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Motorsport

Audi RS6 Avant: More Aggressive Model Spotted at the Nurburgring

The Audi RS6 Avant is currently undergoing testing at the Nürburgring in preparation for its latest update. A spy video captures the high-performance wagon in action on the track as well as on the public roads near the circuit.

The updated RS6 Avant showcases a more aggressive design compared to the current model. Notably, the front fenders have been widened, featuring openings at the rear section just ahead of the doors. These openings are likely functional and could contribute to brake cooling or improve the vehicle’s aerodynamics.

Additionally, there are several minor revisions to the front fascia. The bottom opening now extends to the intakes in the corners.

The side sills have also been restyled, displaying a more intricate design.

At the rear, a larger wing is attached to the back of the roof. The rear bumper has been reshaped, while the presence of the oval-shaped exhausts remains.


NewsNew

2024 BETA XTRAINER ANNOUNCED

Beta has revealed some details about its 2024 model line, and one of the highlights is the 2024 Xtrainer. This off-road motorcycle is equipped with a 300cc two-stroke engine and comes at an attractive price. Last year, the Xtrainer underwent a complete redesign, and for the 2024 model, Beta has made further improvements in terms of form and function. The aim is to make the Xtrainer even more versatile and usable in various off-road riding conditions.

The Xtrainer stands out with its unique package of technical specifications, equipment, performance, ergonomics, and design. It now features a security/safety system, along with new graphics, for the 2024 model year. The engine’s power delivery is one of the standout features of the Xtrainer, as it is designed to meet the needs of riders who want a motorcycle that is easy to handle and practical in different situations. Inspired by trials riding, the Xtrainer offers adaptability and ease of use, making it suitable for beginners, seasoned enduro riders, and even experts who want an extreme enduro companion. With the Xtrainer, riders can focus on enjoying the off-road experience without any hassle.

Some notable features of the 2024 Xtrainer include:

  • Limited weight, tipping the scales at only 218 lbs.
  • A unique frame design that is approximately 15% smaller than the standard RR models, providing a smaller and more nimble feel.
  • A reduced seat height by 20mm compared to the RR model range, making it easier for riders to touch the ground in tricky conditions.
  • Nissin hydraulic disc brakes measuring 260mm at the front and 240mm at the rear.
  • A lightweight and high-performance lithium battery.
  • Single-track-inspired R16V suspension with 43mm forks at the front and a rear shock with linkage. The suspension offers adjustable spring preload and rebound damping.
  • An electric start for quick and convenient starting. There is also an option for a backup kick starter.
  • The Beta progressive exhaust valve that can be adjusted externally to optimize the engine’s performance based on riding conditions.
  • A two-position MAP switch that works independently from the power valve adjuster, allowing riders to have more control over engine tuning.
  • A transparent fuel tank with a capacity of 2.3 gallons.
  • An oil injection system that eliminates the need for premixing. The oil tank is located below the seat, and the seat can be easily removed for maintenance.
  • Off-road-friendly soft tires that enhance the Xtrainer’s handling and provide more grip over rocks and roots.
  • A cooling fan that is standard on all Xtrainers, automatically maintaining the engine at the perfect temperature.
  • A 300 cc engine derived from the RR models but tuned differently for the Xtrainer. The engine delivers softer overall power, and combined with the torquey exhaust pipe, offers a power delivery that feels almost electric. The special diaphragm clutch has three positions of adjustment to suit the rider’s preferences.
  • An electronic key/safety system that provides a secure lock-out key exclusively for the motorcycle. The system also includes a steering lock and a wristband tether that, when disconnected, will kill the engine for added safety.

As for pricing, the 2024 Xtrainer will be available at a price of $8,399.00, plus a $489.00 destination fee. Keep in mind that professional dealer setup, taxes, license, and other required fees are not included in the price.

The Xtrainer is expected to be available in September 2024.

Motorsport

Meet Mirage, The Rare Porsche 911 from Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

The latest Transformers movie is here in time for the summer blockbuster season. Titled “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” it is in theaters now to take audiences on an adventure set in the 1990s. It also introduces a new faction of Transformers called the Maximals and features the Autobots, with a Porsche 911 Carrera named Mirage taking a central role. 

