Tag Archives: applied

News

Lunaz Applied Technology: bin lorry electrifier enters administration

Commercial car electrification agency Lunaz Applied Technologies (LAT) has entered administration, with the lack of round 40 jobs.

Autocar understands the three-year-old agency, based in 2021 as an offshoot of traditional automobile electrification specialist Lunaz, has folded after failing to acquire the required funding to start manufacturing of its electrical bin lorry, dubbed the Lunaz Upcycled Electric Vehicle.

However, Lunaz retains the mental property regarding its HGV electrification course of and plans to restart the programme when the market setting is extra hospitable.

The electromodding division – identified for its zero-emission reworkings of traditional Bentleys, Jaguars and Range Rovers – stays in operation and is known to be unaffected by the transfer.

A spokesperson informed Autocar: “The Lunaz Group is presently restructuring its enterprise to rescope timelines for the beginning of manufacturing for business car merchandise. This means the enterprise entity Lunaz Applied Technologies has stopped operations.

“This choice rebalances enterprise focus to passenger vehicles, which stay in manufacturing, with order books open for [Lunaz’s] 5 engineered EV platforms.

“It is meant that engineered business car platforms will start manufacturing at a later date, in response to confirmed and anticipated delays on the legislative requirement for fleets to transition to zero-emissions autos.

“This restructure will ensure demand for passenger vehicles can be met while ensuring commercial vehicles can be produced once market conditions drive demand.”

LAT deliberate to finally be changing 1100 diesel-engined industrial autos to electrical drivetrains annually, “to meet surging demand for electrified vehicles in the run-up to the 2030 [now 2035] ban on the sale of fossil-fuelled vehicles”.

Last yr, it agreed to provide waste administration firm Biffa with 10 Upcycled Electric Vehicles, in a deal that it stated would save as much as 210 tonnes in embedded carbon.

It then agreed a provide take care of Buckinghamshire Council, with plans to ship the primary lorry final autumn.

Motorsport

Buy This Bugatti Chiron, Get a Rolls-Royce Wraith for Free

The “buy-one-get-one-free” technique is a brilliant advertising and marketing tactic for driving enterprise, but it surely’s not usually we see it utilized to used automobiles. We do not assume we have ever seen it used with automobiles of this caliber. But, a Florida dealership is at present providing a free Rolls-Royce Wraith to whomever purchases the Bugatti Chiron it has in stock. Sounds like an attention-grabbing deal to us.

Naples Motorsports printed a “special offer” to Facebook earlier this week saying it could throw in a 2018 Wraith without spending a dime with the acquisition of a 2021 Bugatti Chiron. The Chiron in query appears to be like to be in nice form, with simply over 2,000 miles on the clock and completed in a beautiful two-tone Grenade and Glacier exterior.

The Rolls-Royce is, coincidentally, very similarly-specced, with a silver and brown two-tone exterior coat. According to Naples Motorsports’ web site it has been pushed over 17,000 miles. Forgo the Chiron, and you will be paying an asking value of $239,995.

 

It’s robust to gauge the worth of any given Chiron, given how few are available on the market on the time and the distinctive specs of every instance. Naples Motorsport is asking $3.85 million for the Chiron right here, making it the costliest we might discover at present listed within the US. It additionally has fewer miles than these automobiles, which might account for the larger price ticket.

The extra doubtless situation is the value of the Rolls has already been factored into the Bugatti’s determine. Take away the value of the Rolls from the Bugatti, and also you’re round $3.6 million—extra in keeping with different Chirons available on the market proper now. 

So whereas this buy-one-get-one promo may not be the screaming deal it appears like, we commend this vendor for considering outdoors the field to get potential clients via the door.

Car review

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is a prime example of minimalist automotive interior design. Tesla’s designers have gone to great lengths to remove as much switchgear from the cabin as possible, resulting in only a handful of physical controls.

In the latest facelift, the Model 3’s interior has been upgraded to give it a more upscale feel.

One notable change is the ability to personalize the top panel of the dashboard with inserts in different colors or materials, such as a grey textured fabric. The cupholders now have a sliding lid, and there is a strip of ambient lighting running along the upper section of the doors and continuing along the top of the dashboard.

Storage space in the Model 3 is plentiful, and the combined luggage space of 542 liters is more than what you get from a traditional combustion-powered BMW 3 Series, which offers 480 liters.

The second row of seats can comfortably accommodate two adults. The use of vegan leather and glossy piano black trim adds to the Model 3’s material appeal, although it still has some work to do to match the luxuriousness of brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.

