Update: Added 12 additional photos in a new gallery, available below.
Lamborghini is busy with the launch of the Revuelto V12 plug-in hybrid supercar and finalizing the Urus PHEV. Additionally, they are also testing the replacement for the Huracan. Car paparazzi recently captured the baby Lambo being tested on public roads. Surprisingly, the prototype seems to have the production body rather than provisional panels typically found on early test mules.
The test vehicle is easily recognizable with yellow “high-voltage” stickers, indicating its use of a hybrid powertrain. To add some amusement, Lamborghini placed stickers on the headlights to deceive the casual observer into thinking they are Gallardo headlights. However, closer inspection reveals the real lights are located lower. The front bumper features massive air intakes and incorporates hexagonal daytime running lights.
The BMW Group Plant Munich recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with two eventful days filled with exciting activities. Despite not producing any cars during this time, the plant welcomed around 70,000 visitors including employees, their friends, and family. The anniversary celebrations featured a captivating stage program, thrilling driving events, and exclusive insights into the production process.
In his speech, Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Production, expressed gratitude to the employees for their dedication and emphasized their role in bringing success to the plant. Plant Munich is currently undergoing extensive renovations in preparation for the production of the Neue Klasse in 2026. This includes the construction of three new buildings for the body shop, assembly, and logistics areas. Nedeljković also stressed the remarkable ability of the employees to keep the plant running smoothly despite the ongoing changes.
During the anniversary celebrations, more than one thousand volunteers from all BMW locations in Munich demonstrated great dedication and contributed to the smooth operation of the event. These volunteers generously donated their time, which was then converted into a cash donation of 150,000 euros for five Munich-based charities. Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, People and Real Estate, praised the employees for their extraordinary commitment and highlighted the responsible behavior of BMW as an employer.
Representatives from the charities expressed their gratitude as they received the donation vouchers in person from Horstmeier, Plant Manager Peter Weber, and Martin Kimmich, Chairman of the General Works Council. Furthermore, to represent the transformation of Plant Munich, a time capsule was filled by the Member of the Board for Production, Plant Manager, and Works Council Chair. This capsule will be integrated into the construction area of the new body shop.
The BMW employees themselves organized most of the anniversary celebrations, showcasing their diverse talents through various performances and activities. A former employee of Plant Munich, Willy Astor, entertained the visitors with his comedy and music show. Other popular attractions included shows by the “RedBull Driftbrothers,” a children’s motorcycle course, driving sessions from the BMW Driving Academy, and a variety of culinary delights from food trucks and the plant’s own restaurant.
Martin Kimmich, Chairman of the BMW General Works Council, commended the efforts of the workforce in creating such an impressive event. He highlighted the unique team spirit and the employees’ commitment to social responsibility. As an essential employer in Munich, the plant welcomed around 80 neighbors who were given a guided tour of the site to foster good relations and maintain open dialogue with the local community.
The plant also plays an integral role in the future development of Munich, as demonstrated by the “BMW Munich – Urban Production” architectural competition. The winning designs aim to make the plant more accessible and improve relations with the neighborhood, setting the stage for future plans beyond 2026. These plans align with the principles of the BMW iFactory, focusing on being lean, green, and digital.
Although the anniversary celebrations took place in Plant Munich’s 101st year, due to uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was planned during the plant’s 100th year.
We are now in July 2023, and it has been a busy few weeks for Triumph, Bajaj, Harley, and Hero MotoCorp. These companies have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare Triumph’s Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, as well as Harley’s X440 for their debut. The excitement is palpable.
From an international perspective, the partnerships behind the development of these bikes make perfect sense. In many Asian countries, there is a huge number of small-displacement motorbikes being ridden by a diverse range of riders who rely on their two-wheeled vehicles for their daily lives. Large displacement bikes are often subject to high taxes and are less common. This has created a demand for a middleweight bike that falls between the small and large displacement categories. These bikes offer a little more power without crossing into the realm of big bikes. The partnerships between manufacturers are also important for resources, geography, and maintaining attractive pricing structures.
