Motorsport

Tour A Tiny Ford Transit Connect Cozy Camper Conversion

In the world of homebuilt campers, vehicles like school buses and Mercedes-Sprinters are often used as a starting point. However, Terri, the woman behind the Misty Miles YouTube channel, took a different approach by converting a 2010 Ford Transit Connect into a micro RV.

The Ford Transit Connect that Terri used for her conversion is a long-wheelbase, high-roof model. According to a brochure from that period, it has a cargo volume of 131 cubic feet (3.7 cubic meters), which increases to 152 cubic feet (4.3 cubic meters) when the front passenger seat is folded. Despite its small size, Terri managed to make the most of this space.

Terri purchased the Transit Connect on eBay without seeing it firsthand. She bid for it while driving and ended up paying just 2,800 pounds ($3,557) for the vehicle. She affectionately named her new motorhome Blanche.

The conversion process began with insulating the cargo area to improve climate control. The insulation has proven effective, allowing Terri to live in Blanche during the freezing temperatures of February in Scotland. Surprisingly, there is no heating system installed in the camper.

Terri made the interior of the van cozy by utilizing inexpensive materials. For example, she created the countertop using pieces of pallets, and her bookshelf is made from the same wood and a stick. She even built a shelf using just a length of wood and some rope. Her sink is a waterproofed bamboo bowl with a hole in the bottom.

The camper features a couch that extends to become a bed, providing enough space for Terri to sleep comfortably. However, it can be tight if two people share the bed.

Underneath the couch, there are drawers for additional storage. A cupboard in the front is large enough to fit her duvet. There is also a dedicated area for the battery that powers the lights and other utilities in the van. Terri plans to install a second battery soon to meet her power needs more efficiently.

Terri documents her travels around Europe and Scotland with Blanche on the Misty Miles YouTube channel. Her most recent video features the tiny country of Liechtenstein. She also shares photos of her adventures on her Instagram page.

Motorsport

VW Group CEO Acknowledges Audi’s Lagging Position Compared to Competitors, Software Problems to Blame

The CEO of Volkswagen Group, Oliver Blume, has admitted that Audi is falling behind its rivals, with software issues being identified as the main culprit. In order to address this issue, the automaker will accelerate the development of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) for the luxury brand.

Blume made this statement about Audi’s current standing during the company’s Capital Markets Day. He specifically mentioned, “We have encountered significant software problems that have caused delays in the launch of our exciting electric products,” as reported by Automotive News Europe.


Motorsport

Best Spy Shots For The Week Of June 19

Motor1.com regularly shares spy shots of upcoming vehicles, often on a daily basis. If you’re interested in staying up-to-date with the latest developments, take a look at this compilation of the most recent glimpses of these vehicles.

At first sight, this sedan appears to be a typical Audi S6. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that it features wider fenders and an unusual dual exhaust layout.


Motorsport

2025 VW T-Roc Spotted Testing in Southern Europe as Early Mule

In April of this year, Volkswagen confirmed that the next-generation T-Roc will be one of their last combustion-powered models. The new T-Roc is expected to debut in either 2024 or 2025, but development work has already begun on this crossover. Today, we have the first spy photos of the 2025 T-Roc, which is currently being tested as a mule.

These photos were taken in Southern Europe during the early testing phase of the next-gen T-Roc. As you can see, the vehicle currently resembles a modified Golf Mk8 with a raised suspension and wider wheel arches. There is also a distant photo of the cabin, giving us a glimpse of a temporary dashboard layout with an instrument cluster housed in a large casing.


Motorsport

Ford Mustang V6 Owner Doesn’t Need A V8 After Four Years Of Driving

The Ford Mustang S550 – the sixth generation of the pony car – made its debut in 2014 with a selection of three engines – a 3.7-liter V6, a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-pot, and a 5.0-liter V8. However, for the 2018 model, Ford decided to discontinue the Cyclone V6, leaving the sports coupe with just two engine options. While some may argue that the V6 has certain compromises compared to the more powerful V8, others believe that it strikes the perfect balance between the base unit and the thirsty Coyote 5.0.

One Mustang owner holds strong to the belief that there’s no need to opt for the more expensive Mustang GT, as the 3.7 V6 is more than sufficient for everyday driving. In a new 20-minute video, he shares his detailed ownership experience after four years and 60,000 miles of driving. Overall, he has mostly positive things to say about his blue 2016 Mustang 3.7 V6, while also noting a few negatives.


Motorsport

Opel Rocks E-Xtreme: A Unique Electric Buggy Designed by a Student

In August 2021, Opel released the Opel Rocks-e, a micro electric vehicle designed for city use. It was essentially a rebranded version of the Citroen Ami and was touted as the world’s first Sustainable Urban Mobility EV. In less than a year, Opel expanded the Rocks-e lineup by introducing a cargo version of the vehicle. Now, they have unveiled another addition to the lineup, but this time it’s not a regular production model.

