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Audi Turns Q8 E-Tron Into Dakar Racer Wannabe With Lift Kit, All-Terrain Tires

Audi rolls out a rugged Q8 electrical SUV and Skoda supplies a primary have a look at the up to date Octavia.

This is AM Drive, Motor1’s every day have a look at the information you want earlier than you get in your automotive.

Audi Q8 e-tron version Dakar

Audi blended electrification with off-road chops with the RS Q E-Tron, a purpose-built Dakar racer. It scored 4 stage wins throughout its inaugural Dakar Rally outing in 2022. The German luxurious model is now piggybacking on what it calls the already “legendary” RS Q E-Tron with a particular version of the Q8 E-Tron.

While Mercedes is months away from introducing an electric G-Class, Audi is giving the Q8 E-Tron a minor off-road therapy with a manufacturing unit elevate package. Riding on General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tires, the Q8 E-Tron has an additional 1.2 inches of floor clearance than the usual mannequin. It affords a most floor clearance of 8.1 in earlier than regularly lowering relying on velocity. The rugged Q8 routinely lowers itself by 0.59 in (15 mm) at 53 mph, by 0.66 in (17 mm) at 62 mph, and by 0.51 in (13 mm) at 75 mph.

Audi’s engineers have modified the air suspension for off-road driving and a most wading depth of 11.8 in. The Four Rings declare the 20-degree strategy and 26-degree departure angles are sufficient to “tackle light off-road terrain.” The ramp angle – the utmost angle at which the automobile can journey over a ramp with out the underbody touching the sting of the ramp – is nineteen levels.

5 Apps Every Science Buff Should Have Installed

If you have an interest in every thing associated to house, the NASA App is without doubt one of the greatest iOS and Android apps for astronomy. It supplies entry to varied NASA sources, equivalent to information, photos, movies, podcasts, stay TV, mission data, and extra. It additionally has interactive options like 3D and AR fashions, a SkyView software, and an ISS tracker.

The app has a easy and easy-to-navigate design, with a menu bar on the backside that permits you to change between totally different sections. You have the choice to learn informative content material associated to Earth, local weather, house, the universe, associated know-how, and many others. If you favor visible studying, the Watch part has tons of content material for each age group. The Explore tab allows you to discover a simulated view of our Solar System with 3D and AR fashions of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft.

Next, the View part allows you to browse and think about 1000’s of photos and movies from NASA’s missions, services, and applications. You can even save your favourite photos and movies for offline viewing or share them with others through social media or e mail. The subsequent part, Listen, lets you hearken to the most recent NASA podcasts that includes astronauts and specialists. You can even entry NASA’s stay radio streams, equivalent to NASA Public Radio and Third Rock Radio.

The app is offered for obtain on Google Play Store and the App Store.

ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST: A SYMBOL OF ENDLESS PURE EXPRESSION

This Press Kit gives an outline of the present Ghost mannequin household, its design philosophy and place throughout the Rolls-Royce product portfolio. The unique launch launch for Ghost is offered on PressMembership, the place you may as well discover details about earlier generations, variants and fashions, together with Ghost Extended and Black Badge Ghost .


BACKGROUND

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars launched the primary Ghost in 2009 on the Frankfurt Motor Show. More compact than the marque’s pinnacle product, Phantom, it was created for a brand new group of purchasers who desired a extra modest, minimalist expression of Rolls-Royce perfection in design, engineering and craftsmanship. The Ghost Extended variant adopted in 2011. An up to date Series II Ghost was unveiled on the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, with the primary Black Badge Ghost making its debut two years later.

Over the course of its 10-year lifecycle, the first-generation Ghost grew to become probably the most profitable product within the firm’s historical past, enabling Rolls-Royce to scale up manufacturing, put money into its capabilities and set up itself as a really world luxurious model. Production led to 2019, an occasion commemorated within the Ghost Zenith Collection.

The current Ghost, constructed on the identical Architecture of Luxury spaceframe as Phantom, Cullinan and Spectre, was launched in 2020: the line-up additionally consists of Ghost Extended and Black Badge Ghost, launched in 2021.


GHOST PHILOSOPHY AND POSITIONING

Ghost is a examine in discount, minimalism and ease. Its purity gives the best clean canvas for Bespoke commissions, with purchasers in a position to train their formidable creativity and categorical their preferences nearly completely freed from technical and aesthetic constraints.

