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Cars

Toyota’s Decision to Discontinue and Revive the Venza

In May 2020, Toyota announced that it would be reintroducing the Venza for the 2021 model year. While the new Venza shares its platform with the Camry, it manages to differentiate itself through its hybrid drivetrain.

Similar to the Toyota Sienna minivan, the Venza is exclusively available as a hybrid. The combination of the electric motor and gas engine produces 219 horsepower and achieves an impressive 37 combined miles per gallon. Additionally, all-wheel drive is a standard feature across the Venza lineup.

By adopting the TNGA platform and introducing more hybrid models, such as the newest Toyota Sequoia, it made sense for Toyota to reintroduce the Venza. Although the new Venza bears little resemblance to its predecessor, the hope is that buyers will appreciate the crossover’s updated features and design.

Motorsport

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser With Yoke Forgoes Accelerator, Brake Pedals

Toyota is introducing the 2024 Land Cruiser in the upcoming Japan Mobility Show, but this version is not like the regular LC 250. Instead of the traditional round steering wheel, Toyota has created a “NEO Steer” system that resembles motorcycle handlebars. The accelerator and brake controls are integrated into this yoke-like steering wheel, eliminating the need for separate pedals.

This design allows for hand-operated driving, making the 2024 Land Cruiser accessible to drivers with lower limb impairments. The new controls are mounted on the right side of the steering wheel, effectively replacing the accelerator and brake pedals. This arrangement provides more comfort for the driver and easier entry and exit from the vehicle.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser with NEO Steer
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser with NEO Steer

This is not Toyota’s first time using a yoke-style steering wheel, as its luxury brand Lexus has previously developed one for the RZ electric crossover, featuring a steer-by-wire system. The yoke serves as an alternative to a traditional steering wheel.

Mazda, another Japanese automaker, has been offering “Self-empowerment Driving Vehicles” designed for people with disabilities. Models such as the 2, MX-30, CX-5, and MX-5 Miata are equipped with a lever next to the center console that replaces the pedals. These cars can also be ordered with a special steering wheel featuring a built-in knob for one-hand steering.

Toyota is showcasing various concepts at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, most of which are electric. These include a zero-emission, three-row Land Cruiser Se, a pickup truck competing with the Ford Maverick, and even a sports car that ditches the combustion engine.

Motorsport

2024 BMW X2 Base Price Increases to $42,995, $5,400 More Than Last Year

The next-generation BMW X2 has been introduced, offering more space and features in the compact SUV segment. However, these improvements come at a price. The starting price for the least expensive model has increased by $5,400 compared to last year, now starting at $42,000. When you add the $995 destination charge, the 2024 BMW X2’s MSRP becomes $42,995.

What do you get for your money? Well, quite a lot. First of all, all-wheel drive is included. Currently, the base X2 model is the xDrive28i, which has an upgraded 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and powers all four wheels. We reached out to BMW to inquire about the possibility of a lower-priced front-wheel drive sDrive model in the future, but the automaker declined to comment on future trims. Previously, the cheapest all-wheel drive X2 was priced at $38,600 before the destination charge, so this represents a significant increase year-over-year. 


News

Jaguar’s Special F-Type Marks the End of 75 Years of ICE Sports Cars

Jaguar is bidding farewell to its iconic F-Type model with the limited edition Type ZP, marking the end of 75 years of combustion-engined Jaguar sports cars. Inspired by the ‘Project ZP’ E-Types that raced at Le Mans in the 1960s, this special edition will be offered as both a coupé and a convertible.

Only 150 units of this final edition will be sold worldwide, with 10 reserved exclusively for UK customers.

The Type ZP will join the F-Type 75, which was unveiled last year, for its last year of production. Both versions come with unique features that set them apart from the standard model, which now only comes with a 296bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. The special editions offer a choice of a 444bhp or a 567bhp supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine.

All three engines will be retired next year as Jaguar prepares to reinvent itself as a fully electric luxury brand by 2025. The F-Type will be joined in retirement by the XE, XF, E-Pace, and F-Pace models.

One of the standout features of the Type ZP edition is the hand-painted white racing roundel on each door, paying homage to the Le Mans racers. Additionally, two color options are available, both inspired by the Le Mans racers. One features gloss blue paint with red-and-black leather upholstery, while the other offers gloss grey paint with blue-and-brown leather upholstery.

