Tag Archives: previously

Motorsport

Big Changes for BMW XM: $9,900 Price Drop and New Name

The BMW XM is undergoing some interesting changes. First, the “Label Red” name has been shortened to “Label”. Additionally, there’s now a substantial $9,900 discount on the performance SUV.

According to a BMW spokesperson who spoke with Motor1, the decision to change the name to XM Label was made in order to simplify it. We have reached out to other sources within the company for a more detailed explanation, but we have not received a response yet. Interestingly, the automaker has not made an official announcement about the name change.


Motorsport

Nissan Aims for Solid-State Batteries to Power Electric GT-R

Nissan has confirmed its plans to introduce an all-electric vehicle equipped with all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) by 2028. These innovative batteries, which are being developed in-house, are expected to revolutionize the industry by doubling the energy density compared to current liquid lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, charging times could be reduced to a third of what they are now. The Japanese automaker intends to incorporate ASSBs in various types of vehicles, including high-performance cars.

This development also extends to the iconic GT-R, which has been in production since late 2007, specifically referring to the current R35 generation. In an interview with Top Gear magazine, Ivan Espinosa, the global product boss of Nissan, emphasized that weight is a significant challenge for supercars. To address this issue, Nissan plans to wait for the availability of ASSBs to fully electrify the GT-R. By doubling the energy density, engineers will be able to install a smaller battery that reduces weight while still maintaining the car’s 2+2 seating arrangement.


Cars

Why Two-Stroke Engines Became Obsolete

Internal combustion engines convert air and fuel into energy through combustion, powering the attached machinery. These engines can be categorized into two-stroke and four-stroke engines, depending on their mechanical complexity.

All internal combustion engines rely on a piston and a crankshaft. When combustion occurs, the piston is pushed down, rotating the crankshaft. As the piston rises, it further rotates the crankshaft. This repetitive process drives vehicles and other machinery with engines. The distinction between two-stroke and four-stroke engines lies in how often this piston-crankshaft rotation occurs.

Each up or down movement of the piston is called a “stroke.” In a four-stroke engine, the spark plug ignites the fuel/air mixture every four strokes, or every other full crankshaft rotation. In contrast, a two-stroke engine fires the spark plug every two piston strokes, or every full crankshaft rotation. Two-stroke engines are smaller, lighter, and more powerful relative to their size, mainly because they lack valves found in other engines.

In four-stroke engines, the fuel and air mixture only occupies the area above the piston. Conversely, in two-stroke engines, the mixture is present both above and below the piston. These design factors make two-stroke engines easier and cheaper to manufacture, which initially seemed advantageous. However, these characteristics eventually led to the phasing out of two-stroke engines by many modern countries and industries.

ToyotaUk

Toyota Expands Recall to Include More 2023 Toyota Models

PLANO, Texas (Oct. 10, 2023) – Toyota has announced an expansion of its non-compliance safety recall in the U.S. for approximately 43,000 additional 2023 model year Toyota vehicles. This includes the Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross hybrid, Highlander, Highlander hybrid, and Tacoma models. The total number of vehicles being recalled now amounts to approximately 153,000 in the U.S. It’s important to note that this expansion does not include any additional Lexus vehicles.

The reason for the recall is a potential issue with the spiral cable assembly in the steering column. There is a possibility that the electrical connection controlling the driver’s airbag may be lost. This would cause the airbag warning light to illuminate and the driver’s airbag may not deploy in the event of a crash. This non-compliance with federal motor vehicle safety requirements increases the risk of injury to the driver.

Toyota and Lexus dealers will inspect the serial number of the spiral cable in all affected vehicles and replace it with a new cable if necessary. The replacement will be done at no cost to customers. Toyota notified the original owners involved in the recall in early September 2023 and will notify the newly affected owners about this issue by early November 2023.

To check if your vehicle is involved in this safety recall, visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information. Please note that the information provided is subject to change after the filing date.

For any additional questions or concerns, Toyota and Lexus customers can contact the Toyota Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331 for Toyota vehicles, or the Lexus Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-255-3987 for Lexus vehicles.

Here is the original recall for reference:

PLANO, Texas (July 12, 2023) – Toyota is conducting a non-compliance safety recall in the U.S. involving certain 2023 Toyota and Lexus vehicles, as well as some 2024 model year NX and NX hybrid vehicles. Approximately 110,000 vehicles in the U.S. are affected by this recall.

