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Motorsport

Audi R8 Sales Doubled In The Supercar’s Final Year

The grim reaper took away the beloved Audi R8 in 2023, however the supercar went out with a proverbial bang. The R8 GT RWD served because the swan music final yr when demand for the Lamborghini Huracan’s sister mannequin doubled within the United States.

Audi of America printed full gross sales outcomes for the yr that simply ended, revealing some fascinating stats. Deliveries of the R8 shot up by 101 %, reaching 631 automobiles in 2023 in comparison with the prior yr when solely 314 individuals purchased one. Looking again in time, Audi moved 649 R8s in 2021, 581 in 2020, 574 in 2019, 927 in 2018, and 772 in 2017. 

The R8 is anticipated to return at some point for a fully electric third generation, one that can hopefully be a hit versus the ill-fated R8 E-Tron. Fewer than 100 models of the electrical supercar had been made with an exorbitant asking value of €1 million a pop.

Year Total Annual Sales
2023 631
2022 314
2021 649
2020 581
2019 574
2018 927
2017 772

Another Audi sports activities automotive going the way in which of the dodo that noticed its gross sales bounce in 2023 was the TT. Recently discontinued, the Tourist Trophy loved a 41-percent hike in demand final yr when the Four Rings bought 725 automobiles within the US. Here’s how the fashionable TT coupe/roadster duo fared in earlier years:

Year Total Annual Sales
2023 725
2022 516
2021 986
2020 830
2019 1,324
2018 1,289
2017 2,294

But how was 2023 for Audi of America total? It was really a file yr as shipments jumped by 22 % to 228,550 autos. Demand for licensed pre-owned (CPO) autos went up by a considerable 14 %, reaching 37,292 models.

The Ingolstadt-based luxurious model is completely satisfied to report gross sales of electrical fashions additionally reached a file stage within the United States:

Audi EV Model Total Sales In 2023
E-Tron GT 3,202
This fall E-Tron 8,144
This fall E-Tron Sportback 2,606
Q8 E-Tron 8,180
Q8 E-Tron Sportback 2,907
NewsNew

GODSPEED RICK “SUPER HUNKY” SIEMAN

Godspeed Super Hunky

Rick “Super Hunky” Sieman handed away after a prolonged sickness. Rick was an instrumental determine within the journal world, serendipitously mated to the explosion of filth bike recognition. He was in on the bottom degree with Dirt Bike Magazine which launched in June of 1971. Rick was an indication painter by commerce, began working at Hi Torque promoting adverts for a chopper title and was sucked into Dirt Bike when his writing prowess, wit and humor landed him a job on the workers.

Super Hunky was a pioneer in some ways. He originated the primary shootouts, ramrodded product assessments and comparisons, wrote ‘From the Saddle’, a column that captured the lots along with his humor. Rick was additionally vastly motived to guard our using rights, working with the Phantom Duck of the Desert to battle the huge land closures that have been shutting down a lot of the Mojave Desert.

Super Hunky can be missed. Rest in peace.

The Hunk discussing racing at Blackwater with Dick Burleson in 1983.
The first concern of Dirt Bike journal.
Motorsport

The New Chevy Bolt Will Arrive In 2025

The Chevrolet Bolt will go away at the end of this year, however it will not be gone for lengthy. The EV will return in 2025, in accordance with General Motors CEO Marry Barra.

Speaking at an Automotive Press Association occasion in Detroit, Barra stated she had heard from house owners who liked their Bolt. “That’s been something that has been really great this year, and that informed the decision that we’ll have that back again in ’25,” she stated, in accordance with Automotive News.

Chevy confirmed that the next-gen Bolt rides on the Ultium EV platform and can use a lithium-iron-phosphate battery (LFP). “In the process, we are saving billions in capital and engineering expense, delivering a significantly cost-improved battery pack using purchased LFP cells, we’re getting to market at least two years faster, and our unit cost will be substantially lower,” Barra said in October.

