Bikes from 2018 onwards get free checkups and 20-percent off on sure spare elements.
Tag Archives: 2018
The Interior of Toyota’s New R&D Center Looks Like the Nurburgring Pit Lane
Toyota has been engaged on a brand new analysis and growth heart since April 2018 in Shimoyama—the identical place the place the corporate opened a 3.3-mile version of the Nürburgring. Work on the R&D web site has now been finalized, and there is one other connection to the well-known German circuit. This time, it is contained in the constructing the place vehicles are being developed.
Future Toyota GR and Lexus fashions can be created in an inside that simulates the feel and appear of the Nordschleife’s pit lane. This is the place groups from planning, design, engineering, and growth will meet for car testing to collectively iron out any points found alongside the best way. Aside from the R&D constructing itself, the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama has a high-speed check course together with nation roads and a specialised check course that mimics sure street circumstances.
The Kia K9 Luxury Sedan Looks Even Sharper for 2025
Kia launched the second-generation K900 on the 2018 New York Auto Show however the full-size sedan lived a brief life within the United States the place it was discontinued simply three years later. The firm’s flagship continues to be on sale in different markets although, together with at dwelling in South Korea the place it is often known as the K9.
After getting a major facelift in 2021, the stately saloon is receiving yet one more nip and tuck. But this time round, the modifications aren’t as important. Kia is simply tweaking the entrance grille with horizontal slats changing the previous V-shaped parts. The 2025 K9 additionally will get newly designed 19-inch wheels and a contemporary Pebble Gray physique colour. Inside, the luxury cabin can now be had with new themes reminiscent of Martian Brown or Misty Gray.
“After Blow” know-how is added and its position is to dry condensation that kinds whereas utilizing the air con to stop disagreeable odors. After the engine has been off for about half an hour, After Blow is mechanically activated for 10 minutes to dry the air flow ducts to keep away from mould progress. A battery sensor ensures the system is not turned on when the automotive’s battery is working low. In addition, the operate stays disabled when the surface temperature is low and likewise when the AC system has not been utilized in a very long time.
Other modifications introduced by the 2025 Kia K9 embody a massaging entrance passenger seat, USB-C ports entrance and rear, and even a fireplace extinguisher. There’s now extra customary gear than earlier than whereas higher-end trim ranges additionally include some goodies that have been beforehand supplied as optionally available options.
Kia will proceed to promote its range-topping mannequin with rear- and all-wheel drive together with a turbocharged 3.3-liter and naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V-6 engines. The large 5.0-liter V-8 NA mill was axed a number of years in the past. Prices begin on the equal of $43,800 and attain $64,200.
Chevrolet Corvette Resale Value: Is It Worth The Investment?
The Corvette has been a prime performer within the resale marketplace for a while. In a 2018 research by iSeeCars.com, a 2013 C7 Corvette positioned third behind the VW Golf R and Subaru Impreza WRX for having the bottom common five-year depreciation amongst sports activities automobiles. The C8 Corvette additionally claimed the highest spot in Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Awards for 2021. With a predicted resale worth of 49.5% of the unique sticker worth after 60 months of possession, the C8 Corvette outperformed perennial rivals like the consistently high-resale-value Porsche 911, which might promote at 48.9% of its sticker worth after 5 years, and the 2021 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, which bought at 47.9%.
Crucially, the upfront value of a Corvette can be considerably decrease than a few of its rivals. A base Porsche 911 Carrera bought for $91,100 in 2018. The 2018 ‘Vette value simply $55,495. With persistently low-cost buy-in and low depreciation, used Corvette patrons simply have to resolve which Corvette model is the coolest. Notably, for patrons whose tastes run to the traditional, old-school ‘Vettes could be much more rewarding. A mint 1953 C1 Corvette may fetch wherever from $50,000 to a mindblowing $700,000. Not dangerous for a automobile that bought new in 1953 for below $3,500, the equal of $40,000.
Mercedes Has Cancelled That Weird Maybach SUV Sedan
Unveiled in 2018, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury isn’t any extra. German enterprise newspaper Handelsblatt stories the luxurious automaker has pulled the plug on what would’ve been half sedan, half SUV. The thought was to mix the 2 hottest physique types in China and create a brand new section dubbed Sport Utility Sedan (SUS). As the cool children say these days, the idea did look a bit sus…
Three insiders cited by Handelsblatt say the mission has been both deserted or placed on maintain indefinitely. The determination was taken a number of months in the past, that means the manufacturing model will not see the sunshine of day, regardless of the earlier plan being to have the automotive on sale in China round 2025. It was presupposed to be constructed solely in Beijing on the EVA2 platform utilized by the EQE / EQE SUV and EQS / EQS SUV.
The Cupra Born VZ Is An Electric Hot Hatch With 322 HP
Spun off from the Volkswagen Group’s SEAT model in 2018, Cupra is introducing its first electrical efficiency car. The sporty by-product is predicated on the Born compact mannequin and will get the “VZ” suffix, which is an acronym for “veloz”—Spanish for “fast.” The model’s first-ever EV will get a wholesome energy enhance and different upgrades.
