While this specific present concept might not precisely match most individuals’s invoice for “fun,” it is actually one thing virtually anyone can profit from utilizing, together with people who find themselves notoriously troublesome to buy. The Phonesoap 3 is a nifty machine designed to disinfect not simply your telephones, however different high-touch and germ-prone objects as nicely like your keys, wallets, earbuds, and small jewellery, amongst different issues. By encasing objects in a chamber that is totally uncovered to UV-C gentle, germs and micro organism may be accomplished away with in solely a matter of ten minutes.
Apart from its disinfecting function, the Phonesoap 3 can even double as a common cellphone charger, due to its built-in USB-A and USB-C ports.The santizing chamber ought to match most smartphones which might be 6.8 inches lengthy and three.74 inches large. It is available in many colours as nicely, however for now, the black model is offered at 50% off on Amazon for the price of $39.95.
“The idea was to just build the infrastructure for a pro team first, then, in 2024, we were planning on hiring a good rider to go racing,” defined Larry Brooks. “It happened a little more quickly than we expected.”
On December 7, 2022, Ken Roczen introduced that he had joined the HEP Suzuki staff. Suddenly, the plans for Larry Brooks and the staff had been put into hyperdrive. The purpose was simply wanting unattainable. The staff needed to take a motorbike that hadn’t been within the winner’s circle for the higher a part of a decade and forge it into one thing worthy of one of many biggest riders within the historical past of motocross. And, they needed to do it in a couple of weeks.
We recruited Carson Brown to help with the check of Kenny’s RM-Z450.
Exactly 104 days after that announcement, Kenny Roczen gained the principle occasion on the Indy Supercross aboard the HEP Suzuki. The unattainable was achieved. They didn’t have to start out from scratch a minimum of. In 2016, Roczen gained the 450 National Motocross championship on a Suzuki RM-Z450 that wasn’t all that totally different. The greatest drawback was that 2016 was a totally totally different age in professional motocross. The digital side of engine tuning had utterly modified, the ante was larger and the competitors had develop into extra intense.
“Kyle Chisholm was my first test rider, and he spent days at the track coming up with the best settings,” stated Larry. “We went through all those pieces and tried to get the bike as good as we could. When Kenny came on board, we concentrated on suspension, but the bike itself is what Kyle came up with.”
Early within the course of, the bike ended up with KYB suspension, which is what Kenny used again in 2016. The electronics facet of the issue was dealt with by Jamie Ellis at Twisted Development, who had been a key a part of the digital revolution. The relaxation was simply laborious work; shaving down a motor mount right here, tweaking some valving there.
The season of miracles continued. In June, Roczen rode his one and solely outside nationwide of 2023, ending second and changing into the one rider in addition to Jett Lawrence to guide any laps in any respect. A month later he gained the FIM World Supercross opener in England, then he completed the 12 months with a last-round showdown towards Lawrence within the L.A. Coliseum. The mixed Supercross, motocross and playoff factors would have Roczen in second for the 12 months.
Two days after the Coliseum, Larry and the HEP Suzuki staff introduced Kenny’s bike to Fox Raceway and allowed choose members of the press to take it for a spin. We requested particular visitor check rider Carson Brown to take our flip, and he fell in love with the bike.
“The stock RM-Z has a reputation for being a bit rigid,” stated Carson. “When I acquired on Roczen’s bike, the very first thing I observed was that it tracked actually straight. It was arrange stiff—sort of Supercrossy—but it surely went straight and cornered tremendous properly. It didn’t do something out of the bizarre, which was good. It nonetheless had that inventory really feel; it didn’t have monster horsepower and wasn’t unrideable such as you would possibly count on.
“It’s no secret that Kyle Chisholm is a really good bike setup guy, so the rideability was really good. I’ve ridden factory bikes that kind of sucked to ride. You have to ride fast to make them work. This one was fun to ride. You could go really fast on it, and it wasn’t going to do anything stupid. It would be a good bike for the average guy. The motor didn’t have a huge hit, but it did have a lot of power. It was interesting to see how they made that work. They said they took different components from different years of RM-Zs to make what they have here. It really doesn’t have any special factory parts. Anyone can go out and get most of this stuff. They just found the right keys, put them all together and made it work.”
Carson began on Kyle Chisholm’s check bike, after which rode Roczen’s race bike till Suzuki waved him off the observe. It was one final good day of using for bike quantity 94 earlier than the tip of the 2023 season. What occurs to it subsequent? We wouldn’t be stunned if it makes its means again onto a Supercross observe in 2024. All the laborious work has already been carried out.
