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ToyotaUk

Toyota Research Institute Announces Multimillion-Dollar Challenge to Accelerate Research in New Advanced Materials

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Challenge Aimed at Accelerating the Transition to Cleaner Energy Solutions

LOS ALTOS, Calif., and CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (April 18, 2024) —Toyota Research Institute (TRI) proclaims a multiyear, multimillion-dollar problem geared toward closing the hole between latest advances in AI prediction of latest supplies and discovering the precise “recipe” wanted to make these hypothetical supplies in the actual world.

Researchers can presently use AI and simulation to seek out tens of millions of novel supplies at unprecedented charges. While that is encouraging, a bottleneck happens when making an attempt to create these supplies within the laboratory. Developing the recipe to create even a single new materials within the lab – the act of synthesis – can take years.

“Accelerating the synthesis of computer-predicted materials could be a game changer in the development of advanced technologies such as EV batteries,” stated Brian Storey, TRI’s Senior Director of Energy & Materials. “That’s why TRI is trying something new. We are inviting the best researchers in this field to bring fresh thinking to help close the gap between the computer and the lab.”

“When we started TRI in 2016, one of our founding principles was that we would enthusiastically pursue collaboration with others and avoid the ‘not invented here’ syndrome,” stated Gill Pratt, Chief Scientist for Toyota Motor Corporation and CEO of TRI. “Our intention is to shave years off the new materials discovery process by creating a collaborative research challenge amongst academics and research partners around the world.”

The Synthesis Advanced Research Challenge will present funding for 4 of probably the most promising concepts submitted for utilizing synthetic intelligence and simulation to synthesize new supplies for the following era of EVs and different rising expertise functions.

Submissions ought to ideally mix revolutionary approaches leveraging latest methodological advances with a compelling plan for collaboration. The software is open to school professors and nationwide laboratory scientists, and early-career scientists are particularly inspired to use.

Beyond the automotive business, developments in supplies synthesis have the potential to catalyze broader scientific discoveries and technological improvements.

Learn extra about this problem materials scientists are attempting to resolve on TRI’s Medium blog. To apply, please assessment the request for proposals.

The submission deadline is June 1, 2024.

About TRI’s Energy & Materials Research
TRI is working to resolve some of the important challenges of our time: how can we transfer individuals round with out counting on fossil fuels? As the world races in the direction of sustainable transportation options, we should uncover and deploy breakthrough supplies, manufacture and deploy them at scale, and discover numerous options for emissions-free transportation.

About Toyota Research Institute
Toyota Research Institute (TRI) conducts analysis to amplify human skill, specializing in making our lives safer and extra sustainable. Led by Dr. Gill Pratt, TRI’s crew of researchers develops applied sciences to advance power and supplies, human-centered synthetic intelligence, human interactive driving, and robotics. Established in 2016, TRI has workplaces in Los Altos, California, and Cambridge, Massachusetts. For extra details about TRI, please go to http://tri.global.

BMW

GT World Challenge Europe: Six BMW M4 GT3s at Endurance Cup season opener.

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Le Castellet. The new season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS kicks off this coming weekend, with BMW M Motorsport as soon as once more well-represented. At Circuit Paul Ricard (FRA), BMW M Motorsport groups WRT, ROWE Racing, and Century Motorsport will discipline a complete of six BMW M4 GT3 automobiles and greater than a dozen BMW M works drivers.

 

The works-supported groups WRT and ROWE Racing will every compete with two automobiles within the Pro Cup for total victories. Both groups have just one personnel change from final yr. In the #46 BMW M4 GT3, Raffaele Marciello (SUI) would be the third driver alongside Maxime Martin (BEL) and Valentino Rossi (ITA), as he was already at Bathurst (AUS) in February. The #32 BMW M4 GT3 line-up stays unchanged with Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Dries Vanthoor, and Charles Weerts (each BEL).

