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Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Storms Into Japan

Recognized because the oldest bike producer in steady manufacturing, no bike within the Royal Enfield’s lineup embodies this ethos greater than the Bullet 350. Designed to be as barebones and simplistic as might be, the Bullet 350 stays trustworthy to its century-old ancestor.

Best of all, it does all this whereas that includes pretty fashionable expertise to maintain up with at this time’s security and emissions rules. Now, Royal Enfield continues making its fashions accessible in a number of markets all around the globe. And Japan is the latest addition to that record. 

Royal Enfield Bullet 350 - Black Gold

Based on Royal Enfield’s well-liked J platform, the Bullet 350 is the fourth sibling within the lineup, following the Meteor 350, Classic 350, and Hunter 350. The J collection is designed to be the proper mix of traditional and sensible, melding classic styling synonymous with Royal Enfield and fashionable reliability and practicality that cater to the wants of each fanatics and commuters.

Just like its siblings, the Bullet 350 makes use of an air-cooled, fuel-injected thumper displacing 349 cubes. Its lengthy stroke makes for a wholesome quantity of torque down low, leading to satisfying acceleration and simply the correct quantity of vibrations. Meanwhile, its relaxed seating place means you can spend hours on the saddle—be it for commuting or long-distance journeys out of city.

In Japan, RE presents the bike in three shade variations; Black, Maroon, and a chic two-tone Black and Gold motif. Prices vary from 694,100 yen (about $4,654 USD) to 701,800 yen ($4,700 USD).

It’s value mentioning that bikes just like the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 are positive to ring a bell amongst younger and newbie riders in Japan. You see, licensing rules for two-wheelers are fairly strict over there, and particular permits for bigger-displacement machines (particularly these with engines 400cc and up) are required.

For reference, within the US, the Bullet 350 carries an MSRP beginning at $4,499 for the 2 plain colorways, and $4,699 for the two-tone black and gold livery.

Royal Enfield’s fast enlargement into a number of markets everywhere in the world is proof that efficiency and technology aren’t every little thing. Royal Enfield deliberately makes its bikes feel and look previous, solely becoming them with the naked necessities to maintain up with modern-day calls for. We’ve been seeing numerous new improvements from the model, such because the all-new Himalayan, in addition to the Shotgun 650.

And the model has a knack for preserving the laid-back essence of motorcycling.

ToyotaUk

2023 Toyota Year in Review: Helping Build a Better World

Driven by its values of steady enchancment and respect for folks, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) made probably the most of 2023.

In 2023, Toyota made it a yr to recollect with accomplishments and key milestones that confirmed the corporate’s advances in the way forward for mobility. Whether it was following its values of steady enchancment or respect for folks, or by means of product and technological improvements, Toyota took daring steps ahead, with electrification and sustainability taking middle stage.

To rejoice Toyota’s folks, merchandise and values, right here’s a glance again on what Toyota completed in 2023:

The Road to Carbon Neutrality
This yr was an distinctive one for electrification and taking steps towards carbon neutrality. Toyota introduced efforts to develop electrified automobile improvement functionality within the U.S. with a brand new automotive battery lab at its North American R&D headquarters in York Township, Michigan. Planned to open in 2025, the lab will consider batteries for each all-electric and hybrid, together with plug-in hybrid electrical, autos, in addition to help Toyota manufacturing at vegetation in North Carolina and Kentucky. To additional ramp up the manufacturing of battery electrical autos (BEVs), LG Energy Solution signed an agreement with Toyota to produce 20-GWh of lithium-ion battery modules for use in Toyota BEVs that will likely be assembled in in Kentucky.

TMNA and FuelCell Energy, Inc. introduced the completion of building for the first-of-its-kind “Tri-gen system,” which produces renewable electrical energy, renewable hydrogen and water from directed biogas. Tri-gen is an instance of FuelCell’s potential to scale hydrogen-powered gas cell expertise, an more and more essential vitality answer within the world effort to cut back carbon emissions.

