Motorsport

2023 Mazda CX-60: A Moose Test Success for SUVs

Introduced over a year ago, the Mazda CX-60 became the first model in the company’s new era of rear-wheel drive vehicles. Featuring a fresh architecture and new engine options, including a powerful inline-six diesel engine, this family-friendly SUV is not available for purchase in the United States. However, its larger three-row sibling, the Mazda CX-90, is offered on this side of the Atlantic. Initial impressions of both models have been overwhelmingly positive, and now it’s time to see how the CX-60 performs in the moose test.

Recently, our colleagues at km77.com put the CX-60 to the test, evaluating its agility by maneuvering it around cones. The version tested was equipped with the inline-six diesel engine. In Europe, this powertrain boasts a displacement of 3.3 liters and delivers an impressive 254 horsepower. The six-cylinder engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive as standard. Mazda aims for the CX-60 to rival the mid-size crossover offerings from renowned German brands, such as the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and BMW X3.


Motorsport

Mercedes G650 Landaulet Spied With Camo Has Us Scratching Our Heads

Mercedes introduced the G650 Landaulet over six years ago as a farewell to the previous generation of the G-Class. Limited to just 99 units, this version of the iconic off-roader was equipped with a powerful V12 engine and featured unique elements such as an electrically folding roof, portal axles, and large fender flares.

Despite debuting in March 2017, recent spy shots reveal that a prototype of the G650 Landaulet is still covered in camouflage. The vehicle was spotted alongside the upcoming all-electric EQG, set to be released next year. Based on the previous-generation G-Class, the prototype appears to be almost identical to the production model, complete with a beige fabric top and 22-inch wheels. However, the wheels sport a dark finish instead of the polished surface found on the customer cars of the G650.


Motorsport

Porsche 911 Carrera T Reaches 188 MPH with 379 HP and Seven-Speed Manual

The Porsche 911 Carrera T may appear outdated in the era of electric cars, with its manual gearbox and absence of hybrid technology. However, enthusiasts know that it represents a pure sports car experience, despite “only” having 379 horsepower. While it is significantly less powerful than the Turbo S (640 hp), Porsche is reportedly developing a new GT2 RS model with over 700 hp. The 911 lineup offers a wide range of options to suit different preferences.

A recent video filmed on the Autobahn demonstrates that even with its relatively modest power output, the 992 model is still incredibly fast. Equipped with a seven-speed manual transmission instead of the eight-speed PDK, the Carrera T provides a thrilling driving experience as the rear-mounted flat-six engine revs above 7,000 rpm. On an unrestricted section of the German highway, the Carrera T reaches an impressive speed of 188 mph (303 km/h), proving that an abundance of horsepower is not necessary to achieve supercar-level performance.


BMW

MINI Milestone: One millionth Fourth Generation MINI 3-Door delivered in Canada.

Richmond Hill, ON/Calgary, AB. In mid-April, MINI announced that the one millionth example of the current generation MINI had rolled off the production line. On Wednesday, June 28th that vehicle was delivered to Steve and Kerry Lockhart who are now part of the MINI family.

The one millionth MINI of the current generation is an all-electric MINI Cooper SE built at Plant Oxford in the United Kingdom. Fittingly, the tradition-rich British plant is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year.

“We’ve been MINI fans for a number of years, and finally decided to purchase our first MINI earlier this year,” said Steve Lockhart, a Redwood Meadows resident who purchased the one millionth MINI with his wife Kerry. “It’s such an iconic brand. To be a small part of its rich history is both humbling and exciting. I wasn’t expecting this attention when we decided to purchase our first MINI!”

In 2013, MINI presented the current and fourth generation MINI 3 door for the first time. It has been available worldwide since 2014. The one millionth MINI 3 door of the current generation was delivered at MINI Calgary in Alberta, Canada.

The millionth MINI has special features including badging and details demarcating its heritage and milestone status. To mark its delivery, a fun celebration in true MINI style was hosted at MINI Calgary. But perhaps most heartwarming for the Lockharts was a video message from Charlie Cooper – grandson of John Cooper and member of the MINI royal family – welcoming them to the family. “You’re going to have a lot of fun with your MINI,” said Cooper in his message. “I remember getting my first MINI – it wasn’t my first car…because my dad said you’ve got to EARN getting your MINI Cooper, which I got when I was 18. You’re now part of the family,” continued Cooper, “so get out there and enjoy it!”