That purity presents chance. It creates potential as boundless because the proprietor’s creativeness, emboldening them to convey color, power and vibrancy to their fee and to permit stunning supplies, skilled craftsmanship and beautiful particulars converse for themselves, delicate and unadorned.


A NEW APPROACH TO LUXURY

Ghost’s design displays a marked shift in purchasers’ attitudes to luxurious that has occurred since its first incarnation. Today’s luxurious shoppers consciously reject extravagance and ostentation: their tastes are outlined by discount, simplicity and substance, and the clever, thought-about choice and unobtrusive software of remarkable supplies and craftsmanship. Every ingredient of Ghost subsequently has relevance, goal and integrity. This philosophy is the antithesis of ‘premium mediocrity’, a time period coined by the style business for in any other case unremarkable merchandise that depend on contrivance, superficial particulars and meaningless aesthetic artifice to create an phantasm of luxurious.

Ghost can also be designed for a youthful shopper cohort, typically self-made and invariably self-confident and self-reliant, who are typically self-drivers by default, and thus take a eager curiosity of their motor automotive’s driving expertise and dynamics.

THE CURRENT GHOST MODEL

Ghost is ideal in its simplicity; however creating this purity of expression was one of many marque’s greatest-ever technical challenges. It incorporates state-of-the-art tools and features together with:

  • LED and laser headlights with greater than 600m of illuminated vary, plus imaginative and prescient help
  • Alertness assistant
  • Four-camera system with panoramic view, all-round visibility and helicopter view
  • Active cruise management
  • Collision, cross-traffic, lane departure and lane change warnings
  • Industry-leading 7×3 high-resolution head-up show (HUD)
  • On-board Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Self-park system
  • Bespoke navigation and leisure techniques.

ENGINEERING

Proprietary Architecture of Luxury

Ghost is constructed on the marque’s proprietary Architecture of Luxury spaceframe, as utilized in its flagship Phantom, Cullinan SUV and all-electric Spectre. The aluminium spaceframe’s flexibility and scalability creates an acoustically superior, extremely inflexible and dynamic platform, based mostly round 4 mounted factors, one at every nook of the motor automotive. The moveable aluminium bulkhead, ground, crossmembers and sill panels are positioned particularly to make Ghost as gratifying to drive as it’s to be pushed in. Pushing two of the solid suspension mounting assemblies to the very entrance and inserting the 6.75-litre V12 behind the entrance axle, provides an optimum 50/50 weight distribution.

Ghost has all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering and a Planar Suspension System particularly designed to reinforce the marque’s hallmark ‘magic carpet ride’.

All-aluminium bodyshell

Ghost’s metallic superstructure is 100% aluminium, rendered as one clear, expansive piece, flowing seamlessly from the A-pillar, over the roof and right down to the rear of the motor automotive. To eradicate shut strains and physique seams, 4 craftspeople hand-weld the physique collectively concurrently; Ghost can also be fitted with 100% aluminium, laser-welded doorways. As properly as lowering the motor automotive’s total weight, aluminium provides a exceptional 40,000Nm/deg stiffness, and a decrease acoustic impedance than metal, bettering cabin atmosphere.

6.75-Litre Twin-Turbocharged V12

Ghost’s bespoke V12 engine ensures dynamic efficiency, delivering 563bhp/420kW and 850Nm/627lb ft of torque, with most torque accessible from 1600rpm – simply 600rpm above tick-over. The air consumption system incorporates massive ports designed to cut back engine noise within the inside.

Planar Suspension System

The Planar Suspension System is the results of 10 collective years of testing and growth, creating a way of ‘flight on land’ by no means achieved in a motor automotive earlier than. Created via bodily engineering developments, and complex scanning and software program expertise, it incorporates a world-first Upper Wishbone Damper unit, reserved completely for Rolls-Royce and by no means beforehand utilized in a manufacturing motor automotive. Located above the entrance suspension meeting, this assists the constantly variable, electronically managed shock absorbers and self-levelling high-volume air strut assemblies, making a secure, easy experience.

The marque’s Flagbearer system makes use of cameras to learn the street forward and modify the suspension proactively relatively than reactively at as much as 100km/h. This permits Ghost to anticipate and react to probably the most demanding street surfaces. It operates in live performance with the Satellite Aided Transmission system, which pulls GPS information to pre-select the optimum gear for upcoming corners, all managed by the planar software program system.