Both color variations include gloss white grille surrounds to match the roundels on the doors, which contrast with the gloss black brake calipers and exterior trim pieces. ‘ZP Edition’ badges can be found on the front wheel arches.

NewsNew

BRC/YAMAHA 500cc TWO-STROKE: FIRST RIDE

BRC, a Canadian company, is dedicated to reviving the 500cc two-stroke era. They have developed their own motor which they supply in a kit for you to complete. In this particular case, we have used a 2023 Yamaha YZ250 as the “donor bike.” It comes with the complete YZ chassis and essential internal engine parts required to finish the build. Join us as we familiarize ourselves with this bike at Glen Helen Raceway in this episode of our Premix video series.

News

2024 Skoda Enyaq vRS: More Power, Range, and Faster Charging

The Skoda Enyaq vRS has undergone significant upgrades for 2024, resulting in higher power output, extended range, and improved charging capabilities for the electric SUV.

With its dual-motor powertrain, the Enyaq vRS now offers a combined output of 335bhp, an increase of 40bhp. As a result, the SUV’s 0-62mph sprint time has been reduced by a whole second, now reaching 5.5 seconds. This makes it the fastest-accelerating Skoda vehicle to date.

Thanks to new power management software, the vRS Coupé variant can now cover up to 340 miles between charges, which is 16 miles more than before. The conventional SUV model also sees an increase, managing 336 miles per charge, an improvement of 15 miles.

Furthermore, the Enyaq vRS now supports a maximum charging rate of 175kW, a boost of 40kW. This reduces the time required for a 10-80% charge on a 175kW connection by eight minutes compared to the previous 135kW limit.

The Enyaq vRS’s infotainment software has also received enhancements, making it more user-friendly and informative.

In terms of standard equipment, rear side airbags, rear window blinds, rear USB-C ports, and tow-bar pre-preparation have been added.

The optional Advanced and Maxx packages have undergone a price reduction of £300 each, resulting in new prices of £2035 and £3980, respectively.

News

New Alpine A310 Coming as Electric, Four-seat A110

The French company, Alpine, is planning to reintroduce the A310 as a stylish, four-seat electric sports car. The company’s executives have confirmed that the upcoming model will stay true to Alpine’s core values of lightness and agility. This revival of the A310 is part of a larger initiative by the Renault Group’s sporting brand to launch seven new electric cars by 2030.

The new A310 will share the same Alpine Performance Platform (APP) as the upcoming electric A110 coupe, which is scheduled for release in 2027. It is expected that the A310 will serve as a more practical option compared to the flagship two-seater A110, similar to the relationship between the Porsche 718 Cayman and 911 models.

The APP architecture focuses on performance and flexibility and will form the foundation for a compact four-seater that promises engaging driving dynamics, aiming to become an iconic future sports car. Alpine’s marketing director, Bruce Pillard, emphasized that even though their future models will be electric, they will retain the essence of Alpine vehicles with their agility and lightweight feel.

Design director Antony Villain stated that they plan to create a 2+2 sports car that combines the concept of the A310 with the current APP platform. The final design is expected to be completed within 18 months.

This decision to make the A310 a four-seater aligns with Alpine’s broader strategy to transition from a niche manufacturer to a major player in the global automotive market. Their diversified lineup will include the A290 hot hatchback based on the Renault 5, the A110 in both coupe and roadster versions, the A310, the GT X-Over crossover, and luxury models in the D- and E-segments. All of these models are set to be released within the next seven years.

Motorsport

2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Quietly Shows Up At IAA Munich: Walkaround Video

With Volkswagen bringing the new Passat Variant and ID. GTI concept to the IAA Mobility in Munich, this camouflaged prototype of the next-generation Tiguan almost flew under the radar. Just like the wagon we mentioned, the crossover featured here is an eHybrid in the R-Line trim, so just about the most expensive version money will buy at the model’s launch. Should there be another range-topping R later, that’ll certainly command a premium.

VW insists on disguising its crossover even though the 2024 Tiguan was spotted without any camo nearly a month ago while shooting a video ad in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The folks from Wolfsburg are making the third-generation model bigger but won’t sell the seven-seat variant anymore. Why? To make way for the three-row Tayron confirmed for Europe. Currently, this lesser-known nameplate is only assembled in China by the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture. The next-gen global model will be made in Wolfsburg.


