Tag Archives: friendly

Honda Elevate Gets New Dog-friendly Accessories In Japan For Pet Owners

April 16, 2024 Prafful Singh

The pet pleasant version will get a couple of customisations in and out that can assist you carry your furry buddies in consolation

Honda sells the made-in-India Elevate as the brand new WR-V in Japan.
A service and a pet seat have been supplied for the entrance and rear seats, respectively.
Features ‘Honda Dog’ sticker on the doorways and a pet buggy to ferry your pet in.
The Japan-spec Elevate will get the identical 1.5-litre powertrain because the India-spec mannequin.
Comes with simply the CVT computerized gearbox and has a lowered output.
Prices of the India-spec mannequin vary from Rs 11.69 lakh to Rs 16.51 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India).

The Honda Elevate was not too long ago launched in its residence nation because the WR-V, and is exported to its residence nation from our shores. Honda Japan has now showcased a brand new pet-friendly particular version of the SUV at a not too long ago held honest focussing on each people and pets.

More Details About The Pet-friendly Edition

Honda Access, the carmaker’s official equipment arm in Japan, revealed a couple of accent gadgets on the Elevate below the ‘Honda Dog’ model significantly developed for our furry buddies. To begin with, the entrance passenger seat comes with a service to accommodate two small canines and a gray pet door cowl.

At the again, there’s a pet seat circle advisable for small- and medium-sized canines, and it additionally comes with anchorages to connect their leashes. The pet seats alone price over Rs 10,000 every (as transformed from Japanese yen). It is even supplied with a pet buggy that can assist you carry your pet in, housed simply within the Honda SUV’s boot that has a phase finest capability of 458 litres.

Honda has additionally made a couple of modifications to the SUV’s exterior and inside, which features a slatted black grille and ‘Honda Dog’ sticker on the doorways, and non-obligatory canine paw-themed aluminium wheel caps and dog-themed key covers. These beauty equipment may price a complete of round Rs 20,000.

Japan-spec Honda Elevate (WR-V): Summary

The Japan-spec Honda Elevate will get the identical 1.5-litre petrol engine because the mannequin bought right here however with barely lowered outputs as talked about under:

Specification	India-spec Elevate	Japan-spec Elevate (WR-V)
Power	121 PS	118 PS
Torque	145 Nm	142 Nm
Transmission	6-speed MT, CVT	CVT

It additionally misses out on the 6-speed handbook gearbox choice altogether that’s accessible with the India-spec SUV.

In phrases of options, it’s virtually as properly outfitted because the India-spec mannequin however misses out on the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen (will get a 9-inch unit as an alternative), a sunroof, and wi-fi cellphone charging. That mentioned, there are not any variations when the security equipment of the 2 fashions are thought of and each get six airbags, superior driver help methods (ADAS), and traction management.

Price Range And Competition

The Honda Elevate is priced between Rs 11.69 lakh and Rs 16.51 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India). It takes on the likes of the Maruti Grand Vitara, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and Skoda Kushaq.

Chainsaw Buyer’s Guide: Top Brands & Affordable Picks

December 16, 2023 David

Like EGO, Greenworks is an organization that has put environmentally pleasant, battery-powered landscaping tools on the forefront of its enterprise. At solely 20 years previous, the Chinese producer already has a popularity for making good, inexpensive out of doors merchandise for each householders and garden care professionals. Greenworks’ broad number of instruments and tools embody its Pro Tool Innovation Award-winning utility automobiles, strain washers, and snowblowers.

Our decide, a steadiness between affordability and outright energy, is the Greenworks Pro 80V chainsaw. It’s below $350 with a battery on Amazon, and is outfitted with metal felling spikes and an 18″ bar. The top-loading battery is a bit more handy than the side-loading energy blocks of most different battery-powered chainsaws, and Greenworks claims the noticed can minimize as much as 110 4x4s earlier than it must recharge. The instrument additionally has various security options, like an anti-kickback bar that prompts a series brake, and a power-down operate that engages when the noticed is left on, however not actively operating, for over a minute. Some contemplate this little operate extra of a bug than a characteristic, however the occasional wandering youngster is at all times able to play with a enjoyable new toy the second’s again is turned.

While this noticed is a little bit heavy at over 15 kilos — that 80V brick of a battery has to go someplace — it cuts rapidly, and one can simply contemplate the brief 30-minute recharge time an opportunity to relaxation these weary arms.

Laptops, News

Apple Introduces M3 Chips in 14 and 16-Inch MacBook Pros

October 31, 2023 David

Apple has launched its new M3-powered MacBook Pros, featuring a 100% recycled aluminum chassis for an eco-friendly design. These laptops come with an XDR Liquid Retina Display, which ensures exceptional visual quality for tasks like photo editing and video post-production. With support for up to four high-resolution external displays, HDMI, Thunderbolt 4, and an SDXC slot, users have a wide range of options for connecting peripherals.