Husqvarna is an concept that’s been round for a very long time. As you are most likely conscious, it began out making weapons (for heaven’s sake, the brand is a rifle sight), even supplying the Swedish army throughout a part of its historical past.
Over time, like many corporations do, it received acquired by different corporations and shifted focus. After being round for properly over a century, you will discover the Husqvarna title on bikes, stitching machines, and chainsaws. While they are not all the identical firm in 2023 (or owned by the identical dad or mum firm, as is the case with Yamaha), they’re all totally different twisty branches off of the identical authentic Husqvarna tree.
After intervals of possession by Electrolux (sure, the identical one that also makes vacuum cleaners and washing machines) and Cagiva, Husqvarna Motorcycles ultimately ended up below KTM possession in 2013. It nonetheless stays below that umbrella in 2023.
Notably, a few of Husqvarna’s staff objected to transferring to Italy when Cagiva took over, in order that they shaped Husaberg in response. As KTM notes in its official timeline, its buy of Husqvarna from Cagiva introduced Husqvarna and Husaberg (which KTM already owned) again collectively once more.
This 1984 Husqvarna 500 AE, Though
Before KTM and Cagiva, although, there was Husqvarna’s automatic enduro bike project. Originally initiated to assist first-time riders who joined the Swedish military to extra simply be taught to journey, Husqvarna quickly began experimenting with utilizing its computerized drivetrain in motocross bikes.
As British dirtbike YouTube channel 999Lazer delves into with a useful historic timeline, the experiment proved to be fairly profitable in competitors, each in Europe and within the AMA. Thanks to its competitors success, Husky determined to strive providing a buyer model in showrooms, which is why this 1984 Husqvarna 500 AE got here into being.
It was supplied on the market at the latest Iconic Auctioneers basic motorbike public sale within the UK, the place it offered for a cool £4,963 (or about $6,257). While 999Lazer attended the public sale and bid on the bike as a result of it is bizarre and so they wished to strive it out, they sadly did not find yourself successful the day.
The Rise Of Electric Bikes Brings The Circle Back Around
While it is a distinctive piece of Husqvarna and dirtbike historical past, it is also attention-grabbing to notice how the arrival of electrical bikes (and electrical grime bikes specifically) has introduced the notion of computerized motorcycling again into play.
Several years in the past, in case you have been the kind of particular person to go to classic bike reveals, you would possibly see the odd Hondamatic right here and there. They have been, with out fail, offered as relics of the previous, of an experiment in motorcycling that hadn’t gone over in addition to the corporate hoped, and had thus been left behind.
Although some electrics have opted for gears and clutches, most have forgone the additional complexity. Why? Very merely, as a result of it isn’t crucial. From the standpoint of simplicity, why add additional stuff that may break in case you do not want it?
Having ridden some electrics now (and all with out clutches), I can say from expertise that it takes somewhat getting used to. However, the massive distinction with an electrical bike versus an computerized combustion bike is that there is not any lag time in energy supply. It’s simply there on the electrical, and also you’re able to go.
With that exact electrical benefit, has the time come for computerized grime (and different) bikes? Let us know within the feedback.
Motorcycles are not often inbuilt a bubble. While we’re most likely all used to the concept of brake specialists like Brembo or suspension specialists like Showa or Öhlins making their parts accessible to a cross-section of motorbike producers, there are additionally deeper partnerships at work.
This truth is not in any respect new, and even significantly distinctive. In truth, in motorbike historical past, it’s a little bit of a time-honored custom. Going again to the early twentieth century, body and engine specialists would workforce as much as create a single machine collectively, safe within the information that every companion firm was doing the factor that it was finest at doing.
Now that we’re within the twenty first century, motorbike manufacturing partnerships happen on a a lot bigger scale—however the spirit of tapping a number of factors of experience to create new bikes to promote to riders stays.
Since it might all get a bit sophisticated, we’ve began a brand new collection that we’re calling Behind the Bike to assist clarify all of it.
Look for brand new entries on an occasional foundation, and when you’ve got a specific story in thoughts that you simply’d wish to see, drop us a line or go away us a remark under.
Bajaj, Triumph, And The Speed 400 And Scrambler 400 X
As you may recall, Triumph officially introduced its Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X earlier in summer time 2023. First, there was an official unveiling occasion on the Triumph manufacturing facility in Hinckley in late June. Then, in early July, the total launch occasion passed off in India, facilitated by Triumph 400 manufacturing companion Bajaj.
The bikes readily piqued each nationwide and worldwide curiosity. Bajaj preorders for the bikes quickly exceeded the corporate’s expectations. In November 2023, Bajaj CEO Rajiv Bajaj even stated in an interview that the overwhelming response came as a surprise, however that the corporate has been fortifying itself to fulfill each current and future demand for these bikes.
