Tag Archives: drive

Technology

5 Quick Tips For Organizing Your Google Drive

If you may have a load of information saved in your Google Drive, chances are high you are additionally juggling a bunch of various folders. Sure, this does maintain every part organized, however as a result of the folders are of the identical colours, it may be a headache to search out something simply by scrolling by means of your record. One fast trick to unravel this dilemma is to color-code your folders.

Google Drive permits you to change the default coloration of your folders to considered one of 24 colours. This approach, once you browse your cupboard space, you’ll be able to simply spot the folder you want. Color-coding can also be a intelligent methodology to categorize folders with out lumping them collectively into one massive folder. For occasion, you may have seven folders to your work-related information and three folders to your private media. You can merely coloration all of your work folders inexperienced and the private folders purple.

To change the colour of your folders, this is what it’s worthwhile to do:

  1. Log into Google Drive if you have not already.
  2. Right-click on the folder you want to change the colour of.
  3. Select Organize from the menu.
  4. Under Folder coloration, decide your most popular shade.
Motorsport

Toyota Issues Do-Not-Drive Order For 20 Year-Old Cars With Deadly Takata Airbags

Toyota on Tuesday issued a “Do Not Drive” advisory for sure 20-year-old fashions outfitted with Takata airbags. The declaration impacts 50,000 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4 fashions, with the corporate urging house owners to get their automobiles fastened as quickly as potential.

General Motors additionally issued an analogous advisory for round 11,000 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibes. The two automakers constructed the Corolla Matrix and Vibe on the similar manufacturing unit.

It’s been over a decade since automakers issued the primary remembers for the lethal Takata airbags, which might go on to have an effect on 67 million inflators in tens of hundreds of thousands of vehicles within the US alone. However, regardless of these recall efforts, there are nonetheless vehicles on the highway at this time that haven’t been repaired, and corporations are doing all they will to persuade house owners to get them fastened, with some going so far as to difficulty “Do Not Drive” warnings.

The propellant in these airbag inflators can break down over time when uncovered to longterm temperature fluctuations. This could cause the inflator to blow up throughout deployment, sending shrapnel into the cabin and making older automobiles that haven’t been fastened particularly harmful.

Toyota says the driver-side airbag must be changed within the RAV4. The Corolla fashions want solely their passenger-side airbags changed.

Bad inflators have resulted in 26 deaths within the US, 5 of which occurred in 2022. The inflators have killed greater than 30 folks worldwide, and Toyota isn’t the one automaker going to the extremes to get house owners to conform. Last yr, BMW, Honda, and Ram issued “Do Not Drive” advisories on a number of fashions from the early 2000s.  

To keep updated on every thing in regards to the Takata airbags and to see in case your automobile wants repaired, take a look at the landing page about the recall from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

BMW

BMW mannequin replace measures for spring 2024.

Munich. Additions to the line-up of drive methods and the vary of optionally available extras are set to additional enhance the enchantment and variety of the BMW product vary from spring 2024. The BMW i5 Sedan and BMW iX2 absolutely electrical fashions will every be obtainable from March 2024 with an extra drive system variant. The drive system choices for the BMW X2 and BMW XM have additionally been expanded. The revolutionary Highway Assistant will convey elevated consolation ranges over longer journeys to extra of the model’s mannequin sequence. And further exterior paint finishes shall be supplied for the BMW 5 Series Sedan, BMW X2 and BMW iX2. Customers will even be capable to order the enterprise sedan with new variants of the BMW Individual Merino leather-based trim.

Attractive new options will even be launched in spring 2024 within the space of digital companies. These embody simpler use of the voice assistant Siri (as a part of the combination of the Apple iPhone into automobiles specified with BMW Operating System 9), and the optimised show of scores for charging stations for absolutely electrical and plug-in hybrid BMW fashions. The regular enlargement of the vary of features for the My BMW App additionally continues.

BMW i5 xDrive40: third absolutely electrical variant of the enterprise sedan.

A 3rd absolutely electrical variant shall be added to the brand new BMW 5 Series Sedan line-up in March 2024. The new BMW i5 xDrive40 Sedan (electrical energy consumption, mixed: 20.0 – 17.2 kWh/100 km within the WLTP cycle) has two extremely built-in electrical drive items on the entrance and rear axle which collectively develop a system output of as much as 290 kW/394 hp and peak torque of 590 Nm (435 lb-ft). Underpinned by the resultant electrical all-wheel drive, the BMW i5 xDrive40 Sedan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds. Its prime pace is restricted to 215 km/h (134 mph).

