Underneath the metal physique (seen right here in saloon type, though an S3 Sportback additionally exists) lies the standard mechanical association. The Volkswagen Group’s EA888 turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is reprised – although now with energy boosted from 306bhp to 329bhp and torque from 295lb to 310lb ft.
Directly downstream of the engine sits the S-tronic seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox beforehand provided, though it may now decouple and permit the automotive to freewheel when the motive force lifts off the throttle. It’s additionally value noting that the S3 isn’t out there with a guide.
There appears to be some divergence in opinion about ‘performance’. Some of us crave ever-lower acceleration occasions and rejoice within the absurdity of all of it, whereas others way back accepted that something lower than 5 seconds from 0-62mph was greater than fast sufficient for something road-legal.
Whichever manner you see it, the S3’s 0-60mph time of 4.7sec is objectively very fast and comfortably extra so than even essentially the most rabid front-driven options’, reminiscent of the Honda Civic Type R.
But thrilling? Not a lot. The method wherein the two.0-litre turbo engine reliably pumps out these figures is healthier recognized to highway testers than most, the Volkswagen Group (however Audi-designed) EA888 unit having appeared in varied types throughout the Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen manufacturers for properly over a decade now.
The idle velocity has been turned up by 200rpm and the turbo is pre-loaded from s decrease increase pressue, so there is a heightened sense of urgency in full-bore launches. But thereafter the uniform supply of energy and torque feels endlessly broad and massively efficient, however lacks a lot in the best way of form or crescendo. The gearbox is reliably slick however, once more, not particularly participating, its paddles specifically missing tactility.
Sub-R8 quick Audis have all the time leant into the model’s rallying heritage notably properly, and whereas it requires a sure suspension of disbelief, the S3 does the entire ‘WRC refugee’ factor reasonably properly. The turbo’s sonorous whooshing, sucking and exhaling – extra pervasive now that it’s pre-loaded at a decrease increase stress – would give Michèle Mouton one thing to smile about, and the keener ear will detect one thing of a five-cylinder-esque chirrup from the titanium-tipped Akrapovic sports activities exhaust – although I’d pay additional to do with out the anti-social pops and bangs on overrun.
Despite its cult standing, there are some dangerous issues to say concerning the Fox Body Mustang. The autos, which have been constructed between 1979 and 1993, rolled off the road throughout a darkish interval in American automotive manufacturing. Emissions guidelines, coupled with American engineering of the time, resulted in one of the crucial uninspiring ‘Stangs by way of efficiency. They’re additionally completely hideous, presenting like a coupe model of essentially the most common Eighties sedan you’ll be able to think about.
What you’ll be able to’t knock the Fox Body for is its tunability, nevertheless. Its uninspiring V8 engine may be become one thing really particular with a little bit of effort. The engine bay through which it sits is generously sized, so you’ll be able to work on it with out skinning your knuckles right down to the bone or pulling off some otherworldly contortions to succeed in an element. There’s additionally an enormous aftermarket for the Fox Body, so components are simple to come back by, and your decisions are extremely huge. All Mustangs are inherently tunable, however this is without doubt one of the most accessible of the lot. Turn it right into a dragster, a observe star, or a drift automobile, the one restrict is your creativeness and, in fact, native visitors legal guidelines.
Unfortunately, not the whole lot is because it was. The Fox Body Mustang was filth low-cost some time again, and you may see loads of tales of somebody nabbing one in respectable situation for below $1,000. Those days are lengthy gone, and will by no means return, however it’s nonetheless one of many cheaper used Mustangs available on the market both means.
You could also be aware of the FIM—or the International Motorcycling Federation—because the governing physique relating to all issues motorbike racing. But do you know that the FIM is extra than simply about bikes?
For these of you dwelling in colder areas that snow for almost all of the yr, chances are high you’re aware of, or maybe you’ve even tried, snowmobile racing. The FIM acknowledges snowmobile racing and has been holding the Snowcross World Championship since 2004.
