Tag Archives: passed

Motorsport

A New McLaren Hypercar Could Debut This Year

Eleven years have handed since McLaren took the wraps off the P1. Although there have been many particular fashions from Woking since then, a real P1 successor has but to see the sunshine of day. But by yr’s finish, we might lastly see a brand new flagship from the unique British marque—and it will nonetheless have a large-displacement combustion engine.

According to Automotive News Europe, the brand new McLaren hypercar is internally codenamed “P18” and makes use of a plug-in hybrid V8 setup. The gasoline engine and electrical motor(s) are anticipated to ship a mixed output of over 1,000 horsepower with an all-new carbon fiber chassis. The seats are reportedly bolted onto the chassis to chop weight and increase rigidity, whereas a number of the suspension parts are stated to be 3D-printed.

While McLarens are identified for his or her dihedral doorways, the P18 is supposedly going to characterize a break from the norm by adopting gullwing doorways. ANE cites sources near the matter saying the long-overdue follow-up to the P1 is getting an energetic rear spoiler together with different aero options derived from Formula 1 automobiles. At the entrance, the longer term member of the “Ultimate Series” lineup is alleged to have recessed headlights in the identical vein as Artura’s.

McLaren P1 5th anniversary

The new crown jewel will break cowl earlier than the tip of 2024. Meanwhile, Nicolas Brown, President of the Americas area, advised ANE the engineers are presently “fine-tuning” the brand new hypercar. It is believed the hybrid setup is a brand new growth as a lot as 70 p.c lighter than what the corporate presently makes use of within the Artura. The reality it isn’t going to be a pure electrical mannequin isn’t any shock since CEO Michael Leiters stated “real supercars” and not using a combustion engine will not materialize earlier than 2030.

But there are already a couple of electrical high-performance autos: Rimac Nevera, Lotus Evija, and the Pininfarina Battista, simply to call a couple of. The new Tesla Roadster is supposedly coming by yr’s finish whereas Ferrari’s first EV has been confirmed for a 2025 launch.

Porsche is anticipated to inexperienced gentle a production version of the Mission X concept within the months to return. Over in China, BYD not too long ago launched the Yangwang U9. Notable mentions embody the Nio EP9, additionally from China, together with Japan’s Aspark Owl. 2030 continues to be six years away, which supplies different automakers loads of time to hop on the electrical efficiency bandwagon.

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GODSPEED RICK “SUPER HUNKY” SIEMAN

Godspeed Super Hunky

Rick “Super Hunky” Sieman handed away after a prolonged sickness. Rick was an instrumental determine within the journal world, serendipitously mated to the explosion of filth bike recognition. He was in on the bottom degree with Dirt Bike Magazine which launched in June of 1971. Rick was an indication painter by commerce, began working at Hi Torque promoting adverts for a chopper title and was sucked into Dirt Bike when his writing prowess, wit and humor landed him a job on the workers.

Super Hunky was a pioneer in some ways. He originated the primary shootouts, ramrodded product assessments and comparisons, wrote ‘From the Saddle’, a column that captured the lots along with his humor. Rick was additionally vastly motived to guard our using rights, working with the Phantom Duck of the Desert to battle the huge land closures that have been shutting down a lot of the Mojave Desert.

Super Hunky can be missed. Rest in peace.

The Hunk discussing racing at Blackwater with Dick Burleson in 1983.
The first concern of Dirt Bike journal.
Motorsport

Is BMW’s Controversial Design Language Helping Or Hurting The Brand?

It’s been over three years since BMW’s designs have become more avant-garde and controversial, sparking considerable discussion among fans and customers worldwide. The controversy began in June 2020 with the debut of the second-generation 4 Series, featuring a large new grille that received more negative feedback than positive.

The mid-size car arrived after the unveiling of the BMW Concept 4 at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. The production 4 Series incorporated more than 80 percent of the concept’s design cues, including the massive kidney grille on the nose.

