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News

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 cabriolet weapons for BMW M440i

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The cabriolet has additionally been given a raft of styling upgrades to match its AMG billing. Its flared entrance wheel arches accommodate a entrance monitor that is 58mm wider than the usual CLE’s and there may be an AMG-specific entrance grille, deeper entrance and rear bumpers, enlarged air intakes, quad exhausts and new alloy wheel designs – obtainable in 19in or 20in sizes.

Elsewhere, the automobile will get rear-wheel steering as customary, twin-chamber dampers configured to minimise physique roll and bigger brakes. An elective AMG efficiency package deal provides purple brake calipers, a drift mode, a ‘race start’ perform that lowers the 0-62mph time to 4.2sec, and specialised engine mounts for smoother efficiency. 

Specific to the cabriolet, the motive force can configure the automobile with Mercedes’ Aircap system, which makes use of a wind deflector to direct airflow away from the heads of the motive force and passenger.

The cloth roof will be raised or lowered in 20sec, and the automobile’s leather-trimmed seats include a coating that is mentioned to maintain them 12deg C cooler than its untreated equal when in direct daylight. As with the SL, it receives an 11.9in touchscreen, which will be adjusted between 12deg and 32deg of inclination from the vertical.

Mercedes has remained tight-lipped on pricing, however the coupé begins from £72,990 and we anticipate the cabriolet to command a premium of round £5000.

Featured

New Maruti Swift Snapped At Dealer Stockyard Ahead Of Launch

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The mannequin pictured gave the impression to be a mid-spec variant given the absence of alloy wheels and entrance fog lamps, whereas having a primary cabin

An in depth set of photographs of the fourth-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift from a supplier yard has surfaced on-line forward of its launch. The new Maruti hatchback’s bookings are open for Rs 11,000 each on-line and at Maruti’s Arena dealerships.

What Can Be Observed?

In the video, we are able to see the brand new Swift with none covers and there appear to be two mid-spec variants of the hatchback. The cause we are saying that’s as a result of each the variants have been lacking out on alloy wheels and entrance fog lamps. Maruti will equip the higher-spec variant of the 2024 Swift with 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and LED entrance fog lamps.

Cabin And Features

The cabin of the mid-spec variant that was snapped had cloth seats and boring gray supplies throughout, whereas additionally missing silver and chrome highlights. That mentioned, it had some primary options reminiscent of a smaller 7-inch touchscreen, auto AC, steering-mounted controls, and all 4 energy home windows.

Higher-spec variants could have a 9-inch touchscreen unit, push-button begin/cease, cruise management, and a wi-fi telephone charger. Maruti will pack the brand new Swift’s security web with six airbags (as customary), a reversing digital camera, ISOFIX youngster seat anchorages, and hill-hold help.

2024 Maruti Swift Engine Details

The new Swift will include a recent 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Z sequence petrol engine (82 PS/as much as 112 Nm), with each 5-speed MT and 5-speed AMT choices. While Maruti received’t supply it with a CNG powertrain possibility at launch, it may very well be supplied at a later stage.

Also Read: All The New Cars That Were Launched In April 2024

Launch And Price

The fourth-gen Maruti Swift can be launched on May 9, with costs prone to begin from Rs 6.5 lakh (ex-showroom). It will rival the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, whereas serving as a substitute for the Renault Triber, Tata Punch, and Hyundai Exter.

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Read More on : Swift AMT

Cars

Here’s What The Eco Mode In Your Car Actually Does

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If you have determined to check out your automobile’s eco mode, you may be questioning when you must use it. Given that your automobile will function with lowered energy in eco mode, it really works greatest once you will not have to speed up quickly, equivalent to in congested suburban streets or slow-moving visitors. Eco mode excels in metropolis driving, the place stop-and-go visitors is widespread. Since eco mode reduces the throttle response and shifts gears at decrease RPMs, it might probably allow you to save gasoline in city areas the place the transmission usually has to work nonstop.

