While helmets are all the time about security, there’s no denying that they are often simply as a lot about type. Bell’s one of many greatest helmet manufacturers out there, and is all about catering to the assorted wants of all types of riders.
And for 2024, the Bell Broozer makes a comeback together with now sporting ECE 22.06 certification. As you most likely know, the ECE 22.06 customary mandates extra rigorous testing and enhanced security options—you possibly can be taught all about it in our in-depth function of the brand new customary.
The Broozer, nonetheless, retains its retro-inspired streetfighter aesthetics, all whereas bettering security.
Bell Broozer – Solid Black
Bell describes the Broozer as a “brutal combination of attitude, style, and functionality,” and certainly, you possibly can think about it a flowery modular helmet. Thanks to its detachable chin bar, you just about have two helmets in a single. To high all of it off, the Broozer weighs in at a claimed 1,350 grams, protecting you cozy and freed from neck or shoulder pressure on longer rides.
The helmet’s light-weight development is thanks largely to a polycarbonate ABS plastic shell. The shell is obtainable in three sizes unfold throughout precise sizes starting from Small to XX-Large, and riders have the choice of three EPS sizes for optimum consolation.
Other noteworthy tech options embody an anti-fog protect, and eyewear compatibility because of built-in channels within the inside liner.
Bell Broozer – Matte Black
When it involves styling preferences, the Broozer is offered in 5 pretty delicate and muted colorways. Take your decide from stable and matte black paint finishes for a stealthy look. Meanwhile, Nardo Grey and Duplet White present a clear and fashionable look. Lastly, for individuals who need to stand out, Dupet pink is the one loud colorway on provide.
It’s cool that Bell has chosen to revitalize a preferred and versatile helmet. With the ECE 22.06 replace, retro fanatics have extra choices to select from, particularly in the event that they’re on the lookout for a helmet that’s all about type, all with out skimping on versatility and security.
There’s no denying that actors have it good. Apart from incomes thousands and thousands per film, a few of them additionally take pleasure in occasional perks. Such was the case within the mid-Nineteen Nineties when Pierce Brosnan obtained a “little present, a little gift from BMW.”
It wasn’t so little, although, since Mr. Bond was gifted 188.2 inches of BMW grand touring excellence. He took the keys to a shiny new 8 Series Coupe within the 850 Ci specification. It occurred following the success of Goldeneye, which featured the Z3. The roadster’s inclusion within the film was a part of a three-film deal between BMW and MGM. Subsequent motion pictures – Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough – featured the 750iL and the beautiful Z8, respectively.
A Redditor posted a video from an episode of The Late Night with Conan O’Brien present that initially aired on February 7, 1997, that includes the Irish actor. In this episode, he tells the story of how he was caught rushing in Idaho on the very first day of capturing for Dante’s Peak. Despite reaching a pace of 120 mph, he was let off with only a warning. In trade for letting him off the hook, the cops wished to understand how the Goldeneye movie crew pulled off the bungee soar, shot on the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland.
His excuse for going manner above the pace restrict? “I didn’t realize it because the car was so good, so smooth!” On the first-generation 8 Series, BMW engineered the attractive coupe to robotically elevate the home windows after reaching 100 mph to cut back wind noise. The 850 Ci outmoded the 850i however there was a interval when each had been in manufacturing.
For some time, BMW made the 850 Ci with two totally different engines, the M70 and M73. Pierce Brosnan had a more recent mannequin, so his automobile got here with the larger and extra highly effective 5.4-liter (as a substitute of 5.0-liter) unit.
We’ve discovered what seems to be like an old ad with the car, stating it is a 1996 mannequin with 49,820 miles (80,177 kilometers) on the clock. We’ve reached out to the proprietor in California, however chances are high we can’t get a response.
Whether you think about it a contradiction in phrases, a complete aberration or the last word all-rounder, there’s no denying the efficiency SUV can stir debate.
On paper, these high-riding and extremely tuned machines shouldn’t work for eager drivers, but they’re flying out of showrooms faster than most can get to 62mph.
In some ways it’s not arduous to see their attraction, the mixture of tempo and practicality permitting them to slide simply into most lives. What’s extra, regardless of a hefty kerbweight and a excessive centre of gravity, many drive with higher poise, precision and panache than you’d consider, permitting them to be hustled arduous over give-and-take roads.
Then there’s ordinary upmarket SUV perks of an expensive cabin, commanding view out and the all-weather safety of all-wheel drive. And, if it’s your bag, there’s kerbside kudos of all that modern off-road intent. On paper, these are vehicles which have all of the bases lined.
