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How to Renew Expired Car Insurance with Tata AIG

Easy online procedures and customer support from Tata AIG allow you to renew your expired car insurance policy hassle-free within minutes

Car insurance is one of the mandatory documents you must possess to drive a car in India. As important as it is to buy a car insurance policy, it is equally essential to renew the same. 

Typically, a four-wheeler insurance policy is valid for a year, and the owner-driver must renew the policy before expiry to avoid any consequences. Many may consider car insurance renewal as an added cost. 

However, there are several benefits of purchasing this  insurance and renewing the same. Primarily, it helps extend the protection shield and abide by the rules for a longer duration.

With Tata AIG’s online features, the two prime aspects – price and ease in process are taken care of. It is now convenient to buy online car insurance and renew it. 

In the article below, we shall discuss what expired car insurance means, why you should renew it and the procedure for renewing car insurance online from Tata AIG.

What is an Expired Car Insurance?

Every four-wheeler policy is valid for a certain period and has an expiry date. If a policy is not renewed before this expiry date, it is termed as expired, lapsed or ‘break-in’ policy. You cannot raise a raise after your policy has expired; hence, you must renew it to make it functional.

Grace Period for Car Insurance Renewal After Expiry

Typically, insurance providers offer a certain period starting from the expiry date, wherein the policyholder can renew the policy without losing over the NCB and other discounts. This period is called the Grace Period. While it is always recommended to renew the policy before the expiry date, in some cases, you still have a grace period if you fail to renew it.

Tata AIG offers a 90 days Grace Period from the date of  insurance expiry. If you renew your comprehensive car insurance policy within this Grace Period, you will retain your accumulated NCB discounts and other benefits. You must renew it within this period to ensure you get all the benefits and pay a higher premium.

How to Renew Expired Car Insurance Offline with Tata AIG

Your Tata AIG car insurance renewal can be done in two ways – offline and online.

You can visit your nearest Tata AIG branch office for offline procedures with your policy and other relevant KYC and policy-related documents. Ensure you proceed with the process within the grace period for smooth functioning. At the branch, fill in the application form, and pay the fee via cheque, cash or online. On submission of the form and other documents, your car renewal procedure shall begin.

How to Renew Expired Car Insurance Online with Tata AIG

Many often forget to renew their insurance policy for their car before it expires. Renewing an expired car insurance is no longer a challenging task. Insurance providers like Tata AIG offer hassle-free and quick procedures to renew your car insurance online.

Below are the steps to renew your expired car insurance policy online with Tata AIG:

Step 1: Visit the official website of Tata AIG.

Step 2: Under the All Products tab, select Car Insurance.

Step 3: You will be directed to their Car Insurance Page. A small form appears on the top of the page. Fill in your car registration number and click on ‘Renew’.

Step 4: Fill in your personal details.

Step 5: Select add-ons as per requirement. Tata AIG offers 12 unique add-ons to enhance your comprehensive plan coverage.

Step 6: Enter your car-related details like the car’s name and model, RTO office number, etc. You will also be prompted to add details of the claim raised in the previous year as well as the policy expiration date.

Step 7: Your car insurance premium is displayed on the screen.

Step 8: Make a secure payment online, and your policy is renewed.

Step 9: You will receive your policy documents and other details on your registered WhatsApp number or email address.

Things to Keep in Mind When Your Car Insurance is Expired

Ideally, you must always renew your four-wheeler insurance before the expiry date. However, in some cases, if your insurance is inactive, here are a few things you must remember.

  • Tata AIG offers a 90 days grace period to renew your existing four-wheeler insurance policy; the sooner you renew, the better.

  • Avoid driving without a valid (inactive) insurance policy for a car, as there may be a chance of getting caught by the cops, and you may have to pay a hefty penalty.

  • Evaluate the options carefully before renewing.

  • Consider buying online car insurance, which helps you compare and calculate premiums and offers easy and paperless procedures.

  • You can also opt for long-term policies while renewing; this will eliminate the concern of renewing the policy yearly.

Why Should You Renew Car Insurance Before Expiry?

The Motor Vehicles Act 1988 mandates every four-wheeler driver to have a valid insurance policy to be eligible to drive on Indian roads. If you fail to renew your policy, it may have both legal and financial consequences. 

Some of the reasons to renew your expired car insurance include:

  • You will receive no compensation for losses: An essential reason for buying car insurance is to protect yourself, your car or the third party from any possible injury or losses. If you opt for third-party insurance, you will get coverage for the damage done to the other party and in comprehensive insurance, you get covered under various other scenarios. However, if your policy lapses, you will not get any coverage, and any loss or damage must be borne by you entirely.

  • You may face legal consequences: Having at least third-party insurance is mandatory. If found driving without valid insurance may attract legal penalties. In Maharashtra, the penalty for driving without insurance is ₹2,000 (first offence) or imprisonment of up to three months. Repeated offences may attract a fine of ₹4,000 or imprisonment of three months.

  • To keep your No Claim Bonus (NCB) intact: A no-claim bonus is a discount an insurance company gives on your premium for every claim-free year. Tata AIG offers NCB that can be accumulated for a maximum of five consecutive years up to a maximum of 50% discount. If you have accumulated a good discount and not renewed the policy before expiry, you will lose out on these bonuses. This means you will have to pay a higher premium.

  • You may have to go through the inspection procedure again: If your existing insurance policy for the car has expired, renewal of the same can be done. However, you may have to go through inspection procedures all over again.

To Sum Up

Valid car insurance is legally required to drive your car on public roads in India. Moreover, it is for your and third-party safety. Car insurance renewal after expiry can have serious consequences. Hence, it would be best to always aim to renew it before expiration. Easy online procedures and customer support from Tata AIG allow you to renew your expired car insurance policy hassle-free within minutes.

News

Steam Deck OLED And Legion Go Face Off In iFixit Fixability Teardown

Another area where the two brands take a different approach is how easy it is to take out the battery units. Steam Deck OLED is still loyal to the cause of smattering a generous heap of glue, which needs heating and prying to take the L-shaped battery out. The Legion Go makes it a tad difficult to access the battery by hiding it behind wires and brackets. However, removing it only requires you to pull flexible adhesive tabs, and it comes off without any risky business.

Notably, the internal engineering between the two handhelds is quite different. The Steam Deck was designed with repairability as one of the key priorities, and that reflects the moment you pop open its shell. In fact, Valve made some crucial changes over the past two generations despite the front design staying identical. iFixit notes that screw pillars on the OLED model have been upgraded with metal threads, which significantly decreases the chances of them getting stripped compared to the previous-gen’s plastic threads.

The Lenovo handheld could’ve done a better job with cable management and ease of accessing the internal components. However, both the gaming consoles still stick with soldered slots for the microSD card and the USB-C port, which is less than ideal from a longevity perspective. Overall, neither device is a repairability hell, but the Steam Deck came out on top with a repairability score of nine out of 10, compared to the eight out of 10 figure posted by the Legion Go.

