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News

Goodwood Festival of Speed Confirms Its 2023 MotoGP Lineup

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is set to feature an impressive lineup of past and present MotoGP heroes and legends from July 13 to 16, 2023. These riders will be taking on the renowned hillclimb event.

Ducati will be sending a trio of riders from the MotoGP paddock. Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia and teammate Enea Bastianini will be riding on both Saturday and Sunday. In addition, wildcard and test rider Michele Pirro will kick off the festivities on Thursday and Friday.

KTM Factory Racing will be represented by their long-time test rider Mika Kallio on Thursday and Friday. South African rider Brad Binder, a top contender for the 2023 Championship, will take over the reins over the weekend.

GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 will see the much-awaited return of Pol Espargaro, who will be riding on Thursday and Friday. Rookie teammate Augusto Fernandez will take over on Saturday and Sunday, making his debut at the event.

Aprilia Racing will also be present, with test rider Lorenzo Savadori riding on Thursday and Friday. The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team, part of the Noale contingent, will have Miguel Oliveira riding on Saturday, and teammate Raul Fernandez taking the reins on Sunday.

LCR Honda, winners of the Americas GP, will complete the MotoGP lineup at the festival. Although Alex Rins will be absent due to injury, their iconic livery will still be showcased as they take on the hillclimb.

In addition to the current MotoGP grid, the festival will also feature a legendary lineup of iconic figures who have had a significant impact on the sport. These include Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Gardner, Kenny Roberts Jr, Alex Crivillé, and Randy Mamola.

Car review

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4dr Coupe

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4dr Coupe offers a unique driving experience with its hybrid powertrain. When you start the car, you are greeted with a synthesised electric pulse, indicating that the hybrid system is ready. By default, the car operates quietly in electric mode, only engaging the powerful V8 engine when you select the driving mode.

The car is designed to be versatile, with a wide range of operating modes from Comfort and EL (electric) to Sport+, Race, and Drift. However, while the GT 63 S E Performance offers impressive dynamic capabilities, there are some compromises in its finer details.

At low and medium speeds in Comfort mode, you may notice occasional jerkiness from the gearbox and inconsistent throttle response. There is also a noticeable high-frequency noise coming from the rear-mounted electronics, which can be distracting and unexpected in a luxury GT car.

Switching to Sport or Sport+ mode brings out the expected thunderous sound from the V8 engine, especially with the addition of AMG’s sports exhaust. However, the overall sound of the combustion engine lacks the distinctive character you would expect from an AMG super-saloon.

When it comes to performance, the GT 63 S E Performance exceeds expectations. It accelerates from 0 to 60mph in just 2.9 seconds, 0 to 100mph in 6.6 seconds, and completes the standing quarter-mile in 10.9 seconds. It also impresses with its 30-70mph acceleration time of 2.5 seconds. In comparison to the BMW M5 CS, the GT 63 S E Performance sets new benchmarks.

Under full acceleration, the car feels powerful and responsive, with consistent thrust throughout the rev range. However, it is worth noting that the GT 63 S E Performance relies heavily on its combustion engine, which is highly stressed and lacks the free-revving nature of other AMG models.

In the sportier driving modes, the car has an interesting quirk where it reserves a portion of the electric rear axle’s boost as a “push to pass” feature. This extra power is only accessible by pushing the accelerator pedal beyond its kickdown point. While this may make the driver feel like a Formula 1 star, it adds complexity to the driving experience and can be challenging to manage at the limits on a track.

Motorsport

New Mercedes-Benz EQG Spy Video Shows Electric SUV with Concealed Box Design

It has been more than six months since we had the chance to experience the electric Mercedes-Benz EQG. The SUV is expected to make its debut before the year ends, but a recent video reveals that the highly anticipated model is still undergoing testing, wrapped in full-body camouflage.

Despite the coverings that hide the grille and other design elements, Mercedes cannot hide the EQG’s signature boxy design, which has been a defining feature of the model since its inception. The electric G-Class draws inspiration from the EQG Concept, which was unveiled at the 2021 Munich Motor Show. It is unlikely that the production version will deviate significantly from the concept’s overall styling.