The “White Knight” motorcycle, created by Jonny Weisman, the owner of The Ride Shop AZ, is a combination of a 2023 GAS GAS chassis and an early 2000s 380cc two-stroke engine. This project is a counterpart to the “Dark Knight” Project Weisman built a few years ago, which featured a KX500 engine in a newer generation KTM chassis. Jonny Weisman has previously worked as Destry Abbott’s mechanic in the off-road department at factory Kawasaki. In this video, we explore the details of the build, its performance on the track, and provide you with the opportunity to listen to the powerful sound of this 380cc two-stroke engine at Glen Helen Raceway in Southern California.
I recently experienced a broken chain when I was far away from my truck. Do you have any advice for this situation? It was a terrible experience because I didn’t have any tools to fix it, and no one in my group had a tow strap. My friend used his leg to push me, but there was a lot of sand. Now, I think my friend hates me! It took us hours to get back.
I’m going to be completely honest with you, Stewart. The majority of chain problems are caused by the lack of maintenance and failure to replace worn-out parts. You should inspect your driveline after every ride to check for wear on the links, excessive stretching, and degradation of the masterlink. By inspecting the links, you can assess the condition of your chain. Worn plates indicate significant usage and the need for a new system. This includes replacing both the front and rear sprockets! Don’t take shortcuts, and one last piece of advice: Always carry a tow strap, a mini chain breaker (Motion Pro offers these), and a spare master link!
If you don’t mind showcasing your mistakes to the world, we won’t deny you the opportunity. Send evidence of your failures to [email protected] or Mr. Know-It-All
As the automotive world accelerates towards a future characterized by electrification, autonomy, and cutting-edge innovation, Jaguar’s lion-hearted emblem, which once held the promise of grandeur and unmatched performance, stands on shaky grounds.
The prestige and allure of this British marque are now being jeopardized by rivals, which are not just matching Jaguar stride for stride but threatening to leave it in the dust. From profitable glory in 2018 to staggering losses post-2019, Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) journey reflects a broader slump in manufacturing. A series of high-profile exits, including former bosses Ralf Speth and Thierry Bolloré, has intensified its struggles, with the latter’s departure possibly influenced by the company’s handling of the global semiconductor shortage.
Current interim boss Adrian Mardell, who has gained respect within JLR, took on the challenge of turning the company around, revealing a drastic reduction in car production numbers needed for breaking even. This narrative tells a compelling story of JLR’s quest for resurgence amid a rapidly evolving industry. But can Jaguar orchestrate a triumphant comeback? Let’s delve into the issues.
A front 3/4 view of the Jaguar F TYPE R Dynamic Coupe
Presently, Jaguar faces issues primarily due to its sports cars and sedans. Take the F-Type, for instance. A fantastic car that gave the Jaguar brand a much-needed flair and dynamism when it first rolled out. But it’s been the same song and dance ever since, with no successor appearing. Besides a letdown for car enthusiasts, it’s also a missed beat for Jaguar to tap into its rich legacy and rekindle customer love. Mention the word ‘Jag,’ and people’s minds often leap to iconic classics like the E-Type and the old XJ. The absence of a new sports car feels like a glaring oversight on Jaguar’s part.
In the same vein, the XF, a strikingly handsome sedan, has been on the market for quite a while now without any notable upgrades. After an eight-year run, it’s showing signs of age, missing out on features Jaguar devotees have come to expect, like high-octane engines. The absence of a V-8 option has left car buffs pining for the exhilarating power and performance that’s come to be associated with Jaguar. Rewind to 2019, and the XF sedan was a colossal letdown.
The previous generation had its unique charm, but the new XF felt unapproachable, harsh to handle, and failed to strike a chord. Eight years later, the XF cries out for a successor, yet there isn’t one in the works. And then there’s the XE, Jaguar’s entry-level offering. It has a few commendable attributes and handles well on the road, but it lacks that polished refinement expected from a Jaguar.