Like so many motorbike fashions which are deliberate for launch throughout a number of markets, Triumph and Bajaj deliberate to convey these bikes to totally different markets in phases. First, very naturally, they turned accessible to order in India. From there, they might roll out to further markets sooner or later.
Four of those bikes (two Speed 400s and two Scrambler 400s) are at present touring the US as I write this, making the rounds of dealerships in order that potential house owners can see and contact them in individual.
While we have not had the prospect to trip these bikes but on the time of writing, I can let you know that the match and end appears good. Added touches like braided chrome steel brake strains are a Triumph hallmark, but additionally very welcome on this phase.
Who Is Bajaj Auto?
Depending in your private geographic historical past, chances are you’ll or might not be accustomed to the corporate. Founded in 1926, the Bajaj Group is now one in all India’s largest producers of two- and three-wheeled autos.
The firm additionally sells its motorbikes all through all kinds of nations throughout Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. With its partnerships with KTM, Husqvarna, and now Triumph, it solely stands to promote much more bikes in an ever-growing checklist of nations.
How Did We Get Here?
Triumph and Bajaj Auto India first officially announced their global partnership plans to the world on January 24, 2020. To be honest, they’d each been teasing the truth that they have been hammering out mutually agreeable phrases for a number of years by that time. The official language used within the press launch referred to it as “a long term, non-equity partnership.”
In different phrases, the Triumph/Bajaj partnership isn’t just like the Bajaj/KTM partnership, the place Bajaj Auto bought a 14.5 p.c stake in KTM again in 2007 and has step by step elevated its fairness to a 49.9 p.c stake in PTW Holding AG (mother or father firm of Pierer Mobility, and thus KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas) in 2021.
So How Does The Triumph/Bajaj Partnership Work?
According to the general public announcement made by the 2 companies, it can present totally different advantages to each Triumph and Bajaj, in addition to increasing accessible motorbike decisions in several markets for riders.
Bajaj will train its manufacturing and distribution strengths, each in India and elsewhere. Triumph, in the meantime, will acquire a robust foothold in motorbike segments the place it hasn’t had a lot of a presence in a long time. The two will design bikes collectively, additionally using Triumph’s robust historical past, picture, and presence within the motorbike world. The plan introduced from the start has been to give attention to creating a number of bikes within the 200 to 750cc vary.
A direct quote from the unique press launch characterizes these bikes as being a “proposition [that] will be aspirational and affordable,” and also will assist to encourage riders who’re new to the Triumph model to throw a leg over and trip one house. By creating the kinds of bikes that riders in lots of high-volume markets need, each Triumph and Bajaj see unimaginable potential.
Reducing Barriers To Triumph Ownership For Newer, Younger Riders
Getting youthful riders on bikes has been a topic of a lot hand-wringing in western motorbike media for years at this level. Aspiration and eager to look cool is all effectively and good, but it surely does not do a lot if a doubtlessly youthful rider merely cannot afford what you are promoting.
In a number of Asian markets, you will discover a vast swath of riders, from all ages and walks of life. Young and outdated alike are out on bikes and scooters as a matter of each day routine. So, whereas considerations about attracting new riders are all the time on each producer’s thoughts, riders getting old out of the game is mostly much less of a difficulty than it’s in, say, the US.
Consider that Bajaj Auto reported a formidable 77 p.c improve in motorcycle gross sales year-on-year in November 2023, reporting 218,597 items bought. Add to that the truth that these figures embrace the brand new Triumph 400s. This math makes it under no circumstances tough to see why the moto companions have been wanting to convey these bikes to market.
What Does The Future Hold?
More bikes are actually on the best way, with a rumored Thruxton-esque café racer 400 and extra small-displacement fashions within the pipeline, at numerous levels of growth. In April 2023, as a part of their settlement, Bajaj officially took over Triumph’s distribution in India, which is an association that also needs to proceed into the long run.
There was a time when the idea of even buying a Japanese car was weird. Americans loved their roomy rides with powerful engines and couldn’t understand why anyone would buy a small underpowered car from another country. Then, in the early 1970s, a global oil crisis hit, and suddenly it seemed reasonable to purchase a cheap, reliable, fuel-efficient vehicle from anywhere, and it just so happened that Japan had the best offerings.
Japanese cars began hitting American shores in the late 1950s but really started taking off in the ’70s thanks to their quality and MPG. There were also some cars like the Datsun 240Z, that weren’t just solid, but also sporty and cool. Nowadays it would seem weird if there weren’t Japanese imports, as they have become as much a part of our culture as the Big Three Detroit automakers.
