Tag Archives: didn’t

Technology

What Happened To Ride FRSH Air Fresheners From Shark Tank Season 14 ?

For those that did not watch the “Shark Tank” episode when it aired, the jab that led outgoing shark Mark Cuban to sit down out the bidding for Ride FRSH was fairly private. It concerned the cache of air fresheners the Brown brothers chosen to point out off to the “Shark Tank” panel throughout their pitch. One that ended up within the fingers of Cuban was branded with the brand of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

Cuban is, in fact, the proprietor of the Dallas Mavericks NBA franchise. That very 12 months, Golden State bounced Cuban’s Luka Doncic-led Mavericks from the NBA Conference Finals. In a transfer that maybe unnecessarily salted the injuries for Cuban, one of many brothers even took a protracted sniff of a Golden State freshener earlier than declaring, “Smells like winning,” with Cuban advising the Browns they need to’ve learn the room higher earlier than bowing out of the bidding. Donavan and Trey Brown would later admit the jab was intentional and conceived as a promotional stunt.

As a number of main information retailers coated Cuban’s response, it proved a savvy transfer in addition, with the following protection serving to the Browns get their firm’s title out to of us who may’ve missed their primetime debut. Luckily, Barbara Corcoran wasn’t offended by the jab and struck what may very well be a doubtlessly profitable take care of the brothers.

Cars

Do You Remember Oldsmobile’s Strange Luxury Minivan, The Silhouette?

The Oldsmobile Silhouette was an experiment that in the end did not pay out for General Motors, so it ended manufacturing of the first-generation mannequin in 1996. The second-generation Silhouette arrived in 1997 and fully deserted its predecessor’s futuristic search for one thing way more restrained and inoffensive.

It was a a lot better and safer automobile in each approach, however it had a generic look, nearly like a Japanese automotive from the entrance. It additionally seemed extra just like the profitable minivans Chrysler was manufacturing, displaying that GM was nonetheless making an attempt to mimic its rival’s success.

GM made it a bit narrower and smaller total for the second era, making it a greater match for roads exterior North America. The first era noticed some gross sales success in Europe (because the Pontiac Trans Sport), and GM hoped that the second-generation mannequin’s extra standard styling would assist it discover extra European consumers, too.

The second-generation Silhouette has no likelihood of changing into a future basic exactly as a result of it appears to be like like each different automotive. However, a well-looked-after first-generation instance would possibly develop into a prized basic sooner or later due to its daring Dustbuster design.

Electric Vehicles, News

Tesla’s Cybertruck Is Way More Expensive Than Elon Musk First Promised

Elon Musk did not reveal the pricing at the Cybertruck Delivery Event, instead discussing the performance numbers and emphasizing the “bulletproof” stainless-steel bodywork, and posing for photos with the first owners. This could be to avoid direct comparison with the numbers he mentioned four years ago, where the Cybertruck Single Motor RWD was supposed to start at $39,900.

Tesla 2019 Cybertruck pricingTesla/Screenshot SlashGear

According to the product page launched after today’s event, that truck will actually be priced from an estimated $60,990 (before any incentives, rebates, or other savings). This is a difference of more than $21,000, although the estimated 250-mile range and 6.5 second 0-60 mph time remain the same. However, you’ll need to be patient, as this most affordable Cybertruck version is not expected until sometime in 2025.

As for the all-wheel drive Cybertruck Dual Motor, it will cost $79,990 when it arrives in 2024, according to Tesla. This is more than $30,000 higher than the price for the AWD model announced in 2019. However, range and performance have improved: Tesla now claims an estimated 340 miles of driving on a full charge and a 4.1 second 0-60 mph time. Four years ago, the automaker was saying “300+ miles” and 4.5 seconds, respectively.

Car review

Alpine A110 R

Conditions were favourable on the day of our performance tests and, while the A110 R didn’t quite match its acceleration claims, it certainly went quicker than any other derivative we have timed previously.

Launch control is engaged in either Sport or Race driving mode. With electronic stability control set to ESC-Track, you simply hold the car on the brake pedal and give both shift paddles a long pull. The car governs its revs at about 3500rpm, feeding the clutch out quite progressively as you lift off the brake, and making for a getaway that feels brisk but not rapacious, and – thanks to those warm Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres – is always delivered under control, with a surfeit of grip over grunt.

Averaged in two directions, our test car managed 60mph from rest in 4.2sec (half a second quicker than the A110 Première Edition we tested in 2018), and a standing quarter mile in 12.5sec (13.2sec for the standard car). 

In broader terms, of course, that’s not particularly quick for a near-£100,000 sports car (BMW M4 Competition: 3.9sec, 12.1sec; Porsche Cayman GT4 RS: precisely the same). So the question you soon come to acquaint yourself with when driving the A110 R is: how much do I really want a lot of power in my track-ready sports car? How much do I need to accelerate really quickly, or to hear a really appealing, free-revving, multi-cylinder engine?

