Tag Archives: 1996

Motorsport

The New Audi A3 Is Amess With In-Car Subscriptions

The Audi A3 is a survivor. The compact luxurious automobile has been round in a single type or one other since 1996, and an up to date model is coming to the US for the 2025 mannequin yr. But it is loaded with annoying in-car subscriptions.

At first look, this new A3 appears lots just like the automobile it replaces. The hexagonal Singleframe grille—in step with Audi’s newest designs—is its greatest change, joined by larger air intakes on the base of the bumper, an Audi emblem excessive on the nostril, and refreshed LED and matrix LED headlights with 4 customizable daytime lighting signatures. The rear bumper design, impressed by the RS3, has a brand new LED taillight remedy, a black accent piece, and a mesh insert on the base.

2025 Audi A3 Sedan

Inside is the place issues get attention-grabbing. The similar 10.1-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster from final yr carry over, however now you may should pay an in-car subscription price for primary options like high-beam help, dual-zone local weather management, adaptive cruise management, and smartphone integration.

Only by upgrading to the MMI navigation system do you get entry to the app retailer. From there, Audi forces you into add-ons like adaptive cruise management or Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for a one-month, six-month, one-year, or three-year subscription. Or you may simply buy any of these options completely—though Audi does not say for the way a lot.

It must be famous that this subscriptions-for-features mannequin applies to the European-spec A3. Audi does not specify whether or not these in-car subscriptions may also make it to the US when the automobile goes on sale for 2025.

2025 Audi A3 Sedan

Visually, the cabin appears largely the identical, however there are some refined modifications. The already-tiny gear shifter from the earlier A3 is now slimmer and blends into the middle console, new cloth inserts with lightning parts cowl the door panels, and the ornamental cabin lighting now has 30 coloration choices.

Audi does not supply specifics on engines for the US market, however the base Audi A3 in Europe will include a 1.5-liter four-cylinder mild-hybrid engine making 148 horsepower with both a seven-speed computerized or a six-speed guide transmission. A 35 TDI diesel mannequin can have the identical 148 hp, and a plug-in-hybrid mannequin might be obtainable on the finish of the yr.

Also for Europe is a nifty new trim known as the A3 Allstreet. Meant to appear to be a crossover, the five-door hatchback comes with a matte black grille, entrance and rear grooves mimicking skid plates, and plastic trim across the wheel wells. The Allstreet is 1.2 inches increased than the usual A3 and has a softer journey. A set of 17-inch wheels come normal, however 18- and 19-inch sneakers are additionally obtainable.

Audi A3 Allstreet
Audi A3 Allstreet

Both the Allstreet and the usual A3 Sportback have 13.4 cubic ft of house behind the rear seats, with as much as 42.4 cubes of house with the rear seats folded flat. An electrical tailgate is offered as an possibility.

Audi hasn’t launched A3 pricing for the US, however the Sportback begins at €35,650 (round $39,000) and the sedan is an additional €800 ($875). The funky new A3 Allstreet prices €37,450 ( $41,000).

Cars

Here’s Why Acura Stopped Making The SLX SUV

Per The Auto Channel, a 1996 Consumer Reports press launch gave the second-gen Isuzu Trooper — that’s, the Acura SLX with a special title badge — a “Not Acceptable” security ranking when the company found the automobile’s tendency to roll over when performing the Nordic moose take a look at. The maneuver entails the motive force swerving into the other lane and swerving again to imitate avoiding an surprising impediment on the street –- like a moose, as an example. According to the New York Times, the October 1996 difficulty of Consumer Reports even featured an upended Isuzu Trooper on its cowl beneath the title “UNSAFE.” Isuzu sued for defamation and the jury discovered each events partly at fault, however the PR injury to the Trooper and its Acura-branded clone had been completed.

Consumer Reports finally warmed as much as the SLX in 1998 after Acura gave it an up to date engine and some different mechanical and security mods. However, it by no means removed its unsafe picture, and Acura pulled the plug after 1999. In 2019, Acura unveiled a first-gen SLX restomod with a 350-horsepower turbo four-pot engine and the model’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), a reimagining of what may have been if Honda/Acura did it proper the primary time.

Motorsport

This 1996 Porsche 911 Targa Owned By Jerry Seinfeld Sold For $164,000

UPDATE: Seinfeld’s 1996 Porsche 911 Targa introduced $164,000 at public sale and garnered 46 bids.

Jerry Seinfeld is likely one of the world’s most well-known Porsche fans, and now you’ll be able to personal one of many vehicles from his assortment: a 1996 911 Targa he purchased whereas engaged on Seinfeld. There’s not a lot time left to get it, although. The Bring a Trailer public sale ends at this time – Wednesday, January 10 – at 3:28 PM.

If you learn the itemizing on BaT, there is no point out of Seinfeld. However, the comic mentioned the sale when he was a visitor on the January 10, 2024, episode of Spike’s Car Radio.


