Radio-controlled vehicles offer a downsized version of the automotive experience. They come in a range of prices, with some models being more complex and feature-rich than others. The RC rigs showcased in the video above go beyond mere replicas of dump trucks, excavators, semis, and other big rigs by incorporating intricate details.
The level of detail in some of these machines is remarkable. Many of them include functioning lights to enhance their realism, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Some vehicles even have illuminated dashboards and center screens, while their engine and reverse sounds mimic the actual noise produced by hard-working electric motors. In fact, some clips in the video sound like an actual construction site.
However, such detailed RC rigs come at a cost, with most models ranging well over $1,000. For example, the five-axle low-loader semi-trailer featured at 6:40 in the video retails for €5,512 ($6,004 at today’s exchange rates). This trailer is equipped with a front-end storage box, sunken lashing and anchorage eyes, fold-out chassis extensions, as well as complete wiring with rear lights and side markers.
Not everything in the video is as expensive though. The JDM-198 RTR loader shown at 5:25 is relatively cheaper, retailing for $2,241. The 1/14-scale articulated dump truck, available at 8:55 in the video, costs $2,052 on ToucanHobby.com. The Kabolite Liebhe 350 excavator featured at 3:30 falls in the middle range with a price tag of $3,456, while the LESU Lieghe loader, seen at 5:43, is an investment of $2,884 on the hobby website. However, it’s worth noting that the latter model comes unassembled and unpainted.
These hard-working RC rigs demonstrate the diverse range of car culture. Although they may not be the supercars that grace posters and magazine covers, they are equally awe-inspiring as functional machines. These scaled-down vehicles, even in 1/14-scale, are capable of performing tasks just like their real-world counterparts. The video showcases the excavators digging dirt and loading it into dump trucks that drive away, mirroring real-life construction scenarios.
While purchasing toys like these may not be feasible for everyone due to their high price point, there are always cheaper alternatives available. These alternatives may not have the same level of detail but still offer an enjoyable radio-controlled experience. The RC market caters to various budgets and extends beyond models, with options like RC engines and transmissions that celebrate the engineering found in modern automobiles.
Motor1.com regularly shares spy shots of upcoming vehicles, often on a daily basis. If you’re interested in staying up-to-date with the latest developments, take a look at this compilation of the most recent glimpses of these vehicles.
At first sight, this sedan appears to be a typical Audi S6. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that it features wider fenders and an unusual dual exhaust layout.
The switch to bio-fuels and more efficient engines by airlines may give the impression of green initiatives, but drivers of electric vehicles using Heathrow Airport in the UK have been left stranded as the major charging network has been unexpectedly turned off. Neither the airport nor the charging company has provided an explanation for this sudden shutdown.
In order to cater to the growing number of electric car users at the airport, Heathrow had installed more than 25 chargers as part of its Pod Point network in the short-stay car parks. However, over the past few months, drivers have discovered that these chargers are no longer functional and have taken to social media to express their frustration.
Jonathan Whelan, owner of a Tesla Model 3, shared his disappointment, stating, “Looks permanently shut now. All powered down.” Another theory circulating is that Heathrow failed to renew its contract with Pod Point. However, neither Pod Point nor Heathrow provided a reason for the sudden shutdown, with Heathrow only mentioning that it is “developing plans to meet the growing demand.”
Although the Pod Point chargers at Heathrow have been deactivated, there are alternative charging options available for electric vehicle drivers. Networks such as BP Pulse and Polar offer chargers at various locations near the airport, including major hotels and some nearby car parks. Additionally, Tesla Supercharger sites are available at terminals 2, 3, and 5.
Furthermore, some valet parking services at Heathrow now offer EV charging. One of the first companies to do so is Park Giant UK, a meet-and-greet parking operator. They launched their EV charging service in January 2022 and currently charge around 40 cars per week. Charging is available through slow, three-pin sockets in their storage compound or, upon customer request, at the nearby Tesla Supercharge facility at the Hilton, Terminal 5.