Based on public opinion, the decision for the 4 Series seemed like a flop. However, that’s not the case.

Positive Numbers

Analysis of car sales data around the world provides insight. Last year, BMW sold around 146,200 units of the current-generation 4 Series in all markets. The 4 Series saw an 87 percent year-over-year increase versus 2021, becoming the company’s sixth best-selling product.

Despite the criticism, BMW designers presented even more polarizing models. In November 2020, the BMW iX SUV and its unconventional proportions were revealed, creating digital chaos. The iX was notably different from the brand’s previous offerings and stood out from its rivals’ conservative shapes.

Despite the criticism, the iX became the world’s best-selling large electric SUV in 2022, outpacing its rivals’ sales.

7 Series Struggles

However, not all is positive for BMW. The seventh generation 7 Series, introduced in April 2022, received a different design that many found as polarizing as the 4 Series. Despite aiming to stand out and regain market share from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, sales of the 7 Series still lag behind the S-Class in Europe, the US, and China.

As of September 2023, BMW sold just 3,700 units in Europe, compared to almost 10,300 sales for the S-Class. In the United States, The S-Class outsells the 7 Series nearly two to one. In China, there are over three Mercedes for every BMW, including the i7 and EQS.

And Then There’s XM

The BMW XM, despite garnering criticism for its unusual design and massive size, has sold 4,800 units globally and has surpassed the Lamborghini Urus for sales through the end of September. It’s the fifth best-selling M model in Europe and the United States.

The author of the article, Felipe Munoz, is an Automotive Industry Specialist at JATO Dynamics.

Motorsport

Nissan Aims to Offer Affordable Electric Sports Car for Young Adults

It’s been a decade since Nissan introduced the IDx as a concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show. The entry-level sports car, including the Nismo version, has yet to make it into production. But there’s a glimmer of hope for car enthusiasts, as the company’s product planning boss, Ivan Espinosa, hinted at the possibility of a sub-Z model in an interview with Top Gear magazine.

Espinosa stated, “Throughout different periods, we’ve always had the GT-R, the Z, and an entry-level car – such as the Pulsar hot hatch or something similar. However, we feel there’s a gap in our lineup at this particular price and performance range.”


Motorsport

2025 Kia Carnival Gets an Interesting New Face

About three and a half years have passed since Kia introduced the fourth-generation Carnival, and with life cycles getting shorter, it’s no wonder that the minivan is already due for a facelift. Confirmed to debut before the end of the year, the revised family hauler was seen in South Korea while shooting an ad. In the age of smartphones and social media, it didn’t take long for someone to immortalize the grocery-getter and put the images on Instagram.

In typical Kia fashion, the 2025 Carnival is going through major changes for only a mid-cycle revision. Shaped somewhat like a “T,” the headlights are entirely new and adopt design cues we’ve seen on the company’s latest crop of EVs. It’s easy to notice the grille has a new shape with a wider lower section than before while the pattern has been modified as well. We can’t tell for sure, but it looks as though the fog lights are no longer mounted in the bumper, which also gets a new look.

 

Typical for a facelift, the profile is essentially carried over, although we don’t remember seeing those two-tone wheels before. At the rear, the taillights echo the changes made at the front as the clusters also form a “T” and meet in the middle courtesy of an updated light bar. Eagle-eyed readers will observe the Kia badge no longer bisects the light bar since it has been moved below. The bumper has been modified, but nothing to write home about. After all, it is a minivan.

Multiple reports state Kia plans to overhaul the interior by installing a pair of 12-inch screens, a new head-up display, fingerprint recognition tech, and massaging seats borrowed from the EV9 electric SUV. We’re hearing it’s also getting a more advanced semi-autonomous driving system along with a hybrid powertrain, possibly borrowed from the Sorento. In the SUV, a turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline engine works with an electric motor to deliver a combined output of 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet (350 Newton meters) of torque.