Our high 10 right here represents the excessive efficiency heartland for SUVs, with a mid-sized vibe and a worth ceiling of round £100,000 (though a few of our contenders float just a little above this self-imposed restrict). If you need extra unique and rarefied quick 4x4s such because the Lamborghini Urus, then here’s our list of Super SUVs.
1. Porsche Macan GTS
Pros: Ideal mix of tempo, house and dynamic grace, best-in-class dealing with
Cons: It can really feel heavy,It’s practically ten years outdated
If any SUV goes to earn grudging respect from the died-in-the-wool sportscar fan, then it is the Macan. Despite nearing its tenth birthday (and basically being primarily based on the unique Audi Q5, which debuted in 2008), Porsche’s entry-level off-roader continues to set the bar on this intently fought class, with a mix of tempo, house and dynamic grace that makes even the best naysayers nod in approval.
With a brand new, all-electric model on the horizon, Porsche has each spruced-up and pared-back the present Macan line-up, with an end-of-life facelift. The flagship Turbo has gone, however the GTS that successfully replaces it packs the identical 434bhp turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 so there’s no loss in efficiency (you’ll be at 62mph from a standstill in simply 4.5 seconds, whereas the highest velocity is a biscuit beneath 170mph).
Crucially, its subtly lowered and uprated suspension delivers the kind of involving and agile driving expertise that has you satisfied you’re in one thing smaller and extra sizzling hatch-shaped – it’s physics-defying antics beggar perception. The steering additionally has an identical weighting and response to the model’s low-slung road-burners, whereas the expensively tuned dampers are forged iron in management however cushioned in operation.
There’s no denying how a lot electrical mobility has modified the sport lately. We’re seeing it construct a number of steam within the two-wheeler world, the place a number of nations all over the world are encouraging individuals to ditch their vehicles in favor of electrical two-wheelers, whether or not they’re e-bikes, e-scooters, or e-motos.
Recent years have ushered in all kinds of latest and thrilling electrical two-wheelers, with a number of them showcased at EICMA 2023 held final November. One of the e-motos that stood out is from Chinese e-mobility startup Naxeon within the type of the “I AM.” This abstractly named electrical bike is alleged to give attention to individuality, giving city commuters an environment friendly and thrilling expertise. Indeed, on paper, it appears that evidently that is effectively and really the case, because it’s fairly fast for an city commuter.
From a styling perspective, the I AM takes the type of a mini-bike with Honda Grom-like proportions. Its design is distinctly clear, giving it a smooth and futuristic look as if it was a prop from a sci-fi film. The firm was began in 2021 in ChongQing China, and has partnered up with E-Quilibrium, an Italian firm, to penetrate the European market. Electric two-wheelers have grow to be more and more common in Europe, and it goes with out staying that the I AM provides a contact of futurism to the combination.
Let’s dive into the technology Naxeon has stuffed into the I AM. Performance-wise, we’re a high pace of about 75 miles an hour because of a robust electrical motor built-in into the hub of the rear wheel. The battery is a semi-solid-state unit with a number of choices in the case of its capability. For reference, you may select between both a 4.3 kWh or 6.5 kWh battery pack, with vary various from 75 to 113 miles on a single cost. To make issues even higher, the bike comes with fast-charging tech, with a claimed 20 to 80-percent cost time of 90 minutes.
At current, the Naxeon I AM is anticipated to be made obtainable in France and Belgium, as distribution agreements in these nations have already been secured. The firm is eyeing a launch in Germany very quickly, as effectively. That mentioned, the bike instructions fairly a beautiful value regardless of all of the tech it brings to the desk. At 7,400 euros, or roughly $7,971 USD per alternate price on the time of writing, it’ll actually give different e-mobility startups a run for his or her cash. Deliveries of the primary batch of I AM electrical bikes are anticipated for spring of 2024.
There’s no denying that fashionable autos are far safer than they have been a number of many years in the past. Engineering developments have saved many lives over time, a lot in order that some automakers actually have a zero-fatality safety pledge. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program has been testing vehicles since 1993 and has now crashed one of many 9 autos that have been a part of the primary spherical of exams 30 years in the past.
ANCAP was capable of finding a second-generation Mitsubishi Magna (TR) and slam it right into a transferring barrier. At first look, it would seem to be the mid-size sedan carried out admirably for a 30-year-old automotive, however seems might be deceiving. Dummy harm measurements recorded throughout the crash check present the driving force would’ve confronted a excessive threat of a deadly cranium fracture and mind harm. It’s because of the lack of an airbag contained in the steering wheel.
