Will an improved chassis and upgraded tech make these bikes the final word cross nation racers?
Tag Archives: Chassis
Porsche Cayenne GTS features extra energy and normal tools
The Porsche Cayenne GTS has been revised for 2024, gaining efficiency chassis know-how from the Cayenne Turbo GT, improved normal tools, and a number of exterior design modifications.
On sale now within the UK, the normal SUV-bodied Cayenne GTS instructions a price ticket of £106,100, rising barely to £107,700 for the Cayenne coupe variant.
Changes made to the Cayenne GTS’s exterior are delicate however noticeable. Porsche’s Sport Design bundle is now included as normal, as are HD LED matrix headlights.
The bundle provides gloss black facet skirts, window trims, entrance inlays and wheel extensions from the off. It additionally provides bronze-coloured tailpipes, beforehand black, whereas the automobile’s 21in wheels are actually painted gray.
While the Cayenne GTS appears largely related on the surface, massive modifications have been made beneath the metallic.
The sporty SUV features new chassis know-how and sits 10mm decrease than earlier than. Adaptive air suspension – already used on the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid and Turbo GT fashions – is now included as a normal characteristic on the GTS.
As nicely as enhancing journey consolation, the system consists of Porsche lively suspension administration (PASM) and Porsche torque vectoring plus (PTV Plus) as normal.
A robust 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine nonetheless powers the Cayenne GTS, however the model says it has been technically improved for 2024. Power is now up from 454bhp to 493bhp, whereas torque rises from 457lb ft to 486lb ft.
The GTS’s eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission has additionally been revised, gaining faster response and shift occasions in Sport and Sport Plus modes.
As for outright velocity, the Range Rover Sport rival hits 0-62mph in 4.4sec – 0.1sec faster than earlier than – and on to a prime velocity of 171mph.
More modifications come inside, with the addition of the model’s up-to-date Porsche Driver Experience system, which provides a curved digital driver’s show as normal.
Other new normal options embody ambient lighting and a premium Bose sound system, whereas Cayenne GTS Coupe fashions acquire a panoramic roof and an extending rear spoiler. Drivers additionally gave the choice so as to add a passenger-side infotainment show.
Three light-weight packages are additionally provided, which decrease the Cayenne GTS’s weight by as a lot as 25kg, including options akin to a carbon rear diffuser, a lighter roof and lowered insulation.
There’s nonetheless no electrical Porsche Cayenne, nevertheless it’s closely anticipated to reach throughout the subsequent few years, additional bolstering the market place of the model’s best-selling automobile. Autocar sources beforehand recommended the EV would launch in 2026 earlier than UK gross sales start in 2027
Precise, assured, versatile: The new BMW X3 present process dynamic driving checks.
Munich/Miramas. At the tip of collection growth, the brand new BMW X3 undergoes remaining tuning of all chassis management and driver help programs on the BMW Group check centre in Miramas, southern France. The fourth era of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) within the premium mid-range car section will probably be offered in just a few weeks’ time with each extremely environment friendly combustion engines and a sophisticated plug-in hybrid drive. The growth and check engineers make sure that all mannequin variants of the brand new BMW X3, no matter drive idea and weight, exhibit superior dealing with in each state of affairs with an intensive tuning programme. The well-coordinated performance of all automated driving and parking programs within the new BMW X3 additionally contributes to a harmonious buyer expertise.
The new BMW X3 has already undergone in depth testing on snow and ice, in extraordinarily sizzling areas and off-road on its solution to collection manufacturing. The SAV’s suitability for on a regular basis use and travelling was examined and refined in city stop-and-go site visitors in addition to on winding nation roads, highways and chosen race tracks.
Perfectly coordinated programs for a typical BMW driving expertise.
The growth engineers use the versatile check monitor in Miramas to place the ending touches to the driving expertise of the brand new BMW X3. In addition to an asphalt oval and a freeway ring, there are additionally slalom, serpentine and round tracks in addition to off-road programs and dealing with programs with totally different street surfaces. This permits the longitudinal and lateral acceleration, suspension and damping, steering precision and braking behaviour of the brand new BMW X3 to be analysed and optimised all the way down to the final element.
The driving dynamics and effectivity of the brand new BMW X3 profit from clever light-weight building and optimised aerodynamic properties. With a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.27, it units new requirements in its aggressive setting.