You may need to think about using eco mode when happening a protracted journey the place you will be driving at average speeds (between 30 and 60 mph), equivalent to freeway driving with cruise management. In these conditions, eco mode can enhance gasoline effectivity by protecting the engine working at decrease RPMs, which conserves gasoline over lengthy distances​.

There are additionally occasions once you’ll need to keep away from placing your automobile in eco mode as a result of it might do extra hurt than good. Eco mode is not your best option for high-speed freeway driving, the place you would possibly have to speed up rapidly to overhaul a automobile or merge with visitors. The lowered energy output can harm your automobile’s efficiency in these conditions. You additionally will not need to use eco mode if you’ll be towing or going up steep inclines as a result of the lowered torque and energy may not present the required efficiency to deal with these situations safely. 

Car review

Aston Martin DB12 Coupe and Volante

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On the launch of the Aston Martin DBX 707 in 2022, a closely overhauled model of the DBX, we got the compulsory show-around of the automobile. All was going properly till we acquired inside and prodded the display on the dashboard. “Yeah… that’s still not a touchscreen,” got here the awkward reply.

However spectacular Aston Martins look, sound and carry out, nothing screams ‘old tech’ nowadays greater than a big show display in the midst of a dashboard that you would be able to’t function by contact (whether or not touchscreens are factor is one other debate, however you get what I imply…). On a automobile launched in 2022, because the DBX 707 was, and constructed by a automobile maker positioning itself on the very high of the trade, it wasn’t actually adequate, nevertheless incredible the remainder of the automobile was.

Thankfully, the Aston Martin DB12 does have a touchscreen. The software program it runs is just not good, the fonts are a bit small, and a few of the menus are too properly hidden. But of a lot larger significance is the truth that the display exists in any respect; that you would be able to prod it together with your fingers; and that the software program is all of Aston’s personal design fairly than being a Mercedes hand-me-down.

You can inform that is Aston’s first correct go at designing its personal fashionable touchscreen interface, as a result of it’s working via a number of novices’ errors. Some of the menu icons are too small to simply hit with an outstretched arm, for example. There’s no bodily cursor controller both on wheel or centre console, so no possibility however to succeed in for these fiddly icons; the software program’s a bit glitchy and weak to crashing; and the navigation is lacking a few show modes. Oh, and the display as a complete will get fairly scorching when it’s been on for an hour or so – which makes holding your fingertip to it, to maneuver the map round or scroll down on a menu, slightly disagreeable. 

Still, all are issues that may be fastened with up to date software program (what an previous chestnut that is turning into), and this wouldn’t really feel like a brand new Aston Martin if it hadn’t been launched with some ‘areas for improvement’.

After a day of familiarity, not all the controls have been falling simply handy. But credit score to Aston for not placing each management on the touchscreen. This has the texture of a first-generation format in the best way bodily and digital controls combine. Further usability refinements are to return, although, with seven extra front-engined sports activities automobiles, together with derivatives, to comply with the DB12 over the following two years.

The cabin’s different foremost space of progress, in the meantime, is undoubtedly its materials high quality, which is now on a par with Bentley’s in locations and properly past that of a Ferrari. There’s a chunky engine begin button, with a rotating collar round it for juggling driving modes, which each really feel costly to the contact – as do the knurled-metal curler toggles for heater temperature and audio quantity management. There’s now in locations the feel and appear of a high-end, military-chic watch concerning the DB12’s cabin. 

There’s loads of room within the automobile, respectable storage and usable occasional again seats. The DB12 isn’t fairly as massive as some two-plus-two luxurious coupés, neither is its cabin fairly as roomy – though there’s loads of room up entrance, so that you don’t really feel too intimately acquainted together with your passenger and also you don’t bang elbows throughout the centre console, whereas youngsters of as much as concerning the age of 12 might comfortably journey within the again seats.

BMW

GT World Challenge Europe: Augusto Farfus, Dan Harper, and Max Hesse win the season opener.

