Tag Archives: cover

Car review

Zeekr X

The interior of the Zeekr X follows the BYD philosophy of covering everything in synthetic leather to create a premium look. While it’s an improvement over hard plastic, it may lean towards kitsch and might not age well. However, there are some unique details such as vertical bars of mood lighting, rounded window switches, and an innovative multilevel center console with a fold-out cupholder and roller shutter.

As is often the case with Chinese cars, the Zeekr X prioritizes rear legroom over boot space. Nonetheless, the boot space is still adequate, measuring at 362 liters. Zeekr has also done away with physical buttons in favor of a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, heavily inspired by Tesla’s system. While the touchscreen is responsive, it can feel a bit overwhelming, with some menus not functioning intuitively.

Thankfully, the Zeekr X offers integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are well-integrated into the system. The driving position is crossover-appropriate, providing a tall-ish viewpoint. However, the seats, although generally comfortable, have aggressive lumbar support that can be uncomfortable, even when set to the lowest setting.

Wearables

Learn How to Mute Your Apple Watch Easily

If your Apple Watch keeps making noises when you don’t want it to, there’s a simple way to mute it. Apple has a feature that allows you to quickly mute sounds by covering your Apple Watch with your palm. Here’s how to enable and use this feature:

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Go to the My Watch tab and select Sounds & Haptics.
  3. Scroll down and turn on the toggle switch for Cover to Mute.

Once you have enabled the Cover to Mute feature, follow these steps to use it:

  1. When you receive an alert, cover your Apple Watch display with your palm.
  2. Keep your palm on the display for at least three seconds.
  3. You will feel a vibration confirming that your Apple Watch has been muted.

Your Apple Watch will remain muted until you manually unmute it. To enable notification sounds again, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (watchOS 9 or earlier) or press the side button (watchOS 10) to open Control Center, then tap the bell icon to unmute your Apple Watch. Note that if your Apple Watch is running watchOS 9.4 or later, any wake-up alarms will not be silenced when you use Cover to Mute, as the gesture could accidentally activate while you’re asleep.

News

Autocar magazine 6 September: on sale now

This week in Autocar, we have a special feature on the Munich Motor Show. We cover BMW’s new 3 Series in a way you’ve never seen before, take a look at the brand new Volkswagen GTI, and go on an adventure in Wales with the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato.

News

The new Vision Neue Klasse concept is giving us a glimpse into BMW’s future. It showcases a dramatic change in exterior and interior design, and we analyze what this means for the brand’s future products.

Volkswagen GTI is embracing the electric age with an affordable performance variant of the upcoming ID 2. The new ID GTI concept pays homage to the original Golf GTI in terms of spirit and styling.

In a similar vein, Mini is stepping into the next generation with the new Cooper and Countryman models. These cars, blending retro-infused styling with modern technology, will be available in the UK in 2024.

We also take a look at the new Renault Scenic, Volkswagen Passat, and Alfa Romeo’s latest supercar since the 8C Competizione.

Reviews

The BYD Seal is one of the latest electric cars to come out of China. Sam Phillips heads to Bavaria to determine whether it’s a circus act or a rose among thorns.

Volkswagen has facelifted the ID 4, promising a stronger and more efficient powertrain and addressing criticisms of interior quality. Does it live up to expectations?

For our 5640th road test, we take a look at the Hyundai Kona. This second-generation crossover offers a refreshing simplicity, but does it have any shortcomings?

Features

Can the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, an outlandish rally car, handle off-road challenges? Richard Lane puts this improbable rally raider to the test in Wales.

We sit down with BTCC ace and car enthusiast Jake Hill to find out what life is like at the top. He reveals his love for the sport and the challenges he faces.

Twisted, a Land Rover modifier based in Thirsk, is known for its unique Defenders. Now, they’ve set their sights on a Suzuki. Matt Prior takes the Twisted Jimmy for a test drive in North Yorkshire.

Opinion

Matt Prior delves into the recently-expanded London ULEZ and discusses how some non-compliant cars could be more valuable in countries that need them rather than being scrapped.

Steve Cropley receives a delightful message on X (formerly Twitter) about his Jeep Wrangler. He also comments on Ford’s efforts to stay true to its roots and how some farm shops are embracing the electric age.

