Last month, former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler admitted his involvement in the Dieselgate scandal to avoid a prison sentence. Today, a Munich court issued a verdict in the case, imposing a fine of over one million euros on Stadler and giving him a suspended sentence of one year and nine months.
When Stadler agreed to confess in May, he also agreed to pay a fine that Prosecutors had proposed to be as high as €2 million. However, the judge ruled that he would only have to pay €1.1 million ($1.2 million at the current exchange rate). Authorities arrested Stadler in 2018, and he has been on trial since 2020 for his role in the scandal that first came to light in September 2015.
In September 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced that it had uncovered Volkswagen’s violation of the Clean Air Act. It was not until November 2016 that the agency implicated Audi. The German automaker used software to manipulate US emissions tests on its diesel vehicles.
Stadler is the first Volkswagen board member to be sentenced for his involvement in the scandal. However, other employees also received sentences this week. Former Audi executive Wolfgang Hatz and an engineer were also found guilty and given fines and suspended sentences. There are still ongoing cases against former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn and other former VW managers.
The scandal has also been costly for the automaker. Volkswagen Group has been fined billions of dollars in the US and other countries where it sold its non-compliant vehicles. Recently, South Korea fined Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen for conspiring to cheat the country’s emissions standards.
Audi is making efforts to put the scandal behind it by focusing on electric vehicles despite lagging behind the competition. VW Group CEO Oliver Blume stated last week that he intends to accelerate the development of electric vehicles for the Audi brand, which has been plagued by “severe software problems”. Next year, the company will launch the Q6 E-Tron on a new platform and release its final combustion-powered car in 2025.
Remember Velocifero? We last heard from the Italian electric motorcycle startup in October 2022, ahead of its planned launch of the Jump model at EICMA in November of that year. Now that it’s June 2023, it seems that the firm has something completely different up its sleeve, that it’s hoping to impress the world by accomplishing.
So far, 2023 is proving to be a year for world record attempts on two wheels—and even if it’s a little bit new to the game, Velocifero wants in on the action. On June 30, 2023, the electric motorcycle company will make its first world record speed attempt on a prototype electric scooter at the world-famous Monza circuit in Italy.
Velocifero’s electric prototype machine has so far not been revealed, although the company claims that it makes the equivalent of about 200 horsepower. Timekeepers from the Italian Motorcycle Federation will be on hand for the occasion, keeping careful track of things like top speed, flying kilometer top speed, zero to 100 kilometer per hour (or 62 mile per hour) acceleration, and so on.
But Wait, Who’s Riding the Velocifero Prototype?
Here’s where it gets interesting. See, the pilot of the as-yet unseen Velocifero electric scooter prototype is Alexander Tartarini, who is also one of the folks behind the Velocifero brand. If you’re thinking that his name sounds a little bit familiar, you may be thinking of his dad, Leopoldo.
For Italian motorcycle history nerds, the name Leopoldo Tartarini should ring several bells, and do so extremely loudly. Born in Bologna in August 1932, his father was a racer—and like father, like son, from an early age. In fact, Leopoldo started racing as a kid in smaller categories, just so he could get his international racing license and go on to compete in more major events as he aged into them.
Leopoldo Tartarini went on to a successful professional racing career with the likes of Benelli and Ducati. Unfortunately, in 1955, his promising racing career was ended after a serious crash during the Motogiro d’Italia while riding for Ducati, which nearly resulted in paralysis of both legs. The recovery was long, but he did eventually go on to walk again, even after doctors had believed it wasn’t possible. However, his racing career was over, and he was unable to pass the Italian Motorcycling Federation’s health tests to compete.
Just because he couldn’t compete didn’t mean that he couldn’t ride, however, and he was also still under contract to Ducati. Thus, he decided to ride around the world on a Ducati as a promotional exercise, along with his friend Giorgio Monetti. That groundbreaking trip, in turn, led Tartarini to decide to become a manufacturer himself. He founded the firm Italammezeta in 1960—which eventually went on to become Italjet.
You can take a racer off the roster, but you can’t stop them from wanting to compete. Since Tartarini also had a mind for promotion and publicity, in 1969, he put all three of those things together and went to Monza to break some World Speed Records of his own with “a three-wheeled cycle car …powered by a liquid-cooled CZ 250 engine.”
Back to 2023, and Alexander Tartarini, one of Leopoldo’s sons. Just as his dad attempted those speed records at Monza with his three-wheeled prototype machine some 54 years ago, Alexander will be doing the same thing with his electric Velocifero scooter prototype. What’s more, since it’s 2023 and not 1969, Velocifero will be livestreaming this world record attempt directly from Monza on its webpage, which we’ll link in our Sources.
