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Technology

The Top 12 Best Attack Helicopters Ever Used In War, Ranked

The Changhe Z-10 is China’s first native attack helicopter, designed for anti-armor and close air support missions. It was created as the People’s Liberation Army’s answer to America’s AH-1 Cobra. However, it is much larger, heavier, and less agile compared to its U.S. counterpart. Despite being produced around 40 years later, it has approximately 50% of the Cobra’s firepower, making it a statistically poor adversary. With a weight of 7,500 kilograms, it is even heavier than contemporaries such as the Eurocopter Tiger and A129 Mangusta. Due to its weight requirements, China failed to meet the criteria for the Changhe Z-10 to be used by E.U. nation militaries.

Nevertheless, the Changhe Z-10 incorporates modern avionics and weaponry, boosting its reputation on the world stage. This includes features such as helmet-mounted optics, radar warning systems, ejector seats, stealth properties, and advanced GPS navigation. Its armament consists of a 23-millimeter machine gun, rockets, and missiles, with a payload of up to 1,500 kilograms when fully loaded.

Although China is currently facing conflict and tension along its borders, the Changhe Z-10 has seen limited action. Due to its lesser capabilities compared to its peers, it ranks at the lowest position on this list.

[Featured image by Shimin Gu via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | GFDL 1.2]

Motorsport

Rare 1970 Plymouth Superbird Hemi Barn Find Won’t Be Driving Out On Its Own

The Plymouth Superbird and its sibling, the Dodge Charger Daytona, were special NASCAR models designed with advanced aerodynamics for their time. These cars are now considered collectible due to their rarity. One particular Superbird is currently being stored in a heavy-machine repair shop and is awaiting restoration.

The owner purchased this 1970 Plymouth Superbird in the 1980s from a used car dealer in Findlay, Ohio. However, he eventually stopped driving the car due to other priorities in life. As a result, the car was placed high up in the shop’s rafters using a forklift.

The owner usually keeps the car covered, but for the purpose of a video, the cover and hood were removed to reveal the engine bay. This Superbird is equipped with a 426-cubic-inch (6.98-liter) Hemi V8 engine, but it was also available with a 440-cubic-inch (7.21-liter) V8.

The car features a vibrant green body color with a black vinyl roof. There are some surface rust, dents, and dings on the exterior, but the damage appears repairable.

According to Auto Archaeology, the operator of the Auto Archaeology YouTube channel, the car was placed in the rafters for safekeeping and to keep it out of the way. However, there are other factors influencing its current state that were not shown in the video.

The owner is currently working on restoring another Superbird with the 440-cubic-inch V8 and six-barrel carburetor. Once that project is completed, he may start restoration work on this Superbird.

In addition to the Superbird, the owner has some other interesting cars in his garage. This includes a Hemi-powered Dodge Dart, which used to be a drag racer. The body is in good condition, and all the necessary parts are present, but it requires someone to put them together.

Outside, in the woods, there is a Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda, but it is mostly consumed by nature and would require extensive restoration work.

Featured

Hyundai Creta Still The Sales Favourite Ahead Of Maruti Grand Vitara In August 2023

The segment, on the whole, witnessed total sales of close to 60,000 units

Compact SUVs August 2023 sales

In August 2023, there were three compact SUVs that registered total sales of over 10,000 units. As seen frequently, the Hyundai Creta was once again the leader of the pack, with close to 14,000 units sold. The segment, too, witnessed an overall month-on-month (MoM) growth of more than 12 percent.