The Rocks e-Xtreme is a one-off prototype that will not be mass-produced. This unique concept was created by Opel, based on the design of Lukas Wenzhöfer, a design student who won the #OpelDesignHack contest. Opel had promised to bring the winner’s project to life, and they have truly lived up to their promise by turning this radical electric buggy into a reality.


Motorsport

Hyundai Ioniq 7 Shows Vertical Lights In New Spy Shots

The Hyundai Concept Seven, showcased at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, is an electric sport utility vehicle that is part of the Ioniq brand. Originally a showcar, it has now moved on to the prototype stage. Recently, a heavily camouflaged test vehicle was spotted in Germany, indicating that Hyundai is progressing with the development of this three-row SUV. It will be related to the Kia EV9 and the upcoming Genesis GV90.

The concept vehicle had an impressive wheelbase of 3.2 meters (126 inches), suggesting that the production model may be slightly larger than the EV9. To put it in perspective, the Kia EV9 has a wheelbase of 3.1 meters (122 inches) and an overall length of 5.01 meters (197.2 inches). The size of the rear doors suggests that the Ioniq 7 will offer a spacious interior with generous legroom, especially considering it is built on a dedicated electric car platform with a flat floor.


BMW

34th BMW International Open: Hillier leads, 13 German players continue into the weekend

+++ 24-year-old Daniel Hillier (-9) from New Zealand holds the lead heading into the weekend +++ Marcel Schneider and Marc Hammer (both -6) are the top German players, tied for fourth place +++ Joost Luiten (NED) records the second hole-in-one of the tournament ++ “Eagles for Education”: the number of eagles reaches 38 +++ Tee times for Saturday +++


Munich. The second round of the BMW International Open at the Golfclub München Eichenried was filled with two important questions. How would the players handle the gusty conditions, and who would make the cut? Michael Hirmer (GER) and Joost Luiten (NED) proved it was still possible to post a good score, both finishing with 66 strokes for the best results of the day. Luiten impressed with a hole-in-one on the eighth hole using a 6 iron from 185 meters, making it the second hole-in-one of the tournament, following Takumi Kanaya of Japan’s achievement at the 12th hole yesterday. However, no hole-in-one has been recorded on the 17th yet, which means the Hole-in-One Prize, a fully-electric BMW i5, is still up for grabs.

Daniel Hillier (NZL, -9) shot a 67 to claim the top spot on the leaderboard, followed by Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen from Denmark (-8), who also carded a round of -5 in his debut tournament on the DP World Tour. Luiten (-7) is in third place heading into the weekend.

Hillier feels completely comfortable during his week at the BMW International Open, not just because of his position. “From the hospitality to the course conditions, everything is just amazing here at the BMW International Open. And the infrastructure to accommodate all the spectators is awesome, you almost get a Major feeling here,” said the New Zealander.

Just one stroke behind, Marc Hammer and Marcel Schneider are among the players tied for fourth place at 6 under par. The two highest-ranked German players have their sights set on the top of the leaderboard and are well-positioned for the weekend. Marcel Siem (-5) should also not be discounted, as he played an impressive round of 68 today.

Schneider attributed his good results to playing in front of a crowd. “I love to play in front of the people: the more that come out, the better it is for me. I’m really enjoying it and it gives me an extra push. I hope that the weekend will see just as many spectators out there, or even a few more than in the first two rounds.”

German golf fans have 13 home players to look forward to on the weekend. Hammer, Schneider, and Siem will be joined by Max Schmitt (-4), Hurly Long (-3), Thomas Rosenmüller (-2), Matti Schmid (-2), Philipp Mejow (-1), Max Kieffer (-1), Michael Hirmer (-1), Jannik de Bruyn (even par), Velten Meyer (even par), and Jonas Baumgartner (AM, even par), all of whom made the cut.

The pros recorded a total of 16 eagles on their Friday scorecards, bringing the overall total to 38. For each eagle at the BMW International Open, the BMW Group will donate 1,000 Euros to the “JOBLINGE” and “Kick ins Leben” organizations, recognizing their longstanding cooperation with the BMW Group in promoting fair opportunities and educational equality.

Hoatong Li (CHN, +13) will not be able to defend his title as last year’s winner, missing the cut. German players Nicolai von Dellingshausen (+1), Nick Bachem (+1), Sebastian Heisele (+3), Freddy Schott (+4), Tim Wiedemeyer (AM, +4), Anton Albers (+5), Alex Cejka (+10), and Alexander Knappe (+11) also didn’t make the cut.

Pierre Pineau (FRA) and Rasmus Hojgaard (DEN) withdrew due to injury on Friday, while Oliver Hundebøll (DEN) was disqualified after signing an incorrect scorecard.

The third round of the BMW International Open at the Golfclub München Eichenried will begin on Saturday at 7:15 am. The PDF document (“Tee times”) contains an overview of all tee times and groups.