The third absolutely electrical mannequin variant of the brand new enterprise sedan shops its power in a high-voltage battery positioned deep within the automobile flooring. The battery delivers 81.2 kWh of usable power. The automobile’s Combined Charging Unit allows AC charging at a fee of 11 kW as normal and 22 kW as an possibility. And it additionally permits DC charging at fast-charging stations at as much as 205 kW. This means the vary of the BMW i5 xDrive40 Sedan may be elevated by 156 kilometres (97 miles) within the house of ten minutes. The likewise normal Plug & Charge Multi Contract perform allows computerized authentication of the automobile at public charging factors. The vary of the brand new BMW i5 xDrive40 Sedan as calculated within the WLTP cycle is 463 – 538 kilometres (288 – 334 miles).

Additional exterior paint finishes may be specified for all mannequin variants of the brand new BMW 5 Series Sedan from March 2024. The spectrum of colors will now additionally embody the BMW Individual Frozen Portimao Blue metallic and BMW Individual Malachite Green metallic variants. At the identical time, the enterprise sedan will even be supplied with extraordinarily unique BMW Individual particular paint finishes. BMW Individual has provide you with round 150 eye-catching shades (stable, metallic and matt) for this product space. All BMW Individual particular paint finishes stand out with their spectacular depth of color and distinctive lustre. Customers can unlock an summary of the variants for the brand new BMW 5 Series Sedan utilizing the BMW Individual Visualizer, which may be accessed through a hyperlink within the automobile configurator.

Added to which, additional variants of the seat and inside surfaces for the brand new BMW 5 Series Sedan are additionally obtainable. If the optionally available consolation seats have been specified, the BMW Individual Merino leather-based trim can be specified within the bi-colour variants Dark Violet/Atlas Grey and Taupe Grey/Atlas Grey from March 2024.

New entry-level variant for the BMW iX2; launch of the BMW X2 xDrive20d.

BMW’s present mannequin offensive within the space of electrical mobility additionally brings further selection to the premium compact phase. A brand new entry-level variant of the absolutely electrical BMW iX2 will go on sale in March 2024. The new BMW iX2 eDrive20 (electrical energy consumption, mixed: 16.9 – 15.3 kWh/100 km within the WLTP cycle) takes a very economical path to delivering domestically emission-free driving pleasure in a compact Sports Activity Coupé (SAC). Powered by a 150 kW/204 hp electrical motor on the entrance axle, it sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.6 seconds and posts a variety of 439 – 478 kilometres (273 – 297 miles) within the WLTP cycle. Its prime pace is restricted to 170 km/h (106 mph).

The high-voltage battery within the new BMW iX2 eDrive20 serves up 64.78 kWh of usable power and may be charged from AC sources at 11 kW as normal and as much as 22 kW as an possibility. DC charging is feasible at as much as 130 kW. Thanks to extraordinarily environment friendly charging software program and predictive warmth administration functionality, temporary stops are sufficient to considerably enhance the battery cost. In ten minutes hooked as much as a fast-charging station, the BMW iX2 eDrive20 can tackle enough power to spice up its vary by 120 kilometres (75 miles). The BMW iX2 eDrive20 can be outfitted for utilizing the Plug & Charge Multi Contract perform as normal.

Lining up alongside the brand new entry-level variant of the BMW iX2 is the brand new BMW X2 xDrive20d (gasoline consumption, mixed: 5.2 – 4.8 litres/100 km [54.3 – 58.9 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions, mixed: 136 – 125 g/km within the WLTP cycle). The second diesel variant of the compact SAC is distinguished by much more speedy energy supply and even better effectivity courtesy of 48V gentle hybrid expertise. Its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine hyperlinks up with an electrical motor built-in into the seven-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch. The motor serves as a crankshaft-driven starter generator and might each ease the load on the diesel engine and act in unison with it. The drive system develops most output of 120 kW/163 hp (developed by the mix of the combustion engine with as much as 110 kW/150 hp and the electrical motor with as much as 14 kW/19 hp) and peak torque of 400 Nm / 295 lb-ft (developed by the mix of the combustion engine with as much as 360 Nm / 265 lb-ft and the electrical motor with as much as 55 Nm / 41 lb-ft), all of which is channelled to the highway through the clever all-wheel-drive system BMW xDrive. This permits the BMW X2 xDrive20d to speed up from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.6 seconds. Top pace is 207 km/h (129 mph).