Multimedia System

The centerpiece of the Model 3’s cabin is the enormous 15.0-inch touchscreen in the middle of the slimline dashboard. This touchscreen controls and adjusts almost every aspect of the car, from the wing mirrors to the steering wheel position, sat-nav, headlights, cruise control, and windscreen wipers. There is no instrument binnacle; all necessary information is displayed on the touchscreen.

While this approach to cabin architecture takes some getting used to, once you learn your way around the various sub-menus, it works well enough. However, the need to divert your attention from the road to interact with the touchscreen can be uncomfortable at times.

The infotainment system in the Model 3 is reminiscent of Silicon Valley, with impressive graphics and smooth operation on the 15.0-inch screen. However, the large size of the screen can make it a bit challenging to use, considering it controls features like the windscreen wipers and HVAC system.

In addition to standard features like sat-nav, Bluetooth, and DAB radio, the Model 3 offers some unexpected surprises. For example, it includes a digital whoopee cushion and a suite of arcade-style games, showcasing Tesla’s sense of humor.

News

This Massive Motorcycle is Absolutely Terrifying to Ride

When it comes to custom motorcycles, there’s a wide range of possibilities. Some people make minor modifications, while others build entirely new machines from scratch. One legendary custom bike, known as the RoaDog, was originally created by William “Wild Bill” Gelbke in the 1960s and has recently found a new home at Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum in North Carolina.

Wheels Through Time Museum, known for its collection of American vehicles and motorcycles, takes pride in restoring and preserving historic bikes. The RoaDog, weighing in at a whopping 3,200 pounds and measuring 17 feet long, has undergone some restoration work to bring it back to its former glory.

A Brief History of RoaDog

At first glance, the RoaDog appears to be nothing more than a massive sculpture. However, Gelbke, an engineer, built this colossal machine because he wanted a dependable long-distance cruiser that could reach speeds of 90 miles per hour without any problems.

In 1965, Gelbke started building the RoaDog using a 153 cubic inch, four-cylinder engine from a Chevy II and a PowerGlide transmission. The bike was also equipped with a modified Chevy truck differential and Corvette disc brakes. Instead of using traditional stands, Gelbke designed a system of four hydraulic rams to keep the RoaDog upright when parked.

Gelbke toured the United States on this unique creation, covering approximately 20,000 miles. After his death, the RoaDog mysteriously disappeared, but Buzz Walneck eventually located it at Gelbke’s mother’s house. It changed hands a few times before ending up at the National Motorcycle Museum in Sturgis, South Dakota, and later in Anamosa, Iowa.

The RoaDog’s Comeback in 2023

Unfortunately, the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa closed its doors permanently in September 2023, and as a result, the RoaDog was put up for auction along with the rest of the museum’s collection. The bike was eventually purchased and then sold to Sean from the YouTube channel “Bikes and Beards.” Sean, knowing the expertise of Matt Walksler at Wheels Through Time, decided to bring the RoaDog to the museum for restoration.

In a recent video, Wheels Through Time shows the process of getting the RoaDog running again and even takes it for a terrifying ride. The massive size and weight of the bike make it challenging to turn, especially to the left. However, despite its challenges, the RoaDog remains an awe-inspiring machine, leaving viewers to question whether they would be brave enough to take it for a ride themselves.

Internet, News, Technology

Twitter’s Latest Experiment Requires New Users to Pay for Full Access

In a recent trial, Twitter has introduced a new policy that will only affect new accounts created after October 17, 2023. Existing accounts will not be affected. This move is part of Twitter’s ongoing efforts to combat the presence of bots on their platform, a concern that even Elon Musk has raised in the past. The intention behind this program is to safeguard the user experience by preventing bots and spammers from manipulating the platform, as explained in a support document provided by the company.

Under this trial, new users in the Philippines and New Zealand will be required to verify their phone numbers when signing up, regardless of whether they intend to pay the associated fee. After this initial step, each new user will be presented with several options: pay an annual fee of $1 for access to basic features, subscribe to the $8 per month X Premium service for additional features, or qualify as a verified organization. It is important to note that any fees paid during the beta testing phase will not be refundable. As this is still a beta test, Twitter may ultimately choose to halt or expand the program into other markets in the future.

Featured

Mahindra XUV300 Facelift Spied Again, New Alloy Wheels & Connected LED Taillamps Revealed


The same design updates will also be applied to the updated electric version of the SUV, the XUV400 EV

  • The XUV300 facelift test mule has been spotted with new alloy wheels and connected LED taillamps.