Additionally, the engine choices leave something to be desired, particularly the top-of-the-line P300’s relatively tame two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. For a premium Jaguar, you’d think there’d at least be a six-cylinder gasoline engine in the mix. Like the XF, the XE has also run its eight-year course without a successor.
Jaguar’s Recent Product Line Up
Car Model
Challenge
Short Details
F-Type
No updates/successor
The F-Type has remained unchanged since launch, lacking a successor.
XF
Outdated features, lacks power
The XF is outdated with no powerful engine options, disappointing enthusiasts.
XJ
Discontinuation
The discontinuation of the flagship XJ with a V8 engine has upset enthusiasts.
XE
Refinement and engine choice
The XE lacks refinement and has a disappointing engine choice in the top-tier model. It is also due for a replacement.
A Front 3/4 shot of a Jaguar F-Pace SVR cruising on asphalt
Jaguar is in some choppy waters, having trouble with their flashy sports cars, luxury sedans, and smaller, compact SUV categories. Their competitors are one step ahead. To give you a clearer picture, let’s break down their offerings:
The E-Pace, their smallest SUV, hasn’t rocked the auto world. It is adorable and compact, but its petite size and limited functionality make it a hard sell against more feature-rich alternatives. It’s for a hardcore Jaguar enthusiast rather than the average customer valuing practicality over prestige.
The I-Pace, their solitary venture into the electric vehicle realm, has managed to charm the few who have given it a spin. But Jaguar has been slacking a bit since its debut, with only minor cosmetic changes and no significant improvements to its battery or charging capacity. In an era where charging speeds of 150 to 350 kilowatts are becoming the norm, the I-Pace’s 100-kilowatt charging ceiling is disappointing. This lagging is posing quite a challenge for Jaguar in the premium segment.
On a brighter note, its sister brand, Land Rover, has been on a roll with their beloved Range Rover series. Catering to a broad spectrum of budgets and tastes, these SUVs are highly coveted. The success of Land Rover is a helping hand that keeps the company afloat while Jaguar tries to gain more traction.
Losing The Electrification Race And The Land Rover Dilemma
Jaguar
Jaguar I-Pace charging
Jaguar stumbles in its efforts to join the electric vehicle frenzy. They’ve committed to going all-electric by 2025. Still, their only electric offering, the I-Pace, doesn’t stack up against the technological prowess and performance of the latest EVs. They’ve missed a golden opportunity to establish themselves in the premium EV scene, especially while competitors from other luxury brands stole the limelight.
U.S. consumers have a soft spot for high-end electric vehicles. With the increasing popularity of EVs, Jaguar had the circumstances to shake things up by rolling out an electric variant of their popular XJ. Such a move could’ve painted Jaguar as a trailblazer. It could even attract a new crowd of sustainably focused customers. Regrettably, they abandoned the electric XJ, passing a chance to make a powerful statement in the luxury EV market.
Moreover, Jaguar’s close ties with Land Rover aren’t free from issues. While Land Rover is doing great in the SUV game, Jaguar finds it hard to carve out its current identity. There’s a genuine risk here of the audience perceiving Jaguar as a rebranding effort, with their cars coming across as remodeled versions of Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles. This might dilute what makes Jaguar unique, raising questions about its distinct role and future sustainability.
Turning Point: Jaguar’s Revival Strategy And The Road Ahead
Jaguar
A shot of a Jaguar F-Pace with the Golden Gate Bridge in the backdrop in San Fransisco
Jaguar is on a precarious precipice, battling many challenges that have chipped away at its standing in the car market. But it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s a solution, and Jaguar can stage a return to be recognized as a top-tier luxury brand again. Here’s how:
Top of the list should be the launch of a new F-Type successor. It would create a buzz and reestablish Jaguar’s position in the market.
Pouring investments into advanced electric vehicles can’t be ignored. It represents the future, and Jaguar must dive deep into electrification.
It’s time for Jaguar to carve out a unique identity within the Jaguar Land Rover group, distinct and easily identifiable.