Motorsport

2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Spied Without Any Camo During Photo Shoot

The third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan, set to be revealed later this year, was recently spotted without any camouflage during a photo shoot in the streets of Ljubljana, Slovenia. In a short video clip, the new Tiguan can be seen alongside a Mercedes GLE camera car, which is painted all-black to avoid reflecting light.

Based on the fact that the car is featured in a future advertisement, it is likely that we are looking at a high-end trim level, possibly the R-Line variant. The video quality is not the best, but it is evident that the 2024 Tiguan will feature evolutionary styling, as Volkswagen is playing it safe with their popular compact crossover. With over 88,000 units delivered in the first half of 2023, the Tiguan was the eighth best-selling model in Europe, surpassing the once-dominant Golf, according to market researcher Dataforce cited by Automotive News Europe.


Lamborghini

Esperienza Giro USA celebrates Lamborghini’s 60th Anniversary

Drivers cover 626 miles of magnificent Colorado landscapes

Aspen, CO 25 July 2023 – The Lamborghini Esperienza Giro celebrated Lamborghini’s 60th anniversary with a thrilling driving experience through the stunning Colorado scenery. From July 19 to 23, Lamborghini customers embarked on a 3-day journey from Aspen to Telluride, guided by Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, and Federico Foschini, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer.

During this special year, which marks 60 years since Lamborghini’s establishment in 1963, the Esperienza Giro brought together 40 Lamborghini super sports cars and super SUVs. The drive took participants through the picturesque mountainous terrain, showcasing the brand’s bold spirit and the joy of driving that Lamborghini customers and fans appreciate.

“To celebrate our 60th anniversary, we are delighted to offer our passionate customers an authentic Lamborghini driving program in our top global market, the United States. Witnessing Lamborghinis conquer the most beautiful landscapes in the U.S. emphasizes the exhilarating ‘fun-to-drive’ experience that our customers and fans cherish,” commented Winkelmann.

The journey commenced in Aspen and led participants to the charming town of Paonia, then through Colorado’s high plains in Montrose, ultimately arriving at the Mountain Village of Telluride. On the final day, drivers embarked on a memorable adventure to Ouray, experiencing the legendary Million Dollar Highway, a winding mountain road renowned for its breathtaking views of high peaks, steep cliffs, and awe-inspiring scenery.

As part of this customer event, the all-terrain Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato made its dynamic debut in the U.S. Designed to deliver maximum driving pleasure both on and off the asphalt, the Huracán Sterrato offers exceptional control and a whole new level of driving excitement. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (approximately 60 mph) in just 3.4 seconds and achieve a top speed of 260 km/h (approximately 160 mph).

Technology

How To Merge Cells In Microsoft Excel And Google Sheets

When you merge cells in Excel or Google Sheets, it’s important to understand what actually happens. The merge cells function combines the cells themselves, not their contents. Although spreadsheet programs can perform mathematical operations using formulas, merging cells is not a shortcut for this purpose.

If you merge two cells that contain content, only the content of the leftmost cell will be preserved in the resulting merged cell. The contents of any other merged cells will be deleted. You can’t merge cells to combine numbers or words. If you want a larger cell to contain the combined contents, you must first copy and paste the contents from the component cells into the lead cell before merging them; otherwise, you will lose all the content.

Motorsport

Lamborghini Revuelto Makes Its Debut at Goodwood Festival Of Speed

The Lamborghini Revuelto, the successor to the Aventador, made a grand entrance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This new Lamborghini is a sight to behold, especially for those who appreciate powerful naturally aspirated V12 engines. With its 6.5-liter V-12 engine and three electric motors, producing a remarkable total of 1,001 horsepower, the Revuelto charged up the hill with the force and grace reminiscent of a Spanish bull.

Dressed in striking Arancio Dac Lucido, the Lamborghini Revuelto showcased its power on the wet tarmac. Despite being rear-wheel biased, thanks to its two front-wheel electric motors, the Revuelto managed to unleash its power amidst the challenging conditions, allowing spectators to relish the captivating sound of its V12 engine.

There are few engine sounds that can rival the smooth yet fierce roar of a Lamborghini V12. This engine is a testament to the automaker’s commitment to preserving the traditional internal combustion engine. Lamborghini believes that synthetic fuels offer a viable alternative to a fully electric future and is committed to keeping the internal combustion engine alive for as long as possible.