Right from the start, MINI was an attention-getting, fun-loving member of high society. Royalty, film stars, musicians and celebrities fell in love with it. The brand celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2019, and now celebrates the delivery of its one millionth example to a family that – while perhaps surprised by the fanfare when they arrived to pick up their new vehicle – seems to have fallen just as much in love with the brand, the vehicle and the community.

BMW

IMSA: BMW M Team RLL celebrates 100th podium finish – GTD class win for Paul Miller Racing with the BMW M4 GT3.

The #25 BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8 of Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR) secured a third-place finish at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP, CAN), marking the team’s fourth podium of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season and their 100th podium in history. Currently, De Phillippi and Yelloly are in second place in the GTP driver point standings, with BMW standing in second place in the GTP class manufacturer points.

The duo completed 119 laps, finishing 19 seconds behind the #60 Acura ARX-06. Yelloly started the race and pitted early for fuel only, putting them on a different strategy than their competitors. As the other cars made their pit stops, Yelloly cycled into the lead. De Phillippi took over on lap 55 and pitted for fuel only on lap 68. The race had three more cautions in the final one-hour-and-forty minutes, allowing De Phillippi to secure the third-place podium finish.

Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Philipp Eng (AUT) had a challenging race and finished eighth. They were stuck in the rear of the field for most of the race and both incurred drive-through penalties. Farfus and Eng currently stand in eighth place in the driver points, with their best finish of the season being fourth place at Long Beach in the #24 car.

In the GTD class, Bryan Sellers and Madison Snow (both USA) extended their GTD driver points lead by winning their third race of the season in the #1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3. Bill Auberlen and Chandler Hull (both USA) finished fifth in the Turner Motorsport #97 BMW M4 GT3. Unfortunately, the #96 BMW M4 GT3 of Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher (both USA) had to retire from the race due to collision damage.

The next race for GTD class BMWs will be at Lime Rock Park (USA) on July 22nd. The next race for the GTP class will take place at Road America (USA) on August 6th.

Quotes after the race:

Bobby Rahal (Team Principal BMW M Team RLL): “I’m really impressed. The guys with the #25 car pulled off a great strategy. We weren’t the fastest car by any means, and yet our strategy really worked out and Connor did a great job of staying ahead of everybody at the end. It just shows you that you can never count yourself out.”

Connor De Phillippi (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, 3rd place): “Another podium for us in the #25 car, so it was a good day. Obviously, we didn’t have quite the pace that we needed, so the team tried a great strategy and with a little bit of luck, we managed to get up in the top three. So proud of everybody on the team to put us in this position and happy it all worked out today.”

Nick Yelloly (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, 3rd place): “P3 here today was not expected to be honest. We really struggled all weekend with the car being quite difficult to drive particularly over the bumps at a track that we’ve not been to before, so this was as good as we could have hoped. Great job by the strategy team. Great job by Connor to obviously keep it on the black part.”

Augusto Farfus (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, 8th place): “I think today we just tried to do the maximum with what we had. Unfortunately, we were not lucky with the strategy so then there was not much to do. So we take the lesson, take the mileage and focus on the next race.”

Philipp Eng (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, 8th place): “Unfortunately, quite an unlucky race for us. The yellows didn’t work for our race. But on the flip side, anything can happen and we saw it again with the #25. They had a trouble-free race. They had good pace and finished on the podium, so many congratulations to the team.”

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Group is continuing its strategic realignment of its charging and energy business

Volkswagen Group has appointed Giovanni Palazzo as the new Head of Charging and Energy to drive the strategic realignment of the charging and energy business. Palazzo, who also serves as the CEO and Head of Sales for the Elli brand, will focus on expanding the fast-charging network and advancing Volkswagen’s smart energy platform. The collaboration between Elli and Electrify America will be strengthened, new business models will be introduced internationally, and closer cooperation with Group brands and customers will be established. The strategic plan has already been presented to investors and analysts at the Capital Markets Day.