In April, Toyota introduced it was granted a Zero Emission Powertrain (ZEP) Executive Order from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its new heavy-duty gas cell electrical powertrain, providing an alternate for firms seeking to transition their fleets to zero-emission autos. Then, in May, Toyota and PACCAR, the truck unique gear producer, announced plans to combine Toyota’s gas cell modules and powertrain kits into Kenworth and Peterbilt Class 8 heavy-duty vehicles.

To put Toyota’s sustainability efforts to the check, engineers and information scientists on the software program firm Toyota Connected North America (TCNA) carried out a week-long study about “eco mode” to indicate how drivers of various sorts of autos can contribute towards carbon discount. The estimated collective influence of the emissions diminished by research contributors was the equal of 5,091 gallons of gasoline saved!

Below, learn extra about Toyota’s electrification and carbon neutrality progress in 2023:

An Eye on the Environment
In renewable vitality progress associated to firm operations, Toyota introduced its enrollment in MIGreenPower, DTE Energy’s voluntary renewable vitality program. The program places the corporate’s Michigan operations on a path to attribute 100% of its electrical energy use to renewable vitality initiatives beginning in 2026, together with the R&D headquarters in Ann Arbor, together with six different amenities throughout Washtenaw County. Elsewhere, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky introduced that it agreed to offtake 100 megawatts of electrical energy generated as a part of a brand new power purchase agreement with Savion and the Martin Country Solar Project, a challenge that converts a brownfield coal mining website to supply clear, renewable photo voltaic vitality.

In alignment with its sustainability objectives, Toyota introduced and began applications along side exterior group companions, equivalent to Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots youth program, specializing in rising engagement to lift consciousness of biodiversity in native communities round a number of Toyota manufacturing vegetation.

For the newest info on the corporate’s environmental sustainability technique and efficiency, take a look at the 2024 Toyota North American Environmental Sustainability Report. Additional tales could be discovered on Toyota’s Environmental Sustainability web site, like these:

All New, All Year
CALTY, Toyota’s design analysis studio (Calty), celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023 and as a part of the milestone, introduced a shock reveal of the Baby Lunar Cruiser Concept, the newest in an extended line of progressive concepts dreamed up by the Calty design group.

Two Toyota legends have been introduced as all-new for the 2024 mannequin yr, with a return of the long-lasting Land Cruiser and a whole redesign of the beloved Tacoma.

The Land Cruiser made its triumphant comeback as a high-quality off-roader that leans into its roots as a extremely succesful utility automobile – all whereas sporting a throwback design. It will likely be accessible in three grades: Land Cruiser 1958, Land Cruiser, and the restricted run Land Cruiser First Edition. And will probably be completely powered by an i-FORCE MAX turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that produces as much as 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Tacoma, champion of the midsize pickup truck market, was additionally unveiled as all-new for 2024. Entering its fourth era, the brand new Tacoma is totally redesigned from the bottom up with a brand new body, physique model, new powertrain choices, together with an i-FORCE 2.4L turbo and i-FORCE MAX hybrid, in addition to inside, suspension, expertise updates, and extra. Tacoma will likely be provided in quite a few grades and configurations for its new era, with i-FORCE MAX fashions happening sale in December of 2023.

Both fashions have been additionally on show at Toyota’s SEMA showcase this yr, the place the Tacoma received the 2023 SEMA Midsize Truck of the Year award. At the present, Toyota debuted a modernized X-Runner Concept, that was a throwback to the road vehicles of the early 2000’s. Based on the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma, the idea was geared up with a twin-turbo V6 able to 421 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of peak torque, making it a worthy of any fanatic’s desires. Toyota additionally debuted the “TRD Pro Time Attack,” a high-speed, off-road simulator created by TCNA. The recreation showcased the innovative IsoDynamic Performance Seats discovered within the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.

In addition, the first-ever 2024 Grand Highlander additionally made its world-premiere in 2023 and went on sale over the summer time. Substantially designed by Calty and completely assembled on the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Princeton, Indiana, the Grand Highlander has a spacious, adult-sized third row and considerate storage areas all through the cabin. Available in three powertrains throughout three grades, with accessible AWD, the first-ever Grand Highlander brings a superbly packaged SUV that’s road-trip prepared.