 

The identical applies to the ROWE Racing #98 BMW M4 GT3, the place Philipp Eng (AUT), Marco Wittmann (GER), and Nick Yelloly (GBR) will compete, amongst others, to defend the title on the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL). In the #998 BMW M4 GT3, Augusto Farfus (BRA) – who was with BMW M Team WRT in 2023 – would be the third driver alongside Dan Harper (GBR) and Max Hesse (GER). The automotive will characteristic a brand new design from BMW M Motorsport accomplice MultiBank Group in 2024.

In the Bronze Cup, Team WRT will discipline a 3rd BMW M4 GT3. The #30 automotive can be pushed by BMW M works driver Jens Klingmann (GER), FIA WEC driver Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA), and Sam De Haan (GBR). Century Motorsport celebrates its debut within the extremely aggressive Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS. In the #991 BMW M4 GT3, Formula E World Champion Jake Dennis, British GT Champion and FIA WEC driver Darren Leung, and Toby Sowery (all GBR) will share duties.

In the Sprint Cup of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS (beginning on 4th/fifth May), Team WRT will compete for all the season with two BMW M4 GT3 automobiles. Vanthoor and Weerts will race within the Pro Cup, whereas De Haan and Calan Williams (AUS) will compete within the Silver Cup. Rossi and Martin will make particular person begins and race the #46 BMW M4 GT3 within the dash occasions at Brands Hatch (GBR) and Misano (ITA). Century Motorsport combines the 2 British GT champions Harper and Leung in a single automotive within the Bronze Cup.

The opening race of the Endurance Cup at Le Castellet (FRA) begins on Sunday, seventh April, at 15:00 CEST and can run for a shortened distance of three hours in comparison with earlier years. On the identical weekend, the GT4 European Series can even begin its season. Eight BMW M4 GT4 automobiles are registered for the primary race weekend. They can be entered by groups Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport, L’Espace Bienvenue, W&D Racing Team, Razoon-more than racing, Lestrup Racing Team, and CHAZEL Technologie Course.

Quotes forward of the season opener.

 

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “The GT World Challenge Europe is once again the most competitive GT3 racing series in the world this season. A field of 55 cars, including 20 in the Pro Cup, is truly impressive. In our second season with the two works-supported teams WRT and ROWE Racing, we are relying on consistency. Experience is extremely important in this championship. Therefore, we are pleased that, with the exception of two minor changes, we can send the same driver pairings into the races as in 2023. Already last season, we had much reason to rejoice with numerous wins and podium finishes. We want to further improve on this record and clinch titles this time. I warmly welcome Century Motorsport to the GT World Challenge Europe and wish the team every success. Additionally, I am excited to see a very strong field of BMW M4 GT4 cars in the GT4 European Series at Le Castellet. In its debut season in 2023, the BMW M4 GT4 immediately clinched the title. We want to build on this success.”

 

Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Principal ROWE Racing): “It’s good that the season is now picking up speed and that we can fight for victories and points again. Even though we set the sporting bar very high last year, we are going into the season with similar expectations. Our advantage is the vast experience and stability of the team, which has changed only minimally compared to 2023 with the comeback of Augusto Farfus in the GT World Challenge Europe. Everything is well coordinated. We know what we and our drivers are capable of and are constantly trying to optimise our performance even further, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a say in the battle for the top positions again, but there is no guarantee. All participants have to adapt to the new bio fuel, which requires some adjustments to the engines. The conditions at Le Castellet have also changed: shorter race duration, different temperatures and no driving in the dark. On the other hand, the strain on the cars at Le Castellet is certainly less than in the past. Overall, everyone’s tension is likely to be a little higher than usual at the start of the season, and everyone will want to get their bearings in the race first.”