Jaguar could be well-prepared for a prosperous future by hurdling these stumbling blocks. Though to get there, the company needs to step up its customer service game to wow buyers—something non-negotiable in the current car landscape. They also should harness the power of new media platforms. It’s an invaluable tool to captivate and grow a younger audience. The path forward might be unclear, but it’s far from a dead-end.
Jaguar is expected to rekindle its glorious heritage, breathe new life into its product range, and welcome innovation with open arms. By following this roadmap, Jaguar has the potential to become a beacon of luxury once again.
The owner of this 1972 Ford Gran Torino put it in an open garage bay 20 years ago, and it sat there ever since. Now, the folks at WD Detailing drag the forgotten personal luxury coupe out of the resting place to give the vehicle a much-needed wash.
While it was partially covered, this Gran Torino still looks rough. There’s dust and grime on the body. The interior is filthy. According to the owner, a raccoon got into the engine bay at some point and tore things up.
WD Detailing focuses on cleaning the car, but the team also makes sure the engine still turns over. It does, but the Ford needs lots of work before the powerplant gets running again.
Rather than starting by washing the body like usual, the detailers begin with the cabin this time because they plan on dyeing the carpets. The upholstery on the seats is also filthy. There’s a massive mouse nest under the rear seat.
As usual, just washing the body goes a long way toward making this Gran Torino look better. Instead of using wash mitts, the crew wipes the body with sandpaper to remove the oxidation from the paint. While unorthodox, the tactic works well here.
At the end of the cleaning process, the Gran Torino looks significantly better. There’s still some patina on the body with some chipped paint and less-than-shiny chrome. Inside, there are big holes on the driver and passenger side of the front bench. Plus, there would still need to be lots of mechanical work to make the car road-worthy.
Ford introduced the Torino name in 1968 as an upmarket subseries for the Fairlane. In 1970, the Blue Oval swapped the nomenclature by making Torino the primary model and Fairlane the submodel. For the 1972 model year, the Torino entirely took over, and the Blue Oval introduced the Gran Torino moniker.
Ford offered the ’72 Torino with an inline-six and a variety of V8s. This one has an eight-cylinder powerplant, but we can’t see enough to identify which one.
The Mercedes Arocs, introduced in 2013 as a heavy-duty truck, may not be as sleek as the new Mercedes SL, but it offers powerful diesel engines with up to 625 horsepower and 2,200 pound-feet of torque. Typically used in the construction sector, the Arocs has now found an unexpected application as a luxurious motorhome.
The SOD Peak 8×6, showcased in the gallery below, is a motorhome conversion based on the four-axle Arocs model. Built by Stone Offroad Design, a German RV company located near Munich, this motorhome is both opulent and impressive. Stone Offroad Design describes it as offering “sophisticated, robust technology, remarkable performance, and absolute comfort for driver and passengers.”
In May, Alpine and Lotus decided to amicably cancel their partnership on an electric sports car platform. This raised concerns about the future of Alpine’s plans for a performance EV. However, it has now been revealed that the Renault-owned brand will develop its own electric architecture.
During the public debut of the Renault Rafale in Paris, Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, confirmed in a conversation with Autocar that Alpine will indeed develop an in-house electric platform. He stated, “We had a long discussion and finally decided to build our own platform.” More information about Alpine’s EV plans will be disclosed on June 26 during an investor day meeting.
# See Mercedes G-Class, Jimny, Bronco Enjoy A Day Of Off-Roading 1:18-Scale Style
Boys never grow up, they say, their toys just get bigger, and more expensive. This isn’t completely accurate, however, as many grown boys love small toys. Especially if they have wheels and move like real-life machines. You know what we are talking about – detailed radio-controlled scale models of actual cars. And to the best of our knowledge, every single car enthusiast loves miniature car models.
For a good start to the week, we have a short two-minute video featuring some of the world’s most capable off-roaders in a 1:18 scale. These include the [Mercedes-Benz G-Class](https://www.motor1.com/mercedes-benz/amg-g63/), [Suzuki Jimny](https://www.motor1.com/suzuki/jimny/), [Ford Bronco](https://www.motor1.com/ford/bronco/), [Jeep Wrangler](https://www.motor1.com/jeep/wrangler/), and [Lada Niva](https://www.motor1.com/lada/niva/), with the latter being a heavily modified example. These scale models are part of the 1:18 collection of Nischay Sharma, the guy behind the *Miniature Automobiles* channel on *YouTube*.