While Japanese cars are among the greatest sets of wheels to ever roll down American highways, not everything imported from that country was a huge success. Sticking with the weirdness theme, there have been some utterly bizarre imports from Japan that completely flopped, while offending most of the five senses. With odd styling cues and unwanted features there have been some seriously weird Japanese imports sold in America.
While Toyota and Honda were both responsible for some truly sensational import cars over the decades, Japanese automakers had so much more to offer
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Automobile Catalog, Car and Driver, and MotorTrend. We’ve done our best to rank vehicles based on a sliding aesthetics scale from weird to weirdest.
10Mazda REPU
Rotary Failure
Bring a Trailer
From a styling standpoint, the Mazda Rotary Engine Pick-up (REPU) isn’t the wierdest thing ever made. It’s not the greatest-looking truck in existence, but it’s perfectly serviceable as a compact pickup and isn’t likely to cause retching. The name ain’t great and what it stands for, specifically the rotary engine, is why it lands on the list of weird Japanese imports.
The first pickup with a Wankle Rotary Engine is also the only one because it wasn’t a spectacular fit. The idea of a rotary motor is cool, but in practical terms, they use way more gas than a traditional cylinder engine and tend to blast un-ignited fuel out of the tailpipe. Sold only in North America from 1974 to 1977, the Mazda REPU was a failure, selling just 14,366 units, mostly in the first year.
632 Mazda REPUs sold in 1976
The Mazda REPU was discontinued in 1977
9Subaru 360
No Style, No Substance
Bring a Trailer
The Subaru 360 probably doesn’t even qualify as a passenger vehicle and that’s not just mean-spirited trash-talk. Weighing under 1,000 pounds, it was not subject to U.S. highway safety regulations, the same as golf carts and mopeds. Also, with a two-stroke engine it was powered (underpowered) by essentially a chainsaw motor.
The 360 was imported by oddball businessman, Malcolm Bricklin, who also brought the equally awful Yugo to America. While the Subaru import would have been fine on the links, its complete lack of size and safety features made it a deathtrap on the roads. It also had the disadvantage of being an eyesore on four tiny wheels.
8Nissan Pulsar NX Sportbak
Draggin’ Too Much Wagon
Tx3/Wikimedia Commons
There was nothing inherently wrong with the styling of the Nissan Pulsar NX that was imported to the U.S. starting in 1987. It was a wedge-shaped sporty coupe that fit in with cars of the 1980s, but for some reason, Nissan made it with a removable hatchback. Again, this isn’t the odd part, but then they offered it with a drop-on station wagon canopy, known as the Sportbak.
Not only was that some poor spelling, but it was also a completely horrendous design. The Pulsar NX Sportbak is a regular on every list of ugliest cars, and it’s not one of those things that were ahead of its time and have since become appreciated. It was strange-looking three decades ago, and it hasn’t matured with age. It was replaced in 1991 by the Nissan NX, sans the weird back end.
The Nissan Pulsar NX Sportbak had a removable T-top roof
Despite being a Japanese import, the Pulsar NX Sportbak was designed in the U.S.
From old-school stately limos to the tech-laden cars of today, here are some of the most noteworthy JDM luxury models of all time
7Suzuki X-90
Too Little, Too Late
Via Bring a Trailer
Suzuki has been selling killer motorcycles in the U.S. since the early 1960s, and their foray into passenger vehicles with the Samurai was the cult hit of the 1980s. Not everything the Japanese company has tried to sell in North America, however, has been a hit. To follow up on the Samurai, they came out with the X-90, which is such a weird vehicle, that it defies classification.
The X-90 isn’t a compact SUV, nor is it a subcompact car, but it does have elements of both, just not in a visually pleasing way. It also only had two seats, but it definitely wasn’t a sports car. The few people who actually bought one of these atrocities probably got sick of people shouting “What the hell is that?” at them, but because of the tragically underpowered engine, couldn’t drive away from the laughter fast enough.
7,205 people actually bought a Suzuki X-90 between 1995-1997
MotorTrend named the Suzuki X-90 the #1 worst car of the 1990s
6Subaru SVX
Window of Missed Opportunity
Subaru
The Subaru SVX, introduced to the U.S. for the 1992 model year, isn’t the oddest thing ever made, but it also isn’t the snappiest-looking import. It was Subaru’s attempt to enter the luxury car market, and it came with a price tag that was over ten grand more expensive than anything the company had ever made. Price, however, was not the issue with this flop, the windows were.