 

Vincent Vosse (Team Principal BMW M Team WRT): “It’s a pleasure to start our season in Europe. Everyone knows how important the Fanatec GT World is for us, as we’ve been in that category since the very beginning of the championship. It has been years that Paul Ricard was one of the longest races of the championship, and now it is the season opener. It’s a pleasure to go there. We have cars to fight in different categories. In the Pro category we have a new arrival in the number 46 car, Raffaele Marciello, who is heading to the race with Vale and Maxime, and our standard line up in the number 32 with Charles, Dries and Sheldon. Again we have a Bronze class entry, this year with Ahmad Al Harthy, Jens Klingmann and Sam De Haan, who is new to the team, but not to the championship, so let’s see what we can do. There are some changes in terms of regulations, but nevertheless, of course we will try very hard to be at the front.”

 

Nathan Freke (Team Principal Century Motorsport): “GTWC Europe is something we have aspired to for many years and I want to thank Darren Leung for taking us on this journey with him. We have a fantastic line-up of drivers for both Sprint and Endurance and a great team of guys and girls who are all excited to get going. I think we can hope for very strong results in the Bronze class. It’s big step for us, but we are very well prepared and looking forward to round one.”

The BMW M4 GT3 line-ups at a look:

 

Pro Cup.

 

#32 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT

Sheldon van der Linde (RSA)

Dries Vanthoor (BEL)

Charles Weerts (BEL)

#46 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT

Raffaele Marciello (SUI)

Maxime Martin (BEL)

Valentino Rossi (ITA)

#98 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing

Philipp Eng (AUT)

Marco Wittmann (GER)

Nick Yelloly (GBR)

#998 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing

Augusto Farfus (BRA)

Dan Harper (GBR)

Max Hesse (GER)

Bronze Cup.

#30 BMW M4 GT3, Team WRT

Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA)

Sam De Haan (GBR)

Jens Klingmann (GER)

#991 BMW M4 GT3, Century Motorsport

Jake Dennis (GBR)

Darren Leung (GBR)

Toby Sowery (GBR)

 

Motorsport

True Bravery Is Buying a 187,000-Mile Maserati Quattroporte

Having mastered unreliable and sophisticated BMW M automobile rebuilds, YouTuber M539 Restorations wanted a brand new problem. A 187,000-mile Maserati Quattroporte GTS that arrived with a misfire and with a flashing check-engine gentle needs to be adequate. Will this be the automobile that breaks the cheery disposition of M539’s Sreten Milisavljevic? It’s definitely potential.

The Quattroporte GTS is a neat automobile, although. It’s the final of the V-8 Maseratis, with a twin-turbo V-8 that places out 530 horsepower and sounds superb. And this explicit one appears to be like nice in darkish blue over blue-and-tan leather-based. But that does not change the truth that there are some alarming codes that come up when Milisavljevic plugs in a scan software.

On the raise, the automobile appears to be like alright, apart from severely worn brake discs, a dirty differential cowl, and a few leaking from each engine and transmission. But, digging deeper reveals that the engine is overfilled with oil and extra worryingly, it seems the engine jumped timing and pistons and valves met sooner or later. Strangely, the cylinders on the motive force’s aspect financial institution of the V-8 learn too excessive when compression examined.  Further testing confirmed that the oil strain was good, although, however the engine continues to be popping out for at the very least a partial rebuild.

So, it’ll be a mission. But M539 has conquered many advanced engines earlier than, so this Maserati V-8 may not be unimaginable. Regardless of what occurs, we all know we’ll be entertained watching issues unfold. 

News

Driving 100 laps of the M25 within the 1999 COTY-winning Ford Focus

But he then found a contemporary and surprising problem: “The major problem is resisting driving too quickly.” Thanks to the automobile’s tall gearing equating to only 3750rpm at 85mph in fifth, plus its 1.6-litre Zetec engine’s supreme refinement, explicit care was wanted to keep away from setting off the pace cameras that even then had been a part of M25 life.

Goodwin’s drive was additionally accompanied by a touch of frustration: “I’m driving a car with one of the smoothest gear changes in the business and I hardly need to touch it.”

But we had already handled the extra dynamic properties of the Focus at that time. In truth, it had turn into one in every of solely two vehicles in 1998 that had achieved a five-star highway check score, with its trick multi-link suspension, glorious packaging and Ford’s ‘New Edge’ design all conspiring to place it entrance and centre in what was then the UK’s biggest-selling automobile class.