News

Autocar magazine 21 June: on sale now

This week in Autocar, we have some exciting coverage for you. We take a look at Mercedes’ newest hypercar, the Vision One-Eleven, which pays tribute to the iconic C111. Only 16 of these will be produced.

In other news, Toyota Gazoo Racing has started testing its first battery-powered prototype, with chairman Akio Toyoda personally involved in the development. We have exclusive information on this.

Renault has launched its flagship coupé-SUV, the Rafale, promising an exhilarating driving experience. Volkswagen’s upcoming SUV, the Tayron, will be the successor to the seven-seat Tiguan Allspace and is set to be available in the UK in 2025.

Reviews

This week, we review the Honda ZR-V, a hybrid-powered family crossover designed to compete in a tough market. We also have an exclusive drive in a prototype of the new Volkswagen Tiguan, set to be released in June 2024. Our reviewer, Felix Page, reveals that there is more to this crossover than meets the eye. Additionally, we put the Ford Ranger, DS7, and facelifted Mazda 2 to the test.

Features

Bentley has launched the Batur, a £2 million hypercar and a swansong to its iconic W12 engine. Our reviewer, Matt Prior, believes it deserves a full five-star rating. We also take a trip to Skoda’s museum to explore their collection of classic cars. Additionally, we cover the 100th anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours race, discussing the special significance of this event.

Opinion

In this section, Matt Prior speculates on what Bentley might do next after the Batur, suggesting the possibility of a Mulliner-edition Bentayga or Flying Spur. On the other hand, Steve Cropley shares his experience of returning to Le Mans after a six-year hiatus, including witnessing parades, the unveiling of Alpine’s new A424 Beta racer, and an encounter with an incredibly bad driver.

Used

In the used car section, Oliver Young examines the second-generation Honda Integra Type R and provides insights on why it’s a great choice if you’re considering buying one.

Featured

Maruti Invicto Is The New MPV Based On Toyota Innova Hycross


The carmaker’s newest flagship offering is to be unveiled on July 5 and might go on sale on the same day

Maruti Invicto teaser

  • The Invicto will be placed at the top of Maruti’s MPV lineup.

  • It will feature a new design that includes tri-piece LED lighting and a fresh grille.

  • Maruti might provide the interior with a new theme in contrast to the tan color scheme of the Toyota MPV.

  • Premium features will include a panoramic sunroof, 10-inch touchscreen, and ADAS.

  • The same petrol and strong-hybrid petrol engines from the Innova Hycross will be offered.

  • The Invicto is likely to be priced from Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom).

Earlier rumored to be named Maruti Engage, the Toyota Innova Hycross-based MPV is officially named Invicto, and will become Maruti’s new flagship offering. The new Maruti Invicto MPV will debut on July 5, and the company is expected to launch the vehicle on the same day.

What Will It Look Like?

The Maruti Invicto will mostly resemble Toyota Innova Hycross, while recent undisguised spy shots confirm that it will have some brand-specific changes to distinguish it from the Toyota model. These changes include tri-piece LED headlights and taillights, a new grille design with two chrome strips connecting the headlights, and a fresh set of alloy wheels.

The Invicto’s dashboard layout will be identical to the Toyota model, but it will most probably have a new cabin appearance.

Features Equipped In The Maruti MPV

Toyota Innova Hycross panoramic sunroof

The Invicto is expected to have an identical features list as that of the Toyota Innova Hycross. Premium equipment that comes with the model includes a 10-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, a digital driver’s display, and a powered tailgate. It’s designed with up to six airbags, vehicle stability control (VSC), front and rear parking sensors, and will be the first Maruti to provide advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for passenger safety.

Also Read: Comparo: Kia Carens Luxury Plus vs Toyota Innova GX

A Choice Of Two Petrol Powertrains

Toyota Innova Hycross strong-hybrid powertrain

The Maruti Invicto will have the same powertrain options as the Toyota Innova Hycross. The MPV will come with a standard 2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine (174PS/205Nm), mated to a CVT automatic. The model does not feature any manual options. The Toyota MPV has a strong-hybrid powertrain possibility, utilizing a combination of a 186PS 2-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, paired with an e-CVT, to have a claimed efficiency of over 21 kmpl.

What Will Be The Cost?

The Invicto is expected to be priced from Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom). Its only direct contender will be the Toyota Innova Hycross, and it will be positioned between the Kia Carens and Carnival.