Performance Specifications
Engine
3.3-liter H-6
Transmission
Four-speed automatic
Horsepower
230HP
Torque
224 pound-feet
Driveline
All-wheel drive
0-60 MPH
7.3 seconds
Top Speed
143 mph
(Data was collected from MotorTrend)
Explained as a “window-within-a-window configuration”, only a portion of the side windows could actually roll down. For some reason, they made the side windows too big to fit inside the door, so they segmented them, never thinking that people may actually want to roll the whole thing down. It also didn’t help that SVX kind of looks like “SUX,” which added to the car sales underperforming.
Subaru planned on selling 10,000 SVX cars a year in North America
Subaru sold 5,280 in 1992 and sales dropped to 640 in its final year
5Toyota Previa
Driving on Eggshells
Vauxford/Wikimedia Commons
Toyota doesn’t make many mistakes, but the Previa minivan sticks out as a glaring error. Designers never even bothered to find out if people wanted to drive an egg-shaped van before unleashing it in the United States in 1991. They found out the hard way that not too many people want to sit in something that hens sit on, and it failed to steal any significant market share away from the successful Chrysler minivans.
Performance Specifications
Engine
2.4-liter I-4
Transmission
Four-speed automatic
Horsepower
138HP
Torque
154 pound-feet
Driveline
Rear-wheel drive
0-60 MPH
12.2 seconds
Top Speed
106 mph
(Data was collected from Car and Driver)
The Previa had other issues besides the unappealing styling that helped sink it. It was much more expensive than the Dodge Caravan, the Chrysler Town and Country, and Plymouth Voyager, plus it didn’t offer a V-6 option. In fact, the Previa’s wimpy I-4 was the weirdest thing about the import, because it was mounted under the front seats and could only be accessed by removing the driver’s seat.
The Toyota Previa was sold in the U.S. from 1991-1997
The Previa was replaced by the less-weird Toyota Sienna
4Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
Dorky Incarnate
IFCAR/Wikimedia Commons
Automakers like to give their cars made-up European-sounding names to give them a sense of class and performance. The Subaru Impreza sounds impressively Italian and the Buick LeSaber conjures up images of a mighty sword cutting through the wind. Then, there’s the Nissan Murano, which comes across like a Latin moron.
Performance Specifications
Engine
3.5-liter V-6
Transmission
CRT automatic
Horsepower
265HP
Torque
248 pound-feet
Driveline
All-wheel drive
0-60 MPH
7.7 seconds
Top Speed
134 mph
(Data was collected from Automobile Catalog)
Then again, it may be the most apt name for a vehicle, because one would have to be a dope to buy a Nissan CrossCabriolet. Although looks are subjective, the Murano has never been a particularly attractive crossover SUV, but as a convertible, it was one of the dorkiest cars ever conceived. Nissan tried to bury the CrossCabriolet production numbers within the total Murano sales figures, but GetJerry.com untangled them and found that only 5,769 units were sold in three years.
Murano is an island off of Venice, Italy
In Italian, Murano means to wall up or embed within a wall
3Honda Element
Crossover To Wierdness
phototram/Wikimedia Commons
With the exception of the NSX or the S200, Hondas have always been kind of plain, and unassuming vehicles. They are probably the best-made rides ever produced, but for the most part, they are not terribly exciting. They also have never been downright wierd until 2003 with the release of the hump-backed Element crossover SUV.
Performance Specifications
Engine
2.4-liter I-4
Transmission
Four-speed automatic
Horsepower
160HP
Torque
161 pound-feet
Driveline
Front-wheel drive
0-60 MPH
8.4 seconds
Top Speed
114 mph
Towing Capacity
Trucks And SUVs Only!
Payload Capacity
Trucks And SUVs Only!
(Data was collected from Automobile Catalog)
Even calling the Element an SUV seems wrong because it was sort of a mutant minivan with a bulbous roof. Adding to the overall unattractiveness of the vehicle were the plastic body panels and accents. Amazingly, 325,000 Elements were sold in the U.S. over 9 years of production, proving that not everyone has a sense of style.
Honda promoted the Element with a crab named Gil, who liked to pinch
The Element also came out with a dog-friendly trim in 2009
2Scion xB
Boxing Match TKO
Yayooo/Wikimedia Commons
A 1949 Ford, a 1957 Chrysler, and a 1957 Chevy are considered “Shoebox” cars, but despite the slightly negative-sounding name, they were hot rides. In 2003, Toyota’s low-rent division, Scion, decided to build a literal shoebox car in the XB, and it was anything but sizzling.
Performance Specifications
Engine
1.5-liter I-4
Transmission
Four-speed automatic
Horsepower
108HP
Torque
105 pound-feet
Driveline
Rear-wheel drive
0-60 MPH
11.2 seconds
Top Speed
106 mph
(Data was collected from Automobile Catalog)
The only thing the xB had going for it was that it had a slightly better name than the Toyota Yaris on which it was based. The second generation xBs, launched in 2997, attempted to smooth out the sharp edges, but didn’t address the vehicle’s problem with unrepressed boxiness. As bizzare as this car was, it actually did quite well and lasted for 14 model years. Again, not everyone cares how dorky their ride looks.
