Tag Archives: hits

Cars

Here’s Why The 400 Is Considered One Of Ferrari’s Worst Cars (But Shouldn’t Be)

Even although not one of the variants of the 400 mannequin line have been large hits of their day, this wasn’t as a result of they weren’t good vehicles. The downside was Ferrari’s timing to launch the mannequin, proper when gas was so costly that proudly owning a giant, highly effective, and splendid automotive did not make you common within the sea of inexpensive economic system vehicles that have been flooding the market on the time.

However, right now, these vehicles are receiving plenty of love, and it reveals of their excessive costs. There’s no stigma connected to proudly owning a giant two-door GT cruiser as of late, and since this one is an understated Ferrari four-seater with a Daytona-inspired nostril and a V12 underneath the hood, it is not laborious to grasp why you is likely to be shocked to seek out how a lot costs for them have gone up, particularly if the final time you regarded was 20 years in the past after they weren’t that fascinating.

Prices most likely additionally went up as a result of it is a genuinely usable and pretty reliable V12 coupe. This is not the sort of automotive you’d purchase purely as an funding or to bolster your assortment. You can try this, and many individuals take that strategy, nevertheless it’s additionally remarkably good to drive and a really particular expertise for any automotive fanatic.

This is one automotive that has shaken off its picture of being an undesirable Ferrari, and right now, it is thought of cool. Its coolness is appreciating, although, together with its worth, so if you wish to get behind the wheel of 1, it is best to attempt to purchase one earlier than the costs hit the stratosphere (which is a distinct possibility with old Ferraris, even ones that are not particularly uncommon).

Motorsport

Watch This Chinese SUV Drive Away After Getting Hit By A Flaming Wrecking Ball

Every automobile has to undergo a rigorous set of crash checks earlier than it hits the street. But we’ve by no means seen a crash check fairly like this. Videos posted on TikTok and X present a Chinese-market Hongqi SUV (what seems to be a compact HS5) getting battered, overwhelmed, and set on hearth – and surviving all of it.

The video begins with an enormous flaming wrecking ball that smahes into the passenger aspect of the automobile, which the HS5 absorbs surprisingly nicely. It dents the doorways and units off the aspect airbags, however that’s about it. Some commenters recommend the ball may very well be fabricated from plastic – nonetheless, it is on hearth. 

 

From there, the Hongqi drives by means of a area of minor explosions earlier than smashing into two brick partitions (or what appear like brick partitions). And lastly, they drop a small hatchback on its roof – which barely dents the highest of the SUV — earlier than it is in a position to drive away underneath its personal energy.

Hongqi fashions are constructed to be robust. China’s chief Xi Jinping and his personnel trip round in armored Hongqi N701 limos. It’s unclear if the SUV within the video can also be an armored automobile meant for presidency use – though, the explosions recommend it may very well be.

 
Motorsport

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Starts At $32,995

The highly anticipated 2024 Toyota Tacoma will be available at dealerships later this year, with a starting price of $32,995, including the $1,495 destination fee. Although it represents a $2,900 increase from the 2023 model, the new Tacoma offers more features and increased power as standard.

The 2024 Tacoma comes with a new turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque in the base SR model. The SR5 model offers a more potent version of the same turbocharged engine, producing 270 hp and 310 lb-ft, along with a six-speed manual transmission.

The range-topping Limited model introduces the I-Force Max hybrid powertrain, which includes a 1.9-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor, resulting in a total output of 326 hp and 465 lb-ft, making it the most powerful Tacoma ever. However, pricing for the I-Force Max, TRD Pro, and TrailHunter models has not been released yet.

The pricing for other models, aside from the base model, is as follows: SR5 – $37,695, TRD Prerunner – $39,595, TRD Sport – $40,895, TRD Off-Road – $43,295, and the Limited trim – $53,595. Opting for all-wheel drive adds an additional $3,200 to the base SR and SR5 models, and an extra $2,400 to the TRD Sport trim, while the TRD Off-Road and Limited models come with four-wheel drive as standard.

Compared to other trucks in the segment, the 2024 Tacoma offers one of the most affordable starting prices. Only the base Nissan Frontier S and Chevrolet Colorado WT are more affordable to start.

  Base Price
Toyota Tacoma $32,995
Chevrolet Colorado $30,695
Ford Ranger $34,160
GMC Canyon $38,890
Honda Ridgeline $40,175
Jeep Gladiator $41,515
Nissan Frontier $30,905

Standard equipment for the 2024 Tacoma includes a new limited-slip differential for rear-drive models like the SR and SR5, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case with high- and low-range gearing added to four-wheel-drive models. All versions of the Tacoma for 2024 also come with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, which includes features such as pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, and a new Proactive Driving system that helps pre-load the brakes and active steering in heavy traffic, even if cruise control is turned off.

Internally, the 2024 Tacoma features a new 8.0-inch touchscreen, or an optional 14.0-inch display, with SR and SR5 models equipped with a standard 7.0-inch digital cluster, and all other models featuring a 12.3-inch cluster. Irrespective of display size, the new Tacoma comes with Toyota’s latest infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2024 Tacoma will be available at dealerships starting this December.

