If the new-ish Ford Kuga for Europe appears acquainted, there is a good motive. The equal American model, the Escape, obtained its facelift close to the top of 2022. It’s solely now that Ford is updating the compact crossover in Europe the place there are some notable adjustments.
For the primary time, the Kuga will get the rugged Active trim with further plastic physique cladding and silver skid plates. The adventurous taste sits 0.4 inches larger on the entrance axle and 0.2 in on the rear for further floor clearance. Ford additionally throws in a Trail drive mode that tweaks throttle response and traction management for extra grip on mud, sand, and different comfortable surfaces.
Here in 2024, relying in your specific space of moto curiosity, you may be aware of the Honda Gyro. If you’ve got been following Honda’s efforts at electrification as of late, you may additionally be aware of the newest model, the Honda Gyro e:, which makes use of these swappable Honda Mobile Power Pack e: models.
If you thought that the Honda Gyro was the primary Honda leaning three-wheeler, although, you would be incorrect. As it seems, the Gyro had a couple of predecessors within the Honda lineup, starting with the Honda Stream. (Yes, we all know that there is a Honda automotive that got here later with the identical mannequin identify, however we’re speaking in regards to the OG Honda Stream three-wheeled scooter right this moment.)
In 1981, Honda first launched the Stream as an especially sensible and mild-mannered three-wheeler. As you’ll be able to see on this reasonably wonderful exploration of the Stream from Small Bike Stuff, the 2 wheeled rear portion can also be the place the engine sits. It stays in fixed contact with the bottom, whereas the rider can lean the entrance portion backward and forward nearly as a lot as they need. The result’s a fairly secure journey for whoever’s within the saddle.
Why A Leaning Three Wheeler, Honda?
Ask anybody who’s aware of Honda motorcycle historical past and so they’ll inform you that a very long time in the past, Honda took a couple of extra design dangers than it has been recognized to do within the 2000s.
Still, even when the Honda Stream did not keep in manufacturing lengthy, the truth that Honda went on to refine it into further three-wheeled designs just like the Honda Just and later, the Gyro, reveals that the corporate was clearly onto one thing. The Gyro and now the Gyro e: have been well-liked supply autos for companies in a number of nations throughout Asia for many years.
The Idea Came From England
The many and various threads of motorbike historical past intersect in unusual methods generally, and that is a kind of instances. See, with out BSA, there would arguably have been no Honda Stream, Honda Gyro, or every other Honda leaning three-wheelers.
BSA was wanting to get into the moped market, and a British designer named George Wallis had been engaged on arising with a safer bicycle design for a couple of years. Prior to his involvement with BSA, Wallis had additionally began engaged on motorized three-wheeled prototypes. Some of them even utilized an engine from a Triumph Tina scooter.
Anyway, BSA went on to license a design from Wallis that finally turned the Ariel 3 leaning three-wheeled scooter, which premiered in 1970. While it in all probability wasn’t the one factor liable for the corporate’s downfall, the Ariel 3 undeniably proved to be a large gross sales flop for BSA. The firm had reportedly anticipated to promote round 25,000 Ariel 3s, and as an alternative solely shifted 7,000 in that first 12 months.
After that, for a really quick time within the Seventies, Daihatsu briefly acquired into making scooters. It additionally licensed Wallis’ leaning three-wheeled design for the leaning three-wheeled Hallo, which you’ll be able to see above.
The third firm was evidently the allure, although, as Honda determined it wanted a few of that candy leaning three-wheeled scooter design for itself. Thus, it launched the Stream, and finally the Gyro, which has now been going sturdy in its area of interest for many years.
This 1984 Honda Stream That’s For Sale
Now, ultimately, we come to a 1984 Honda Stream that somebody is promoting proper now on Bring a Trailer. While Honda by no means bought the Stream within the US, it was imported a while in the past and is at present registered in Maryland. It’s powered by a wee little 49cc two-stroke single-cylinder engine, and has a complete of 610 kilometers (about 379-ish miles) on the clock. As with all used autos, complete precise mileage is unknown.
The earlier proprietor previous to the present vendor is claimed to have completed some routine upkeep, together with cleansing the carburetor and altering out issues just like the spark plug, fluids, and battery. There’s a working video up prime, the place you’ll be able to see that it was apparently working fairly properly in late 2023.
Does it have what may presumably the best sprint recognized to humankind? Perhaps I’m overstating the case a bit, however I believe you’ll be able to agree that it is fairly wonderful.
This is clearly not going to win any pace awards (except, after all, you do some form of mad engine swap with it), however it will definitely be a superb dialog starter.
