Tag Archives: I’m

News

New Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 Announced For Sporty Riders

I’m a giant fan of the Bridgestone Battlax vary of tires. I’ve had almost all of them on my bikes at one level, and I’m at the moment operating the Battlax S22 on my bike, and evidently, it’s one in all my favourite tires on the market. For 2024, Bridgestone is out to make us sportbike and bare bike riders even happier, because it has simply introduced the brand new Battlax Hypersport S23.

As the title suggests, the Battlax Hypersport S23 is the evolution of the Battlax S22, and guarantees to ship the whole lot we love concerning the S22, however even higher. According to Bridgestone, the brand new Battlax S23 provides varied efficiency enhancements over its predecessor, however stays to be a tire designed for sporty driving on asphalt. Being categorized as a hypersport tire, the Battlax S23 has to have the ability to put as much as rigorous circumstances each on the road and on the observe. Bridestone guarantees this with newly designed compounds for improved grip when cornering in any respect angles.

New Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 Announced For Sporty Riders

Meanwhile, on the road, the identical newly designed compounds are answerable for making certain assured traction on each moist and dry surfaces. Like the earlier S22, the brand new Battlax Hypersport S23 additionally makes use of a multi-compound building, however now, the outer compound guarantees even higher grip, offering a extra confidence-inspiring experience when tackling sharp corners. Bridgestone’s Pulse Groove Technology additionally ensures enhanced stability and traction in less-than-ideal street circumstances, giving the S23 additional mileage and longevity.

Now, all this data appears fairly thrilling, and certainly, it’s. However, we are able to’t actually say for sure till we get to attempt these new tires ourselves. Bridgestone says that they’ll be obtainable by January, 2024. Additionally, the brand new tires cater to all customary sportbike sizes, with a single 120/70ZR17 dimension for the entrance tire, and 5 sizes for the rear tire. These encompass 160/60ZR17, 180/55/ZR17, 190/50ZR17, 190/55ZR17, and 200/55ZR17.

Long-Term Review

Audi E-tron GT 2023 long-term test

We are starting a long-term test of the Audi E-tron GT 2023, and I am genuinely interested in this electric GT car and excited to see how our time together will unfold. I am eager to begin this journey and am not starting with any cynicism or ambivalence.

One positive aspect is that this Audi has already proven to be excellent company. It’s not without flaws – it is quite wide, and the parking sensors are overly sensitive – but it glides through the world like a mechanical panther. It is quiet, sleek, smooth, and incredibly fast with its 472lb ft of torque.

The various aspects of the car, such as the cockpit, steering, and overall aesthetics, are more impressive than Audi’s current offerings in other models. The E-tron GT doesn’t try too hard to impress, unlike the RS7, which makes it easy to warm up to. Even in the bright Tango Red color, which isn’t my preferred choice, the car’s rakish silhouette manages to make it work.

So what exactly is this car? We will delve deeper into its Taycan-shared platform later, but it presents itself as a four-door fastback capable of reaching 152mph while remaining low to the ground. It has air springs (standard on the Vorsprung trim) and a motor on each axle, with the rear motor utilizing a two-speed gearbox. The battery, with a capacity of 93.4kWh, is located under the floor. The whole car weighs 2347kg, which is quite heavy, but it is managed effectively.

With a price tag of £113k, the Audi E-tron GT is undeniably expensive. However, when you consider that BMW is asking £85k for an M3 Comp and a 911 Carrera S costs £110k, it becomes a bit more reasonable. Furthermore, when you take into account that £113k is the price for the fully-equipped Vorsprung model with features like a B&O hi-fi system, head-up display, rear-steering, matrix headlights, Pro sports seats, and acoustic glazing, it seems like a justifiable investment. The base E-tron GT, priced at £85k, offers good value for a cutting-edge and sleek vehicle.

I am quite fond of the Audi E-tron GT. However, I can’t help but wonder how it would perform with a 450bhp inline-five engine longitudinally placed in its sloping nose. My logical side says yes to the idea, and my heart agrees, although not with the same conviction as my head. While it may be heavy and require frequent recharging, there is no denying that this car is authentic. In terms of what it represents and its execution, the E-tron GT is the most thrilling Audi since the rear-wheel-drive R8. Converting it to run on gasoline would undoubtedly diminish its authenticity, though it would likely improve some aspects.

First Drive

Mercedes-AMG A35 2023 UK first drive

The days of straightforward, powerful hatchbacks are slowly disappearing. It’s unfortunate, but now these cars feel more like novelties than common sightings on the road.

Hot hatches are becoming rare, with many of them reaching their final stage of evolution and becoming quite expensive. Take, for example, the £50,000 Honda Civic Type R.

But there are still a few stalwarts in the segment, such as the Mercedes-AMG A35. This model, along with the rest of the A-Class range, has received updates for 2023, before an electric successor arrives in a couple of years.

The refreshed A35 inherits the muscular bonnet design from the hardcore A45, as well as its grille. Mercedes has even replaced its own badge with the Affalterbach firm’s logo, emphasizing the car’s AMG credentials.

But is it truly an AMG? Some doubts persist. The A35 has always used a modified version of a regular A-Class engine, rather than a bespoke AMG powerplant. This raises questions about authenticity. However, considering the new C63 now has a four-cylinder engine instead of the iconic V8, perhaps authenticity is a subjective matter.

The A35 still looks sharp with its tweaked headlights, new wheel design, and other minor changes. However, the rear wing, which the more powerful A45 can pull off, looks a bit forced on the A35. Thankfully, this aerodynamic feature is only available on the top-end Premium Plus trim, which comes with a hefty price tag of £51,000. Lesser versions of the A35 get a more subtle spoiler reminiscent of the original Ford Focus RS.

Inside the cabin, Mercedes has removed the touchpad, opting for a crisp touchscreen as the sole controller for the infotainment system. The interior, while emphasizing luxury, doesn’t quite match up to the impeccable quality found in some competitors. Nevertheless, it’s a comfortable place to be, and the new steering wheel is much more appealing than its predecessor.

In terms of driving dynamics, five years after its introduction, the A35 remains an intriguing and somewhat inconsistent character. It wants to excel on twisty B-roads, with its firm suspension providing good composure during spirited driving. However, the steering response can feel a bit slow off-center, and the seats lack the necessary support and low positioning to match the car’s sporty intentions. As a result, dialing back the aggression and adopting a smoother driving style suits the A35 better.