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Cars

Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A Military Humvee

Before purchasing a military Humvee, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, if you are buying from an auction site, you will most likely need to have your Humvee shipped to your location. The transport cost can range from $1,000 to $5,000, with an average cost of $2,000 to $3,000. Factors such as shipping preference, distance, location, and time of year will determine the final price. To learn more about this, you can visit the official transport company for GovPlanet, VeriTread.

Once your Humvee is delivered and sitting in your driveway, there are a few things you need to do to make it road-worthy. Unlike standard civilian vehicles, military Humvees may not come equipped with features like high and low beam headlights, red tail lights with brake lights, front and rear turn signals, mirrors, and seat belts. These features may or may not be included, as they were not necessary for military use. It is important to check and ensure that your Humvee meets your state’s vehicle inspection and exhaust requirements as well.

In addition, it is essential to consider the specific types of Humvees available. Some models only have three speeds and are designed to cruise at speeds between 45 and 50 mph. Pushing these vehicles to exceed their recommended speed limit can put excessive stress on the engine and make them incredibly loud. Furthermore, older models may not have a dedicated park mode, requiring you to put the vehicle in neutral and use a handbrake.

Before making a purchase, it is crucial to consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to understand the precise requirements for owning and driving a military Humvee in your state. It is necessary to ensure that you comply with all regulations and legal obligations. Keep in mind that owning and operating a military Humvee can be an expensive endeavor, so having a sufficient budget is essential if you are interested in driving around in a vehicle like Arnold Schwarzenegger did.

Motorsport

Porsche Macan EV Spotted Without Camouflage

Porsche has been testing the electric version of the Macan on public roads for almost two years. The vehicle is set to make its official debut next year. However, you don’t have to wait to see what it looks like. New spy photos have emerged, showing a prototype of the Macan EV with minimal camouflage.

These latest photos provide the best view of the Macan EV yet, revealing its front fascia with Taycan-inspired headlights. While there are some sections of the lighting clusters covered with black tape, the front end remains mostly undisguised. The lower section of the fascia features a trapezoidal-shaped bumper that extends into the lower bumper diffuser. Additionally, there are two corner lights on the bumper, which appear to have cornering functionality.


Motorsport

Porsche 911 Plans to Keep Its Internal Combustion Engine for as Long as Possible

Porsche is known for its electric future, with a goal of achieving 80 percent of sales from electric vehicles by the end of the decade. However, the iconic 911 sports car will be an exception to this transition. Porsche intends to keep the 911’s internal combustion engine and make it the last model to lose this traditional powertrain.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about Porsche’s decision to keep the 911 away from the electric vehicle market. While there is no definite timeline for when the 911 will receive a fully electric powertrain, it is expected that the era of combustion engines will continue until at least 2030. Karl Dums, the leader of Porsche’s e-fuels team, confirmed to Reuters that the 911 will be the final Porsche model to have an internal combustion engine in the electric vehicle era.


Motorsport

Next-Gen Mini Cooper: New Features and Technology Enhancements

The next-generation Mini Cooper is set to be officially unveiled later this year, but Mini has already shared some exciting details and photos of the car’s cabin. The upcoming hatchback will feature new gimmicks and enhancements in both the audio and visual aspects of its technology.

One standout feature that Mini takes pride in is the circular OLED display positioned in the center of the dashboard. With a diameter of 9.44 inches (240 millimeters), this is the industry’s first display of its size to utilize OLED technology. This display will debut in the next-generation Mini models, incorporating the Mini Operating System 9. It should be noted that the Mini Operating System 9 is the latest version of BMW Group’s infotainment software, which is built on an Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack.


News, Technology

ChatGPT’s Official Android App Launches Next Week: Here’s How To Pre-Register

OpenAI is set to launch their official Android app for ChatGPT next week, and it is expected to receive millions of downloads. The release of the app comes at an interesting time as OpenAI has recently announced their plans to develop a watermarking system to distinguish between content generated by humans and AI.

