Tag Archives: form

News

Retro-inspired Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded for 2024

After almost 14 years on the market, the Toyota Land Cruiser has undergone a significant transformation to compete with the Land Rover Defender and Jeep Wrangler.

The new design draws inspiration from previous Land Cruisers, featuring a rugged two-box shape that emphasizes its ability to handle tough conditions. The focus remains on practicality, durability, and dependability.

While the Land Cruiser has always been renowned for its off-road capabilities, the fifth-generation model, codenamed J250, prioritizes improved on-road refinement and advanced technology.

To achieve this, the Land Cruiser moves from the old J150 platform to Toyota’s new Global Architecture, similar to the larger J300 Land Cruiser (although not available in the UK).

The new body-on-frame structure ensures the SUV is easier to handle and more comfortable for on-road driving, according to Toyota.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser rear quarter

The chassis is now 50% more rigid than its predecessor, resulting in a body-on-frame assembly that is 30% stiffer. Combined with improved suspension, the Land Cruiser promises better responsiveness and comfort in all driving conditions.

With dimensions of 4920mm in length, 1870mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2850mm, the J250 is slightly larger than the previous model. Its redesigned cabin offers more space and a modern design.

The interior retains chunky physical controls and a focus on utility, but also incorporates luxurious features such as a full-length glass roof, multi-zone climate control, plush leather upholstery, and a wraparound digital display with a new-generation infotainment system. These upgrades indicate a move to a more upmarket position, closer to Land Rover’s three-year-old Defender.

Despite the upgrades, the Land Cruiser remains true to its roots with its exceptional all-terrain ability. The new model boasts increased wheel articulation, an upgraded Multi-Terrain Monitor interface, and improved off-road driving modes, further enhancing its off-road performance.

Motorsport

Dodge Challenger Driving School Vehicle Is a Dream for Teenagers

The Dodge Challenger, known for its iconic status as an American muscle car, is reaching the end of its road in its current non-electrified form. However, this does not mean that the Challenger will lose its status as an American automotive icon. Even though it has never been as popular in Europe as other performance vehicles, it remains a cult classic in markets that are not directly associated with the model. In fact, someone in Bulgaria has even used the Challenger’s image as a legend to boost their business.

Displayed below is a 2012 Dodge Challenger that was recently purchased by a new owner in Bulgaria. Although it may appear to be a newer model, the front end has been replaced with a fascia from a facelifted Challenger. Interestingly, the hood comes from a Demon model, but there is no 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine underneath it. The vehicle is labeled with a blue plate on the roof, indicating that it will be used as a driving school vehicle in Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria, which has a population of around 1.25 million people.


Motorsport

1979 Dodge Aspen Owner Review Is A Disco-Era Automotive Time Capsule

The Dodge Aspen, in coupe form, measures 198.8 inches (5,050 millimeters) in length, making it a rather sizable car by today’s standards. However, during the 1970s, the Aspen, along with its almost identical counterpart, the Plymouth Volare, were marketed as compact cars. These models were developed during a time when American automakers were focused on downsizing their vehicles to make them lighter and more fuel efficient. The Aspen and Volare replaced the Plymouth Valiant and Dodge Dart, and quickly gained popularity among customers during a turbulent decade for Chrysler-owned brands.

The Aspen not only offered improved fuel efficiency compared to its predecessor, but it also boasted more interior space and enhanced comfort. The new front suspension design not only improved the ride quality, but also enhanced the car’s handling. With an attractive price tag, the Aspen attracted 189,900 buyers in its first year on the market. In 1976, a total of 255,008 examples of the Volare were also sold. Although Aspen sales reached their peak in 1977 with 266,012 units, the model remained relatively popular for the next few years, consistently selling over 100,000 units annually. However, by its final year in 1980, only 67,318 Aspen cars were sold.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Dodge Aspen. Customers soon discovered that these cars were prone to rusting within just a couple of years. Engine and transmission problems were also common, particularly during the early years of production. In 1976 alone, there were at least eight serious recalls for the model. Chrysler attempted to address these issues with improvements for the 1978, 1979, and 1980 model years, but it was too late to salvage the Aspen’s reputation. Eventually, the automaker decided to discontinue both the Aspen and the Volare, as they became the most recalled automotive product of that time due to their poor quality.

However, this doesn’t mean that the Aspen isn’t a sought-after car today. While it may not be as expensive or rare as some of Dodge’s more popular models, finding examples in good condition can still be a challenge. In a video featured at the top of this page, a man shares his experience of purchasing an original 1979 Aspen with just 29,734 miles on the odometer in August of last year. This 45-minute video showcases his ownership experience after one year of having the car in his garage. Notably, the car has not undergone any restoration and still looks and drives as it did 44 years ago. Interested in how it feels to drive a car that is over four decades old with only about 31,000 miles? The answer can be found in the video.

News

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE: Replacing the C-Class and E-Class Coupes

The new Mercedes-Benz CLE will initially be available only as a coupe. However, a convertible version with an automatic multi-layered fabric hood is set to be launched later this year.

There is no information yet on the pricing for either model in the UK, but it is expected to be above £50,000.

First Ride: New Mercedes CLE

Mercedes-Benz has made the decision to replace the C-Class and E-Class coupes and cabriolets with the CLE coupe and cabriolet models. This means that instead of four models, there will now only be two.

During an initial ride in a validation prototype with low mileage on smooth roads near the Mercedes-Benz factory in Sindelfingen, Germany, it became clear that the new CLE maintains the overall on-road character of its predecessor models.

Inside, there are numerous styling cues taken from the C-Class saloon and estate. However, the CLE coupe has a lower seating position in the front, giving it a sportier feel. Improved perceived quality can be seen in comparison to the old C-Class and E-Class coupes and cabriolets, as well as better performance of the infotainment system. The system uses the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz MBUX operating system, providing faster response times and higher resolution on new-generation displays.

In its initial configuration with a top-of-the-line six-cylinder petrol engine, the CLE coupe delivers smooth and effortless performance. The prototype also excels in mechanical refinement and effectively reduces wind noise at typical motorway speeds.

Technology

10 Things The ASUS RoG Ally Can Do Better Than The Steam Deck

The ASUS RoG Ally has several advantages over the Steam Deck, starting with its favorable form factor. It is lighter, weighing only 1.34 pounds compared to the Steam Deck’s 1.47 pounds. The RoG Ally is also less cumbersome, with a thickness that is less than half of the Steam Deck’s.

Furthermore, the RoG Ally has a more comfortable design. Unlike the Steam Deck, it doesn’t have trackpads, which allows for a better layout of the analog sticks, d-pad, and buttons. This results in a controller-like feel that console gamers are familiar with, resembling an Xbox One Controller. The Steam Deck, on the other hand, had to compromise the d-pad and buttons’ size to accommodate the trackpads.

Overall, the RoG Ally’s form factor makes it not only more portable but also the preferred choice for console gamers in terms of comfort.