It isn’t that difficult to answer at least one of those questions, because the A110 R is certainly quick enough to get your pulse racing – on the road or on the track. It responds with a little bit of softness and latency when you apply power from middling revs, but then pulls cleanly and purposefully to well beyond 6000rpm.

So, for a four-cylinder turbo, this motor is strong enough, and it’s well matched to a dual-clutch gearbox of well-chosen ratios that shifts crisply in manual mode.

But, although Alpine has put in plenty of effort to better tune the R’s exhaust, intake resonator pipe and engine cover to give that engine a deeper, more dramatic audible character than it has elsewhere, it does lack some richness and distinguishing mechanical appeal, as well as really big-hitting firepower. For this price, other sports cars give you significantly more of both, leaving the A110 R’s chassis plenty of ground to make up.

Track Notes (Millbrook Proving Ground, Hill Route)

Alpine estimates that the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres on the A110 R are worth between one-half and a full second of lap time at most circuits, compared with the Pilot Sport 4s on an A110 S.

They certainly give the car a powerful hold on dry asphalt, and its tautly controlled body, stability-minded chassis tuning and huge stopping power give you huge confidence to go barrelling into braking zones, and to challenge yourself with how much speed you can carry from apex to apex.

You have to drive the car harder still to tease any adjustability at all from what is a pretty serious-feeling handling balance – and, for the most part, in vain.

The four-cylinder engine typically can’t overwhelm the driven axle’s grip level when accelerating out of tighter bends, and it takes a lot of corner-entry speed to start to move the rear of the car around  on a trailing throttle.

NewsNew

JEREMY MCGRATH’S 2000 CHAPARRAL YAMAHA YZ250: TWO-STROKE TUESDAY

It’s surprising that Jeremy McGrath didn’t already own a Yamaha YZ250 championship bike from his time on the Mazda/Chaparral Yamaha team. This week’s Two-Stroke Tuesday takes a close look at a 2000 Yamaha YZ250 built by Jeremy McGrath and Tim Sharp to honor McGrath’s early 2000s AMA championship-winning machine. While it’s not the actual race bike, it captures the nostalgic feel. We continue the Yamaha YZ250 theme in our Behind The Build feature with an exclusive link you won’t want to miss.

Although not the actual 2000 race machine, the machine built by Jeremy McGrath and Tim Sharp brings back memories of a simpler time in MX/SX history.

This swingarm may not be new, but it looks like it! The Class Acts Autobody team did a fantastic job bringing it back to better-than-showroom condition. Dubya USA restored the wheels and Editor Mark Tilley used his Vapor Honing Technologies VH800 blast cabinet to transform the rear caliper and master cylinder.

This bike is so clean that you could almost eat off the cases. Plus, it features some carbon fiber bling and a part number on the pipe. These details are courtesy of Pro Circuit’s Mitch Payton.

Dubya USA restored the OEM wheel set, giving the hubs a titanium color tint to resemble McGrath’s setup in 2000. Dubya offers similar services to the public upon request.

Mitch Payton of Pro Circuit handled the engine work, and while the specifics are confidential, the result looks factory quality.

Our Managing Editor, Mark Tilley, also contributed to the build, using his Vapor Honing Technologies VH800 vapor blasting machine to clean up parts like the brake master cylinder.

Tim Sharp did an amazing job bringing this 2000 Yamaha YZ250 back to life from a heap of parts in Jeremy’s garage. You can look forward to more on this bike in an upcoming issue of Dirt Bike Magazine.

2-STROKE BEHIND THE BUILD

Mike Brown, a 47-year-old racer with a career spanning over three decades, has competed at a high level in motocross, Supercross and off-road for factory-level teams. While he no longer races for a living, he continues to participate in selected events for Yamaha, FXR and Rockstar Energy for enjoyment. Brown joined the last Wiseco Two-Stroke World Championship at Glen Helen Raceway, lured by the promise of a fun bike and good times.

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW FOR THE FULL STORY

Motorsport

Watch The BMW XM Thunder Up Pikes Peak

BMW’s first attempt to set a new record at Pikes Peak didn’t go as planned. The hybrid SUV crashed during the run in June. The automaker made a second run on September 21, and it was much more successful. The XM now holds the record for the fastest hybrid production SUV to run the course, which you can watch above.

Professional racing driver Matt Mullins piloted the BMW XM Label Red up the hill in 10 minutes, 48.60 seconds. While the time is impressive, the XM trailed the Lamborghini Urus Performante without a hybrid powertrain when it completed the course last year in 10 minutes, 32.06 seconds. It still holds the outright record among production SUVs.