Le Castellet. The breakthrough has come! ROWE Racing has given BMW M Motorsport the primary main success of the 12 months 2024 on the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Le Castellet (FRA) season opener. Augusto Farfus (BRA), Dan Harper (GBR), and Max Hesse (GER) have been rewarded following an impressive efficiency within the #998 BMW M4 GT3 and celebrated their first victory within the extremely aggressive race collection. Starting from fifth place, the trio placed on a formidable present and crossed the end line in first place with a 13.5-second lead. In the BMW M Team WRT #46 BMW M4 GT3, Valentino Rossi (ITA), Maxime Martin (BEL), and Raffaele Marciello (SUI) additionally gave a powerful efficiency to complete fourth.

You discover post-race video interviews right here: https://b.mw/GTWC_Interviews.

The #998 BMW M4 GT3, sporting the design of BMW M Motorsport associate MultiBank Group, moved as much as third place because of a powerful begin by Farfus, and Harper put the automotive on the trail to victory with a outstanding overtaking manoeuvre on the main Lamborghini. Hesse then confidently drove to the end line, securing the fifth general victory for ROWE Racing within the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS. The sister automotive with Marco Wittmann (GER), Nick Yelloly (GBR), and Philipp Eng (AUT) additionally gave a really sturdy efficiency and was on observe for a podium end, however an issue throughout the second refuelling initially value beneficial seconds after which compelled Eng to make an extra pit cease shortly earlier than the tip of the race. That dropped the #98 BMW M4 GT3 again to twelfth place.

There have been combined emotions at BMW M Team WRT. While Rossi, Martin, and Marciello might be happy with fourth place because of a powerful remaining dash, the #32 BMW M4 GT3 was compelled to retire after an unprovoked collision for Charles Weerts (BEL) with a competitor leading to tyre harm. The Team WRT #30 BMW M4 GT3, by which BMW M works driver Jens Klingmann (GER) shared the cockpit with Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA) and Sam De Haan (GBR), completed sixth within the Bronze Cup. The #991 BMW M4 GT3 of Century Motorsport with Jake Dennis, Darren Leung, and Toby Sowery (all GBR) on the wheel was on the right track for a podium within the Bronze Cup however then retired.

Comments after the race.

 

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “A very good start to the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS season! Congratulations to Augusto Farfus, Dan Harper, and Max Hesse as well as ROWE Racing on the victory! They did a perfect job. Many thanks to the team, the drivers, and all the BMW M Motorsport employees who contributed to this success! We had no racing luck at the beginning of this season at Daytona, Bathurst, Qatar, and Sebring. Now the knot has been untied, and I hope we can carry this momentum into the rest of the season. BMW M Team WRT also gave a strong performance with the #46 BMW M4 GT3 of Valentino Rossi, Maxime Martin, and Raffaele Marciello. The three harmonised superbly in the new setup and just narrowly missed the podium. It’s very unfortunate that there were difficulties with the ROWE Racing #98 BMW M4 GT3 and the BMW M Team WRT #32 BMW M4 GT3. We need to closely examine the refuelling issue that probably cost the ROWE Racing trio a podium place.”

Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Principal ROWE Racing): “That was a fantastic start to the season for the team! Augusto Farfus, Dan Harper, and Max Hesse impressively showed today where the hammer hangs and how well the combination of the experienced mentor and the young guns works. Dan and Max have proved that they are first-class BMW M works drivers. All three did a perfect job, drove cleverly, and implemented the strategy superbly. The whole team has shown the mix of routine and enthusiasm needed to be at the front in this high-calibre series again this year. I feel sorry for the #98 guys, as they also did a flawless job and deserved to be on the podium. Unfortunately, there were irregularities with the fuel flow during their last pit stop which caused them to lose time first and then had to make an additional stop. Without that problem, a double podium like last year at Monza would have been possible.”

 

Augusto Farfus (#998 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, 1st place): “It is a great honour for me to share the car with these two amazing guys. This victory is for the entire team. We complemented each other very well. I had a good start and got to third place, Dan took the lead with his overtaking manoeuvre, and Max brought the victory home confidently in the last stint. I have been following the development of Dan and Max from the beginning and now share the car with real professionals.”

Dan Harper (#998 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, 1st place): “It’s a very special feeling to win the season opener after we were second last year – just fantastic! A great way to start the year together with ROWE Racing, Augusto, and Max. Many thanks to BMW M Motorsport for this opportunity! We worked incredibly well together as a team, had no problems, and all three of us were happy with the driving feel in the car.”