Compared to its predecessor, the brand new BMW X3 additionally has a wider monitor and diminished elevate on the rear axle. In addition, the rigidity of the physique and the chassis connection has been elevated. Targeted enhancements to the kinematics and elastokinematics of each axles, mixed with a 19 per cent enhance within the caster of the entrance wheels, guarantee noticeably improved directional stability. A extra direct steering ratio enhances steering consolation, whereas extensively modified anti-roll bars enhance cornering dynamics with out compromising journey consolation.
An Adaptive Chassis with electronically managed shock absorbers is out there as an choice for the brand new BMW X3. The remaining tuning is a part of the driving dynamics check at Miramas and affords two maps that may be chosen by way of My Modes. In addition, the brand new model of the SAV comes as normal with the newest model of BMW Lateral Dynamics Management, which ensures exact management of the required steering torques, the actuator-based wheel slip limitation and the yaw torque distribution of Performance Control, tailored to the driving state of affairs always.
Thanks to BMW’s distinctive growth experience, all elements and programs of the drive and chassis expertise are completely matched. The result’s the attribute mixture of precision, sovereignty and flexibility that characterises the driving expertise in a BMW SAV.
Automated driving can also be optimised by BMW’s typical degree of integration.
The new BMW X3 options the newest BMW iDrive based mostly on the BMW Operating System 9 together with BMW iDrive Controller and affords a considerably expanded number of programs for automated driving and parking in comparison with the predecessor mannequin. With its normal gear, it clearly exceeds the necessities of the Euro NCAP security check. The notably delicate braking and steering interventions of the help programs in comparison with the competitors are one other instance of the distinctive integration efficiency of BMW riving dynamics growth. They allow harmonious interplay between driver and car in each state of affairs.
The excellent performance of all help programs relies on state-of-the-art sensor expertise in addition to software program, processor and community expertise. Highlights within the new BMW X3 embody the Active Lane Change Assistant and the Parking and Manoeuvre Assistant, which permits the motive force to manage manoeuvres from exterior the car utilizing a smartphone.
New Aston Martin Vantage brings 656bhp V8 and new inside
The aluminium chassis has been extensively revised as properly, within the identify of improved rigidity and engagement. The entrance cross-member has been moved rearwards to make the entrance suspension mounting factors extra inflexible, for instance, and the brand new engine bay brace is each lighter and stiffer.
Aston additionally claims the rear finish is as much as 29% stiffer below load, courtesy of added reinforcements and new below trays, and says that total the enhancements will enhance dealing with stability, driver suggestions and refinement.
Just as important are the brand new adaptive dampers, which have a a lot larger capacity to distribute power throughout the chassis and thus present “an immense range of control and speed of response”. Aston additionally touts the advantages of the ‘non-isolated’ steering column, basically that means the rubber has been faraway from the reference to the steering rack to provide a extra “direct and uncorrupted” response to steering inputs.
Rounding off the chassis overhaul are new – and bespoke – Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres, wrapped round staggered-width, 21in cast alloy wheels, which have been designed to “remove every gram of excess mass without compromising strength or aesthetics”.
All of those revisions are supported by an overhauled dynamics controller that measures motion throughout six dimensions – surge, heave, sway, roll, pitch and yaw – and reacts accordingly. The charge of intervention, says Aston, is now “always perfectly judged”.
GASGAS 500: DIRT BIKE 2-STROKE VIDEO COLLECTION
The Helfyre 500 is a GasGas chassis with a contemporary Canadian-made BRC motor. It’s additionally a real murals, created by Charles at MXRevival. We watched the construct come collectively over months and bought to trip it at Glen Helen Raceway in a raging SoCal wind storm. It didn’t matter. Even Mother Nature can’t cease a 500cc two-stroke at full stride. Watch Mark Tilley trip just like the wind on a contemporary traditional on this version of Dirt Bike Magazine’s two-stroke video assortment.
Mercedes-AMG GT
Even though it shares some of its chassis components with the SL, the GT has its own specific camber settings, wheel offsets, and spring and damper rates. These adjustments make it feel more focused and engaging than the soft-top.
While the new GT may not be as intense or challenging to drive as the old model, it provides greater confidence and control.
One of the improvements is the steering, which offers better feedback and a more reliable feel due to the new electromechanical system. The weight distribution favors the front, but the rear-wheel steering helps to rotate the rear, enhancing agility.
Thanks to the variable elements of the 4Matic+ system, the GT offers significant grip, improved traction, and better stability from corner entry to exit.