Compact SUVs and crossovers

August 2023

July 2023

MoM Growth

Market share current(%)

Market share (% last year)

YoY mkt share (%)

Average sales (6 months)

Hyundai Creta

13832

14062

-1.63

23.66

41.69

-18.03

13599

Maruti Grand Vitara

11818

9079

30.16

20.21

0

20.21

9235

Kia Seltos

10698

9740

9.83

18.3

28.68

-10.38

6527

Mahindra Scorpio

9898

10522

-5.93

16.93

23.39

-6.46

8974

Toyota Hyryder

4121

3387

21.67

7.04

0

7.04

3116

Honda Elevate

2822

0

0

4.82

0

0

0

Skoda Kushaq

2409

2394

0.62

4.12

6.21

-2.09

2068

Volkswagen Taigun

1943

1908

1.83

3.32

3.37

-0.05

1726

MG Astor

914

954

-4.19

1.56

4.38

-2.82

885

Total

58455

52046

12.31

99.96

Takeaways

Hyundai Creta

  • The Hyundai Creta remains the most popular choice in this segment, with more than 13,800 units sold. However, its year-on-year (YoY) market share went down by the biggest margin, of over 18 percent thanks to new competitors since.

  • With close to 12,000 units shipped, the Maruti Grand Vitara leapfrogged from the fourth spot in July to second place in August, witnessing the highest MoM growth of over 30 percent.

Kia Seltos

  • Over 10,500 units of the new Kia Seltos were retailed in August, making it the final model on this list whose sales crossed the 10,000-unit mark. The Kia SUV’s market share stood at over 18 percent, 10 percent less than the year before.

  • Following the Kia Seltos closely was the Mahindra Scorpio N and Scorpio Classic duo, still listed as one in the sales charts, with nearly 9,900 units sold. Their MoM figures diminished by around 6 percent while both the models cumulatively had a market share close to 17 percent.

Toyota Hyryder

  • The Toyota Hyryder, the Maruti Grand Vitara’s cousin, had a decent outing in August sales as the carmaker shipped 4,000-odd units of the SUV. Its MoM figures saw an uptick of almost 22 percent.

  • Honda dispatched slightly more than 2,800 units of the Elevate SUV in August. While its launch only took place in September (with deliveries starting only after), expect those numbers to rise in the coming months.

  • The Skoda Kushaq–Volkswagen Taigun duo failed to go past the 2,500-unit mark individually. Both the models had a market share of under 5 percent each.

Also Read: Skoda Introduces More Affordable Mid-spec Variants of Kushaq And Slavia

  • With less than 1,000 units sold, the MG Astor took the last spot on the sales chart in August. Its MoM demand dipped by more than 4 percent.

Read More on : Hyundai Creta Automatic

Motorsport

2025 Kia Carnival Spy Video Catches Minivan Up Close With Bulky Camo

A new spy video provides an up-close look at the refreshed Kia Carnival minivan. While the test vehicle is heavily camouflaged, some of its important features are still visible. The redesigned minivan draws inspiration from recent model launches, incorporating new design details.

The refreshed Carnival boasts a completely updated front end, featuring vertical headlights, restyled daytime running lights, and a new grille. The vertical design continues at the rear with new taillights that incorporate an integrated turn signal. The C-pillar garnish remains unchanged, while the van is equipped with newly designed square wheels.


Cars, News

Elon Musk Provides Updates on Cybertruck Production and Demand

The Cybertruck, Tesla’s highly anticipated electric truck, has garnered nearly 1.9 million reservations, according to data from a crowd-sourced tracker. However, with Tesla currently planning to produce 375,000 Cybertrucks per year, it could take over five years for the most recent batch of reservations to be fulfilled. Nevertheless, Tesla aims to increase production figures in the coming quarters to meet the high demand. During a recent investor call, Elon Musk expressed his excitement over the overwhelming demand, stating that it is beyond expectations. Analysts even project that Tesla will surpass 10 million deliveries by 2030 and triple its stock price by then.

In the meantime, for those who have not reserved a Cybertruck yet, booking one might seem uncertain. The unique design and promised high performance and advanced technology of the electric truck have received mixed reviews. Originally, Tesla had set a base price of $39,900 for the rear-wheel-drive model with a range of around 250 miles, with the price increasing to $69,900 for the all-wheel-drive trim that offers over 500 miles on a single charge. However, Tesla has removed all information about trims and pricing from its official website. Musk has hinted that the final price will be higher due to the challenges of the new manufacturing method associated with the Cybertruck. Some analysts estimate the sticker price to be close to $50,000.