Expect an official debut in the coming weeks, possibly first in South Korea before the equivalent U.S.-spec model.

News

Superbike Team Owner Paul Bird Passes Away At 56

Paul Bird, the owner of the BeerMonster Ducati Team in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, has died at the age of 56. The team made the announcement on September 1, 2023.

Out of respect for the family’s privacy, the details surrounding Bird’s death have not been disclosed.

Under Bird’s leadership, Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM) has been dominating the British Superbike Championship with rider Tommy Bridewell. Bridewell, riding a Ducati Panigale V4R, currently holds the top spot alongside teammate Glenn Irwin. This unfortunate event may have an impact on the team’s performance in the remaining races of the season, with the next round scheduled for September 15 to 17, 2023 at Oulton Park.

PBM has achieved numerous victories in the British Superbike Championship, securing eight riders’ titles. The team’s success began in 2003 with Steve Hislop, who won five titles. Shane Byrne replaced Hislop and won three titles in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017. In 2019, PBM became the champion again with ex-MotoGP rider Scott Redding and Josh Brookes on the Ducati.

In addition to their British Superbike achievements, PBM also managed Kawasaki’s factory World Superbike campaign from 2009 to 2011 before passing on the responsibility to Provec.

The team ventured into MotoGP in 2012 and participated in the Isle of Man TT with Ian Hutchinson in 2015, achieving victories with John McGuinness and Joey Dunlop.

Prior to his passing, it was disclosed that Bird had been briefly admitted to the hospital due to an undisclosed illness. Our deepest condolences to all those affected by his loss.

Motorsport

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Stalked In Traffic Looks Refreshingly Boxy

About two weeks have passed since Hyundai published a handful of images depicting its completely redesigned Santa Fe. Entering its fifth generation, the midsize SUV was spotted in traffic in South Korea without any camouflage. The full debut is scheduled to take place in the coming days, and in the meantime, spy videos allow us to get better acquainted with the vehicle’s bold redesign.

Several production-ready prototypes were seen, and it seems that the new Santa Fe looks better in real life than in official photos. Some may find the rear design polarizing, but the profile gives off a strong Land Rover Defender 130 vibe, which can be seen as a positive. This generation of the Santa Fe has undergone a drastic change, so much so that it could have been given a completely new name.

Technical specifications for the 2024 Santa Fe are yet to be released, but Hyundai has revealed that it will have a longer wheelbase than its predecessor. The SUV appears to be considerably larger than before, and we are curious to see how it compares to the full-size Palisade. Some test vehicles featured an “HTRAC” logo on the bottom-right corner of the tailgate, indicating all-wheel drive.

Last week, a different prototype was spotted with a “plug-in” badge and a charging port on the right-side rear fender. In official images, one version of the Santa Fe shown by Hyundai had a 2.5T logo. In the outgoing Santa Fe, the turbocharged inline-four engine produces 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, which can be sent to the front wheels or to an optional all-wheel drive through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai has announced that the new Santa Fe will be available for the 2024 model year in the United States, with the North American premiere scheduled for later this summer. The local debut in South Korea is set for August 10.

Motorsport

Mercedes G650 Landaulet Spied With Camo Has Us Scratching Our Heads

Mercedes introduced the G650 Landaulet over six years ago as a farewell to the previous generation of the G-Class. Limited to just 99 units, this version of the iconic off-roader was equipped with a powerful V12 engine and featured unique elements such as an electrically folding roof, portal axles, and large fender flares.

Despite debuting in March 2017, recent spy shots reveal that a prototype of the G650 Landaulet is still covered in camouflage. The vehicle was spotted alongside the upcoming all-electric EQG, set to be released next year. Based on the previous-generation G-Class, the prototype appears to be almost identical to the production model, complete with a beige fabric top and 22-inch wheels. However, the wheels sport a dark finish instead of the polished surface found on the customer cars of the G650.