Giovanni Palazzo, Senior Vice President Volkswagen Group Charging and Energy and the CEO of Elli, stated, “Volkswagen Group has a strong foundation in charging and energy, particularly through Electrify America, the largest open charging network in the US, and Elli, the largest mobility service provider in Europe. We aim to expand this expertise throughout the value chain and focus on verticalizing the energy management business, which will be a key revenue driver in the future. This involves a new strategic direction, new business models, and closer collaboration within the division and with Volkswagen Group brands.”

Volkswagen aims to offer innovative solutions for load management, energy market optimization, and energy trading as part of its strategic orientation. The company plans to introduce intelligent charging management services for fleet customers from 2024. Giovanni Palazzo brings valuable experience from his role as the CEO of Electrify America in the North American market. Robert Barrosa has taken over as the President and CEO of Electrify America since June 1.

Thomas Schmall, Member of the Volkswagen Group Board of Management responsible for Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Technology, said, “We recognized early on that charging and energy is one of the most important sectors for the growth of electric mobility and the energy transition. It is crucial to develop our own products and services across the entire value chain and establish strategic partnerships in the energy sector. With Giovanni Palazzo, we have an excellent industry expert and a modern leader who will enhance the Group’s competencies in the energy transition. As an experienced international manager, he has the skills to drive global cooperation and innovation partnerships.”

Expansion of the global fast charging network

Volkswagen already operates the largest open charging network in the US through Electrify America. The company aims to collaborate with partners to establish more than 43,000 fast-charging points in Europe, China, and North America by 2025. Electrify America plans to double the number of fast-charging points to 8,000 in North America alone. In Europe, Volkswagen’s Elli brand provides access to over 500,000 charging points as a mobility service provider. Additionally, the CAMS joint venture in China aims to build 17,000 fast-charging points by 2025. The Group will also expand its range of charging and energy services to better meet customer needs.

In addition to home chargers and flexible fast-charging stations, Volkswagen Group will offer charging and energy services such as public charging, green energy, and energy management. Some of these services are already provided by Electrify America in North America and Elli in Europe. In the long term, the Group plans to integrate electric cars as intelligent consumers and power banks within the electricity grid to contribute to the future energy system.

Charging and Energy division within Group Technology

The Charging and Energy division is one of four technology pillars of Group Technology, alongside PowerCo, Group Components, and Group Platform Business. Group Technology, created by Volkswagen two years ago, forms a unique ecosystem around electric mobility, covering all services from components for electric engines and batteries to charging and energy. Volkswagen Group Technology supports brands as a group-wide technology supplier and includes subsidiaries PowerCo and Elli. The division focuses on batteries, charging, and e-components, with PowerCo set to produce the unified cell from 2025. The Platform Business collaborates with external partners such as Ford and Mahindra.

About Elli

Elli, a Volkswagen Group brand with approximately 300 employees, caters to the interface between energy and mobility. As a part of the Group, Elli offers a wide range of energy and charging solutions in Europe and acts as a mobility service provider. Its portfolio includes charging solutions for private customers and companies, charging services, and innovative smart green electricity tariffs. Elli also provides digital solutions and services for charging in public spaces. Established in 2018, Elli has offices in Berlin, Wolfsburg, and Munich.

For more information about Giovanni Palazzo and photos related to this topic, please visit www.volkswagen-group.com or www.elli.eco.

RollsRoyce

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Presents Contemporary Commissions at Festival of Speed

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars showcases contemporary expressions at Festival of Speed
  • Collection presented on Festival’s Laundry Green, adjacent to Goodwood House
  • Rolls-Royce Spectre, the marque’s first fully-electric car, will be on display at the event
  • Rolls-Royce Spectre will take to the fabled Hillclimb

Each year, automotive enthusiasts gather at the prestigious Festival of Speed to celebrate motorsport. This event takes place in the magnificent grounds of the historic Goodwood House, located near the Home of Rolls-Royce. For Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, this event is always important, and this year is particularly significant as it will mark the first display of their all-electric luxury super coupé, Spectre, at the Festival of Speed. Spectre is highly anticipated and represents a transformative moment for the brand. Alongside Spectre, Rolls-Royce will also showcase a captivating collection of motor cars created exclusively for this year’s festival. This event will provide an opportunity to connect with esteemed clients, dealer partners, and media friends.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will have a contemporary presence at this year’s Festival of Speed. A stunningly commissioned Phantom, Ghost, Cullinan, and Spectre will be displayed on the Festival’s Laundry Green, near Goodwood House. Each car will demonstrate the brand’s unparalleled craftsmanship. This year’s festival is also significant as Rolls-Royce celebrates 20 years of production at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood.