Now, in 2024, the FIM Snowcross World Championship is again, with its first spherical in Turkey held on March 11, 2024. In case you missed the motion, the occasion noticed a ten,000-strong crowd watching eagerly as American racer Jesse Kirchmeyer and his Polaris 600 took the highest spot within the first spherical of the motion.
Kirchmeyer was adopted by Norwegian Magnus Reiten aboard a Lynx 600 in second place, and Ole-Herman Sjorgen from Austria along with his Lynx 600 RS taking third place.
Is it nonetheless a wheelie even when there technically are no wheels?
Upcoming rounds of the FIM Snowcross World Championship will see the motion fly over to Finland, within the Joensuun Ravirata racing course, on April 14, 2024. Every week after, the racing sequence will head to Norway, with challengers slugging it out within the VM Arena Kirkenes race monitor.
Seeing expert snowmobile racers on the high of their sport slice by way of the snow at excessive speeds is nothing in need of mesmerizing. These machines can simply weigh in near 500 kilos, and seeing these racers flog these snowmobiles round like light-weight dirtbikes is definitely exhilarating.
Executive editor Jonathon Klein just lately bought to run a Ski-Doo Summit X 850 E-TEC Turbo R by way of its paces, and after studying it, let’s simply say that I actually want it snowed right here within the Philippines.
The Polestar 2 competes within the very aggressive midsize EV crossover section. Thus far, Polestar hasn’t been having fun with the success it anticipated within the American market, because the Tesla Model Y continues to reign supreme. Regardless, the Swedish EV maker continues to place up a battle, with its entry-level choice remaining its most important contender, with some new fashions within the line-up ready to bolster overall sales.
2024 Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 is the Swedish EV producer’s entry-level electrical automobile providing. Design-wise, it takes the type of a crossover with sedan proportions, making it a reasonably distinctive choice within the section. Polestar provides a selection of a base rear-wheel drive single-motor or Performance dual-motor all-wheel drive variant, with energy outputs ranging between 299 and 455 horsepower.
Model
Polestar 2
Engine
Single- or dual-permanent-magnet motors
Transmission
Single-speed computerized
Horsepower
299-455 HP
Torque
361-546 LB-FT
Driveline
rear- or all-wheel drive
Range
247-320 miles
MSRP
$49,900
Fuel Economy
95-115 MPGe
Charge Time
8 Hours @ 240V
Towing Capacity
2,000 LBS
0-60 MPH
5.9-4.1 seconds
Quarter-Mile
12.6 seconds @ 110.0 MPH
In order to provide the most modern and correct info potential, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Polestar’s web sites and different authoritative sources, together with MotorPattern, the EPA, the NHTSA, and J.D. Power. Each mannequin rating is decided by Top Speed’s score workforce, which elements in 5 totally different metrics. You can read our Methodology page for extra details about our score system.
The Polestar 2 Dual Motor would not but dance like a German sports activities sedan, but it surely’s simply as quirky as the good Swedish efficiency machines of yore.
What’s New For 2024
For 2024, Polestar introduces a bigger battery and up to date {hardware}, resulting in higher EPA range estimates. The single-motor mannequin is now rear-wheel drive, versus the pre-updated model’s front-wheel drive configuration. Its estimated vary will increase by 30 miles on a single cost, leading to a 320-mile vary estimate. The dual-motor fashions additionally get a lift, with a variety of 276 miles, up 16 miles from final yr.
Along with this, Polestar kits the vary out with a slight bump in energy. The single-motor mannequin now has 295 horsepower, up from 231, and the dual-motor mannequin has been bumped as much as 416 horsepower, from 408. Plus, Polestar has tweaked the torque ratio to offer the rear motor extra energy. The 20-inch wheels that include the $5,500 Performance Pack have been up to date, and now you can go for Michelin all-season tires on the 19-inch wheels. The bigger battery now helps superfast DC charging speeds of up to 205 kW, up from the earlier 155 kW determine.