From March 2024, all mannequin variants of the brand new BMW X2 and new BMW iX2 will even be obtainable with an expanded vary of exterior paint finishes. Frozen Black metallic is a brand new addition to the choice.

BMW XM 50e: excessive efficiency with most effectivity.

As the newest offshoot of the primary ever electrified high-performance mannequin from BMW M GmbH, the brand new BMW XM 50e (gasoline consumption, mixed: 1.7 – 1.3 litres/100 km [166.2 – 217.3 mpg imp]; electrical energy consumption, mixed: 32.2 – 31.5 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions, mixed: 37 – 30 g/km within the WLTP cycle) blends signature M dynamism, extrovert design and progressive inside luxurious with most effectivity. Its M HYBRID drive system consists of a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and an electrical motor built-in, along with its energy electronics, into the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. This mixture produces system output of 350 kW/476 hp (developed by the mix of the combustion engine with as much as 230 kW/313 hp and the electrical motor with as much as 145 kW/197 hp) and most system torque of 700 Nm / 516 lb-ft (developed by the mix of the combustion engine with as much as 450 Nm / 332 lb-ft and the electrical motor with as much as 280 Nm / 206 lb-ft).

The newest model of the three.0-litre combustion engine fitted within the BMW XM 50e owes its enhanced efficiency traits amongst different issues to the Miller combustion cycle, twin injection, an exhaust manifold built-in into the cylinder head and VANOS variable camshaft timing, which now works electrically. The electrical motor has a pre-gearing stage patented by BMW, which permits the efficient torque on the transmission enter for the motor to be elevated to 450 Nm (332 lb-ft). The prime pace of the high-performance mannequin – which can be outfitted with the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive – is an electronically restricted 250 km/h (155 mph). Thanks to an electrical vary of 77 – 83 kilometres (48 – 52 miles) within the WLTP cycle, the BMW XM 50e can cowl a lot of its on a regular basis mileage – e.g. in city centres – with zero native emissions. And it can be pushed on electrical energy alone past the town limits at speeds of as much as 140 km/h (87 mph).

The best model of the brand new M HYBRID system comes along with the extraordinary presence of the unmistakable high-performance mannequin within the Sports Activity Vehicle phase. The model-specific design options of the brand new variant embody the black accent band alongside the edges of the automobile, plus a encompass for the BMW kidney grille and trim detailing for the rear diffuser (each in Pearl-effect Chrome), exhaust tailpipe trim in Black high-gloss and silver-coloured bordering for the mannequin badge. Customers wishing to convey an additional private contact to the inside of their new BMW XM 50e – which additionally presents a novel mixture of contemporary sports activities automobile aptitude and indulgent luxurious with its M-specific cockpit, M multifunction seats, sculptural headliner and M Lounge within the rear compartment – can specify options together with unique Vintage leather-based for the higher part of the instrument panel and door trim panels.

Highway Assistant: revolutionary Level 2 performance for extra fashions.

Relaxed journey over lengthy distances and a powerful expertise of semi-automated driving are the specialities of the Highway Assistant, which made its debut within the new BMW 5 Series Sedan and is now additionally obtainable for different present BMW fashions.

As an extra perform of the Steering and Lane Control Assistant included within the optionally available Driving Assistant Professional, the Highway Assistant takes over the automobile’s pace management, distance management and steering on motorways with structurally separated carriageways when travelling at as much as 135 km/h (84 mph). The driver can take their arms off the steering wheel and put them in a cushty place, offered they proceed to concentrate to what’s occurring on the highway and are in a position to take over the steering once more at any time. This Level 2 – as decided by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) – semi-automated driving perform will even be obtainable for the BMW 7 Series luxurious sedan, BMW iX, BMW XM, BMW X5, BMW X6 and BMW X7 from spring 2024.

The Active Lane Change Assistant with eye affirmation included as a part of the brand new Highway Assistant provides one other layer to the semi-automated driving expertise. As quickly because the visitors state of affairs permits, it’s able to performing the required steering actions for an overtaking manoeuvre, for instance, and adjusting the automobile’s pace as required. Plus, for the primary time, the driving force is ready to provoke a lane change advised by this method by merely trying within the exterior mirror to verify it.

New digital companies, My BMW App with further features.