News

2024 Suzuki GSX-8R: 10 Things To Know

The motorcycle community isn’t always kind to Suzuki but the brand produces some of the most underrated motorcycles ever. The latest addition is the GSX-8R, a powerful middleweight sportbike that’s easy to live with and packs a punch.

The 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R is essentially a GSX-8S with a fairing, clip-ons, and better suspension. It offers a forgiving and entertaining riding experience, making it an excellent base for a sports bike.

10 Essentially A GSX-8S With Sport Fairing And Clip-Ons

Let’s set the expectations straight — the 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R is essentially a GSX-8S with a fairing, clip-ons, and better suspension. It’s a forgiving middle-weight bike with a lot of usable power and stable handling, making it one of the most user-friendly motorcycles available today. It’s an excellent base for a sports bike, but what may limit this sports bike is the low-set pegs that can cause ground clearance issues like on the 8S.

Features That The New GSX-8R Gets Over The R Variant

  • Showa upside down big piston forks and a matching monoshock
  • Additional 7 pounds in curb weight and 1.2 inches in height
  • Race-inspired fairings with separate forged aluminum handlebars

9 Striking Design With Emphasis On Mechanical Beauty

Sticking to the brand’s futuristic design, the GSX-8R is a modern interpretation of the Gixxer heritage. This sports bike aims for functional beauty, drawing your attention to the engine and painted underpinnings to highlight the mechanical beauty of the bike. The aggressive mass-forward design with a sleek tail and stacked headlights is striking, and while it may not appeal to everyone, it will surely turn heads on the road.

Design Highlights

  • Wind-tunnel-tested aerodynamically-designed fairings that slice through the air for optimal performance
  • Stacked hexagonal headlights with Koito mono-focus LED lights
  • Painted seat rails, exposed engine, short muffler design, and sleek tail emulate the bike’s focused character
  • The short muffle is neatly tucked under the chassis to reduce the visual weight of the bike

8 Stopping Power Courtesy Of Nissin

The braking duty of the 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R is handled by Nissin, carried over from this bike’s naked sibling. The front gets a dual-disc setup with radial-mount Nissin four-pot calipers with a single-disc rear setup. Suzuki claims the braking system offers excellent feedback and braking force, which was also the case with the brakes on the GSX-8S. What will help the brakes perform even better are the Dunlop RoadSport 2 radial tires, which give better feedback and confidence than the Roadsmart 2 on the naked GSX-8S. And there’s always the safety net of dual-channel ABS.

Braking And Tire Specifications

Front Brake

Dual 310mm disc with radial-mount four-pot Nissin calipers

Rear Brake

Single 240mm disc with Nissin single-piston caliper

Front Tires

120/70Z R17 M/C

Rear Tires

180/55Z R17 M/C

Tires

Dunlop Roadsport 2 radial tires

Specifications sourced from Suzuki

7 Slew Of Electronics And Tech-Wizardry

Electronics Suite: Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS)

The Suzuki GSX-8R gets the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS), promising to make the riding experience safe, exciting, and comfortable. This system will back you up regardless of what you’re doing — commutes, spirited canyon runs, or an occasional track day. For deserts, the bike also gets dual-linked electronic throttle bodies with an Accelerator Position Sensor, which Suzuki claims improves throttle response.

Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS)

  • Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS) with three modes: Active, Basic, and Comfort
  • Suzuki Traction Control System (STCS) with four modes
  • Bi-directional Quick Shifter System
  • Ride-by-Wire
  • Suzuki Easy Start
  • Suzuki Low RPM Assist

6 Agile Chassis With Focus On Practicality

Chassis Type: Backbone Style Frame

The Suzuki GSX-8R gets the same frame as the GSX-8S, engineered for comfort and approachability. The bike is supposed to be agile and comfortable for all riding conditions, but what should make the handling even better than its naked sibling is the new suspension.

The GSX-8S gets an already capable KYB suspension, but the GSX-8R gets a Showa SFF-BP fork and a matching monoshock that are tuned for agility and feedback. According to Yuta Endo, Assistant Design Manager at Suzuki, the Showa suspension is targeted for both city and circuit riding, and it is more linear with 30% more damping force. That’s a promising suspension setup for this sports bike.

Chassis And Suspension Specifications

Chassis Construction

High-rigidity stainless steel with the engine as a stressed member

Rake / Trail

25-degree / 4.1 inch

Wheelbase

57.7 inches

Front Suspension

41mm Showa SFF-BP inverted fork

Rear Suspension

Showa mono-shock

Suspension Travel

5.1-inch front/back

Specification sourced from Suzuki

5 Mildly Sporty Ergonomics That Balance Comfort And Performance

The GSX-8R is also a comfort-oriented sports bike. The bike gets the same narrow chassis and low-set footpegs as the GSX-8S, but the handlebar makes way for clip-ons, which make the ergonomics relaxed with a mild lean forward. The seat is also well-padded and the windshield and fairing reduce windblast, according to Suzuki, resulting in a sports bike that isn’t as committed as others in the segment.

Comfort And Dimension Specifications

Dimensions (L x W x H)

84.8″ x 30.3″ x 44.7″

Ground Clearance

5.7 inch

Seat Height

31.9 inch

Curb Weight

452 pounds

Fuel Capacity

3.69 gallons

Sourced from Suzuki

4 Parallel Twin With A V-Twin Rumble

The 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R has a parallel-twin engine with a 270-degree firing order, offering a V-twin rumble. The stainless steel 2-into-1 exhaust creates a pleasant sound, and the engine is designed to deliver a satisfying performance and exciting acceleration.

3 New Road Biased SuperTwin Engine

The GSX-8R is the fourth Suzuki to get the new-gen DOHC parallel twin with a 270-degree firing order. The engine produces 85% of peak torque at 4,000 rpm and 95% of the same at 5,500 rpm, offering a punchy low end, making it a breeze to ride in the city.

The parallel-twin engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with gear ratios that offer exciting acceleration. The transmission is mated to a large diameter wet clutch with Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS), which acts as a slip/assist clutch. Also, there’s a bi-directional quick shifter for smooth and comfortable gear selection.

Engine Highlights

  • The first production motorcycle to get the Suzuki Cross Balancer System
  • The pistons are developed using Infinite Element Method (FEM) analysis for optimum strength and weight
  • The aluminum die-cast cylinders are plated with Suzuki’s SCEM process, originally developed for racing
  • The engine is compact in design, aiding ergonomics and nimble handling of the bike

Engine Specifications

Engine Capacity

776cc

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin

Firing Order

270-degree

Compression Ratio

12.8:1

Peak Torque

60.2 pounds-feet @ 6,800 rpm

Transmission

6-speed constant mesh

Rated MPG

67.23

2 Watch Out, Yamaha YZF-R7 And Aprilia RS 660

The Suzuki GSX-8R poses a threat to its rivals, especially the YZF-R7 and RS 660. It offers a reliable engine and a suite of electronics at a relatively affordable price, making it a compelling option in the middleweight sportbike segment.