It’s at present being supplied at no reserve on Bring a Trailer, with an public sale finish date of Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 1:15 p.m. Eastern. The bid is as much as $1,000 on the time of writing. We’ll record the hyperlink in our Sources to see extra images or bid on it when you’re .
Unless you are acquainted with the method, a default Apple Watch with right-handed settings could ruin a leftie’s experience with the smartwatch. Unless you are paying shut consideration through the system’s setup, you can simply miss selecting which wrist you maintain your watch on. And whereas switching its orientation might seem to be one in all the best Apple Watch secrets, it is truly a simple course of.
Here’s how you can change your Apple Watch for simpler left-handed use:
Open the Settings app.
Go to “General” then “Orientation.”
Select which wrist you put on your Apple Watch on.
You can even full this by way of the Apple Watch app in your iPhone by clicking on “My Watch” and going to “General” settings, then “Watch Orientation.” There’s additionally an choice to pick the positioning of your Digital Crown for customers preferring the big round button to be within the backside left nook moderately than the highest proper.
Featuring Ford’s renowned 5.0 liter V8 engine, the Montana Lobo Concept sported a distinctive angular body design that preceded Tesla’s Cybertruck. Its open rear bed included hemp-covered bench seats, a sliding glass door separating it from the cab, and utilitarian features such as a built-in ramp in the tailgate and lockable storage compartments behind the Plexiglas bubble-style front doors. The vehicle also boasted off-road lights on the T-top roof, fender flares seamlessly connecting to the running boards, and twin exhausts.
Equipped with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires and a solid Dana 44 front axle, the Montana Lobo was designed for off-road adventures. It also incorporated advanced features for its time, such as digital instruments and ventilated seats. However, the vehicle remained at the concept stage and its unique design may have posed challenges in side-impact crash tests, limiting its potential popularity. Additionally, a long whip-style antenna near the tailgate raised questions about its purpose, whether for CB or standard radio use.
The Peugeot e-208 exhibits the hallmark electric vehicle trait of immediate, high-torque acceleration, making it well-suited for city driving. With a single-speed transmission, the car delivers seamless acceleration without the need for clutch engagement or gear changes, leaving both the driver and other cars at traffic lights in awe. It excels in low to medium speeds, feeling almost as quick as a top hot hatch. However, its acceleration diminishes at higher speeds, performing similarly to a mid-range petrol car.
While the e-208 can comfortably cruise at motorway speeds, it requires significant throttle input, impacting its range. Energy delivery varies depending on the drive mode. Sport mode offers full power and quick acceleration, while Normal mode dials back power and requires more throttle for overtaking. Eco mode significantly restricts power, needing aggressive throttle input for overtaking maneuvers. Shifting the gearlever from ‘D’ to ‘B’ engages aggressive regenerative braking, allowing for true ‘one-pedal’ driving and excellent brake feel and consistency regardless of regenerative braking.
The Peugeot e-208 stands out for its refined performance, effectively capitalizing on the near-silent operation of electric motors. It effectively isolates occupants from wind and road noise, providing a quiet and comfortable driving experience.
TVS Motor Company is a major manufacturer of two- and three-wheeled vehicles popular in many countries, offering both combustion and electric options.
In 2020, TVS Motor rescued Norton Motorcycles, a troubled British company that had gone into administration, and also manufactures bikes for BMW.
TVS Motor and European automotive distributor Emil Frey have announced a new partnership. Emil Frey will start distributing TVS motorbikes across Europe in 2024.
Models headed to Europe include the TVS Ronin, Apache RR 310, Apache RTR 310, TVS Jupiter 125, TVS NTORQ, TVS Raider, TVS iQube S, and TVS X.
Emil Frey is one of the largest independent automotive dealer groups in Europe by revenue.
TVS’s expansion into Europe brings potential for growth, especially with the increasing demand for small electric runabouts like the TVS iQube S and TVS X in urban centers with low-emissions zones.
TVS motorbikes will initially roll out in France, with potential for the popularity of options like the Apache RR 310 and RTR 310 based on pricing and availability.
Ultraviolette, an electric motorcycle startup based in Bangalore, India, is set to make its international debut at EICMA 2023. The company will showcase its first motorcycle, the F77, in its international specification. This will be the unveiling of the international-spec F77, which is expected to be released in the European market. The exact specifications of this version have not yet been announced but will be revealed at Ultraviolette’s EICMA press conference on November 8, 2023.
The F77, as released in India, has a top speed of 152 km/h (94.4 mph), a range of 307 km (190 miles), a zero to 60 km/h (37.2 mph) time of 2.9 seconds, and a torque of 100 newton-meters (73.7 pound-feet). The pricing in India starts at 380 lakh rupees ($4,564) and goes up to 560 lakh rupees ($6,725), depending on the specification.