2024 Highlights
New rear-wheel drive single-motor configuration
Increased battery capability
New 20-inch wheels for the Performance Pack
Tweaked rear-motor torque ratio
Optional 19-inch Michelin all-season tires
Exterior Dimensions
Length
181.3 Inches
Width
73.2 Inches
Height
58-58.2 Inches
Wheelbase
107.7 Inches
Front Track
63.1 Inches
Rear Track
63 Inches
Curb Weight
4,280-4,658 Pounds
(Data sourced from Polestar)
Specifications And Performance
Polestar
The new base rear-wheel drive configuration produces a modest 299 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque from a single-permanent-magnet motor. The result’s a claimed 5.9-second 0-60 MPH time, however impartial assessments reveal that the brand new mannequin is the truth is manner sooner than claimed, with a 5.3-second 0-60 MPH result. The base trim comes normal with entrance and rear ventilated brake discs and two-piston calipers.
The dual-motor configuration produces 421 horsepower and 546 pound-feet, granting it a 4.3-second 0-60 MPH time. If you specify the Performance bundle, this will increase to 455 horsepower, reducing the claimed acceleration time to 4.0 seconds. All three derivatives characteristic the identical restricted 127 MPH prime velocity. This Performance bundle additionally contains Swedish gold Brembo four-piston mounted aluminum entrance calipers with drilled ventilated discs, a Polestar Engineered efficiency chassis, and Öhlins Dual Flow Valve manually adjustable dampers with 22 settings.
Performance Specifications
Single-Motor
Dual-Motor
Dual-Motor Performance
Powertrain
Single-Permanent-Magnet Motor
Dual-Permanent-Magnet Motor
Dual-Permanent-Magnet Motor
Horsepower
299 HP
421 HP
455 HP
Torque
361 LB-FT
546 LB-FT
546 LB-FT
Transmission
Single-Speed Direct Drive
Single-Speed Direct Drive
Single-Speed Direct Drive
Battery
79 kWh Net
75 kWh Net
75 kWh Net
Range
307-320 Miles
266-276 Miles
247 Miles
Fuel Economy
111-115 MPGe
102-106 MPGe
95 MPGe
0-60 MPH
5.9 Seconds
4.3 Seconds
4.0 Seconds
Top Speed
127 MPH
127 MPH
127 MPH
(Data sourced from Polestar and the EPA)
All Dual-Motor Polestar 2 derivatives characteristic the identical lithium-ion battery pack with 75 kWh of usable vitality. The base Polestar 2 introduces the all-new 79 kWh battery. With the usual 19-inch wheels, it’s the best mannequin, because it returns a 115 MPGe mixed vitality consumption consequence, however this worsens to 111 MPGe when you match the elective 20-inch wheels. The dual-motor with 19-inch wheels returns a 106 MPGe estimate on the 19-inch wheels and 102 MPGe on 20-inch wheels. The Performance bundle returns the worst determine, with a 95 MPGe estimate.
The restricted version Polestar 2’s suspension tuning and added energy make it a potent EV
Towing and Payload Capacities
Polestar limits all derivatives to a 2,000-pound towing and 925-pound payload capability. You should spend an additional $1,300 on the tow-bar hitch and four-pin connector. This is a semi-electrical tow-bar, which unfolds through a button situated within the trunk. You then should manually lock it into place beneath the rear bumper. There’s a lightweight on the button which signifies the locked standing, and a message is proven within the heart show if it’s unlocked. A trailer module with the trailer, maintaining the motive force knowledgeable of any points with the trailer’s indicators, brake lights, or different techniques.
Payload Capacity
925 Pounds
Towing Capacity
2,000 Pounds
(Data sourced from Polestar)
Polestar 2 Charging Time And Range
Polestar
The Performance bundle is the least-efficient mannequin, with a 247-mile estimate from the EPA. The best mannequin is the bottom rear-wheel drive choice, returning a 320-mile estimate. The related battery capacities imply that every one three derivatives are topic to the identical charging occasions.