More specifically, Mirage is a 964 series Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 when in car form, a particularly rare model that is an unusual choice to base a hero on. However, according to Oliver Hoffmann, Head of Marketing Communications at Porsche AG, the Carrera RS 3.8 is perfect because of Mirage’s character traits, describing him as “A tough character with a good heart and a bit of a rebellious streak now and again.” 

Porsche only built 55 units of the Carrera RS 3.8, which are highly valuable today. Five picture cars were built to look like the original car to avoid the risk of damage and fulfill specific functions. One car was modified to go backward at high speed, while another was prepared for stunt sequences. Additional cars were built for close-ups or scenes involving the actors interacting with the car. 

The only area where a real Carrera RS 3.8 was used is sound design. “It was important to us to represent the sound of the 911 model depicted in the film,” said Ayesha Coker, Vice President of Marketing of Porsche Cars North America. “It was extremely ambitious due to the number of cars needed from a limited production 911, but we are thrilled with the result and hope audiences are too.”

What makes “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” unique is the level of involvement the production team had with Porsche, which was very hands-on with the development of Mirage. According to Irene Trachtenberg, SVP of Worldwide Marketing Partnerships at Paramount, that partnership “brought our Autobot Mirage to life in a most unique, iconic, and unforgettable way.”   

As for Porsche, it has been actively promoting the movie on its YouTube site and through social media. The automaker is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and has been very active in sponsoring exhibits and releasing videos to commemorate the milestone. 

Motorsport

See Hammond And May Destroy Clarkson’s Bizarre Car in Grand Tour: Eurocrash

The newest release from The Grand Tour team has arrived, titled Eurocrash. This episode features the iconic trio of James May, Jeremy Clarkson, and Richard Hammond embarking on a 1,400-mile road trip through Eastern Europe. However, knowing Clarkson, Hammond, and May, you can expect there to be much more to the story.

If you haven’t watched Eurocrash yet and want to avoid spoilers, you can check out this 20-minute clip on The Grand Tour’s YouTube channel. It serves as both a prologue and epilogue to the adventure, offering limited spoilers. On the other hand, if you’ve already seen the nearly two-hour special, this clip provides a satisfying wrap-up.

As expected, Clarkson’s car survives the trip. For those unfamiliar with this peculiar vehicle, let me introduce you to the Mitsuoka Le-Seyde. It is based on the Nissan Silvia S13, featuring a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine at the front. The Le-Seyde boasts an extended wheelbase, with the front wheels residing in a different country than the rear. This arrangement allows for a spacious engine compartment but leaves room for just two passengers in the cabin.

The video offers more insights into the car, including the comical discovery that Clarkson replaced the Le-Seyde’s original seats with permanent Recaro seats. Unfortunately, this modification makes it difficult for Hammond to see over the steering wheel, let alone drive the car around the Eboladrome. After completing a lackluster lap, May takes the wheel to assess the vehicle, with candelabras clattering in the wind. To no one’s surprise, neither May nor Hammond is impressed.

Interestingly, Clarkson, who doesn’t appear in the video, is actually impressed with the Le-Seyde. Hammond mentions that the car will be returning to Clarkson’s house, where he plans to keep it. For the record, Hammond has also decided to keep the Chevrolet SSR he drove in Eurocrash. As for May, he declined to keep the tiny Crosley he drove, as he had grown tired of being blown off the highway by passing semi-trucks.

The Grand Tour: Eurocrash is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime. The future of the trio’s motoring specials is uncertain at this time. You can learn more about it here.

Featured

Kia Carnival No Longer On Sale In India

 The carmaker is still deciding on bringing the latest generation of the premium MPV to India

  • Kia India has delisted the Carnival from its website.

  • It was last offered in both 6- and 7-seater configurations.

  • The Carnival was powered by a 200PS 2.2-litre diesel engine, which hasn’t been updated to meet new Real Driving Emission (RDE) norms.