Bob Gill, director of Park Giant UK, shared his satisfaction with the demand for EV charging services and expects it to increase further as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion takes effect and more people switch to electric vehicles.
Not only at Heathrow but also at airports across the UK, the provision of charger facilities is inconsistent, with many chargers available in car parks and hotels in an apparently ad hoc manner. Autocar contacted the UK’s 10 busiest airports for details on their charger provision, and only Luton and Gatwick responded. Luton confirmed the availability of 10 7kW chargers in Terminal Car Park 1, while Gatwick has 24 22kW charge points across its public car parks. Moreover, Gatwick will soon have a dedicated EV charging facility called the Gatwick Electric Forecourt, provided by Gridserve. It will be located on the approach to the airport’s South Terminal and feature 36 medium and high-power chargers. Newcastle is also set to have a dedicated EV forecourt with up to 12 charging bays in 2024, pending planning permission, through a partnership with charging operator Fastned.
The updated design of the Toyota Vellfire makes it easier to distinguish from its more premium sibling, the Alphard
The new Toyota Vellfire has made its international debut with updated looks and overall improvements. Given the luxury MPV is also on sale in India and enjoys a fair bit of popularity, we expect the 2024 Vellfire to make its way to our shores too. So let’s find out what the new Vellfire gets over the current version available in India.
Sporty Exterior Design
The 2024 Vellfire gets a massive front grille which looks similar to the one on the latest Toyota Land Cruiser. The headlight and DRL setup is combined and sleeker than the India-spec model’s separate units. The 2024 version also gets massive air dams which house the fog lamps.
On the sides, the new Vellfire gets a more curvy design with a Z-shaped element on the B-pillar. The 19-inch alloy wheels on the updated version come in a black shade with fewer spokes compared to the 17-inch silver alloys we get here.
The rear end now gets a flatter design and the tail lamps are reshaped and extended to the side profile. This tail lamp setup also gets a thin connecting element housing the Toyota logo, with ‘Vellfire’ badge below. Overall, Toyota has intentionally made the Vellfire MPV look more dynamic while the more premium Alphard stands out as the formal choice.
The changes to the cabin, especially the cockpit, are significant. It gets a cleaner layout that wraps around the occupants with brown leather upholstery. The 2024 Vellfire gets a new steering wheel, a bigger touchscreen infotainment system and a fully digital driver’s display, over the older India-spec Vellfire.
The climate and audio controls have been moved to the infotainment system and the start/stop button which in the India-spec model is on the right side closer to the door has been moved to the left top behind the steering wheel. The design of the AC vents is also different and the centre AV vents are now positioned horizontally.
Rear Seat Experience
The Vellfire, as a luxury MPV, is known for its rear seat experience, and since the previous version was already very spacious and equipped with a lot of features, the 2024 model doesn’t get many visually notable upgrades. In both versions, you get powered second-row seats with a powered ottoman and ample space. Both also get the option of rear seat entertainment screens and chauffeur controls.
But in the 2024 Vellfire, keeping rear seat comfort in mind, the space for the second and third row has been increased by 5mm and 10mm, respectively. The design of the second-row headrests is now different and the second-row passengers now get small displays on their armrests for controls. The rear seat AC vents’ housing is also bigger and stretches to the third row. Also, unlike the India-spec model, all rear AC vents in the 2024 Vellfire are placed inside the climate control unit housed in the roof.
There is a change in the powertrain as well. The updated Vellfire comes with two engine options: a new 2.4-litre turbo petrol engine with an 8-speed automatic, and a 2.5-litre petrol hybrid engine with an eCVT gearbox. Both get the option of all-wheel drive as well as front-wheel drive systems.
The Vellfire we currently have in India only gets the 2.5-litre petrol hybrid unit with an e-CVT transmission in a four-wheel drivetrain.
