Tag Archives: overall

BMW

DTM: BMW M Motorsport teams earn points at the Lausitzring – René Rast’s 100th DTM race

Overall, the BMW M Motorsport teams faced a challenging DTM weekend at the Lausitzring. In Saturday’s race, defending champion Sheldon van der Linde finished in fifth place, his teammate René Rast in eighth, and Marco Wittmann in tenth, earning important points. However, problems during Sunday’s qualifying session forced the BMW M Motorsport drivers to start from the back of the grid. Despite this setback, Wittmann delivered an exceptional recovery performance. Additionally, Rast celebrated his 100th DTM race, a remarkable achievement that includes three title wins.

Although the BMW M4 GT3 struggled to keep up with the leaders at the Lausitzring, van der Linde, Rast, and Wittmann performed well in Saturday’s qualifying session, securing fifth, eighth, and tenth positions respectively for the race. Sunday’s qualifying session proved to be more challenging due to a red flag five minutes before its end. This interruption prevented the drivers from getting their tires to the right temperature for the restart, resulting in Rast starting from 15th, van der Linde from 21st, and Wittmann from 22nd on the grid. However, the BMW M works drivers demonstrated great determination during the race, delivering impressive recovery performances. Wittmann particularly stood out by advancing from 22nd to ninth place, although a post-race time penalty demoted him to tenth. Rast finished in eleventh place, while van der Linde claimed thirteenth. Sandro Holzem also had a solid performance in his second DTM weekend, securing seventeenth and eighteenth places driving the second BMW M4 GT3 from the Project 1 team

Here are some reactions to the DTM weekend at the Lausitzring:

Sheldon van der Linde (#1 BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport): “I am particularly proud of our fifth-place finish on Saturday. Given the conditions we had with the BMW M4 GT3, I believe that was the best result we could achieve. Unfortunately, we lost a significant number of points on Sunday due to qualifying and some minor incidents during the race. It’s disappointing, but I’m still very much in the title race. Moreover, there are upcoming circuits where our car should perform better. We will keep pushing.”

René Rast (#33 BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport): “I managed to score points in both races, but overall, the points gain was modest. I had hoped for more in my 100th race. It was clear that we didn’t have the competitiveness required this weekend. I was the highest-placed BMW driver in Sunday’s qualifying, starting from 15th, and I think that speaks volumes. I gained a few positions during the race, but there wasn’t much more I could do.”

Marco Wittmann (#11 BMW M4 GT3, Project 1): “I have mixed feelings about the weekend. I earned points in both races, and my race pace was really strong, especially on Sunday. However, my goal is to be fighting at the front, which we are currently not achieving. As a team, we lack experience with the individual circuits, and this becomes evident during practice sessions as we spend more time searching for the right setup compared to more experienced teams. Nevertheless, we are improving and able to reach the level of others for the race, delivering solid performances. Overall, there is still room for improvement as we look ahead to the upcoming races.”

News

CFMoto Unveils The 700MT Adventure-Tourer In The European Market

CFMoto has introduced its latest motorcycle model, the 700MT, in the European market. CFMoto has gained a positive reputation among Chinese motorcycle manufacturers for its reliability and performance. It has established a strong presence in both the European and Asia Pacific regions. CFMoto has recently expanded into the US market and received a favorable response for its models.

The 700MT is an upgraded version of the 650 MT (also known as the Adventura 650 in the US). While the displacements of the two motorcycles are similar, the 700MT and 800MT are designed on separate platforms. The 700MT features a 693cc engine, offering improved performance with 65 horsepower and 42 pound-feet of torque.

The new CFMoto 700MT retains some design elements from its predecessor and comes with 17-inch wheels and road-focused tires for on-road performance. It includes 43mm front forks for stability and a rear monoshock that is adjustable for preload and rebound. The 700MT weighs 218 kilograms when fully fueled.

CFMoto has made technological advancements in the 700MT, such as a five-inch full-color TFT display and two USB charging ports with Type A and Type C connectors. The motorcycle also features an LED lighting system for better visibility and a modern look.