To spherical out the calendar yr, the ninth era of the Toyota Camry was revealed in November. Featuring a contemporary new look, enhanced efficiency capabilities, an completely hybrid powertrain, and accessible AWD, the brand new Camry will hit the streets subsequent Spring. The first-ever 2025 Toyota Crown Signia was additionally revealed, including a brand new dimension to the celebrated Toyota Crown nameplate. The new mannequin provides a particular crossover SUV to the U.S. lineup, which brings model, utility, and flexibility as a chic, 100% hybrid and AWD automobile. The Crown Signia will likely be accessible within the Summer of 2024.

Looking for extra info on automobile updates for the 2024 mannequin yr? Check out the Toyota What’s New for 2024 landing page.

A brand new format additionally made its debut on the Toyota Newsroom this yr, permitting guests to check their data on the newest Toyota autos available on the market:

Manufacturing Milestones
Toyota’s manufacturing vegetation skilled a yr stuffed with thrilling achievements, together with the twentieth anniversaries of each Toyota Texas and Toyota Tennessee. Not to be outdone, Toyota Kentucky shared two huge bulletins this previous yr, ramping up the corporate’s dedication to electrification with plans to assemble an all-new three-row battery-electric SUV and the announcement of a brand new versatile engine production line on the plant to extend its hybrid capabilities.

Off the road, Toyota’s staff are onerous at work bettering the communities the place they’re situated. Through group donations and investing in operations, coaching and colleges, Toyota’s U.S. vegetation spent 2023 serving to to create a extra sustainable future.

To study slightly extra about what Toyota’s manufacturing vegetation have been as much as in 2023, learn the featured tales under:

Respect for People
Behind all of those unbelievable accomplishments are the folks of Toyota who work to form the corporate’s values day by day. Taking on a brand new function is Tellis Bethel, Toyota’s newly appointed chief diversity officer, who spent 15 years with Toyota Financial Services and is utilizing his expertise to proceed TMNA’s strategic investments in the neighborhood and in its tradition of inclusion.

In May, Toyota printed its 2023 Toyota North America Diversity & Inclusion Annual Report, which shares Toyota’s dedication to ever-better inclusivity in any respect ranges by means of 4 key areas of focus: Identity, Belonging, Community and Possibility.

Toyota’s pillar Respect for People and Working for Others extends past its range and inclusion efforts. It additionally consists of the help accessible for its staff, just like the employee-driven enterprise partnering teams (BPGs) and accessible profession choices for each new and present staff.

Toyota additionally encourages its folks to explore different career journeys on the firm, supporting its philosophy of steady studying.

Employees additionally shared about their expertise in celebrating moments and passions which might be private to them, which could be realized extra about within the tales under:

A Focus on Community
This yr, Fair360 (previously often called DiversityInc) named Toyota North America one of its 2023 Top 50 Companies for Diversity®, rating 4th amongst greater than 150 firms that participated within the survey. It’s the second yr in a row for Toyota to rank 4th and the corporate continues to be the one automotive producer ranked within the Top 10. Toyota was additionally included on 15 of the Top 25 Specialty Lists, additional highlighting Toyota’s dedication to range and inclusion.

Toyota North America was additionally acknowledged in The Civic 50 as a prime community-minded firm within the U.S. It was the primary yr each Toyota Financial Services and TMNA collectively ranked in The Civic 50 as a unified submission.

With an eye fixed on the workforce of the long run, the Toyota USA Foundation’s Driving Possibilities initiative is working to contribute to pupil success in a holistic, community-focused method to STEM studying. The initiative places PreK to 12th grade college students within the driver’s seat with entry to instructional applications whereas addressing important wants for studying. In 2023, Driving Possibilities applications have been introduced for colleges  close to Toyota amenities in Indiana, Alabama, Kentucky and Michigan.

Additionally, Toyota launched  the Way Forward Fund this yr. It is a multi-year initiative geared toward strengthening entry to care and harm restoration help, with an preliminary concentrate on kids with traumatic mind accidents.

Dive deeper into Toyota’s group engagements with the tales under:

Celebrating Team Toyota
All issues Team Toyota shifted into excessive gear in 2023. At the start of the yr, Toyota kicked off a brand new motorsports marketing campaign, “Be Part of Something Greater,” which tells the story of Toyota’s help of aggressive sports activities. The spots, which embody motorsports drivers and Olympic and Paralympic athletes, let viewers expertise the joys of the race, regardless of the game.