  • Towards the end of its life cycle, the Carnival had a starting price of Rs 30.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Kia Carnival has now been discontinued in India, as the carmaker is no longer accepting reservations for the premium MPV and it has also been taken down from the official website. Introduced in 2020, the Carnival impressed all with its premium cabin that was positioned above the likes of the Toyota Innova Crysta without having to enter the far pricier luxury MPV segment.

The Carnival which was sold here was already a previous-gen model for the manufacturer, and Kia decided not to update it to comply with the latest BS6 Phase 2 emissions norms. The Carnival was offered in both 6- and 7-seater configurations, and was available in a total of three broad variants. There was even a four-row variant at the time of launch but was discontinued shortly after. Towards the end of its lifecycle, the Carnival retailed from Rs 30.99 lakh to Rs 35.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Features It Offered

The Kia Carnival’s cabin had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.1-inch touchscreen display for middle-row occupants, a dual-panel sunroof, and three-zone climate control. At launch, it was one of the best equipped non-luxury MPVs in India. Now, various three-row offerings from mass-market brands have caught up and passed the Carnival in terms of technology on offer.

In terms of safety, Kia’s premium MPV offered up to six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), cornering brake control and hill assist.

Also Read: Kia Seltos Facelift Will Make Its India Debut On July 4

Engine & Transmission

The Carnival was only available with a 2.2-litre diesel engine which made 200PS and 440Nm, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

Will It Return To India?

Kia showcased the facelifted fourth-generation Carnival at the 2023 Auto Expo in Delhi. It is bigger in size than the outgoing model, and has an enhanced list of features such as a bigger touchscreen and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Kia is still evaluating the market, and if all goes well, the new Kia Carnival could be launched next year.

Read More on : Kia Carnival diesel

News

Givi Introduces the Maxia 5: A Luxury Motorcycle Top Box

Givi, a renowned brand in motorcycle luggage, has unveiled its latest top box model called the Maxia 5. This high-end top box is part of the Maxia line, known for its premium plastic top boxes. With the fifth generation of the Maxia series, Givi has made several refinements to enhance the commuting experience.

In addition to their range of helmets, Givi has retained its expertise in designing top-of-the-line cases. The Maxia 5 features a modern and sleek design, standing out from the crowd of traditional black boxes. Givi’s “Innovative Molding” technology ensures precise shaping, making it suitable for scooters, adventure bikes, and sport standards. Despite its lightweight construction, weighing just under 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms), the Maxia 5 is built to last.

The Maxia 5 offers up to 58 liters of storage space, making it ideal for carrying essential items and even two modular helmets. Riders can customize the box with up to four colored aluminum inserts, adding a pop of color to the elegant design. The box also includes a striking red reflector for enhanced safety, a black foam rubber backrest for passengers, and a convenient document holder. To further enhance functionality, Givi provides a specially-designed interior bag.

Security is a priority with the Maxia 5, featuring a double-hook Security Lock for added protection against theft. The box also incorporates new comb-type hinges, allowing for a smooth one-hand open operation.

The Givi Maxia 5 is priced at €474 (approximately $520 USD, including VAT) according to current exchange rates.

Volkswagen

Final set-up drives: New Tiguan with premium class technologies and a long electric range

  • MQB evo – the latest evolutionary stage of the modular transverse matrix platform brings a variety of modern technologies on board the Tiguan
  • In future, the successful model will be launched with premium features such as HD matrix headlights and new adaptive chassis control
  • New cockpit and infotainment generation for intuitive and logical operating concept has been developed in response to customers feedback
  • World premiere will take place in the autumn; the market launch is scheduled for 2024

As part of final test drives, the Volkswagen brand is announcing the first details of its currently best-selling model: The third generation of the new Tiguan will be available with a newly developed active suspension control system and full-size features such as HD Matrix headlights. It is based on the new generation of the modular transverse matrix, MQB evo. With plug-in hybrid drive, the new Tiguan will achieve electric ranges of up to 100 kilometres in the future. The world premiere will take place in autumn, and the bestseller will be launched on the market in 2024.

The Tiguan has been the Volkswagen brand’s best-selling model worldwide for years. Since its debut in autumn 2007, more than 7.4 million people around the world have chosen this SUV.Now Volkswagen is completely relaunching the successful model.