 

Max Hesse (#998 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, 1st place): “That was a fantastic start. This season, 20 Pro cars and some of the best GT drivers in the world are competing against each other, and to win the first race with Augusto, Dan, and ROWE Racing is something very special for me. I will remember this day for a long time.”

 

Raffaele Marciello (#46 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT, 4th place): “Fourth place is a good result for us, bringing important points. But we can’t be completely satisfied because if another team with the BMW M4 GT3 wins the race, we should be able to do that too. Congratulations to ROWE Racing! We will prepare very well for the next race.”

 

Philipp Eng (#98 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, twelfth place): “I am very happy for our sister car. That was a grand victory. The entire team did a super job all weekend. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite have the balance we wanted in qualifying, but the car was really top for the race. It looked like a podium for a long time, if not even a 1-2 for ROWE Racing and BMW M Motorsport. Then we unfortunately had a problem with refuelling and had to stop again to make it to the finish. Nevertheless, I am very happy for my teammates.”

 

Charles Weerts (#32 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT, DNF): “I had a good start moving up to P5, passing two cars together with Max in the #46 car, which was nice. Then there was the very aggressive Ferrari that hit me twice in one lap. Unfortunately, the second hit resulted in a puncture which basically ended our race. That’s a shame as we had a very competitive car and could have achieved a good result.”

Featured

3 Ways Hybrids Could Become More Affordable In India

Given the choice for robust hybrids in comparison with pure EVs, the federal government may scale back taxation on the greener various for sooner adoption

The push for electrification in India’s automotive house has been primarily focussed round battery electric vehicles (BEVs), seeking to skip the hybrid stage altogether. However, international manufacturers like Honda and Toyota and even Maruti by way of its tech sourced from Suzuki, have launched hybrid fashions in India in the previous couple of years. 

However, these fashions with each petrol and electrical propulsion methods carry a hefty premium over their combustion engined counterparts. For instance, the value hole between comparable variants of the petrol and hybrid variants of the Maruti Grand Vitara presently stands at round Rs 3 lakh, however you additionally get a number of extra options. In the case of the Honda City sedan, the premium for the hybrid variant can simply exceed Rs 4 lakh. 

Other carmakers haven’t explored hybrid powertrain choices on account of an absence of presidency incentives in India. However, given the recognition and choice of hybrids for his or her decrease operating prices and relatively decrease buy worth versus pure-EV equivalents, we would see this powertrain know-how get extra reasonably priced sooner or later. Here are 3 ways that may occur:

Reduced Taxation

As talked about earlier, the Indian authorities has not been providing any incentives for strong-hybrid powertrain know-how, focussing as an alternative on pure EV applied sciences. However, it was lately reported that the Minister of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Nitin Gadkari had acknowledged that the tax on hybrid autos ought to be diminished from the present 48 % GST to 12 % GST. In comparability, EVs are levied a tax of 5 % GST. 

Such a change would require the approval of different ministries as effectively, but when introduced into impact, might scale back the premium of a hybrid variant over a petroleum variant by a big quantity.

Lower Material Costs

One of the principle price fashions that mission the elevated affordability of EVs states that because the demand and adoption for EVs rises, and the associated applied sciences get extra environment friendly, the price of enter supplies will drop. Given that one of the crucial costly elements of a hybrid is the battery pack, decrease battery prices also needs to carry down the costs of hybrid fashions. Increased demand for hybrids might additionally play a job in decreasing the price of metals and minerals utilized in battery packs.

Discount Incentives

While the decrease taxation will definitely assist scale back costs for hybrids, additional monetary incentives within the type of reductions may be required. These reductions might be both government-backed, and even from the producer’s facet to additional incentivise new automotive patrons to decide on greener choices. This might embrace added reductions on exchanging an outdated petrol or diesel mannequin in lieu of a hybrid choice.