The five-link rear axle advantages from self-levelling high-volume air suspension expertise and rear-wheel steering.

Effortless Doors

Rolls-Royce purchasers have loved self-closing doorways because the first Goodwood Phantom. In Ghost, purchasers open the rear door with one pull of the inside deal with, then permit it to return to its resting place whereas they test for potential hazards. They then pull and maintain it for full energy help on opening. Once the door is opened sufficiently, they merely launch the deal with, which engages a door brake. The door might be closed fully robotically on the push of a button on the outside deal with.

If purchasers want to shut the door manually, the operation is energy assisted. On-board longitudinal and transverse sensors, in addition to G-force sensors fitted to every door, permit the identical velocity of operation no matter hill or driveway angles.

Micro-Environment Purification System (MEPS)

Ghost advantages from a Micro-Environment Purification System (MEPS), incorporating a full suite of {hardware} and software program. They embody extremely delicate Impurity Detection Sensors that robotically change recent air intakes to Recirculation Mode if unacceptable ranges of airborne contaminants are current. This channels all cabin air via a nanofleece filter, which is able to eradicating almost all ultra-fine particles from the Rolls-Royce’s micro-environment in lower than two minutes.


ACOUSTICS

Ghost applies the marque’s Formula for Serenity, designed to supply a peaceful, serene and near-noiseless inside setting.

The first ingredient of this components is the Architecture of Luxury. Its aluminium development has the next acoustic impedance than metal, and contains advanced varieties, relatively than flat, resonant surfaces. The bulkhead and ground sections are double-skinned and stuffed with composite damping felts to cut back street noise intrusion. In whole, Ghost incorporates 100kg of acoustic materials within the doorways, roof, between the double-glazed home windows, contained in the tyres and all through the underpinning structure.

During growth, each element was interrogated and, the place essential, re-engineered to eradicate unacceptable noise. For instance, the within of the air con ducting is polished to cut back wind noise; the diameter of the prop shaft was adjusted and its rigidity elevated to enhance acoustics.

The growth course of additionally revealed {that a} fully silent inside is definitely relatively disorienting for occupants. Ghost subsequently displays a ‘whisper’ – a mushy undertone skilled as a single, delicate be aware. This is achieved by tuning every element so it shares a standard resonant frequency. Again, this requires particular engineering options, corresponding to damping items within the seat frames, and ports beneath the rear parcel shelf that permit low-frequency sounds produced within the 507-litre boot cavity at motorway velocity to flee.


EXTERIOR

Ghost is outlined by minimalism and purity, underpinned by nice substance. Sharp bow strains intersect with an angular gentle signature, creating an assertive but stunning entrance finish. Twenty LEDS set beneath the highest of the radiator grille subtly illuminate the vanes: the backs of the vanes are brushed, making them much less reflective and making a restrained glow impact. The Spirit of Ecstasy will not be surrounded by panel strains however relatively stands inside her personal unbroken ‘lake’.

The hand-welded aluminium physique seems as one fluid complete, uninterrupted by shut strains, with a single straight stroke within the flanks emphasising the motor automotive’s size. The decrease ‘waft line’ borrows from boat design and makes use of reflection to lighten the surfacing and create a pure sense of movement. The subtly arched roof line and rear finish observe this sense of motion and resolve in a taper. The near-square rear gentle graphic, a longtime tenet of latest Rolls-Royce design, has a slight ahead tilt and seems as an ‘island’ throughout the painted floor.

In the intentionally impartial higher part, the home windows are equally proportioned, balancing Ghost as each a driver-oriented and chauffeur-driven automotive.


INTERIOR

The inside aesthetic pursues the identical minimalist rules as the outside. Free of busy particulars and superficial adornment, it creates a soothing refuge and maximises the influence of Bespoke color personalisation.

Producing an setting outlined by discount, simplicity and magnificence is an especially advanced endeavour, since even the very most interesting supplies will, when left unembellished, invite shut scrutiny. The leather-based utilized in every of Ghost’s 338 particular person panels, nonetheless small and unobtrusive, is topic to the automotive business’s most exhaustive high quality management checks: the stitching is minimal and varieties lengthy, completely straight strains, once more inviting minute inspection.

