Manuel Lettenbichler started strong and won his fourth straight FIM Hard Enduro event at the Canadian Outliers. ” I managed to get up most of the hills without any problem and that helped me to conserve as much energy as possible. I bent my handlebars pretty good on one of the last uphills so that was a bit of a worry. Being the first to reach some of the sections was a bit of a disadvantage, because it was so slippery. Four wins in a row now, I’m speechless.” Photo: Mason Mashon / Red Bull Content Pool
Manuel Lettenbichler, the reigning Hare Enduro World Champion and winner of the first three championship events of the year won his fourth straight, the Red Bull Outliers Hard Enduro held in Canada. Team Husqvarna’s Billy Bolt took home second place, followed by local hero Trystan Hart and his Factory FMF KTM.
Billy Bolt: “I had a good start with Mani, and we rode together early on. I had a few mistakes throughout, but generally I was happy with my riding. On the final lap I had one big mistake that allowed Mario to close the gap to me, but I managed to recover and get some breathing room coming into the final big section. I got onto Mani’s wheel there but had pushed a bit hard and just didn’t have an answer to him at the end.” Photo: Tyler Ravelle / Red Bull Content Pool
Letti started off with a big win in the prologue which gave him the pole position start. Bolt and Letti jumped out in front of a dusty, and tenacious course. Behind them chaos ruled. Sherco’s Mario Roman got caught in a crash zone, moving up to third with Wade Young and Trystan Hart in the hunt. Roman kept the leaders in sight in the two and half-hour race, but could never reel them in. Mario’s teammate Wade Young hit the wall on after charging hard losing touch with the lead pack on lap two.
Trystan Hart: “Not the result I wanted to get here at my home race, but I have to be happy with a podium. The prologue didn’t go my way – I made a few too many mistakes there, and today was the same. I got caught up in the mayhem early on and was chasing the whole way after that and it really took everything out of me. It’s great to get onto the podium in front of all my home fans, I just wish it was a couple of steps higher.” Photo: Tyler Ravelle / Red Bull Content Pool
Trystan Hart had to fight hard through dusty conditions and viscous terrain using valuable energy in an attempt to catch the Mani/Bolt duo. The final hill climbs were titanic and played a big role in the finish. Bolt had some drama and gave Mani some gap, and allowed Mario Roman to pull in closer. Billy charged hard to the finish, got within striking distance of Mani but didn’t have enough to challenge. Letti won by 41-seconds over Bolt, Trystan Hart finished third, edging past Roman, who had a good lead on his teammate Wade Young.
Billy Bolt and Manuel Lettenbitchler were this close in the closing stages battling on the epic hills at the Red Bull Outliers. Photo: Tyler Ravelle / Red Bull Content Pool Breathing clear air off the start proved crucial. Photo: Tyler Ravelle / Red Bull Content Pool
Winners, Billy Bolt, Manuel Lettenbichler, and Trystan Hart at Red Bull Outliers Photo: Mason Mashon / Red Bull Content Pool
The latest generation of the Mustang GT, known as the S650, is equipped with a fourth version of the Coyote V8 engine. This revision includes a dual air intake box and a dual-throttle body design. As the car begins to arrive at dealerships across the United States, it’s only natural that enthusiasts would want to know the amount of power this naturally aspirated machine is capable of. The factory specifications for this new engine indicate a rating of 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft (563 Nm) of torque.
Middleton Motorsports, an aftermarket accessories and performance shop located in Wisconsin, had the opportunity to test a 2024 Mustang GT Convertible with a 10-speed automatic transmission on a dynamometer. Although the car was brand-new, the shop completed the necessary break-in miles to ensure a more accurate assessment of the V8’s capabilities. At the time of the dyno test, the car had accumulated fewer than 1,000 miles (over 1,600 kilometers). It’s worth noting that the output figures may still increase as the car accumulates more mileage.
The Rumion will be the fourth cross-badged product from the Toyota and Suzuki partnership
Bookings to open sometime next week along with price announcement.
It is a rebadged version of the Ertiga with minor styling tweaks inside and out.