2024 Suzuki GSX-8R Rivals

  • Yamaha YZF-R7
  • Aprilia RS 660
  • Honda CBR650R
  • Kawasaki Ninja 650

1 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R: Pricing, Color, And Accessories

Base MSRP: $9,439 With a $460 Destination Charge And $100 Freight Surcharge

The 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R is priced at an attractive base MSRP and comes in three colors: metallic triton blue, pearl ignite yellow, and metallic matte sword silver. Suzuki offers a 12-month unlimited mileage limited warranty along with optional longer coverage through Suzuki Extended Protection, making it a great value proposition for motorcycle enthusiasts.

Optional Genuine Suzuki Accessories

  • Solo seal cowl
  • Smoked touring windshield
  • Billet clutch and brake levers
  • Fuel tank and engine cover protectors
  • Soft side case set and a fuel tank bag
  • Stylish seat
  • Suzuki apparel
News

The Rarest Sports Cars In The World

Summary

  • Online platforms like YouTube and Instagram make it simple to seek out content material about uncommon vehicles, offering entry to automobiles that could be tough to see in particular person.
  • Some sports activities vehicles are extremely uncommon, with manufacturing numbers within the double or single digits. Examples embody the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and Aston Martin DBR1.
  • Certain uncommon sports activities vehicles, just like the Jaguar XKSS, have historic significance and are extremely wanted by collectors. The restricted manufacturing numbers and racing heritage contribute to their desirability and worth.

In this high-tech age of social media, content material about uncommon vehicles is fast and straightforward to seek out. Deceptively so in lots of circumstances, but because owners and collectors love to share and sometimes exhibit, it’s fortunate to have entry to uncommon and costly vehicles by way of on-line content material that we could by no means get an opportunity to see in actual life.

It’s simple to log onto YouTube or Instagram and seek for the uncommon vehicles we wish to see and study, so it is simply as simple to neglect how uncommon a few of these sports activities vehicles really are. 992 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, only about 2,500 were made. Ferrari F40 has only about 1,300 examples. Putting that into perspective, Toyota bought 295,201 models of their 2022 Camry. Meanwhile, Koenigsegg has only ever made an estimated 215 cars within the entirety of the Swedish model’s existence.

Even with the infinite quantity of on-line automobile content material about uncommon and distinctive examples, there are nonetheless some which are elusive because of the plain and easy reality that there have been solely a handful of them ever made. In some circumstances, “handful” takes a literal which means. Spanning many years from the Fifties to the Eighties, there are sports activities vehicles so uncommon, that you’ll have not identified there have been so few.

We have gathered dependable info on-line by way of Supercars.internet, Top Gear and MotorTrend in addition to producer heritage websites like Jaguar Heritage and Ferrari to collect a listing of the rarest sports activities vehicles ever made.

RELATED: Jaguar To Restart Production of Classic XKSS

10 1960 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider

Production Numbers: 106 models

Red Ferrari 250 California
Mecum

Starting this record with the automobile made in essentially the most numbers, the 250 California was constructed utilizing the identical chassis and drivetrain as the race-bred 250 GT Tour de France. Commissioned by Jon Von Neumann and Luigi Chinetti for the Ferrari’s native market namesake, it was already a uncommon automobile even again within the interval. Its curvaceous physique was designed by Pininfarina and was then formed by Carrozzeria Scaglietti and paired with the competitors Colombo V-12 engine, the 250 California is just as fast as it is beautiful.

Specifications And Price

Production interval

1957-1963

Engine

3.0-liter Colombo V-12

Power

240 – 280 horsepower

Production numbers

106 models

Last sale worth

$18,045,000 (2023)

That was really what Jon Von Neumann had in thoughts when he introduced up his thought to Chinetti, Ferrari’s agent for the usA., who then introduced the concept as much as the “Il Commendatore” himself who fortunately, preferred the concept. Neumann needed a Ferrari that was stunning sufficient to be taken to a dinner date out on the town and be aggressive on the racetrack on the weekends. And win it did, at Sebring and even ending fifth total at Le Mans.

9 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder

Production Numbers: 90 models

1955 Porsche 550 RS Spyder
Massimo Campanari / Shutterstock

What is likely to be the preferred automobile on this record, the 1955 550 Spyder is the primary purpose-built manufacturing sports activities racing automobile that Porsche ever produced. Designed from day one and from the bottom as much as be a race automobile, the small and light-weight roadster proved to be simply what the younger automaker wanted to remain aggressive towards different producers who have been equally wanting to showcase their engineering and the capabilities of their creations.

Specifications And Price

Production interval

1953-1956

Engine

1.5-liter Fuhrmann four-cam flat-four cylinder air-cooled engine

Power

110 horsepower

Production numbers

90 models

Last sale worth

$4,185,000 (2022)

While the 356 did start the motorsports’ heritage of Porsche, it was the 550 Spyder that confirmed the world that they wanted to be taken severely and have been a drive to be reckoned with. By profitable the primary race occasion it participated in on the Nürburgring Eifel Race in 1953, Porsche demonstrated that giant displacement engines weren’t the one option to win races. After 95 total victories, 75 class wins and a complete of 370 race occasions participated in, the 550 Spyder rightly deserved its moniker “the giant killer”.

RELATED: The Raw V-12 Soundtrack Of This 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO Will Send Goosebumps Down Your Spine

8 1951 Jaguar XK-120-C

Production Numbers: 53 models

Fangio Jaguar C-Type
Jaguar

The Jaguar XK120-C got here as an evolution of the usual XK120 that the British producer entered in Le Mans in 1950. With a twelfth-place end, Jaguar engineers have been impressed to remodel the XK120 which, at the moment, was the quickest automobile on the planet, to be extra suited to the pains of the 24-hour race earlier than it returned a yr later to efficiently safe an total win with Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead on the wheel.

Specifications And Price

Production interval

1951-1953

Engine

3.4-liter twin-cam straight-six cylinder XK6 engine

Power

160 – 200 horsepower

Production numbers

53 models

Last sale worth

$13,2000,000 (2015)

C- standing for “competition” represented Jaguar’s intent for the automobile, making the C-Type a really totally different automobile from the XK120 it was based mostly on. Built round a very totally different tubular chassis and a extra aerodynamic-conscious physique, the C-Type maximized the efficiency out of the identical straight-six-cylinder engine that powered the XK120. All in all, Jaguar made a total of only 53 examples for shoppers who have been keen to pay the value for the most effective sports activities racing automobile Jaguar needed to supply. The most well-known instance is one which was beforehand owned by the nice Juan Manuel Fangio.

