Tag Archives: level

Motorsport

Ferrari F50 Owned By Rod Stewart Is A Rare Rockstar Ride For Sale

In the world of supercars, few names command as much admiration and envy as the Ferrari F50. This model has always been synonymous with speed, elegance, and prestige since it was first introduced in 1995. Now, add the name of legendary rock-and-roll icon Rod Stewart to the mix, and you have a truly extraordinary story. Today, we present the tale of a red Ferrari F50 that was once owned by the music legend and is now up for auction.

Every Ferrari F50, with its race-derived naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V12 engine, is a true analog supercar. However, this particular car holds even more significance as it was originally delivered to Rod Stewart. It was completed in 1996 and imported by Maranello Concessionaires Ltd in the UK. The car was first registered in June 1997. According to records, it briefly traveled to Dubai in 2002 before returning to the UK by 2007. Since then, it has had six previous owners, with the current seller cherishing it for over two and a half years.


News

Everything You Need To Know About Mercedes-Benz’s Hands-free Driving

Mercedes-Benz has become the first automaker certified for SAE Level 3 hands-free driving in the United States. This certification allows drivers to use Mercedes’ Drive Pilot system, which offers a Level 3 of Autonomous Driving. This means that drivers can technically text, watch videos, and interact with passengers without having to watch the road or keep their hands on the steering wheel. The Drive Pilot system is more sophisticated and offers more freedom compared to other ADAS options like the Tesla Autopilot. However, it still comes with regulations and limitations. Let’s explore the details of Mercedes-Benz’s hands-free driving technology.

Understanding The Subtle Differences

Mercedes’ Drive Pilot feature allows drivers to completely disengage while the car drives itself. Unlike Level 2 autonomous driving, which requires the driver to remain physically involved, the Drive Pilot enables drivers to let the car drive without any physical input. The system operates at up to 40mph on certain sections of the highway, following traffic signs and maneuvering around other vehicles as necessary. If the driver fails to take control of the vehicle after multiple warnings, the vehicle will stop, engage hazard lights, call emergency services, and unlock the doors for first responders.

It’s Like An Overprotective Parent, But For Your Car

The Drive Pilot system employs cautionary methods to ensure safety. The system gradually alerts the driver through various signals and vibrations as a warning to regain control of the vehicle. To enhance safety, Mercedes equipped the Drive Pilot system with a variety of technology and accessories including lidar, radars, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and a positioning system. To warn other drivers and pedestrians, Mercedes initially wanted to use a turquoise color on the exterior of the vehicle when autonomous mode is activated, but U.S. regulations limit the use of colors to white, amber, and red on passenger vehicles.

It Comes With A Fair Share Of Twists, Nuances, And Limitations

Despite being a milestone in autonomous driving, the Drive Pilot system still has limitations and regulations. It can only be activated on mapped highways, in daylight, and when traffic is below 40 mph. It does not engage on city or country roads, construction zones, during heavy rain or fog, on flooded roads, or under any weather conditions that may affect its performance. Mercedes is working to expand the system’s capabilities to operate in more conditions and at higher speeds. Currently, the Drive Pilot system is available on the Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan and Mercedes S-Class models, starting at $104,400 and $114,500 respectively. The system requires a $2,500 annual subscription fee payable through dealerships in Nevada and California.

News

Top 10 Best Small Electric Cars 2023

The next three years will bring a new level of accessibility to electric car ownership. While electric vehicles (EVs) have already proven to be practical for families and businesses, the coming years will show that they can also be affordable and viable as superminis and city cars with attractive showroom prices and impressive electric range.

In the UK, small hatchbacks have always been popular, and the shift to electric cars won’t change that. The main barriers have been the high prices and the challenges of packaging and weight. However, the compact size, practical interiors, and nimble handling of small cars are well-suited for back roads and suburbs. The electric technology just hasn’t fully met the requirements of small cars.