Features a 7-inch touchscreen system, cruise control, four airbags, ESP, hill-hold assist, and rear camera.
Will be powered by Maruti’s 1.5-litre petrol engine with manual and automatic transmission options, and choice of CNG too.
Prices expected to commence from around Rs 8.8 lakh (ex-showroom).
The Toyota Rumion MPV is likely to be launched next week, i.e, either by the end of August or in early September. Our dealership sources have revealed that the bookings will also commence with the price announcement.
What is the Rumion?
The Rumion is a rebadged version of the Maruti Ertiga but with a refreshed front profile, inspired by the Toyota Innova, and different alloy wheels. The interior is slightly tweaked with dual-tone fabric seats and a different tone of shade for the dashboard trim.
Rumion’s comforts
The Toyota Rumion will come equipped with features such as projector headlamps, engine push start-stop button, automatic AC, cruise control, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Safety will be taken care of by four airbags, ESP, hill hold assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts, rear parking sensors, and a rear parking camera.
Powering the Rumion will be a 1.5-litre petrol engine which will come mated to 5-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic transmissions. Like the donor model, the Maruti Eritga, there’ll also be a CNG kit on offer with the manual, which will deliver 26.11km/kg, as claimed by Toyota.
Prices of the Toyota Rumion will be slightly higher than the Maruti Ertiga, which currently ranges from Rs 8.64 lakh to Rs 13.08 lakh (ex-showroom). It will be considered as an alternative to the likes of Kia Carens, Renault Triber, and Mahindra Marazzo.
The C3 Aircross will be the fourth Citroen model in India, which will rival compact SUVs like the Hyundai Creta
Citroen C3 Aircross will offer a choice between 5- and 7-seater layouts.
It will use the same 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine from the C3 hatchback.
The unit comes paired to a 6-speed manual transmission only.
Comes with features like a 10-inch touchscreen unit and 7-inch digital driver’s display.
Expected to be priced from Rs 9 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards.
The India-spec Citroen C3 Aircross was unveiled in April 2023, following which the French carmaker has also revealed its features and specifications. Now, Citroen has also announced the bookings, launch and delivery timelines for the compact SUV. The C3 Aircross will become available to customers for booking in September, while the deliveries are scheduled to start from October, likely right after the price announcement.
Let’s have a quick overview of what it will offer upon its launch.
A Basic Feature List
The list of amenities offered in the C3 Aircross is not as impressive as its rivals, covering just about the basic needs of the segment’s buyers. It includes a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, a 7-inch digital driver’s display, and steering-mounted audio controls.
In terms of safety, the C3 Aircross is equipped with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, hill-hold assist, rear parking sensors and tyre pressure pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
The C3 Aircross lacks important features such as automatic AC, cruise control, ventilated seats, wireless charging, and up to six airbags, which are offered by its segment competitors.
Citroen’s compact SUV will use the same 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine as the C3 hatchback, which produces 110PS and 190Nm of torque and is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. There is currently no option for an automatic transmission, but it is expected to be introduced later.
Mani Lettenbichler wins the 2023 Red Bull Romaniacs, his fourth victory at the Hard Enduro World Championship round, finishing one hour clear ahead of Trystan Hart second for a KTM one-two. Photo: Mihai Stetcu / Red Bull Content Pool
Manuel Lettenbichler from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has emerged as the winner of round three of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship at Red Bull Romaniacs. Lettenbichler showcased an impressive week-long performance, securing his fourth victory at the world’s toughest Hard Enduro Rallye. He finished over one hour ahead of second-placed Trystan Hart, making it a KTM one-two victory. This win also marks Lettenbichler’s third consecutive win in the 2023 season.
In the battle for the remaining spots on the podium, FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan Hart claimed a podium finish for the first time, securing second place overall. He became the first Canadian rider to achieve this feat. ECONT Bulgaria’s Teodor Kabakchiev secured third place, overtaking Billy Bolt from Husqvarna Factory Racing.
