Tag Archives: certification

News

Is A Suzuki V-Strom 800 Aimed At Street Riders On Its Way For 2024?

Certification documents can provide valuable insights into future motorcycle models. An executive order issued by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to Suzuki Motor Corporation sheds light on four bikes planned for the 2024 model year.

The documents focus on the 776cc parallel twin engine that Suzuki introduced in the GSX-8S and V-Strom 800DE models for the 2023 model year. The CARB document lists four separate machines that will use this engine and are approved for sale in California, meaning they will likely be sold throughout the US.

The four machines mentioned in the document are the V-Strom 800DE Adventure, V-Strom 800DE, V-Strom 800, and GSX-8S.

The Adventure variant of the V-Strom 800DE comes with added features such as quick-release black anodized aluminum panniers, a skid plate, and an accessory bar.

While Suzuki has not officially announced a more street-oriented version of the V-Strom 800, the listing in the CARB document suggests that it may be in the works.

Speculations include the possibility of alloy wheels instead of spokes and a 19-inch front wheel. However, no official information about the V-Strom 800 has been released as of August 9, 2023.

Pricing for the 2023 V-Strom 800DE starts at $11,349, while the 2023 V-Strom 800DE Adventure starts at $12,999. The pricing for the 2024 V-Strom 800 has yet to be announced.

Cars, Technology

What Does an FAA Certification Mean for Flying Cars?

The FAA certification is an important milestone for Alef as it strives to bring its flying car concept to reality. However, there is still much work to be done before the car becomes practical. The Model A, which is the company’s first prototype, is expected to have a payload capacity of only 200 pounds, enough for one passenger and some baggage. Alef plans to increase the capacity in future models. The vehicle is designed to function as both a car on the road and a drone-like aircraft in the sky. It has a driving range of 200 miles and a flying range of 110 miles. The range is expected to be higher in a different prototype that will utilize hydrogen fuel cells instead of electric batteries.

Jim Dukhovny, the CEO of Alef, emphasizes that the FAA’s certification brings them closer to providing people with an environmentally friendly and time-saving commute. He believes this achievement is a significant leap forward in the integration of planes and cars. Despite the hefty price tag of $300,000, Alef has already received pre-orders for its flying car. The company plans to bring the vehicle to market by 2025. With FAA approval in hand, the production and supply of the flying car could follow suit in the near future.

The car features a unique design with a passenger bubble surrounded by eight propellers, akin to a drone. This configuration enables vertical take-off. As the car transitions to forward flight, one side of its body becomes the top wing of the aircraft, while the other side becomes the bottom wing. Testing for this transition with a human passenger has yet to be conducted, but with the FAA’s certification and the likelihood of securing additional funding, Alef will likely proceed with such tests in due course.

Motorsport

Mercedes First To Receive Level 3 ADAS Approval For Use In California

Mercedes-Benz becomes the first automotive company to receive certification from California state to sell standard-production vehicles equipped with Level 3 conditionally automated driving. Basically, this means that certain Mercedes models can be driven in the largest US automotive market without interaction between the driver and the machine under certain conditions. The driver must still be ready to take over if the system disengages, though.

The automaker’s Drive Pilot system will be available as an option on the 2024 S-Class and 2024 EQS models and the first cars equipped with the tech are expected to be delivered to customers in late 2023. The same system made the German brand the first automaker in the United States to offer Level 3 automated driving back in January this year when Drive Pilot was certified for use in Nevada.