The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray has an EV-only mode, but it is not commonly used. To activate this mode, it must be selected before fully turning on the ignition. In this mode, the car’s performance is limited to a maximum speed of 45mph and a range of less than five miles. It is designed to be a stealthy option to avoid disturbing neighbors.
In addition to the EV-only mode, the E-Ray has the same dynamic modes as the regular Stingray: Tour, Sport, Track, and Weather (for slippery conditions). It also has a configurable My Mode and a Z setting, which allows for quick adjustments to individual chassis and powertrain settings.
Under normal driving conditions, the combustion engine provides all the power. However, when more acceleration is needed, the electric motor delivers instant torque. The contribution from the front is indicated by a synthesized whirr through the speakers, complementing the natural V8 engine sounds from the rear.
When fully engaged, the E-Ray feels impressively quick, with enhanced traction evident in its launches from a standstill and its ability to navigate tight corners smoothly. It handles similarly to the standard Stingray, without any significant differences on tight roads.
The E-Ray also comes with carbon-ceramic brakes as standard, which perform exceptionally well under high thermal loads. While it may not be primarily designed for circuit racing, it proves to be highly effective on the track, such as the Thunderhill Raceway in northern California. The E-Ray achieved a remarkable 2.4-second 0-60mph time in launch control mode, making it the fastest standard Corvette ever produced, despite its weight penalty compared to the Z06.
At higher speeds, however, the E-Ray starts to lose its performance. Chevrolet states that beyond 150mph, there is no electric assistance, and the hybrid system actually becomes additional weight, not contributing to speed beyond the car’s top speed of 180mph.
The GLC 63 is now much quieter and more subdued in everyday driving compared to its predecessor. In Comfort mode, it can start in EV mode if the battery has enough charge, resulting in a noiseless and smooth acceleration as power is exclusively sent to the rear wheels.
When the software determines that hybrid mode is more appropriate, the engine starts and power is distributed to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox and directly from the motor, providing a sense of urgency.
The PHEV system is undeniably effective. In Sport Plus mode, the GLC 63 is incredibly fast, even surpassing the old V8 in terms of 0-62mph acceleration.
However, it doesn’t always feel like a car with such high levels of power and torque. This is partly because the engine needs to reach 5250rpm for its maximum 402lb ft of torque and 6750rpm for its 469bhp, whereas the old V8 engine relied on its powerful low-end performance.
The car’s sound is not as assertive as before. It has a distinctive raspy exhaust note that becomes louder and more intense as you cycle through the different driving modes, and there are some acoustic theatrics on downshifts with pops and crackles, but it lacks the deep, bass-driven drama typically associated with AMG models.
On the plus side, the car offers significantly improved fuel efficiency. With an official fuel economy of 37.7mpg, it outperforms the old V8 by almost 16mpg, resulting in significantly lower CO2 emissions.
The eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox performs well even in auto mode, although it tends to be hesitant when downshifting. It’s better to take control using the paddles, as the response is immediate.
If you push the car harder, you’ll notice that the Comfort mode has a conservative traction control setting. Switching to Sport mode doesn’t provide as much of a difference as expected; it’s slightly firmer and noisier, but the overall character of the car remains the same.
The real excitement comes with the Race mode. The engine noise becomes more pronounced, and the gearbox delivers forceful upshifts (which might be seen as a bit uncouth, but many people enjoy the theatricality). The Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer is activated in this mode, offering a combination of torque vectoring by braking and a more lenient stability control setting.
Unlike some other Ferraris, the Roma lacks a CT-off mode that allows for sideways drifts. However, Race mode is still well-suited for the road, allowing the car to tighten its line when accelerating without becoming uncontrollable.
The steering ratio is the same as the coupé version, but the softer suspension and body of the Roma Spider result in a slightly slower response. Nevertheless, it still offers the characteristic quickness of Ferrari steering. While it may not provide excessive feedback, there’s enough to complement the reliable front grip and controlled body roll, giving the driver a high level of confidence.
You can push the boundaries by turning the manettino all the way to disengage the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and unleash the full balance of the Roma Spider. Despite the tremendous traction, when the car does start to slide, the quick steering provides the necessary tools to catch the oversteer, making the experience thrilling rather than frightening.