7 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

Production Numbers: 33 models

The golden age of sports activities automobile racing positively impressed distinctive shapes, and the aluminum physique that clothed the 250 Testa Rossa was definitely of a unique design. Styled and shaped by Carrozzeria Scaglietti over the 1956 Ferrari 500 TR chassis and across the profitable 250 Tour de France Colombo V-12 engine, the 250 Testa Rossa was designed with reliability in thoughts fairly than outright velocity on account of Ferrari’s concentrate on profitable the 24-Hours of Le Mans.

Specifications And Price

Production interval

1957-1961

Engine

3.0-liter Colombo V-12

Power

300 horsepower

Production numbers

33 models

Last sale worth

$39,800,000 (2014)

Known as one in every of Ferrari’s most profitable sports activities racing vehicles, the 250 Testa Rossa was meant to be campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari in addition to privateer groups. The manufacturing facility Ferrari staff would concentrate on the longer and greater races, whereas privateers took care of the smaller SCCA and European occasions. With its racing pedigree, beautiful physique, and rarity; it’s no surprise the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa trades fingers for as a lot because it does. Famously, Ralph Lauren owns chassis number 0734 which is quantity fourteen of the thirty-three ever made.

RELATED: The Blue Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale Is Real, Although It Doesn’t Seem Like It

6 1957 Jaguar XKSS

Production Numbers: 25 models

1957 Jaguar XKSS

If there ever was a “race car for the street” as the line claims, the Jaguar XKSS would be it. Originally constructed as a sports activities racing automobile, the Jaguar XKSS began life as a D-Type the automaker had left-over after deciding to step again from racing. Soon after, the excess D-Types could be transformed to road-going variations of the profitable D-Type racers and could be bought to the general public with extra creature comforts that have been put in in the course of the conversion.

Specifications And Price

Production interval

1957 and 2016-2017

Engine

3.4-liter twin-cam straight-six cylinder XK6 engine

Power

160 – 200 horsepower

Production numbers

25 models

Last sale worth

$13,205,000 (2023; unique sequence automobile)

The thought of a race automobile for the street wasn’t misplaced on the King of Cool, Steve McQueen, as he famously owned one, regularly noticed rushing round Los Angeles in his British Racing Green instance. Only twenty-five have been ever made, which was additional lessened to sixteen when the 1957 hearth broke out in Jaguar’s Browns Lane manufacturing facility rising its desirability much more. So fascinating the truth is, that again in 2016, Jaguar introduced that it might be hand-building the remaining nine as “continuation cars” precisely how the originals have been constructed again of their day.

5 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

Production Numbers: 19 models

Red Aston Martin DB4
Aston Martin

Aston Martin and Zagato. These two names, when put collectively, assure stunning styling, restricted manufacturing numbers, and unbelievable values. This specific Zagato-styled Brit started off as an already rare Aston Martin; the DB4GT. Lighter and shorter than the common DB4, the Zagato was the competitors model of which the bulk landed within the possession of gentleman racers who used them as day by day transport from Monday to Friday, and as a observe software on Saturdays and Sundays.

Specifications And Price

Production interval

1960

Engine

3.7-liter double-overhead-cam straight-six engine

Power

310-horsepower

Production numbers

19 models

Last sale worth

$9,520,000 (2021)

Styled by the well-known Italian design home, the DB4GT Zagato was lighter than the common mannequin by almost 300-pounds so, even with an untouched 3.7-liter straight-six engine, the Zagato raced towards the Ferrari 250 GTs of the interval. Sadly, it was by no means as aggressive as Aston Martin would have liked, but with the help of Carrozzeria Zagato, and gentleman racers of the interval like Sir Sterling Moss and Roy Salvadori, it stays one of the crucial fascinating sports activities vehicles from the British automaker.

RELATED: Brabus Restored The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing To Perfection

4 1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale

Production Numbers: 18 models

Drawn by Franco Scaglione and constructed by Autodelta, Alfa Romeo’s then-racing division, the Tipo 33 Stradale is the homologation model of its sports activities prototype racer siblings. Recognized not solely as essentially the most stunning Alfa Romeo however as one of the crucial stunning Italian vehicles ever made, the Tipo 33 Stradale isn’t all for present. Sharing its chassis and engine with its 5 racing siblings, the 33 Stradale was additionally quick. Topping out at 162 miles per hour and getting rid of sixty in 5.7 seconds.

Specifications And Price

Production interval

1967-1969

Engine

2.0-liter V-8

Power

227 – 254 horsepower

Production Numbers

18 models

Last sale worth

$10,000,000 plus estimated

With its racing heritage, achingly stunning bodywork, and its high-strung small-displacement V-8, the 33 Stradale is as unique as it’s fascinating. And it looks like Alfa Romeo knew this even again in 1968, pricing it at $17,000 which made it the most costly manufacturing automobile of the interval. Made in such small numbers, its worth has positively elevated right now. But due to its rarity and sweetness, examples very not often change fingers leaving us to solely speculate on its market worth right now.

3 1956 Aston Martin DBR1

Production Numbers: 5 models

The first single-digit rarity within the record is one other Aston Martin. The DBR1 is pivotal to Caroll Shelby’s profession as a driver and a race automobile builder. Being the automobile that introduced him his Le Mans win, it may be argued that the Aston Martin DBR1 led to Ford approaching him for assist to attain a hit of their very own within the grueling 24-hour race.

Specifications And Price

Production interval

1956-1959

Engine

2.5-liter and three.0-liter straight-six cylinder engine

Power

250-horsepower

Production numbers

5 models

Last sale worth

$22,550,000 (2017)

Built over a tubular body chassis, the DBR1 was 50 kilos lighter than the DB3S that got here earlier than it. Eventually competing with a 3.0-iter straight-six engine, the DBR1 secured Aston Martin’s first and, thus far, solely outright Le Mans win in 1959. The automobile that earned the $22 million sale worth can also be the one DBR1 to ever go on public sale. With such an evocative physique form, and a racing historical past with such names as Caroll Shelby, Sir Sterling Moss, and Jack Brabham, this one-of-five David Brown-era Aston makes a compelling case for its present estimated worth

RELATED: 2022 Aston Martin V12 Speedster DBR1

2 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe

Production Numbers: 2 models

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe profile shot
Mercedes

As manufacturing numbers get smaller, values and sale costs get increased. And the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is proof of that. Breaking public sale data a number of occasions over, the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut was Mercedes-Benz’s W196 Formula 1 automobile cross-dressing as a 300 SL Gullwing. Designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, from whom the automobile bought its nickname, the designer was accountable for lots of Mercedes’ racing victories within the Fifties, including Sir Sterling Moss’ open-top 722 300 SLR.