Featured

Maruti Grand Vitara: Accounting for 20 Percent of Maruti NEXA Sales in India


Maruti’s compact SUV achieves a sales milestone of 1 lakh units in India

  • The Maruti Grand Vitara is the first strong-hybrid offering by Maruti in India.

  • It comes with options for a 1.5-litre mild hybrid, strong hybrid, and CNG powertrain.

  • The features of the Maruti Grand Vitara include a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display, heads-up display, and ventilated front seats.

  • It also offers safety features such as up to six airbags, a 360-degree camera, and an acoustic vehicle alerting system (AVAS).

The Maruti Grand Vitara was launched in September 2022 as Maruti’s first strong-hybrid model in India. Since then, this compact SUV has been one of the top-selling models in its segment, accounting for 20 percent of total Nexa sales in the past year. It is sold alongside the Maruti Baleno, Maruti Fronx, and more. Recently, it achieved a sales milestone of 1 lakh units in India. For a recap of the Grand Vitara’s journey in India over the past year, you can read here.

Commenting on this milestone, Mr. Shashank Srivastava, senior executive officer, marketing & sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The testament to the model’s profound impact on Maruti Suzuki’s standing in the SUV market is the ten awards that it has received since its launch and its contribution to nearly 20% of NEXA’s overall sales. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the enthusiastic response from our valuable customers and hold optimistic expectations that this SUV will continue to bring joy of mobility to many more.”

Also Check Out: Watch: Is It Worth Spending Rs 2 Lakh Extra On Maruti Fronx Over The Maruti Baleno Or Toyota Glanza?

Feature Highlights

Maruti Grand Vitara cabin

The Maruti Grand Vitara comes loaded with amenities such as a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a heads-up display. Its safety kit includes up to six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control (ESC), a 360-degree camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Multiple Powertrain Options

Maruti Grand Vitara

The Maruti Grand Vitara offers a range of powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter petrol mild-hybrid unit producing 103PS and 137Nm, and a 1.5-liter petrol strong-hybrid unit producing 116PS (combined) and 122Nm. The mild-hybrid unit is available with a 5-speed manual or an optional 6-speed automatic transmission, while the strong-hybrid variant comes exclusively with an e-CVT gearbox. All-wheel-drive is available exclusively on the top-spec mild-hybrid manual variant.

The Grand Vitara also offers a CNG powertrain option, with reduced output of 87.83PS and 121.5Nm, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission only.

Price Range & Rivals

The prices for the Maruti Grand Vitara range from Rs 10.70 lakh to Rs 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It competes with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Citroen C3 Aircross and MG Astor.

Read More on : Maruti Grand Vitara on road price

Motorsport

Angular Maserati MCXtrema Track Toy Revealed At The Quail With 730 HP

The Maserati MCXtrema track-only supercar has been unveiled at The Quail, part of the Monterey Car Week. This limited edition racer, based on the MC20, features a more angular design, an aggressive aerodynamics package, and a powerful Nettuno twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 730 horsepower. Although it is not street-legal, it is expected to be popular among privateers and collectors, following in the footsteps of the mid-2000s MC12 Corsa. The MCXtrema boasts sleek and sharp bodywork, with a longer and lower front end that incorporates a carbon fiber front splitter and air curtains to optimize airflow. The peaked front fenders pay homage to the iconic 1959 Maserati Tipo 61 “Birdcage,” and trident-shaped air vents on the clamshell contribute to increased downforce.


Car review

Tesla Model S Plaid

The Tesla Model S Plaid is an impressive electric vehicle in terms of its drivetrain engineering. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds, although not quite as fast as Tesla’s claimed time of 2.1 seconds. The car’s efficiency is also noteworthy, with a 3.3 miles per kilowatt-hour rating, resulting in a range of 373 miles. Furthermore, the Model S Plaid can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 29 minutes.

Tesla has prioritized the drivetrain and the 17-inch touchscreen in the Model S Plaid. However, there are some aspects where compromises have been made. The interior, for example, used to have a less luxurious and more basic feel to it. Although it still falls short of the indulgence of a Porsche, it has improved and now offers better materials and a more practical design. The interior is minimalist, with Tesla even removing the column stalks for the wipers, indicators, and drive selector. Surprisingly, most people don’t miss those stalks, but some may feel that traditional controls could provide a slightly better user experience.

One area where the Tesla Model S Plaid falls short compared to the Porsche Taycan is in terms of chassis and refinement. The car is quite noisy on the motorway, and while the ride is satisfactory, it’s not exceptional. There are also noticeable low-level vibrations through the steering wheel, making it less enjoyable to explore the car’s handling capabilities.

One of the biggest issues with the Model S Plaid is its steering. While the round wheel (instead of the controversial yoke) is well-weighted and has a self-centering feature, it doesn’t provide much feedback about the level of grip. Despite having torque vectoring capabilities, the car doesn’t make you feel the effects of it significantly.

When pushed to its limits, the front of the Model S Plaid tends to understeer, even with the stability control system actively intervening. Overall, the car’s size and weight distribution can make it feel less confident on winding roads.