The classic Mini, known for its affordability and popularity among British drivers, has undergone a transformation since BMW Group acquired the brand in 2000. Originally designed by Alec Issigonis during a fuel crisis, the Mini was appreciated for its simplicity, low cost, and fuel efficiency.
However, there are now specialist companies that aim to elevate the classic British two-door by enhancing its refinement, luxury, and overall quality, albeit at a significantly higher price point than the original car could have imagined.
One such company is David Brown Automotive, which has made a name for itself in the Mini restomod industry. Their offerings include bespoke Mini vehicles with opulent leather interiors and modern features like electric windows, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and upgraded engines that deliver more power than their factory counterparts from two to three decades ago.
On your Fire TV Stick, you have the option to disable notifications for specific apps or activate a Do Not Interrupt mode, which will turn off all notifications. To disable notifications for specific apps on your Fire TV Stick, follow these steps:
Using your remote, open Fire TV Stick settings.
Navigate to Preferences.
Scroll down and select Notification Settings.
Select App Notifications.
Choose an app and press the Select button on your remote to block notifications from that app.
Repeat the process for other apps you want to stop receiving notifications from.
You can review the complete list and disable notifications for all installed apps on your Fire TV Stick. If you want to enable notifications for a specific app later, go back to the same menu and select the app to unblock it. The Notifications Settings menu also allows you to activate the Do Not Interrupt mode. Enabling this mode will prevent any pop-up notifications from apps. Press the Select button on your remote to activate the mode.
One common issue that Fire TV Stick users face is receiving repeated notifications from Amazon Music, even after disabling notifications and removing the app from their device. Unfortunately, in this particular case, turning off notifications does not seem to resolve the problem. The only solution is to directly contact Amazon customer support for assistance.
The iPhone has a feature called “Low Data Mode” that can help conserve data usage on both cellular data and Wi-Fi. When this mode is enabled, it affects all apps and services, not just Instagram and TikTok. In Low Data Mode, apps may stop using data when they aren’t actively being used, and Background App Refresh is disabled. Automatic downloads and backups are turned off, and streaming quality is reduced.
To enable Low Data Mode for cellular data, follow these steps:
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap on “Cellular Data”.
Go to “Cellular Data Options”.
Tap on “Data Mode” and select “Low Data Mode”.
If you’re using two SIM cards, you can select one of your numbers in the Cellular Data menu and enable Low Data Mode. Repeat the process for the other number if needed. If you want to enable Low Data Mode when connected to Wi-Fi, here are the steps:
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap on “Wi-Fi”.
Tap on the “i” next to the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to.
If your iPhone has been stuck in Recovery Mode with no progress on the Restore screen, follow these steps:
Disconnect your iPhone from the computer connected to Recovery Mode to prevent it from going back into Recovery Mode after restarting.
On iPhone 8 or newer, press and release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button. Next, press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.
On iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, press and hold both the Volume Down and Power buttons until the Apple logo is displayed.
On iPhone 6S and older, press and hold the Home and Power buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
If you’re lucky, a forced restart will solve the issue and your iPhone will return to normal. However, if your device restarts and returns to the Restore screen, you’ll need to reinstall iOS to resolve the problem.
The Fisker Ocean comes with a unique feature called ‘California mode’. With just a touch of a button, the car opens its sunroof and lowers seven of the eight panes in the glasshouse, giving you a near open-air driving experience without actually removing the roof. Another interesting feature is the car’s infotainment screen that can rotate to a landscape orientation when parked, allowing you to stream your favorite TV shows while waiting for the car to charge. These features may seem gimmicky but they add novelty to the overall experience.
However, Fisker hasn’t neglected the substance elsewhere. The company aimed to bring value to the family EV class with the Ocean, and it delivers on that front whether you opt for the entry-level or mid-level price.
In the UK, the mid-level, twin-motor, Ultra-spec model starts from just under £50,000. In comparison, competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y, BMW iX1, and Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD have higher starting prices ranging from £51,000 to £65,000. Despite the lower price, the Fisker Ocean offers 106kWh of usable battery capacity and up to 440 miles of WLTP-certified electric range. These figures are on par with more expensive electric vehicles like the Mercedes EQS.
During testing, the Fisker Ocean demonstrated its capability of achieving a range of 375-400 miles on a warm day, comprising a mix of urban, motorway, and country road driving. For those with on-street parking or apartment lifestyles, this car is convenient as it only requires charging once or twice a week. Fast charging is possible at up to 200kW using DC charging or at a nearby on-street AC charging post, making it a suitable option for those accustomed to traditional combustion-engine cars.