Harley-Davidson’s venture into electric motorcycles with the LiveWire project has been met with anticipation and skepticism. After LiveWire proved to be a strong yet pricey electric motorcycle, Harley spun it off as its own company, introducing the more affordable LiveWire ONE. This led to the development of the S2 Del Mar, an everyday electric bike designed to balance performance and affordability. On the other hand, Zero Motorcycles, with a focus on electric two-wheelers from the start, is a seasoned player in the electric motorcycle industry.
Zero’s 2024 lineup, including the revised 2024 Zero S, showcases the company’s evolution and innovation. The Zero S incorporates a new motor and battery, offering a fresh take on an entry-level naked street bike.
Power and Torque
2024 Zero S
LiveWire S2 Del Mar
Power
68 horsepower at 4,500 rpm
84 horsepower
Torque
97 pound-feet
194 pound-feet
Top speed
104 mph
103 mph
The S2 Del Mar offers more torque than the 2024 Zero S, making it the winner in this category.
Round One Winner: LiveWire S2 Del Mar
Range and Charging
2024 Zero S
LiveWire S2 Del Mar
City range
154 miles
113 miles
Low-speed highway commuting range (max 55 mph of mixed riding)
113 miles
86 miles combined; 70 miles if sustained 55 mph speed
High-speed highway commuting range (max 70 mph of mixed riding)
101 miles
62 miles combined; 43 miles if sustained 70 mph speed
Battery Pack
12.6 kWh nominal
10.5 kWh nominal
Charge time (110V)
9.7 hours to 100 percent
8.4 hours to 100 percent
Charge time (L2 charging)
4.5 hours to 100 percent out of the box; 1.8 hours to 100 percent with optional 6kW rapid charger
2 hours 22 minutes to 100 percent
The 2024 Zero S offers a superior range compared to the LiveWire S2 Del Mar, earning it the win in this round.
Round Two Winner: 2024 Zero S
Chassis
2024 Zero S
LiveWire S2 Del Mar
Front Suspension
Showa 43mm Big Piston Separate Function Forks; fully adjustable
Showa Free Piston monoshock with progressive linkage; adjustable preload and rebound damping
Suspension travel
4.72 inches FR/5.51 inches R
4.73 inches FR/R
Front brakes
Dual J. Juan radially mounted four-piston calipers with radial master cylinder and 320mm discs
Brembo M4.32 monoblock four-piston single caliper with a single floating front disc
Rear brakes
J. Juan single piston floating caliper with a 240mm disc
Brembo PF34 one-piston floating caliper with a single fixed rear disc
Wheels
17-inch alloys
19-inch cast aluminum alloys
Curb weight
492 pounds
436 pounds
Seat height
31 inches standard; can be lowered to 30.3 inches with a low seat accessory or raised to 31.9 inches with a high seat accessory
32.2 inches
Both bikes are evenly matched in terms of suspension while the Zero S has a slight advantage in the range and charging capabilities.
Round Three Winner: Draw
Electronics, Warranty, and Price
2024 Zero S
LiveWire S2 Del Mar
Ride Modes
Rain, Eco, Standard, Sport, and Canyon; customization available via the Zero Next Gen smartphone app
Sport, Road, Range, Rain, Custom
Display
5-inch, full color TFT rectangular display with smartphone connectivity
4-inch TFT round display with smartphone connectivity
App
Yes
Yes
Safety
Bosch Motorcycle Stability Control
Cornering enhanced ABS, drag torque slip control system, cornering enhanced traction control system
Updates
Over the Air
Over the Air
Warranty
Two years on the bike; Five years and unlimited miles on the battery
Two years on the bike; Five years and unlimited mileage (up to 30 percent degradation) on the battery
Price (US)
$14,995
$15,499
Both bikes offer similar ride modes, smartphone connectivity, and safety features. The warranty and price make the 2024 Zero S a slightly more favorable choice.
Overall Winner: 2024 Zero S
Spec Sheets Aren’t Everything
While the 2024 Zero S comes out on top in this spec showdown, it’s important to remember that there are more factors to consider when choosing a bike. Factors such as user interface, visibility, and personal riding preferences can significantly impact a rider’s experience. Therefore, test riding both the 2024 Zero S and the LiveWire S2 Del Mar is the best way to determine the right fit for individual preferences.
The increase in power in the Kia EV6 GT is truly remarkable. The previous flagship model, the GT-Line e-AWD trim, boasted an impressive 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. These figures alone are enough to impress, especially when compared to a Porsche 718 Cayman which only has 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, albeit with less weight to carry.
However, Kia takes it a step further with the EV6 GT, ramping up the power to 576 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque. To put this into perspective, this is 142 more horses than a Cayenne Turbo and almost as much torque as a Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid. It’s worth noting that the Porsche SUV is around 900 pounds heavier than the smaller Kia model.