Featured

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept Gives A Sneak Peak At Lamborghini’s First EV


The Lanzador concept EV stays close to its roots as it takes heavy inspiration from previous Lamborghini models

Lamborghini Lanzador

The Lamborghini Lanzador is an electric car concept that showcases the brand’s first fully electric model. It draws inspiration from other Lamborghini models in terms of design.

Fusion Exterior Design

Lamborghini Lanzador Front

The front of the Lanzador resembles the Urus with its high-mounted bumper, pointy nose, and similarly shaped air dams. However, the air dams have closed panels unlike the Urus.

Lamborghini Lanzador Side

From the sides, the Lanzador has a sleek design and extended rear end, resembling a fusion between a Huracan and an Urus.

Lamborghini Lanzador Rear

The rear profile of the Lanzador features a muscular look with a massive bumper, sharp cuts on the protruding rear, and sleek air dams on the sides. It also has a three-insignia tail lamps design.

Shocking Interiors

Lamborghini Lanzador Dashboard

The interior of the Lanzador concept has a futuristic look with a black dashboard layered with silver and golden inserts. It features a curved design, a fully digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, and a front passenger infotainment display. The centre tunnel has minimalistic geometric switchgear, while the start-stop button retains the Lamborghini essence.

Lamborghini Lanzador Seats

The concept has sporty bucket seats for all passengers in a grey and golden hue. The production version of the Lanzador may have relatively conventional seats to accommodate passengers while providing a sporty feel.

Power? Lots Of It

Lamborghini Lanzador Engine Start/Stop Button

The Lanzador is powered by a battery pack with two electric motors, one on each axle, providing an all-wheel drive setup. The electric motor setup delivers over one megawatt, making it the most powerful Lamborghini model to date.

Apart from performance, the Lanzador focuses on range and aerodynamics. It features active aero systems like the front air shutter and movable splitter, as well as rear airblades for better downforce.

Green Details

Lamborghini Lanzador

The Lanzador concept incorporates sustainably sourced and recycled materials in its construction. The cabin features elements made from 3D-printed recycled fibers and regenerated carbon to reduce the use of fresh carbon fiber while maintaining its properties.

Launch Timelines

Lamborghini Lanzador Top

The production-ready model of the Lanzador is expected to be revealed by 2028 with likely exterior and interior changes. It will be Lamborghini’s first road-going electric car and will compete with other electric SUVs like the Tesla Model X, Lucid Gravity, and Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.

Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Lamborghini, believes that the Lanzador is the logical extension of the brand’s portfolio and serves as the perfect link between the Urus and their super sports cars.

Featured

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept Gives A Sneak Peak At Lamborghini’s First EV

The Lanzador concept EV stays close to its roots as it takes heavy inspiration from previous Lamborghini models

Lamborghini Lanzador

Lamborghini has unwrapped its electric car concept called the Lamborghini Lanzador. The four-seater electric crossover SUV concept previews the carmaker’s first fully electric model and its design draws a resemblance to other models from the brand’s portfolio. 

Fusion Exterior Design

Lamborghini Lanzador Front

It can be reasonably argued that the Lanzador is not one of Lamborghini’s usual beauties, and a far cry from its last four-door concept, the Estoque. However, it does blend from other Lamborghinis. For instance, the front of the Lanzador looks a lot like the Urus with its high-mounted bumper, pointy nose and similarly shaped air dams. But these air dams appear to have closed panels, unlike the Urus.

Lamborghini Lanzador Side

From the sides, it gets a mixed design. While it does get squarish wheel arches and side cladding like the Urus, its body shape resembles the carmaker’s sports cars with its sleek design and extended rear end. Overall, it appears to be a fusion between a Huracan and an Urus.