Specifications And Price

Production interval

1955

Engine

3.0-liter direct-injection straight-eight cylinder M196 S engine

Power

272-horsepower

Production numbers

2 uniits

Last sale worth

$142,000,000 (2022)

From Formula 1 to sports activities automobile racing, Mercedes had gained all of it till the 1955 Le Mans tragedy. Which fortunately, spared the 2 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes that the profitable designer had by then developed into road-going sports activities vehicles. Having been used solely as growth vehicles, the 2 Uhlenhaut Coupes have all the time been beneath the possession of Mercedes-Benz, till final yr, when luxurious automotive dealer Simon Kidston satisfied them to promote one of many solely two ever made.

1 1986 Ferrari Testarossa Spider

Production Numbers: 1 unit

Silver 1986 Ferrari Testarossa Spider Agnelli
Ferrari

The second Testa Rossa in our record isn’t as storied as the primary on the subject of racing historical past, however it doesn’t imply it’s any much less particular. The 1986 Testarossa is no doubt the Ferrari that comes to mind when “Testarossa” is mentioned. The cheese grater facet strakes on the V-12 sports activities tourer from Ferrari unmistakably date-stamps it as an icon of the eighties. Made much more well-liked by the hit TV present Miami Vice and with 9,930 models made between 1984 and 1996, the ’80s Testarossa is just not fairly uncommon…aside from one.

Specifications And Price

Production interval

1986

Engine

4.9-liter Tipo 113 V-12 engine

Power

385-horsepower

Production numbers

1 unit made by Ferrari

Last sale worth

$1,300,000 (2016)

Built for Giovanni Agnelli, the Chairman of Fiat who by then owned Ferrari and Lancia. The Testarossa Spider was commissioned to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of his chairmanship of Fiat. While there were subsequent Spiders built by Pininfarina and Straman on special order, the silver Testarossa Spider is the one instance ever constructed by Ferrari. Finished in Argento Nürburgring and adorned with its “Cavalino Rampante” Ferrari brand forged in pure silver as a nod to the “AG” letters within the large boss’ surname which coincidentally, can also be the periodic desk image for silver.

News, Technology

Meta Expands Messenger E2E Encryption With Full Launch Coming Soon

Implementing end-to-end encryption was a challenging task that took several years to complete. In a blog post, Meta explains that the process involved transitioning to a new server architecture and rewriting the code base to work across multiple devices, rather than just the server. Meta had to rebuild over 100 features on top of the updated code stack to support encryption. One example given is the integration of rich URL previews, which were previously pulled by Meta’s servers. Now, the Messenger app itself visits the shared URL, retrieves the necessary information, and displays the preview. Although this adds a bit of extra time, the entire feature pipeline has been redesigned to accommodate end-to-end encryption without compromising on functionality and privacy.

In addition, Meta is testing an on-device recovery option for encrypted chats. This feature requires users to set up a PIN or generate a code. Meta is also exploring the option of enabling users to save these chats on a third-party cloud storage service like Apple’s iCloud. While end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages is currently in the testing phase, Meta’s safety chief, Antigone Davis, mentioned in an article for The Telegraph that the chat privacy feature will be implemented for Instagram DMs by the end of 2023.

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2024 Dodge Charger EV: Everything We Know So Far

The era of muscle cars may be coming to an end as automakers transition to electrification. While electrification is more accepted in everyday cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs, sports car and muscle car enthusiasts are less keen on the idea of abandoning fuel and exhaust for electric power. However, Dodge has unveiled the Charger EV Concept, giving us a glimpse of what the future of electric muscle cars could look like. Let’s explore everything we know about this groundbreaking vehicle.

Dodge has not released many details about the production version of the Charger electric muscle car. So far, we have only seen production-ready concepts and vague promises. However, when Dodge revealed the Charger Daytona SRT Concept Stryker Red, it shared some information about its plans for electrified performance.

The Charger EV will be available in two trim classes: Charger 340 and Charger 440. The base Charger EV will have 455 horsepower, and additional horsepower can be added through over-the-air updates with “eStage kits.” Dodge will provide a “DC Crystal Key” and fender badges to authenticate and unlock the power upgrade. With these upgrades, the base Charger 340 can be upgraded to produce 495 or 535 horsepower. Similarly, the Charger 440 can be upgraded to 630 or 670 horsepower. There is also a high-performance model called the Charger Daytona SRT Banshee, which will run on an 800-volt architecture and could potentially have 707 horsepower or more.

The 2024 Dodge Charger EV will be built on Stellantis’ new STLA platform, specifically the STLA Large version. This platform supports battery sizes ranging from 101-118 kWh, potentially enabling a range of up to 500 miles with the right weight optimization and battery configuration. While it may not be the longest-range EV on the market, even 450 miles per charge would be impressive. Additionally, the Charger EV will offer fast charging rates of up to 20 miles per minute.

To address the concerns of V-8 enthusiasts, Dodge will incorporate sound synthesizing technology into the Charger EV. The Fratzzonic Chambered Exhaust System will emit a roar similar to that of a Hemi V-8, providing a more traditional driving experience for enthusiasts transitioning to electric cars.

As of now, there is no official information on pricing or availability for the Charger EV. However, considering the potential demand for high-performance models like the Banshee, pricing is expected to be higher, starting around $50,000 or $60,000 for the Charger 340 EV and potentially reaching closer to $100,000 for the Banshee.

News

10 SUVs That Saved Some Of The Biggest Automakers From Going Bankrupt

Running a car company is not easy. Elon Musk tweeted in March 2021 that the only American car manufacturers not to have ever gone bankrupt among the 1,000s of startups are Ford & Tesla. Times have shown that market forces can take out huge car companies – the 2008 financial crisis nearly crippled the American auto industry, with the big three manufacturers needing government bailouts or loans to survive.

Most of the big automakers have faced the prospect of complete collapse. Fortune has favored some of them, with salvation coming from one or more of the manufacturer’s car models. Unbeknownst to many, some of the world’s top car companies were saved by their SUV offerings. Here are 10 SUVs that saved some of the biggest automakers.

RELATED: History Of The Ford Explorer

10 Nissan Qashqai

resize_Nissan-Qashqai-2007-1600-05

In the late 90s, it looked like Nissan wouldn’t survive beyond the turn of the millennium. The company’s fortunes changed when Renault invested $5.4 billion in Nissan, acquiring a 37 percent stake. Given free rein at Nissan to turn the company around, Carlos Ghosn slashed costs, shutting down inefficient factories in Japan, laying off personnel, and restructuring deals with suppliers. The aggressive plan worked, with Nissan regaining profitability fairly rapidly.

To reclaim its 70s glory days, Nissan needed a car to outsell its rivals. An attempt at new generation Almera failed, as Nissan’s hierarchy realized it wouldn’t be as profitable as required nor satisfy customer demands.