• Manuel Lettenbichler continues his unbeaten run, winning all three races in 2023
• Lettenbichler secures his fourth Red Bull Romaniacs victory
• Trystan Hart and Teodor Kabakchiev join him on the podium
Trystan Hart from FMF KTM FACTORY RACING was one of the few riders who successfully conquered the infamous final hillclimb at the finish, securing second place overall and a one-two finish for KTM. The series now moves to his home round in Canada. Photo: Attila Szabo / Red Bull Content PoolFastest in three of the four checkpoints before the service point, Teodor was on a mission. Clean and fast through the remainder of the day, he won Offroad Day 4 on corrected time and with it earned his place on the podium with third. Photo Red Bull Content PoolThere was a big fight for third place between Billy Bolt, starting with a four minutes advantage over Teo Kabachiev. After two very solid days where he went 1-2 on the daily classification, Kabakchiev had closed right in on Bolt who admitted he’d “hit the wall” during day three. Photo: Mihai Stetcu / Red Bull Content PoolSherco Factory rider Wade Young finished fifth overall, one hour and forty-six minutes behind Lettenbichler’s pace. Photo: Attila Szabo / Red Bull Content PoolMario Roman had mechanical issues on day one and two but finished strong with third-place finishes on day three and four, securing seventh place overall. Photo: Mihai Stetcu / Red Bull Content PoolGraham Jarvis, despite his damaged machine, managed to climb one of the brutal hills at the Romaniacs. The experienced rider finished eighth overall. Photo: (Attila Szabo / Red Bull Content Pool
The original Volkswagen Beetle, although it came fourth in the 1999 Car of the Century competition, is considered one of the most influential cars in history. With over 21 million units produced between 1938 and 2003, it was incredibly popular. It’s no surprise that Beetle enthusiasts still exist today and find different ways to customize their cars.
In the United Kingdom, there’s a group of people who enjoy installing superchargers on the Beetle’s air-cooled engines. They have a dedicated YouTube channel called “Kompressor Haus / VW Aircooled Superchargers,” which explores the technical aspects of fitting a Beetle engine with a supercharger. Their latest video features a supercharged Beetle going on a dyno run to demonstrate its significant power gains.
Before we dive into the dyno test, let’s talk about the modifications made to this Beetle. The engine has been upgraded from the original 1,600cc to 1,641cc, a common modification among Beetle enthusiasts. The car also has an upgraded carburetor setup and other minor tweaks that result in an additional 50 horsepower.
Now, let’s discuss the supercharger kit used in this Beetle. The kit is called the “Kompressor Haus Ultimate kit” and includes an AMR500 supercharger connected to a genuine Weber DCOE 40 carburetor with an MST serpentine pulley system. To support this kit, the car is equipped with an electric fuel pump and a crankcase oil breather. The kit costs $2,250 (1,750 British pounds) and promises to almost double the factory power of the Beetle.
But does it really deliver on its promise? The video takes us to the dynamometer where the supercharged Beetle undergoes a test to measure its engine power. The final numbers are impressive – 100.1 horsepower and 126.9 pound-feet of torque at the crank.
The popular Dacia Sandero is set to undergo a transformation in its fourth generation. It will become a rugged, raised supermini with a pure-electric powertrain, while retaining its reputation for affordability. Dacia’s CEO, Denis Le Vot, has revealed that the new Sandero will be launched in 2027 or 2028 and will serve as a flagship for the brand’s low-cost approach to zero-emission vehicles.
Starting from 2024, all Dacia models (excluding the Spring) will be based on the Renault Group’s CMF-B platform. The electric variants will adopt the closely related CMF-BEV electric platform. This means that the electric Sandero will be Dacia’s interpretation of the Renault 5, with added focus on utility and practicality. The company has hinted at incorporating ruggedness and off-road capability, building upon the success of the popular Sandero Stepway.
To maintain its position as one of the most affordable cars in its category, the electric Sandero will not prioritize headline EV performance figures. Le Vot explained that it will offer a shorter range and longer charging times compared to its electric rivals in the B-segment. The aim is to achieve a lower price point for customers. This approach is driven by the rising entry prices of mainstream electric cars, which hinder widespread adoption. Dacia is committed to providing a more accessible alternative.