The CFMoto 700MT aims to compete in the road-focused adventure-tourer market, which is popular in Europe. Its competitors include the Yamaha Tracer 7, Kawasaki Versys 650, and Suzuki V-Strom 650. CFMoto is known for its affordable pricing, and the 700MT is priced at 6,490 Euros (approximately $7,151 USD).

Sources:
– CFMoto Unveils The 700MT Adventure-Tourer In The European Market. Retrieved from [source](https://www.rideapart.com/news/673660/cfmoto-800nk-official-sale-philippines/)

Cars

The Best Home EV Chargers Ranked Worst To Best

The Blink HQ 150 is a compact and affordable home EV charger option. It comes with a 25-foot cable and has a small overall footprint. Priced at $299, it is one of the cheapest EV chargers available on the market. However, due to its lower price, it offers a slower charging speed compared to other options. While this may not be a concern for some, having faster charging capabilities can be beneficial in certain situations.

One of the advantages of the Blink HQ 150 is its compatibility with all EV models currently on the road. This makes it a cost-effective choice for any EV owner, regardless of the brand of their vehicle. The charger operates at a standard 240-volt level and can be installed in a similar manner to other devices. Once activated, users can expect a peak output of 32 amps. This makes the Blink HQ 150 a reliable and straightforward charger, but it falls behind in terms of speed when compared to competing options.

The Blink unit also comes with a NEMA Type 3R enclosure, allowing it to be used both indoors and outdoors. However, its outdoor rating is not as strong as some other chargers, so it is recommended to mount it in a protected area if used outside of a garage. This may be a limitation for some EV owners who do not have access to a suitable location for mounting. Overall, the Blink HQ 150 offers a compact design and an affordable price, but it does not perform as well as the top-ranked chargers in the market.

VolvoCars

Volvo Cars receives two prestigious towing awards in one day

• Volvo V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 wins overall in the Tow Car Awards 2023

• Volvo V90 Cross Country named Best Car for Towing in the 2023 Auto Trader New Car Awards

Volvo has achieved a remarkable double win with the V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 being named the overall winner in the 2023 Tow Car Awards, and the V90 Cross Country winning the Best Car for Towing category in the Auto Trader New Car Awards 2023. Both honors were announced today, showcasing Volvo’s commitment to delivering cars with exceptional towing capabilities, even within its new range of electrified models.

The Volvo V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 is the first plug-in hybrid model to be crowned the overall winner in the Tow Car Awards. It also won the category for cars in the ‘1900kg+: Up to £60,000’ class.

The judging panel consisted of experts from What Car?, Practical Caravan, and the Camping and Caravanning Club, who rigorously tested the contenders on the track. Steve Huntingford, What Car? Editor, commented: “With more power and a larger battery than before, the Volvo V60 Recharge offers an excellent all-electric range and tremendous performance while towing.” He also praised the car’s stability, spaciousness, and ease of towing, concluding that “it’s hard to find fault with the Volvo as a tow car.”

The mid-sized Volvo estate has a braked towing capacity of 2,000kg. Its power and torque, derived from the petrol-electric all-wheel-drive powertrain, are key to its strong and responsive towing performance. The 253hp 2.0-liter engine generates a maximum torque of 350Nm, working in conjunction with a 145hp electric motor with 309Nm. Its performance is supported by an 18.8kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing for an electric-only range of up to 55 miles when not towing.

The V90 Cross Country’s success follows the achievement of the Volvo XC40 compact SUV in the same Auto Trader awards category last year. This year, the V90 emerged as the winner based on survey responses from over 220,000 UK car owners who rated their vehicles across various consumer-focused lifestyle categories. The Cross Country version of the stylish estate car is specifically designed for outdoor exploration, featuring all-wheel drive, a raised ride height, and the ability to tow braked trailers up to 2,400kg. Additionally, it offers up to 1,517 liters of interior space.

Erin Baker, Auto Trader’s Editorial Director, said: “The gorgeous Volvo V90 Cross Country is an enticing package, offering a premium, spacious interior, great tech, a sublime drive, and that all-important towing capability. Owners particularly commented on its distinctive Swedish styling, which sets it apart from other mainstream manufacturers.”