The event is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST) on June 30, 2023, which is 5 a.m. Eastern. We’ll include a link in our Sources if you want to watch what happens and also see the new prototype scooter in action.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently proposed a new rule that would require automatic emergency braking (AEB) on passenger vehicles. Now, the agency is expanding its reach by suggesting that the same rule apply to heavy-duty trucks and buses weighing over 10,000 pounds.
According to NHTSA estimates, this technology could save around 155 lives per year and prevent over 8,800 injuries. The agency’s data shows that approximately 60,000 heavy-duty vehicles are involved in rear-end crashes, and implementing this technology could potentially prevent more than 19,000 of these accidents annually.
Passenger vehicles would also benefit greatly from this technological advancement. NHTSA believes that requiring AEB on all passenger vehicles traveling at speeds up to 62 miles per hour could save a minimum of 340 lives each year and reduce injuries by 24,000.
A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2022 found that pickup trucks equipped with AEB had a 43% lower rate of causing rear-end collisions and a 42% reduction in related injuries. Interestingly, only 8% of registered pickups in 2021 came with AEB as a standard feature. However, several major automakers, including Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Ram, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda, now offer trucks with AEB systems as standard.
While technology like AEB undoubtedly saves lives and minimizes injuries, a separate study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also revealed that vehicles equipped with crash prevention technology, including AEB, can be more challenging to repair. The research found that approximately half of the surveyed individuals encountered issues with these features even after completing repairs, raising concerns about their reliability and potentially increasing repair costs over time.
If the proposal for both passenger cars and heavy-duty vehicles is approved, it would take three years for the ruling to go into effect. However, NHTSA has not specified when a final decision will be made, so it may take several more years before customers see these changes implemented in new vehicles, regardless of size, as automakers continue to enhance standard safety features in their latest models.
Last year, Motowhips collaborated with Justin and his team to create a Gas Gas MC250 for the Mammoth Mountain Motocross. Due to the popularity of the “Chain Reaction” build, they decided to take it a step further this year by building two Gas Gas MC250 2-stroke bikes. Let’s take an exclusive first look at “The Motowhips Twins.” The #13 bike is called “Instigator” and will be raced by Matas Inda, while the #9 bike is named “Troublemaker” and will be piloted by Chase Marquier. Both builds feature components from top companies such as Dunlop, FMF, Motul, Renthal, WP Pro Components, Hinson, Faster USA, DID, SKDA, and more. Take a pictorial tour of both machines, and stay tuned for more details about each bike.
The next-generation Renault Master has been in development for several months and two prototypes have already been spotted during the early testing phase. Recent shots of the French company’s workhorse reveal that progress has been made. Additionally, the van has now been relocated to southern Europe for hot weather testing.
For those unfamiliar, the Master is Renault’s largest light commercial vehicle. It has been in production in its current form since 2010 and has also been available under the badges of Nissan, Opel, and Vauxhall. The brand-new successor is currently undergoing early evaluations on European roads. The vehicle appears to feature a production body, although the lights may still be placeholders. It’s worth noting that the Renault Master is not sold in the United States, but it has been available in South America with local production in Brazil.
GUIYANG, China, June 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A news report by Huanqiu.com:
As the last cubic of concrete craned and placed on the roof of its module plant, CATL Guizhou Power Battery Manufacturing Base celebrated a milestone of its Gui’an Phase I project.
CATL Guizhou New Energy Power and Energy Storage Battery Production and Manufacturing Base under construction. (Source: Guizhou Daily/ Zhang Jian)
Kicking off in Gui’an New District in February 2022, the CATL Guizhou Power Battery Manufacturing Base project covers an area of about 95.7 hectares, with a planned annual production capacity of 60 GWh of power and energy storage battery. The project will be developed in two phases, among which Phase I, covering 59 hectares with an annual production capacity of 30 GWh power, energy storage battery production lines, and supporting facilities, is still under construction.
According to the head of the project, the manufacturing base will be equipped with CATL’s cutting-edge high-takttime and highly flexible production lines with an automation rate of as high as 95%. By taking Gui’an as a significant base, CATL Guizhou aims to create a green industrial chain system with low or zero carbon emissions from upstream phosphate mining, phosphorus, and fluorine chemicals production, to lithium-ion battery manufacturing, downstream applications, and battery recycling, thus helping Guizhou build a new energy automobile industry ecosystem with distinctive characteristics and outstanding advantages.
The manufacturing base remains one of the important projects introduced by Shanghai Zhangjiang (Gui’an) Hi-tech Park. After putting it into operation, the expected benefits of Phase I include RMB15 billion annual output value, RMB 1 billion annual tax contribution, and over 3,000 job opportunities.