Battery costs are high and it’s easier to hide them in SUVs, so most of the innovation in EVs has been in the larger segments. It’s also easier to convince someone with multiple cars to have an electric vehicle, compared to someone who relies on just one car for everything. Despite these challenges, there are already good options available for those who want a small electric car. Some small EVs can even go over 200 miles on a single charge. And for those who prefer a sportier experience, there are small electric cars with hot hatch characteristics.

We have tested and rated every small electric car currently available, and we are also keeping an eye on upcoming models. Here is our list of the very best small electric cars:

Best Small Electric Cars 2023

Peugeot e-208

Pros: Good battery range for the price, comfortable ride, decent performance

Cons: Soft suspension impacts body control at speed, some low-rent materials, slightly cramped rear seats

The Peugeot 208 is already a popular supermini with a combustion engine, and its all-electric version is equally appealing. It offers a usable range, strong performance, value for money, practicality, style, perceived quality, and driver appeal. It’s a great choice for those looking for their first electric car.

The Peugeot 208 has a rich and distinctive interior, complementing its stylish bodywork. It is as practical as the Renault Zoe and even better than the Mini Electric in terms of practicality, which are important considerations for these types of cars.

Technology

The Raspberry Pi Creation You’ll Want To Bring On A Hike

If you enjoy hiking and want to know your height above sea level, you can use the Raspberry Pi Pico along with the BME280 sensor. This sensor can measure air pressure, humidity, and temperature, which it will then transmit to the Raspberry Pi Pico. By using the code installed on the Pi, you can take the air pressure reading and calculate your altitude.

The reason this method works is because of gravity’s influence on air density. Gravity pulls most of the Earth’s gas close to the surface, resulting in denser air at sea level. As you ascend, the air becomes less dense and exerts less pressure on the sensor.

At sea level, air pressure is generally around 14.7 PSI, while at the summit of Mount Everest, it drops to about 4.84 PSI. When hiking on land, the pressure you experience will fall somewhere in between these values. Typically, for every 1000 feet of elevation gain, pressure drops by around 0.5 PSI. However, this rate decreases at higher altitudes. By following the correct algorithm, you can easily estimate your altitude based on the pressure reading. If you’re interested in trying this out, the Pi Pico is one of the affordable Raspberry Pi products that can be easily obtained. You can find a two-pack of these microcontrollers on Amazon for just over $12.

VolvoCars

Volvo Cars boosting EV ownership experience with an enhanced public charging offer in Europe Volvo Cars is improving its public charging service in Europe, introducing new features accessible through the Volvo Cars app to simplify access, payment, and charging for customers. The company has partnered with Digital Charging Solutions, one of the largest electromobility providers, to offer this enhanced service, which will be available to European customers by the end of November. A major challenge for drivers of electric cars has been accessing a reliable and seamless public charging infrastructure. However, Volvo Cars aims to address this issue by using the Digital Charging Solutions platform. By doing so, the company aims to make public fast-charging usage and accessibility even easier, making it a far more convenient experience than before. All of this can be done through the Volvo Cars app. This advanced service will allow owners of Volvo’s fully electric models, such as the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge, as well as customers of upcoming models like the EX90 and EX30, to access a wide network of over 1,000 charge point operators and more than 590,000 public chargers across 30 countries in Europe. The expanded network will make cross-border travel more convenient and enable drivers to access a greater number of publicly available chargers. Volvo Cars is dedicated to continuously enhancing the public charging offer for customers, both private and business. To cater to evolving needs, the company is introducing various new features. Plug & Charge functionality will be compatible with Volvo’s flagship fully electric SUV, the EX90, ensuring a seamless experience at public chargers, eliminating the need for complex transactions. Customers will have the ability to remotely start and stop charging sessions through the Volvo Cars app, providing flexibility and control. Additionally, a new functionality allows customers to set up business driver accounts for VAT and company invoicing purposes. Furthermore, subscription offers will be available, providing customers with preferential pricing on high-power charging stations, with offers varying by market. Julia Sandén, Business Owner for Charging at Volvo Cars, expressed that the company’s focus remains on understanding customer needs when driving their electric vehicles. The ability to access more public chargers through a single app will enable customers to make more electrified journeys. Markus Bartenschlager, Chief Commercial Officer of Digital Charging Solutions, expressed excitement over the partnership with Volvo Cars and the opportunity to support the company’s goal of 100% electrification. The collaboration will allow Volvo Cars customers throughout Europe to benefit from the growing public charging network.