Chris Davies/SlashGear
Consequently, the EV6 GT accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.4 seconds. Kia proudly points out that this is faster than renowned sports cars like the Mercedes-AMG GT, the McLaren 570S, and the Ferrari California T.
China is currently leading the electric vehicle (EV) race. There’s no denying it and that’s the reality whether you like it or not. Whether that will be sustained in the years to come is still unknown, of course, but in the here and now, China is the world’s EV hotspot. Thanks to government policies and the realization that they can’t compete with other nations who already have nearly a century of experience with the internal combustion engine (ICE), China built an economy around EVs and the components needed to build one. The result? China is the world’s biggest EV market, accounting for more than half of global EV sales in 2022, and that also means their EV choices are far more diverse than any nation–more so the United States.
3/4 front view of a blue 2023 BYD Atto 3 parked in front of a house
Okay, so the word “choice” could be an oxymoron since government policies led Chinese automotive companies to develop EVs and then make its citizens buy them. Decades and billions of dollars later, there are already more than 100 EV companies in China all vying for the money of its citizens. This is on top of prominent Chinese premium EV brands like Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto who are making headlines globally, while other more mainstream brands like BYD, GWM’s Ora, and Geely’s Zeekr are already taking away market share from Volkswagen–the biggest automaker in terms of overall sales in China.
Or at least that used to be the case. BYD has dethroned Volkswagen to become the best-selling automaker in China, thus creating a problem for the German brand that used to command a significant market share in China. With Volkswagen having fewer and at the same time, more expensive EVs than BYD, you could say that the downfall of the brand in the world’s biggest EV market is already unsurprising. Ask anyone why they like a car from a certain nation, and you’ll probably end up with remarks on German cars being luxurious and extraordinarily stable at high speeds; Italian cars being beautiful and resonant in terms of engine noise; or Japanese cars being highly tunable and reliable. China? Well, their brands don’t carry decades of legacy, which in the EV age was a good thing for them. Ferrari, for instance, is known for its singing V-8s and V-12s, but if you take that away, what defines Ferrari? On the other hand, Chinese EV startups are still building their legacy, giving them infinite room to innovate and carve out their own identity at a time when everyone else is still protecting their identity from the ICE age.
China’s wide range of EVs not only outnumbers that of what the United States has to offer but the design and technology that’s been poured into their EVs is also unbelievably good. Nio is one of the most prominent premium EV brands in China, and people are willing to pay Tesla money for its EVs. The brand’s hallmark features like its cute Nomi personal assistant and battery swap technology that Tesla has abandoned are stuff you won’t find in EVs from Western brands.
What about in terms of design? China’s EV brands also have you covered. With so much choice in the first place, there’s practically an EV for every design taste. Perhaps one of the EV brands that stand out in China in terms of design is HiPhi. With three models called the HiPhi X, HiPhi Y, and HiPhi Z, boring is one adjective you will never associate with how they look. A lot of car enthusiasts complain about how cars look too similar nowadays. Well, HiPhi seems to have gotten the memo and none of their cars conform to generic cookie-cutter standards. From aggressive lines, rakish curves, and even LED taillights that are able to display pre-programmed GIFs or animated icons, HiPhi is able to push the boundaries of design and not conform to how the world sees car design.
BYD Yangwang
front 3/4 view of a 2023 BYD Yangwang U8 driving off-road
Off-roaders are currently a sensation in North America, and you can bet that China’s EV start-ups have them, too. One of the most recent to make headlines worldwide is the BYD YangWang U8. Comical name aside, the U8 is part of BYD’s new YangWang sub-brand of high-end EVs, including the U9 supercar. Even though this is a large off-roader, it has supercar-like specs with its quad-motor 1,100-horsepower drivetrain and three-second 0-62 mph time. It can even 360-degree tank turns and float on water thanks to the body being waterproof.
It’s common knowledge that China is also the world’s biggest car market, which is why a plethora of global brands treat China as an important market for their bottom line. This is especially true for German luxury brands, where they’ve practically doubled down in their operations in China thanks to Chinese buyers considering these cars as their aspirational vehicles. Unfortunately, these brands saw disappointing foot traffic at the recent Auto Shanghai 2023. With the traditional designs of German luxury cars and their lack of EV options (Porsche even chose the show to hold the global unveiling of the Cayenne, which is not available as an EV), wealthy Chinese buyers instead lusted over the booths of brands like Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto.