Still extra plaudits got here in because the hours and miles rolled by, with then particular correspondent Andrew Frankel admiring the check automobile’s ergonomics: “Focus controls allow me to get my position absolutely spot on… Even the mirror adjustment knob on the A-pillar is mounted just high enough that you don’t need to take your eyes off the road to know where it is.”

The Focus was flawed at occasions throughout this mighty schlep, although, as editor-in-chief Steve Cropley famous in his second drive of the automobile: “The ride seems a little bony on the M25’s concrete sections… [and] the engine is more audible above 5000rpm than I remember.”

BMW

Bathurst 12 Hour: BMW M Team WRT narrowly misses the rostrum in a turbulent race.

Bathurst. BMW M Team WRT confirmed robust velocity on the season opener of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) on the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst (AUS), however was unable to reap the rewards in a race marked by incidents and changeable climate. Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Charles Weerts, and Dries Vanthoor (BEL) began the 12-hour race from pole place within the #32 BMW M4 GT3 however had been pressured to retire after an accident. In the #46 BMW M4 GT3, Valentino Rossi (ITA), Maxime Martin (BEL), and Raffaele Marciello (SUI) fought for a podium spot in an thrilling closing stage as much as the final lap however in the end needed to accept fifth place. 

 

Throughout the race the BMW XM Safety Car repeatedly led the sphere after accidents, for the final time about 40 minutes earlier than the tip. That ignited a fierce battle for the rostrum locations by which Martin briefly moved into third place with a daring overtaking manoeuvre, however needed to relinquish it instantly on account of a slight braking error on the still-slippery observe. Thunderstorms with heavy rain showers characterised the second half of the race. Only within the final hour did the asphalt dry up once more.

For the sister #32 automotive, the weekend had began completely. On Saturday, van der Linde secured pole place for the #32 BMW M4 GT3 within the Top-10 Pole Shootout, giving the staff motive to have fun. Martin certified the automotive #46 in eighth place.

The race began on Sunday morning at 5:45 a.m. native time in darkness. Car #32 maintained the lead within the early levels, whereas #46 continued to maneuver ahead. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than each BMW M4 GT3s had been within the high three. However, after practically 5 hours of racing, there was a second of shock for BMW M Team WRT when the #32 automotive crashed closely into the wall after unlucky contact with a lapped automotive. Weerts, who was driving on the time, was luckily unhurt, however for him and his teammates van der Linde and Vanthoor, the race was over prematurely.

Meanwhile, the #46 automotive, mendacity in second place, continued to battle for the lead. In the second half of the race, the climate repeatedly prompted turbulent scenes on the observe and shuffled the sphere a number of instances. In addition, the #46 BMW M4 GT3 quickly fell out of the highest ten after a drive-through penalty for crossing the white line on the pit cease however was in a position to shortly regain positions and keep within the main group till the tip.

Quotes after the Bathurst 12 Hour.

Vincent Vosse (Team Principal BMW M Team WRT): “We started with a pole position, which was a good thing. Of course, it is a difficult one to swallow because we had two strong cars. There were some mistakes; it is a difficult race on a difficult track. Finishing fifth is of course not what we are looking for, especially as at one stage, ten minutes from the end, we were fighting for P2. It’s a very tough race and a very tough championship. There are some strong cars out there. Now we need to analyse where we lost it. This is not a race that you win but one that you lose. And that is what happened.”

Valentino Rossi (#46 BMW M4 GT3, fifth place): “We tried to fight for the podium until the end. That was the target. I think that we deserved a bit more. For sure, it has been very difficult with the rain and it was a shame that it rained as I could not do my third run, but on the other hand, in two and a half hours in the car I was good, I was quite fast, my pace was good and I could fight with the other top drivers. We suffered a bit too much in the wet. I think that we need to improve the car in these conditions. We had the pace in the dry and it was strange to have this weather.”