Toyota pulled the plug of Scion in 2016
The “xB” name is meaningless, other than Scion marketing thought it would resonate with young people
Be it improving upon an existing formula, or taking an unconventional route, automotive innovations put the spotlight on the Japanese way
1Nissan Cube
More Puzzling Than A Rubric’s Cube
TTTNIS/Wikimedia Commons
Anything squared is doubled and anything cubed is tripled. In 1998, Nissan took the odd factor three-fold with the Cube subcompact whatchamacallit. Mercifully, this hideous vehicle stayed out of the North American market for a while, but in 2009, Nissan brought it to the U.S. In a seemingly impossible feat, designers made it even wierd for the American version.
Performance Specifications
Engine
1.5-liter I-4
Transmission
Five-speed manual
Horsepower
158HP
Torque
162 pound-feet
Driveline
Front-wheel drive
0-60 MPH
8.4 seconds
Top Speed
123 mph
(Data was collected from Automobile Catalog)
With a window that wrapped around from the driver’s side to the back, the Cube looked like a ride from a bad 1970s dystopian future movie. Despite positively dismal sales numbers, the Cube continued to be sold in the U.S. for nearly a decade. With a boxy design, weird styling, and unnerving general appearance, the Nissan Cube earns the top spot on the weirdest Japanese vehicles to ever be imported to the United States list.
Nissan scored three spots on this weirdest Japanese imports list
Nissan continued to make the Cube for the Japanese market until 2019
In sports, trainers often mention the concept of marginal gains: focusing on refining each individual element of the overall package to create a significantly improved overall product. This applies to the updated Audi Q4 e-tron.
The revised Audi Q4 e-tron boasts a more efficient powertrain with increased power, extended range, and faster charging capabilities. Additionally, it features an improved chassis for a more engaging driving experience, and enhanced in-car technology. Here are the key improvements that set the updated Audi Q4 e-tron apart.
The Audi Q4 e-tron SUV and Sportback have consistently offered significant all-electric range within their compact urban-friendly design. The updated Audi Q4 e-tron line-up now takes this even further.
This enhancement is made possible by a more efficient electric motor on the rear axle – a permanently excited synchronous machine (PSM) that utilizes optimized thermal management and energy-saving cooling to improve efficiency.
Consequently, the updated Audi Q4 e-tron range now offers increased mileage, with the Audi Q4 Sportback 45 e-tron providing up to 349 miles (WLTP).
#2 Enhanced Performance
In addition to extending the all-electric range, the more efficient rear-axle electric motor in the updated Audi Q4 e-tron also delivers improved performance.
For rear-wheel drive Audi Q4 45 e-tron models, the power output has been raised to 286PS, while the range-topping twin-motor Audi Q4 55 e-tron quattro models boast up to 340PS, achieving 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds.
This added performance is accompanied by a unique acoustic signature within the e-tron range. As an optional feature, the new all-electric engine sound adapts based on the accelerator position and vehicle speed, delivering a distinct and progressive tone.
The Triton concept provided a glimpse of what buyers could expect from the updated F-150 in 1997. According to Motor Trend, then-design director for Ford, Gary Hass, mentioned, “There are many styling cues and functional options on the Triton that you’re likely to see in Ford’s pickup trucks of the future.”
While still featuring a pickup bed, the front end of the vehicle, particularly its softened grille, represented a significant departure from Ford’s traditional trucks. However, the 1997 F-150 didn’t turn out to be that different from the Triton concept. The “soft” look didn’t resonate with customers seeking a more rugged truck. Jalopnik pointed out that in 2004, Ford reverted to its more angular design.
Even though the vehicle quickly faded into obscurity, Triton became the name for Ford’s 4.6-liter and 5.4-liter V8 engines.
Muscle car enthusiasts oppose the idea of electrified muscle cars, as they value big, loud engines and a bold attitude.
The 2023 COPO Camaro offers three engine options, with the most powerful being the 1,004 horsepower ZZ632 V-8 from Chevrolet Performance.
The COPO Camaro is a purpose-built race car that is not street-legal and cannot be registered or driven on public roads.
The era of muscle cars is undergoing a revival, with iconic models like the Dodge Charger, Challenger, and now the Camaro retiring their traditional internal combustion engines in favor of electrified alternatives. However, many muscle car enthusiasts believe that the American muscle car culture is defined by powerful engines and an unapologetic demeanor. The idea of electrified muscle cars doesn’t sit well with them.