The issue in the affected vehicles is the same as the expanded recall. The spiral cable assembly in the steering column may lose its electrical connection, leading to the driver’s airbag not deploying in a crash. This poses a risk of non-compliance with federal motor vehicle safety requirements and an increased potential for driver injury.

Toyota and Lexus dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the spiral cable if required, free of charge. Toyota will notify the affected owners by early September 2023.

To determine if your vehicle is part of this safety recall, visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information. Please note that the information provided is subject to change after the filing date.

For any additional questions or concerns, Toyota and Lexus customers can contact the Toyota Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331 for Toyota vehicles, or the Lexus Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-255-3987 for Lexus vehicles.

Technology

5 Operating Systems to Try on Raspberry Pi for Beginners

The official operating system for the Raspberry Pi board, previously known as Raspbian, is now called Raspberry Pi OS. It is based on the Debian distribution and offers over 35,000 software packages to explore. There are three versions of the Raspberry Pi OS to choose from: desktop version, desktop with recommended software, and Lite (without a graphical interface, only command line). All versions are optimized for Raspberry Pi, ensuring compatibility.

Installing the Raspberry Pi OS is a breeze since it was developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. You just need to download the OS installer app called Raspberry Pi Imager (also made by the foundation), insert your microSD card into your computer, and select your preferred version of Raspberry Pi OS from the list.

What makes the Raspberry Pi OS ideal for beginners is its versatility. If you’re a developer, you can install any necessary software for your projects. You can even connect hardware like sensors and Arduino microcontrollers to the GPIO pins and ports, which are likely to be recognized seamlessly. If you’re not a developer, you can simply use the Raspberry Pi as a regular computer. You can browse the internet, listen to music, write documents, and watch videos without any hassle.

Featured

2023 Hyundai i20 N Line Facelift Launched, Prices Now Start From Rs 9.99 Lakh


The Hyundai i20 N Line is now available with a proper 6-speed manual transmission instead of the previously offered 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual) gearbox and as a result, lower starting price

2023 Hyundai i20 N Line facelift

  • Hyundai has priced the i20 N Line facelift from Rs 9.99 lakh to Rs 12.32 lakh (ex-showroom).

  • With the new manual gearbox, its starting price has dropped down by Rs 20,000.

  • The i20 N Line was first brought to India in 2021.

  • Now gets a slightly revised grille, new alloy wheel design and updated LED headlights.

  • Inside, it still carries on with an all-black theme with red highlights all around.

  • Now gets six airbags, ESC, and TPMS as standard fitment.

Shortly after introducing the Hyundai i20 facelift, the sportier-looking Hyundai i20 N Line facelift has now been launched in India. It is the first update for the i20 N Line since its market introduction in 2021. It’s still available in the same two broad trims as before: N6 and N8, but the former can now be had with DCT as well.

Revised Variant-wise Prices

Transmission

N6

N8

MT

Rs 9.99 lakh

Rs 11.22 lakh

DCT

Rs 11.10 lakh

Rs 12.32 lakh

All prices ex-showroom

With the facelift, the i20 N Line now gets a proper manual gearbox in place of the iMT shifter (clutchless manual). That has helped the carmaker to price the i20 N Line under Rs 10 lakh, making it more affordable by Rs 20,000. Also, the base N6 trim can be had with the DCT gearbox as well.

What’s Changed On The Outside?

As seen on the regular i20 facelift, the i20 N Line also gets minimal cosmetic tweaks. These include a tweaked front bumper, redesigned grille insert, and updated LED headlights (still featuring inverted LED DRL strips).

2023 Hyundai i20 N Line facelift

In profile, the only major change is the new alloy wheel design. The new i20 N Line’s rear looks almost unchanged as it still sports the same LED taillight setup featuring the Z-shaped lighting elements and dual exhaust tips with a mildly tweaked bumper.

2023 Hyundai i20 N Line red brake calipers

Being the sportier-looking model, the i20 N Line has also carried on with the red brake calipers, red inserts and ‘N Line’ monikers inside and out. The carmaker is offering the i20 N Line 2023 in five monotone and two dual-tone colour options, including a new Abyss Black shade.