No powertrain or vary specs in regards to the new Bolt can be found but. Based on Barra’s assertion, the LFP battery ought to assist preserve the automobile’s prices down, even whereas switching to the Ultium platform. The present automotive begins at $27,495 after vacation spot expenses, however earlier than any authorities incentives.

Next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV teaser

The firm launched a single teaser image of the new Bolt again in July. It supplied a glimpse of the re-shaped taillight housing however not a lot else.

Chevy at present builds the Bolt on the Orion Assembly Plant, although next-gen mannequin might shift meeting to Fairfax, Kansas. The United Auto Workers’ tentative settlement with GM mentions a $391-million funding there for a “future electric vehicle.” Anonymous sources speaking to Reuters stated these upgrades had been probably for producing the next-gen Bolt.

Despite making ready for production to end in December, the Bolt is having nice gross sales this 12 months. As of the third quarter, Chevy has delivered 49,494 of them (GM bundles the determine with the EUV variant) in 2023 – a rise of 124.9 p.c over the identical interval final 12 months.

Gaming

Grand Theft Auto VI Car Guide: New Rides And Returning Classics

Late on within the trailer, the sport’s protagonists look like dashing away in a Sabre Turbo, which is the collection’ quintessential muscle automotive mashup. Overall, the automobile is closely influenced by the Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 — however it takes lots from different basic muscle automobiles. If you look carefully there are touches of Chevrolet Cheville, Buick Skylark, and Shelby Mustang current. The paint job is fairly basic too. A black vinyl roof and a central stripe complement the purple base layer completely. Expect to see blue and white, black and white, and presumably black and inexperienced if Rockstar decides to stay to what we have seen in actual life and with earlier renditions of the Sabre Turbo.

The Sabre Turbo has beforehand featured in “GTA V” and “GTA: Online,” whereas its predecessor the “Sabre” has appeared in 3D universe titles like “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.” In phrases of efficiency, it is a rear-wheel drive muscle automotive so count on loads of straight-line velocity and a few points if you must sort out a good nook.

News

Comparison: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2024 Lexus GX

Summary

  • Key Takeaways:
  • The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus GX have moved away from V-8 engines and now offer smaller turbocharged engines, with the Land Cruiser available as a hybrid.
  • The Lexus GX has a more luxurious interior compared to the Land Cruiser, with premium features and materials.
  • The Land Cruiser and Lexus GX have similar interior space and dimensions, but the Land Cruiser has a smaller cargo capacity due to the hybrid battery.

Toyota and Lexus started announcing a lot of new vehicles lately which has grabbed a lot of attention from the car world. A new vehicle from either Lexus or Toyota is to be celebrated because they do not come very often. They have a history of making a model which would likely last more than a decade before it is replaced.

One of these all-new cars is the Lexus GX which wasn’t a surprise as we expected it since Lexus introduced a new LX. But the biggest surprise is an all-new Land Cruiser for the North American market. The J300 Land Cruiser is not sold in North America, so Toyota remedied that with another new Land Cruiser. Despite being siblings, the 2024 Land Cruiser and Lexus GX do have a lot of differences.

  • 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 2024 Lexus GX
    Engine: 2.4-liter turbo inline-four hybrid 3.4 liter twin turbo V-6
    Horsepower 326 Horsepower 349 Horsepower
    Torque 465 LB-FT 429 pound-feet
    Transmission 8-speed automatic 10-speed automatic
    Driveline Four-wheel drive Four-wheel drive
    Towing Capacity 6,000 pounds 8,000 pounds
    MSRP NA (est. $55,000) $60,000 (est)

Information for this article was sourced directly from Toyota and Lexus

Performance: Hybrid I-4 Vs Twin turbo V-6

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus GX have undergone drastic changes in terms of their engine choices. Both vehicles no longer offer a V-8 engine but now come with smaller turbocharged engines. The Lexus GX gets the new twin-turbo V-6 engine which is now well-known across many new Toyota trucks and SUVs. On the other hand, the Land Cruiser only comes with an inline-four turbo hybrid engine.