Therefore, Nissan debuted an audacious concept, the Qashqai, a blend between a hatchback and a SUV. Despite being affordable, compact, and designed for family use, the Qashqai represented a huge risk for Nissan. However, the Qashqai defied bleak predictions by the media. Primarily manufactured in Sunderland, U.K., the Qashqai became a global sensation: by 2017, Nissan had sold 3.3 million units. The vehicle’s stunning success helped Nissan reestablish itself as one of the world’s leading automakers.

9 Ford Escape

Red 2003 Ford Escape
Ford
An action shot of a 2003 Ford Escape

Unlike its competitors, GM and Chrysler, Ford didn’t need government money to survive the 2008 recession. It borrowed money, sold brands like Land Rover, Aston Martin, and Volvo, and improved its most profitable vehicles, making them more fuel efficient without compromising their capabilities. Despite Ford forgoing investments in crossovers, the Ford Escape unexpectedly proved essential in Ford’s ascent to profitability.

In 2011, the Ford Escape, which had received minimal upgrades since its debut in 2001, was the top-selling SUV in America, with Ford moving over 200,000 units. It ranked second behind the F-series on the list of top-selling Fords. A year later, Ford released the third-generation Escape, which proved even more popular than the second-gen: sales peaked at over 308,000 in 2017. Ford Escape sales have dropped steadily since that high. Nevertheless, the Escape will forever be remembered as an unlikely hero for Ford during one of the company’s lowest ebbs.

8 Jeep Cherokee XJ

Jeep Cherokee XJ
Art Konovalov / Shutterstock
Front three-quarters shot of a blue Jeep Cherokee XJ

In the late 1960s, Jeep was struggling under the stewardship of Kaiser Motors. Its flagship car, the Wagoneer SJ, was either underpowered when purchased with a 4.2-liter engine or too thirsty when sold with a 5.9-liter or 6.6-liter V-8. American Motors Corporation (AMC) bought Jeep in 1970 and, with investment from Renault, set about designing a replacement for the SJ.

Dick Teague and Francois Castaing built the Cherokee XJ, whose impact reverberated across the automotive industry. It was a light, powerful, fuel-efficient, and family-friendly SUV that felt at home off-road and on paved roads. The Cherokee XJ was an overwhelming success, winning favor with automotive media outlets and the American public. The XJ re-established Jeep as a brand worth owning. Chrysler’s then-chairman, Lee Iacocca, bid for and acquired AMC, particularly due to the monumental success of the Cherokee XJ.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why People Still Love The Aging Toyota 4Runner

7 Aston Martin DBX

Orange 2022 Aston Martin DBX
Aston Martin
A front 3/4 action shot of a 2022 Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin has faced extinction numerous times but has always found a way to survive, like a cat with its proverbial nine lives. The company started selling the DBX around the time a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll acquired the company. Stroll’s strategy to make Aston Martin profitable involved charging higher for vehicles and cutting the brand’s debt.

Aston Martin DBX sales would also prove crucial in the company’s revival. The manufacturer’s first SUV is its most popular vehicle. The vehicle accounted for half of Aston Martin’s sales in 2022, a year that saw Aston Martin’s sales rise 26 percent to 1.4 billion. Aston Martin has yet to regain profitability, but the company is optimistic that the plan will pay off. The DBX has played and will keep playing a crucial part in Aston Martin’s resurgence.

6 Bentley Bentayga

Blue Bentley Bentayga
Benley
A front 3/4 shot of a Bentley Bentayga

Bentley, a Volkswagen subsidiary, was necessarily in need of ‘saving’ when it launched the Bentayga – it had recovered well from the late 2000s slump. Nevertheless, it needed to sell more vehicles. Therefore, it introduced the Bentley Bentayga, a luxury SUV that would help Bentley break its sales records. The Bentayga would also expose Bentley to a younger demographic.

Within a year, the Bentayga established itself as Bentley’s main draw, significantly outselling the manufacturer’s other offerings. Bentayga sales shielded Bentley from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which caused a 15 percent drop in new car sales in 2020. That year, Bentley delivered over 11,206 vehicles, a two percent increase from 2019, with the Bentayga forming the bulk of those deliveries. In 2022, the Bentayga accounted for 42 percent of Bentley’s sales, helping the manufacturer sell over 15,000 cars in a year for the first time since its founding in 1919.

5 Proton X70

Automachi via Wikimedia Commons””>

Dark Grey Proton X70
Automachi via Wikimedia Commons
Front 3/4 shot of a Proton X70 parked

Proton, a Malaysian car company, was barely alive in 2017 when it sold a 49.9 percent stake to Geely. The government had given up trying to save the company. Despite protests from Malaysian nationals that a national brand had been sold to a foreign company, efforts to revive the once-storied brand began. CEO Li Chunrong introduced several cost-cutting measures, and the company began developing the Proton X70 SUV.

The X70 SUV rejuvenated Proton. Cheap yet spacious and technologically up-to-date, the Proton X70 was a big hit. Since 2019, the Proton X70 has occupied the top spot as Malaysia’s best-selling C-segment SUV. X70 sales increased by 13.1 percent from 2021 to 2022. The X70’s high sales inspired the development of other successful Proton SUVs – the X50 and the X90. The X50 was Malaysia’s best-selling SUV in 2022.

RELATED: 10 Hardcore SUVs That Push Capability To The Next Level

4 Jeep Wrangler JK

Oshndoc via Wikimedia commons””>

Black and white 2010 Jeep Wrangler JK Islander
Oshndoc via Wikimedia commons
Front 3/4 shot of a 2010 Jeep Wrangler JK Islander parked outdoors

When Chrysler acquired Jeep in the late 1980s, it was strapped for cash and looked to profit from the Cherokee XJ’s impressive sales. In 2008, Chrysler, one of the three biggest automakers in the U.S., faced complete collapse. Despite getting help from the government, Chrysler needed huge sales to claw its way out of trouble. In stepped the Jeep Wrangler JK.

The most successful Jeep Wrangler generation debuted in 2006 with the 2007 model. It outsold the previous-gen 2006 model by nearly 50 percent. It maintained its popularity with the American public until the last one rolled off the production line in 2018 – Jeep sold around 180,000 Wrangler JK’s annually. The Wrangler proved pivotal in Chrysler’s renaissance.

3 Land Rover Discovery

Gray Land Rover Discovery Series 1
Land Rover
A front 3/4 shot of a Land Rover Discovery Series I

The most famous Land Rover is arguably the Defender. However, Land Rover owes its success as much to the Defender as the Discovery. The Discovery was the first model that Land Rover developed for the wider public. It was based on the Range Rover, with both vehicles using the same chassis, 4WD system, and suspension.

In many ways, the Discovery was a precursor to the modern crossover. It was advertised as a family car capable of occasional off-roading. It had the off-road capabilities of a Range Rover but was cheaper and more spacious than the upmarket Range. The Discovery was a hit, offering Land Rover the finances to keep building vehicles.