Raffaele Marciello (#46 BMW M4 GT3, fifth place): “It was a tough race. In the second half of the race it was quite wet and it really was not easy, but when the conditions improved it was a bit better. I think that we would have been able to get a better result but we made a few mistakes and lost a bit too much time. It is unfortunate but it is still good points and we will do better in the next one.”

Maxime Martin (#46 BMW M4 GT3, fifth place): “At the end, we had an okay race I would say. We had some issues, some offs, some penalties, a lot of things were happening. The conditions were difficult with the wet and the dry and a drying track but we had nice 40 minutes at the end fighting. I had one possibility to pass; I had to try and I went a bit wide, got passed and we finished in P5. It’s a bit of a shame and frustrating but I think with the speed of the Porsche we couldn’t win the race anyway. But we finished another race, we learnt again and I hope that we will come back even stronger next year.”

Sheldon van der Linde (#32 BMW M4 GT3, DNF): “Obviously, it was a highlight for me to be on pole at Bathurst. That was something I wanted to achieve for a long time in my career. Of course it does not mean much for the race but it is such a nice time to be on track alone without the traffic. I really enjoyed attacking for one lap. Unfortunately in the race, we had the accident which can happen to a lot of people so that’s nothing we can change now. I just hope that the season gets better from now. Last year, we had a lot of bad luck as well and we did not want to carry it into this year but I am sure it will turn around in the next races.”

Charles Weerts (#32 BMW M4 GT3, DNF): “Bathurst was the first race weekend of the year for me and I was looking forward to be here a lot. It is an extraordinary venue. The weekend started off pretty well. The car was in a good window and we had a good performance in the package that BMW M Motorsport and BMW M Team WRT gave us so expectations were high. Sheldon then did a great lap in qualifying to bring the car on pole which was great. At the start of the race, everything went according to plan, we were always in the mix to fight for the lead. Then I unfortunately had this contact with a backmarker. It was quite unlucky to get that traffic at that exact spot. Looking back now for sure I would have waited a bit longer, but at the end of the day we are racers and if we see a gap we go for it. It was very unfortunate for our car and I feel sorry for my teammates, my team, BMW M Motorsport  and also for myself because that was not the goal after the everybody’s great work. This only fuels our motivation more for the rest of the season and I can’t wait to go back racing again.”

Dries Vanthoor (#32 BMW M4 GT3, DNF): “It was a bit of a pity how the race ended but we had a great build up to the race. Sheldon did a great job in qualifying but we also made a great team effort, working together very well to get the car where we wanted to have it in qualifying and also during the race. Unfortunately, the race was a bit short for us but at the end that is part of racing. The most important thing is that Charles is okay.”

News

Nürburgring lap data: the quickest vehicles ranked

Well, right here we’re; the observe that wants no introduction.

The problem posed by Germany’s Nürburgring is unrivalled. Each of the 147 corners alongside the 13-mile course provides automobile makers unparalleled perception into the place their machines work finest, and the place they have to enhance.

A Nürburgring lap document is one thing of an accolade, with producers spending years (if a long time) honing their machines across the Nordschleife within the hope of being topped the quickest of all.

There is a caveat, nevertheless, in that the ‘official’ size of the lap was elevated in 2019. Before this, all instances had been logged on a 12.8 mile circuit that successfully disregarded a brief stretch of the T13 straight on the finish of the lap.

Yet with a lot emphasis being positioned on setting a quick time, the Nürburgring determined that solely the entire 12.944 miles would depend. 

The document laps set could be divided between a number of several types of automobile. Take a glance beneath to see the quickest lap instances in all the main classes. 

Fastest road-legal lap across the Nürburgring

1 – Mercedes-AMG One – 6:35:18

Mercedes amg one nurburgring lap record front 0

The Mercedes-AMG One has set a brand new quickest lap for manufacturing vehicles at the Nürburgring, eclipsing the earlier document by nearly 10sec.