Minimizing weight will be crucial for cost reduction, possibly leading Dacia to equip the Sandero with a smaller battery than its platform siblings. Le Vot confirmed that Dacia will not strive for a range of 500-600 km (311-373 miles) and 20-minute charging. In addition, Dacia is exploring ways to make the battery chemistry as affordable as possible. Le Vot mentioned the possibility of using sodium-based batteries, despite their limitations in terms of energy storage and weight, because of their cost-effectiveness.
Alfa Romeo has announced that it will officially unveil its highly-anticipated supercar on August 30. The announcement was made at an event in China where the facelifted Giulia and Stelvio models were introduced. Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato expressed his excitement about the project, stating that it is a dream come true inspired by a daring team.
The supercar has been shrouded in mystery, with only a few teaser images released so far. The latest teaser image reveals a round taillight, hinting at a retro-flavored design possibly influenced by the T33 Stradale. The choice of August 30 for the world premiere may be linked to the 2023 Formula 1 Italian GP at Monza, which is scheduled to take place that weekend.
Rumors suggest that the supercar could be called the “6C,” as indicated by the taillight’s depiction of a “6” and a “C” combined. This would suggest a six-cylinder engine, following the four-cylinder engine of the 4C and the V8 engine of the 8C. If this speculation is accurate, the supercar may be powered by a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 engine, similar to the one found in the limited-run Giulia GTA.
Alfa Romeo’s new flagship model aims to fill the void left by the cancellation of the GTV and 8C revivals. CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has assured that the new supercar will be an all-Alfa effort, dispelling any rumors of it being a rebranded Maserati MC20. Imparato has described the car as “iconic, super-sexy, and recognizable.”
Given its limited production run, the 6C is expected to be the most expensive Alfa Romeo ever produced. It is expected to be a collector’s item, particularly as electrification looms on the horizon for the brand. The world premiere of the supercar will take place at Alfa Romeo’s museum in Arese.
It’s the Fourth of July weekend, so it must be RedBud! The 2023 National MX season resumed after a short break. Some new faces joined the show with Chase Sexton and Jason Anderson back in action. “I’ve been wearing myself out the last few weeks to be as ready as I can be,” said Anderson. “I have about 7 or 8 days on the bike.”
“I would say I’m closer to 100 percent than I was a Pala,” said Sexton. Unfortunately the program lost Cooper Webb, who was injured in a practice crash. And, of course, Ken Roczen was in the U.K. competing in the opening round of WSX.
Once the 450 racing was underway, none of the additional competition seemed to bother Jett Lawrence. it was business as usual, with the Honda rider pulling both holeshots and establishing a solid lead. In moto one, Ty Masterpool did an amazing job of holding down second until Chase Sexton overtook him. Then he tangled with Adam Ciaciarulo and both riders went down. In the second moto, Masterpool was up front briefly, but a train of factory riders overtook him. Dylan Ferrandis seemed to be stronger in the end of that race and made second place his own.
The 250 race stated off looking like it might be Hunter Lawrence’s best race yet. He pulled the first holeshot and was never challenged, while Haiden Deegan was second. In the second race, however, Hunter went down in the first turn and and just like that, the Lawrence win streak was broken. Levi Kitchen won the race while second place was a battle between Deegan and Tom Vialle. Vaille eventually passed Deegan for the runner-up spot, but it was Deegan’s first overall victory with a 2-3 score. Hunter Lawrence reportedly has no serious injuries and maintains the series point lead.
In May, the UK saw its car production increase for the fourth consecutive month, as reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Despite the challenging economic conditions, factories rolled out a total of 79,046 cars.
This output indicates a significant rise of 26.9% compared to May of the previous year. The surge was primarily driven by a nearly twofold increase in the production of electrified vehicles, including hybrid electric, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles. The number of these vehicles produced reached 27,636, accounting for 35% of the total UK output.
The growth in production also led to a double-digit increase in the export of vehicles, which rose by 22.9%.
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