These are a number of the vital ways in which the extremely gasoline environment friendly hybrid fashions might develop into extra reasonably priced within the subsequent few years. Currently, the one mass-market robust hybrids on sale in India are the Toyota Hyryder, Maruti Grand Vitara and Honda City eHEV.

Featured

Tata Punch EV Is The Official Car Of The 2024 Indian Premier League

This is the second time an electrical automobile has turn out to be the official automobile for the IPL after the Tiago EV, which was given this position for the event’s 2023 version

The 2024 version of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is about to start out and Tata has confirmed that the official automobile of the event would be the Tata Punch EV. The Tata EV was additionally the official automobile for the lately concluded 2024 Women Premier League (WPL). It can be the second time an electrical automobile has been made the official automobile for the IPL, after the Tata Tiago EV held this place final yr. Let’s check out the main points of the Punch EV.

Battery Pack & Range

 

Medium Range

Long Range

Battery Pack

25 kWh

35 kWh

Electric Motor Power

82 PS

122 PS

Electric Motor Torque

114 Nm

190 Nm

Claimed Range

315 km

421 km

The Punch EV comes with two battery pack choices, each paired with a single electrical motor in a entrance wheel drive (FWD) system. The greater battery pack affords an MIDC-claimed vary of 421 km and the smaller one affords 315 km. However, in real-world circumstances, the larger battery pack will provide round 320 km of vary and the smaller one will provide round 200 km.

Features & Safety

In phrases of options, the Punch EV is properly outfitted and comes with a ten.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a ten.25-inch digital driver’s show, wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ventilated entrance seats, an air air purifier, and a sunroof.

Also Read: Tata Tiago EV To Tata Nexon EV: Tata Electric Cars Waiting Period In March 2024

For passenger security, it will get 6 airbags (as customary), ABS with EBD, digital stability management (ESC), a tyre strain monitoring system (TPMS), an digital parking brake with auto maintain, and a 360-degree digital camera.

Price & Rivals

Prices of the Tata Punch EV vary from Rs 10.99 lakh to Rs 15.49 lakh (ex-showroom), and it’s a direct rival to the Citroen eC3. Also, it may be thought of as a premium various to the Tata Tiago EV and MG Comet EV.

Read More on : Punch EV Automatic

Car review

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

With or with out it the N’s dynamics are first charge, particularly given it is a 2200kg efficiency automobile. As a results of the mass there may be notable pitch beneath acceleration and roll in cornering, even with the dampers stiffened, however the steering weights up properly to allow you to lean in opposition to it. You’d barely know the brakes are by-wire too. It may have extra pedal resistance beneath heavy observe braking, however then would possibly really feel too obstructive on the street.

Turn-in is nice, significantly in the event you settle the nostril first by path braking. I don’t suppose a Porsche Taycan turns this effectively, or has this unbelievable stage of adjustability, even in the event you go away the ability stability alone by not pitching the N into its rear-drive mode. The rear motor is extra highly effective than the entrance anyway, the tyres are 275/35 R21 Pirelli P Zeros all-around and the burden distribution have to be pretty even. 

As a consequence – and with stability management off, which N says means you’re completely by yourself – the Ioniq turns giant mid-corner grip right into a slide on nook exit. It even desires to ease into light oversteer in high-speed corners. The final Ford Focus RS did this, however to not this extent, and never this controllably both. It’s “not a drift car,” says Tyrone Johnson, “but it can be made to drift”. And it’s nonetheless nice enjoyable in the event you’re exact and don’t let it.

The drift optimiser is a novelty. Hyundai wettened a skid pan so we may play with it. The throttle response is simply too sharp to simply enter a protracted slide, however as a technique to observe automobile management it’s big enjoyable. Look out for viral movies of homeowners sliding into lamp posts in moist retail outlet automobile parks.

But the automobile is significantly satisfying on the street, too. European Ns have a softer damper setup than the unique prototype we drove – Hyundai even does some tuning within the UK – however the vertical management unsuprisingly stays considerbly tighter than that of your normal Ioniq 5. Direction adjustments really feel sharp and correct, with pleasingly exact steering. There’s additionally ok compliance and a eager edge to proceedings. As effectively because the Focus RS, there are hints of Mercedes-AMG A45 and even Mitsubishi Evo about it, although it’s extra mature and multi-faceted than all of these. I’d drive this over most of them.