The new suspension, with its active damping and anti-roll system, provides more effective shock absorption and consistent body control, allowing for confident pushing towards the apex. Moreover, it handles mid-corner bumps much better than the old GT.
Overall, the new coupe is more pleasant in various road conditions and driving modes. The shift to a four-seat layout has given it a grand-tourer character in terms of packaging, but it has not compromised its appeal to drivers.
The ride has also become more refined, showing greater compliance and the ability to handle both small, high-frequency bumps and larger ones in its more sporting modes.
In addition, the notorious sensitivity of the old GT on rough surfaces is significantly improved when combined with the optional suspension, making the new car quieter and less taxing to drive over longer distances.
Apple Introduces M3 Chips in 14 and 16-Inch MacBook Pros
Apple has launched its new M3-powered MacBook Pros, featuring a 100% recycled aluminum chassis for an eco-friendly design. These laptops come with an XDR Liquid Retina Display, which ensures exceptional visual quality for tasks like photo editing and video post-production. With support for up to four high-resolution external displays, HDMI, Thunderbolt 4, and an SDXC slot, users have a wide range of options for connecting peripherals.
The latest MacBook Pro models boast impressive performance capabilities, including a maximum 16-core CPU and a maximum 40-core GPU with M3 Max. Apple claims that these laptops are over eleven times faster than their previous Intel-based counterparts. Surprisingly, despite the significant updates and the recent release of M2-powered Macs, the prices of the new MacBook Pros start at $1,599 for the 14-inch model and $2,499 for the 16-inch model. Orders for M3 and M3 Pro-powered models are now open, with availability expected next week. The M3 Max models will hit the shelves in November.
2024 YAMAHA YZ250F FIRST RIDE WITH CARSON BROWN
The Yamaha YZ250F for 2024 is finally available. The bike features a completely redesigned chassis that was initially introduced on the 2023 YZ450F. As a result, the 2024 YZ250F is lighter, slimmer, and more agile. The engine has also undergone some modifications, making it essentially a brand new bike. To provide valuable feedback, we enlisted the help of special guest test rider Carson Brown, who flew down from the Pacific Northwest. Having extensive experience with both the 2023 YZ450F and the 2022 YZ250F, Carson is well-versed in these models. Let’s see what he has to say.
Meta Quest 3 Fully Revealed With Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, October Release Date
The latest version of the Meta Quest, known as the Quest 3, sets itself apart from its predecessor with its optic hardware. Equipped with a pancake lens kit, similar to the higher-priced Quest Pro, the Quest 3 is able to reduce its optic profile by 40%. This means that the lenses offer a higher resolution of 2064×2208 pixels per eye, which is roughly 30% higher than the Quest 2. The Quest 3 also has a density of 1,218 pixels per inch and 25 pixels per degree. Its default refresh rate is set at 90Hz, but there is also an experimental 120Hz mode available. The Quest 3 provides a horizontal field of view of 110 degrees and has improved sharpness at the periphery by 70% compared to the previous model.
Another notable feature of the Quest 3 is its passthrough capability, which allows users to see the real world around them. This is made possible by the inclusion of a pair of RGB cameras and a dedicated projector with depth sensing. The Quest 3 has a claimed usage time of 2.2 hours on a single charge, extending to 2.4 hours during gaming sessions. The included 18W charger is said to fully charge the battery within 2.3 hours.
In terms of software, the Quest 3 is backward compatible with the entire Meta Quest catalog. Additionally, there are new titles available such as “Lego Bricktales,” “Stranger Things,” and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The Beaverette: Britain’s Unique Armored Car From World War II
The Beaverette, a peculiar armored car from World War II, was built on a regular four-wheel “Saloon” car chassis that had leaf-spring suspension. To ensure protection for its crew members, the British added 11mm-thick steel plating and backed it with three inches of oak planking, despite the fact that the vehicle had an open-air design.
Similar to a conventional automobile, the engine was positioned at the front. However, due to its weight of 2.6 tons (5,753 pounds), a double-reduction back axle was installed to handle the heavier load. The Beaverette could only reach a maximum speed of 24mph.
The Beaverette came in four variations, known as Mk I through IV, each with minor improvements. Additionally, different types of armaments could be fitted onto these small vehicles. Unfortunately, the design of the vertical aiming slots in the hull offered only limited visibility.
Interestingly, the German invasion of Britain never occurred. Consequently, approximately 2,800 Beaverettes were produced by 1942, but none of them were deployed in frontline combat.