You can find the current scores, more information about the BMW International Open, and a livestream at www.bmw-golfsport.com

Volkswagen

Powerful, innovative and agile: the new Touareg R eHybrid is now available to order

Volkswagen has started pre-sales for the new Touareg R eHybrid, which is the flagship model of the premium series. This SUV is a plug-in hybrid with the most powerful drive system among all standard Volkswagen models. It comes with an optimized suspension setup, advanced high-tech systems, and serves as the top-of-the-line electric SUV model for the Volkswagen brand. The revamped Touareg R has undergone significant changes to its front and rear design, offers a more comfortable interior, and features an even more user-friendly Innovision Cockpit. The prices for this model start at €93,870.

Peter Jost, the Head of Marketing & Sales at Volkswagen R, the premium performance brand of Volkswagen, says: “The Touareg R eHybrid is our top model. It offers exceptional performance, travel comfort, driving dynamics, and customizable equipment that no other model can match. Additionally, it impresses with its off-road capabilities and can tow up to 3.5 tonnes, making it the perfect vehicle for demanding tasks.”

Superior drive system, new suspension generation. The new Touareg R eHybrid is equipped with a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbocharged engine and an electric drive motor, offering a system output of 340 kW (462 PS) and torque of 700 Nm. This power enables the SUV to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h. The Touareg R eHybrid also features a roof load sensor connected to the suspension electronics, and the suspension and control systems have been further improved to provide greater stability and precision in dynamic and comfort-oriented driving situations.

Numerous innovations – standard and optional. The premium model comes with several standard highlights, including the enhanced Innovision Cockpit featuring a central touchscreen with a 15-inch display. It also boasts the new IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights, which utilize more than 38,000 interactive LEDs to project a light carpet onto the driving lane, resulting in precise road illumination. Another optional high-tech feature available for the Touareg R eHybrid is the Park Assist Pro, which enables remote-controlled parking via a smartphone (using the Volkswagen App) and can maneuver the vehicle in tight parking spaces.

Furthermore, the Touareg R eHybrid includes the following standard features:

  • Differentiated design in Black Style for a sporty appearance (including R-specific front bumper inserts, black tailpipes, and glossy black roof rails)
  • Blue brake calipers with R logo
  • Illuminated VW logo in the rear
  • R logo projection via exterior mirror housings as surround lighting
  • Blue accents in the interior
  • Leather seats in the Vienna design with Crystal Grey stitching (optional sustainable Puglia leather with blue stitching)
  • 21-inch “Leeds” alloy wheels combined with air suspension
  • Sill panel moldings with illuminated R logo
  • Vehicle key with leather-covered cap and R logo
  • Panoramic sliding sunroof
  • 4-zone air conditioning system

Upon request, the flagship model can be equipped with additional 21-inch and 22-inch alloy wheels. In addition to the traditional Lapiz Blue metallic R color, the Touareg R eHybrid is also available in the optional matt paintwork, Silicon Grey matt.

All figures refer to the German market.

RollsRoyce

Rolls-Royce Announces Global Dealer Awards

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents its annual Global Dealer Awards to dealer partners from across its worldwide network
  • The awards recognize outstanding contribution to the marque’s success during 2022
  • Categories reflect a range of business objectives and achievements
  • Global Dealer Awards complemented by a range of Regional Awards

“Our dealer partners are an integral part of our worldwide Rolls-Royce family: it is impossible to overstate the crucial role that they play in our global success. Their local knowledge and insights, professional expertise and hyper-personalized client engagement is central to the experience we offer our clients as a true House of Luxury. It is with enormous pleasure that I present these awards, which recognize and celebrate our dealer partners’ outstanding achievements and invaluable contribution in 2022. My sincere thanks and congratulations to all the winners whose unstinting commitment inspires greatness in us all.”
Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, Director of Sales and Brand, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents its annual World Dealer Awards today in a series of virtual and in-person events.

The awards recognize and celebrate individual dealer partners’ outstanding contribution to the marque’s worldwide success in 2022. Global awards are presented in categories based on a range of business objectives and achievements, together with a number of regional awards.

The global awards, presented by Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, Director of Sales and Brand, Rolls‑Royce Motor Cars, were as follows:

  • Global Dealer of the Year (joint winners):

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Philadelphia
  • Sales Dealer of the Year:

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Beijing Jinbaojie
  • Ownership Services Dealer of the Year:

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars AGMC
  • Provenance Dealer of the Year:

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Tokyo
  • Bespoke Dealer of the Year:

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Munich
  • Whispers Dealer of The Year Award:

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Brisbane
  • Social Media Award:

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Hangzhou

The awards reflect a momentous performance in 2022, which saw the marque deliver for the first time in its history more than 6,000 motor cars in a single 12-month period. It was also a landmark year for Bespoke commissions, with some truly magnificent, imaginative and technically audacious creations created by the Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.

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