Category Archives: Cars

Cars

Top 10 Military Light Utility Vehicles in 2023

The original Austrian Pinzgauer served for almost four decades as a highly regarded Light Utility Vehicle (LUV). However, due to declining sales, it was discontinued in 2008. In search of a worthy replacement, the Pinzgauer II was introduced. This new generation vehicle offers enhanced features such as a larger size, increased capacity, better mobility, higher payload, and improved overall performance.

A notable improvement in the Pinzgauer II is its six-wheel, 6×6 configuration, compared to the original’s four-wheel design. This enables it to carry heavier loads effortlessly, thanks to an impressive engine power increase from 87 to 194 horsepower. With a cargo capacity of 3.8 tons, the Pinzgauer II can accommodate 14 troops along with their equipment and is capable of towing trailers or artillery if required. Its elevated cab design allows it to ford waters up to a depth of 1.5 meters, and it boasts a range of 1,000 kilometers. Furthermore, the range can be doubled with an additional fuel tank, making it one of the most versatile LUVs on this list.

Despite its larger size, the Pinzgauer II can still be transported using Hercules aircraft or Chinook directly to combat zones. It serves various roles in these zones, including ambulance services, reconnaissance missions, tactical operations, and communications tasks. While it can be configured with heavy armor, the primary focus of the Pinzgauer II is utility rather than carrying defensive armaments. Nonetheless, it performs exceptionally well in terms of performance, practicality, and aesthetic appeal.

[Featured image by New Zealand Defence Force from Wellington, New Zealand via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY 2.0]

Cars

Bizarre Driving Laws You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

In Nevada, a state known for its vast desert landscapes, there is an unusual law related to camels. Many years ago, in 1856, the United States Military decided to use camels as pack animals for a short period of time in Nevada’s deserts instead of horses or donkeys. Unfortunately, this experiment did not succeed and the camels were either released or sold. However, a problem arose because these camels scared local horses, causing accidents on highways.

As a result, it is now illegal in the entire state of Nevada to take a camel on a public highway. It’s worth noting that horses are no longer commonly found on highways either, but this law remains in effect. Surprisingly, it is perfectly legal to drive a camel through the streets of Nevada cities, although the reason for wanting to do so is unclear.

Cars

9 Awesome Toyotas Everyone Forgets About

One of the most interesting and impressive Toyotas that often goes unnoticed is the Mega Cruiser. It can be considered as the Japanese version of the Hummer. Initially designed for military purposes, the Mega Cruiser quickly gained popularity among civilians. Measuring over 16 feet long and 7 feet wide, this truck had enough space for six people and could carry up to 1,650 pounds of cargo. Due to its impressive capabilities, it was commonly used as a remote rescue vehicle. Emergency services also developed several units for their operations. However, many buyers were drawn to the Mega Cruiser simply because it was the largest and most capable off-road truck ever produced by a Japanese manufacturer.

Although the Mega Cruiser was officially sold only in Japan, it can now be found in various international markets where all-terrain trucks are highly sought after. Russia, Australia, and the United States are among the most common countries where these trucks are exported. However, owning one does not come cheap. When it was first launched in 1995, the Mega Cruiser had a price tag equivalent to $233,000 in today’s money. Even today, when they occasionally appear for sale, they can still command a similar price. Production of this SUV continued until 2001, and a total of just over 100 civilian Mega Cruisers were manufactured during that time.

Cars, News

Tesla Started It, But This Common Car Feature Is Infuriating Owners

Owners of Tesla cars aren’t just frustrated with the confusing design of the door handles, but also with malfunctions caused by unforeseen design flaws, such as failure to function properly in cold weather. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that these issues are not unique to modern door handles. As car designs become more technologically advanced, other problems are arising.

According to Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, the automotive industry is experiencing a wide range of quality problems, something that has not been seen in the 37-year history of the Initial Quality Study (IQS). While new vehicles offer exciting and innovative technology, they often fail to fully satisfy their owners. The introduction of new or unfamiliar technology in cars results in more problems as it is implemented on the road. Furthermore, vehicles now face issues that were not present in previous decades, such as software bugs.

The latest U.S. Initial Quality Study conducted by J.D. Power reveals that the most significant increase in reported problems is linked to features, controls, and displays, with infotainment systems having the second-highest number of issues. Other frustrations mentioned by drivers include audio systems, car horns, and inadequate cupholders. Door handles also rank high on the list of complaints. It is worth noting that seven out of the top 10 models with the most problems related to door handles are electric vehicles, suggesting that it is not just Tesla’s door handles that are causing frustration among electric vehicle manufacturers. While electric motors may represent the future of automobiles, many drivers would prefer door handle designs to remain rooted in the 20th century.

Cars, News

Washington May Require Tesla’s EV Charger

Tesla’s NACS charger has gained recognition for its superior charging capabilities compared to the CCS connector. This is not just Tesla boasting about its product, but rather a genuine advantage. One commendable feature of Tesla’s charging network is its extensive coverage and seamless integration with its vehicles. In contrast, other charging stations can be troublesome and cumbersome to use. Tesla has even made the design specifications for NACS chargers available for free, encouraging wider adoption of this efficient technology.