Ghost options specifically developed wooden veneers in open-pore end, which showcase the supplies of their bare type. Obsidian Ayous is impressed by the wealthy combine of colors present in igneous rock, whereas Dark Amber introduces delicate glamour with fantastic aluminium particles built-in into the darkish wooden. The wooden is left uncovered as lengthy, single-veneer leaves, punctuated solely by cold-to-the-touch strong metallic air vents.


BESPOKE FEATURES

Illuminated Fascia

Ghost’s Illuminated Fascia subtly echoes the Starlight Headliner, which itself has turn into as a lot part of Rolls-Royce iconography because the Spirit of Ecstasy, Pantheon Grille and ‘Double R’ monogram.

Developed over two years and greater than 10,000 collective hours, the fascia consists of an ethereal glowing Ghost nameplate surrounded by greater than 850 ‘stars’. The illumination comes from 152 LEDs mounted above and beneath the fascia, every meticulously colour-matched to the clock and instrument dial lighting. The Ghost wordmark is lit by a 2mm thick gentle information, that includes greater than 90,000 laser-etched dots throughout the floor. This not solely disperses the sunshine evenly however creates a twinkling impact as the attention strikes throughout the fascia.

Located on the passenger facet of the dashboard, the constellation and wordmark are fully invisible when the inside lights are usually not in operation. This is achieved utilizing three layers of composite supplies. The first, a piano-black substrate, is laser-etched to permit gentle to shine via the wordmark and star cluster. This is overlaid with a layer of dark-tinted lacquer, hiding the lettering when not in use. Finally, the fascia is sealed with a layer of subtly tinted lacquer earlier than being hand polished to attain a wonderfully uniform, 0.5mm thick high-gloss end, matching different high-gloss accents integrated into the inside.

Bespoke Audio

As properly as making a serene inner setting, Rolls-Royce’s pursuit of acoustic perfection creates an impressive sound stage for Ghost’s Bespoke Audio system, which is engineered into the motor automotive’s very material. A resonance chamber into the physique’s sill part basically transforms the motor automotive right into a subwoofer: exciter audio system bonded to the Starlight Headliner flip the ceiling right into a single massive speaker. A robust 1300W amplifier drives 18 particular person loudspeakers: state-of-the-art optimisation expertise and high-precision magnesium-ceramic compound cones present excellent frequency response. Two lively microphones detect anomalous frequencies, then set off the amplifiers to counteract them, ensuing a pure and completely balanced listening expertise.


PERFECTION, EVOLVED

The solely elements within the present Ghost mannequin to be carried over from its predecessor are the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot and the beloved umbrellas hid within the doorways: all the pieces else was designed, crafted and engineered from the bottom up. It distils the Rolls-Royce model values into a good looking, minimalist, but extremely advanced product that’s completely in concord with purchasers’ evolving wants, and exactly in tune with the occasions.

First ride: 2024 Mercedes-AMG G63

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG G63 is set to bring some exciting changes to the G-Class. One notable improvement is the replacement of anti-roll bars with semi-active dampers, which not only enhances the vehicle’s performance but also provides an as-yet-unspecified weight reduction.

Another enhancement to look forward to is the improved wheel articulation, which is expected to enhance the G63’s off-road capabilities. Additionally, the 2024 G63 will feature a new mild-hybrid powertrain, similar to the one used in the GLE 63.

This powertrain combines AMG’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre petrol V8 with a 48V starter-generator, resulting in a combined output of 603bhp and 627lb ft of torque. This innovative powertrain brings both power and efficiency to the G63.

New 2024 Mercedes G-Class first ride review

During our test drive of the upcoming G63 near Leipzig, Germany, Ralf Haug, head of suspension at Mercedes-AMG, describes the G-Class’s new kinetic suspension set-up as a significant advancement in suspension development.

The idea to implement this kinetic suspension system in the G-Class came after AMG started developing it for their new SL and GT models. Haug further explains that the benefits seen in their sports cars sparked the idea to bring similar advantages to their off-road vehicles.

Although it’s still in the early stages of development, the prototype we rode in gave us an insight into the improvements to expect. The 2024 G63 seems to offer better handling and a smoother ride compared to the current model.