The latest MacBook Pro models boast impressive performance capabilities, including a maximum 16-core CPU and a maximum 40-core GPU with M3 Max. Apple claims that these laptops are over eleven times faster than their previous Intel-based counterparts. Surprisingly, despite the significant updates and the recent release of M2-powered Macs, the prices of the new MacBook Pros start at $1,599 for the 14-inch model and $2,499 for the 16-inch model. Orders for M3 and M3 Pro-powered models are now open, with availability expected next week. The M3 Max models will hit the shelves in November.

Opinion

Matt Prior: a dislike for subscription-enabled features

August 20, 2023 David

In my opinion, Smart has always been the more approachable side of Mercedes-Benz.

Although I believed that the original small City Coupé two-seater was a better concept in theory than in reality, I still admired the idea and the ingenuity behind it.

If everyone drove lightweight Smarts instead of bulky SUVs, the world would have been grateful and we would have had more fun on the roads.

Above all, I appreciated the friendly atmosphere that Smart exuded. While other Mercedes models were serious and practical, Smart, which was initially a collaboration between Mercedes and Swatch known for its trendy watches, had a funky and accessible appeal. Even when it lost its charm, it remained forward-thinking and transitioned into an all-electric brand in 2019.

Now, there is a possibility that Smart, despite its merger with Mercedes and Geely to become a compact SUV manufacturer, will continue to lead in terms of trends. However, this time it involves a rather concerning trend…

The Smart #1, like most new cars, can receive software updates over-the-air. In the future, early customers may find that their car’s touchscreen can suddenly mirror their phone through a free download.

Subsequently, another update will be released, but Smart UK has not decided on how it will handle it yet.

The #1 model currently has a heated steering wheel, but its functionality has not been activated. When the time comes, it could either be a surprise addition or, more alarmingly, customers might be required to pay for it, either permanently, as a one-off payment, or as a subscription service where you pay for it in winter but not in summer.

Long-Term Review

Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid S 2023 long-term test

August 4, 2023 David

We had a pleasant experience with a helpful and knowledgeable sales executive named Andrew Bradburn. After discussing with Bentley HQ, we decided on High Wycombe as the delivery location for our new Flying Spur Hybrid. On the appointed day, we met with dealer principal Ian Smith and other staff members. Andrew Bradburn then spent an hour briefing us about the car before we drove it away, fueled with excellent coffee and well-informed.

The main highlight of the Hybrid is its petrol-electric powertrain. It weighs similar to a V8, but the battery weight is relocated to the lower boot, resulting in a rearward bias of 52% in weight distribution. However, this doesn’t affect the driving experience. The only noticeable difference is the absence of the four-wheel steering system available in non-hybrid Spurs since 2020. The Hybrid is not cumbersome, but it feels larger compared to the 4WS versions, which feel more compact.

Despite this, there are no other drawbacks, and the Hybrid offers significant advantages. Currently, the fuel consumption stands at 35.5mpg, which is 10-12mpg (or around 50%) better than the V8. The EV-only mode provides incredible refinement, and the transition from the twin-turbocharged V6 to electric power is seamless and refined, thanks to excellent integration of the different drive sources. The performance is impressive too. Although slightly slower than the V8 and W12, the Spur Hybrid can effortlessly sprint from 0-100mph in 10.2 seconds.

The battery-only range, initially quoted at 25.5 miles, has actually turned out to be 33 miles. Although it falls short of the Range Rover’s 50-odd mile range, it is still convenient. The strong 134bhp electric motor sits between the 2.9-litre V6 engine and the eight-speed automatic gearbox. In EV-only mode, the performance feels accessible and powerful, with maximum torque delivered at step-off.

When cruising on motorways at 70mph, the car frequently switches off the engine. Charging the battery using a 7kWh Andersen charger, which is powered by my domestic electricity, takes slightly under two and a half hours and costs just under £6. As I gain more experience, I will calculate the overall costs more accurately.

Motorsport

Former Nissan Designer Creates Charming AIM Concept as an Alternative to Aggressive EV Designs

July 20, 2023 Prafful Singh

Unlike many other electric vehicles, the AIM EV Sport 01 concept has a friendly and approachable appearance, and there’s a reason for that. In a recent interview, Shiro Nakamura, the ex-Nissan designer behind the concept, revealed that he finds the modern styling of EVs to be overly aggressive.

Nakamura, renowned for his work on iconic Nissan models such as the R35 GT-R, the Cube, the Juke, and the 350Z, shared his perspective with Top Gear by stating, “Cars can be charming too.” When he designed the AIM concept, he aimed to convey a sense of dynamism and sophisticated elegance through a simple and clean design.

Automoto Hub