Internet, Technology

YouTube Starts Global Crackdown on Ad Blockers

On October 13, the developers of AdBlock Plus were unable to provide a solution for YouTube’s new problem, according to a blog post on their website. As for uBlock Origin, users on Reddit have reported that the Firefox version of the extension still functions, but it is advised to regularly update the extension and its blocklist to ensure effectiveness. The Reddit post also mentions that YouTube updates their detection scripts twice a day, so users should be prepared for frequent filter updates.

Another post on Reddit suggests that uBlock Origin is also effective at blocking ads on the Brave browser, including the mobile version. The same post recommends using NewPipe for Android, a free and open-source app that provides an ad-free YouTube experience. However, it is important to download NewPipe from official sources such as their website or pages on GitHub or F-Droid, as versions on the Google Play Store may contain advertisements.

For desktop users, there is a workaround discovered by AI developer Shanaj Raj. By requesting the video’s embed code through the Share menu, users can access an ad-free version of the video on a per-video basis. It is important to note that these workarounds are unofficial and may cease to work at any moment. The most reliable way to enjoy an ad-free experience on YouTube is through a Premium subscription.

Motorsport

VW ID. Buzz Mystery Machine Features Custom Wrap, Coilover Suspension

Customizing the Volkswagen ID. Buzz has become popular, and one creative customization idea is to give it a custom wrap. In this case, the van has been transformed into the iconic Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine with psychedelic colors.

The choice to apply the Scooby-Doo theme to the ID. Buzz is not a mystery. This electric van is a modern version of the classic Volkswagen Transporter. An Indonesian company called Concept Motorsport was responsible for the customization, which involved a vinyl wrap created by TeckWrap and other modifications.


Featured

Connectivity Will Be a Key Selling Point for Lamborghini, According to CMO

Lamborghini recently showcased its vision for the future at the Quail, A Motorsports Gathering event by unveiling the Lanzador, a concept car that represents what a high-riding, two-door, four-seater, all-electric GT from the brand could look like. While the reception was mixed, with some confusion and apprehension about the choice of a fully electric powertrain, Lamborghini aims to change attitudes over time. Federico Foschini, Lamborghini’s Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, believes that the company wouldn’t introduce an electric vehicle that couldn’t live up to the brand’s DNA.

The Lanzador is expected to launch as a production model by 2028, making Lamborghini one of the first supercar manufacturers to enter the EV market ahead of competitors like Ferrari, McLaren, Maserati, and Aston Martin. However, there are Lamborghini owners who are opposed to the idea of an electric Lamborghini, as seen in their comments on Instagram.

According to Foschini, Lamborghini’s first fully electric vehicle will combine the elegance and performance of a sporty GT with the comfort and safety of a high-positioned car. Megatrends like electrification and digitalization will play important roles, with connectivity, artificial intelligence, and data management becoming significant factors. While Lamborghinis are generally seen as dream cars, the company recognizes that some customers use them as daily drivers, which influenced the design of the Lanzador to offer more usability.

The target customers for the electric Lamborghini include those who already own an SUV and want a GT, as well as GT owners from other brands. The car is expected to cater to tech-savvy individuals, businessmen, and entrepreneurs who prioritize innovation, technology, and connectivity. Lamborghini’s customer base is relatively young, aged between 40 and 45, and is known for being oriented towards digitalization. Feedback on the Lanzador has been positive, with enthusiasm from attendees and dealers who see it as a step in the right direction for the brand.

Lamborghini recognizes the importance of connectivity in its future vehicles. Foschini acknowledges that the younger generation, who have grown up surrounded by entertainment and connectivity, will expect these features in their cars. Lamborghini cannot ignore this change and needs to provide the basic connectivity features to attract new customers. Foschini emphasizes that while Lamborghini’s DNA is rooted in emotion, performance, and design, connectivity is becoming a fundamental aspect of the car, and not offering it can potentially deter customers.

In conclusion, Lamborghini’s CMO believes that connectivity will become a significant selling point for the brand alongside its performance. The company aims to meet the needs of future customers by embracing technology and providing the connectivity features that are integral to their lives.

Motorsport

Volkswagen ID. GTI Production Version to Debut in 2026, On Sale Early 2027

Volkswagen has wasted no time in announcing its plans for the production version of the ID. GTI Concept, which was recently unveiled at the 2023 IAA Mobility event in Munich. According to CEO Thomas Schäfer, the road-going model is set to make its debut in 2026, with sales expected to begin in early 2027. While details about the electric hot hatch’s specifications are scarce at this stage, it’s exciting to know that it is definitely happening.

One feature that has been confirmed is the inclusion of a front electronic locking differential, which will be adapted from the traditional GTI and GTI Clubsport models. In terms of size, the production model is expected to be similar to the concept version, which measures 161.5 inches (4104 millimeters) in length, 72.4 inches (1840 mm) in width, and 59 inches (1499 mm) in height. Its wheelbase will be 102.3 inches (2600 mm). While larger than the Polo supermini, it remains smaller than the Golf.