Tag Archives: 2021

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.


News

Piaggio 1 Electric Scooter Gets Upgrades for 2023

In 2021, Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio introduced the 1, a scooter designed specifically for urban commuting. It gained popularity in the European market for its simple yet stylish design. Now, for the 2023 model year, Piaggio has made several updates to enhance its performance and features. Let’s explore the changes.

The Piaggio 1 for 2023 now offers improved performance, thanks to enhancements in its motor internals. These improvements result in increased power and torque, allowing for quicker acceleration and easy maneuverability on steep slopes.

The latest version of the Piaggio 1 electric scooter delivers 2.2 kilowatts (about three horsepower) of power, equivalent to a 50cc moped. This represents a significant power boost compared to its predecessor, with a claimed 14-percent acceleration improvement, particularly beneficial in stop-and-go traffic. Additionally, the Piaggio 1 features a removable battery conveniently located beneath the saddle for convenient charging on and off the bike.

For 2023, the Piaggio 1 retains its sleek and compact design, offering stability and durability with its solid frame. Its sophisticated urban appearance is complemented by useful amenities such as a keyless start system, LED lighting, and a spacious under-seat storage compartment capable of accommodating a jet helmet. The scooter also incorporates a full-color display for an enhanced user experience.

The Piaggio 1 is available in various elegant color combinations. Those seeking a discreet yet trendy look can choose from Forever Gray, Forever White, and Forever Black. Alternatively, bolder options include Sunshine Mix, Arctic Mix, and the new Flame Mix, all featuring attractive two-tone finishes. With a price tag of 2,899 Euros (approximately $3,171), the Piaggio 1 offers an affordable way to navigate the city streets in style.

These upgrades to the Piaggio 1 demonstrate the continual improvement of electric scooters. Electric scooters are increasingly replacing traditional internal-combustion models as a popular commuting alternative in Europe and Asia. Their affordability and government incentives promoting sustainability contribute to their growing popularity. While the adoption of electric scooters in the U.S. may be slower compared to other regions, it is evident that they have a place in urban areas where sustainability and emissions reduction are prioritized.

Featured

Tesla to Exhibit at 2023 Shenzhen Auto Show, Possible Debut of Updated Model 3

Tesla will once again participate in a Chinese auto show following the eventful start of the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show. The prominent American electric vehicle manufacturer will attend the 2023 Shenzhen Auto Show on June 16, with rumors suggesting that the highly anticipated refreshed Model 3 might take center stage.

In recent times, auto shows have lost some of their allure among carmakers, and the global pandemic has delivered a significant blow to what was once a prime occasion for introducing new… (continue reading…)

Motorsport

2024 Volkswagen Golf Refresh Rendered After Spy Shots Released

Between 2007 and 2021, the Volkswagen Golf held the top spot as Europe’s best-selling car for 14 years. Last year, however, the compact hatchback and wagon duo failed to make it to the podium, taking fifth place behind the Peugeot 208, Dacia Sandero, VW T-Roc, and the Fiat/Abarth 500, with only 177,203 units sold, following a 14% drop in sales. The Toyota Yaris is catching up with it as well.

In an effort to revive its sales, VW announced that it would refresh the Golf the same year it gave the similar mechanically Skoda Octavia the same treatment. The nine-generation Golf will be exclusively electric, so this might be the last mechanical update. An unofficial rendering was released to show prospective changes to the car.

2024 Volkswagen Golf facelift rendering

According to Volkswagen’s teaser images, the 2024 Golf will have redesigned headlights and vertical slats in the bumper. The eHybrid version seen in testing was fitted with a charging port on the driver’s side, which has been excluded from this rendering, which depicts the non-PHEV version. The R-Line version of the five-door hatch in the rendering also includes subtle taillight adjustments.

As expected from a German carmaker, styling tweaks will be minimal. VW typically makes subtle modifications during a vehicle’s life cycle, unlike Hyundai and Kia, which make more significant changes. Although this rendering focuses on the exterior, we expect some cabin updates as well.

Based on a prototype seen previously, the Golf facelift will have a larger touchscreen, which could be the same 15-inch unit found on the ID.7. The larger display is larger than the ID.3’s 12-inch screen, which we saw in the prototype. VW has announced a “qualify offensive” and intends to remove touch-sensitive buttons from the steering wheel in response to criticism from customers.

We anticipate cleaner engines to comply with Euro 7 regulations, which will take effect in July 2025, leading to changes in exhaust brakes and tires, among other things, as part of broader efforts to minimize the harmful impact of vehicles. According to VW, Euro 7 would increase the pricing of ICE cars, to the point where they may be removed from the product range altogether, leaving room for the exclusively electric Golf 9. As a result, the Polo is becoming obsolete.

Motorsport

Ford Maverick Owner Not Happy With Ground Clearance After A Year Of Driving

The Maverick, Ford’s entry-level pickup, debuted in 2021 and since then has been sold in over 120,000 units in the United States alone. Presumably, some buyers got a Maverick as their first-ever pickup, but others chose Ford’s unibody truck because it promises decent fuel economy and lower maintenance costs compared to the bigger pickups out there.

However, as the video embedded at the top of this page shows, it’s not a perfect vehicle, especially if you like to wander off the beaten track frequently.

YouTuber Overland Florida explains in the 5-minute long production that the biggest gripe he has with his 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat FX4 is the low ground clearance and low-hanging front bumper, which isn’t ideal when going off-road.

He says that because it’s an FX4-equipped pickup, it should have a higher ground clearance from the factory, seeing how the optional package comes with goodies like all-terrain tires, exposed front tow hooks, hill descent control, and skid plates as standard.

Ford released the Tremor pack for the 2023 model year, which comes with a lot more off-road-oriented features, like an electronic lockable rear differential, skid plates, and – more to the point of this article – different front and rear shocks that increase the ride height by one inch (25 millimeters), compared to the base variant Maverick.

Unfortunately, cooler and more feature-rich variants usually come later in the life of a new vehicle – an issue early adopters have to live with.