Also See: Bollywood Actress Taapsee Pannu Drives Home A Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV

No Big Updates To The Cabin

2023 Hyundai i20 N Line cabin

Hyundai hasn’t given any significant update to the i20 N Line’s cabin with the refresh. It still has the same all-black dashboard while featuring red accents all around. The 2023 i20 N Line gets leatherette seat covers with N logo, design and contrast red stitching, and red ambient lighting. The only minor change in its features set is the inclusion of a type-C USB port at the front.

No other revisions have been made to the i20 N Line’s features list. It continues with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, wireless phone charging, push-button start/stop, a semi-digital driver’s display, and cruise control.

2023 Hyundai i20 N Line six airbags

It now gets 35 safety features as standard, which include six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), 3-point seatbelt with reminder for all passengers, and vehicle stability management (VSM).

One Important Mechanical Change

2023 Hyundai i20 N Line 6-speed MT

With the update, Hyundai has replaced the previously offered 6-speed iMT gearbox with a 6-speed manual transmission. The sportier-looking hatchback has retained its 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) option as well as the 120PS/172Nm 1-litre turbo-petrol engine. Both the gearbox options are available with both the variants.

Also See: Check Out The Base-spec EX Variant Of The Hyundai Exter In 5 Images

Competitor Check

2023 Hyundai i20 N Line rear

Its only direct rival is the Tata Altroz Turbo while it will also take on the upcoming Tata Altroz Racer. The i20 N Line continues to serve as a sportier-looking alternative to premium hatchbacks such as the Maruti Baleno, Toyota Glanza and Tata Altroz.

Read More on : i20 N-Line on road price

Featured

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept: An Electric 2+2 GT

Lamborghini has revealed the Lamborghini Lanzador Concept, giving us a glimpse of what its first fully-electric model could look like. Unveiled at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the Lanzador is a two-door, high-riding four-seater that combines elements from Lamborghini’s current production cars. It aims to offer a sporty driving experience while capitalizing on the added ride height of the Urus SUV. The Lanzador will fill the gap between Lamborghini’s supercars and SUVs, positioning itself as the carmaker’s fourth product line.

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept

In addition to being Lamborghini’s first fully electric model, the Lanzador Concept showcases features that are expected to be seen in future production models. One of these features is the Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI), a driving dynamic control system that analyzes the owner’s driving style and adjusts various car parameters accordingly. The Lanzador also features the ALA (Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva) system for precise aerodynamic adjustments, allowing it to switch between high and low downforce modes. This electric GT draws inspiration from Lamborghini’s current lineup, with elements reminiscent of the Urus SUV and styling cues from the brand’s supercars.

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept

The Lanzador Concept is powered by two electric motors that deliver power to all four wheels. Specific details about horsepower and range have not been released yet, but the Lanzador benefits from technology found in the Urus, such as air suspension and rear axle steering. The concept draws inspiration from Lamborghini’s current lineup, borrowing design elements from the Urus and incorporating styling features from the brand’s supercars. The interior of the Lanzador features a spacious center console, minimalistic controls, and sustainable materials like recycled fibers, wool, and olive oil-tanned leather.

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept

Lamborghini aims to have its entire model lineup fully electrified by 2024. The Lanzador Concept is part of this strategy, and a production version is scheduled to go into production by 2028. While Lamborghini has not committed to a fully electric lineup, the addition of an electric GT will bring further diversity to the brand’s portfolio.

Featured

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept Debuts As An Electric 2+2 GT

Lamborghini previously announced that it planned for its first fully-electric model to go into production before 2030. Today the carmaker unveiled what its first EV could look like with the Lamborghini Lanzador Concept, presented at this year’s The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.

The Lanzador envisions a high-riding two-door four-seater with styling elements borrowed from multiple of its current production cars. As its form factor suggests, the Lanzador aims to capitalize on the added ride height of an Urus while maintaining a sportier driving experience. As such, it will position itself as a fourth product line for the carmaker, aiming to fill the GT-sized gap left between its supercars and SUV.

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept

Aside from previewing the first fully electric Lamborghini, the Lanzador aims to showcase features expected to reach production models in the coming years, starting with Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI), a driving dynamic control system. Its goal is to analyze its owner’s driving style and adapt various car parameters accordingly. It draws information from a new group of sensors placed throughout the car. 