The 1049bhp hypercar posted a time of 6min 35.183sec across the 156-corner circuit, pushed by Mercedes DTM driver Maro Engel on 28 October. This lap time additionally took the document for the super-sports automobile class.  

Dubbed a Formula 1 automobile for the street, the £2.2 million hypercar is probably the most potent Mercedes-AMG street automobile ever made, combining a modified model of the agency’s turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 grand prix engine with 4 electrical motors.

2 – Porsche 911 GT2 RS (with Manthey Performance Kit) – 6:43:30

Guided by Porsche works driver Lars Kern, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS accomplished a lap of the Nürburgring in 6 minutes 43.30sec, breaking the earlier document by 4.747sec with a median velocity of 115.5mph.

The GT2 RS was outfitted with the Manthey Performance Kit, bringing modifications to the chassis, aerodynamics and brakes, all of which have been particularly designed for the automobile. The equipment additionally extends to extra flaps on the entrance spoiler, a carbonfibre underbody and extra air-guiding parts across the entrance wheels. At the again of the automobile, there’s a brand new spoiler, a modified diffuser and aero discs on the wheels. Overall, entrance downforce is elevated from 49kg to 70kg at 124mph and rear downforce from 93kg to 200kg.

Kern has gone even quicker across the observe, clocking an unbelievable 6:40:30 in a GT2 RS MR in October 2018. Effectively the identical automobile, it had a suspension and aero arrange particularly for the ‘Ring with none compromises for the street. It was nonetheless utterly street-legal, nevertheless, that includes improve elements that anybody with deep sufficient pockets might purchase off the shelf.

Motorsport

The Final Dodge Challenger Is A Pitch Black SRT Demon 170

The problem is full. Dodge produced the ultimate Challenger on Friday, an organization spokesperson confirmed to Motor1. The automotive was an SRT Demon 170 painted in Pitch Black. In June, the automaker held a charity public sale the place it offered the final obtainable mannequin allocation for an unimaginable $700,000.

It’s unclear whether or not the ultimate construct slot obtainable at public sale was additionally for this final car. Dodge might preserve the particular Challenger for the model’s personal assortment. No pictures of this automotive can be found at the moment.

The firm let the Challenger exit with a bang by introducing the SRT Demon 170 in March. It’s the brand new king of the muscle automotive energy wars, making 1,025 horsepower and 945 pound-feet of torque when working on E85 gas. Even on E10 fuel, the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 produces 900 hp and 810 lb-ft. The automotive can cowl the quarter-mile in 8.91 seconds at 151.17 mph, in accordance with Dodge’s official specs.


BMW

IGTC finale in Abu Dhabi: Second place on the rostrum for #46 BMW M4 GT3 on the Gulf 12 Hours.

Abu Dhabi. BMW M Team WRT concluded the 2023 season within the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) with one other podium end. At the Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi (UAE), the #46 BMW M4 GT3 fought for victory to the end line. After twelve hours of racing on the Yas Marina Circuit, Valentino Rossi (ITA), Dries Vanthoor (BEL), and Nick Yelloly (GBR) secured second place with solely a twelve-second hole. The #32 BMW M4 GT3, pushed by Philipp Eng (AUT), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), and Charles Weerts (BEL), fell again within the area after the primary third of the race resulting from an exhaust difficulty and completed in 14th place general (ninth in IGTC rating). In the IGTC producer standings, BMW ended the season in second place, whereas within the driver standings, Vanthoor, Eng, and van der Linde secured positions three, 4, and 5.

From fourth place on the grid, Vanthoor within the #46 BMW M4 GT3 instantly moved as much as third place after the beginning. Thanks to the robust efficiency of all three drivers and the group’s intelligent strategic work, the #46 automotive shortly joined the battle on the entrance. After seven and a half hours, Rossi took the lead on the finish of an extended FCY (Full Course Yellow) and security automotive interval. He maintained that place all through his total one-hour stint and handed over the #46 within the result in Yelloly. However, an issue with the pedal field value a number of seconds through the pit cease, and automotive #46 slipped again to second place. In the remaining hours of the race, the crew continued to push and saved the struggle for the win alive till the top.