Among the digital companies obtainable for the primary time from spring 2024 is the prolonged smartphone integration for automobiles outfitted with BMW Operating System 9. This allows the Siri voice assistant for the Apple iPhone to be activated instantly by voice command and with no need to additionally press the push-to-talk button. Elsewhere, the cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps now boasts improved show of knowledge on charging stations. The obtainable photographs and scores are proven each within the listing of search outcomes and within the detailed show. The charging station scores will now be proven clearly on a scale of zero to 5 stars. 

Added to which, in quite a few European international locations the BMW iDrive show and management/operation system in lots of present fashions additionally allows digital cost of parking charges and – in Germany – additionally gasoline top-ups from contained in the automobile. As with cost of parking charges, this makes use of the bank card data pre-stored within the automobile apps.

As a common digital interface for knowledge alternate between the client and their automobile, the My BMW App presents an ever-expanding variety of features. From spring 2024, Comfort Access with the BMW Digital Key Plus shall be built-in into the My BMW App in automobiles outfitted with BMW Operating System 8, 8.5 or 9. In addition, the map view for choosing navigation locations imported into the automobile has been newly designed. This additionally improves the search perform and the visibility of probably the most related content material. Map and routing features will in future be proposed based mostly on present automobile or person contexts.

Finally, the brand new E-mobility Analysis perform will even be added to the My Trips menu merchandise within the My BMW App. Based on the client’s driving behaviour, this perform proposes the BMW mannequin with all-electric drive system most suited to them. These suggestions are supposed to assist spark curiosity amongst customers of combustion-engined automobiles in switching to an electrical automobile.

At a look: The new BMW fashions for spring 2024*

BMW 5 Series

Output (kW/hp)

Electric energy consumption WLTP (kWh/100 km)

CO2 emissions
WLTP (g/km)

BMW i5 xDrive40

290/394

20.0 – 17.2

0
       

BMW iX2

Output (kW/hp)

Electric energy consumption WLTP (kWh/100 km)

CO2 emissions
WLTP (g/km)

BMW iX2 eDrive20

150/204

16.9 – 15.3

0
       

BMW X2

Output (kW/hp)

Fuel consumption WLTP (l/100 km)

CO2 emissions
WLTP (g/km)

BMW X2 xDrive20d

120/163

5.2 – 4.8

136 – 125
       

BMW XM

Output (kW/hp)

Fuel consumption WLTP (l/100 km)

CO2 emissions
WLTP (g/km)

BMW XM 50e

350/476

1.7 – 1.3

37 – 30

* All new fashions because of enter manufacturing in March 2024.
All figures referring to gasoline/electrical energy consumption and emissions are provisional.

All of the said mannequin variants, tools options, technical knowledge and gasoline/electrical energy consumption and emissions figures relate to the providing within the German market.

Official gasoline consumption, CO2 emissions, electrical energy consumption and electrical vary figures have been decided based mostly on the prescribed measurement process in accordance with European Regulation (EC) 2007/715 within the model relevant. Where a variety is proven, the WLTP figures keep in mind the affect of any optionally available extras.

Only official figures based mostly on the WLTP process can be found for brand spanking new fashions which have been sort examined since 01.01.2021. In addition, in line with EU Regulation 2022/195, the NEDC values will not be included within the EC certificates of conformity as of 01.01.2023. Further data on the WLTP and NEDC measurement procedures can be discovered at www.bmw.de/wltp.

Further data on official gasoline consumption figures and particular CO2 emission values of recent passenger automobiles is included within the following guideline: ‘Leitfaden über den Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen ‘ (Guide to the gasoline economic system, CO2 emissions and electrical energy consumption of recent passenger automobiles), which may be obtained freed from cost from all dealerships, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at https://www.dat.de/co2.

In the occasion of enquiries please contact:

Opinion

Do small automotive drivers have an unfair repute?

What do you suppose once you come throughout or drive up behind a newish small car? Something like a Kia Picanto, MG 3 or Suzuki Swift.

Do you suppose that there should go a sensible individual, as a result of compact automobiles are mild and uncomplicated and straightforward on consumables? That this driver needs to be fairly enlightened, assured inside themselves, to decide on one thing as sensible and normally very competent and refined but critically unassuming?

Do you credit score them for resisting the costly drip funds that might have led them to a extra glamorous but no higher badge on their driveway?

Do you look and suppose that there’s a cause why these client motoring consultants on the world’s longest-established automotive journal, Autocar, are so taken with automobiles like this?

