Tag Archives: firstgeneration

Cars

Every Generation Jeep Cherokee, Ranked Worst To Best

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To construct the first-generation SJ Cherokee, AMC kind of eradicated the Wagoneer’s C-pillar and rear doorways, and prolonged the facet glass within the rear cargo space. For its first two years, the one engine choices within the Cherokee had been a 258 cubic inch I6 and the stalwart 360 cubic inch V8. A 401 cubic inch choice was added in 1976, and the next 12 months, Cherokee consumers may additionally drive dwelling a four-door mannequin. Choosing the Chief trim from 1976 on gave consumers a wider observe and wider fenders to suit outsized tires. A Golden Eagle Cherokee was issued in 1979, and a Golden Hawk version in 1980. 

They each included massive chicken decals on the hood, however the Golden Eagle additionally had the Chief’s wider axles plus denim upholstery. Through 1979, the full-time Quadra-Trac four-wheel drive system with a Borg-Warner 1339 limited-slip switch case was an choice. In 1980, the 1339 was swapped out for a New Process 207 case, however the Quadra-Trac identify and badge remained. The entrance and rear driveshafts may very well be locked with a vacuum swap within the cabin, however many house owners have put in kits to transform Quadra-Trac Cherokees to part-time four-wheel drive. The gas-guzzling SJ did not final lengthy sufficient to see gasoline injection, though aftermarket kits can be found from the likes of Holley and Howell to treatment this.

[Featured image by Mr.choppers via Wikimedia Commons|Cropped and scaled|CC-By 3.0]

Electric Vehicles, News

Prius Winning This World Car Of The Year Award Would’ve Been Unthinkable 18 Months Ago

When the first-generation Toyota Prius was launched nearly 27 years ago, the automobile wasn’t significantly identified for its enticing seems. What it was well-known for, nonetheless, was its credentials because the world’s first mass-produced hybrid automobile. So necessary was this label that Toyota was capable of maintain individuals fixated on the automobile’s eco-friendliness regardless of having some obvious points with the design.

Toyota would quickly discover that there are sufficient takers for a automobile that promotes itself as a inexperienced automobile that not solely pollutes much less but additionally boasts unimaginable gasoline effectivity figures. For some, the automobile’s ungainly design additionally meant their automobile stood out from the remainder of the automobiles on the street, giving them an odd sense of exclusivity. Despite the arrival of newer Hybrid automobiles, the Toyota Prius nonetheless sells in massive numbers within the U.S. and Japan.

An older generation Toyota PriusSue Thatcher/Getty

Between the first-gen Prius from 1997 and the fifth-generation Prius from 2022, there have been three separate generations of Prius automobiles that endured with the oddball design. The Prius has been promoting fairly properly for Toyota within the U.S. for a number of years. However, the numbers for the U.S. market plateaued round 2014 and have been taking place ever since.

With the arrival of handsome EVs and PHEVs out there, it now not made sense for Toyota to stick with an odd design for the 2023 Toyota Prius. It can be fascinating to see how a lot of an affect this design revamp has on precise gross sales figures, although.

Motorsport

Watch This Abandoned Mustang Fire Up For The First Time In 18 Years

This first-generation Ford Mustang was bought new by a pilot who labored for United Airlines, and purchased by the present proprietor round 2002. After a number of years the automotive was tucked right into a nook of a storage and left untouched… till now. 

The of us at WD Detailing met up with the proprietor to get the automotive cleaned and prepared for the street. Having been ignored for the higher a part of twenty years, it is in determined want of consideration. In addition to the thick layer of mud sitting on the paint and glass, the chrome has light and there is a few rust spots starting to kind. The inside is not in one of the best form, both. 

The Mustang brightens up considerably as soon as the WD workforce does a correct wash. After sharpening the chrome wheels and bumpers, there is not a lot visually that offers away this automotive’s sedate life-style for the previous 18 years. We’re glad the rust spots weren’t addressed; they provide the automotive some well-earned patina.

 

The inside appears pretty wholesome at first look, nevertheless it would not take lengthy earlier than the WD Detailing workforce finds proof of infestation. In complete, they discover 4 mouse carcasses and a handful of nests. Gross.

Following its beauty revival, the WD workforce invitations a father-son duo of mechanics to assist get this Mustang began. Following a handful of gasoline points, they’re lastly capable of get the classic muscle automotive idling—one thing it hasn’t finished for practically 20 years. 

