Tag Archives: announced

Opinion

Why Chapman Bespoke is true for the occasions

Last week, Lotus introduced a brand new programme known as Chapman Bespoke. It guarantees to supply higher personalisation and distinctive choices, proper as much as the manufacturing of one-off automobiles, in your Lotus.

What would Colin Chapman, Lotus’s founder, after whom the scheme is called and whose signature adorns its badge, have thought?

No thought. Never met the bloke. One of my least favorite phrases in motoring hackery is “so and so (company founder] would have approved”.

It’s often proclaimed definitively on the finish of an article to point out {that a} automotive is a real thoroughbred and that it is match to put on the title.

But truthfully, how are we to know what WO Bentley or Charles Rolls of Rolls-Royce would significantly have thought concerning the automobiles that come out of their firm’s respective factories right now?

Big cliché. Silly phrase. I’ve vowed by no means to make use of it so, apart from the events the place I most likely have already got, by no means will.

Anyway, famously, Chapman stated issues about simplifying automobiles and including lightness, which is definitely one thing he did on automobiles made for and derived from racing, just like the Lotus (now Caterham) 7, which was a path adopted by the Lotus Elise after his dying.

And on condition that he sketched out his first automobiles by hand and constructed them a lot the identical method, Lotus thinks he would have been into this Bespoke thought. Chapman was additionally partial, like most entrepreneurs, to creating a couple of quid.

Allowing any individual to color their Lotus the identical color as their favorite nail polish and ending the inside with gazelle disguise in the event that they’re ready to pay handsomely for the privilege (Bentley makes a median of £34,000 per automotive from its Mulliner programme) sounds just like the kind of factor that he may need been completely high-quality with too.

Motorsport

Desperate Fisker Drops Ocean Base Price to $24,999 in an Attempt to Survive

Fisker simply introduced main worth cuts for 2023 Ocean fashions, and we imply main. The entry-level Ocean Sport now prices $24,999 earlier than vacation spot fees. That simply makes it the most cost effective EV in America by a large margin, beating the Nissan Leaf by a couple of grand. In truth, the Ocean simply slots onto our list of the cheapest SUVs you should buy.

It’s not simply the bottom mannequin getting a tempting price ticket. Fisker reduce the range-topping Ocean Extreme almost in half, dropping $24,000 from the sticker. It now begins at $37,499 (down from $61,499) and that will get you a dual-motor SUV with 564 horsepower in Boost Mode and a 0-60 mph time beneath 4 seconds.

Fisker Ocean Production Model

The Ocean additionally has an EPA-estimated vary of 360 miles and comes customary with niceties like a panoramic sliding roof, a plethora of driver-assist programs, a banging stereo, and extra. Or if that is an excessive amount of, the mid-range Ocean Ultra’s worth is now $34,999 and you continue to have 350 miles of vary with sub-four-second sprints to 60 mph.

We aren’t attempting to promote Fisker Oceans. The worth drops are simply that excessive when in comparison with different SUVs available on the market, electrical or combustion. Furthermore, Fisker says a few of these fashions have as much as $7,000 in choices included in these costs. And whereas they’re 2023 fashions, they’ve the most recent software program put in for 2024.

  Price Range
Ocean Sport $24,999 231 Miles
Ocean Ultra $34,999 350 Miles
Ocean Extreme $37,499 360 Miles
Fisker Ocean Production Model

Of course, the elephant within the room is Fisker’s present monetary state. The firm said that, on its current course, there aren’t sufficient funds within the financial institution to make it by way of the tip of the 12 months. Reports of latest talks with different automakers on attainable investments supplied some hope, however these talks—allegedly centered on a partnership with Nissan—ended without a deal. 

Fisker struggled to get the Ocean to market, however over 10,000 fashions had been inbuilt 2023 with roughly 4,700 delivered to homeowners. Is this important worth reduce sufficient to woo consumers right into a automobile constructed by an organization that may very well be bankrupt by this time subsequent 12 months? That stays to be seen.

Motorsport

Volvo Kills the Diesel Engine Forever

Volvo resides as much as the promise it made final 12 months when it introduced to end production of vehicles powered by diesel engines in early 2024. This XC90 assembled on the firm’s Torslanda manufacturing facility is the ultimate oil-burner produced by the Swedish automaker, ending an period that began 45 years in the past. The blue SUV will not be heading to a buyer since it will go right into a museum for posterity.

