Tag Archives: April

Technology

How Chuck Yeager’s Record-Breaking Feat Led to the Tragic End of the Bell X-2

When the Starburster took off and started flying on its own, it quickly became clear that it was incredibly fast. By April 1956, NASA reported that it could reach a speed of Mach 1.4. Soon after, it went even faster, reaching a speed of Mach 2.53. Then, on July 23rd, 1956, pilot Frank Everest achieved an astonishing speed of Mach 2.87, equivalent to about 1,895 miles per hour. However, the X-2 wasn’t done setting records yet. In September of the same year, Captain Iven C. Kincheloe took the X-2 to new heights, quite literally. He flew the rocket plane to an altitude of 126,200 feet, almost halfway to space.

Despite its groundbreaking achievements, the Bell X-2’s testing would end in tragedy. During its final flight, Captain Milburn G. Apt pushed the X-2 to even greater speeds, becoming the first person to reach Mach 3, reaching a top speed of Mach 3.196, which is roughly 2,094 miles per hour. Unfortunately, after reaching this monumental speed, the X-2 lost all control and crashed near Edwards Air Force Base in California on September 27th, 1956. Captain Apt did not survive the crash.

Motorsport

Challenging Detailing Project: Reviving a Neglected Toyota Supra Mk4

The fourth-generation Toyota Supra, known as the Supra Mk4, was produced from 1993 to 2002. It is highly sought after today, especially rare well-preserved examples. However, finding one in its original condition has become increasingly difficult. One particular black Supra has been left uncared for and hasn’t been washed in years, resulting in a heavily damaged exterior. But with the right tools and knowledge, it is possible to restore its factory look.

Before anything else, the car undergoes a contactless prewash to remove any loose dirt and grime. The Supra is then lifted on a car jack for easier access to the underbody. A thorough wash is done using a microfiber sponge and brushes for intricate areas. The wheels are also taken off and cleaned extensively, especially the front wheels which have accumulated a lot of brake dust. Once the car is clean and dry, the real challenge begins.

All exterior surfaces need to be clayed, which involves using a synthetic poly clay bar to remove bonded surface contaminants. This step is vital before proceeding to the polishing process, particularly for a car that has been exposed to the elements for years. There is still much work to be done, and that’s just for the exterior. The interior makeover is yet to come. Despite the daunting state of the Supra’s paintwork, the results are truly impressive.

News

Yamaha Cancels NEO’s Launch Plans In Inda, Developing New Platform Instead

In April, 2023, Yamaha introduced the NEO’s electric scooter for the European market. This scooter was designed to provide convenient urban mobility and was classified as an electric moped. Unlike motorcycles, the NEO’s did not require a motorcycle license but could be ridden with a standard car or B license.

Initially, there were plans to launch the Yamaha NEO’s in India, which has the largest motorcycle market in Asia and is known for its innovation in electric mobility. However, the Indian government recently reduced subsidies for electric vehicles, causing prices to increase for end users. This made the NEO’s too expensive to be competitive in the Indian market, leading Yamaha to reconsider its launch plans.

Eishin Chihana, chairman of Yamaha India, explained that Indian consumers have different needs and preferences when it comes to electric vehicles. While economic value is a major motivation for purchasing electric vehicles in India due to high fuel prices, Yamaha customers also value style, performance, and aspiration. As a result, Yamaha decided to develop a new platform specifically tailored for the Indian market that would offer an exciting, stylish, and sporty scooter.

By localizing production and optimizing the model’s performance, Yamaha aims to reduce costs and better meet the needs of the Indian market. The development of this new platform has been underway for some time, and the company expects the model to be unveiled within the next two to three years.

Yamaha faces tough competition in India’s electric scooter market, which includes impressive offerings such as the Ola Electric S1 and Ather 450 X. These scooters offer excellent range, performance, and features at an affordable price, making them popular among commuters and enthusiasts.

Motorsport

2025 VW T-Roc Spotted Testing in Southern Europe as Early Mule

In April of this year, Volkswagen confirmed that the next-generation T-Roc will be one of their last combustion-powered models. The new T-Roc is expected to debut in either 2024 or 2025, but development work has already begun on this crossover. Today, we have the first spy photos of the 2025 T-Roc, which is currently being tested as a mule.

These photos were taken in Southern Europe during the early testing phase of the next-gen T-Roc. As you can see, the vehicle currently resembles a modified Golf Mk8 with a raised suspension and wider wheel arches. There is also a distant photo of the cabin, giving us a glimpse of a temporary dashboard layout with an instrument cluster housed in a large casing.


Mazda

Mazda Reports April Sales Results

 April Marks the Sixth Straight Month of Year- Over-Year Gains 

IRVINE, Calif. (May 2, 2023) – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total April sales of 32,351 vehicles, an increase of 7.5 percent compared to April 2022. Year-to-date sales totaled 120,735 vehicles; an increase of 7.5 percent compared to the same time last year. With 26 selling days in April, compared to 27 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 11.6 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

CPO sales totaled 4,765 vehicles in April, a decrease of 10 percent compared to April 2022.

Sales Highlights

  • Best April sales since 1994 with 32,351 vehicles sold.
  • Best-ever April sales of CX-30 with 5,954 vehicles sold.
  • Best-ever April sales of CX-9 with 3,311 vehicles sold.
  • Best-ever sales of CX-50 with 4,305 vehicles sold.

Mazda Canada, Inc., (MCI) reported April sales of 4,459 vehicles, a decrease of 25.7 percent compared to April last year. Year-to-date sales total 15,785 vehicles; a decrease of 16.6 percent compared to the same time last year.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported April sales of 3,777 vehicles, an increase of 609 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 23,040 vehicles; an increase of 94 percent compared to the same time last year.

Mazda Motor de Colombia (MCOL) reported April sales of 1,216 vehicles, a decrease of 34.6 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 5,103 vehicles; a decrease of 2.6 percent compared to the same time last year.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts, and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at News.MazdaUSA.com.

Follow MNAO’s social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.

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Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com. (PRNewsFoto/Mazda North American Operations) (PRNewsfoto/MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS)

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations

For further information: Tamara Mlynarczyk, Mazda North American Operations, media@mazdausa.com; Drew Cary, Mazda North American Operations, media@mazdausa.com

Motorsport

New Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Spotted at Traffic Light

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has recently been launched with a new design, advanced powertrain options, and innovative technologies. While the sedan version is already out, the automaker is still working on other iterations of the E-Class, such as the regular wagon and the raised E-Class All-Terrain. A camouflaged prototype of the latter has been captured on public roads in Germany, showing the car waiting at a traffic light in a short video.

The prototype vehicle has German registration plates, with the last digits suggesting that it is a part of the test fleet we’ve seen in the past. Though not much has been modified on the exterior since the previous spy shots, the new video does give us a glimpse of the rugged wagon in motion.