The #32 BMW M4 GT3 was additionally promisingly positioned within the first third of the race. However, after 4 hours of racing, a problem with the exhaust necessitated a short restore within the pit and automotive #32 returned to the observe a number of laps behind. Eng, van der Linde, and Weerts then drove a clean race, gaining positions once more. However, the hole was too massive to re-enter the struggle for the highest positions.

Reactions after the Gulf 12 Hours.

Vincent Vosse (Team Principal BMW M Team WRT): “Of course, when you come to a race it’s always with the goal to win. And we don’t see it another way. We got close to it with car #46. Finishing a 12-hour race 12 seconds behind the leader after we had the technical issue with that car at a pit stop losing 15 seconds or so feels a bit bitter-sweet, but at the end we had a strong race. The #32 unfortunately had an exhaust issue that cost us a few laps and we could never really come back with that car. We did the job. Finishing second in the manufacturers and finishing the race second is not exactly what we like but this makes us stronger for next year.”

Valentino Rossi (#46 BMW M4 GT3): “At the end, it was a great weekend for us. The target was to make it to the podium and we were very strong, very fast. We had a close to perfect race. We could have also won and have been in P1. So in the end we are a little bit upset because we felt the taste of the victory but we had an issue with the pedal box and lost crucial seconds at the pit stop. This is a great shame because in the end we missed it by 12 seconds so it could have been a fantastic battle to the last lap. But anyway, it’s great, the car was very strong, the teamwork was as always very good and I enjoyed it a lot to race with Dries and Nick. It is great to finish the season with a podium. It is the sixth podium of the season. So I am very happy about this season and about the improvement.”

Dries Vanthoor (#46 BMW M4 GT3): “We finished second at the end at the Gulf 12 Hours. I think we can be happy with the result starting from P4. We had a good weekend and our car was actually really good. So from that aspect we can be very happy, I must say. It’s just a pity to end up second, missing out on first by only 12 seconds. But I gave it all in my double stint, I think I never gave so much so I can be happy.”

Nick Yelloly (#46 BMW M4 GT3): “After the long 12-hour race we managed to finish in P2. We can be super happy about that. It was a great, long, hard fought race. It’s been a pleasure to work with BMW M Team WRT for the first time in our BMW M4 GT3 and also with Vale, a real legend, as well as Dries, who is also a legend. Everyone did a great job over the entire 12 hours and to come away with a podium is obviously really good for us all.”

Philipp Eng (#32 BMW M4 GT3): “It was, of course, disappointing that we had the technical issue. It cost us several laps, and thus, the championship battle was essentially over. However, we had a good package here, and the car performed well. The highlight of the season was, of course, the victory at Spa. Additionally, there was the win at Indianapolis and the podium at Kyalami. I wasn’t personally present at the season opener at Bathurst. Therefore, it was fantastic to be in the title fight until the last race in this highly competitive field despite one race less. But, in the end, it wasn’t meant to be. I gave it my all, and I can only express my gratitude to BMW M Team WRT, ROWE Racing, and all my teammates. I’ve driven with many of them in different combinations this season. Thanks to Marco (Wittmann), Nick, Dries, Sheldon, Charles, Maxime (Martin), and Augusto (Farfus). And thanks to BMW M Motorsport for the trust. It was a cool season!”

Motorsport

GM to Address Losses in EVs by Next Year

General Motors is currently facing financial challenges as it attempts to navigate its business into the new era, with its electric vehicle (EV) lineup presently operating at a financial loss. However, GM’s top finance executive, Paul Jacobson, remains optimistic, expecting the tide to turn by the second half of next year, with EVs forecasted to generate profits that exceed their production costs.