The Geely-owned marque did not begin to preserve observe of diesel automobile manufacturing till 1991, and since then, it has constructed greater than 9 million automobiles. Since the data do not present what number of automobiles have been constructed from 1979 till 1991, the entire quantity is far larger contemplating 12 years are lacking. The final of the diesel breed is heading to the World of Volvo museum in Gothenburg.

last-volvo-diesel

The diesel story began with the 244 GL D6, however it did not have a Volvo engine. Instead, it was powered by a naturally aspirated six-cylinder unit borrowed from Volkswagen and Audi. It wasn’t till 2001 that Volvo launched a diesel engine of its personal, a five-cylinder mill assembled in-house on the manufacturing facility in Skövde.

In 2017, Volvo introduced plans to finish improvement of diesel engines. Last month, the ultimate automobile with a diesel engine (a V60) was inbuilt Ghent, Belgium. Now, the diesel engine is totally gone from the lineup.

The subsequent step is to finish the manufacturing of automobiles powered by combustion engines altogether. Although different luxurious manufacturers resembling Mercedes and Bentley have pushed again their overly ambitious EV targets, Volvo is sticking by its plan to go utterly electrical by the top of the last decade.

Europe is the final bastion of diesel automobiles, however demand has been shrinking within the aftermath of the Volkswagen Group’s messy emissions-cheating scandal. In addition, stricter emissions rules are forcing automakers to progressively drop diesel engines. Investments to make diesels adjust to the EU’s more durable laws can be costly, and since demand is dropping, it does not make sense to spend cash on these dying engines.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) claims diesel’s market share in Europe dropped from 16.4 % in 2022 to 13.6 % in 2023. Fully electrical automobiles have been extra in style final 12 months by taking a 14.6 % share, whereas plug-in hybrids accounted for 7.7 %. Gasoline automobiles reigned supreme with 35.3 %. Regular hybrids took a 25.8 % share whereas different kinds of propulsion accounted for the remaining 3 %.

VolvoCars

Dear diesel, it’s time to say goodbye

We proudly introduced it to the world at Climate Week NYC in September final 12 months, and now it’s turning into a actuality: we’ve constructed our final diesel automotive.

On a cloudy Thursday in early February, the plant in Ghent, Belgium, produced its final diesel-powered automotive, a V60. And simply the opposite day, the plant in Torslanda, Sweden, noticed its final XC90 diesel automotive roll off the manufacturing line.

These occasions mark an enormous milestone in Volvo Cars’ 97-year historical past. With this transfer, we’re taking an enormous step in the direction of our ambitions of turning into a totally electrical automotive maker, in addition to reaching web zero greenhouse fuel emissions by 2040.

Goodbye diesel, howdy electrical

For a very long time, our diesel engines had been synonymous with reliability and effectivity, they usually meant an awesome deal to us for a lot of a long time. Indeed, the success of our diesel automobiles performed a big function in our evolution right into a premium model.

In latest years, the electrical revolution has developed faster than most of us might have imagined – and it’s largely propelled by tightening laws round tailpipe emissions, in addition to buyer demand in response to the local weather disaster and a want for cleaner city air. Only 5 years in the past, the diesel engine was our bread and butter in Europe, identical to it was for many different automotive makers. The majority of the automobiles we bought in Europe in 2019 ran on diesel, whereas electrical fashions had been simply beginning to acquire traction.

Today, most of our gross sales on the continent are electrified automobiles. Last 12 months, we elevated our gross sales of absolutely electrical automobiles by 70 per cent, and our international electrical market share by 34 per cent. The figures communicate for themselves, underscoring that the all-electric course we’re now heading in the direction of is the precise one to take, and we achieve this with our flag held excessive.

While our future certainly is absolutely electrical, our blended portfolio consists of some wonderful plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid fashions, which is able to act as an ideal bridge in the direction of that future.

A historical past of satisfaction

As we are saying farewell to our diesel automobiles, let’s discover the way it all started and unfolded. Here are some key milestones in our diesel historical past:

•    1979. Neither Sweden nor Europe is a diesel market. Those who purchase diesel automobiles are usually taxi drivers or long-haul travellers. But folks have slowly begun to see the advantages of the extra environment friendly diesel engines and demand is on the rise. So, we take heed to our prospects and introduce our first-ever diesel automotive: the Volvo 244 GL D6. The engine is highly effective, very environment friendly and the world’s first six-cylinder diesel engine for passenger automobiles.