VauxhallUk

VAUXHALL INTRODUCES NEW ENTRY-LEVEL ‘DESIGN’ TRIM FOR ASTRA ELECTRIC AND MOKKA ELECTRIC

  • Vauxhall introduces entry degree Design variations of the Astra Electric and Mokka Electric
  • Design variations of the Astra Electric and Mokka Electric obtainable to order now, with deliveries ranging from January 2024
  • Prices for the Mokka Electric vary now begin from £36,610 OTR
  • Prices for the Astra Electric vary now begin vary from £37,795 OTR
  • Vauxhall Electric ‘Design’ fashions, additionally together with New Corsa, obtainable with 8.9% APR
  • Vauxhall is dedicated to electrifying the UK and shall be an electric-only model from 2028

Vauxhall has introduced the introduction of recent Design entry-level variations of the Astra Electric and Mokka Electric, making Vauxhall’s electrical vary extra accessible than ever. Order books are open now, with deliveries for the Astra Electric Design and Mokka Electric Design ranging from January 2024.

The new Design variations of Astra Electric and Mokka Electric makes Vauxhall’s electrical vary extra accessible to shoppers trying to begin their electrical journey, while persevering with to ship a excessive degree of specification. Both fashions include a complete suite of driver aids and security applied sciences as normal, together with lane departure warning, velocity signal recognition, driver drowsiness alert and ahead collision alert.

The Mokka Electric Design is provided with 17-inch alloy wheels and contains a seven-inch touchscreen with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ compatibility. For added comfort, this trim additionally options rear parking sensors, a panoramic rear view digicam and automated lights and wipers.

The Astra Electric Design is fitted with 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels and advantages from Vauxhall’s Pure Panel inside, which contains a 10-inch touchscreen with voice-activated satellite tv for pc navigation and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. Rear parking sensors, keyless begin and automated lights and wipers additional improve ease of use.

As with all electrified Vauxhall fashions, the brand new Design variations are additionally obtainable with Vauxhall’s ‘Plug & Go’ supply, permitting prospects to decide on a wallbox from considered one of Vauxhall’s three authorized nationwide suppliers and unfold the associated fee throughout the size of their finance settlement. Other Plug & Go advantages embody eight years’ roadside help, an eight-year battery guarantee, and an Octopus Electroverse card, offering entry to over half 1,000,000 public chargers throughout the UK and Europe.

Prices for Mokka Electric now begin from £36,610 OTR. As the best-selling small electrical SUV within the UK, the inclusion of the Mokka Electric in Design trim will open up the favored mannequin to much more UK motorists, who’re searching for zero-emissions model and practicality. The Mokka Electric Design is offered with an electrical motor which delivers 100kW (136PS) and 260Nm of torque, and a 50kWh lithium-ion battery which delivers vary of as much as 209 miles (WLTP).

Prices for Astra Electric now begin from £37,795 OTR, and consumers will profit from an improved deposit contribution and APR when financing their new Vauxhall. The Astra Electric Design is powered by a 54kWh lithium-ion battery and 115kW (156PS) electrical motor for improved efficiency, with as much as 258 miles of vary between fees (WLTP). The Astra’s enticing design, aggressive pricing and worth for cash resulted in it being named ‘Best Family Car’ on the 2023 Business Car Awards and ‘Best Family Hatch of the Year’ on the 2022 Top Gear Awards, and the introduction of the Design model implies that much more consumers can take benefit.

