Tag Archives: impression

Cars

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe First Drive: Three-Row SUV Gets A Striking Style Upgrade

The new Santa Fe has a boxy appearance, giving off the impression of a large SUV, however, it’s not much larger than its predecessor. It measures 190.2 inches long, 74.8 inches wide and 67.7 inches tall, which is only 1.8 inches longer and 1.4 inches taller than the outgoing model and the same width.

The slight increase in size has led to added cargo capacity inside the Santa Fe, with 40.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row. The liftgate opening width is 50.2 inches, which is 5.7 inches larger than the previous Santa Fe, making it very useful for carrying items from stores like Ikea and Costco.

Multiple trim levels will be available in the US, with wheel sizes ranging from 18 to 21 inches. Although the test car had the smaller wheels, the design looks cool and modern, but larger wheels are needed to fill out the generous wheel wells. US models will also have tinted rear windows, unlike the Korean-market SUV seen in these photos. The US will also get the impressive LED lights.

News

The Arrival of Italjet Dragster 125 and 200 to the US in 2024

Italjet, a well-known boutique scooter manufacturer, left a lasting impression at EICMA 2023. In addition to introducing several new models, the brand announced its ambitious plans for global expansion.

One of the main attractions at Italjet’s EICMA 2023 presentation was the introduction of the Dragster 559 Twin, a radical scooter inspired by superbikes. This model features a parallel-twin engine, manual transmission, and dual Brembo brakes. Another highly anticipated model, the Dragster 300, was also unveiled. It is the top-performing single-cylinder model in Italjet’s current lineup and shares premium components and similar styling with its smaller counterparts, the Dragster 125 and 200.

Italjet has revealed that the Dragster 125 and 200, the most popular bikes in its lineup, will be available in the US market in 2024. These models have enjoyed considerable commercial success, with approximately 15,000 units sold across Europe and Southeast Asia. Although this may seem modest compared to other brands, Italjet has always maintained low production quantities.

Italjet has secured a distribution agreement with Chicago’s Genuine Scooters for the two new models. The Dragster 125 and 200 are expected to arrive in the US by the Spring of 2024.

For those unfamiliar with the specifications of these models, the Dragster 125 is equipped with a 125cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine producing a maximum power output of 12.5 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 10.5Nm (7.35 pound-feet) of torque at 7,750 rpm. The larger Dragster 200 features a 181cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected single, delivering 17.5 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 15.5 Nm (10.85 pound-feet) of torque at 7,750 rpm.

Both models share the same underpinnings, including an S.I.S single-arm front end paired with a hydropneumatic shock absorber. They also feature rear suspension with an adjustable monoshock and a single-sided swingarm. Brembo supplies the brakes, with 240mm and 175mm rotors at the front and rear respectively. ABS is standard on both models.

Car review

Mazda 2

The new Mazda 2 may not impress in terms of cabin space compared to its wider and more practical rivals. However, what catches the eye is its stylish interior design that is imaginative and attention to detail. The dashboard stands out with its space-conscious architecture and well-integrated features such as unbroken horizontal lines, corralled switchgear, and periscoped instrument cluster.

While the input device for the multimedia system could be positioned more ideally for usability, the ergonomic complaints are minimal. The seating position is slightly higher than desired, but within the norm for the segment. The front cabin feels spacious with 20mm of additional elbow room, even with two adults on board. The rear space, however, is not the most generous for taller passengers compared to cars like the Fiat 500 or Seat Ibiza.

The boot has a decent capacity of 280 liters, although its aperture width could be improved.

Multimedia system

The infotainment touchscreen is neatly placed on the dashboard, and the good news is that you won’t have to touch it while driving. Mazda has provided a rotary input device and physical shortcut buttons for easy control. The touchscreen is deactivated when the car is in motion, which some testers found convenient, while others found it cumbersome to navigate Apple CarPlay using the rotary controller.

Although the Mazda 2 was launched before the existence of CarPlay and Android Auto, both have been added later on. CarPlay works wirelessly, while Android Auto requires a cable. The default interface provided by Mazda may feel a bit dated in 2023, but it is still user-friendly.