•    2001. The diesel automotive scene good points momentum. When we launch the Volvo V70, it’s additionally lastly time for us to introduce our first self-built diesel engine. This five-cylinder engine, manufactured on the Volvo powertrain plant in Skövde, Sweden, is to turn out to be an enormous success and can energy many Volvo automobiles throughout Europe. It’s made in a number of totally different variations and is so highly effective that it’s even getting used on the racetrack in a automotive referred to as the S60 Challenge. Also, our buddies at Volvo Penta even determined to make a marine model of this engine.

•    2008. Time for our subsequent massive diesel milestone: the launch of the Drive-E lineup – that includes small but extremely environment friendly 1.6-litre diesel engines. With the solar in your face and the wind at your again, you may go 1,300km on a single tank, and CO2 emission ranges are so low that they get labeled as ‘green engines’ in Sweden. The Drive-E engines are flexibly constructed and work properly in numerous Volvo fashions. With their steadiness of effectivity and efficiency, they mark an enormous step ahead in diesel know-how.

•    2012. We launch the Volvo V60 D6 plug-in hybrid, which is a novel automotive: it’s the world’s first plug-in hybrid fitted with a diesel engine. At the time, it’s our most technically superior mannequin ever – electrical, hybrid and a muscle automotive unexpectedly. And it’s really one thing of an engineering surprise. Depending on the driving mode, it might go so far as 50 kilometres on electrical energy, has a complete vary of as much as 1,000 kilometres, and with 215 horsepower from the diesel engine and 70 horsepower from the electrical motor, it accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds.

•    2013. For the second time in historical past, we launch a very self-built diesel engine household: Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA). The mixture of upper injection stress and the distinctive i-ART know-how is taken into account revolutionary within the diesel trade. Our prospects can take pleasure in higher gasoline financial system, decrease emissions and excessive output. The new engines are utilized in a wide range of fashions and turn out to be successful within the second-generation XC90. They stay on till the top, powering the final diesel-powered V60 and XC90 we construct.

•    2023. We transfer away from combustion engines by promoting our stake in Aurobay, the combustion engine three way partnership firm now we have along with Geely Holding.

Motorsport

Not Even Nissan Wants Fisker

Fisker is in bother. The electrical car startup introduced earlier this month that it did not come up with the money for to make it to December. The hope was that one other firm would swoop in and put it aside from eventual chapter—however these talks have fallen aside.

According to regulatory paperwork filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday—as first reported by Reuters—Fisker wasn’t capable of strike a take care of potential suitors. “The large automaker” concerned in preliminary talks “terminated the negotiations.” Fisker was reportedly in discussions with as much as 5 automakers.

Fisker Alaska Side Profile

One of the largest names connected to a possible Fisker funding was Nissan—a model wanting to get extra EVs on the highway—though that was by no means formally confirmed. According to an earlier report from Reuters, Nissan’s largest curiosity was the electrical Alaska pickup, with a reported $400 million on the desk towards manufacturing of the truck at one among Fisker’s US vegetation.

The Fisker Alaska debuted final yr in idea kind promising 340 miles of vary within the US and a $45,000 beginning value. The range-topping dual-motor, all-wheel-drive mannequin reportedly had 550 horsepower whereas the bottom model had 275 horsepower. It was anticipated to go on sale within the US someday this yr.

Fisker is now compelled to search for alternate choices to remain afloat. The doc notes that the corporate “continues to guage strategic alternate options.” That may embrace enterprise restructurings in courtroom or inventory buybacks. Speaking of—Fisker’s inventory dropped 28 % on the day of the announcement and buying and selling was halted. The New York Stock Exchange will quickly delist the inventory totally. 

Fisker Alaska24

Thus far, Fisker has lowered its workforce by 15 % in an try to chop prices. Many of these jobs have been in gross sales as the corporate switches from direct-to-consumer gross sales to a conventional seller mannequin. The firm has reportedly signed 13 seller companions in North America and Europe, with an bold plan to ship round 20,000 Ocean SUVs worldwide in 2024.

We’ll see the place the subsequent few months take Fisker, however the future doesn’t look promising.

News

Mark Your Calendars For World Ducati Week

Ducati has simply introduced the twelfth version of the World Ducati Week, and we’re excited, as  the grand gathering of Ducatisti and motorbike fanatics alike will happen on the iconic Misano World Circuit and the Adriatic Riviera.

World Ducati Week, which takes place July 26 to twenty-eight, 2024, is the proper place for each die-hard Ducatisti and motorbike fanatics alike to rise up shut and private with the House of Borgo Panigale, get a firsthand style of the model’s newest fashions, and immerse themselves in motorbike tradition from all around the world.