2 Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90
Volvo
Front/side profie of a Volvo XC90

Volvo was under Ford ownership when the XC90 debuted in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until eight years later that the XC90 proved crucial to the automaker’s success. Following the 2008 financial crisis, Ford sold Volvo to Geely, which, unlike Ford, allowed Volvo technicians to develop the XC90 from scratch. Volvo worked on the second-generation XC90 for five years.

The Swedish manufacturer released the XC90 in 2015. The resources poured into the vehicle’s development paid off – the motoring world praised its design, powertrain, cost, and safety features. Customers responded by buying the vehicle in droves. The XC90 highlighted Volvo’s pedigree as a carmaker and guaranteed its survival in the car world.

RELATED: The Evolution of Performance SUVs

1 Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT With Original Cayenne
Porsche
 A shot of an old Cayenne with the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT

In the early 1990s, Porsche recorded heavy losses. Looking to capitalize on the rising demand for small sports cars, the German manufacturer introduced the Boxster. The Boxster steadied the ship, offering time for Porsche’s higher-ups to dream up the idea of the Cayenne, a sports SUV. The idea was novel and absolutely brilliant.

The groundbreaking Cayenne was an instant hit. Porsche had expected to sell 25,000 examples annually; the first-generation Cayenne’s annual average sales were just under 35,000. The Cayenne was a masterstroke from Porsche that helped it regain its footing in the car industry. While some claim that the Boxster was the car that kept Porsche afloat, there’s no disputing the Cayenne’s pivotal role in Porsche’s revival.

News

10 SUVs That Saved Some Of The Biggest Automakers From Going Bankrupt

Running a car company is not easy. Elon Musk tweeted in March 2021 that the only American car manufacturers not to have ever gone bankrupt among the 1,000s of startups are Ford & Tesla. Times have shown that market forces can take out huge car companies – the 2008 financial crisis nearly crippled the American auto industry, with the big three manufacturers needing government bailouts or loans to survive.

Most of the big automakers have faced the prospect of complete collapse. Fortune has favored some of them, with salvation coming from one or more of the manufacturer’s car models. Unbeknownst to many, some of the world’s top car companies were saved by their SUV offerings. Here are 10 SUVs that saved some of the biggest automakers.

RELATED: History Of The Ford Explorer

10 Nissan Qashqai

resize_Nissan-Qashqai-2007-1600-05

In the late 90s, it looked like Nissan wouldn’t survive beyond the turn of the millennium. The company’s fortunes changed when Renault invested $5.4 billion in Nissan, acquiring a 37 percent stake. Given free rein at Nissan to turn the company around, Carlos Ghosn slashed costs, shutting down inefficient factories in Japan, laying off personnel, and restructuring deals with suppliers. The aggressive plan worked, with Nissan regaining profitability fairly rapidly.

To reclaim its 70s glory days, Nissan needed a car to outsell its rivals. An attempt at new generation Almera failed, as Nissan’s hierarchy realized it wouldn’t be as profitable as required nor satisfy customer demands.

Therefore, Nissan debuted an audacious concept, the Qashqai, a blend between a hatchback and a SUV. Despite being affordable, compact, and designed for family use, the Qashqai represented a huge risk for Nissan. However, the Qashqai defied bleak predictions by the media. Primarily manufactured in Sunderland, U.K., the Qashqai became a global sensation: by 2017, Nissan had sold 3.3 million units. The vehicle’s stunning success helped Nissan reestablish itself as one of the world’s leading automakers.

9 Ford Escape

Red 2003 Ford Escape
Ford
An action shot of a 2003 Ford Escape

Unlike its competitors, GM and Chrysler, Ford didn’t need government money to survive the 2008 recession. It borrowed money, sold brands like Land Rover, Aston Martin, and Volvo, and improved its most profitable vehicles, making them more fuel efficient without compromising their capabilities. Despite Ford forgoing investments in crossovers, the Ford Escape unexpectedly proved essential in Ford’s ascent to profitability.

In 2011, the Ford Escape, which had received minimal upgrades since its debut in 2001, was the top-selling SUV in America, with Ford moving over 200,000 units. It ranked second behind the F-series on the list of top-selling Fords. A year later, Ford released the third-generation Escape, which proved even more popular than the second-gen: sales peaked at over 308,000 in 2017. Ford Escape sales have dropped steadily since that high. Nevertheless, the Escape will forever be remembered as an unlikely hero for Ford during one of the company’s lowest ebbs.

8 Jeep Cherokee XJ

Jeep Cherokee XJ
Art Konovalov / Shutterstock
Front three-quarters shot of a blue Jeep Cherokee XJ

In the late 1960s, Jeep was struggling under the stewardship of Kaiser Motors. Its flagship car, the Wagoneer SJ, was either underpowered when purchased with a 4.2-liter engine or too thirsty when sold with a 5.9-liter or 6.6-liter V-8. American Motors Corporation (AMC) bought Jeep in 1970 and, with investment from Renault, set about designing a replacement for the SJ.

Dick Teague and Francois Castaing built the Cherokee XJ, whose impact reverberated across the automotive industry. It was a light, powerful, fuel-efficient, and family-friendly SUV that felt at home off-road and on paved roads. The Cherokee XJ was an overwhelming success, winning favor with automotive media outlets and the American public. The XJ re-established Jeep as a brand worth owning. Chrysler’s then-chairman, Lee Iacocca, bid for and acquired AMC, particularly due to the monumental success of the Cherokee XJ.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why People Still Love The Aging Toyota 4Runner

7 Aston Martin DBX

Orange 2022 Aston Martin DBX
Aston Martin
A front 3/4 action shot of a 2022 Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin has faced extinction numerous times but has always found a way to survive, like a cat with its proverbial nine lives. The company started selling the DBX around the time a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll acquired the company. Stroll’s strategy to make Aston Martin profitable involved charging higher for vehicles and cutting the brand’s debt.

Aston Martin DBX sales would also prove crucial in the company’s revival. The manufacturer’s first SUV is its most popular vehicle. The vehicle accounted for half of Aston Martin’s sales in 2022, a year that saw Aston Martin’s sales rise 26 percent to 1.4 billion. Aston Martin has yet to regain profitability, but the company is optimistic that the plan will pay off. The DBX has played and will keep playing a crucial part in Aston Martin’s resurgence.

6 Bentley Bentayga

Blue Bentley Bentayga
Benley
A front 3/4 shot of a Bentley Bentayga

Bentley, a Volkswagen subsidiary, was necessarily in need of ‘saving’ when it launched the Bentayga – it had recovered well from the late 2000s slump. Nevertheless, it needed to sell more vehicles. Therefore, it introduced the Bentley Bentayga, a luxury SUV that would help Bentley break its sales records. The Bentayga would also expose Bentley to a younger demographic.