These sensors will also support its new ALA (Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva) system for more precise aerodynamic adjustments. Given that it’s electric, the Lanzador can cycle between high and low downforce modes, maximizing performance or range given the driving scenario. In the Lanzador, these aero elements include an active splitter, shutters in its front grille, and louvers in its wheel arches. 

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept

Power comes from two electric motors, reaching all four wheels. Lamborghini has yet to publish how many horses it’ll develop or what range to expect from a production version. However, the carmaker’s electric GT does benefit from components found in the Urus, like its air suspension and rear axle steering. Given its stature, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Lanzador also inherited off-road modes like the Urus on the count of its adjustable suspension.

The Lanzador also draws inspiration from the carmaker’s current lineup from a visual perspective. Its front end, for example, is reminiscent of the Urus’ as is its roofline, while its slim lighting elements look closer to those found in Lamborghini’s supercar lineup. While the Lanzador seats four, it only features two doors, albeit very long, allowing it to retain a sportier aesthetic than a traditional GT.

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept

Inside, a sizable center console divides the driver and passenger, housing the few remaining mechanical buttons and switches. Two screens sit in front of the occupants, one serving as an instrument cluster and the other showing vehicle information and new entertainment features. The interior overall is very minimalistic, especially for a Lamborghini. Its steering wheel is thin and virtually button-free, while its slim seats offer minimal padding. 

Since the Lanzador is an EV, Lamborghini also wants to implement more sustainable materials for its interior cabin featuring wool, recycled materials and 3D-printed recycled fibers. Its leather is tanned using a byproduct of the olive oil industry, a process that requires less water than traditional tanning but yields just as high-quality leather. 

Lamborghini aims to fully electrify its model lineup by 2024. We’ve already seen this with the hybrid Revuelto, which will be followed shortly by the Huracan replacement and an updated Urus. The production GT the Lanzador envisions is already scheduled to enter production this decade, with an expected launch date of 2028. While Lamborghini has never said it will go fully electric, adding an EV to its lineup will further diversify its portfolio.

News, Technology

8BitDo’s Latest Retro Receiver Lets You Play PS1 & PS2 With Modern Controllers

8BitDo has released their newest Retro Receiver, which allows you to use modern controllers to play games from the PS1 and PS2 era. The Retro Receiver is compatible with a variety of different controllers, including 8BitDo’s own collection. This means that you can even use the company’s Arcade Stick v3 to play games like “Metal Gear Solid” on the PS1. The supported models include the PS5 DualSense, PS4 DualShock, and various Xbox and Nintendo Switch controllers.

However, it’s important to note that while the Retro Receiver enables you to play PS2 games, the gameplay experience may not be exactly the same as the original console. This is because some PS2 games made use of the pressure-sensitive buttons on the controller, which the compatible controllers do not have. Although perfect one-to-one emulation across platforms is still being worked on, 8BitDo’s Retro Receiver is a step towards ensuring that older consoles remain playable for years to come.

8BitDo’s products have received positive feedback from customers and critics, and the anticipation for the latest Retro Receiver is high. However, since the receiver is just now hitting the market, there are currently no published reviews available. But it is likely that we won’t have to wait long for the first reactions to be shared online.

Technology

How To Unhide Apps On iPhone: A Step-By-Step Guide

When you install apps on your iPhone, they are placed in the App Library and organized into categories. The most frequently used apps and recently downloaded apps are usually at the top of the list. If you want to see all your apps, you can switch to an alphabetical list view by swiping down on the App Library page.

If you have previously hidden an app from your iPhone home screen, you can bring it back and make it visible again by following these steps:

  1. On your iPhone’s main home screen, swipe left.
  2. If you see the icon of the app you want to unhide and add back to your home screen, long-press on it.
  3. Choose one of the following options:

    Release your finger and tap “Add to Home Screen” from the menu that appears, or

    Continue holding the app icon and drag it onto the home screen.

  4. If you used the second option, all the apps on the home screen will start jiggling. Tap Done to finish the process.

It’s important to note that not all apps in the App Library category will offer the “Add to Home Screen” option when long-pressed. In such cases, dragging the icon to the home screen and tapping Done should work. Alternatively, you can also swipe down on the App Library page, long-press on an app icon from the list, and without releasing your finger, move it to the left to create a copy on the home screen. Remember to be cautious when unhiding apps this way to avoid accidentally deleting an app.