The Race of Champions is one of the highlight events of World Ducati Week

The Race of Champions is among the spotlight occasions of World Ducati Week

Adding to the thrill is the spotlight occasion: Ducati’s “Race of Champions,” which is able to characteristic prime Ducati riders slugging it out in an epic race in one of many world’s most iconic circuits, the Misano World Circuit.

Ducati is providing a number of move choices for these keen to hitch in on the enjoyable. Biker Passes and Visitor Passes can be found for one or all three days of the occasion. These passes grant entry to all public areas, the place a wide range of actions together with talks, demos, and autograph classes with Ducati’s prime racers shall be held.

The fun at WDW goes well beyond motorcycling

The enjoyable at WDW goes effectively past motorcycling

Folks who go for the premium 3-Day Pass will get particular perks corresponding to entry to the race observe, in addition to take a look at rides of the most recent Ducati fashions. Quite frankly, I can’t consider a greater option to expertise Ducati’s top-tier equipment—a observe day on the Misano World Circuit aboard a Ducati Panigale V2.

To make issues even higher, ticket holders are eligible for discounted visits to the Ducati Museum, in addition to entry to the Ducati manufacturing unit, so you possibly can see the masterful craftsmanship that goes into each bike.

A sea of motorcycles flocks to Misano every year for WDW

A sea of bikes flocks to Misano yearly for WDW

To make the enjoyable accessible to all, Ducati is providing free admission for minors, in addition to individuals with disabilities, in addition to their companions. Tickets at the moment are obtainable on Ducati’s official web site, so you should definitely test it out to seize yours right this moment.

Events like World Ducati Week are the proper avenue for motorcyclists from throughout the globe to get collectively and share their passions. More than simply model loyalty, occasions like this construct on the already sturdy motorbike group, and appeal to new riders into the fold.

More folks on bikes is all the time a great factor, and we will’t wait to see what Ducati has in retailer within the 2024 World Ducati Week.

News

Yamaha Unveils Its Final-Edition Snowmobiles, Saying Farewell to the Industry

Snowmobiles make up a sizeable slice of the powersports pie. So when Yamaha announced it was pulling out of the industry in June 2023, it was a tricky blow. Especially when you think about RideApart’s uptick in snowmobile coverage.

But, earlier than Yamaha rides right into a powdery sundown, it has one last hurrah for all its loyal fanatics. The model simply unveiled its final-edition snowmobiles, which embody 4 limited-edition fashions. 

Final-Edition Snowmobiles

Yamaha launched its first snowmobile approach again in 1968, and 57 years later, its lineup consists of 16 final-edition fashions. Undoubtedly, probably the most thrilling of the bunch are the limited-edition items, of which there are 4. 

The limited-edition lineup for 2025 consists of the Sidewinder L-TX LE, X-TX LE, M-TX LE, and the SRX.

If you do not wish to shell out for the additional bling featured on the limited-edition fashions, the remainder of the fashions within the lineup embody the Sidewinder L-TX GT, Sidewinder S-TX GT EPS, SRViper GT, Sidewinder L-TX SE, Sidewinder X-TX SE, SX Venom, Venom Mount, Transporter Lite, Transporter Lite 2-Up, Transportor 800, Snoscoot, and the SRX 120.

Long-time supporters of Yamaha snowmobiles pondering of choosing up one of many last editions may wish to pay shut consideration to the fashions that include the ultimate version badging. 

Check out every of the ultimate fashions in additional element under.

Continued Service

This will likely be Yamaha’s last snowmobile launch, however consumers needn’t concern that they’re going to be left excessive and dry sooner or later. According to the video, Yamaha dealerships will proceed to face behind the ultimate sleds for years to return with elements, service, and guarantee.

So tell us within the feedback: will you be one of many few to personal a final-edition Yamaha snowmobile?

Motorsport

Automakers Must Cut CO2 Emissions in Half by 2032

This morning, the Biden Administration introduced the finalization of long-awaited new emissions guidelines—and so they’re powerful, however not as strict because the EPA initially proposed.

The new guidelines require roughly 50 % cuts to greenhouse fuel (GHG) emissions for passenger automobiles and vans by 2032. There are additionally drastic cuts for high quality particulates that trigger smog. This is much less drastic than the EPA’s initial proposal last year, which might have required sooner preliminary adjustments by automakers in 2027 and cuts of as much as 67 % to CO2 emissions by 2032.