Or do you look and suppose, like a kind of client motoring consultants from Autocar (me), ‘come on, Doris, get out of the way. I’m in an Audi/Mercedes/Tesla and I’ve obtained locations to go’?

Sigh. I’m sorry about this. I genuinely am. But yesterday I came across a small new automotive on a twin carriageway that exited a roundabout and stayed within the overtaking lane, exhibiting no intention to overhaul something, and thought much less kindly about it than I might have performed if it had been, say, a brand new German SUV – a automotive that I do know would both get its skates on and begin passing issues or pull over to the left. I assumed the town automotive doggedly wouldn’t, as certainly it didn’t.

I do know I’m not alone in considering issues like this. I commonly drive automobiles on each side of the dial and I do know you get extra affected person remedy from different highway customers in one thing swanky than you do in one thing small and low cost.

Do you drive a complicated firm automotive? The subsequent time you’re taking it for a service, ask for the most cost effective, smallest courtesy automotive the storage has to learn how it feels to be bullied relentlessly by individuals who assume issues about you.

News

Autocar journal 24 January: on sale now

This week in Autocar, we reveal the model new Volkswagen Golf, drive the the oblique successor to the Ford Fiesta, and why the 3D-printed Czinger 21C might rework the automotive business.

News

The overhauled Volkswagen Golf has been given massive ergonomic , powertrain and design revisions aiming to invigorate the hatch’s attraction – and it will be topped by a GTI that is extra highly effective than ever earlier than.

Over at Honda, the enduring NSX is about to return because the model’s halo EV, with its boss confirming the electrical sports activities automotive might be launched because the flagship to its 0 Series of EVs.

Staying in Japan, we’re reporting on Lexus teaming the LBX with the Toyota GR Yaris to create the Morizo RR – a 300bhp crossover full with go-faster aero.

Reviews

Ford has renewed the Tourneo Courier, its smallest van and MPV, to create what might be the successor to the Fiesta. We learn how it performs with new Puma underpinnings.

The Lexus LM is a newcomer within the luxurious MPV class, nevertheless it’s a lot greater than only a van with seats. Matt Saunders finds out why limousines ought to be fearful.

The beloved Suzuki Jimny has been given a lift in practicality with an additional pair of doorways, however solely in sure markets. We discover out what we’re lacking out on.

Ford street take a look at 5658, we’re testing the 2023 World Car of the Year – the Jeep Avenger. Does this maiden EV for Jeep have what it takes to crack Europe?

Features

The new Kia EV9 finds itself rubbing shoulders with luxurious massive SUVs from established manufacturers, so we have determined to search out out if patrons pays for Korean luxurious by pitting it in opposition to the Land Rover Defender 110 and Audi Q8 E-tron. 

Bicester Scramble, in the meantime, is swapping panama hats for crocs – Murray Scullion finds out why a brand new technology is flocking to the main automotive occasion.

Designed by synthetic intelligence and 3D-printed by robots, the Czinger 21C has the potential to remodel the automotive business, in keeping with these behind it. We head to their US base to search out out what’s what.

Opinion

Matt Prior riffs on automotive prejudice and the way it can have an effect on us all, and why there could quickly be an enormous shift in how we view producers.

Steve Cropley, in the meantime, has change into obsessive about a uncommon 1973 Range Rover, describes an expertise with EVs that we do not worth sufficient, and why he is change into irritated with Zap-Map.

Used

Motorsport

Subaru WRX Sliced In Half After Trying To Pass In Front Of Snow Plow

All-wheel drive might be useful for offering further traction whereas navigating an icy street. But you continue to have to drive cautiously as a result of lateral grip is at a premium, regardless of what number of wheels are placing energy to the bottom. This Subaru WRX driver in New York realized an essential lesson about limits of AWD after they misplaced management and struck a plow truck head-on, slicing the automobile in half. 

The X (previously Twitter) account for the New York State Department of Transportation posted the dashcam video from the snow plow as a warning to different motorists about how to not drive on a snowy street. The clip begins because the WRX is trying to move an enormous rig, not realizing there is no room to squeeze between it and the oncoming plow. The automobile slams into the plow, inflicting an explosion of particles.

 

The video ends with the plow pulling off the street, although photographs of the ensuing wreck have been printed to X by Erik Ghiraduzzi (under). The terrifying photos present the WRX’s rear as a crumpled ball, with the entrance half nonetheless current forward of the B-pillar. It appears like somebody took an enormous knife and reduce the sedan in half. Somehow, nobody was injured. 