A Level One family plug replenishes the battery in 72 hours. You can reduce this all the way down to eight hours through the use of a Level Two system rated at 48 amps. The new 205 kW quick charging system recovers the brand new battery from 10 to 80 % in 28 minutes when utilizing a Level Three DC fast charging system. Polestar nonetheless limits the outdated battery to 155 kW, so you must wait 35 minutes for it to cost from 10 to 80 %.
Battery
75-79 kWh Net
Range
247-320 Miles
Level 1 AC 110V Charging time (0-100%)
72 Hours
Level 2 AC 220V Charging time (0-100%)
8 Hours
Level 3 DC 440V Charging time (10-80%)
28-34 Minutes
(Data sourced from Polestar)
The Polestar 2 comes normal with a one-phase AC charging cable, which you should use at house or at public charging factors. Polestar would not supply Level Two-rated chargers, so you will should source them from a reputable supplier, which might price about $200. We additionally suggest getting a Level Two wallbox for comfort. These often price round $800, excluding the price of set up, which could be $800 to $2,000, relying in your location.
The Polestar 2 is a muscular automobile that gives spectacular efficiency, over 300 miles of vary, and an abundance of tech options.
Interior Technology, Luxury, And Comfort
Best Interior Features Of The 2024 Polestar 2
Electrically adjustable and heated entrance seats
12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Dual-zone local weather management
Sustainable upholstery choices
Ambient lighting
Wireless smartphone charger
Like the outside, the Polestar takes a minimalist and scientific method. Key options for the bottom trim embrace partially electrically adjustable entrance seats with lumbar help and heating, ambient lighting, digital dual-zone local weather management with an air high quality system, and
CleanZone air filtration.
Standard upholstery consists of vegan WeaveTech and embossed textiles, obtainable in Charcoal or Zinc shades. Animal welfare Nappa leather-based upholstery prices $4,000, and may solely be had in Zinc and Light Ash. The $2,200 Plus pack provides a panoramic glass roof, Black Ash deco inlays for the WeaveTech seats, upgraded ambient lighting, absolutely electrical entrance seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power-operated tailgate with a foot sensor. Additional inside choices embrace $200 all climate ground mats, a $200 baggage compartment mat, and a $55 first support equipment.
Technology
Polestar
Compared to newer EVs, the Polestar takes a extra conservative method to digital shows. All automobiles characteristic a 12.3-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment system and an 11.2-inch digital instrument cluster powered by Android Automotive OS with navigation, wi-fi Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. As normal, you get a 250-Watt eight-speaker audio system, however the Plus bundle upgrades this to a 600-Watt 13-speaker Harman Kardon Premium audio system.
It is extra highly effective and sits increased than a daily Polestar 2
Safety And Reliability
Polestar
Like its dad or mum firm, Polestar advantages from among the best standard active and passive safety features. Protective security measures embrace a nine-airbag configuration masking the entrance driver, passenger, and knees, sides, inner-sides, and curtains. Polestar adopts a Boron metal security cage with mixed-material crumple zones, a collapsible steering column, and different key security options, incomes it a powerful five-star overall safety score from the NHTSA. The IIHS has not crash-tested the Polestar 2 vary.
On the reliability entrance, the Polestar 2 has held up fairly properly to date, as there aren’t any energetic recollects presently listed for the vary. J.D. Power grants the mannequin a Fair 64/100 score for quality and reliability.
Driver Assistance Features
Polestar kits the two out with a complete superior driver help suite, consisting of twenty-two distinctive options when you specify the elective $2,000 Pilot Pack. Base ADAS options embrace nighttime collision warning, lane preserve support and departure warning, run-off highway and oncoming lane mitigation, and driver alert management. You additionally get rear collision warning and mitigation, cross visitors alert with brake help, blind spot info with steer help, and post-impact braking.