The New Land Cruiser Has A Hybrid Engine

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser engine bay
Toyota

Land Cruiser enthusiasts would not be too surprised that the 2024 Land Cruiser has an inline-four engine. The size of this new SUV is similar to a Land Cruiser Prado than a full-size Land Cruiser. Land Cruiser Prados mainly offered four-cylinder engines and this new Land Cruiser being smaller, has a four-cylinder engine.

This time the inline-four is a turbocharged hybrid unit that makes 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This sends power to a full-time four-wheel drive system via a new eight-speed automatic transmission. While other engine options are available, this is the only engine option for North America.

The Twin-turbo V-6 Is More Powerful Than The Former V-8

2024 Lexus GX Engine
Lexus

The new twin-turbo V-6 was first shown in the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser and has made its way into the new Lexus GX. It produces 349 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. This is more power and way more torque than the previous V-8 in the GX. A new ten-speed automatic transmission replaces the old Six-speed and sends power through a full-time four-wheel drive system.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy in the V-8-powered Land cruisers and Lexus GXs was not great as these vehicles were also big and heavy. The best was a combined 16 MPG for the Lexus GX and a worse 14 MPG for the Land Cruiser. The new Land Cruiser and Lexus GX Are so new so there are no official EPA ratings yet.

Performance Specifications

Vehicle

Toyota Land Cruiser

Lexus GX

Engine

2.4-liter turbo hybrid I-4

3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6

Power

326 horsepower

349 horsepower

Torque

465 pound-feet

479 pound-feet

Transmission

Eight-speed auto

Ten-speed auto

Drivetrain

Four-wheel drive

Four-wheel drive

(Sourced from Lexus and Toyota)

RELATED: Why Now Is The Time To Invest In An All-new Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid

Interior Design And Technology

The Toyota Land Cruiser maintains Toyota’s reputation for a well-built and functional interior and now has a lot of new features. Lexus has always had a more luxurious interior compared to its Toyota counterparts. The new Lexus GX reflects this with a solid but premium feeling interior.

The Lexus GX Has A More Luxurious Interior

2024 Lexus GX Interior
Lexus

The Land Cruiser looks very much updated with the latest technology inside the cabin. Everything is well laid out with two 12-inch and 12.3-inch screens in view, one for the instrument cluster and another for the center infotainment. The 1958 edition Land Cruiser is the only model that comes with an eight-inch infotainment display. Some nice features include:

  • Heads up Display
  • Heated steering wheel and seats
  • Center console cool box (optional)
  • Front and rear USB Charging ports
  • Wireless charging pad Smart key system.
  • 2400W inverter in the trunk that can be used to power small appliances.
  • 14-speaker JBL Sound system (optional).
  • Power Liftgate

The Lexus GX is a much premium feeling and cleaner-looking interior. It gets a slightly bigger 12.3-inch instrument cluster but a much bigger 14-inch center infotainment screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available for this model. Since this is a luxury vehicle, soft Leather material is also used on almost every surface. It offers many of the features found on the Land Cruiser except the power inverter.

Interior Room And Cargo Capacity

Interior of a global market 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota

The Land Cruiser shares the same TNGA-F platform as the Lexus GX with similar lengths and an identical wheelbase. This means both vehicles offer similar interior space with seating for five people as standard. The Lexus GX has the option of a three-rows with the option of captain’s chairs in the second row.

Toyota says the Land Cruiser may have a three-row option later. Cargo space in the Land Cruiser is less than the GX because of the hybrid battery in the trunk. This takes up a good amount of space and will also rob space for three-row passengers. This may very well be the reason the Land Cruiser isn’t offered with three rows immediately.