Enhanced Safety
While the India-spec model already comes equipped with a host of safety features like seven airbags, brake assist, vehicle stability control (VSC), hill start assist, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and a 360-degree camera, the 2024 Vellfire brings more safety to this list with the addition of driver assistant features like remote parking, lane keep assist, steering assist, and radar-based cruise control.
These were just some of the key differences in the new Toyota Vellfire over the previous version which is currently available in India. When brought here, it would likely be priced at around Rs 1 crore given the current model is priced at Rs 96.55 lakh (ex-showroom).
# Corvette E-Ray Behind-The-Scenes Video Reveals Elaborate Photo Shoot
It’s no secret that automakers invest a significant amount of time and effort into capturing the perfect photos of their new cars. While some official launch photos may seem hastily done, in general, the process involves more than just finding a cool spot and snapping some pictures. The official Instagram account for the GM Design studios recently shared a behind-the-scenes look at Chevrolet’s photo shoot for the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, revealing the elaborate setup and attention to detail involved.
One of the locations for the shoot was a winding road through a forest during the day. But simply driving on a dry road wasn’t enough for the E-Ray. A truck was brought in to wet the surface with water, and a smoke machine was used to add atmosphere. The video footage shared on Instagram gives a glimpse into the actual shoot and showcases the resulting official images.
Another location for the shoot was at night, and while it doesn’t appear as elaborate as the daytime shoot, the road is clearly wet, suggesting the use of water to enhance the visuals.
It’s important to note that the Corvette E-Ray is a significant vehicle for Chevrolet. It is the first Corvette to feature an electrified powertrain and all-wheel drive, making it the fastest-accelerating model in the Corvette lineup. Given its significance, it comes as no surprise that extra attention was given to capturing stunning images of the E-Ray.
This behind-the-scenes look at the Corvette E-Ray photo shoot raises curiosity about what the next Corvette trim, rumored to be the ZR1, will bring. Based on aggressive-looking camouflaged prototypes and a leaked report, the ZR1 is expected to be the most powerful and fastest production Corvette to date, with up to 850 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged version of the 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine.
In conclusion, the Corvette E-Ray photo shoot showcased the dedication of the GM Design studios and the meticulous effort put into capturing stunning images of this special Corvette variant. As we await the debut of the next Corvette trim, it’s exciting to anticipate the elaborate photo shoot that will accompany its introduction.
There is nothing more quintessentially American in the vehicle universe than the pickup truck. Most of the top-selling vehicles in America are full-sized pickups, such as the Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado, and Ram 1500. Mid-sized pickups also make it into the top ten list. At the opposite end of the spectrum, ranking low on these lists is the compact pickup.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz seems to be positioned to attempt to change this dynamic, and in doing so, change the bigger-is-better world of American pickups. Does it have the image, features, and specs needed to accomplish this goal in the land of wide open spaces and brawny trucks? Sadly, it does not seem to have what it takes.
With the Santa Cruz, Hyundai is big game hunting in the largest segment of the American vehicle market with a pint-sized predator. We all know what will happen when a fox takes on a grizzly. The Santa Cruz is a marvel of pickup downsizing. It’s a beautiful vehicle with plenty of luxury, and cool tech, and is fun to drive.
J.D. Power even rated it as one of the most reliable pickups on the road. So what’s not to love? In almost every way, the Santa Cruz is more a car than a truck, and in that lies its difficulty in appealing to people who love trucks. Except for gas mileage, in the eyes of a truck lover, it’s one truck compromise after another.
Why Americans Love Pickup Trucks, And The Santa Cruz May Break Your Heart
Hyundai
A front 3/4 outdoor shot of a Hyundai Santa Cruz
American full-sized pickups are just as luxurious as any car but also strong, bulletproof, versatile, and durable (think Ford Tough). How can a compact pickup like the Santa Cruz compete with a huge luxury battleship that can take a beating?
There are almost as many reasons why Americans love full-sized pickups as there are different models. For many truck buyers, pickups are the Swiss Army knife of vehicles. With one truck, you can rule all the roads and carry all the loads. There is nothing a full-sized pickup can’t do except possibly find a large enough parking space close to your preferred entrance.