Royal Enfield has been a prominent player in this middleweight segment with its 350 trio: the Meteor 350 cruiser, the Classic 350 retro-modern standard, and the Hunter 350 modern urban machine. Now, Triumph/Bajaj and Harley-Davidson/Hero are entering the market to compete for a share of this growing segment. Aprilia, part of the Piaggio Group, has also announced plans to launch its own mid-segment bike in 2023. All these companies have initially launched their bikes in India, the world’s largest motorcycle market, with plans to expand to other international markets later.
This segment is attracting attention because it offers a step up from a 125cc scooter, making it an achievable aspiration for many riders. It provides a sense of personal growth and achievement without being out of reach.
According to Bajaj managing director Rajiv Bajaj, Triumph could potentially sell 40,000 to 50,000 TR-platform bikes annually in the next year. Bajaj’s partnership with KTM has given him insights into the motorcycle market, as KTM’s annual sales have grown significantly over the past decade. The partnerships between these companies are aimed at replicating this success in the middleweight segment.
It is worth noting that China is also becoming a major motorcycle market, and KTM has a strong presence there through its partnership with CFMOTO. Recently, Pierer Mobility and CFMOTO announced plans to strengthen their cooperation to meet the increasing market demand in China and the Asian region.
Some More Middleweight Development Details Worth Noting
2017: Triumph and Bajaj formed their partnership.
2021: Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp formed their partnership.
Piaggio Group, the parent company of Aprilia, already has a presence in India and has not partnered with a local manufacturer for its middleweight bike development.
Triumph and Bajaj’s TR-platform bikes will be exclusive to Triumph and will not be used by Bajaj for their future bikes.
On the other hand, the partnership between Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp is similar to previous deals between BMW Motorrad and TVS Motor Company. This allows both companies to use the same platform for their respective bikes.
Get ready for the 2023 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The four-day event will take place from July 13 to 16, 2023, and promises a lineup of exciting activities for the entire family.
To help you plan your visit, here’s the full schedule of events. Due to the size of the event, there will be multiple locations hosting the festivities, including the Harley-Davidson Museum, Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations, Grant Park Beach, Bud Pavilion at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, Veterans Park, Lakefront Brewery parking lot, Cathedral Square Park, and Greenfield Avenue in West Allis, Wisconsin.
On the final day, don’t miss the official Harley-Davidson 120th Anniversary Motorcycle Parade that will pass through downtown Milwaukee. Harley Owners Group members have access to a premium parade viewing area.
Thursday, July 13, 2023
The Harley-Davidson Museum and Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations will kick off the festivities at 10 a.m. The Museum will remain open until 8 p.m. and offer various displays and demos, as well as live music performances. Powertrain Operations will provide model year demo rides, factory tours, food options, and police skills riding demonstrations.
In the evening, the Harley Owners Group 40th Celebration event will take place at the Bud Pavilion, exclusively for HOG members. There will also be a community Bonfire on the Beach event at Grant Park Beach.
Friday, July 14, 2023
The Museum and Powertrain Operations will continue their programming from the previous day. The Museum will host the Flat Out Friday Boonie Bike Race and live music performances. Powertrain Operations will add food options from Johnsonville Big Taste Grill to their lineup.
Veterans Park will have a box office, food and beverage vendors, merchandise, and various shows and live music performances throughout the day. There will also be a Block Party on Greenfield Avenue and the ongoing Bastille Days festival at Cathedral Square Park.
Saturday, July 15, 2023
The events at the Museum and Powertrain Operations remain largely the same. The Museum will feature the Vintage Motorcycle Field Games Showcase and more live music performances. Veterans Park will have shows, live music, and a Burger Build Off hosted by Matty Matheson. There will also be a Block Party on Greenfield Avenue and Bastille Days festival at Cathedral Square Park.
Sunday, July 16, 2023
The Museum will start the day with a Harley-Davidson Membership Coffee Fuel-Up event. The Mama Tried & Friends Motorcycle Show will also take place, along with various displays, demos, and shows. Powertrain Operations will continue providing their usual lineup. Community events for the day include Bastille Days and the Harley-Davidson 120th Anniversary Motorcycle Parade in Downtown Milwaukee.
To attend the Homecoming Festival, you can purchase two-day or one-day general admission passes on the official Harley-Davidson Homecoming website. Children under 10 can enter for free with a ticketed adult. Prices may vary based on availability.
