vehicles, and it is available in an all-black shade. 

However, you’ll be able to customise this cabin as you want by going for various colored upholstery, particular distinction stitching, shading of door handles, and by selecting from a number of themes for the dashboard accents. 

The most noticeable factor inside this cabin is the display screen setup. It has three screens: a driver’s show, an infotainment system, and a show for the entrance passenger. While most issues may be managed with these screens, Porsche nonetheless provides bodily controls for the AC.

Features & Safety

Porsche means that you can select what options you need in your Panamera, however the fundamental record has a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, four-zone local weather management, wi-fi cellphone charger, 14-speaker Bose sound system, and ambient lighting. Features like panoramic sunroof, seat air flow and heading, entrance passenger show, and therapeutic massage operate may be added for a further price.

In phrases of security, it will get a number of airbags, digital stability program (ESP), distant parking help, a 360-degree digital camera, and ADAS options like adaptive cruise management and lane preserve help.

Powertrain

The India-spec 2024 Panamera comes with just one engine choice, which is a 2.9-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol unit. This engine is paired solely to an 8-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission, and makes 353 PS and 500 Nm in a rear-wheel-drive system.

With this engine, the Porsche Panamera will get a top-speed of 272 kmph and has a 0-100kmph time of 5.1 seconds. Globally, the Panamera additionally will get a 4-litre V8 engine choice, which makes 680 PS, and may do the 0-100kmph dash in simply 3.2 seconds.

Price & Rivals

The third-generation Porsche Panamera is priced in India at Rs 1.69 crore (ex-showroom) however customisation can take this value a lot larger. In the Indian market, it’s a sportier different to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8 L.

Read More on : Panamera Automatic

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