With a full-sized pickup, you can haul the kids and all their friends in the cab while hauling enough construction material in the bed to build them a tree house. You’ll have enough ground clearance and 4×4 power to go off-road almost anywhere, as well as make it safely home through snow-covered roads without ending up in a ditch. You could even connect a snow plow and blaze your own trail.
Hyundai
A shot of the side profile of a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Driving a full-sized pickup, you will not feel like a bite-sized appetizer in the land of giant trucks. If protection from wild bumpers and wilder road rage matters to the potential buyer, bigger always feels safer, whether accurate or not. When it comes to trucks in America, perception is king.
Does the Santa Cruz deliver comparable hauling capacity, off-road ability, bigger is safer perception, or have enough space for the whole gang as a full-sized pickup? Sadly, it does not. How can it compete with something almost twice its size? A stock Santa Cruz, with its slightly below-average ground clearance of 8.6 inches, is not on many lists of the best off-road trucks, while many full-sized and mid-sized pickups top those lists.
The Santa Cruz is also hurt by an impression of being underpowered compared to its larger brethren. In showrooms filled with big V-6 and V-8 pickups, the Santa Cruz’s four-cylinder engine just doesn’t provide enough perceived fire in the belly. Even the turbocharged 2.5-liter four with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque seem weak by comparison, and this weakness appears confirmed by its towing capacity.
Compared to typical full and mid-sized American trucks, the Santa Cruz feels more like it was designed for the urban cowboy and cowgirl lifestyle than people who get their boots dirty. All this does not make it a bad vehicle, and it does not mean you can’t go off-roading with your Santa Cruz, but it does seem to put it at a serious competitive disadvantage in the eyes of the typical American truck lover. The Santa Cruz is a gorgeous, well-made piece of metal, and maybe that’s why it will break many hearts. It’s got the looks but not the coveted truck oomph.
It’s A Pickup Truck That Can’t Haul Your Cargo Or Your Friends And Family
Most people in the American truck market likely view the Santa Cruz more as a compact compromise than a full-blooded, born in the U.S.A. pickup truck. The Santa Cruz, with its limited towing capacity of 3,500 to 5,000 pounds, cannot even trailer most mid and full-sized pickups. Compared to the over 10,000 pound towing capacity of full-sized pickups, the Santa Cruz feels like it’s missing that critical towing tool that makes a pickup the Swiss Army knife of vehicles. So if you want to pull anything more than smaller travel trailers or boats, the Santa Cruz is not the best truck for the job.
When most truck lovers think of a four-door pickup, they imagine a spacious crew cab with over 40 inches of rear legroom. On paper, the dimensions of the Santa Cruz’s four-door cab sound fine, with 36.5 inches of rear legroom, but one look inside sends a different cramped message. Again, it’s a case of perception. Can four or even five adults fit inside this compact truck? In theory, yes, but it doesn’t look like they will enjoy a long ride in the back.
Hyundai
A shot of the rear seats in a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Rear Seating Dimensions
Headroom: 40.1 inches
Legroom: 36.5 inches
Shoulder room: 56.1 inches
Hip room: 53.5 inches
For many American truck shoppers, the Santa Cruz’s pint-size pickup bed is likely the biggest obstacle of them all to true love. One of the reasons people buy pickups is to have the option of hauling big things around in that big open pickup bed. It really doesn’t matter that most people use their pickups to haul little more than bags of groceries on a regular basis. It’s the potential that counts. Once again, it’s the Swiss Army Knife effect.
Hyundai
A shot of the bed in a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Not that many years ago, the standard size of a pickup bed was eight feet. That’s changed, and long beds are now 8 feet or more, standard beds are 6.5 feet, and short beds are 5.8 feet. In this field, the Santa Cruz clocks in with only 4.3 feet of bed space. That’s half the length of a long bed. This is not a truck that’s going to be hauling larger pieces of furniture, big household appliances, construction materials, or even luggage for a family of four on a road trip. With its 27 cubic feet of cargo capacity under its included tonneau cover, this is a truck that does not even give you the enclosed cargo capacity of many compact hatchbacks.
