Tag Archives: originally

Motorsport

Experience the Power of a VW Golf with a 420-HP I5 Engine Swap on the Autobahn

The MK5 Volkswagen Golf originally came with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that produced 150 horsepower. In its stock form, it could accelerate to 60 miles per hour in nine seconds and had a top speed of 130 mph. However, this particular Golf has undergone a significant transformation with a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine borrowed from an Audi RS3.

With the turbocharged five-cylinder engine, the Golf now boasts an impressive 420 horsepower, almost three times its original power. The difference in performance is immediately noticeable as the Golf accelerates much more quickly. In no time, it effortlessly reaches speeds above 140 mph (230 kilometers per hour) on the autobahn.


Cars

Enzo: The History Behind One Of Ferrari’s Greatest Cars

Ferrari’s limited-run halo cars started with the 288 GTO, originally designed for Group B racing. Although Group B was canceled, the overwhelming demand for the car led Ferrari to produce a road-going version. The next halo car in Ferrari’s lineup was the F40, created to commemorate the brand’s 40th anniversary and was the last car personally supervised by Enzo Ferrari before his death.

Following the F40, Ferrari introduced the F50. While it sold out its limited run of 349 units, it was considered a misstep due to its racing influences from Formula 1 instead of rallying, making it a challenging car to drive. Additionally, it faced tough competition from the McLaren F1, widely regarded as the best road car ever made. In recent years, the F50 has regained popularity, leading to increased prices. However, during the development of the Enzo, it was seen as somewhat disappointing. Ferrari had to create a car worthy of the founder’s name and prove their prowess in road car development compared to McLaren and Porsche.

Motorsport

BMW X5 Li Facelift For China Provides Extra Legroom

In March 2022, BMW introduced the X5 Li exclusively for the Chinese market, which was a notable departure from the typical vehicle refresh cycle in the automotive industry. Most companies wait three to four years before updating their products, but BMW decided to release a facelifted version of the long-wheelbase SUV for the People’s Republic. This update followed the mid-cycle facelift of the regular X5 and X6, which were launched in February of the same year.

The X5 Li benefits from a lengthened wheelbase, extended by 5.11 inches (130 millimeters) when compared to the global version of the vehicle. This alteration was also applied to the pre-facelift version of the X5 Li. As a result, the rear passengers enjoy significant legroom, complemented by wider rear doors that make entering and exiting the vehicle easier. Additionally, the car features specially designed seats and exclusive equipment to enhance long-distance comfort.


Motorsport

MG Cyberster Specs Officially Announced: 536 HP And 535 LB-FT

The MG Cyberster, which was initially introduced as a concept in 2021 and later showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, has finally revealed its technical specifications at the Chengdu Motor Show in China.

Powering this two-seater sports car are two electric motors, delivering a combined output of 536 horsepower and 535 pound-feet of torque. With this power, the Cyberster can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds. The car is equipped with a 77-kWh battery pack that offers a range of 360 miles. However, it’s important to note that this range is based on the China light-duty vehicle test cycle (CLTC). If converted to the WLTP standard or adjusted for EPA ratings for a hypothetical US-spec Cyberster, the range would be lower.


Motorsport

Ex-Lewis Hamilton Pagani Zonda 760 LH Crashed, Driver Is Ok

Lewis Hamilton purchased his Pagani Zonda 760 LH in 2014 and owned it for around seven years, driving it for less than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). This particular model is one of only five “760” cars, and it is unique with the “LH” suffix, representing Lewis Hamilton’s initials. At the end of 2021, a buyer from the UK purchased the one-of-a-kind supercar equipped with a manual gearbox.

In 2015, the 760 LH was involved in a minor accident in Monaco, and now it has been in a more serious crash. Photographer Ethan Gale captured images of the damaged car in Conwy, Wales, specifically in the Penmaenbach tunnel. The photos reveal significant damages to the car, and it will likely require a considerable amount of money to repair.


Motorsport

Audi Q3 Facelift Rendered With Subtle Visual Changes

The second generation Audi Q3 was launched back in July 2018, making it a five-year-old premium crossover. Despite its age, the model hasn’t been a bestseller for the German brand, with only 8,925 deliveries in the United States during the first six months of this year. As a result, Audi has decided it’s time for a refresh, and work on the facelifted Q3 has already begun. We now have a rendering that gives us a preview of how the crossover could look when it debuts in 2025.

Our friends at Motor.es have produced this exclusive digital drawing based on early test prototypes they’ve seen. Although our spy photographers haven’t caught a Q3 trial vehicle yet, it seems that the visual changes to the crossover will be minimal. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Audi has a history of giving its core models subtle revisions for their mid-cycle facelifts.