The current state of charging infrastructure is inconsistent and inconvenient for EV owners who simply want a quick charge. Implementing a standardized requirement at the state level could greatly improve the situation and transform the public charging landscape from its current chaotic state.

Cars, News

Hacker Claims Tesla Full Self-Driving Has Secret ‘Elon Mode’

According to a hacker named GreenTheOnly, there may be a secret setting in Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system called ‘Elon Mode.’ While this hasn’t been officially confirmed, GreenTheOnly’s observations suggest that the alleged mode has some promising features. They note the absence of frequent reminders while driving for 600 miles in busy traffic and mention progress in detecting debris. However, they also point out that the alleged mode is still a work in progress, experiencing unexpected lane changes and a relatively slow driving speed as issues.

Considering the current state of development, it’s likely that even if Elon Mode is being worked on, it will take some time before it becomes available to FSD drivers, if it ever does. Nonetheless, it’s encouraging to see Tesla addressing the nagging problem that users have complained about as a distraction from the road. However, the concern of random and unprompted lane switches, which poses serious risks for drivers using an already controversial system, is still being addressed. It remains to be seen if Elon Mode will be confirmed and released, but it would be wise to keep it as an internal codename.

Cars, News

The Honda Prologue May Use GM’s EV Tech, But Its Dashboard Decisions Are Very Different

The upcoming 2024 Honda Prologue will come equipped with Google features, including Google Maps. This is separate from Android Auto, which also offers Google Maps. One of the standout features highlighted by Honda is that Google Maps can optimize long-distance routes based on EV recharging, finding charging stations along the way, and selecting the fastest route to them. Honda also mentioned that Google Maps will estimate the charging time needed to reach the destination and can initiate preconditioning of the EV battery when the destination is a DC fast charging station. This can significantly reduce fast charge times and allow drivers to travel long distances with minimal delays.

Cars

The Best Home EV Chargers Ranked Worst To Best

The Blink HQ 150 is a compact and affordable home EV charger option. It comes with a 25-foot cable and has a small overall footprint. Priced at $299, it is one of the cheapest EV chargers available on the market. However, due to its lower price, it offers a slower charging speed compared to other options. While this may not be a concern for some, having faster charging capabilities can be beneficial in certain situations.

One of the advantages of the Blink HQ 150 is its compatibility with all EV models currently on the road. This makes it a cost-effective choice for any EV owner, regardless of the brand of their vehicle. The charger operates at a standard 240-volt level and can be installed in a similar manner to other devices. Once activated, users can expect a peak output of 32 amps. This makes the Blink HQ 150 a reliable and straightforward charger, but it falls behind in terms of speed when compared to competing options.

The Blink unit also comes with a NEMA Type 3R enclosure, allowing it to be used both indoors and outdoors. However, its outdoor rating is not as strong as some other chargers, so it is recommended to mount it in a protected area if used outside of a garage. This may be a limitation for some EV owners who do not have access to a suitable location for mounting. Overall, the Blink HQ 150 offers a compact design and an affordable price, but it does not perform as well as the top-ranked chargers in the market.

Cars

Is The 4th Gen Toyota Hilux Really That Good? Or Is It Just Overhyped?

The 4th generation Toyota Hilux is often praised for its reliability and performance. One of its notable features is the 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine, known as the 22R. This engine, similar to Chrysler’s vintage and contemporary Hemi V8 engines, uses swirl-inducing hemispherical combustion chambers. However, the power output of the fuel-injected non-turbocharged variants was only 116 horsepower, making it more known for its durability rather than its horsepower. Many 22R engines have reached distances of over 200,000 miles.

Despite the fact that the 4th gen Hilux was only sold in the U.S. for five years, it made a significant impact. Over 1.5 million Toyota Pickups were sold in the North American market in just five years, making the truck a common sight on the roads for decades.

While the 4th gen Hilux is often seen as a utilitarian used pickup truck, it is gradually gaining collector car status. Generation X members, who have nostalgic memories of the truck from their youth, are particularly interested. According to the valuation website classic.com, the average selling price for a 4th gen Hilux in the past year has been $22,958. This is quite impressive considering the truck likely sold for less than $10,000 when it was new.

Cars

This Kia Cabin Feature Is Ingenious and Other Automakers Should Imitate

Kia has developed a clever approach for its USB ports, positioning them just behind the side bolsters of the front seats. This strategy offers several advantages. Firstly, it eliminates the need to search low down for the USB ports, which can be particularly challenging if someone is sitting in the middle seat of the second row. It also eliminates the hassle of navigating a cable between knees when connecting devices.

If there are no passengers in the back of the car, the USB ports in the seats become even more easily accessible for those in the front. There is no need to climb halfway into the rear or search blindly for a USB port. For example, in the Niro Hybrid, the front seat occupants can effortlessly access a total of five USB ports, with a mix of USB-A and USB-C options. This ample connectivity should be sufficient to keep most devices charged.

While it’s not a definitive reason to purchase a Kia, the automotive industry is highly competitive. Paying attention to small details like this can significantly enhance the overall experience of owning a vehicle. These thoughtful features are worth celebrating, especially if they contribute to a more enjoyable journey without the age-old question of “are we there yet?”