 

All-wheel drive can assist you to speed up in slippery conditions, however it will possibly’t make it easier to cease. Whether your car is front-, rear, or all-wheel drive, the 4 brakes are nonetheless the one issues slowing down the car, barring the delicate results of engine braking. So be sure you take care on the market when the climate’s unhealthy. 

Motorsport

Volvo Nearly Built This Boxy Off-Roader In The Nineteen Seventies

Volvo has unearthed sketches of a boxy SUV from the Nineteen Seventies, and Lamborghini had a record-breaking 2023.

This is AM Drive, Motor1’s each day take a look at the information you want earlier than you get in your automotive.

Volvo Uncovers Abandoned SUV Project From The Nineteen Seventies

In the early Nineteen Seventies, Volvo was given extra independence as Volvo Cars was reorganized right into a subsidiary, the Volvo Car Corporation. Despite the oil disaster, the Swedish model had an awesome decade with document gross sales and manufacturing. Several new fashions have been launched all through the last decade. By 1979, the automaker was promoting over 310,000 items yearly.

One mannequin that didn’t materialize right into a manufacturing car was this boxy SUV. Half a century after being left on the proverbial reducing room ground, Volvo’s Heritage division has unearthed sketches of what would’ve been an all-terrain car primarily for Africa. It wasn’t till 2002 the corporate had a sport utility car of its personal but it surely appears the concept of an all-rounder separate from the standard line of sedans and wagons was born within the Nineteen Seventies.

1970s Volvo SUV design sketch
1970s Volvo SUV design sketch

The XC90 was not at all a non secular successor because the thought behind this unnamed car was to provide you with a extra rudimentary car at a cheaper price. Uncovered within the Nineteen Seventies, the three-door car with its rear-mounted spare was peak Volvo boxiness. It had sq. wheel arches and quick overhangs as penned by design supervisor Gunnar Falck after CEO Pehr Gyllenhammar requested him to attract up a car for creating international locations.

Lamborghini Sold 10,112 Cars In 2023, An All-Time High

New Lamborghini Urus S In Italy

Lamborghini established a gross sales document in 2023 when it shipped greater than 10,000 items for the primary time ever. Deliveries rose by 10 p.c to 10,112 automobiles, with the Urus predictably being the driving power behind the robust demand. No fewer than 6,087 SUVs have been bought up to now 12 months when 3,962 folks purchased a Huracan and 63 took supply of a V12 supercar.

The largest single market was the United States with over 3,000 items delivered, adopted by Germany with 961 and China with 845. These have been adopted by United Kingdom (801), Japan (660), the Middle East (496), South Korea (434), Italy (409), Canada (357), Australia (263), France & Monaco (255), Switzerland (211), Taiwan (131), and India (103).

2024 is shaping as much as be an vital yr for Lamborghini contemplating it would replace the Huracan with a new model. The “baby Lambo” is anticipated to lose the naturally aspirated V10 in favor of a downsized turbocharged engine a part of a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Urus can also be getting a PHEV variant this yr to exchange the pure ICE mannequin altogether.

With the rollout of the Aventador-replacing Revuelto, Lamborghini is more likely to lure in additional prosperous patrons into one in all its 184 dealerships unfold throughout 54 international locations. However, new prospects are in for an extended wait. The Italian unique model says it has sufficient orders for the electrified V12 flagship to maintain busy till late 2026.

Opinion

Matt Prior: why electrical SUVs will rewrite the off-road rulebook

I’m intrigued by James Attwood’s current drive of the Audi Q8 E-tron Edition Dakar.

It’s a automotive that directly could possibly be simply dismissed as an costly folly: only some will probably be just a few made, it prices some £20,000 greater than an everyday Q8 E-tron and Audi will cost you one other £8600 for a wrap that appears like its Dakar Rally raider, simply to make sure that you gained’t wish to be seen in it.

Yet on the similar time, it feels to me like a related, early and still-rare foray into electrical off-roading, which is a factor that someday must turn into not extraordinary.

And in the best way that, say, the multifaceted Hyundai Ioniq 5 N can change what we anticipate from efficiency vehicles, so an electrical 4×4 might redefine what we anticipate from off-roaders.

It gained’t simply try to copy what an internal-combustion 4×4 can do now however rewrite the e-book on it.