For those interested in Ultraviolette outside of India and Europe, the company has a rollout calendar posted on its website. Phase Three, which includes Europe, North America, South America, Japan, and Southeast Asia, is marked as “To Be Announced.” More information will be shared as it becomes available.
The Lexus LM is equipped with a full hybrid powertrain similar to the one found in the NX and RX models. It combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine with two electric motors, resulting in a combined power output of 247bhp and 176lb ft. Although not particularly fast, the LM still offers a decent straight-line performance that resembles a car rather than a van. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds (or 9.1 seconds for the FWD version), which is more than adequate for a vehicle of its size.
Despite its substantial size, the LM is surprisingly maneuverable. It features a large glasshouse and HGV-like mirrors that provide excellent visibility from all angles. Additionally, it comes with a range of parking aids and a tight 11.6-meter turning circle, which makes navigating tight spaces like airport VIP drop-off ramps or the Savoy Hotel circle less challenging.
One drawback of the LM is its CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). While the CVT helps minimize body roll and provides a smooth acceleration experience, it produces an unimpressive sound during uphill acceleration or overtaking maneuvers, which detracts from the luxurious feel of the vehicle. The LM is a heavy vehicle, weighing almost three tonnes, and the engine’s strain is evident in the cabin when under load.
However, at lower speeds in urban areas, the LM switches seamlessly between its electric motor and petrol engine to maximize efficiency and comfort. It also features an impressive low-speed EV mode, allowing it to achieve nearly 40mpg on the WLTP combined test cycle. This is a remarkable feat considering its imposing size and suboptimal aerodynamics.
In conclusion, the Lexus LM offers an appealing combination of features, even though it may seem unconventional for a luxury car. While some may associate luxury motoring with large saloons and SUVs, the LM stands out as a credible and innovative alternative. It can rival models like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Bentley Bentayga, especially when it comes to rear-passenger comfort and enjoyment.
The Mini Paceman offered a range of engine options including 1.6-litre four-pot petrol engines in the Cooper model, with naturally aspirated engines in the Cooper and turbocharged engines in the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models. Additionally, there were 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre four-pot turbo diesel engines available in the Cooper D and Cooper SD models.
However, due to diesel being considered unfavorable and the fact that Paceman models up to 2015 are Euro 5 and do not meet the London ULEZ standards, it is recommended to opt for one of the petrol engine options.
Considering the Paceman’s heavy weight, the 181bhp Cooper S is a good choice. It is better to reserve the all-out JCW experience for the hatchback.
While we initially criticized the diesel engines, upon further consideration, the post-2015 Cooper SD with 141bhp and 225lb ft offers a good balance of power and fuel economy, and it also provides access to the London ULEZ.
Most engines were available with a six-speed manual gearbox, and there was an optional automatic transmission as well. Additionally, all engines could be paired with All4 four-wheel drive for improved grip on all surfaces. However, this added weight, complexity, and potentially higher repair costs.
The available trim levels were closely tied to the engine choices. Choosing the Cooper S or SD would give you a Sport driving mode and sports seats in addition to the standard car’s DAB radio, rear parking sensors, and LED foglights.
Common problems with the Mini Paceman (2013-2017)
Engine and gearbox:
Keep an eye out for multiple oil leaks and listen for a rattly timing chain starting from a cold start. Failures in these areas have been attributed to consistently low oil levels and chain stretch. For petrol engines, regular oil changes are crucial for the variable valve timing system. If there is any shunting when starting, it could indicate loose or broken engine mounts. In low-mileage diesel models, poor low-speed running may be due to a coked-up EGR valve.
Transmission:
Check for clutch slip and, in an All4 model, pay attention to the biting point. Replacing a center clutch and dual-mass flywheel can cost at least £3000. If you have an All4 model, ensure that the wear on all four tires is even, as differences in wear can strain the transfer box. When test driving an automatic, use the paddles to scroll through the gears and check for smooth and seamless shifts.
The prototype shown in the images below may look familiar to you, resembling the Cupra Tavascan. However, this is not the whole story. It is actually an electric SUV based on Cupra’s second EV and will be the first model of a new brand that Volkswagen Group is preparing to launch.
According to an Automotive News report from a few months ago, Volkswagen has plans to create a new sub-brand specifically for the Chinese market. This brand will focus on selling electric vehicles and will have a more lifestyle-oriented positioning, differentiating itself from the more traditional VW brand. However, instead of investing in the establishment of an entirely new brand, Volkswagen has reportedly decided to sell rebranded Cupra vehicles.
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