Motorsport

Polestar Synergy Electric Fantasy Supercar Debuts At IAA Mobility

Polestar has revealed its latest creation, the Synergy electric fantasy supercar, at the IAA Mobility 2023 event in Munich. This stunning vehicle brings to life three winning designs from the recent Polestar Design Contest.

Over 600 entries were submitted to the competition, and the winning designs were chosen for their combination of performance-focused experience and sustainable technical innovation. The Polestar Synergy is the result of a six-month collaboration between the winners and the Polestar Design team, merging three distinct dreams into one cohesive reality.

The final design of the fantasy supercar draws inspiration from nature and features a unique single-seat floating interior design with a strong emphasis on control. Standing at 179.5 inches long and 42.1 inches tall, this vehicle showcases dramatic proportions and never-before-seen details that truly capture the essence of a supercar.

The two winning exterior designers, Devashish Deshmukh and Swapnil Desai, are based in Paris, France, while the interior designer, Yingxiang Li, is located in China.

Deshmukh’s exterior design draws inspiration from the hollowed-out volumes found in a hammerhead shark’s body, while Desai’s design focuses on emotional durability paired with technical upgradability and materials that age gracefully over time.

The interior of the Polestar Synergy features a performance-oriented seating position that offers a new experience centered around “floating comfort and control.”

During the IAA 2023 event, the Polestar Synergy concept will be showcased at the Polestar Space in Munich. Following its debut, the 1:1 scale model will be shipped to the US, where it will tour as a featured model at the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in El Segundo, California, starting from October 7, 2023. It will also make appearances at various Polestar locations across the country.

“The exposure that student designers receive at the start of their careers is rarely seen. The Polestar Design Community on Instagram has done an excellent job of amplifying this, and it has been further enhanced this year through the 1:1 scale model and its planned global tour of Polestar locations,” said Maximillian Missoni, Polestar’s Head of Design.

In addition to their latest creation, Polestar has announced a partnership with Mattel’s brand, Hot Wheels. The next Polestar Design Contest will take inspiration from designs in Hot Wheels’ 55-year history and future Polestar production vehicles will be immortalized as Hot Wheels and Matchbox collectibles.

BMW

All-new BMW iDrive coming to the Neue Klasse.

Munich. The BMW Group is introducing a new display and operating concept called BMW iDrive, which will revolutionize the way drivers interact with their vehicles in the next generation. This groundbreaking technology will debut in the Neue Klasse starting in 2025. The future generation of BMW iDrive will transform the vehicle into a digital experience space, featuring the BMW Panoramic Vision, a new multifunction steering wheel, a new central display, and a new BMW 3D head-up display. These innovative elements will redefine the BMW user experience in all Neue Klasse models.

Logical progression of BMW iDrive with new technologies. The next evolution of BMW iDrive will offer a modern interior design with a focus on touch and advanced voice interaction. In the Neue Klasse, BMW iDrive will be characterized by four central elements.

  • The new BMW Panoramic Vision will provide a fresh perspective for both the driver and passengers. Based on a new head-up display technology, it will project information directly in the driver’s field of vision, spanning the entire width of the windshield.
  • The new BMW 3D head-up display will enhance the driving experience by displaying important information, such as assisted driving or traffic guidance, with high precision as 3D animations directly in the driver’s line of sight.
  • The new multifunction steering wheel will allow drivers to control the content displayed on the BMW Panoramic Vision and BMW 3D head-up display, while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. The steering wheel buttons provide convenient and precise operation, enhanced by active haptic feedback and multilayer technology.
  • The focus of BMW iDrive in the Neue Klasse will be the new central display with intuitive touch function and iconic BMW styling. The matrix backlight technology ensures high resolution, vibrant colors, and strong contrast in all lighting conditions.

The future BMW iDrive will continue to feature the QuickSelect concept introduced in 2023. The system in the Neue Klasse is built on a highly integrated software architecture and uses the next generation of the BMW Operating System. By leveraging smart connectivity with the BMW Cloud and the customer’s digital ecosystem, the new iDrive creates an immersive user experience and takes the human-car interaction to a new level. It transforms the vehicles of the Neue Klasse into digital experience spaces.