Jaguar, for instance, by no means pitched the I-Pace as an off-roader, but on its launch in 2018 it took us not solely to a race observe to pattern how effectively it might rotate into corners but in addition up stupidly steep gravel tracks, by way of riverbeds and extra.

The I-Pace has a little-publicised wade depth of 500mm, which individuals don’t routinely got down to problem.

But, in fact, not needing oxygen for a whole bunch of explosions each minute, the best electric car might theoretically wade as deep because it needed. Just pack scuba gear for the occupants.

There’s extra: as Attwood notes, the Edition Dakar has no extra underbody cladding than some other Q8 E-tron.

Partly that’s as a result of it’s not a severe rock-crawler but in addition partly as a result of EVs have already got heavy armour for his or her batteries and have fewer spinning or delicate ancillaries that want it.

Finally, and most significantly for going off street, there’s the ability supply. The manner an engine delivers its energy is basically ruled by the best way it’s designed.

For occasion, large journey or scrambling bikes have large-capacity, few-cylinder engines as a result of they make good quantities of torque but in addition as a result of the uneven, pulsing energy supply can assist a tyre discover higher traction than a smoother torque supply.

An EV can ship torque to wherever it needs, at any time when it needs, solely the way it needs.

News

Renault seems to reshape picture in UK forward of 5 launch

Renault is on a drive to drastically reshape its model picture within the UK, revealing a brand new ‘rethink’ promotional marketing campaign aimed toward selling the distinctive design and technical attributes of its EVs.

Launched forward of the brand new Renault 5’s unveiling at Geneva in February, ‘Renault Rethink’ is a package deal of promotional content material – billboards, TV adverts, social media placements and print pages – that showcases the French model’s new ethos: “We never did ordinary, we don’t do same, we do revolution.”

It all ties into CEO Luca de Meo’s Renaulution transformation technique, launched in 2021 as an all-encompassing suite of measures aimed toward offering the premise for Renault’s future progress and increasing its EV line-up.

The featured vehicles are the model’s three present EVs: the 5, Scénic and Mégane.

News

Car tax: all the things you might want to learn about automobile excise responsibility

There are a number of taxes you might want to learn about to legally drive your automotive. One of a very powerful is automobile excise responsibility, usually abbreviated to VED. 

Having so many taxes may be complicated, so we’ve gathered all the knowledge you might want to know to make sense of all of it proper right here. 

So learn on to search out out what automobile excise responsibility is, which autos it covers and the way you’re alleged to pay. 

What is automobile excise responsibility (VED)? 

Vehicle excise responsibility is a tax paid yearly by drivers of autos which might be used (or parked) on public roads. The tax covers the entire of the United Kingdom (that’s England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). 

The tax covers automobiles, mild items autos, heavy items autos and bikes, and was launched in its present kind in 2001 as a part of a push to scale back pollution being launched into the environment. 

Despite usually being known as ‘road tax’, VED isn’t a tax on the street. It’s on the autos that use it. Road tax was abolished within the Nineteen Thirties.

While many people aren’t followers of taxes, VED brings in vital cash for the federal government. According to the House of Commons library, the tax introduced in £7.4 billion in 2022/23. This determine is predicted to rise to £9.4bn by 2027/28. 

As of 2015’s funds, which was launched by then-chancellor George Osborne and carried out in 2020 by present prime minister Rishi Sunak, all cash raised by way of VED goes again into sustaining the maintenance of the UK street system. 

Further modifications got here in 2020, partly in a bid to extend the attraction of electrical automobile possession. VED was uprated according to the retail costs index (RPI) for automobiles, vans, bikes and motorbike commerce licences, and switched from utilizing the NEDC emissions scale to the WLTP system to ascertain tax bands. You can see the place your automotive would possibly fall within the desk additional down the web page. 

How is automobile excise responsibility calculated? 

Since 1999, VED is calculated in line with the CO2 output of your automobile. Vehicles emitting extra pollution value extra to tax, as a part of efforts to steer drivers to think about shopping for cleaner autos.

Cars registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed based mostly on their CO2 emissions.

Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017 pay a first-year determine in line with their emissions. This will, in fact, be completely different for each automotive. 

All automobiles registered on or after 1 April 2017 pay the identical flat fee from the second 12 months and past, however automobiles with a listing worth of greater than £40,000 pay a premium, referred to as ‘expensive car supplement’, from years two to 6 of registration.