Goldilocks, the Three Bears, and most American truck buyers would have a hard time considering the enclosed cargo capacity of the Santa Cruz anything other than ice-cold porridge. Again, none of this makes the Santa Cruz a poor choice for many people. It’s just one more thing many American truck customers will find missing from their must-have list.
This Hyundai Compact Pickup Truck Is Neither Truck Nor A Car
Could American truck lovers learn to love a pint-sized Santa Cruz? If sales figures are any indication, the answer is no. Even among compact pickup trucks, the Santa Cruz is being outsold. The Ford Maverick is arguably the closest competitor to the Santa Cruz. In 2022 Ford sold 74,370 Mavericks, while Hyundai sold 36,480 Santa Cruz pickups. In that same year, a total of 2,702,515 pickups were sold in America.
So the Santa Cruz garnered only 1.3-percent of that pickup market. By comparison, in 2022, Ford sold 653,957 F-Series pickups which equals about 24-percent of the market, while the Chevy Silverado got 19-percent and the Ram 1500 took home 17-percent of all pickup sales. In 2022, only two ICE powered pickups had lower sales figures than the Santa Cruz.
So the Santa Cruz does not appear to have what it will take to attract American truck buyers in droves. Smaller is probably not the answer for breaking into the American pickup market. In the future, long before 2035 and the phase-out of ICE, big pickup trucks in America will have to become more energy efficient, but it’s unlikely that will be accomplished with smaller engines in smaller packages like the Santa Cruz. That route simply won’t fly in the land of the freeway and home of big open spaces.
For the American pickup lover, improved energy efficiency will come from electrification that delivers even more horsepower and more fun per mile. Until then, the bottom line is that the Santa Cruz may be perceived as neither a typical pickup nor a typical car, and as neither fish nor fowl, it risks satisfying few people at the American truck-buying dinner table.
Mercedes is set to release the new E-Class Estate this autumn, featuring increased rear passenger space, enhanced technology, and a range of third-party apps. The new model will be sold alongside the Mercedes E-Class Saloon, which was unveiled earlier this year. Compared to its predecessor, the E-Class Estate is 28mm wider and has a 22mm longer wheelbase of 2961mm.
One of the standout features of the E-Class Estate is its spaciousness. With 615 litres of cargo space, it falls just short of the Volvo V90’s 650 litres and surpasses the Audi A6 Avant’s 586 litres. Folding down the seats allows for a maximum storage capacity of 1830 litres. The plug-in hybrid models offer 460 litres of boot space, which expands to 1675 litres when the seats are folded due to the battery placement.
In terms of design, the E-Class Estate has received a refresh, featuring gloss black elements inspired by the all-electric EQS model range. The new model also boasts a sleeker roofline and a black panel that stretches from the radiator to the headlights.
Continuing the technology-focused approach, Mercedes has equipped the E-Class Estate with the latest generation of its MBUX infotainment system. This system includes features such as augmented reality, voice assistant, and online music streaming. In addition, a suite of digital apps like TikTok, Angry Birds, and Zoom is available. An AI system is present as well, learning the driver’s habits and suggesting relevant functions.
As for autonomous capabilities, the E-Class Estate offers level-four driverless tech with an optional driverless valet parking function, previously exclusive to the S-Class. This feature will be available in markets like Germany, where it is permitted by law.
The new E-Class Estate will initially offer a range of longitudinally mounted four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, all with 48V mild-hybrid electrification. The power outputs range from 194bhp to 375bhp, and all engines come with a nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard. Furthermore, a plug-in hybrid variant will be available, featuring a 24.1kWh battery that offers up to 62 miles of electric-only range.