The blueprinted Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park, expanding 17 square kilometers in south-central Pudong New District of Shanghai, is one of the key development zones together with Lujiazui, Jinqiao, and Waigaoqiao development zones. In early April, Gui’an New District took the initiative to co-build an industrial park with Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park. Subsequently, Gui’an Development Group and Zhangjiang Group soon reached a consensus on co-developing Zhangjiang (Gui’an) Hi-tech Park in Phase II of Guiyang big data sci-tech innovation city. Backed by Gui’an New District and Pudong New District, the Park will combine the resources and strengths of Guizhou and Shanghai to power up the high-quality development of big data, new energy, and new materials sectors.
The Guizhou-Yangtze Delta industrial match-making conference on June 1 witnessed the execution of the strategic cooperation agreement on Shanghai Zhangjiang-Gui’an Hi-tech Park. Contracts for 46 industrial investment projects were signed at the meeting, including Guizhou Tianneng Recycling Material Industrial Park and Huaxi District Specialty Beverage Production Base and covering a large scope of industries, such as new energy vehicle and battery materials, big data electronic information, aerospace and equipment, cultural tourism, Maotai-flavor baijiu, basis materials, modern chemical industry, modern energy, modern commerce, modern finance, modern logistics, and eco-food.
Last month, we got to test the 2024 KTM 450XCF-W at a media intro in Ohio at the site of the John Penton GNCC. It was just enough to get us excited about the bike and we couldn’t wait to get it to California where we could get more time on it. Last year, this was a bike that very few people seemed to understand. It was a closed-course competition bike that many riders mistook for a green-sticker compliant machine–in other words, people just assumed it was plugged up and overly lean. It wasn’t. It was an extremely capable off-road bike with a six-speed gearbox and excellent power delivery–most definitely not plugged up and overly lean. For 2024 it’s back with the same general personality, but updated with a new chassis, new suspension and a mostly new motor. To clarify, there is a green sticker version of this bike in the KTM line. That one is called the 500XWF.
In stock form, the 450XCF-W is better suited for trail riding than any four-stroke in KTM’s line.
The 450XCF-W takes the 450SX-F motocross platform introduced last year and gives it the off-road treatment as far as suspension, power delivery and equipment. To be fair, the frame is unlike anything else because it uses PDS rear suspension without linkage. The shock is similar to the one on the new motocross bike, but with different internals and, of course, it connects directly to the swingarm–which is new. This year, the PDS rear end uses a straight-rate spring. Up front, there’s an entirely new fork. It’s a coil-spring version of the Xact air fork from the motocross line. No more Xplor fork. The motor has its own mapping with two options on the handlebar switch as well as traction control. And then there’s that six-speed gearbox, which is something that desert riders have been wanting for a long time. As far as equipment goes, the big news is an LED headlight that actually produces decent candle power for riding at night. Racing at night will still require something bigger. The bike also comes with a radiator fan.
The price for the 2023 KTM 450XCF-W is $11,999.
Now that we’ve ridden the bike at home, we’re even more impressed. The suspension is nothing short of excellent. The previous version of the bike (which we already loved) needed substantial fork work for anything except low-speed rock crawling. It was too soft in stock form, and the Xplor fork didn’t respond well to modification. The new fork is still good in rocks, but it doesn’t dive and misbehave in whoops. It’s stiffer than the old fork, so it may give away a little compliance in first gear, but it’s well-suited for anything faster. The PDS rear suspension is great too. There are still a number of hard-core linkage fans who resist the PDS concept, but we believe this bike will convert many of them.
Pete Murray finds a little piece of Erzberg in California.
As far as power goes, the 450XCF-W runs sort of like a heavily modified 500EXC. Dual-sport riders have to speed thousands to get this kind of power out of the 500. It doesn’t have the top-end of the motocross bike, but it’s smooth, torquey and easy to use. Plus, it doesn’t overheat.
This is the most versatile off-road bike in KTM’s entire line. If you’re a trail rider you can leave it stock and be happy. If you’re a dual-sport rider, you might have to figure out registration, but it’s reasonably quiet and has the six-speed gearbox. If you’re a racer, you might have to go mining for a little more power, but again, the six-speed will make it worthwhile and the suspension will be easy to work with. We will be putting a bunch of miles on this bike in upcoming months, so look for a test in the September, 2023 print edition of Dirt Bike.
DUCATI’S FIRST DIRT BIKE
We’ve been hearing rumors that Ducati is in the process of building a motocross bike. This isn’t it, but it’s clearly something new and dirty from the Italian motorcycle manufacturer. The Powerstage RR Limited edition is a high-end electric mountain bike. The special livery designed by Aldo Drudi in collaboration with the Ducati Design Center and inspired by the Desmosedici GP23 (with which the official riders race) in a limited edition of 230 numbered units. It has a full carbon frame with a combination of modern geometrical solutions and high-quality components, such as the new Shimano EP801 drive unit, Öhlins suspension, SRAM GX AXS 12-speed shifter and Crankbrothers Synthesis wheels (29″ front, 27.5″ rear) with carbon rims.