The rear-wheel-drive electrical scorching hatch makes use of an upgraded motor delivering 322 horsepower and a large instantaneous torque of 402 pound-feet (545 Newton-meters). These output figures characterize an enormous enhance of 94 hp and 235 Nm (173 lb-ft) over the earlier most potent variant of the Cupra Born. Courtesy of the newly unlocked electrical oomph, the VZ variant shaves off a full second from the dash to 62 mph (100 km/h), which now takes 5.7 seconds. Top pace has gone up by 25 mph (40 km/h) to 124 mph (200 km/h).
This Was President Biden’s Cadillac ATS-V, And Now It Can Be Yours
Forget politics for a second. It’s onerous, however this black 2018 Cadillac ATS-V is value your greatest efforts. With 464 horsepower driving the rear wheels, it is a stout sports activities sedan able to hanging with the BMW M3, and it would not look dangerous in black with a brown leather-based inside. That’s how Joe Biden ordered this automobile again in 2017, and sure, we’re speaking about President Joe Biden. Now, it is up for public sale at Cars & Bids.
According to paperwork included within the itemizing, Biden visited Delaware Cadillac in Wilmington again in 2017 with eyes on an ATS-V. He was the previous vice chairman at that time, and based on different paperwork within the public sale, he modified his safety standing so he might drive in public. That led him to the ATS-V we see right here, and a majority of the 15,894 miles had been gathered throughout his possession by 2020. Or reasonably, his stewardship. This was a lease, not a purchase order.
The presidential connection is not the one factor that makes this automobile particular, nonetheless. Biden was eager on having a Raven Black ATS-V with the Kona Brown leather-based inside, however Cadillac did not provide Kona Brown on its hottest ATS trim. It seems, being a distinguished political determine within the US comes with some perks, as outlined by much more documentation proven within the public sale itemizing. To sum up a veritable sea of company emails, strings had been pulled to grant Biden’s request and the result’s this one-of-one ATS-V.
As for the bronze wheels, these are from a CT4-V Blackwing and had been added by Delaware Cadillac after the automobile was turned in. The itemizing additionally notes some minor bodywork carried out in spots, which the vendor (Delaware Cadillac) states was truly paintwork to repair minor scratches. Beyond that, the ATS-V additionally has a Renick Performance entrance grille and rear bumper trim, tinted home windows, and suede on the steering wheel and shifter.
Options-wise, it has Cadillac’s Luxury Package and the Safety & Security bundle, which does not embrace bulletproof doorways however does have a heads-up show, amongst different issues. Shifting is finished by an eight-speed automated.
Will the presidential historical past and one-off standing ship this ATS-V right into a bidding struggle? We noticed Donald Trump’s former Lamborghini Diablo VT not too long ago fetch over $1 million at public sale. The ATS-V is not an Italian V12 supercar, but it surely definitely has no scarcity of followers within the efficiency fold. Bidding is already at $29,046 with six days nonetheless to go. Any guesses as to what the ultimate worth will likely be?
Inside The Phenom 300E: One Of The Most Popular Private Jets
The Phenom 300E (E for enhanced) was first created in March 2018. A really unique mannequin (solely 19 of them have been flying around the globe by the next January, in accordance with Flying journal), it changed the usual Embraer Phenom 300, first licensed by Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency in 2009. By May 2021, AIN reported 600 of the plane had been delivered worldwide and had achieved an astonishing mixed complete of 1.2 million miles of flight.
The Phenom 300, in its unique guise, packs Pratt & Whitney PW535E1 engines right into a streamlined package deal (the cabin is simply over 17 toes lengthy and accommodates as much as 10 passengers) that also gives appreciable efficiency. It’s able to Mach 0.80 and cruises at as much as 464 ktas (Knots True Airspeed). It’s additionally licensed as much as 45,000 toes.
Meanwhile, the Enhanced Phenom is not a fantastic technical leap above its predecessor. The household’s technical specs are definitely appreciable, however the E mannequin’s developments deal with a moderately completely different facet of the plane. One that certainly contributes to its recognition as a personal jet: Its inside design. It gives one thing moderately particular for its occupants, as you’d certainly count on.
Iconic Motorcycle Marque BSA Could Be Coming To India In 2025
In 2018, iconic British motorbike model BSA was acquired by Indian automotive large Mahindra Group. Since then, we’ve been seeing fairly a number of improvements from the long-lasting British model, most of which centered across the UK and a few neighboring European markets. It goes with out saying {that a} model like BSA will maintain quite a lot of heritage within the world stage, and that the model’s growth into the worldwide market is certainly considerably overdue.
While basic bike followers within the US eagerly await the return of the BSA model, of us in India may not have to attend so lengthy. A latest report by our pals at AutoCar Professional means that Classic Legends, Mahindra’s motorbike arm, is planning a serious growth for BSA within the Indian market. More particularly, the BSA model is reportedly set to enter India in 2025, and much more curiously, enterprise into the electrical automobile phase.