That was the case when New York Times interviewed the Cao family living in Shanghai. Formerly the owner of two Porsches, Mr. Ben Cao downsized to one Porsche 911 and the other car is now an electric luxury SUV with a range-extender gasoline engine from Li Auto called the L9. The reason why he chose the L9? Mr. Cao says that most designs of foreign automakers are dull. “They are far behind, no matter whether it is the U.S. ones and even the German ones,” he said. “They don’t even seem to be in the same age.”
Buick China
Three-quarter shot of the Buick Electra E4
Foreign automakers in China are introducing EVs that look like their gasoline counterparts in a bid to create a gradual transition, but for Chinese buyers, these cars end up looking too boring and not groundbreaking enough. As mentioned, since Chinese EV start-ups have freedom from legacy, this gives them room to be creative unlike the established foreign brands whose cars suddenly seemed out of date. This is a sentiment echoed by Felix Kilbertus, Chief Creative Officer at Pininfarina. He told the New York Times at the Auto Shanghai 2023, “Some of that comes from the freedom from legacy.”
In order for these Chinese EVs brands to compete with established brands globally, they have to not just offer better products but also sell them at a lower cost than established brands. As a result, most of these Chinese EV startups, with the exception of BYD, are generating losses instead of profits. Nio, however, is finally narrowing down its losses and expects to be profitable by the end of 2023. It must be noted that this pattern of losses and then eventually becoming profitable is the same path that Tesla took when the brand was launched by Elon Musk. Also, with more than 100 EV start-ups in China, choices for EVs are indeed very diverse, but it also means that market saturation for EVs is going to come sooner rather than later.
Thankfully, in the United States, there are also a couple of EV start-ups like Lucid and Rivian who are making waves with their vehicles. Like China’s EV start-ups, these two brands still aren’t profitable, though they aim to eventually make a profit in the coming years. Ford and GM have also doubled down on their EV development, which means while the United States still won’t have as many EV choices as China right now, that gap will definitely be narrowed down eventually.
There’s no denying that electric motorcycles are the future of two-wheeled mobility. With rapid growth in Europe and Asia, electric two-wheelers are foreseen to become more popular in the coming years. Indeed, nearly all manufacturers big and small are developing new EV platforms, the latest of which is French motorcycle brand Peugeot Motocycles.
We’ve talked about Peugeot Motocycles quite a bit in recent years. The historic French marque seems to be undergoing a resurgence, rolling out new models left and right, in multiple markets. Indeed, thanks to funding from German company Mutares, the French brand has been given a second lease on life. That being said, with electric motorbikes apparently the next big thing, it’s no surprise that Peugeot wants in on the action, too.
In an article by Le Repaire Des Motards, Sébastien Mas, President of Peugeot Motorcycles explained, “The main driver of our collaboration lies in the DAB brand promise: to deliver thrills on two wheels to the bold. This powerful commitment has led us to recognize the need to venture into the electrical field, relying on our strong heritage of 125 years of know-how. In addition, the essence of both brands is rooted in production in France. We are very proud to manufacture our premium ranges locally, to preserve our expertise and to contribute to the growth of French industry.”
Instead of developing a new EV platform from the ground up, Peugeot has decided to invest in another company to carry out its EV-focused endeavors. Said company is fellow French firm DAB motors. Founded in 2019, the Biarritz-based company started out building custom motorcycles. In 2021, it entered the EV space with its Concept-E, an electric motorbike with minimalist, sporty design akin to that of a supermoto. It was designed as a 125cc-equivalent in terms of performance.
On paper, a machine like the DAB Concept-E is a perfect fit for what Peugeot wants to achieve in the future. Peugeot, being the established company that it is, undoubtedly has the expertise when it comes to sales, distribution, and mass-production. Meanwhile, DAB has the technological know-how to make impressive, premium electric motorcycles. That being said, you can probably see where this is going – the partnership could very well result in the commercialization of the Concept-E, or some other equivalent electric two-wheeler.
On the DAB Motors side fo the equation, company founder and CEO Simon Dabadie stated in the same report, “I am delighted to be associated with a historic manufacturer such as Peugeot Motocycles. This strategic collaboration will allow DAB Motors to take a new step. With the support of Peugeot Motocycles, DAB Motors will soon mass-produce its electric motorcycles and deliver them worldwide.”
Now, whether DAB will retain its branding, or be absorbed into Peugeot as a whole, remains to be seen. What we do know, is that DAB is set to put up its production line in Peugeot’s large factory in Mandeure, France. The end-goal is to have an electric motorcycle that’s affordable, practical, and 100-percent made in France. Peugeot now holds a majority share in DAB Motors, so expect to hear quite a lot more about this partnership in the future.
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