The video starts with a silver G-Class in G500 trim, which has a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 in its full-scale version. This scale model realistically recreates the G500’s lower suspension which, however, sees no trouble overcoming miniature off-road obstacles.
Next is a modified Lada Niva with no bumpers, a lifted suspension, and grippy tires. There’s additional equipment on the roof and from this short video, this old-school crossover looks to be the most capable of all five models featured.
The Suzuki Jimny isn’t bad either. It shows proper chassis articulation and good skills in the trails and that’s in part thanks to its narrow tires. The Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler represent the American off-road academy with beefier tires and open-top cabins.
While absolutely brilliant, these little off-roaders don’t have the attention to detail Amalgam’s scale models come with. Take for example the [1:4 body replica of the Ferrari 250 GTO](https://www.motor1.com/news/630956/ferrari-250-gto-body-replica-amalgam/), which has been made using traditional coachbuilding methods, including panel-beating techniques for the body like they did in the old days of car manufacturing.
The upcoming new model of the Hyundai Santa Fe is expected to have a radical redesign compared to its current version. Despite being covered in heavy camouflage, it is clear that the midsize SUV will adopt a boxy shape, providing a roomier interior. The windows appear to be generous, suggesting that the fifth-generation model will be longer, wider, and taller.
Our spy photographers were able to get a close look at a prototype, which showcased its unique “H” daytime running lights that also function as turn signals. The Hyundai test vehicle seemed to have the complete production body, as evident from the cutouts in the camouflage for the front parking sensors, as well as the camera and radar located above and below the license plate, respectively.
The recently unveiled third-generation Lexus GX has already received a rugged makeover and new technologies. The SUV now offers an Overtrail trim, which includes mechanical upgrades and aesthetic enhancements. But what would the future hold for this model? New renderings from Kolesa.ru give us a glimpse of what an overlanding version of the GX could look like.
With its boxy and chiseled design, the 2024 GX seems like the perfect base for an adventure vehicle equipped with a roof tent. This digital rendering portrays the vehicle with a lifted suspension and BF Goodrich off-road tires. The black plastic cladding, present in the standard model, remains, but the new front bumper now features an integrated winch and additional LED lights. The roof also sports a light bar.
The rear bumper boasts another winch and LED bar. However, the main highlight of the overlanding upgrades is the foldable tent on the roof, possibly with an extending awning. Lastly, this adventure vehicle is distinguished by a new orange exterior color, setting it apart from the regular 2024 GX.
Based on the GA-F body-on-frame platform, the new GX is equipped with a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link setup at the rear. An optional Adaptive Variable Suspension with active dampers is also available. Powering the GX is a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine delivering 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, making it the sole engine option at launch. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this engine allows for a maximum towing capacity of 8,000 pounds.
If we hypothetically assume that this overlanding SUV is based on the Overtrail trim, it offers several upgrades over the standard model. These include 33-inch tires, a locking rear differential, and additional underbody protection.
The original Volkswagen Golf was first introduced in 1974. However, it wasn’t until 1985, during the Mk2 era, that the first all-wheel-drive version, known as the Golf Syncro, was made available. In 1989, a more adventurous variant called the Golf Country was introduced with a raised suspension and other rugged features. Only 7,735 Golf Country cars were produced by Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Austria. Now, a new custom-built Golf R based on the current model aims to revive the spirit of the Golf Country.
Off-road specialist Delta4x4 has previewed this unique Golf R, which aims to explore new territories that no other Golf R has ventured into before. This lifted hot hatch comes with an 80 millimeter (3.14 inch) lift kit, adding to its off-road capabilities. It is equipped with custom 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. The aftermarket package also includes a roof rack for increased practicality, as well as five additional PIAA lights mounted on the hood.
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