Rolls-Royce Spectre

In 2021, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars made a historic announcement by introducing Spectre, an all-electric super coupé. This marked the brand’s commitment to electric technology, with a plan to make their entire portfolio fully electric by 2030. Spectre has undergone rigorous testing, covering a distance of 2.5 million kilometers. Last October, the car was unveiled at the Home of Rolls-Royce in West Sussex, and received positive feedback from opinion leaders worldwide. The first customer deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter of 2023. This year’s Festival of Speed will showcase Spectre for the first time, featuring a two-tone Chartreuse and Black Diamond finish. The car’s exterior is enhanced by twenty-three-inch wheels, a unique addition to a two-door coupé in nearly a century. The interior includes chartreuse appointments and a calming color palette of Grace White and Peony Pink.

Aside from its display, Rolls-Royce Spectre will participate in the famous Hillclimb at Goodwood.

Rolls-Royce Phantom

Phantom Extended represents the epitome of luxury, boasting an exquisite interior suite, impressive design, and extensive personalization options. This car will occupy a prominent place on the Festival’s Laundry Green, showcasing the brand’s commitment to extraordinary craftsmanship. The inspiration for this commission came from the world of yachting, a passion shared by many Rolls-Royce clients. The car features a Submariner Blue exterior, reminiscent of the deep ocean hues. Inside, the nautical theme continues with a Navy finish for the steering wheel, seat belts, and front interior, while the rear interior boasts a Selby Grey finish with Sunset stitching. Phantom also offers a unique Gallery, allowing patrons to display their favorite artworks. For this yachting-inspired commission, an embroidered gallery resembling yacht rigging has been created. Rolls-Royce will also present a bespoke luggage collection in Navy and White, complementing the nautical theme.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan

The highly skilled artisans, designers, and engineers at Rolls-Royce drew inspiration from the pop-art movement of the 1950s and 1960s to create a unique expression of the Cullinan for this year’s Festival. Finished in Gunmetal, with a double Coachline and Coachline Motif in Phoenix Red and Serenity Green, this expression exemplifies contemporary luxury combined with unrivaled craftsmanship. The interior showcases a geometric Red pattern throughout, showcasing the extensive bespoke capabilities of the brand. Striking Red brake callipers harmonize with the Phoenix Red Coachline and enhance the car’s exterior presence.

Rolls-Royce Ghost

The latest iteration of Rolls-Royce Ghost will be showcased at the Festival of Speed in a stylish expression. Presented in Iced Arctic White, this car radiates luxury, style, and grace. The exterior design demonstrates the brand’s surface expertise, while the interior appointments in Black and Iceland Moss create a vibrant aesthetic. The Mandarin seat piping adds a touch of color. Additionally, a Rolls-Royce Ghost in Salamanca Blue has been chosen as the Course Car, and a Cullinan in Dark Emerald will serve as the Safety Car.

ToyotaUk

Toyota Auto Insurance Expands to Colorado, Georgia and Oregon

Toyota’s premier auto insurance product continues its national rollout

PLANO, Texas (July 10, 2023) – Toyota Auto Insurance, the automaker’s branded insurance product, is now available to customers residing in the states of Colorado, Georgia and Oregon. Introduced to select markets in 2021, Toyota Auto Insurance offers customers quality, customizable coverage at affordable rates. Now, Toyota Auto Insurance customers in the Centennial State, the Peach State and the Beaver State will be able to receive an immediate upfront discount and may be able to save even more with good driver, good student, or multipolicy discounts.*

Toyota Auto Insurance offers consumers a quick, easy and flexible policy purchase process via Toyota’s state-of-the-art mobile app, call center agents, participating Toyota dealerships and the ToyotaAutoInsurance.com website. The insurance may be applied to both Toyota and non-Toyota vehicles in a customer’s household.

“We’re excited to continue our rollout of Toyota Auto Insurance, expanding our reach to even more customers,” said Rob Spencer, Toyota Insurance President. “We look forward to offering our customers in Colorado, Georgia and Oregon exceptional value and top-tier service to enhance their Toyota ownership experience.”