Lamborghini Lanzador Rear

The rear profile focuses on making this crossover look more muscular, which it gets from the massive bumper, sharp cuts on the protruding rear profile and sleek air dams on the sides. It also gets a three-insignia tail lamps design as previously seen on the Sian FKP 37.

Shocking Interiors

Lamborghini Lanzador Dashboard

From the inside, the Lanzador concept looks futuristic. The black dashboard is layered with silver and golden inserts and it curves in the middle. The steering wheel gets a similar colour treatment and behind that there is a fully digital instrument cluster. While there is no centre-mounted infotainment display, there is one for the front passenger. There is also a centre tunnel with minimalistic geometric switchgear, which adds to the futuristic cockpit look. However, it still has a start-stop button with a red flip-cover, retaining more of that Lamborghini essence.

Lamborghini Lanzador Seats

The concept gets sporty bucket seats for all passengers in a grey and golden hue. While these seats do complement the design of the cabin, the production-spec version of the Lanzador will most likely get relatively conventional seats to easily accommodate passengers while still offering a sporty thrill.

Power? Lots Of It

Lamborghini Lanzador Engine Start/Stop Button

As of now, there is not much information about the battery pack powering the Lanzador, but Lamborghini has revealed that it has two electric motors, one on each axle giving the Lanzador an all-wheel drive setup. As per Lamborghini, this electric motor setup delivers over one megawatt, which translates to over 1360PS, making it the most powerful Lamborghini model to date.

Also Read: Foxconn Eyes India For Its EV-making Plans

A Lamborghini EV is not just about peak performance output but also about range and aerodynamics. As such the Lanzador features a new application of the marque’s active aero systems such as the front air shutter and movable splitter. At the back, narrow airblades can extend out of the sides and from the diffuser for better downforce.

Green Details

Lamborghini Lanzador

As an EV of the future, the Lamborghini Lanzador concept uses various sustainably sourced and recycled materials throughout its construction. The cabin features elements made from 3D-printed recycled fibers while also using regenerated carbon to reduce the use of fresh carbon fibre without sacrificing on the material’s rigged and lightweight properties.

Launch Timelines

Lamborghini Lanzador Top

Lamborghini will reveal the production-ready model of the Lanzador by 2028 with likely a lot of exterior and interior changes. But the overall shape and proportions of the EV may be quite similar to this concept. When launched, it will be Lamborghini’s first road-going electric car and will be an alternative to the likes of the Tesla Model X, Lucid Gravity, and Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.

Also Read: Audi Q8 e-tron Launched In India, Starts At Rs 1.14 Crore

On the occasion of unveiling its first preview of the brand’s fourth model, Chairman and CEO of Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann stated, “For us, the fourth model is the absolutely logical extension of the existing portfolio – the perfect link between Urus and our super sports cars.”

News

Ducati Moves To Volkswagen Group Spain Distribution In Spain And Portugal

Ducati has experienced impressive growth in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down. In 2021, the company sold a total of 59,447 bikes, a 24 percent increase compared to 2020 and a 12 percent improvement over 2019.

In 2022, Ducati surpassed the milestone of selling 60,000 bikes for the first time in its history, delivering a total of 61,562 bikes to customers. The company continued its strong performance in 2023, with a nine percent increase in sales during the first quarter, delivering 14,725 bikes.

To maintain its momentum, Ducati announced a new partnership with Volkswagen Group Spain Distribution on July 5, 2023. Starting from January 1, 2024, Volkswagen Group Spain Distribution will handle Ducati’s commercial efforts in Spain and Portugal, with the exception of the Canary Islands.

In celebration of this partnership, Ducati and the Volkswagen Group Spain Distribution team organized an event in Madrid. The event was attended by executives from both companies, representatives from automobile and motorcycle manufacturer associations, and journalists. Ducati also showcased several of its bikes and recreated the Correntaio curve at Mugello at the event.

Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating that working with Volkswagen Group Spain Distribution will allow Ducati to strengthen its relationship with fans in Spain and Portugal. Domenicali praised the company’s market presence, talented team, and innovative digital services.

Ducati is part of the larger Volkswagen Group, which includes brands like Skoda, Seat, Cupra, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Porsche. Prior to the new partnership, Ducati’s Spanish and Portuguese distribution was handled by Desmotron, another importer. Domenicali took the opportunity to thank Desmotron for their partnership over the past decades at the event.

As for what the future holds for Ducati, only time will tell, but updates will be provided as news arises.

Featured

Maruti Invicto Waiting Period Less Than Toyota Innova Hycross In These 4 Cities!


The waiting period of the Innova Hycross averages close to a year in several cities

Maruti Invicto

The Maruti Invicto has entered the market with competitive pricing. It is essentially a version of the Toyota Innova Hycross with some styling changes, powertrain options, and adjustments to the feature list.

The Invicto, available only with the petrol-hybrid powertrain, is more affordable compared to the hybrid variants of the Innova Hycross, with savings of up to Rs 1.2 lakh. While the Innova Hycross has a waiting period of up to 15 months, the Invicto has a shorter wait time, at least in these four metro cities:

City

Invicto

Innova Hycross

Delhi

7-8 months

12 months

Bengaluru

5-6 months

12-15 months

Mumbai

6 months

7 months

Jaipur

6 months

10-12 months

Toyota Innova Hycross Front

Takeaways:

  • You can have your Invicto at home within 6-8 months, while the Innova Hycross has an average wait time of approximately 12 months in most cities.

  • The waiting period in Bengaluru and Jaipur is half of what it is in other cities.

  • Waiting period details for the Invicto in other cities will be available soon from dealerships.

Also Read: 5 Key Differences Between The Maruti Invicto And Toyota Innova Hycross

It is important to note that bookings for the top-end ZX and ZX (O) variants of the Toyota Innova Hycross are still on hold due to high waiting times. Currently, the VX and VX(O) variants are the only options available. Interestingly, the base-spec Invicto offers similar features to the Hycross VX(O).

Toyota Innova Hycross Cabin

Both MPVs share the same features and technology as they are essentially the same under the hood. They are equipped with a 2-litre petrol engine with hybrid technology and an e-CVT transmission. The Hycross also offers a regular 2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a CVT automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain provides an efficiency of 23.24kmpl.

In terms of features, both vehicles include a panoramic sunroof, a 10.1-inch touchscreen system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone AC, six airbags, TPMS, a 360-degree camera, and hill hold assist. However, the Hycross offers additional comforts such as ADAS and powered Ottoman seats in the middle row.

Also Read: Over 6,000 People Have Booked The Maruti Invicto Ahead Of Its Launch

The Maruti Invicto is priced between Rs 24.79 lakh and Rs 28.42 lakh (ex-showroom). It offers a premium alternative to other MPVs like the Kia Carens and Toyota Innova Crysta.

Read More on : Maruti Invicto Automatic

Motorsport

Cadillac Compact EV Crossover Spotted Inside and Out

In these recently taken spy shots from Colorado, we get a closer look at the camouflaged vehicles, particularly the one next to the white Cadillac Lyriq. This is the first glimpse we’ve had of Cadillac’s small electric crossover, currently unnamed but expected to be similar in size to the XT4. While it shares a similar shape with the XT4, the electric crossover is fundamentally different beneath the surface.

Credit goes to Cadillac for effectively concealing the prototype, even without heavy covers. The lack of a large cooling system, inherent in electric powertrains, allows for a securely wrapped camouflage. However, upon closer examination, you can spot narrow trim at the top of the solid grille. Placeholder lights are positioned vertically at the sides, framing the expected grille design similar to that found on the larger Lyriq.