Nighttime collision warning
Lane-keeping support and departure warning
Run-off highway mitigation
Rear collision warning and mitigation
Cross visitors alert with brake help
Blind spot info with steer help
The aforementioned Pilot Plus pack provides adaptive cruise management, pilot help, and a velocity limiter.
Euro NCAP Crash Testing
We’ve inserted the Polestar 2 Euro NCAP crash testing merely as a reference, as a result of the IIHS has not examined the vary. European security requirements and mannequin specs are vastly totally different from the U.S.A’s.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
Overall Front Crash Rating
5 out of 5
Overall Side Crash Rating
5 out of 5
Rollover Rating
5 out of 5
Recalls (NHTSA): 0
NHTSA Investigations: 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints: Two complaints referring to {the electrical} techniques and windshield wiper
With over 400 horses and 270 miles of vary at your disposal aside from all the luxurious and tech, the Polestar 2 is price each penny.
Warranties
Polestar
The Polestar 2 vary comes normal with a reasonably complete guarantee masking 48 months or 50,000 miles. Polestar covers battery-related defects for 96 months or 100,000 miles. Corrosion defects can be resolved inside a 12-year interval over limitless miles. You additionally get complimentary scheduled upkeep inside a three-year or 30,000-mile interval.
Type
Length
Full Warranty
48 Months/50,000 Miles
Powertrain Warranty
48 Months/50,000 Miles
Maintenance Warranty
36 Months/30,000 Miles
Roadside Warranty
24 Months/Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Warranty
96 Months/Unlimited Miles
Federal Emissions Performance
24 Months/24,000 Miles
Federal Emissions Defect
36 Months/36,000 Miles
Seat Belt And Airbags
120 Months/Unlimited Miles
(Data sourced from Polestar)
2024 Polestar 2 Versus Its Competitors
The Polestar competes within the more and more competitive midsize EV crossover segment. Its most important rivals are undoubtedly the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5, that are two examples which are presently dominating the favored discipline.
How The Polestar 2 Compares To The Tesla Model Y
2024 Polestar 2
2024 Tesla Model Y
Model
Polestar 2
Tesla Model Y
Engine
Single- or dual-permanent-magnet motors
Single- or twin permanent-magnet motors
Transmission
Single-speed computerized
Single-speed computerized
Horsepower
299-455 HP
295-456 HP
Torque
361-546 LB-FT
310-487 LB-FT
Driveline
rear- or all-wheel drive
Rear- or all-wheel drive
Range
247-320 miles
260-330 miles
MSRP
$49,900
$43,990
Fuel Economy
95-115 MPGe
111-123 MPGe
Charge Time
8 Hours @ 240V
8-10 hours @ 240V
0-60 MPH
5.9-4.1 seconds
6.6-3.5 seconds
Even with the revised motor configuration and new battery choices, the Polestar 2 struggles to place up a convincing fight against the Tesla Model Y. The base mannequin nearly bests the American EV’s energy output figures, giving it a little bit of an edge within the 0-60 MPH acceleration dash. The top-of-the-range Performance fashions are additionally equally matched in energy, however the Polestar advantages from way more torque. Despite this, the Model Y nonetheless maintains an exemplary 0-60 MPH dash time.
Range and consumption figures are additionally inside the similar area, however the Model Y finally bests the Polestar 2 throughout all trims. It’s capable of do all of this whereas nonetheless being round $6,000 cheaper, however the Swedish mannequin does profit from a barely increased normal specification stage. Its catalog additionally has extra inside and exterior colours and shades, affording it a extra distinctive character.
The superior expertise platforms on which each of those EVs are constructed are designed to supply effectivity, superior efficiency, and reliability.