Buyers of the Design model of the New Corsa Electric, already obtainable on the UK’s best-selling electrical supermini, will even profit from the improved 8.9% APR on financed purchases. With a 50kWh battery and 136PS electrical motor, the Corsa Electric Design can journey as much as 222 miles on a single cost (WLTP) and might be re-charged from 0-80% in simply half-hour from a 100kW fast charger.

Note to editors – PCP finance examples:

Model

New Corsa Electric Design

Powertrain

100kW / 136PS

59x Payments

£389

OTR Price

£32,445

Vauxhall Finance Deposit Contribution

£5,400.00

Customer Deposit

£2,711.25

Total Deposit

£8,111.25

Total Credit

£24,333.75

Interest Charges

£7,092.88

Total Amount Payable

£39,537.88

Guaranteed Future Value

£8,134

True Rate

8.90%

Miles each year

6,000

Excess Mileage

£0.09

Term (months)

60

APR

8.90%

Model

Mokka Electric Design

Powertrain

100kW / 136PS

59x Payments

£429

OTR Price

£36,610

Vauxhall Finance Deposit Contribution

£7,000.00

Customer Deposit

£2,152.50

Total Deposit

£9,152.50

Total Credit

£27,457.50

Interest Charges

£7,092.88

Total Amount Payable

£43,702.88

Guaranteed Future Value

£10,250

True Rate

8.90%

Miles each year

6,000

Excess Mileage

£0.09

Term (months)

60

APR

8.90%

Model

New Astra Electric Design

Powertrain

115kW / 156PS

59x Payments

£409

OTR Price

£37,795

Vauxhall Finance Deposit Contribution

£2,750.00

Customer Deposit

£6,698.75

Total Deposit

£9,448.75

Total Credit

£28,346.25

Interest Charges

£7,092.88

Total Amount Payable

£44,887.88

Guaranteed Future Value

£13,068

True Rate

8.90%

Miles each year

8,000

Excess Mileage

£0.09

Term (months)

60

APR

8.90%

Featured

Introducing Dan D’Agostino’s Momentum MxV Integrated Amplifier

The Momentum MxV Integrated Amplifier is a groundbreaking integrated component that achieves unprecedented levels of performance and refinement. It combines the advanced technology from Dan D’Agostino’s award-winning Momentum HD Preamplifier and Momentum MxV Amplifiers to deliver reference-quality sound in a compact and elegantly designed framework.

The Momentum MxV Integrated Amplifier maximizes the potential of a single-chassis solution. With its modular design, it can be customized according to the listener’s preferences. The line-stage section can be enhanced with a digital streaming module and a phonostage designed for use with high-end turntable systems. The result is a seamless circuitry from input to output, providing authoritative power that can drive any loudspeaker.

Momentum 13617
Momentum 13632
Momentum 13646

The backbone of the Momentum MxV Integrated Amplifier is built upon Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems’ essential technologies. It features discrete, balanced, direct-coupled circuitry combined with a powerful output stage capable of delivering 250WPC into 8 Ohms and 500WPC into 4 Ohms. Additionally, for those who are passionate about vinyl records, an optional phonostage module can be added to enable turntable playback. Similarly, if you want to incorporate digital playback, there is an optional digital streaming module available, which offers a full suite of capabilities including a range of digital inputs, network and internet music streaming, and direct support for popular music streaming platforms like Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, and Roon. The amplifier also comes with a custom iOS app for easy unit and music control.

Hand-assembled in Arizona, the Momentum MxV Integrated Amplifier serves as the perfect centerpiece of a high-performance audio system. It is designed for discerning listeners who seek an all-in-one component that truly excels in every aspect.

Momentum 13627
Technology

How To Easily Find Your Lost Apple TV Remote Using Your iPhone

Apple has introduced a new feature in iOS 17 for the iPhone and tvOS 17 for Apple TVs that makes it easier to locate your Apple TV remote using your iPhone. Similar to the Find My feature for locating misplaced Apple devices, you can now use Siri to track down your lost remote.