At Volvo Cars, we are busy working towards our ambition of being a fully electric car maker by 2030. There’s the new EX30 small SUV and EX90 large SUV on the horizon, but we have also recently updated our existing pure electric models – the C40 and XC40 Recharge. With a longer range and improved efficiency, these upgraded models are both now capable of more than 300 miles on a single charge.
The international media launch of these (pre-production) cars was in late April, but we have secured two left-hand-drive models from Sweden to bring to SMMT Test Day. This is the first time that anyone will have driven these cars in the UK, so please visit the Volvo stand to sample them.
We will also have the V60 and XC90 plug-in hybrid models to test, complete with our latest Android-powered infotainment system, along with the rugged V90 Cross Country in a rather fetching Bright Dusk colour.
These are the cars that will be available to drive on the hill route at Millbrook:
And as if that wasn’t enough, there will be a special appearance from one of our iconic heritage models – an immaculate, low-mileage 240 GLT from 1989 will be on static display.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Volvo if we didn’t add a little Swedish flavour to Test Day, so we invite you to join us for Fika throughout the day. A variety of sweet treats, tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available if you fancy a break and a chat with the team. We all look forward to catching up with you.
See you on Thursday!
The Volvo Car UK PR team
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Descriptions and facts in this press material relate to Volvo Car UK’s car range. Described features might be optional. All information is correct at time of going to press and may be altered without prior notification.
YOKOHAMA, Japan – Following a busy first part of Season 9, with nine races in less than five months spanning five continents, the Nissan Formula E Team drivers Sacha Fenestraz and Norman Nato reflect on their first season with the squad, the challenges of Gen3, and more.
Sacha Fenestraz
How did you find the adaptation process to the Gen3 technology?
Sacha Fenestraz: When I began testing last year with Nissan, I quickly realized that I kind of had to start again, from a blank sheet of paper almost. The car is so different to anything I experienced before, even the Gen2 machinery. I knew the energy management from my experience in the Gen2 car, but I had to adapt my driving style.
Did you find it easy to settle in with Nissan?
SF: Yes, it was great, the relationship between the whole squad is really good. On my side of the garage, my engineer Johann and I are both new to Formula E, so we are learning together and really open minded with each other. When mistakes happen, we’re honest and talk about it openly. It’s been going really well so far and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the team and building the season together.
I also have a great relationship with Norman, the best I’ve ever had with a teammate. We don’t hide anything, we share data and ideas. When we started working together, he told me he would be open and we would help each other and we both quickly realized we had a healthy relationship there.
What has been the highlights of your maiden Formula E campaign?
SF: Monaco! Even though it was taken away, to achieve pole position at such an historic and important track for a racing driver, that was the highlight for me. Of course the first pole position in Cape Town was very special but for some reason Monaco felt even better because I never expected it. If you told me last year I would take pole in Cape Town and Monaco I wouldn’t have believed you but somehow we managed to do it.
Can you explain your feelings in the moment you took your first Formula E pole position in Cape Town?
SF: It took quite a few days for it to sink in. It brought a lot of emotions, the beginning of the season was a bit of a rollercoaster for me, achieving a pole position this year was not at the top of our objectives for the campaign, so managing to do it was great and I was extremely happy for myself and the team. And then we proved it wasn’t a one-off in Monaco, which made it even better.
How did it feel to go up against Norman in the Monaco qualifying semi-final?
SF: I hated it! I’m very much a team player, I don’t just race for myself, so I always hope for both of us to do well. I knew one of us wouldn’t have the opportunity to fight for pole position, it would’ve been great for us to meet in the final and be guaranteed first and second on the grid, but this is Formula E and sometimes it can happen. Of course, once I jumped in the car and put the visor down, I did the best job I could and didn’t think about who I was racing against. But still, it was a shame to be against Norman and I wished it was someone else, although obviously I was happy to have Norman at the front of the grid with me.
How was it to battle with the championship leaders in Monaco?
SF: I feel that Monaco was one of the races I learnt the most from, in terms of strategy, when to push and what to do from who I was following. To be up with the championship leading teams and drivers gave me a great opportunity to learn just from watching behind. Obviously I wished I was ahead of them, but just by observing it was a great way to see our strengths and weaknesses against the leading teams.
Norman Nato
How did you find the adaptation process to the Gen3 technology?