How The Polestar 2 Compares To The Hyundai Ioniq 5
2024 Polestar 2
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Model
Polestar 2
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Engine
Single- or dual-permanent-magnet motors
Single- or dual-permanent-magnet motors
Transmission
Single-speed computerized
Single-speed computerized
Horsepower
299-455 HP
168-320 HP
Torque
361-546 LB-FT
258-446 LB-FT
Driveline
rear- or all-wheel drive
Rear- or all-wheel drive
Range
247-320 miles
220-303 miles
MSRP
$49,900
$41,650
Fuel Economy
95-115 MPGe
99-114 MPGe
Charge Time
8 Hours @ 240V
6-7 hours @ 240V
0-60 MPH
5.9-4.1 seconds
7.4-4.5 seconds
Polestar places up extra of a fight against the Hyundai Ioniq 5 on the efficiency entrance. Its base rear-wheel drive mannequin outperforms the South Korean competitor with the usual and prolonged battery packs, leading to a considerably sooner 0-60 MPH time. The Performance by-product, however, would not fairly match the Ioniq 5 N’s intense performance car capabilities.
The Polestar 2 and Ioniq 5 mixed vitality consumption figures are in the identical area, however the Swede’s larger battery pack choices means it covers longer distances on a single cost. The Polestar’s greatest problem is competing with Hyundai’s pricing, however once more, its normal specification listing is much extra complete.
The Ioniq 5 has been a revelation for Hyundai and has taken its EV success to new heights. Here’s what you get in each trim within the EV’s lineup.
How Much The 2024 Polestar 2 Costs
Polestar
The Polestar 2 range starts at $49,990 for the bottom rear-wheel drive and $55,300 for the all-wheel drive dual-motor choice. Polestar provides a $1,400 vacation spot cost to all gross sales.
The Polestar 2 is presently among the best choices on the EV market and these are the very best explanation why!
Is It Worth Buying A Polestar 2?
Polestar
The Polestar 2 is a worthy choice when contemplating its complete options listing, good efficiency skills, and enticing inside and exterior designs. Its five-door liftback design additionally provides nice inside packaging with the good thing about an athletic look. It’s additionally one of the safest electric car options currently available.
Unfortunately, its pricing technique simply is not aggressive sufficient to tackle the extra established fashions presently preventing within the area, particularly the Tesla Model Y, however those that find yourself contemplating the area of interest Swede are unlikely to be dissatisfied.
With a wealth of engineering adjustments beneath and visible updates to the physique and inside, this Porsche Cayenne facelift isn’t a kind of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it surgical procedures. The new LED matrix headlights are simple to identify (and, when you like, you may have high-definition ones at further value), whereas the brand new bumpers entrance and rear make for a contemporary, barely Macanish-looking widened grille, although with acquainted proportions behind it.
Technically, the headline change is the elimination from the Cayenne S of the two.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 that previously powered it, substituted for an overhauled model of the ‘EA825’ 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that Porsche first developed with technical associate Audi in 2017.
That leaves the entry-level Cayenne and the Cayenne E-Hybrid as the one six-cylinder fashions nonetheless in a showroom line-up, which, for now, consists of 4 fashions (Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne E-Hybrid and Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, plus equal ‘coupés’). In time, we’ll see a Turbo, a GTS and a V8-powered Cayenne S E-Hybrid as nicely, the PHEVs set to account for greater than three-quarters of the UK gross sales combine between them.
We gained’t see a return of the range-topping Cayenne Turbo GT, which is being reserved for markets, shall we embrace, much less carbon-emissions-punitive than the European Union and the UK. Go for the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid as a substitute, nonetheless, and you should buy a GT package deal that makes your automotive look, journey and deal with as very like the range-topping poster baby as doable. Meantime, ‘making do’ with solely 730bhp shouldn’t be an excessive amount of of a chore.
Below that range-topping PHEV, there shall be two additional electrified fashions. The cheaper Cayenne E-Hybrid makes use of an overhauled V6 and a 174bhp electrical motor, solely now there’s an even bigger battery to provide the juice. As such, electric-only vary jumps to a useful 46 miles, dropping it into the 8% benefit-in-kind tax bracket. It’s a well timed riposte to the Range Rover Sport’s firm automotive attraction. The unhealthy information? Kerb weight shoots up by 370kg over the bottom Cayenne.