Motorsport

Toyota-Powered Lada Niva Is Super Capable V8 Dune Crawler

# Toyota-Powered Lada Niva Is Super Capable V8 Dune Crawler

The Lada Niva was first introduced in 1977, designed to be a rugged car suitable for Russia’s rural areas. It was essentially a Renault 5 built on a Land Rover chassis, resulting in a hatchback-style crossover with impressive off-road capabilities. Although the Niva has undergone some changes over the years, the current model sold in Russia remains largely unchanged from the original version. However, one off-road enthusiast felt that the factory qualities of the Niva were not enough for serious dune crawling, so he decided to modify every aspect of the vehicle.

In the video at the top of this page, we meet Andries from South Africa and his modified Lada Niva. The small off-roader hasn’t been particularly popular in the country, but in the 1980s and 1990s, Lada officially imported several versions of the Niva into South Africa. These vehicles are now hard to find on the used car market, and sourcing parts has become increasingly difficult. This presented the perfect opportunity for Andries to install a new engine under the hood.

Andries decided to replace the original four-cylinder gas engine with a 4.0-liter 90-degree V8 from a first-generation Lexus LS. While not the most powerful engine, the V8 is known for its reliability. In its early years, it produced 254 horsepower (191 kilowatts), although Andries says the peak power of his modified Niva is slightly lower. However, the engine can be revved to the redline without any worries of overheating or stalling.

Why didn’t Andries opt for more power? Simply because it is challenging to find a transmission and differential that can handle the increased horsepower from the Lexus V8 engine. Instead, Andries focused on modifying the suspension to enhance the Niva’s performance in mud and sand. Combined with lifted suspension and Maxxis off-road tires, this once humble Niva is now a formidable rock- and dune-crawling monster. Watch the video above for the full story.

Technology

Afraid Of Needles? An Australian Company Are Very Close To An Alternative

An Australian company called Vaxxas is on the verge of introducing an alternative to traditional needle-based vaccinations. The company’s vaccine patch technology, which was developed in 2011 by researchers from the University of Queensland, is based on the concept of dry-delivery microneedles. Unlike regular injections, each individual needle in the patch is coated with the vaccine solution.

The patch consists of thousands of tiny needles that are placed on the inside of a small patch. These needles are so small that they cannot be seen or felt, but they are capable of piercing the upper layers of the skin. When the patch is applied to a patient’s arm and tapped, the vaccine is delivered to the immune cells through the needles. The entire process takes only a few seconds and is virtually painless for the patient. Additionally, since the needles are small, only a fraction of the vaccine solution required for a traditional injection is needed to create a single patch.

To fast-track the development and global deployment of vaccine patches, the Queensland state government has pledged its full support to Vaxxas. The patches have been included in the government’s Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, recognizing their potential contribution to pandemic preparedness.

According to Queensland deputy premier Steven Miles, this technology has the potential to be an essential tool in responding to pandemics. By enabling quick and easy deployment of vaccines to communities, vaccine patches can play a crucial role in preparing for and managing outbreaks.

Vaxxas has already conducted successful tests of its vaccine patch system on more than 500 human subjects. If all goes according to plan, commercial distribution of vaccine patches could begin within the next three to five years.

Motorsport

2024 VW Tiguan Rendered With Sleek Body After Recent Teaser Images

The Tiguan, which was originally launched in 2007, is one of Volkswagen’s most important models. However, it has been experiencing a decline in sales in the last three years, indicating the need for a new generation model. Volkswagen has been diligently working on the third-generation Tiguan, and now we have a pretty accurate preview of what this vehicle could look like.

The renderings above, provided by Kolesa.ru, show a sleeker-looking model compared to the current Tiguan. These digital drawings are based on recently released teaser images of the crossover, which featured a completely camouflaged prototype. As can be seen from the images, the new Tiguan will have a less boxy design and will adopt an ID.4-inspired front fascia with sweptback LED headlights connected by a LED strip.

In addition to its improved aesthetics, the new Tiguan will also be slightly larger than its predecessor. Volkswagen has already announced that the MQB Evo-based vehicle will be 32 millimeters (1.25 inches) longer, with a total length of 4,551 mm (179.1 inches). It will also be 5 mm (0.2 inches) taller, measuring 1,640 mm (64.5 inches). However, the width and wheelbase will remain unchanged at 1,939 mm (76.3 inches) and 2,681 mm (105.5 inches), respectively.

The updated exterior look will feature new HD matrix headlights, a first for the Tiguan. While the renderings don’t provide a detailed view, each headlight cluster will have 19,200 micro-LED elements, allowing the unit to illuminate the road up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) ahead.

Details about the powertrain options of the new Tiguan are still limited. However, it is expected to offer gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid engines, as well as front- and all-wheel-drive versions. The 2024 Tiguan is anticipated to be the final Tiguan model with a combustion engine, as Volkswagen plans to cease offering ICE-powered cars in Europe by 2033.