Tag Archives: month

Motorsport

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: More Power and Options for US Market

After the recent unveiling of the fifth-generation Santa Fe by Hyundai, fans have eagerly awaited the release of the model’s specifications. Today, some of these details have been made available during the official launch of the 2024 Santa Fe in Korea. This SUV, anticipated to hit the US market in the first half of next year, will also make its North American debut at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.

In North America, Hyundai will offer two powertrain options for the Santa Fe. The first is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering an impressive 277 horsepower (or 281 metric horsepower) and 311 pound-feet (or 43.0 kilogram-force meter) of torque. This powertrain is coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 8.0 seconds.


Motorsport

Close Battle: Porsche 911 Dakar vs Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato in Drag Race

In November, both Porsche and Lamborghini unveiled their off-road vehicles – the 911 Dakar and the Huracan Sterrato respectively. Now, a new video showcases a series of drag races between these two coupes to determine which is the fastest off-road car in the market.

The Lamborghini has an advantage when it comes to its powertrain. It is equipped with a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine, producing 602 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque in the US. On the other hand, the 911 Dakar features a smaller twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six engine, generating 473 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.


Featured

Mahindra Scorpio N, Scorpio Classic, And XUV700 Account For 69 Percent Of The Carmaker’s Current Pending Orders


Mahindra averages around 48,000 new bookings per month, with the Thar being more popular than the XUV700

At the recent financial results meeting, Mahindra revealed that it has over 280,000 pending orders. The majority of these orders are for the Mahindra Scorpio N and Scorpio Classic SUVs.

Model-wise Pending Orders

Model

Pending orders*

Average bookings per month^

XUV300 and XUV400

11,000

6,000

Thar

68,000

10,000

Bolero and Bolero Neo

8,400

9,000

Scorpio N and Classic

1,17,000

14,000

XUV700

77,000

8,000

^ – These figures are approximations by the brand

The number of pending orders for the XUV300 and XUV400 has decreased in recent months. The Scorpio N and Classic have the highest backlog, with nearly 117,000 pending units. These models have an average of 14,000 new bookings per month, making them the most popular among Mahindra customers.

Also Check Out: Electric Mahindra Thar Concept To Take The Stage At August 15 Event

Mahindra Scorpio N

The average waiting period for the Scorpio N is currently over six months nationwide. It is a versatile SUV that can be used for daily commuting, highway cruising, and off-roading.

Also Read: Mahindra XUV400 EV To Get New Safety Feature Upgrades

Mahindra XUV700

The Thar and XUV700 are also in high demand. The rear-wheel-drive variants of the Thar are particularly popular due to their lower prices, but the waiting time for both models is around four to six months in many cities. Despite the long wait times, Mahindra’s cancellation rate remains below 8 percent per month, which is considered acceptable.

Mahindra hasn’t provided specific reasons for the increase in pending orders, but it is likely related to global socio-economic factors such as international conflicts, supply chain constraints, and chip shortages. The company plans to increase production capacity to fulfill the high demand. 

Read More on : Scorpio N Automatic

Mazda

Mazda Reports July Sales Results

June Marks the 10th Straight Month of Year-Over-Year Gains

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total July sales of 30,629 vehicles, an increase of 30.9 percent compared to July 2022. Year-to-date sales totaled 214,412 vehicles; an increase of 29 percent compared to the same time last year. With 25 selling days in July, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 36.2 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

CPO sales totaled 5,563 vehicles in July, an increase of 48 percent compared to July 2022.

Sales Highlights

  • 2nd best July sales since 1993 with 30,629 vehicles sold.
  • Best-ever July sales of CX-50 with 4,234 vehicles sold.
  • Best-ever July sales of CX-30 with 7,221 vehicles sold.
  • Best-ever sales of CX-90 with 2,929 vehicles sold.

Mazda Canada, Inc., (MCI) reported July sales of 4,598 vehicles, an increase of 13.5 percent compared to July last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 32,863 vehicles; an increase of 8.2 percent compared to the same time last year.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported July sales of 6,286 vehicles, an increase of 47 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 40,811 vehicles; an increase of 96 percent compared to the same time last year.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts, and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at News.MazdaUSA.com.

Follow MNAO’s social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.

…

*Selling Days

25

26

177

178
Featured

These Are The 7 Cars That Are Expected To Debut In August 2023


Two new seven-seater cars are expected to go on sale this month

Upcoming cars august

The month of July was exciting with SUV launches, and August will be no different. Citroen, Toyota, Tata, Mercedes Benz, and Volvo are all preparing for major debuts, while Hyundai will also introduce new editions.