And above that automotive will shortly come a Cayenne S E-Hybrid, utilizing the identical battery and motor know-how however delivering a V8-engined electrified possibility for lower than the Turbo E-Hybrid’s £130k-plus worth.
Outside of the engine bay, Porsche is continuous with metal coil suspension for lower-range Cayennes, with height-adjustable air springs optionally available on some and customary on others. New double-valved adaptive dampers (on which compression and rebound will be adjusted independently of one another) characteristic on all fashions, with entrance wheel and tyre measurement having modified barely too – each, says Porsche, to the advance of the automotive’s rolling refinement.
Four-wheel drive is customary on the Cayenne, downstream of an eight-speed torque-converter gearbox. Mechanical torque vectoring, four-wheel steering and energetic anti-roll bars, in the meantime, are optionally available on most fashions.
Trucks and SUVs is likely to be the most well-liked physique types in America, however small sports activities automobiles are nonetheless alive and kicking. Case in level, Mazda simply introduced gross sales stats for 2023 and the MX-5 Miata is as in style as ever, with a forty five.4-percent year-over-year gross sales enhance.
In all, Mazda bought 8,973 Miatas within the United States final yr. Mazda additional breaks down gross sales for the MX-5 roadster and the hardtop RF, displaying the roadster is now a bit extra in style with 4,591 bought items for the yr — a staggering 77.4 p.c enhance versus 2022. A complete of 4,382 hardtops discovered properties in 2023, making gross sales of the 2 physique types a close to 50/50 break up. That’s a major change from 2022, the place the RF outsold the roadster by virtually 1,000 items on the dot – 3,583 to 2,588. Clearly, extra people are having fun with extra sunshine behind the wheel of their Miatas.
Today, cars more and more use aluminum physique panels to cut back weight and enhance effectivity. The light-weight materials was far much less frequent in automobiles within the Seventies exterior of high-end efficiency purposes. Toyota made an early effort to vary this and produce the steel to extra mainstream machines with its weird-looking 1977 Toyota Aluminium Body Experimental Vehicle idea at that yr’s Tokyo Motor Show.
Let’s be sincere, the ABEV has a weird exterior design. You would possibly anticipate the lengthy hood cover a giant engine, however that is not the case. The idea’s powerplant displaces a mere 547 cubic centimeters.
The huge entrance finish results in a stumpy passenger compartment. Unfortunately, we could not discover any pictures of the cabin, however the doorways slide rearward to open, just like the rear doorways you’d discover on a minivan. There’s room for 2 individuals inside.
Toyota’s 1977 press launch concerning the ABEV stated the idea got here “in response to social calls for the conservation of energy and natural resources.” The aim was to create a light-weight car with improved gas effectivity. “Its development was guided by the principle of a minimum of consumption for a maximum of work,” the corporate stated.
The idea measured 140.2 inches (3,560 millimeters) lengthy, 58.74 inches (1,492 mm) huge, and 45.51 inches (1,156 mm) tall. For comparability, the Toyota Corolla Hatchback presently out there within the US is 172 inches lengthy and 70.5 inches huge, that means the ABEV is a critically compact machine.
The aluminum physique stored the idea’s weight down to only 992 kilos (450 kilograms). Toyota claimed the ABEV obtained an estimated 82 miles per gallon (35 kilometers per liter) whereas touring 37 miles per hour (60 kilometers per hour).
After Toyota displayed the ABEV on the 1977 Tokyo Motor Show, the idea appeared on the duvet of the automaker’s 1978 company brochure, proven under.
Modern Toyotas make intensive use of aluminum. For instance, the newest Tacoma makes use of the steel in its higher physique and tailgate to save lots of weight. The GR Corolla has the light-weight materials for the hood and entrance doorways. So it is secure to say the ABEV was a profitable precursor for Toyota’s future endeavors.