In different sports activities information, Toyota signed a multiyear sponsorship cope with the National Football League, turning into the official automotive partner of the NFL. The Olympic and Paralympic Team Toyota athletes started the ramp-up to Paris 2024, with Toyota including Gabby Thomas and Ezra Frech to the roster.

On the observe, Team Toyota drivers dominated the rostrum this yr, incomes Toyota landmark milestones like its 600th NASCAR national series win and 200 event wins in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. At the inaugural season of the GR Cup, Tyler Gonzales of Copeland Motorsports took home the championship for Toyota Gazoo Racing North America.

Below, get to know a couple of of the unbelievable drivers and athletes who make Team Toyota nice:

  • Toyota Racing
  • Olympics and Paralympics

While 2023 was transformative for Toyota, its accomplishments and improvements put the corporate on the trail for an much more unbelievable yr to come back.

News

Mercedes-AMG SL plug-in hybrid arrives with greater than 800bhp

The battery is alleged to present a steady and dependable supply of efficiency in high-demand conditions, with specific consideration paid to improved cooling. It permits the automotive to journey eight miles on electrical energy alone however wasn’t developed to offer “the longest possible range”. 

The driver can select between eight driving modes: Electric, Battery Hold, Comfort, Smoothness, Sport, Sport Plus, Race and Individual. Each one adapts throttle response, gearchange ferocity, steering weight, sound and chassis damping.

Up to 4 ranges of vitality regeneration can be found in every mode, permitting greater than 100kW of energy to be fed again into the battery.

When the automotive begins, it will likely be below electrical energy solely, however inside the motive force will hear an artificial sound that mimics the V8 engine. 

In its design, the automotive stays broadly the identical as the usual SL 63 AMG however beneficial properties a charging flap on the rear bumper and crimson ‘E Performance’ badging on the boot and entrance fenders.

The PHEV additionally will get bespoke, aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels of 20in or 21in in diameter.

More aerodynamic touches will be discovered within the type of a carbonfibre entrance splitter, which extends downwards by 40mm at speeds above 50mph, and a ducktail rear spoiler that deploys on the similar velocity.

News

US Motorcycle Theft Increases for the Third Consecutive Year

Despite advancements in safety and security technology, motorcycle thefts in the US are on the rise. According to a recent report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), nearly 55,000 motorcycles were stolen in 2022, marking a troubling 7% increase compared to the previous year.

This is the third year in a row that the US has seen a rise in motorbike thefts. Notably, the summer months had the highest number of thefts, as more riders were on the road and bikes were left outdoors for easy access. The month with the fewest thefts was February, with 2,879 cases reported, while July had the highest number, with a staggering 6,394 bikes reported stolen. On average, 4,561 motorcycles were stolen every month in the US.

French Theft Study

California leads the states with the highest number of thefts, with 9,838 stolen motorcycles in 2022. This accounts for 30% of all motorcycle thefts in the US. However, it is worth noting that California is also one of the most motorcycle-friendly states, making bikes easy targets for thieves. Florida comes in second place with 4,563 bikes reported stolen, followed by Texas with 4,145 motorcycles stolen in 2022.

In line with popularity, the most commonly stolen motorcycle brands were Honda, Yamaha, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, and Suzuki, according to the NICB report. However, specific models were not provided.

Although thefts are increasing, efforts to recover stolen bikes have been somewhat successful, with over 40% of stolen motorcycles in 2022 being recovered thanks to law enforcement efforts. Technology advancements such as tracking devices, theft deterrent devices, and parking bikes in less visible areas can play a significant role in preventing thefts.

“While we witness the rise in vehicle thefts year after year, we are encouraging all owners, and especially motorcycle riders to take great care in protecting their property,” said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of NICB. The NICB also urges people to take additional steps to safeguard their belongings. “Even though you can’t completely control when criminals target you or your vehicle, you can help deter would-be thieves by taking proactive, easy, and effective steps to prevent these thefts,” added Glawe.