Volkswagen has further developed the modular transverse matrix for the new Tiguan. The new generation is called MQB evo. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Brand Board of Management responsible for Technical Development: “State-of-the-art technology components interact perfectly in the MQB evo: a new generation of plug-in hybrid drives with electric ranges of up to 100 kilometres, probably the best active chassis control in its segment, premium interior quality and an equally new and intuitive infotainment system deliver what drivers expect from Volkswagen.”

The new Volkswagen Tiguan

Tiguan – Camouflaged near-series prototype. The model is not yet available for sale.

Some new features at a glance

IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights. The Tiguan will be one of the first vehicles in its class to be available with optional HD matrix headlights. The IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlight technology was developed jointly for the Tiguan and Touareg. Based on the top-down principle, the lighting technology of a premium-class model will now be used in the mid-sized Tiguan.

The new Volkswagen Tiguan

Tiguan – Camouflaged near-series prototype. The model is not yet available for sale.

New display- and operating concept. The interior of the Tiguan has been revamped and designed.Volkswagen has taken specific customer requirements into account for intuitive operation. For example, the Tiguan comes onto the market with a newly developed cockpit and a new infotainment system. A screen with a diagonal of up to 38 centimetres (15 inches) clearly displays important functions such as navigation, music and climate control and can be customised with quick access. The center console also houses the Driving Experience Control. The rotary control with its own mini-screen can be used to control drive mode, radio volume or ambient lighting colours. High-quality materials, newly developed seats and effective noise insulation increase value and comfort. In particular, in conjunction with a new “acoustic package” (optional), the Tiguan is designed to provide premium-class noise comfort. The centre consoles also offer more space for storage.

In future, the Tiguan will be offered exclusively with an automated shift gearbox (DSG). Like on the Volkswagen ID. models, the gear position is now changed by means of a steering column switch on the right of the steering wheel with a self-explanatory operating principle. The switch is turned forwards to “D” to drive forwards and backwards to “R” to reverse, while the parking brake is activated by pressing the side of the switch. In addition, paddle shifters are available behind the steering wheel.

Electronically controlled suspension for more comfort and dynamics. The MQB evo provides the starting point for a new generation of the adaptive suspension control DCC: the optional DCC Pro with two-valve shock absorbers. The new model is now additionally equipped as standard with a vehicle dynamics manager – an MQB system that made its debut in the current Golf GTI. The system controls the functions of the electronic differential locks (XDS) and the lateral dynamics components of the controlled shock absorbers in the DCC Pro system. Thanks to the Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which performs wheel-specific braking interventions and wheel-selective adjustments of the shock absorber hardness, the handling characteristics are more neutral, stable, agile and precise. This progress will be noticeable on board through increased comfort as well as significantly improved performance in dynamic cornering.

TDI, TSI, eTSI and eHybrid. Thanks to MQB evo, different drive types are possible for the Tiguan. It will be offered with turbodiesel engines (TDI), turbocharged petrol engines (TSI), mild hybrid turbocharged petrol engines (eTSI) and plug-in hybrid systems (eHybrid). The electric range of the new plug-in hybrid drives has been increased to up to 100 kilometres compared with the predecessors, depending on equipment. In addition, AC charging will be faster in all eHybrid versions, and DC charging will also be possible as standard for the first time.

The new Volkswagen Tiguan

Tiguan – Camouflaged near-series prototype. The model is not yet available for sale.

Premium-class seats. The Tiguan will be optionally available with ergoActive front seats. Among other things, these seats come with pneumatic four-way lumbar support adjustment and a pneumatic 10-chamber pressure point massage function in the backrests – features that are usually found in premium-class models. They are also equipped with seat heating and ventilation.

Larger luggage compartment in the Tiguan. The new Tiguan grows in length by around three centimetres. Height, width and wheelbase remain almost identical to the predecessor. The luggage compartment capacity of the new generation shows just how good the use of space is: although the SUV is only slightly longer, its luggage compartment capacity has increased by 33 litres to 648 litres (when loaded up to the height of the rear seat backrests).