The Cybertruck’s body is constructed using a unique stainless steel alloy designed by Tesla. The material is claimed to be bulletproof against 9mm bullets and provides the pickup with greater torsional stiffness compared to a McLaren P1.
Elon Musk stated, “We needed something that you could actually manufacture, that wouldn’t corrode, and that doesn’t need paint, that you could make in volume,” as the reason behind the decision to create a completely bespoke alloy material.
Musk also highlighted the Cybertruck’s off-road capabilities, stating, “You can drive over practically anything; It has insane off-road capabilities.” This is made possible by features such as 17 inches of ground clearance, 35-inch all-terrain tires, adaptive air suspension on all four corners, and locking differentials that do not protrude below the body of the vehicle.
The Cybertruck also features steer-by-wire technology and four-wheel steering, giving it a smaller turning circle than the Model S.
Musk expressed, “Once in a while a product comes along that is rare. Something that is rare and unusual. We have a car here that experts said was impossible, said would never be made.”
Musk on Cybertruck: Tesla has “dug its own grave”
Tesla has encountered challenges with production of the Cybertruck, leading CEO Elon Musk to declare in October that the company has “dug its own grave” with the Cybertruck. Promised 2021 deliveries are behind schedule, with production beginning in July but orders still unavailable, with only reservation deposits being accepted.
By removing the SUV body shapes from the list, we see the true demand for hatchbacks and MPVs
It is well-established that SUVs, or cars with SUV-like body types dominate the Indian car market, with close to half the total monthly sales. However, if we were to exclude any vehicle that has been classified as an SUV, the bottom half of the list of best-selling models in a month offers some interesting insights into which models are most popular. Let’s take a detailed look at the top-selling cars, not SUVs, from October 2023:
Models
October 2023
October 2022
September 2023
Maruti Wagon R
22,080
17,945
16,250
Maruti Swift
20,598
17,231
14,703
Maruti Baleno
16,594
17,149
18,417
Maruti Dzire
14,699
12,321
13,880
Maruti Ertiga
14,209
10,494
13,528
Maruti Eeco
12,975
8,861
11,147
Maruti Alto K10
11,200
21,260
7,791
Toyota Innova
8,183
3,739
8,900
Hyundai i20
7,212
7,814
6,481
Hyundai Grand i10
6,552
8,855
5,223
Tata Altroz
5,984
4,770
6,684
Tata Tiago
5,356
7,187
6,789
Kia Carens
5,355
5,479
4,330
Toyota Glanza
4,724
3,767
4,727
Maruti XL6
4,367
2,484
4,511
Key Takeaways
Maruti dominates the non-SUV sales list with a diverse lineup of cars in India. The only model added to the top monthly sellers list with the removal of SUVs is the Maruti XL6, which is a premium version of the Ertiga MPV.
Toyota is the next most popular brand in India right now with the Innova MPV, coming in at the eighth spot. It is important to note that this tally includes sales of both the Toyota Innova Hycross (petrol and hybrid) as well as Toyota Innova Crysta (diesel-only).
The Hyundai i20 premium hatchback came in at the ninth spot with 7,212 units sold, beating the Tata Altroz which sold just under 6,000 units and is eleventh on this list.
The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios hatchback was the 10th best selling car of the previous month, with over 6,500 units sold, which is more than 3 times higher for the same month as its rival, the Maruti Swift.
The Tata Tiago was also popular, clearing the 5,000 sales mark in October 2023.
The Kia Carens, a premium alternative to the Maruti Ertiga, also cleared the 5,000 monthly sales mark.
The last hatchback on this list is the Toyota Glanza, which is essentially a rebadged version of the Maruti Baleno with the same features and powertrains.
When we included SUVs while looking at the best-selling models of October 2023, even the 15th most popular model enjoyed a demand of over 11,000 units. However, it seems no other model was able to even come close to the 10,000 unit sales mark, highlighting the preferences of the SUV body shape among Indian car buyers.