Despite the mixed opinions from fans, automakers like Dodge and Chevy are considering electric or hybrid-powered versions of their popular muscle car models. Dodge has even hinted at an electric Charger inspired by the Charger Daytona SRT Concept. However, before Chevrolet delves into electric plans for the Camaro, they are giving us one last hurrah with the 2023 COPO Camaro, featuring a powerful 1,000+ horsepower engine from Chevrolet Performance. This car is meant to bid farewell to the traditional internal combustion engine era, alongside the upcoming Collector’s Edition model.
This article is based on information from Chevrolet, GM Authority, and Car and Driver.
The COPO Camaro features The Most Powerful Engine Ever Made By Chevrolet Performance
Chevrolet Performance
The COPO Camaro has a rich history that dates back to 1969, when Chevy dealers discovered a loophole in the Central Office Production Order (COPO) system that allowed them to outfit the Camaro with a powerful 427 V-8 engine. This created a high-performance, non-street-legal Camaro that ruled the drag strips. Throughout the years, COPO-branded Camaros have maintained a reputation for being track-focused, high-performance machines that surpass street-legal models of their time.
Like its competitors Dodge and Ford, Chevrolet has race-oriented models for its pony cars, such as the Challenger Drag Pak and Ford GT3 race car. The 2023 COPO Camaro aims to be a fitting farewell to the sixth-gen Camaro, and it will face tough competition from other race-focused models. The COPO Camaro offers three engine options, with the highlight being the 632 cubic-inch ZZ632 V-8. This engine, with an NHRA rating of 1,004 horsepower, is the most powerful engine ever offered by Chevrolet Performance.
ZZ632 Engine Specs
Displacement
632 Cubic-Inches
Bore X Stroke
4.60 X 4.75 Inches
Horsepower
1,004 @ 6,600 rpm
Torque
876 Pound-Feet @ 5,600 rpm
Max Recommended Engine Speed
7,000 rpm
Block
Tall Deck 632 Bowtie Sportsman, cast iron, four-bold main caps
Cylinder Heads
RS-X Symmetrical Port, CNC-Machined aluminum
Crankshaft
Forged Steel
Pistons
Forged aluminum
(Specifications sourced from Chevrolet)
The other two engine options, while not as powerful as the ZZ632, still offer respectable NHRA output ratings. The naturally aspirated COPO 427 V-8 produces 470 horsepower, while the supercharged 350 V-8 delivers 600 horsepower. All three engine options come with the standard TH400 three-speed automatic transmission and Hurst Quarterstick shifter, making for an impressive straight-line performance. It’s worth noting that the COPO Camaro is not street-legal, and its track-only nature is reinforced by the absence of VIN numbers and the inability to be registered in any state.
The COPO Camaro ZZ632 Big Block Package Upgrades Power And Aesthetic
The 2023 COPO Camaro’s exterior design resembles that of the current 2024 model. It features unique paint options, including the Vivid Orange Metallic ZZ632 package, which adds special graphics and engine accent coloring, as well as COPO-embroidered seat backs and black bowtie emblems. This purpose-built race car comes with standard weight box, dual batteries, carbon fiber intake, and an optional parachute.
The ZZ632 package includes large Hoosier drag tires mounted on Black Weld Racing wheels, enhancing the drag-racing characteristics of the COPO Camaro. Wheelie bars are also included to prevent front-end lift during acceleration. The two-piece carbon fiber hood reduces vehicle weight, and while the parachute is optional, it adds to the drag race aesthetic and serves as a deterrent for potential challengers.
It’s important to note that the 2023 COPO Camaro is not street-legal. Chevrolet emphasizes this fact and advises owners to exclusively showcase their dragster at the drag strip. The COPO Camaro cannot be registered in any state and is only sold with a bill of sale, without a title. Additionally, no VIN numbers are assigned to the COPO Camaros, solidifying their status as track-only vehicles.
The 2023 COPO Camaro currently holds the title of the most powerful factory-built race car, specifically with the 632 big block engine option. However, Dodge recently unveiled the Hellephant A170 supercharged 426 cubic-inch V-8 crate engine, which surpasses the ZZ632 with a staggering 1,100 horsepower. Although Dodge has not incorporated the Hellephant engine into a factory model yet, there’s a possibility that they may give the Challenger a massive engine boost as it nears the end of its production. Until then, the 2023 COPO Camaro remains the top dog in American Muscle.
The sixth-generation Camaro will reach its end with the 2024 model year, concluding a lineage that began in 2016. Chevrolet plans to bid farewell to the beloved internal combustion engine model with a special Collector’s Edition, expected to arrive in late 2023 or early 2024. Specific details about the 2024 Collector’s Edition Camaro have not been confirmed, but it will pay homage to the first-generation Camaro from the 1960s and its original codename, “Panther.”