This commitment was made during a White House briefing, where OpenAI was joined by Google, Microsoft, and Meta in their effort to create a fingerprinting technique for identifying AI-generated content such as text, images, and audio.

OpenAI has also introduced a new feature called “custom instructions” for ChatGPT. This feature allows the chatbot to remember user preferences and requirements. For example, if a user identifies themselves as a research scholar, ChatGPT will provide in-depth answers that are tailored to a research scholar’s needs. However, this feature is currently only available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers and is still in the beta phase.

It is worth noting that ChatGPT went through an upgrade with GPT-4 a few months ago, which made it a multi-model system. However, OpenAI has decided to limit its multimedia comprehension abilities due to safety concerns.

News

Autocar archive returns: 128 years of magazines available online

The Autocar archive, which covers almost 130 years of automotive history, is now accessible online through web and app platforms. This extensive archive consists of over 5900 fully searchable issues dating back to 1895. It serves as a valuable historical record of the automotive trade and the industry’s social history.

Since 1895, Autocar has been at the forefront of documenting significant events in automobile history. From the first public demonstration of cars to the iconic launch of “The Mini” in 1959 and the introduction of the Ford Fiesta in 1976, Autocar has chronicled these milestones.

Subscriptions to the Autocar archive are available to individuals and libraries worldwide. In addition to access to the archive, digital subscribers can also enjoy weekly issues featuring thought-provoking editorials, authoritative car reviews, and news shaping the global automotive agenda.

The development of the Autocar archive was made possible through a collaboration with digital publishing services platform, Exact Editions. The advanced search function provided by Exact Editions allows subscribers to easily search, share, and cite articles, news pieces, and reviews from Autocar’s extensive publication history.

The Exact Editions platform enhances the user experience through its interface and high-quality images, breathing new life into issues published over a century ago. This provides a unique opportunity for car enthusiasts and historians to reflect on the evolution of the car industry over several decades.

To access the complete Autocar archive, individuals and institutions can visit the following links:

Individuals

Institutions

For a sneak peek into the archive, the following articles from specific issues are publicly available until the end of Friday, July 21, 2023:

  • 2 November 1895 – The first public demonstration of cars in Britain and the beginning of Autocar.
  • 13 April 1928 – Autocar introduces the road test, featuring the influential Austin Seven.
  • 10 February 1939 – Germany unveils the Volkswagen, which later becomes a global force.
  • 28 August 1959 – The arrival of the Mini, an “incredible new breed of small car,” that delights many hearts.
  • 24 March 1961 – The unveiling of the E-Type at the Geneva Motorshow.
  • 24 June 1966 – Ford ends Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans during the golden age of sports car racing.
  • 17 July 1976 – The debut of the Ford Fiesta, which becomes Britain’s favorite car for decades to come.
Motorsport

New Polestar 5 Prototype, Polestar 3 Make Dynamic Debuts At Goodwood

Polestar is showcasing a significant portion of its lineup at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, including two upcoming models.

The Polestar 3 electric SUV and the latest version of the Polestar 5 prototype will be unveiled in action at the event. They will be joined by the Polestar 2 BST edition 230 limited-run model in the First Glance Paddock. All three vehicles will make two runs up the hill every day during the event.

While the Polestar 3 and Polestar 2 BST edition 230 have already been introduced, the Polestar 5 flagship remains fully camouflaged, as this is currently the latest verification prototype. The production version is expected to launch in 2024.

These official photos provide a better view of the electric four-door GT prototype compared to the most recent spy shots of the Polestar 5. The images reveal the final production bodywork, which includes details such as sleekly designed front and rear bumpers, flush door handles, and a body panel in place of a rear window.