During a recent Barclays investor conference, Jacobson outlined GM’s expectations for a significant improvement in pretax EV margins in 2024 compared to the present year. This anticipated upturn is primarily due to an increase in production volume, a more appealing vehicle range, and reductions in battery costs. Jacobson highlighted that these factors are expected to lead GM into positive variable profit territory, excluding fixed costs, by the latter part of 2024.

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS exterior

“It’s no secret that at the end of the day, our EV margins are substantially negative,” Jacobson said. “We’re building for the future. As we continue to ramp up, we’re going to see significant benefits going forward.”

Looking ahead, GM aims to achieve mid-single-digit EV margins by 2025, incorporating the benefits of federal Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. This revised projection surpasses the company’s earlier forecast of low- to mid-single-digit margins before considering the tax incentives. Jacobson emphasized the company’s strategic investments in battery cell plants and infrastructure as essential preparations for scaling up production, highlighting their significance for GM’s future success.

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS exterior

Though Jacobson did not disclose specific EV volume targets for 2024, he indicated that production would experience a “meaningful step up” from the current year. GM, despite discontinuing specific production goals for EVs, remains committed to having the capacity to manufacture 1 million EVs in North America by the end of 2025.

“While our execution has been somewhat challenged to date, we believe we’ve identified those challenges and we’ve got a portfolio of really strong vehicles coming forward that meet the range and charging characteristics that customers are looking for,” Jacobson concluded.

News

Indian Giant TVS Motor Company Storms Into Europe; Is North America Next?

No matter how good you are at your home, the real challenge lies out there in the unexplored lands. Taking inspiration from the same saying, India’s TVS Motor Company is ready to spread its wings, soar, and land into the highly competitive European market next year. Here’s what is in store.

2022 BMW G 310 RR Action

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TVS Motors Has Joined Hands With Industry Giant Emil Frey

TVS Apache RR 310 Side
TVS

For its expansion plans, the Indian giant has inked a distribution deal with Emil Frey AG. The latter is one of the largest automobile importers and retailers in Europe, with century-old roots in the business. Under the partnership, the Swiss group will handle the distribution, aftersales, and spare parts of TVS products in key European countries. Both parties look forward to the alliance deal.

Here’s What Sudharshan Venu, TVS Managing Director Said

“This strategic alliance with Emil Frey is a crucial step in our global expansion strategy. Europe will be a key market for us, and through this partnership, we aim to bring our cutting-edge products closer to European customers.”

Here’s What Lorenz Frey-Hilti, Director Emil Frey Group Said

“We take great pride in forging a robust and loyal partnership between our two esteemed traditional companies in the mobility sector. Our two companies complement each other perfectly, and I look forward to seeing this partnership flourish.”

TVS Motors Will Bring An Exciting Lineup Of Two-Wheelers

TVS X Electric Scooter
TVS

TVS has a variety of two-wheelers for its European onslaught. The lineup starts with two 125cc scooters called Jupiter and NTORQ. The former focuses primarily on commuting duties, while the latter brings a sporty twist for youngsters. Then, there are three motorcycles – the 225cc Ronin roadster, RTR 310 streetfighter, and RR 310 sports bike. The last two bikes boast the 313cc engine seen on the BMW G 310 R (it’s produced by TVS in India), along with a long list of features and quality underpinnings. You can read more about the RTR 310 in our detailed story.

Last but not least are two electric scooters – the TVS X and iQube. The X is the flagship here, as it boasts an 11kW motor and an 87-mile peak range. Whereas, the iQube promises a 4.4kW motor and a range of 62 miles. These offerings will reach Europe as soon as January 2024, starting with France.

TVS Motors Isn’t Thinking About North America As Of Now

2023 TVS Apache RTR 310 Wheelie
TVS

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What about America, you ask? Well, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is TVS already has a sizable presence in Latin America. But the bad news is there’s no imminent plan to expand operations to North America. We sure hope that changes soon, though, considering many of the aforementioned offerings can make a solid mark in America. The 310 duo, in particular, can be capable alternatives to bikes like the CFMoto 300SS and Honda CB300R. Fingers crossed.

Source – TVS Motor Company