Despite the slight leisure within the ultimate rule, it is going to undoubtedly change what dealerships promote within the coming a long time. The EPA wished two-thirds of recent automotive gross sales to be electrical by 2032 in its preliminary proposal, which automakers and unions alike decried as unimaginable. The fundamental automaker trade group referred to as the preliminary plans “neither reasonable nor achievable” and inspired the Biden Administration to melt the necessities considerably. The ultimate proposal revealed immediately largely meets their requests, which purpose nearer towards Biden’s authentic objectives of fifty % plug-in and electrical car gross sales by 2030. 

Officially, the brand new guidelines are implementation-agnostic, and automakers can nonetheless promote any drivetrains they need so long as they meet the emissions targets. Meeting the brand new emissions targets will nearly actually require hybrid and EV gross sales to surpass the present proportion of EV new automotive gross sales at 7.6 %. The EPA initiatives a variety someplace from 30 to 56 percent of new cars as EVs by 2032 with the ultimate rule, relying on how automakers determine to implement it.

While the ultimate guidelines have happy automakers, it leaves Biden’s political opponents dissatisfied. Former President and present presidential candidate Donald Trump has repeatedly and harshly criticized Biden for his environmental and EV policy. Oil corporations have additionally expressed dissatisfaction with the EPA’s plans, calling them a de facto ban on gas cars, and the state of Texas is currently suing the EPA, difficult its authority to manage auto emissions in any respect.

The president additionally face challenges from the left, as practically 100 US lawmakers signed a statement encouraging Biden to finalize the more durable guidelines, somewhat than softening them for the sake of the auto trade.

The guidelines have been made stricter previously (in the course of the Obama administration) solely to be reverted (by the Trump administration) after which re-instated (by the Biden administration). The end result of the 2024 presidential election subsequently will possible dictate whether or not the brand new rule will even final lengthy sufficient to be carried out.

Motorsport

Watch the 2025 Infiniti QX80 Reveal Here: Livestream

Update: Infiniti has introduced 2025 QX80 particulars forward of the livestream presentation. You can test it out in our QX80 debut submit, however keep tuned for the dwell video reveal at 7:00 PM Eastern.

Infiniti has been flying beneath the radar for some time, however Nissan’s premium marque is able to bounce again with the all-new QX80. The range-topping SUV will break cowl immediately throughout a livestreamed occasion organized on the Edge outside sky deck at Hudson Yards in New York City. The luxobarge is related for international markets as properly because it previews the next-generation Patrol (Armada within the United States).

Infiniti had an unusually lengthy teaser marketing campaign within the lead-up to immediately’s premiere. We’re not simply speaking about design particulars but additionally technical specs. For instance, the brand new QX80 has already been confirmed with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 making 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That’ll give it a pleasant bump of fifty hp and 103 lb-ft over the outgoing mannequin fitted with the naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V-8.


Motorsport

Volkswagen Will Reveal its High-Performance ID.Buzz GTX on March 21

Volkswagen introduced on Friday plans to disclose a brand new efficiency automobile throughout its annual press convention taking place March 21. The firm revealed a teaser picture to LinkedIn alongside the announcement exhibiting the headlight silhouette of an ID.Buzz electrical van, suggesting a high-performance model of VW’s people-mover is lower than a month away.

Confirmed for manufacturing at the start of 2023, the ID.Buzz GTX will be a part of the corporate’s different sporty EV choices, the ID.3 GTX and the ID.7 GTX Tourer, in VW’s rising listing of high-performance, zero-emissions autos.

Volkswagen’s been mum on particulars concerning the ID.Buzz GTX, saying solely that it’ll make 335 horsepower due to a dual-motor all-wheel drive system, mirroring output on the ID.7 GTX. We count on different upgrades too, like a stiffer suspension, higher brakes, greater wheels, and a sportier inside.

volkswagen teaser image with head-on shot of id.buzz headlights

The ID.Buzz GTX has been on our radar for months now. An all-white take a look at mule stated to be a prototype for the automotive was spotted by our spy photographers on the street final summer season. Not lengthy after that, it was caught lapping the Nürburgring throughout an trade take a look at pool session. So the timing of this reveal is smart.

It’s unclear proper now whether or not Volkswagen is planning to carry this high-performance ID.Buzz variant to the United States. Neither the ID.3 GTX nor the ID.7 GTX tourer are slated for US consumption, and the traditional ID.Buzz has but to even go on sale Stateside. Moreover, Volkswagen’s electrical GTI has but to be greenlit for the US. With demand for electrical autos waning, a sporty EV van seems like a really area of interest product which may not conjure the demand VW expects. Either method, we might love to present one a go.