Exterior Dimensions

Vehicle

Toyota Land Cruiser

Lexus GX

Length

193.7 inches

194.9 inches

Wheelbase

112.2 inches

112.2inches

Width

inches

78 inches

Height

73.2 inches

73.4 inches

Wheel size

18-inch

20-inch

Approach Angle

31 degrees

26 degrees

Breakover Angle

25 degrees

23 degrees

Departure Angle

22 degrees

21 degrees

Towing capacity

6,000 pounds

8,000 pounds

RELATED: 2024 Lexus GX Is A BOLD New Take On The Luxury Off-Roader Formula

Safety & Reliability

The Lexus GX and Toyota Land Cruiser are so new that there are no safety ratings for them yet. But they are equipped with the latest Safety Sense 3.0 system which is standard on the GX and Land Cruiser. These active and safety convenience systems have been improved for this model year and they include:

  • Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
  • Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
  • Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
  • Lane Tracing Assist
  • Road Sign Assist
  • Automatic High Beams
  • Proactive Driving Assist

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Crash Test

Not available yet

2024 Lexus GX Crash Test

Not Available yet

Reliability Comparison

Toyota and Lexus share a lot of parts since they’re owned by the same parent company. Reliability has always been a strong point for any Toyota product and we expect these to be just as reliable as the rest. But both vehicles have all-new powertrain which have not been tested extensively by consumers, so we have to wait to see how reliable these new powertrains will be. But both cars still come with Toyota’s amazing warranty:

Toyota/Lexus warranty

Full Warranty

3 years/36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty

5 years/60,000 miles

Maintenance Warranty

2 years/25,000 miles

Roadside Warranty

2 years/unlimited miles

Corrosion Warranty

5 years/unlimited miles

At the time of writing this article, both vehicles have not gone on sale yet.

RELATED: 15 Most Reliable Cars Ever Made

Pricing And Availability

The former Land Cruiser was becoming a very expensive vehicle at prices well over $90,000 and the previous GX was more reasonable at just over $60,000. There are no official prices but the new GX is expected to start around the same price as the previous vehicle. It’s the Land Cruiser that has taken a huge price drop now expected to start around $55,000. Both cars are expected to start arriving in the first quarter of 2024.

Toyota Land Cruiser:

Trim

Price

Land Cruiser 1958

$55,000 (est)

Land Cruiser

$60,000 (est)

Land Cruiser First Edition

$65,000 (est)

Lexus GX:

Trim

Price

Premium

$60,000 (est)

Premium+

$65,000 (est)

Luxury

$70,000 (est)

Luxury+

$75,000 (est)

Overtrail

$75,000 (est)

Overtrail+

$80,000 (est)
NewsNew

Trystan Hart Wins Idaho EnduroCross Double Header


“I had to do something because Jonny (Walker) was just kind of running away with it,” said Hart. It was a big relief after winning the first moto. We got a new suspension setting for this week, and I almost instantly knew that this weekend was going to be good.” Photo Jack Jaxson

FMF/KTM’s Trystan Hart won the Idaho EnduroCross double header, taking the overall wins on both days in front of a sellout crowd at Hero’s Arena in Idaho Falls. Despite the wins, defending champ Jonny Walker still leads the overall championship standings.

Hart finished 1-2-1 and 1-2-2 over the two days, allowing him to close the gap in the championship standings. Hart and FactoryONE Sherco’s Cody Webb are now tied for second place with 92 points each.

FRIDAY

On Friday, Hart dominated with a 1-2-1 moto score. He mentioned that good starts were crucial and he managed to hold a good gap throughout the races.

Walker experienced some difficulties, as he finished second and fourth on the two days.

Walker went down in the third moto, but still came away with second overall for the night with a 2-4-3 score.

Webb had a successful night, finishing third overall with a 5-3-2 score.

Both Trystan Hart and Cody Webb had a great weekend in Idaho, and now fully in the hunt for the championship. Photo Jack Jaxson
Despite several falls, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Colton Haaker was fourth on Friday night after going 4-1-5, although his win in the second moto was flag-to-flag.

On Saturday, Hart continued his winning streak with a 1-2-2 score, securing his overall win. Haaker and Webb also had impressive performances, with Haaker winning the second moto and Webb dominating the third moto.

Colton Haaker is trending way up after the Idaho Double header. He’s having a bit of bad luck, but a moto win is good for the headspace. Photo Jack Jaxson

Webb expressed satisfaction with his consistent performance and mentioned that he is back in the hunt for the championship.

Although Walker still holds the point lead, he struggled with the track and finished fourth overall on both days.