Currently, Toyota Auto Insurance is available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Toyota Auto Insurance customers benefit from more than 90 years of insurance insights, knowledge, and award-winning claims support—all provided by Toggle, part of Farmers Insurance®.

Interested customers can visit ToyotaAutoInsurance.com to obtain a quote and purchase insurance. Customers may also call (877) 249-0086 with any questions.

*Coverage options and discounts vary by state.

About Toyota Insurance

Toyota Insurance is a brand name of Toyota Insurance Management Solutions USA, LLC (TIMS), an independent licensed insurance agency specializing in Property & Casualty insurance offerings, partnering with top insurance companies to allow customers to choose the best options for their needs. TIMS is a Delaware-domiciled limited liability company with its principal place of business at 7600 Windrose Avenue, Suite G240, Plano, TX 75024, USA. In California, TIMS operates under the name Toyota Insurance Management Solutions, LLC and license number 0L46875. For information about Toyota Insurance, please visit www.toyotainsurance.com.

About Toggle®

Toyota Auto Insurance is underwritten by Toggle Insurance Company in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, and Tennessee, by Mid-Century Insurance Company in South Carolina, Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Company in Texas, and 21st Century Casualty Company in California (#3134-4, domiciled in California). Toggle is a new kind of insurance company backed by the stability of Farmers®️, with over 90 years of experience delivering best in class service and claims. Founded in 2018, Toggle is reimagining the insurance industry by creating unique products and embedded experiences for today’s modern consumers and brands. The company offers fully digital insurance solutions and provides customers and brand partners with simple, affordable, and highly customizable products to fit their needs. For more information, visit www.gettoggle.com.

News

Tamiya Wild One returns as £35,000 road-legal electric buggy

The Tamiya Wild One radio-controlled car – a mainstay of the 1980s toy box and highly collectable today – has been turned into the full-sized, road-legal electric dune buggy of your dreams.

Available to order from £35,000, the Wild One Max is the work of Bicester-based The Little Car Company, known for its downsized EV reworkings of iconic classics like the Ferrari 250 TR and Bugatti Type 35.

It’s a faithful tribute to its pint-size namesake, albeit with some concessions to real-world usability, including a widened, two-seat cockpit, shorter suspension turrets and – crucially – windscreen wipers.

Power is supplied by eight swappable battery packs totalling 14.4kWh and giving around 120 miles of range. Weight is 500kg and top speed is pegged at 62mph.

Meanwhile, with 270mm of ground clearance, an approach angle of 34.1deg and a 50.8deg departure angle, it promises to keep up with Land Rover Defenders and Jeep Wranglers on the rough stuff.

Held to the same L7e quadricycle regulations as the Citroën Ami, it can now be ordered in left- or right-hand drive form ahead of delivery in early 2024.

As standard, it gets Cobra bucket seats with four-point harnesses, adjustable Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs, a 5.0in central screen, a reversing camera and a ‘giant sticker sheet’ – just like the original – of retro-style decals to apply.

Cars

The Top 5 Cars Ideal for a V8 Engine Swap

When it first came out, the Porsche 944 was positioned as an entry-level option and the most affordable way to join the Porsche brand. Now, 40 years later, the same idea still holds true in the secondary market. However, it’s worth noting that collectors have discovered the 944 over time, so it’s no longer the amazing deal it used to be. According to classic.com, a valuation site, the average selling price for a base model 944 in the past year is $13,310. However, if you search carefully, you can still find rougher examples in the $5,000 range.

The 944 has always been commended for its balanced handling and weight distribution. It features a rear-mounted transaxle connected to the engine via a “torque tube,” which is basically a solid and vibration-free driveshaft licensed from Mitsubishi, of all places.

From the factory, the 944 came with a compact inline four-cylinder engine that took it from 0-60 MPH in a leisurely 8.5 seconds. While some later models offered turbocharging and four valves per cylinder (16V), even those improvements couldn’t compare to a modern LS engine, especially one that has been customized.

If you needed another reason to replace the original Porsche engine, it’s worth mentioning that it had a rubber timing belt that, if it failed, could potentially ruin the entire engine. Some may argue that installing a V8 engine will affect the perfect weight distribution, but if you opt for an aluminum LS engine instead of an iron block, the weight gain over the Porsche four-cylinder is only around 25-30 pounds.