Instead of stashing it again in his storage, the proprietor decides to reward the Mustang to his daughter as a school commencement current. Hopefully this implies it’s going to get the mechanical consideration it deserves so it may possibly get again on the street for years to come back.

Motorsport

Forgotten NSX Saved From A Snowy Grave And Detailed To Perfection

With the first-generation Acura NSX now a licensed collector automobile, it is protected to imagine that each working instance would have a house in a pleasant, climate-controlled storage. Clearly that is not the case, going by WD Detailing’s latest video. It paperwork the restoration and beauty restoration of an NSX that is been sitting on a plot of land surrounded by forest for the final two years. And it is not fairly.

Two years won’t sound like a very long time, however with the fluctuating temperatures that include the altering seasons, there’s loads of alternative for issues like mildew to develop within the cabin and creatures to make themselves at residence. Even earlier than the automobile is totally loaded onto the trailer in the course of the extraction, the workforce notes the horrific scent coming from the inside and sees a mouse seem from below the automobile and scurry away. Bad indicators.

Sure sufficient, it does not take lengthy for WD Detailing to find a huge mouse nest within the trunk space behind the engine. The workforce mentioned the scent was so unhealthy that everybody needed to put on respirators for hours whereas the storage aired out. Under the seats they discovered mildew and extra proof of mice. And whereas power-washing the engine bay, one other mouse seems and scurries away from the automobile. Gross. 

But mildew and mouse nests are not any match for a workforce of professional detailers. WD Detailing’s workforce makes fast work of all of the caked grime on the paint and nasty inside residue, taking the time to take away the seats for an intensive cleansing. The workforce additionally polishes the outside, bringing the scratched, light black paint again to life. It’s a powerful transformation that is extremely satisfying to look at.

Motorsport

The Original Ford Focus Was Designed In Europe To Global Success

The first-generation Ford Focus debuted on the 1998 Geneva Motor Show and shortly turned one of many firm’s most essential fashions. While the way forward for the nameplate seems very uncertain, towards the tail finish of the Nineteen Nineties, it set the stage for a brand new period in compact automotive manufacturing with its distinctive design and superior options. Ford’s UK and German groups labored collectively to create a automotive that was the envy of the world.

Welcome to Timeless European Treasures, our weekly look again at automobiles from the European market that outlined a motoring era.

Why Do We Love It?

Good query. The Ford Focus has earned a particular place within the hearts of automotive lovers and on a regular basis drivers for a lot of causes. Its attraction is multifaceted, beginning with its groundbreaking design. The unique Focus departed from conventional compact automotive aesthetics, embracing the New Edge styling philosophy launched within the late Nineteen Nineties. The outcome was a polarizing but fascinating exterior that caught the attention and set the mannequin aside from its opponents.

One of the important thing causes for the Focus’s widespread admiration is its engineering prowess. The introduction of the Control Blade rear suspension system, for instance, marked a leap ahead in dealing with and journey consolation for a compact automotive. The engineers, led by Richard Parry-Jones, crafted a class-leading, space-saving unbiased multi-link rear suspension that delivered distinctive elasto-kinematic efficiency. This innovation contributed to the Focus’s sharp steering, superior physique management, and clean journey over numerous terrains.

Of course, Ford lovers will at all times bear in mind the first-gen Focus for its efficiency variations. From the extra delicate US-market SVT fashions to the Focus RS with a 2.0-liter turbo engine, the compact automotive delivered an honest efficiency for rookie and semi-pro drivers. And after all, the Focus RS WRC was a profitable rally automotive with plenty of prestigious triumphs within the World Rally Championship.


Cars

2024 Lexus GX Pricing Revealed: Here’s How Much Each Trim Level Costs

Ever for the reason that first-generation Lexus GX made its debut in 2002, the Lexus GX sequence has solely been via a single main improve in 2015. It resulted within the variant at the moment on sale within the U.S., and even that variant is now eight years previous. In addition to the interior modifications, the 2024 Lexus GX is a markedly different-looking automobile in comparison with its predecessors. While retaining the basic Lexus GX silhouette, the 2024 Lexus GX seems way more up to date because of its squared-off, boxy look and more energizing design palette.

The 2024 GX can be larger than its predecessor, providing extra space for passengers and cargo. Inside, you may discover all the most recent Toyota/Lexus expertise, together with the intuitive Lexus Interface infotainment system. Despite updates, this can be a main leap from the earlier GX, which felt its age after being available in the market for practically a decade.