Cody Webb: “It was a good weekend, I feel like I didn’t quite have that aggressiveness tonight, but I had the consistency, and I put myself in the right place at the right time, and now I’m back in the hunt.”

In the EX Women’s Pro division, Rachel Gutish won all four motos and showcased her technical skills.

In the overall standings, Walker remains in first place with 103 points, followed by Hart and Webb tied for second with 92 points each.

Motorsport

Million-Dollar Barn Find Uncovers Classic Corvettes With Less Than 100 Miles

Finding a classic car with low mileage hidden away in a barn is a dream come true for many enthusiasts. But discovering several of them takes it to a whole new level. And when those classics happen to be Corvettes, it becomes nothing short of extraordinary. One such discovery includes a 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, still wrapped in delivery plastic with only 25 miles on the odometer. But that’s just the beginning of this amazing find of 23 cars.

This collection consists of nine Corvettes, three pickup trucks, classic and modern muscle cars, and more. The collection was showcased on The John Clay Wolfe Show’s YouTube channel, where the vehicles were inspected and shipped to their new home in Texas. Apart from the ZR-1, the collection also features a 1988 35th Anniversary Corvette with 25 miles and a 1979 Stingray with 41 miles, both still in their original packaging. If you prefer higher-mileage barn finds, there’s a 1974 Stingray with 30,000 miles. The oldest Corvette in the collection is a 1971 Stingray with 1,600 miles.

Corvette Low Mile Barn Find
Corvette Low Mile Barn Find

If Corvettes aren’t your thing, this collection also boasts a 1990 Chevrolet 454 SS pickup, known for sparking the modern muscle-truck era, with a mere 19 miles on the clock. Its Ford counterpart, a 1999 F-150 SVT Lightning, sits alongside it in the collection with 46 miles. A 1966 Chevy C10 shows just 9,000 miles on the odometer, while classics like a 1965 Mustang Convertible and a 1968 Camaro SS 396 add to the mix. For those interested in the modern Ford/GM pony car rivalry, a 2003 Mustang SVT Cobra with 4,900 miles and a 2001 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM WS6 with only 247 miles are included as well.

But the surprises don’t end there.

How about a 2010 Camaro SS with only 47 miles? Or a 1987 Buick Grand National that has covered just 13,800 miles? The collection even includes some larger vehicles, such as a 1973 Lincoln Continental Mk IV, with a respectable 830 miles on the clock. Returning to Corvettes, there are two C5s in the find, one of which is a 1998 Indy 500 pace car edition, having covered a mere 23 miles.

This incredible collection was assembled over many decades by Earl Trammel, a car enthusiast and businessman from Alabama, who unfortunately passed away in 2022. The collection was initially inherited by Trammel’s ex-wife, and later acquired by GiveMeTheVin.com. A video sent to Motor1.com features the founder of the company, John Clay Wolfe, discussing the discovery.

“After we bought the pace car, I was curious to know what else she had,” said Wolfe.

John Pierce, working together with his business partner John Pierce, realized the extent of the collection and decided to acquire it. According to the press release from GiveMeTheVin, the cars will be showcased for auction in the spring, although Wolfe seems uncertain about actually selling the entire collection, at least for now.

“The barn in Alabama where the cars were found was tiny and looked insignificant. You would never expect to find a million dollars worth of cars in there,” explained Wolfe. “I don’t know what to do. I know their value won’t decrease, so we’re good there. Maybe I’ll be the crazy guy who bought them. Maybe the next time you hear about them will be when I die and people come to empty out my barn. I’m extremely happy to have them, and this is by far the biggest find of my career.”