Here are the seven models that will take the stage this month:

Citroen C3 Aircross

Citroen C3 Aircross

The Citroen C3 Aircross, the fourth launch from the French carmaker in India, will be available in both five- and seven-seater layouts. It is essentially an elongated version of the C3 hatchback, featuring removable seats for the third row. Under the hood, it is expected to be powered by a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine with a higher state of tune compared to the hatchback version.

The C3 Aircross will come packed with features like a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, a digitized driver’s display, and manual AC. Safety features include dual airbags, hill hold assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. The expected price is around Rs 9 lakh (ex-showroom).

Toyota Rumion

2023 Toyota Rumion

The Toyota Rumion, a rebadged version of the Maruti Ertiga, is expected to go on sale in August. It will be nearly identical to the Ertiga but with minor styling tweaks. It will be powered by the Ertiga’s 1.5-litre petrol engine and will come equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, automatic AC, dual front airbags, ESC, hill hold assist, and a rear parking camera. The expected price is around Rs 9 lakh (ex-showroom).

Mahindra XUV e8

Mahindra XUV e8

The Mahindra XUV e8 or XUV700 EV is expected to be unveiled on August 15. It will feature a similar styling to its ICE version but with some subtle tweaks. The interior could also receive some feature additions. The expected price is around Rs 35 lakh (ex-showroom).

Tata Punch CNG

Tata Punch CNG

The Tata Punch CNG will be Tata’s fourth CNG offering. It will come with a dual-cylinder setup that provides ample boot space. The Punch CNG will be powered by a 73.5PS 1.2-litre petrol-CNG engine with a claimed fuel economy of around 25 km/kg. It will feature an electric sunroof, a 7-inch touchscreen system, automatic AC, cruise control, dual front airbags, and a rear camera. The expected price will be around a lakh costlier than its corresponding petrol variants.

2023 Mercedes Benz GLC

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2023 Mercedes Benz GLC will launch on August 9. The new version of the SUV has undergone a generational update, making it look more premium and sharper. It will come with a 2-litre petrol or diesel engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology and a 9-speed automatic transmission. The expected price is around the Rs 60 lakh mark.

Audi e-Tron And e-Tron Sportback Facelift

2023 Audi Q8 e-tron

The facelifted Audi e-Tron and e-Tron Sportback, both carrying the ‘Q8 prefix, will go on sale on August 18. The main upgrades will be seen in terms of range and performance, with bigger battery packs offering a claimed range of up to 600 kilometers. The e-Tron will continue to use an all-wheel drivetrain with a dual-motor setup, while the Sportback will use three electric motors, delivering impressive performance. The expected price is around Rs 1.1 crore.

Volvo C40 Recharge

Volvo C40 Recharge

The Volvo C40 Recharge, an electric coupe version of the XC40 Recharge SUV, will be launched in August. It will come with a 78 kWh battery pack providing a driving range of 530 km on the WLTP-cycle. The C40 Recharge will support fast charging capabilities of up to 150kW, allowing for a quick recharge from 10 to 80 percent in just 27 minutes. It will feature a range of premium features and is expected to be priced around Rs 60 lakh (ex-showroom).

Motorsport

2024 Buick Regal: A Redesigned Sedan with Familiar Features

Buick has officially unveiled the 2024 Regal in China, showcasing a midsize sedan that aims to bring something new to an established model. The front of the car has undergone a full redesign, featuring a distinctive grille resembling a catfish and “double-wing” headlights with boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights. According to Buick, these changes are intended to enhance the car’s width and convey an aggressive and sporty presence. However, the final judgment lies with the consumers.

Although General Motors claims that the 2024 Regal is an entirely new car, a closer look at the side, rear, and interior tells a different story. These elements remain largely unchanged from the previous model, with the major differences found only in the front. Additionally, the wheelbase of the new Regal remains the same as its discontinued counterparts from Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Holden Commodore, and the US version of the Regal, measuring 2,829 millimeters (111.4 inches) in length.


Motorsport

New Carlos Ghosn Documentary Covers Escape From Custody, Interviews Ex-Nissan CEO

A new documentary called “Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn” will be available for streaming on Apple TV+ this month. It will provide a detailed account of the Carlos Ghosn saga, including his rise at Nissan, his multiple arrests, and his daring escape to Lebanon. The documentary will feature interviews with key figures involved in the story, including Ghosn himself.