Kristian Elvefors, Volvo Car UK Managing Director, stated: “Creating cars that are perfectly suited to towing is part of our heritage, and it is a legacy that we are proud to continue into the new era of electrified mobility. As these awards demonstrate, success is not only about raw power but also about creating a complete package that encompasses our signature qualities of stylish design, exceptional safety, practicality, and comprehensive connectivity and convenience features.”

For more information on the Volvo V60 and V90, and to use the online configurator, please visit www.volvcars.co.uk

Note to editors

• Range according to the realistic WLTP driving cycle under controlled conditions for a new car. Real‐world range may vary.

BMW

Road to Le Mans: BMW M works drivers Valentino Rossi and Max Hesse have fun victories on the Circuit de la Sarthe.

Le Mans. Two victories for the BMW M Team WRT and the BMW M4 GT3 within the supporting programme, a formidable total presence of BMW M and the primary GT3 triumph for Valentino Rossi (ITA). Although the premiere of the BMW M Hybrid V8 on the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA) isn’t on the agenda till 2024, BMW M was already an emphatic a part of the occasion at a number of ranges this 12 months on the 100-year anniversary of the world’s most well-known endurance race.

 

On the racetrack, BMW M Team WRT competed with BMW M works drivers Valentino Rossi and Max Hesse (GER) within the Road to Le Mans assist races, that are a part of the Michelin Le Mans Cup. On Thursday, the victory went to Hesse and his team-mate Tim Whale (GBR). Rossi shared the cockpit of the #46 BMW M4 GT3 within the two 55-minute races with Jérôme Policand (FRA). The duo had motive to have fun on Friday when Rossi perfected his first GT3 triumph with an overtaking manoeuvre on the penultimate lap. Hesse and Whale accomplished the WRT one-two as runners-up.

For BMW M Team WRT, it was the primary deployment for BMW M Motorsport at Le Mans, earlier than the BMW M Hybrid V8 premieres within the prime class in 2024. This season, the group is getting into two LMP2 vehicles within the 24-hour race for the final time. A 3rd BMW M4 GT3 was fielded within the Road to Le Mans races by the GMB Motorsport group. The drivers Roland and Kristian Poulsen (each DEN) completed in seventh and fifteenth locations.

Marking the event of the 100-year anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one historic BMW race automotive will go across the observe on demo laps on the weekend – the BMW V12 LMR, with which BMW M Motorsport claimed total victory in 1999. Also on view are the legendary BMW Art Cars by Alexander Calder and Jeff Koons, which triggered a sensation at Le Mans in 1975 and 2010. A preview of subsequent 12 months is offered by the BMW M Hybrid V8 present automotive, which shares the paddock area with the BMW M manufacturing mannequin BMW XM (gasoline consumption in l/100 km mixed: 1.7 – 1.6 WLTP; energy consumption in kWh/100 km mixed: 34.5 – 33.0 WLTP; CO2 emissions in g/km mixed: 39 – 35 WLTP).

 

Reactions to the Road to Le Mans races:

 

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “We had tremendous profitable days right here with our BMW M4 GT3 along with WRT within the Road to Le Mans races. It was additionally the primary BMW race look for a number of years at Le Mans. With the victory within the first race and the one-two within the second race, we’re in fact very glad. To see Valentino Rossi along with Jérôme Policand in addition to Max Hesse and Tim Whale on prime of the rostrum is just unbelievable. We hope to have the ability to construct on these successes subsequent 12 months. This was a primary step. Many thanks, in fact, for the dedication to the entire group, the drivers and the crew of BMW M Motorsport. They gave our BMW M4 GT3 a fantastic Le Mans debut.”

 

Valentino Rossi (#46 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT): “We are very completely satisfied as a result of we received. It was the primary victory along with BMW, and it was additionally a fantastic expertise to come back right here to organize for subsequent 12 months’s 24-hour race. We had a robust tempo since yesterday morning and in qualifying however we have been a bit unfortunate within the first race so we wished to go for the rostrum within the second race. Jérôme had an excellent first stint, and on the finish of the day we have been capable of win. I had an excellent tempo and was capable of do some good overtakes. We are very, very completely satisfied.”