And certain, at 2.2 tonnes the N is not any fairy, however a pedigree driving place and high-quality synthesis of steering behaviour, roll charges and throttle/brake response contrive to shrink it – definitely to the extent that you simply really feel assured barrelling into bends, teasing the chassis. Pushed onerous, the pure mid-corner stability neatly smudges all 4 tyres throughout the street floor whereas sustaining terrific momentum. It’s a bit just like the outdated Volkswagen Golf R Estate on this sense, solely with much less adjustability on a lifted ‘throttle’ however extra – way more – when again on the ability. 

As for isolation over longer distances, the 5 N is fairly compelling. Another key takeaway from our drive Castellolí Circuit and on the encompassing routes was that, in its softer damper setting, the Ioniq 5 N might be splendidly laid again.

Just how laid again? It was telling when, after a day on observe, we hopped into one other Ioniq 5 N for the boring run to the airport. Heading out alongside Castellolí’s entry street, I caught myself pondering: “Ah, nice to be back in something quiet, comfy and gloriously undemanding.” But after all, it was the exact same automobile, simply within the default, sat-back drive mode relatively than with all of the N shenanigans ramped up. 

Technology

What Happened To The Hopscotch App From Shark Tank Season 12?

Given Hopscotch’s station in tech circles heading into the “Shark Tank” pitch, Samantha John opened the proceedings with an air of confidence. Heck, early within the pitch, even outgoing shark Mark Cuban sang the corporate’s praises, admitting he and his household had been utilizing Hopscotch for years. But incomes a sort phrase from a shark is simpler than convincing one to spend money on your organization, and after making her pitch, John discovered the majority of the panelists have been cautious of kicking her $400,000 for a mere 4% fairness stake in Hopscotch. 

Indeed, many of the sharks have been fast to go on the potential deal, with many noting that they did not suppose John’s plan to change Hopscotch’s income stream from a subscription base was sensible. Being the fan that he already was, Cuban wasn’t so fast to go. Unfortunately for John, the “Shark Tank” star opened negotiations with the dreaded assertion, “I’ll make you an offer, but you’re not gonna like it.” He then provided to stake John the requested $400,000 however requested for a whopping 16% of Hopscotch in return.

True to Cuban’s phrase, John was not significantly sizzling to take the deal, with the 2 promptly embarking on a heated negotiation. In the top, they met someplace within the center as Cuban agreed to entrance John extra capital ($550,000) for an 11% stake in Hopscotch.

News

Nissan Juke revamped with larger touchscreen and improved high quality

Nissan has given its common Juke crossover a wide-reaching inside overhaul in a bid to keep up its place close to the highest of the gross sales charts.

The updates come because the third-generation Juke enters its fifth 12 months on sale, having bought a file 31,745 items within the UK final 12 months to rank as one of many nation’s best-selling vehicles. 

The updates focus totally on bettering high quality and ease of use, with new supplies, higher match and end, a bigger touchscreen and upgraded smartphone connectivity among the many upgrades.

Speaking on the launch of the facelifted crossover, assistant chief engineer Stephane Gandy mentioned: “We wanted to make it feel as though you’re in a jet fighter. When you’re inside, everything is quite close to your side. Positioning that screen and playing with the orientation, it plays with emotions.”

The Juke has additionally been given a brand new range-topping trim stage, N-Sport, which sits alongside Tekna vehicles and above the prevailing Acenta Premium and N-Connecta trims.

Entry-level Visia trim has been dropped, owing to it accounting for simply 1% of whole gross sales.

Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Nissan GB, mentioned: “The latest-generation Juke was launched in 2019, and continuous enhancements, together with a brand new hybrid powertrain, have ensured it stays common with UK prospects in a fiercely aggressive sector.

“2023 was the current generation Juke’s best-selling year, and these latest updates retain its distinctive style while enhancing connectivity, quality, interior design and safety to ensure it stays ahead of the competition.”