FiatUk

Millions of drivers willing to park nearly one mile from chosen destination to avoid parallel parking; half admit to Parallel-o-phobia

  • On average, drivers are willing to park almost one mile away – or a 20 minute walk – from their destination to avoid parallel parking
  • TV personality Jamie Laing says he’ll avoid parallel parking ‘at all costs’ as nearly half (44%) of motorists admit to being fearful of the parking manoeuvre
  • Men twice as confident at parallel parking compared to women
  • UK’s best and worst regions for parallel parking revealed: Yorkshire and Humber top the list, Londoners come last
  • In total, Brits fork out over £1.5 billion due to parking prangs
  • FIAT partners with Driving School TV to launch the Parallel Parking Guide, featuring Jamie Laing, [https://www.fiat.co.uk/news/parallel-parking] to help drivers master the skill

London, 26 September 2023: Millions of motorists get so flustered at the prospect of parallel parking they’d rather park nearly a mile away from their chosen destination than attempt the manoeuvre.

Dubbed ‘parallelophobia’, almost half of drivers (44%) say they are fearful of parallel parking.

Those who tend to steer clear include TV star and learner driver Jamie Laing, who admits he will avoid attempting a parallel park ‘at all costs’.

A survey of 2,000 motorists, commissioned by FIAT, has lifted the lid on how Brits feel about the dreaded parking procedure and uncovered the financial impact of poor parking skills.

On average, drivers spend £158 on repairs over their lifetime thanks to parking gone wrong, equating to a staggering £1.5 billion*.

The leading reasons Brits fear parallel parking include blocking the road and keeping other drivers waiting (40%), worrying about getting too close to and damaging other cars (37%),  fear of being embarrassed and pressured by people watching (36%), worrying about taking too long to park (30%) and not understanding the yellow lines (23%).

The research also found that on average, drivers are willing to park 0.8 miles away (a 20 minute walk) so they don’t have to parallel park.

Given the troubles motorists seem to face with parallel parking, FIAT has partnered with Driving School TV – a popular YouTube channel fronted by qualified driving instructor Francis Noakes, to launch the Fiat Parallel Parking Guide[SL1] .

As part of the guide, FIAT recruited celebrity Jamie Laing to face ‘parallelophobia’ head-on in an all-electric FIAT 500e, as he was taught how to parallel park. Jamie Laing also attempted the world record for the tightest parallel park, previously achieved in a FIAT 500, at just 7.5cm longer than the length of the car.

“Learning to drive has been like navigating through a maze of frustration, and parallel parking? Don’t even get me started. It’s my least favourite manoeuvre to do.  It makes my palms sweat. I swear

whenever I attempt one my car’s magnetically drawn to the kerb. It’s a skill I’ve just never quite mastered and I will avoid it at all costs.

“I stopped learning to drive a little while ago but after finally passing my theory test having booked around 70 tests, and having to renew my provisional licence as it had expired after 10 years, I’m back learning to drive in a Fiat 500 electric with Francis Noakes from Driving School TV. This guy has already shown me some secret magic trick that suddenly made parallel parking easier and, dare I say, fun to learn – perhaps it’s that the 500e is small and compact to park. He also unofficially helped me match a world record, sort of.

FIAT’s research also revealed drivers spend an average of four and a half hours a year attempting to parallel park** – equating to eight days of their life***.

Parallel parking makes 45% of Brits feel stressed, while 41% have relied on a stranger to help them do it. 67% have driven past a potential space rather than attempt the idea of a parallel park once or multiple times. On average, drivers will attempt a parallel park four times before parking successfully.

Men were twice as confident (32% men very confident vs 16% women very confident), yet there appeared to be very little difference in actual competence with men taking equally as long to complete a parallel park as women (approx. 1.5 minutes).

For those that do manage to parallel park successfully, 31% leave feeling smug, 30% admire their work, 18% brag about it on social media and 17% even do a happy dance.

The FIAT Parallel Parking Index also determined the regions that struggle the most and least with the parallel park. FIAT scored drivers by region on the following factors; average distance from destination drivers are willing to park, average time taken to successfully complete a parallel park, percentage of drivers that are confident, fearful and stressed about the parking manoeuvre, as well as how much money has been spent on fixing their cars as a result of a parallel parking shunt.

The most competent parallel parkers were drivers from the North East. While drivers from London, Scotland and the North West occupied the bottom three spots.