The Collector’s Edition package will be available for the RS and SS models, as well as a limited number of ZL1 variants. There is currently no official release date or further updates regarding the Collector’s Edition or the future of the Camaro. However, Chevrolet has assured fans that the end of the sixth-gen Camaro does not mark the end of the Camaro journey, hinting at the possibility of a future return, potentially with an electric transformation.
The concept of a luxurious minivan may seem unconventional, but it is gaining popularity in China where brands like Buick and Lexus have already introduced their own models. Volvo and Toyota are also planning to enter the high-end MPV segment. Alfa Romeo, with the financial support of its parent company Stellantis, is now looking to expand its customer base.
In an interview with Autocar magazine, Alfa Romeo design chief Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos hinted at the possibility of a minivan for the brand. Referring to the Autotutto concept shown in the image above, he said, “It was beautiful. By the way, you wouldn’t be surprised if this returned one day. It might be just a tease, but it’s also not such a crazy idea.” Although it seems that a minivan is being considered, it has not yet received final approval for production.
Munich. MINI changed the game in individual mobility 64 years ago by creating a vehicle that maximizes interior space with compact dimensions. Since then, the brand has prioritized maximum driving pleasure with minimal footprint. The new MINI Cooper SE stays true to the brand’s identity, combining innovative technology with the traditional MINI DNA. This fifth generation model offers a digital interior, modern assistance systems, and a distinct design.
Stefanie Wurst, Head of the MINI Brand, says, “The MINI Cooper SE embodies the innovative power of MINI. With its dynamic design, sustainable performance and go-kart feel, it sets new standards in electric mobility.”
All-electric driving fun with an enhanced go-kart feeling. The MINI Cooper SE can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds, thanks to its 160 kW/218 hp power and maximum torque of 330 Nm. It has a range of 402 kilometers, determined in the WLTP test cycle, thanks to its high-voltage battery with 54.2 kWh energy content. The vehicle’s driving dynamics are enhanced by a slightly increased track width and wider wheelbase. Fast charging with direct current allows the battery to be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. The MINI App enables easy-to-understand charging settings and progress monitoring.
Even more expressiveness thanks to MINI LED headlights with Signature Modes. The all-electric MINI Cooper SE features iconic round headlights and a newly designed octagonal front grille. Optional LED headlights with different light signatures add to the vehicle’s character and individuality. The MINI LED headlights come with a special welcome or goodbye animation.
The compact silhouette of the MINI Cooper SE showcases typical MINI proportions, including short overhangs, a short bonnet, and a contrasting long wheelbase. These design features make the MINI Cooper SE stand out in the urban jungle. The rear section features clear surfaces and flush tail lights, reflecting the modern MINI design. The vehicle’s aerodynamic properties have been further optimized, achieving a cW value of 0.28.
Emotional design in the interior for an immersive user experience. The minimalist interior of the MINI Cooper SE offers a digital, immersive, and warm ambiance. The design is a clever interpretation of the classic Mini’s famous design. Key elements include a round OLED display, a characteristic toggle switch bar, and a newly designed steering wheel. The curved dashboard features textile surfaces for the first time, creating a comfortable atmosphere. The central, high-resolution OLED display sets a new standard in the cockpit, enhancing both the driving experience and convenience.
The MINI Cooper SE comes with the brand’s first fully-fledged voice assistant, allowing the driver to operate various functions such as navigation, telephony, and entertainment. The interactive voice-controlled system is showcased on the round OLED display through animations of graphic elements, typography, and an avatar.
MINI Experience Modes and four newly designed trims offer a wide range of customization options. The MINI Experience Modes allow for further interior personalization. Each mode features specially designed backgrounds that provide a lively and distraction-free environment. The MINI Projector can project atmospheric color worlds and patterns onto the dashboard, matching the chosen Experience Mode. This unique immersive experience extends to the door panels and ambient lighting.
New driver assistance systems make everyday driving easier. The MINI Cooper SE is equipped with 12 ultrasonic sensors and four surround cameras, making parking easier with the MINI Parking Assistant Plus. The Explore Mode allows the vehicle to be controlled and parked from the outside using a smartphone if the space is too small for entry. The Remote 360 option allows the surroundings of the parked vehicle to be viewed via the MINI App, increasing safety. The snapshot function of the interior camera enables capturing and transferring shared moments to a smartphone via WiFi Direct. The MINI Digital Key Plus turns the smartphone into a digital key, facilitating car sharing and allowing for personalized vehicle settings to be stored.
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