Once activated on your iPhone, a radar-like visual appears on the screen, flashing and pulsing to indicate the proximity of the missing remote’s signal. As you get closer, the blue background of the radar becomes larger and brighter, eventually filling up the entire screen when you’re in close proximity to the remote. To use this feature, you’ll need an Apple TV 4K updated to tvOS 17 and an iPhone running iOS 17 that is connected to the Apple TV.

NewsNew

THE WEEKLY FEED: MADNESS! ERZBERG ON A 400 POUND ADV BIKE • BIG AIR • BEAT THE HEAT

Ken Zahrt was a So Cal hero, who made waves on the National motocross level. This is 1976 Mammoth Mountain motocross and  KZ is Mid Valley Ossa Phantom mounted. And another superb bit of history preserved by Mark Kiel’s camera.

TULSA, OK (July 11, 2023) – Cycle City Promotions announced today changes to the 2023 EnduroCross Series schedule. The first round will take place on October 7th in Everett, Washington and the final round will be in Reno, Nevada on November 18th. (The initial schedule started in Loveland, Colorado on September 23.)

endurocross.com

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CZ ART

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This vid has some great footage with Jonny Walker, Trystan Hart, Ryder LeBlond  and Cody Webb battling the rolling rocks at the Shotgun Hard Scramble. The event was brutal.

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THIS IS BIG STINKING AIR!

Pol Tarres is a complete madman launching  his 400-plus pound Yamaha Tenure 700 at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo. Pol is the nephew of Jordi Tarrés, a seven-time Trial World Champion. Photo: Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool

WORKS CONNECTION ’23 YZ450F FORK ADJUSTERS (YZF)

Works Connections’s all-new Fork Adjusters for the ’23 YZ450F are machined from aircraft grade aluminum and replace the stock plastic adjusters. They use a 4-flute design and made them slightly taller to allow for easier adjustments with a more solid detent. Factory look with magnesium color and laser etched +/- markings for reference. The 4-flute design is much easier to use with or without gloves on. It is also easier to gain access to the fork bleeder screw due to the smaller size adjuster. $39.95

worksconnection.com

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MOOSE RACING WHEEL TRUING STAND

Moose Racing’s Professional Wheel Truing Stand eliminates the guess work of truing a wheel. It includes two digital indicators to true side- to-side and up-down truing simultaneously providing more precise results. Lightweight, yet rigid, the aluminum frame and axle fits wheels from 16” to 21” with 20mm-30mm axles. Unlike other wheel truing stands using index screws, this Professional Wheel Truing Stand uses unique threaded cones on the axle to keep the wheel more secure. This stands base includes adjustable rubber feet to maintain level axel on any surface. MSRP is listed at $259.95.
www.mooseracing.com

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DUNLOP TRAILMAX RAID ADV TIRE

The all-new Dunlop Trailmax Raid is designed for 40% on-road and 60% off-road use, combining expertise and technology from Dunlop’s extensive line of tires. The Trailmax Raid is suitable for a wide range of bikes from mid-size dual sports to large adventure bikes, offering exceptional off-road capabilities paired with outstanding wet weather grip and adventure touring performance.

The Trailmax Raid’s design was inspired by Dunlop’s popular D908RR Rally Raid, a tire designed for aggressive adventure and cross-country conditions. The unmistakable block design on the D908RR tread is a key part of the Trailmax Raid’s tread design. The Raid utilizes tie-bars between the tread blocks to improve handling and stability for heavier bikes, while grip at higher lean angles when riding on the road is ensured by smaller gaps between the shoulder blocks. The large center blocks on the rear tire are designed to cope with road riding and the high-power output of adventure motorcycles.

dunlopmotorcycletires.com

As temperatures are hitting 105-degrees this weekend, I relish winter riding in So Cal. This is Texas Canyon, 1982. For a short while I raced a big Maico 490 Alpha E in local enduros. I really wanted to love this bike, but it was a handful for me, both heavy and heavy handed power wise.