Motorsport

2024 Ford Explorer Spied In Platinum And ST Trims Without Camouflage

Ford is currently working on the updated version of the Explorer, and it seems to be progressing without any camouflage. Our spies have managed to capture some more pictures of the SUV on the roads of Dearborn, Michigan, and in Colorado. This time, they were able to get shots of the ST and Platinum trims.

The refreshed Explorer boasts a revamped front end, featuring slimmer headlights and a rectangular-shaped grille. This is a departure from the current trapezoidal styling with sharp corners. The ST trim presents a black mesh grille, while the Platinum trim showcases a metallic finish on its lower sections.


Motorsport

Subaru BRZ, Toyota GR86 Owner Test Reveals Oil Pressure Issue During Right Turns

The Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86, introduced in 2021, grabbed attention with their larger 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, offering more power than the previous model. However, some owners have reported sporadic engine problems. To investigate further, a 2022 Subaru BRZ owner has conducted a test.

The test, featured in a video on the YouTube channel “900BRZ,” is introduced by a person named Brian, who owns a 2022 BRZ. In the video, he evaluates both his BRZ and a 2022 Toyota GR86 on a track, with four different drivers of varying skill levels. The cars were equipped with two oil pressure sensors and connected to a custom software suite that recorded real-time data of engine oil pressure during track driving.


Motorsport

Cadillac Compact EV Crossover Spotted Inside and Out

In these recently taken spy shots from Colorado, we get a closer look at the camouflaged vehicles, particularly the one next to the white Cadillac Lyriq. This is the first glimpse we’ve had of Cadillac’s small electric crossover, currently unnamed but expected to be similar in size to the XT4. While it shares a similar shape with the XT4, the electric crossover is fundamentally different beneath the surface.

Credit goes to Cadillac for effectively concealing the prototype, even without heavy covers. The lack of a large cooling system, inherent in electric powertrains, allows for a securely wrapped camouflage. However, upon closer examination, you can spot narrow trim at the top of the solid grille. Placeholder lights are positioned vertically at the sides, framing the expected grille design similar to that found on the larger Lyriq.


Motorsport

Gernot Dollner Becomes New Audi CEO, Replaces Markus Duesmann

Gernot Döllner is taking over as the Chairman of the Board of Management at Audi, replacing Markus Duesmann. The transition will occur on September 1. After leading Audi since April 2020, Duesmann will be departing the automaker.

Döllner expressed his honor and excitement about his new position, stating that Audi is an exceptional company with a rich history. He looks forward to working with the entire Audi team to shape the company’s future.

Since joining the Volkswagen Group in 1993, Döllner has steadily climbed the ranks. His journey began as a systems analyst for VW. In 1998, he moved to Porsche, where he led the Vehicle Concepts and Package department from 2001 to 2010. During this time, he also served as the project manager for developing the Porsche 918 Spyder. From 2011 to 2018, Döllner was in charge of the Panamera series before becoming the head of the Product and Concept department.

In 2021, Döllner returned to the Volkswagen brand, holding leadership positions in Group Strategy, Group Strategy Product, and the General Secretariat. He reported directly to VW Group’s then-CEO Herbert Diess.

Recently, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume criticized Audi during a presentation, acknowledging severe software problems that caused delays in launching electric products. Blume also mentioned that Audi’s products are not competitive enough in the Chinese market, with sales down by 16% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

These software issues have also led to delays in several premium EVs. For instance, Audi had to postpone the introduction of its Audi-branded EV until 2027, initially planned for 2024. Bentley faced a similar delay, pushing its version to around 2030 instead of 2025.

Despite these challenges, Audi is gearing up to launch a range of A6 E-Tron EVs in the near future, with the first model expected to debut before the end of the year. Additionally, the Q6 E-Tron is also in the pipeline.

Motorsport

2024 Ford Mustang Buyers Prefer Drift Brake and Automatic Transmissions

The delivery of the highly anticipated 2024 Ford Mustang is just around the corner. Despite being equipped with pure internal-combustion power, the seventh-generation pony car still offers a manual transmission for those who love shifting gears manually. Ford has recently updated its online Mustang configurator, providing more details and fresh photos of the car. This update also sheds light on the configuration choices made by early buyers.

The configurator was made available earlier this year, allowing customers to customize their 2024 Mustang. It was revealed that the top-tier configuration of the 2024 Mustang could cost up to $80,000. Now, with better descriptions and visuals of the available options, Ford has shared the percentages of equipment and features chosen by customers from January to June.

50 Percent Drift

One popular feature, especially among those who choose the four-cylinder EcoBoost models, is the new electronic drift brake. This feature is included with the High Performance Package, which has a 50 percent take rate. It’s important to note that the only transmission option for the 2024 Mustang EcoBoost is the 10-speed automatic. The manual transmission has been discontinued due to its low popularity, with only a 10 percent take rate in previous models.

27 Percent Shift

While the six-speed manual is still available for V8 Mustangs, its popularity has decreased in the seventh-generation model. Currently, 27 percent of early GT and Dark Horse orders opt for the manual transmission, while the remaining 73 percent choose the automatic transmission. Previous reports indicated that the manual transmission had a take rate of over 40 percent for the GT, but it seems the preference is shifting towards automatic transmissions in the new model.