  • Up front, it is expected to come with an updated grille and bumper design, and fang-shaped LED DRLs.

  • Based on the previous spy shots, the facelifted version of the XUV300 will likely boast a bigger floating touchscreen system.

  • Mahindra will likely retain the same petrol and diesel engine options with the 2024 XUV300, but it might get an optional torque converter.

  • Expected to be launched in early 2024 from Rs 9 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards.

In 2024, the subcompact SUV segment will see another refreshed product in the form of the Mahindra XUV300 facelift. The test mule of the same has been spied again revealing new exterior design details; and it’s anticipated that these same design updates will likely be applied to its electric version, the Mahindra XUV400 EV. Let’s see what the latest spy shots reveal.

New Lighting Front & Rear

In the latest spy picture, a fang-shaped LED DRL setup that closely resembles the one on the XUV700 can be seen at the front of the test mule. It also gets newly designed alloy wheels, which seems to be more aerodynamic.

At the rear, the XUV300 facelift features connected LED taillamps with a full glowing strip. Another notable change is the repositioning of the license plate section to the rear bumper, whereas in the existing XUV300, the license plate is located on the tailgate itself.

Cabin Updates

Mahindra XUV300 Cabin

Existing Mahindra XUV300’s interior image used for reference

Based on the previous spy shots, the facelifted XUV300 is expected to get a bigger floating touchscreen system and redesigned center console as well. Other expected features on the SUV could include a fully digital driver’s display, wireless phone charger, cruise control and ventilated front seats. Features such as a single-pane sunroof, cruise control and automatic AC will likely be retained. There were reports that the updated XUV300 could also offer a segment-first feature by way of a panoramic sunroof.

Its safety kit could comprise six airbags (as standard), electronic stability program, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and a 360-degree camera.

Powertrains Check

Mahindra XUV300 Engine

Mahindra will likely retain the same petrol and diesel engine options with the 2024 Mahindra XUV300. These choices include a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine ( 110PS/200Nm) and a 1.5-litre diesel engine (117PS/300Nm). Both engine variants can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed AMT.

The current XUV300 is also available with a T-GDi (direct-injection) turbo-petrol engine (130PS/up to 250Nm), which is exclusively paired with the 6-speed manual transmission. We believe that Mahindra may consider replacing the current AMT with a torque converter.

Expected Launch & Competition Check

The Mahindra XUV300 facelift is expected to be launched in early 2024 from Rs 9 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards. It will take on the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite, and Kia Sonet facelift.

Image Source

Read More on : Mahindra XUV300 AMT

Motorsport

Watch VW Polo Diesel Perform an Impressive 500-HP Dyno Pull

Modifying the engine of a vehicle can lead to impressive results, especially when it comes to an unassuming car like a regular city car. With some clever modifications and a bit of bravery, a boring hatchback can be transformed into a powerful sleeper. And that’s exactly what happened with the Volkswagen Polo featured in the video above.

Posted on the CCD Video YouTube channel, the 8-minute video showcases how the modest 1.9-liter turbo-diesel engine of the Polo can outperform stock cars that cost more than ten times its price. The base price for a Polo in Germany is around $22,800 (20,830 Euro).

Of course, the Polo in the video is far from stock. It has been upgraded with enhanced injectors, a better cam, a larger turbocharger, and improved intake and exhaust pipes. The sub-assembly remains stock, but there’s a surprising addition to the blacked-out Polo—nitrous oxide.

The first dyno run was done using only the boost from the turbocharger. The 1.9-liter TDI produced 366 horsepower and 587 Newton-meters of torque with approximately 40 pounds per square inch (2.8 bar) of pressure from the hybrid turbo.

When nitrous was introduced, the car achieved 472 hp and 789 Nm. But it didn’t stop there. After a couple more dyno runs, the small Polo managed to reach an impressive 513 hp and 865 Nm from its highly modified diesel engine.

This power output exceeds that of a base Porsche 911, which generates 379 hp from its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six engine. It’s also more powerful than a Dodge Charger Scat Pack with its 485 hp 6.4-liter V8 engine. The Porsche starts at $114,400, while the Charger has an MSRP of $50,330.

Furthermore, the interior of the Polo has been stripped down, resulting in some weight reduction. This makes it a true sleeper car that can likely outperform many vehicles that are much more expensive than the modest Polo.

What do you think about this impressive performance? Watch the video above and share your thoughts in the comments section below.