Classic manufacturers taking over the electrical scene are nothing new. We’ve seen it with Royal Enfield’s massive plans for electrification, in addition to EV prototypes and ideas from the likes of Triumph and BMW. In the case of BSA, its growth initiatives will definitely be fueled by a large Rs 8.75 billion (roughly $105 million) funding from Classic Legends. Said capital injection will reportedly be used to diversify BSA’s product vary, whereas on the identical time put up extra sellers and repair facilities throughout India and different key markets.
While India certainly performs a key function within the growth of BSA, as it’s certainly owned by an Indian firm, Classic Legends is eyeing growth past its dwelling nation. More particularly, Classic Legends hopes to ascertain a presence for the renewed BSA model in key markets equivalent to Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. To fulfill the wants of those markets, the corporate’s manufacturing facility in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh may even obtain an improve, particularly to cater to the manufacturing of electrical bikes.
When it involves the choices of BSA within the Indian and Asian market, Classic Legends CEO Ashish Joshi defined that the corporate is certainly contemplating the event of twin-cylinder engines. However, it was famous that the demand for such is fairly low in India, as most small-to-mid displacement bikes within the retro and basic phase are powered by single-cylinder engines.
Ultimately, BSA will align its priorities to the preferences of the native market. Indeed, that is key, as Joshi envisions BSA to be the second-largest model in India’s mid-size motorbike phase, subsequent to none aside from Royal Enfield – fairly an aspiration, as RE has world gross sales in extra of 850,000 items.
End Of The Road For Volvo XC40 In India, Here Are The Remaining Luxury SUVs At That Price
The entry-level luxury SUV space is exclusively German, at least for combustion engine options
Volvo XC40, which was launched in India in 2018, has come to the end of its five-year journey in the country. The SUV received its final update in 2022 with the launch of its pure electric version, the XC40 Recharge. The decision to discontinue the XC40 was based on the market response towards electric vehicles (EVs). In its final phase, the XC40 was priced at Rs 46.40 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India). In the entry-level luxury SUV segment, Volvo was the only non-German option. However, for petrol or diesel engine options in this price range, the choices are limited to the usual German trio. Let’s take a look at these alternatives:
Audi Q3/Q3 Sportback
Price Range: Rs 46.27 lakh to Rs 52.97 lakh
The latest generation Audi Q3, introduced in India in 2022, is available only as a petrol variant. It comes in two body styles: the Q3 and the Q3 Sportback (SUV-coupe). The Q3 is equipped with features like a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch driver’s display, dual-zone climate control, powered front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. In terms of safety, it offers six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), front and rear parking sensors with a rear-view camera, and ISOFIX child seat anchorages. The Q3 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (190PS/320Nm) coupled with a Quattro all-wheel-drive system and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
BMW X1
Price Range: Rs 45.90 lakh to Rs 51.60 lakh
The third-generation BMW X1, launched in India in early 2023, is locally assembled and offered with both petrol and diesel engine options. It comes in three variants: sDrive18i xLine, sDrive18d M Sport, and sDrive18i M Sport. The X1 features a curved integrated screen setup with a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and a 10.7-inch infotainment system. Other features include a 12-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound audio system, active seats for the driver and front passenger, multiple airbags, cornering brake control (CBC), ABS with brake assist, and driver-assistance systems like lane departure warning, front collision warning, and manual speed limit assist. The X1 is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine (136PS/230Nm) and a 2.0-litre diesel engine (150PS/360Nm), both paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price Range: Rs 48.50 lakh to Rs 52.70 lakh
Price for AMG GLA 35 4MATIC: Rs 63.50 lakh
The current generation of the Mercedes-Benz GLA, launched in 2021, is yet to receive any major updates. The latest generation is expected to arrive in India soon. The GLA offers a range of features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch driver’s display, dual-zone AC, powered front seats with memory function, panoramic sunroof, 64-color ambient lighting, seven airbags, electronic stability program (ESP), and active brake assist. It is available with both petrol and diesel engine options: a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine (163PS/250Nm) and a 2.0-litre diesel engine (190PS/400Nm). The petrol variant comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, while the diesel variant offers an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The diesel variant is also available with an optional all-wheel drive system. The GLA also has a performance version called the AMG GLA 35 4MATIC, which is powered by a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine (306PS/400Nm) and mated to an 8-speed DCT.
Special Mention
Mini Cooper Countryman
Price Range: Rs 48.10 lakh to Rs 49 lakh
Although it is not a typical SUV, the Mini Countryman can be considered as an alternative to the discontinued Volvo XC40. The Countryman, which was introduced in India in 2018, is available in two variants: Cooper S and Cooper S JCW Inspired. It comes with features like an 8.8-inch touchscreen, a powered tailgate, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, and safety features like six airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all passengers, reversing camera, and cornering brake control. The Mini Countryman is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine delivering 181PS and 280Nm of torque. It is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and can accelerate from 0 to 100kmph in 7.5 seconds. The successor to the Countryman is expected to be an electric vehicle as Mini is transitioning to an electric lineup.
These are the available alternatives to the discontinued Volvo XC40. However, if you still prefer a small Volvo SUV, you can choose from the two EV versions: the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge, priced at Rs 56.90 lakh and Rs 62.95 lakh respectively (both ex-showroom).
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