Packages And Paint

Delving deeper into the statistics, Ford reveals that the Performance and Nite Pony packages are popular choices among 2024 Mustang buyers. The Performance package, which costs $4,995, has a 22 percent take rate among GT buyers. It adds several performance-enhancing features such as Brembo brakes, a Torsen differential, and various chassis and electronic system upgrades. On the other hand, the $1,195 Nite Pony package, which adds black exterior trims, is preferred by 26 percent of buyers.

As for color preferences, Shadow Black is the top choice for GT and EcoBoost models, with a take rate of 17 percent. Oxford White follows with 13 percent, while Rapid Red stands at 11 percent. The high-output Mustang Dark Horse sees Blue Ember as the most popular color, chosen by 39 percent of buyers. Vapor Blue and Shadow Black come in at 18 percent and 16 percent, respectively.

Motorsport

Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster Pickup Teased Before July 13 Debut

Ineos has released a teaser for their upcoming Grenadier Quartermaster pickup, which will be revealed on July 13 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The truck will also participate in the hill climb event at the festival.

The teaser image showcases the back of the truck, featuring circular taillights similar to those seen on the Grenadier SUV. The tailgate proudly displays the “Grenadier” wordmark.


Motorsport

UPS Drivers to Finally Have Air Conditioning in Delivery Trucks

United Parcel Service (UPS), one of the world’s largest shipping companies, has announced that it will provide air conditioning in its delivery trucks. This decision comes after discussions with team leaders to address the needs of workers on the road.

However, not all UPS delivery trucks will have air conditioning. The agreement with the Teamsters, the labor union representing UPS employees, states that all newly purchased small package delivery vehicles in the United States will come with air conditioning starting from January 1st of next year. These new vehicles will be allocated to the hottest regions of the country where it is feasible.

For the remaining vehicles without air conditioning, UPS plans to install cabin fans within 30 days of contract ratification, and an additional fan by June 1st of next year. In addition, the company will also install exhaust heat shields to minimize heat conduction from the engine into the floor of the vehicle, which is expected to lower the cabin temperature by up to 17 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another measure agreed upon by UPS and the Teamsters is the addition of a forced-air induction system to bring fresh air from the front of the vehicle into the cargo area. This feature will be included in the production of new delivery vehicles and retrofitted to existing vehicles within 18 months of contract ratification.

UPS expressed their commitment to employee safety and comfort, stating, “We have always remained open to solutions that keep our employees safe on hot days…the new solutions we’ve agreed to will improve airflow, temperature, and comfort for our employees.”

Motorsport

Ford Recalls Almost 15,000 Fusions Due to Fire Risk

In a surprising move, Ford decided to discontinue the production of the Ford Fusion sedan in the United States in July 2020. However, there are still a significant number of Fusions on the road, and Ford has recently announced a new recall for the model.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) has released details about campaign number 23V440000, which affects 14,452 Ford Fusion vehicles. Specifically, the recall includes the Fusion Energy models from the 2019 and 2020 model years. These vehicles were manufactured between December 6, 2017, and July 27, 2020, and are equipped with 30 Ah high-voltage batteries. The Fusion Energi is the plug-in hybrid version of the sedan that was introduced in the 2012 North American Auto Show in Detroit.

The NHTSA explains that the affected vehicles have a battery energy control module that may be damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow. This damage could lead to a loss of power or even a fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. The exact cause of the current interrupt device (CID) activation is currently unknown and is being investigated by Ford.

Currently, there is no fix available for this issue. Ford is working on a remedy and is advising owners of the affected vehicles not to charge their cars. Letters informing owners of the safety risk will be sent on July 10, and additional letters with details about the fix will be sent at a later date.

This is not the first recall for the Ford Fusion this year. In March, Ford announced a recall for 1,167,825 units of the sedan from the 2013 through 2018 model years. The recall was related to the front brake jounce hoses, and the solution involved replacing both front jounce hoses and inspecting the brakes. Only non-hybrid vehicles were affected by this particular recall.

Motorsport

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Le Mans Centenary Edition: A Retro-Inspired Tribute

Porsche France recently teased a new variant of the 911 on social media, leading some to believe it might be the highly anticipated heritage-inspired ST model. However, the actual release is the 911 Carrera GTS Le Mans Centenary Edition, which pays homage to past Porsche models by incorporating design elements from the 356 SL and 911 GT1. This special edition celebrates 100 years of endurance racing since the inaugural event held on May 26-27, 1923.

Exclusive to France, the retro-styled 911 Carrera GTS will only have 72 units available for purchase. This number signifies the 72 years of Porsche’s continuous presence at the renowned 24-hour endurance race. Buyers can choose between a seven-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed PDK transmission, and each car comes equipped with an extensive list of standard features. The price for this exclusive model is €237,819, which is approximately $259,600 based on current exchange rates.


Motorsport

Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale And Spider Debut Making 1,016 HP

Ferrari has introduced the SF90 XX Stradale and SF90 XX Spider, two high-performance models that can be driven on public roads. Unlike Ferrari’s previous XX models, which were exclusively for the track, these new models are designed for both on-road and track use. However, they will be produced in limited quantities, with only 799 hardtops and 599 droptops being made.

Mechanical Upgrades

Both the SF90 XX Stradale and SF90 XX Spider are equipped with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine which is supplemented by three electric motors. Two of the electric motors are placed on the front axle, while the third is located between the engine and the transmission. This powertrain configuration allows for a total output of 1,016 horsepower, an increase from the standard SF90 Stradale’s 986 horsepower.


Exit mobile version