News

Japan’s Cullinan Killer: Rumored Toyota Century SUV Now Confirmed

These days, almost everything in the automotive industry needs to be a crossover or an SUV in order to stay relevant. However, there seems to be no end in sight to the demand for SUVs and crossovers. During the unveiling of the new Toyota Alphard luxury minivan, a rumor that has been circulating for quite some time was confirmed—a Century SUV. This means that Toyota is officially creating an SUV version of its iconic full-size luxury sedan. Toyota’s Chief Branding officer, Simon Humphries, stated that the Century offers the ultimate Chauffeur experience and it will have to evolve. He also mentioned that more details will be shared later in the year about this new addition to Toyota’s chauffeur series.

The Century is a full-size flagship luxury sedan made by Toyota, and it is exclusive to the Japanese market. It is often compared to models like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Rolls-Royce Phantom. It is highly sought after by Japanese VIPs and high-profile businessmen. The current generation Century has been on sale since 2018 and is built on the rear-wheel drive N platform. The Century SUV will most likely debut before a next-generation Century sedan appears.

What We Wish The Century SUV Will Be

As Toyota’s flagship SUV, we hope that the Century SUV will be the epitome of Japanese prestige and luxury. It should not be based on a front-wheel drive architecture like many other Lexus and Toyota crossover SUVs. There are two possible routes for Toyota to take. The first is to utilize the TNGA-F platform, which would allow the SUV to have off-roading capabilities like the Lexus LX 600. The second option, and the one we prefer, is to use the TNGA-L platform, which is already used in the Lexus LS and LC. This platform offers high levels of comfort and on-road performance.

What Could It Look Like?

The Century SUV will likely resemble an SUV version of the Century sedan. However, it will not simply be a rugged version of the sedan. Toyota will combine vintage design elements with modern aesthetics, just like they did with the current Century sedan. The interior will follow a similar theme, with vintage and modern elements blended together. Rear seat comfort will be a highlight, with the possibility of an optional two-seater configuration.

Hybrid Propulsion As Standard

The Century SUV will most likely feature a hybrid electric drivetrain. It could either use a V-8 hybrid engine, similar to the one in the current Century sedan, or a V-6 hybrid engine used in the Lexus LS and LC. Both options offer a combination of power and fuel efficiency. There is also a possibility that Toyota will develop a completely new powertrain for the Century SUV.

How Much Would A Century SUV Cost?

In Japan, the current Toyota Century sedan has a base price of ¥20,080,000 ($140,000), making it more expensive than any Lexus or Toyota vehicle. The Century SUV will likely be even more expensive, possibly reaching the $200,000 mark. The limited production run and hand-built assembly process of the Century sedan contribute to its exclusivity and high price. It remains to be seen if the world is ready to pay nearly $200,000 for a Toyota SUV.

Cars

Top 10 Military Light Utility Vehicles in 2023

The original Austrian Pinzgauer served for almost four decades as a highly regarded Light Utility Vehicle (LUV). However, due to declining sales, it was discontinued in 2008. In search of a worthy replacement, the Pinzgauer II was introduced. This new generation vehicle offers enhanced features such as a larger size, increased capacity, better mobility, higher payload, and improved overall performance.

A notable improvement in the Pinzgauer II is its six-wheel, 6×6 configuration, compared to the original’s four-wheel design. This enables it to carry heavier loads effortlessly, thanks to an impressive engine power increase from 87 to 194 horsepower. With a cargo capacity of 3.8 tons, the Pinzgauer II can accommodate 14 troops along with their equipment and is capable of towing trailers or artillery if required. Its elevated cab design allows it to ford waters up to a depth of 1.5 meters, and it boasts a range of 1,000 kilometers. Furthermore, the range can be doubled with an additional fuel tank, making it one of the most versatile LUVs on this list.

Despite its larger size, the Pinzgauer II can still be transported using Hercules aircraft or Chinook directly to combat zones. It serves various roles in these zones, including ambulance services, reconnaissance missions, tactical operations, and communications tasks. While it can be configured with heavy armor, the primary focus of the Pinzgauer II is utility rather than carrying defensive armaments. Nonetheless, it performs exceptionally well in terms of performance, practicality, and aesthetic appeal.

[Featured image by New Zealand Defence Force from Wellington, New Zealand via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY 2.0]