 

Max Hesse (#31 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT): “We are in fact very completely satisfied. On Thursday we already had a fantastic race. WRT did an ideal job on the pit cease. We selected the fitting technique. It was a fantastic honour to have the ability to drive right here. Being right here for the primary time was very, very cool for me and it was good to be taught, as a result of there was not a lot stress and you might drive many laps. We are actually pleased with first and second place. Congratulations in fact additionally to our team-mates on the victory on Friday.”

JeepUk

Jeep® Avenger named ‘Electric Car of the Year’ in TopGear.com Electric Awards 2023

 

  • All-new, fully-electric Jeep® Avenger claims overall ‘Electric Car of the Year’ as well as ‘Best Electric City Car’ in the TopGear.com Electric Awards 2023
  • Expert judging panel commended the Avenger’s design and accessibility
  • The TopGear.com Electric Awards celebrate the industry’s best electric cars
  • Latest awards add to Avenger’s growing tally of international accolades including European Car of the Year 2023
  • Available to order now; designed and built in Europe, the Jeep Avenger compact SUV is the brand’s first-ever battery-electric vehicle (BEV)

 

 

The all-new, fully-electric Jeep® Avenger has gained further international media acclaim after being named ‘Electric Car of the Year’ and ‘Best Electric City Car’ in the TopGear.com Electric Awards 2023, celebrating the industry’s finest electric vehicles across a wide-ranging field of hypercars to hatchbacks.

 

Speaking on the Avenger’s ‘Electric Car of the Year’ title, Jack Rix, Editor of Top Gear Magazine, commented: “The Avenger is one of those cars that seems to have been designed by people who enjoyed their job. It’s not tricksy or cute, and it’s not overwrought. It’s just that the shapes, textures, colours and graphics are modern and cohere really nicely. It is basically familiar technology, carefully improved and well wrapped, at a decent price. It’s accessible rather than exclusive. This is, for these times, a very good thing.”

 

TopGear.com also awarded Jeep‘s first-ever battery-electric vehicle with ‘Best Electric City Car’, adding: “The Avenger is small – shorter than most little crossovers – its blocky outline makes it easy to thread down narrow streets, and all-round black plastic protection will save the day when you get it slightly wrong. Because it’s set up for mild off-roading, the short overhangs and long suspension travel make light work of speed bumps and potholes. Its height means it’ll carry adults in the back and there’s a proper boot. Add together the above and you get the best electric city car out there right now.”

Jules Tilstone, Managing Director, Jeep UK, commented: “I’d like to thank the Top Gear judging panel for commending the Avenger as the stand-out offering in the EV sector. It’s exciting to build upon the Avenger’s substantial media recognition already with this latest double award win in the 2023 Top Gear Electric Awards. The Avenger is leading our European market offering of right-sized vehicles and represents a significant forward step towards the next generation of electrified Jeep SUVs.”

 

The latest awards from TopGear.com add to the Jeep Avenger’s recent accolades including European Car of the Year 2023 – the first time the brand picked up the award in its history – and Best Family SUV in the 2023 Women’s World Car of the Year awards.

 

The new Avenger is a compact SUV that, at just four metres in length, is positioned in the rapidly growing B-SUV segment. Aimed at active people who are looking for an SUV with compact dimensions, the Jeep Avenger offers plenty of room and storage possibilities. Designed and built as a Jeep vehicle from day one, the Avenger packs the Jeep DNA into a compact SUV with a unique combination of capability, style, functionality and technology.

 

With a range of up to 250 miles* in the WLTP cycle, a new electric powertrain combines a unique 400-volt electric motor with 115 kilowatts and 260 Nm of maximum torque and a new 54 kWh battery.

 

The introduction of the Jeep Avenger in Europe marks the beginning of the next phase of the electrification of the Jeep brand – the BEV wave. By the end of 2030, the Jeep brand’s European sales will be 100% pure electric.