Within a year, the Bentayga established itself as Bentley’s main draw, significantly outselling the manufacturer’s other offerings. Bentayga sales shielded Bentley from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which caused a 15 percent drop in new car sales in 2020. That year, Bentley delivered over 11,206 vehicles, a two percent increase from 2019, with the Bentayga forming the bulk of those deliveries. In 2022, the Bentayga accounted for 42 percent of Bentley’s sales, helping the manufacturer sell over 15,000 cars in a year for the first time since its founding in 1919.

5 Proton X70

Automachi via Wikimedia Commons””>

Dark Grey Proton X70
Automachi via Wikimedia Commons
Front 3/4 shot of a Proton X70 parked

Proton, a Malaysian car company, was barely alive in 2017 when it sold a 49.9 percent stake to Geely. The government had given up trying to save the company. Despite protests from Malaysian nationals that a national brand had been sold to a foreign company, efforts to revive the once-storied brand began. CEO Li Chunrong introduced several cost-cutting measures, and the company began developing the Proton X70 SUV.

The X70 SUV rejuvenated Proton. Cheap yet spacious and technologically up-to-date, the Proton X70 was a big hit. Since 2019, the Proton X70 has occupied the top spot as Malaysia’s best-selling C-segment SUV. X70 sales increased by 13.1 percent from 2021 to 2022. The X70’s high sales inspired the development of other successful Proton SUVs – the X50 and the X90. The X50 was Malaysia’s best-selling SUV in 2022.

RELATED: 10 Hardcore SUVs That Push Capability To The Next Level

4 Jeep Wrangler JK

Oshndoc via Wikimedia commons””>

Black and white 2010 Jeep Wrangler JK Islander
Oshndoc via Wikimedia commons
Front 3/4 shot of a 2010 Jeep Wrangler JK Islander parked outdoors

When Chrysler acquired Jeep in the late 1980s, it was strapped for cash and looked to profit from the Cherokee XJ’s impressive sales. In 2008, Chrysler, one of the three biggest automakers in the U.S., faced complete collapse. Despite getting help from the government, Chrysler needed huge sales to claw its way out of trouble. In stepped the Jeep Wrangler JK.

The most successful Jeep Wrangler generation debuted in 2006 with the 2007 model. It outsold the previous-gen 2006 model by nearly 50 percent. It maintained its popularity with the American public until the last one rolled off the production line in 2018 – Jeep sold around 180,000 Wrangler JK’s annually. The Wrangler proved pivotal in Chrysler’s renaissance.

3 Land Rover Discovery

Gray Land Rover Discovery Series 1
Land Rover
A front 3/4 shot of a Land Rover Discovery Series I

The most famous Land Rover is arguably the Defender. However, Land Rover owes its success as much to the Defender as the Discovery. The Discovery was the first model that Land Rover developed for the wider public. It was based on the Range Rover, with both vehicles using the same chassis, 4WD system, and suspension.

In many ways, the Discovery was a precursor to the modern crossover. It was advertised as a family car capable of occasional off-roading. It had the off-road capabilities of a Range Rover but was cheaper and more spacious than the upmarket Range. The Discovery was a hit, offering Land Rover the finances to keep building vehicles.

2 Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90
Volvo
Front/side profie of a Volvo XC90

Volvo was under Ford ownership when the XC90 debuted in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until eight years later that the XC90 proved crucial to the automaker’s success. Following the 2008 financial crisis, Ford sold Volvo to Geely, which, unlike Ford, allowed Volvo technicians to develop the XC90 from scratch. Volvo worked on the second-generation XC90 for five years.

The Swedish manufacturer released the XC90 in 2015. The resources poured into the vehicle’s development paid off – the motoring world praised its design, powertrain, cost, and safety features. Customers responded by buying the vehicle in droves. The XC90 highlighted Volvo’s pedigree as a carmaker and guaranteed its survival in the car world.

RELATED: The Evolution of Performance SUVs

1 Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT With Original Cayenne
Porsche
 A shot of an old Cayenne with the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT

In the early 1990s, Porsche recorded heavy losses. Looking to capitalize on the rising demand for small sports cars, the German manufacturer introduced the Boxster. The Boxster steadied the ship, offering time for Porsche’s higher-ups to dream up the idea of the Cayenne, a sports SUV. The idea was novel and absolutely brilliant.

The groundbreaking Cayenne was an instant hit. Porsche had expected to sell 25,000 examples annually; the first-generation Cayenne’s annual average sales were just under 35,000. The Cayenne was a masterstroke from Porsche that helped it regain its footing in the car industry. While some claim that the Boxster was the car that kept Porsche afloat, there’s no disputing the Cayenne’s pivotal role in Porsche’s revival.

News

Take A Look At Suzuki’s Returning Models For The 2024 Model-Year

Despite the attention being focused on Suzuki’s new middleweight platform, it’s important not to overlook the other bikes in the brand’s lineup. Suzuki has recently announced its returning models for the 2024 model-year.

One of the returning models is the GSX-R750. Although considered a dinosaur by some, this supersport bike is beloved by sportbike enthusiasts and offers solid performance at an affordable price of $12,999. Powered by a 750cc, liquid-cooled, inline-four engine, the GSX-R750 features a compact and lightweight chassis.

2024 Suzuki GSX-R750
2024 Suzuki GSX-R750

The 2024 model-year introduces new color options for the GSX-R750, including the Pearl Brilliant White/Metallic Triton Blue combination, Pearl Brilliant White and Metallic Matte Stellar Blue, and Metallic Matte Black No. 2 and Glass Sparkle Black.

The Suzuki DR650S is also back for 2024, offering rugged capability and unwavering dependability for dual-sport enthusiasts. Equipped with a 644cc, oil-cooled, single-cylinder engine and housed in a robust steel frame, the DR650S is designed to handle various terrains. It is available in Solid Black and Iron Gray, as well as Solid Special White No. 2. The retail price is $7,099 USD.

2024 Suzuki DR650S

For those seeking off-road performance, the DR-Z400S is also making a return. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the 2024 DR-Z400S is available in a race-inspired Champion Yellow colorway and a sleek Solid Black option. It features a 398cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine and an adjustable suspension system for personalized handling. The price is set at $7,199 USD, and it comes with black Excel rims and stainless steel spokes.

2024 Suzuki DR-Z400S

Last but not least, the Suzuki DR-Z400SM is back to cater to hooligan supermoto riders. Based on the reliable DR-Z400S platform, the DR-Z400SM features a 17-inch wheel setup and road-focused tires for exceptional handling on twisty roads. With its lightweight frame and slim profile, this bike is ideal for a versatile riding experience in the city and on curvy roads. The 2024 model is priced at $7,899 USD.

2024 Suzuki DR-Z400SM

In addition to the models, Suzuki offers a variety of Genuine Accessories to customize the bikes according to individual preferences. For more information on availability and test rides of the 2024 lineup, contact your nearest Suzuki dealership.