The saga began on November 19, 2018, when Ghosn was arrested by Japanese authorities for alleged under-reporting of his income. He was indicted on December 10, 2018, and re-arrested several times on additional allegations. Ghosn declared his innocence in a Tokyo courtroom on January 8, 2019, and was released on bail on March 6, 2019. However, he was arrested again on April 4, 2019, on accusations of attempting to enrich himself at Nissan’s expense. Ghosn was granted bail once more on April 25, 2019. In late December 2019, he managed to escape custody, capturing global attention with his evasion.

Ghosn ultimately arrived in Lebanon, where he holds citizenship, and has since been residing there. Although Interpol issued an arrest warrant for him on January 2, 2020, Lebanon does not extradite its citizens.

“Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn” will include never-before-seen footage and interviews. It will also feature Mike Taylor, a former Green Beret who aided Ghosn in his escape, telling his side of the story. Both Taylor and his son, Peter Taylor, were sentenced to prison by Japanese authorities for their involvement in the escape.

Although Ghosn is now considered a fugitive, he has publicly criticized his former employer. In 2021, he commented that Nissan lacked vision in its electrification strategy. He has also recently filed a lawsuit against Nissan, seeking over $1 billion from the company. Ghosn accuses the automaker and others of defamation and fabricating evidence.

The four-part documentary series, “Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn,” will premiere on Apple TV+ on August 25. The series takes inspiration from the book “Boundless” written by reporters Nick Kostov and Sean McLain from The Wall Street Journal. It is executive produced by James Gay-Rees, Paul Martin, and The Wall Street Journal Studios, and directed by James Jones.

Motorsport

Caterham Project V: Audi TT Parts and Maserati Seats

The Caterham Project V made its debut at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, and it was one of the most significant reveals of the event. Although currently a one-off model, Caterham plans to launch a production version of the car by late 2025 or early 2026. This unique vehicle stands out from other Caterham models as it is an all-electric coupe with 2+1 seating (optionally 2+2) developed by Italdesign.

Being a small brand, Caterham faces challenges in developing car parts, as is the case for niche automakers. To streamline the engineering process and reduce costs without compromising quality, the Project V has adopted some components from well-established brands. Interestingly, the car features the same door aperture as the Audi TT, and its slim seats are sourced from Maserati. While these details were not initially disclosed during the car’s debut on July 12, the company’s CEO has now revealed them.


Motorsport

2025 VW Tayron Rendered As Tiguan-Based Global Seven-Seater

Volkswagen has confirmed that the next-generation Tayron will be sold as a global product. Currently, the SUV is only available in China, but the second-generation model will also be sold in the United States and Europe under different names. The new Tayron is expected to be released sometime in the middle of the decade, and we have an exclusive rendering that provides an early and accurate preview of the vehicle.

In North America, the vehicle will be marketed as the Tiguan, while in Europe it will debut as the Tayron. Regardless of the name, it will share the same MQB Evo platform with the next-generation Tiguan and will feature seven seats. Teaser images of the third-generation Tiguan provide a basis for our digital drawings, although it is worth noting that the two vehicles will likely have different front ends.


Long-Term Review

Ora Funky Cat 2023 long-term test

Mileage: 3,450

Life with an Ora Funky Cat: Month 4

Just one small part can prevent the whole machine from working – 24 May

It’s frustrating. I can’t insert the 50kW CCS plug into the charging port of the Funky Cat. Let’s try the 43kW Type 2. Nope, same issue: it goes most of the way in but doesn’t click into place, and as a result, the charger can’t communicate with the car.

We’ve already spent half an hour on a beautiful Sunday afternoon trying to find a charger and get enough power for a half-lap of the M25. My patience is wearing thin. I won’t go into detail about my reaction here.

My partner, who is more level-headed than me and less emotionally invested in the situation, takes a calmer and more logical approach. While I hadn’t thought of it, she suggests searching online for a solution.

I assumed that because the Funky Cat is new and rare, I wouldn’t find much helpful information from experienced owners on forums. But luckily, someone else had recently encountered the same problem, and their situation was even more urgent than ours.

“Urgent help needed,” reads the post she found on an EV forum. “I’m on holiday in Cornwall and the pin inside the charging port seems to be locked, so I can’t fully connect any charger. It usually slides into the hole in the charging cable when pushed in. I need to go home on Wednesday and cannot charge!”

Reading this, the idea of me being a bit late for a family barbecue doesn’t seem so important anymore.

This is great information. With this knowledge, we point our phone torches into the port and see the tiny pin causing all the trouble.

One person on the forum had suggested disconnecting the 12V battery to reset the system and clear any issues, but I don’t want to do that because it would reset all the settings to their factory defaults, and I don’t have the necessary socket with me. It’s at home, which is now a 20-minute walk away.