Most notably, Londoners were open to parking a staggering 1.2 miles away from their destination – the equivalent distance of walking between the London Eye and Buckingham Palace: around a 24-minute journey.

On the flip side, drivers from Yorkshire and the Humber weren’t willing to park any further than 0.4 miles (less than 10 minute walk) from their intended destination.

Meanwhile, Londoners have forked out £207 on parking prangs, while those in Yorkshire and the Humber have spent nearly £100 less (£129.50) on average.

AVERAGE DISTANCE FROM DESTINATION DRIVERS ARE WILLING TO PARK – MILES (WALKING TIME)

AVERAGE TIME TAKEN TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE A PARALLEL PARK (MINUTES)

AVERAGE OF MOST NUMBER OF TIMES ITS TAKEN TO SUCCESSFULLY PARALLEL PARK

PERCENTAGE OF DRIVERS THAT ARE CONFIDENT OR VERY CONFIDENT PARALLEL PARKING

PERCENTAGE OF DRIVERS FEARFUL OF PARALLEL PARKING (STRONGLY AGREE / SOMEWHAT AGREE)

PERCENTAGE OF DRIVERS STRESSED OF PARALLEL PARKING (STRONGLY AGREE / SOMEWHAT AGREE)

TOTAL SCORE

(LOW = MOST COMPETENT, HIGH = LEAST COMPETENT)

Yorkshire and the Humber

0.4 (8 minutes)

1.1

3.2

63%

36

38

6.2

North East

0.5 (10 minutes)

1.2

3.3

55%

31

31

5.9

Northern Ireland

0.7 (14 minutes)

1.3

3.4

50%

38

38

6.6

South East

0.7 (14 minutes)

1.1

3.6

55%

40

43

6.8

East Midlands

0.5 (10 minutes)

1.5

3.5

71%

48

48

7.6

West Midlands

1.1 (22 minutes)

1.9

5.1

35%

28

29

7.3

South West

0.9 (18 minutes)

1.7

4.7

57%

33

34

7.5

North West

0.8 (16 minutes)

1.4

3.6

68%

56

59

8.4

East Anglia

0.6 (12 minutes)

1.4

3.6

53%

43

44

7.0

Scotland

0.8 (16 minutes)

1.1

4.7

69%

55

60

8.5

Wales

0.9 (18 minutes)

1.8

3.9

55%

46

48

8.1

London

1.2 (24 minutes)

1.9

4.6

63%

50

53

9.3

Damien Dally, FIAT UK Managing Director, said: “It’s a well-known fact that cars have grown in size in recent years, which can only add to the additional stress of parallel parking caused by things like fear of holding up traffic, or bumping into and damaging another car.

 

“The all-electric Fiat 500e is the ultimate city car, having won countless industry awards. It’s the perfect compact car to get around and park in crowded cities or busy urban environments, alleviating the fears of tricky manoeuvres for drivers.

 

“In addition, the 500e is packed full of technology that helps drivers park more easily, from park assist, to blind-spot monitoring and rear-view camera. But not every driver is able to benefit from the size and capabilities of a 500e when it comes to parking, which is why we’re hoping our parking guide will help to reduce ‘parallelophobia’ impacting millions of Brits.”

FIAT recently launched a new E-Grant, where buyers can receive £3,000 towards an all-electric 500e model. For more information on the all-electric Fiat 500e, visit here.www.fiat.co.uk/500-electric/all-electric-500-hatchback  

ENDS

 

 

 

Notes to Editors

 

*Average amount spent on fixing cars after hitting other cars while parking is £158.10

£158.10*((34,292,000 (UK car drivers (source GWI))/100)*29 – percentage who have hit another car while parking)) = £1,572,253,908

**Average amount of times people park a week (3.3)*How much time spent per parallel park (1.5 minutes)*52= 257.4 minutes / 4.29 hours

***Based on driving from the age of 17 to 67

The All Electric FIAT 500e is available from £25,195 (inc £3,000 e-Grant). All Electric FIAT 500e Convertible from £31,195 (inc £3,000 e-Grant)

Contact: fiat@performancecomms.com

Motorsport

2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Rendered As One Of Brand’s Last ICE Sedans

The next-generation BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is set to begin production in just over a year. Unlike most models that receive a mid-cycle refresh, the current model will be completely redesigned. The new model, internally known as the F74, is already in development. Renderings of the final design have been released, giving us a glimpse of BMW’s smallest sedan.