Norman Nato: It was complicated in a way because there are many new aspects we have to do differently and learn in terms of preparing to drive the car, it’s definitely not the same technically compared to Gen2. On track, especially during push laps, it’s fairly similar, it’s more the approach and strategy that we had to change.
Did the Gen3 cars match your expectations?
NN: In terms of power, I would say it’s been a really good step forward. It’s positive because as drivers we can clearly feel the boost compared to a Gen 2 car. I think we would all prefer more grip in general, because it’s really tough to drive the car in the way that you want to. We would like to push a bit more but there’s just not enough grip to do that.
Which of the three new tracks (Hyderabad, Cape Town, São Paulo) was your favourite and why?
NN: India, despite the fact that Turn 1 was messy! The rest of the circuit was great, and it was fun to battle on track. Qualifying was also cool to drive, the layout was really good. Brazil was very different, I quite liked it, bumpy and challenging, which is what I enjoy in Formula E, where you have to fight with the car. Cape Town is an amazing place but I think the track was too quick for the cars, with the level of grip we have.
How did it feel to race on your home circuit at Monaco in the Gen3 car?
NN: To drive any car at Monaco is a pleasure and a dream, it’s Monaco! It’s so special, and the only regret I have – not speaking about the race which is obviously tough to swallow – is that everything happens in one day and you don’t really have time to enjoy it. It all went so fast, we spend two or three days doing media, which is enjoyable, because it’s great to soak up the atmosphere, although it would be ideal to have more chance to enjoy the moment on track. But anyway, to race in Monaco is a pleasure and to be on the limit in qualifying and perform well, it’s an extra happiness.
Has the Monaco qualifying session given you a boost of confidence ahead of the remaining rounds?
NN: To be honest, not really, because I never lost my confidence. A few times this season we’ve made mistakes with tire strategy or been unlucky, for example we caught yellow flags in qualifying in Cape Town and Brazil, so there were a few occasions I feel we should’ve been up there, but weren’t for whatever reason. We proved our speed in Monaco and it was really important and good for us to bounce back the way we did following the tough weekend in Berlin.
What do the team and you need to do to be competing at the front in the second half of the season?
NN: I would say energy management in the race and getting the best out of both cars. So far, we’ve struggled to get the two of us in the Duels and we’ve never had a double-points finish, which is a difference between us and other teams. Monaco was the perfect race example, we had the performance to do it but it didn’t happen. This is what we need to develop in the second half of the championship and hopefully it can have a massive impact on the teams’ standings if we get it right.
About Nissan in Formula E Nissan made its all-electric racing debut in Season 5 (2018/19) of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, becoming the first and only Japanese manufacturer to enter the series.
In Season 7 (2020/21), Nissan announced its long-term involvement in Formula E and its commitment to the Gen3 era, which will run from Season 9 (2022/23) through to the end of Season 12 (2025/26) of the all-electric racing series.
In April 2022, Nissan acquired the e.dams race team, with the Japanese automaker taking full ownership of its involvement in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
In June 2022, Nissan announced it would supply its Nissan EV powertrain technology to McLaren Racing for the entirety of the Formula E Gen3 era.
For Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Nissan Formula E drivers will be Norman Nato and Sacha Fenestraz.
Nissan races in Formula E to bring the excitement and fun of zero-emission electric vehicles to a global audience. As part of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations and the life cycle of its products by 2050, Nissan intends to electrify every all-new vehicle offering by the early 2030s in key markets. The Japanese automaker aims to bring its expertise in transferring knowledge and technology between the racetrack and road for better electric vehicles for customers.
About Formula E The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship became the first global sport to be certified with a net zero carbon footprint from inception back in 2020, having invested in certified climate-protecting projects in all race markets to offset emissions from every season of electric racing.
All cars in the championship are powered by electricity, with the series acting as a competitive platform to test and develop the latest in electric technology.
The World’s greatest manufacturers race against each other on street circuits and Formula E promotes the adoption of sustainable mobility in city centres in a bid to combat air pollution and lessen the effects of climate change.
Contact Maria De Juana Head of Communications, Formula E, Nissan Motor Co. Phone: +33-6 17 36 37 61 mdejuana@nissan-europe.com
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