NewsNew

MOTO ONE 1996 KX250 PROJECT: TWO-STROKE TUESDAY

For this week’s Two-Stroke Tuesday we are in Idaho to give you the first look at our 1996 KX250 2-Stroke that we teamed up with Pete Treadwell from WPS/Fly Racing and Moto One Of Boise to build. We gotta thank the entire staff at Western Powersports for making our “Working Man” project come to life. We packed 2-Stroke Theater with 10 must see Kawasaki two-stroke videos from our mad video scientist Travis Fant and there is an exclusive link to the notorious KDX500 we tested.



This project is all about building a bike that the average working man could afford to purchase, build and maintain without going into the poorhouse. We teamed up with Western Powersports for the products and Moto One Of Boise Idaho did most of the heavy lifting when it came to turning wrenches.



Fire Power is the WPS house brand for hard parts, their gold chain was used on this build along with a Stealth SuperSprox hybrid rear sprocket.


Motorsport

Is It Time To Buy A Chevy Corvette C4 ZR-1 Or LT4? This Video Offers An Answer

The fourth-generation Chevrolet Corvette – or simply C4 to fans – was in production from 1984 to 1996 model years. This video from Retro Cars Forever compares two of the more potent variants of this model: the ZR-1 and the ’96 example with the LT4 engine.

The ZR-1, unlike the modern iterations, was a high-tech machine for its era. General Motors controlled Lotus at the time and contracted the British team to create a V8 for this range-topping model. The result was a 5.7-liter V8 with dual camshafts for each bank of cylinders – a significant change from the pushrod-equipped, overhead-valve layout available from other ‘Vette engines.

Chevy Corvette C4 Comparison Video

The Lotus-tuned V8 made 375 horsepower at introduction and 405 hp after the 1993 model. Plus, the mill had a redline at 7,200 rpm. To put that spec into perspective, the 3.4-liter V8 in the Ferrari 348, available around the same as the ZR1, made 320 hp at 7,200 revs.

The road-going C4 always used a 5.7-liter V8, but Chevy improved it several times during the production run. The 1996 model was the finale for the fourth-gen ‘Vette, but the Bowtie decided to introduce the new LT4 engine as an option. It made 330 hp, according to the factory specs. In the video, host Brad Hansen notes this output is possibly lower than the actual figure, with dynos putting the number between 350 and 360 hp.

Retro Cars Forever does real-world 0-60-mph acceleration runs in both cars with two passengers inside. The LT4-equipped C4 tallies a best time of 6.78 seconds. The ZR-1’s top sprint takes 6.46 seconds.

The LT4 comes out on top as a car you would drive regularly. This engine is an evolution of the venerable Chevy small-black V8, making repairs easier than the ZR-1’s more exotic engine. 

Plus, the ZR-1 features unique bodywork, like doors that flare outward to the wider fenders. In the event of damage, it will be more complicated to find replacement parts than for a C4, which has a more common exterior. 

So, which one should you get? The video leaves that up to the individual. In their current condition, both of these Corvettes are worth around $25,000. However, the later, more powerful ZR-1s command more, and the LT4-equipped Grand Sport also goes for a premium. Meanwhile, folks with more modest budgets can check out the earlier, lower-output examples that are less expensive, judging by a report from Hagerty Insurance.

Motorsport

Watch 1986 Ford Bronco Drag Race 1996 Dodge Viper GTS

A race between a 1986 Ford Bronco and a 1996 Dodge Viper GTS might seem odd at first. However, the Bronco has undergone significant powertrain modifications to make it a worthy competitor against the very different Viper.

Although the exterior of the Bronco looks stock, it hides a powerful secret under the hood. It is equipped with a 444-cubic-inch V8 engine, along with a pair of 61-millimeter turbos to enhance its performance. The engine features modified cylinder heads, a new camshaft, and a Holley electronic fuel injection system. On the dyno, it produces approximately 550 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. With the added boost, the estimated power output is now around 669 hp and 1,069 lb-ft.

The cabin of the Bronco remains mostly unchanged, except for the addition of a digital dashboard with old-school LCD readouts, which complement the vehicle’s 1980s aesthetic.

For the drag race, the Bronco is equipped with mud-terrain tires, which are not ideal for this type of race as they do not provide the same level of grip as drag-specific rubber.

The Viper GTS, on the other hand, is mostly stock, with the exception of some modifications such as the addition of new wheels and tires and exhaust headers that connect to a 3.0-inch titanium exhaust system. The owner describes the Viper as “ratty” due to the holes cut in the hood and side sills.

The first race is a quarter-mile. Initially, the race is close, but the Viper’s superior power allows it to pull ahead and win by six car lengths.

In the following two races, the distance is reduced to 500 feet, minimizing the Viper’s advantage. Despite this, the Dodge still manages to win, but only by a small margin. This advantage is only evident when viewing the race from a top-down perspective.

However, the final race changes the outcome. The distance remains at 500 feet, but the Bronco driver has figured out how to effectively launch the SUV, allowing them to secure the victory this time.

Although the Viper wins two out of the three races, the Bronco steals the show with its unexpected performance. While it is not surprising to see a sports coupe accelerate quickly, witnessing the same level of performance from a Ford SUV is quite remarkable.