The Powerstage RR Limited Edition can already be ordered from the Ducati network and online at www.ducati.com at a suggested retail price of $11,990 USD (Prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices. Prices exclude dealer setup, taxes, freight, title and licensing and are subject to change).
KICKSTART KENNY AT HIGH POINT
BROADCAST TEAM Play by Play: Jason Weigandt Analyst: Ricky Carmichael Reporter: Jason Thomas HOW TO WATCH Saturday, June 17 Pro Motocross Championship: Race Day Live Peacock @ 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET Pro Motocross Championship: High Point National [LIVE] Peacock @ 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET Monday, June 19 Pro Motocross Championship: High Point National Replay CNBC, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports App 11 p.m. PT [Sunday] / 2 a.m. ET
VINTAGE SEATS
If you have vintage bikes, you know that seats are very difficult to get right. MotoSeat has a full line of vintage dirt bike seat covers and seat foam. You can design your seat on line here.
CHAD REED JOINS WORLD SUPERCROSS
With less than a month until the 2023 FIM World Supercross season kicks off with the British Grand Prix in Birmingham, WSX is set to announce that Australian supercross legend, Chad Reed will join the team as a “supercross advisor” and broadcast commentator for the upcoming six-race season. One of the most successful supercross riders of all time and the record holder for competing in most ‘main events,’ Reed has expansive supercross experience and knowledge that he will be bringing to the series and its fans in an advisor role on the broadcast team. Additionally, Reed will host exclusive content on WSX.TV.
Hyundai has been putting its history front and center over the last few years. It restored the original 1974 Pony Coupe Concept last year, and it’s now honoring the company’s early years with a new heritage exhibit at Hyundai Motorstudio Seoul.
Hyundai will display the concept, the N Vision 74 concept, and other historical items. The exhibit, “Pony, the timeless,” coincides with the publication of a book and a magazine series focusing on the historic model. The Pony was Korea’s first independently developed automobile.
After unveiling the game-changing 9X8 Hypercar last year, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies has embraced a new engineering challenge – recreating the new hybrid Le Mans Hypercar in LEGO® Technic™ form. The result is the LEGO® Technic™ PEUGEOT 9X8 24H Le Mans Hybrid Hypercar – a 1,775-piece 1:10 scale version of the race car.
In a new feat of engineering excellence, the design teams from LEGO Group and Peugeot Sport have created a precise 1:10 scale version of the pioneering 9X8 Hypercar. From the sleek silhouette down to the lime flashes on the livery, this new LEGO Technic model brings the Allure of the 9X8 to life in block form.
The 9X8 demonstrates PEUGEOT’s pursuit of electrification and embodies the brand’s commitment to competition at the highest level. The real-life four-wheel drive Hypercar’s seven-speed sequential transmission has been replicated in precise scale in this new model, which also features interpretations of the Hypercar’s unique doors, 952PS hybrid powertrain system, its novel suspension, combining a pushrod setup on the front axle with a pull rod system on the rear, and elegant profile. Details such as the V6 engine and glow-in-the-dark light elements are also evident.
Speaking about the 1,775-piece kit, Kasper René Hansen, Designer at the LEGO Group said: “Our two brands have come together to create a product that celebrates a new era of hybrid racing and engineering. Recreating the shapes and details of such an elegant car using LEGO Technic elements wasn’t an easy feat, but it’s been an honour to work so creatively with the Team Peugeot TotalEnergies on this one and I’m proud that together we have been able to build the Hypercar for real in LEGO Technic form.”
Olivier Jansonnie, PEUGEOT Sport Technical Director, said: “Our technical cooperation with the LEGO Group started in January 2022, five months before the PEUGEOT 9X8 reveal. It took one year to fully develop the project with the technical and design teams, allowing us to directly transpose the technical details of the PEUGEOT 9X8 to the LEGO Technic model. It was very important for both brands to create a model that is as realistic as possible. PEUGEOT, PEUGEOT Sport and the LEGO teams had numerous meetings about the development of the suspension and hybrid systems that cannot be replicated from photos. We thank the LEGO Group for this project, we are very proud and impressed by the final result which is more than we could have imagined.”
This latest addition to the LEGO Technic series measures over 13 cm high, 22 cm wide and 50 cm long when completed, and is sure to provide a challenge for PEUGEOT fans and LEGO enthusiasts alike.
The LEGO version of the innovative 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar was revealed at the first FIA World Endurance Championship race in Portugal – the 2023 6 Hours of Portimão. The championship will move to Spa-Francorchamps later in April, before the 9X8 makes its highly anticipated appearance at the Le Mans 24 Hour race on June 10th-11th.
The LEGO® Technic™ PEUGEOT 9X8 24H Le Mans Hybrid Hypercar set will be available via LEGO Stores and www.LEGO.com and through the PEUGEOT retailer network from 01 May priced at £169.99.
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