The digital drawings, created by Kolesa.ru, show a noticeably redesigned four-door BMW. While the overall side profile and proportions remain similar, the front fascia features sharper lines and headlights inspired by the 5 Series. Fortunately, there are no oversized kidney grilles, as BMW has confirmed that this design feature will only be used on their larger and performance-oriented models.

The renderings suggest that the depicted model could be the top-of-the-line M235 xDrive, which was spotted in prototype form earlier this year. Like its predecessor, the next-gen 2 Series Gran Coupe will be built on a front-wheel-drive platform, with certain trim levels offering all-wheel drive with select engines.

This small sedan may be one of BMW’s last combustion-powered cars as the company continues to shift towards full electrification. The current 2 Series Gran Coupe is still available with diesel powertrains in some European markets, and it’s possible that the new generation may also include an option for compression ignition technology.

According to a report by BMW Blog, the base model of the 2 Series Gran Coupe in the US will come with 18-inch wheels as standard, with 19-inch wheels available as an option. The sedan may also offer an illuminated grille as optional equipment, similar to larger and more expensive BMW models. The range-topping M235 xDrive is expected to be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine with around 300 horsepower. Production is set to begin in November 2024.

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Mahindra Thar 5-door Spied With Production-ready Taillights Ahead Of 2024 Launch


The test mule was still covered in heavy camouflage but gave away the differently designed LED taillight setup

2024 Mahindra Thar 5-door

  • Mahindra is set to launch the Thar 5-door in 2024.

  • New spy shots reveal sleeker lighting elements in the taillight setup.

  • Other exterior changes are expected to include a new grille design and circular projector headlights.

  • The cabin is likely to feature a new theme and a larger touchscreen system.

  • It is expected to come equipped with dual-zone air conditioning, up to six airbags, and cruise control.

  • The Thar 5-door is likely to be powered by the same petrol and diesel engines as the 3-door Thar, with both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) options available.

  • Prices are expected to start from Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom).

In the latest spy shots, the Mahindra Thar 5-door undergoing testing can be seen covered in heavy camouflage. However, the images reveal some production-ready details.

Noticeable Design Updates

2024 Mahindra Thar 5-door LED taillights spied

The spy shots showcase the 5-door Thar with alloy wheels and LED taillights. The taillight setup appears to have sleeker LED elements, including changes in the brake light elements compared to the 3-door model.

Previous spy shots have also revealed design updates such as a beefier 6-slat grille and circular projector headlights, possibly LED units. The 5-door Thar is also expected to feature a fixed metal top.

Changes On The Inside

Mahindra Thar 5-Door sunroof

The more practical Mahindra Thar 5-door is likely to have a different cabin theme compared to the smaller version. It is expected to come with a larger touchscreen system and additional features such as a sunroof, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, steering-mounted controls, and cruise control.

In terms of safety, the 5-door Thar may offer up to six airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control (ESC), and a reversing camera.

Also See: Mahindra XUV300 Facelift Caught Testing Again, Revealing A Bigger Touchscreen

What Will It Get Under The Hood?

The 5-door Thar is expected to be equipped with the same 2-liter turbo-petrol and 2.2-liter diesel engines as the smaller-wheelbase version, albeit in a higher state of tune. Both powertrain options are likely to come with 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Similar to the 3-door model, the longer-wheelbase SUV is expected to offer both rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive (4WD) options.

Price And Competition

Mahindra Thar 5-door

The 5-door Thar is likely to be priced from Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom). It will serve as a rugged alternative to compact SUVs and offer a larger and more premium option compared to the Maruti Jimny and the upcoming Force Gurkha 5-door.

Related: Watch: Mahindra Thar EV Concept Explained By Design Chief Pratap Bose

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