In many parts of the world, motorcycles are an inexpensive mode of every day transportation. But let’s face it, when it comes to countries like the US, motorcycles are considered primarily a fun toy to use on the weekend or occasional getaway. While it’s true that a lot of riders in the US do use their motorcycles as every day commuters, that number is staggeringly low when compared to countries like Indian or Thailand. As such, majority of the motorcycles used there from the likes of Bajaj Auto, are of low cost and displacement. But places where motorcycles are a premium hobby? That’s another story all together.
Updated August 2023: Manufacturers come up with special editions and new motorcycles every year, as well as increasing the price even more for some. To keep our readers up to speed with the most expensive production motorcycles, we have updated this article to reflect all relevant information.
BMW made its name with expensive and beautifully-built touring motorcycles such as the R80RT and R100RT in the 1970s, before the GS adventure bike took over as the flagship model and boosted the company’s fortunes immeasurably. But BMW hadn’t abandoned its touring bikes completely: the K 1600 appeared in 2011, and took the motorcycling world by storm, with its silky-smooth inline six-cylinder engine and sophisticated chassis and electronics.
Performance Specs
Displacement
1,649cc
Engine Type
Oil/water-cooled inline-six DOHC
Horsepower
160 horsepower at 6,750 RPM
Torque
132.7 pound-feet at 5,250 RPM
Curb Weight
809.1 pounds
Transmission
6-speed helical
The Option 719 Midnight Black for the Grand America version adds even more luxury, as BMW adds high quality paintwork, aluminum Midnight badge, and a cloud print and model name lettering on the bench seat.
Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
Starting MSRP: $31,595
Ducati
The Multistrada V4 was already an amazing platform, but Ducati decided to up the ante by turning it into a sportier beast with the Pikes Peak version. Named after the famed hill climb, the Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak offers a whole new array of capabilities, such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection.
Performance Specs
Displacement
1,158cc
Engine Type
Liquid-cooled Granturismo V4
Horsepower
170 horsepower
Torque
92 pound-feet
Curb Weight
472 pounds
Transmission
6-speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS)
Apart from the extensive electronic suite, Ducati redesigned the geometry such as the rake and positioning of the foot pegs. The rake was revised to 25.75° instead of the previous 24.5°, as well as pushing the foot pegs back by 10mm to give it a sportier feel. Ducati also added a single-sided swingarm to emphasize the sportier nature of the Pikes Peak version.
Honda Gold Wing Tour Airbag Automatic DCT
Starting MSRP: $32,900
Honda Motorcycles
Back in 1974, Honda dared to take Harley-Davidson head-on in the large touring bike class with the flat-four-engined, shaft-driven Gold Wing. That first model was un-faired and Honda saw it as a large sports bike but soon realized that owners were using it differently and turned it into the supreme touring bike we know today, with a huge fairing and all the bells and whistles.
Performance Specs
Displacement
1,833cc
Engine Type
Liquid-cooled boxer-six SOHC
Horsepower
124.7 horsepower at 5500 RPM
Torque
125.4 pound-feet at 4500 RPM
Curb Weight
853 pounds
Transmission
7-speed automatic DCT
Over the years, the size and complexity increased, as did the comfort and mile-eating ability. In 2018, a completely new Gold Wing emerged, more compact and lighter but still a technical tour-de-force. The engine – a six-cylinder since 1987 – grew to 1,832cc (111.8cu.in.) and produces 125 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. It is silky smooth and the suspension is now electronically adjustable.
To activate the split-screen mode in Android Auto, you just have to connect your device to your car like normal.
On the Home screen, you should tap the Apps button on the bottom left corner of the screen.
Once you do this, there should be a multi-window button that will replace it in that same bottom left corner.
Pressing this will automatically switch the main display to split-screen mode.
If this button doesn’t appear, you will probably need to ensure the Android Auto app is fully up-to-date. Split screen is a relatively recent feature and you will need the latest version of the app if you want to take advantage of it. To ensure you have this, open the Google Play store and search for the Android Auto app. There should be an Update button that appears here if you do not already have the latest version. Once it’s finished updating, you should be able to easily turn split screen mode on and off. That’s all you need to do to enjoy Android Auto split screen — but you can still customize it further.
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