For improved ride comfort, the estate comes with single-chamber air suspension at the rear as standard, with the option to upgrade to the Airmatic system with adjustable damping. The E-Class Estate has a towing capacity of up to 2.1 tonnes.
# See Mercedes G-Class, Jimny, Bronco Enjoy A Day Of Off-Roading 1:18-Scale Style
Boys never grow up, they say, their toys just get bigger, and more expensive. This isn’t completely accurate, however, as many grown boys love small toys. Especially if they have wheels and move like real-life machines. You know what we are talking about – detailed radio-controlled scale models of actual cars. And to the best of our knowledge, every single car enthusiast loves miniature car models.
For a good start to the week, we have a short two-minute video featuring some of the world’s most capable off-roaders in a 1:18 scale. These include the [Mercedes-Benz G-Class](https://www.motor1.com/mercedes-benz/amg-g63/), [Suzuki Jimny](https://www.motor1.com/suzuki/jimny/), [Ford Bronco](https://www.motor1.com/ford/bronco/), [Jeep Wrangler](https://www.motor1.com/jeep/wrangler/), and [Lada Niva](https://www.motor1.com/lada/niva/), with the latter being a heavily modified example. These scale models are part of the 1:18 collection of Nischay Sharma, the guy behind the *Miniature Automobiles* channel on *YouTube*.
The video starts with a silver G-Class in G500 trim, which has a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 in its full-scale version. This scale model realistically recreates the G500’s lower suspension which, however, sees no trouble overcoming miniature off-road obstacles.
Next is a modified Lada Niva with no bumpers, a lifted suspension, and grippy tires. There’s additional equipment on the roof and from this short video, this old-school crossover looks to be the most capable of all five models featured.
The Suzuki Jimny isn’t bad either. It shows proper chassis articulation and good skills in the trails and that’s in part thanks to its narrow tires. The Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler represent the American off-road academy with beefier tires and open-top cabins.
While absolutely brilliant, these little off-roaders don’t have the attention to detail Amalgam’s scale models come with. Take for example the [1:4 body replica of the Ferrari 250 GTO](https://www.motor1.com/news/630956/ferrari-250-gto-body-replica-amalgam/), which has been made using traditional coachbuilding methods, including panel-beating techniques for the body like they did in the old days of car manufacturing.
The recently unveiled third-generation Lexus GX has already received a rugged makeover and new technologies. The SUV now offers an Overtrail trim, which includes mechanical upgrades and aesthetic enhancements. But what would the future hold for this model? New renderings from Kolesa.ru give us a glimpse of what an overlanding version of the GX could look like.
With its boxy and chiseled design, the 2024 GX seems like the perfect base for an adventure vehicle equipped with a roof tent. This digital rendering portrays the vehicle with a lifted suspension and BF Goodrich off-road tires. The black plastic cladding, present in the standard model, remains, but the new front bumper now features an integrated winch and additional LED lights. The roof also sports a light bar.
The rear bumper boasts another winch and LED bar. However, the main highlight of the overlanding upgrades is the foldable tent on the roof, possibly with an extending awning. Lastly, this adventure vehicle is distinguished by a new orange exterior color, setting it apart from the regular 2024 GX.
Based on the GA-F body-on-frame platform, the new GX is equipped with a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link setup at the rear. An optional Adaptive Variable Suspension with active dampers is also available. Powering the GX is a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine delivering 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, making it the sole engine option at launch. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this engine allows for a maximum towing capacity of 8,000 pounds.
If we hypothetically assume that this overlanding SUV is based on the Overtrail trim, it offers several upgrades over the standard model. These include 33-inch tires, a locking rear differential, and additional underbody protection.
Motor1.com regularly shares spy shots of upcoming vehicles, often on a daily basis. If you want to stay up-to-date on the latest developments, here is a list of all the vehicles that have been spotted in the past week.
According to Audi’s new naming system, the A4 will now be known as the A5. These spy shots capture the production-ready version of the A5 Sportback variant.
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