If you’re a potential 2024 Lexus GX purchaser, there are a few issues it’s best to know in regards to the totally different variants of the automobile. To start with, it needs to be famous that solely the Premium and Luxury variants of the automobile include normal third-row seats. The Overtrail variants, however, are provided solely in a two-row configuration with a passenger capability of 5 people. 

While we’ll reserve our last tackle the 2024 Lexus GX after we evaluate it, however there isn’t a denying that the automobile makes for an attention-grabbing choice for anybody searching for a succesful mid-sized SUV in 2024. 

Motorsport

New Honda N-Box Debuts With Tiny Wheels, Huge Interior Space

The first-generation Honda N-Box was released in Japan in 2011 and had a very square appearance. Now, the automaker has unveiled the third-generation N-Box, which will be available in Japan this fall. Orders will begin in August, but pricing details have not yet been announced.

Similar to its predecessors, the latest N-Box maintains its boxy design. Even the headlights now have square surrounds, and the vehicle features a short front end with the majority of the space dedicated to the passenger compartment. The rear doors slide open, similar to those found on a minivan. For those looking to add some style, there is an optional Fashion Style package that includes off-white accents on the mirrors and door handles, as well as body-color wheel caps.


Gaming

5 Forgotten Features Of The Original Xbox That Are Pure Nostalgia

The first-generation Xbox controller bundled with the original Xbox systems, known as the Duke, will instantly transport any old school Xbox gamer back to the good old days. The Duke was known for its large size and distinctive design.

The Duke controller, originally designed by Denise Chaudhari and her team, featured innovative elements like its offset thumbstick placement. Its bigger size appealed to gamers with larger hands, offering a comfortable grip and ergonomic feel. Despite being bulky, the Duke had excellent build quality and durability, making it a reliable companion for countless gaming sessions.

Even though the Duke controller didn’t have wireless functionality and faced criticism for its size, it remains an iconic symbol of the original Xbox era. Third-party accessory makers like Hyperkin have recognized the nostalgia attached to the Duke and have released accurate replicas for the Xbox One, capturing the essence of the original controller.

The Duke’s influence on future controller designs is undeniable. Its unique features, such as the offset thumbsticks and oversized Xbox button, have influenced subsequent Xbox gamepads and contributed to the brand’s distinct identity. The controller holds sentimental value for those who grew up with the original Xbox, reminding them of the countless hours spent playing their favorite games (and the occasional hand cramps).

Motorsport

Modded Nissan Skyline R34 Sedan with 800 HP Shoots Flames from Exhaust

The Nissan Skyline has gone through significant changes since its first-generation model debuted in 1957. With the return of the GT-R name in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Skyline became a performance powerhouse and gained legendary status by the time the R34 model arrived just before the end of the Millennium.

The R34 was available in three body styles, with the sedan having a relatively sedate appearance. However, appearances can be deceiving, as That Racing Channel presents a modified Skyline sedan that shoots flames out of its big, round tailpipe.

The car’s RB26 engine received extensive upgrades, though the specific modifications were not mentioned in the video. The 2.6-liter straight-six engine now produces 800 horsepower after receiving head and block work and a new turbo. This power is delivered through the stock transmission to the car’s factory all-wheel-drive system. In the video, the car emits an aggressive exhaust note and features noticeable turbocharger noise.

The car was built by Drag International, a South Florida shop specializing in upgrading Japanese domestic market (JDM) products. While an 800-hp Nissan Skyline R34 might seem modest compared to the shop’s other creations, which can generate up to 1,500 hp, this particular Skyline still has its stock gearbox, which may not be ready to handle additional power.

Regarding the future of the Skyline, there have been rumors that it may become an electric SUV; however, nothing official has been announced by Nissan. Currently, the Skyline exists as a rebadged Infiniti Q50 since the thirteenth-generation model began production in 2014.

In the US, the GT-R exists as a separate model and has been updated for 2024. Nissan has hinted at the possibility of the model becoming fully electric in the future, but concerns about the technology’s viability in a high-performance application remain. Other automakers also face similar challenges as they transition to battery power, as more horsepower typically leads to reduced range, and finding the right balance with current technology is difficult.

For now, Nissan’s 3.8-liter V6 engine will continue to power the GT-R. The company is actively working on expanding its electric vehicle lineup and aims to have 19 fully electric models available for sale by the end of the decade. Additionally, Nissan plans to introduce 27 new hybrids. The future of the Skyline and GT-R will be a part of this overall strategy.