Europe Wins 44th Ryder Cup in Rome

+++ Europeans defeat the USA 16.5:11.5 +++ Fleetwood clinches victory +++ Worldwide Partner BMW provides all-electric shuttle fleet +++


Rome/Munich.
The European Ryder Cup team achieved another home victory at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy. This win extends their unbeaten streak on European soil since 1997. Captain Luke Donald’s team took a lead of 10.5:5.5 after the first two days, but the singles on Sunday proved to be a nail-biting affair. Tommy Fleetwood secured the win for the Europeans with a 3&1 victory against Rickie Fowler. Despite their strong performance in the singles, the defending champions from the USA were unable to stage a comeback and achieve the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history.

“The 44th Ryder Cup in Rome once again brought an electrifying energy, fantastic golf, and enthusiastic fans. These factors make this competition truly unique,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Human Resources and Real Estate. “Congratulations to Team Europe on their great victory, and also to the USA team. All 24 players set aside their individual interests and came together as a team to work towards a common goal, showcasing their diverse qualities. This is one of the reasons why BMW is a Worldwide Partner of the Ryder Cup, in addition to our shared passion for golf.”

The Europeans got off to an impressive start in the 44th Ryder Cup by winning all the foursomes on Friday morning. This marked the first time in Ryder Cup history that a European team achieved such a strong start. From that point onwards, the home team maintained their lead, although the defending champions did create some tense moments on the final day.

The standout player in Rome was world number two Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland. He participated in all five matches and secured four points. The victory in Italy also added to captain Luke Donald’s impressive Ryder Cup record. He was part of the winning team in all four of his appearances as a player and in two outings as a vice-captain.

As a Worldwide Partner, BMW provided support to the iconic competition by offering all-electric mobility for the golf and organizing teams, ensuring zero-emission transport. BMW also achieved a world first by broadcasting every shot live in the new BMW 7 Series and other models.

The BMW Group provided its customers with an exclusive Ryder Cup experience, hosting prominent guests including vice captains José Maria Olazábal, Francesco Molinari, and Thomas Bjørn, as well as the winning Ryder Cup captain from 2010, Colin Montgomerie, and former world-class footballer Gareth Bale.

Peugeot E-5008 Spotted with Angular Design, Hinting at an upcoming Electric SUV

Newly released spy photos give us a glimpse of what appears to be the upcoming Peugeot E-5008 electric SUV. While it is uncertain whether this model will debut next year or by 2025, it is undoubtedly part of Peugeot’s strategy to expand its electric vehicle lineup.

What sets this spy shot apart from previous ones of the 5008 is its closed-off front end, replacing the traditional open grille. This design choice is commonly seen in electric vehicles, as they require different cooling mechanisms compared to conventional cars. Additionally, slender headlights can be observed just below the hood’s edge.

First drive: 2024 Volkswagen ID 4

The 2024 Volkswagen ID 4 has undergone some improvements to its dynamics and interior, making it a more powerful, comfortable, and user-friendly electric SUV.

The steering now offers better feedback and self-centring, enhancing the car’s overall handling. Additionally, the optional Dynamic Chassis Control system has been refined with new software mapping and additional sensors, resulting in a smoother and more controlled ride on various road surfaces.

Inside the ID 4, changes have been made to address previous criticisms. The controls, mainly located on the new 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, now feature simpler menus and an advanced conversational voice control system. The center console also provides improved storage space. However, the perceived quality and solidity of the interior still fall short compared to some rivals.

More details regarding the ID 4’s performance, range, and pricing are yet to be released by Volkswagen. However, based on the experience with this early car, it seems that the ID 4’s potential has been better fulfilled than ever before. It offers more power, a more engaging driving experience, increased comfort, and an improved user interface, making it easier to live with.

Volkswagen ID 4 Pro Performance

Rating: 4 Stars

Now notably more powerful, refined, and efficient, but its interior could still be improved

Price £45,000 (est) Engine Permanent magnet synchronous motor Power 282bhp Torque 402lb ft Gearbox 1-spd reduction gear, RWD Kerb weight 2100kg (est) 0-62mph 6.8sec (est) Top speed 112mph Battery 77.0kWh Range 330 miles Economy 3.9mpkWh (est) CO2, tax band 0g/km, 2% Rivals Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y

Volkswagen California T7 Teaser Gives Sneak Peek of Pop-Up Roof Ahead of August 24 Debut

A new teaser image offers a glimpse of the upcoming Volkswagen T7 California camper concept, which will make its debut on August 24 at the Caravan Salon show in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The teaser image, shown below, has been brightened to reveal more details. The van features a two-tone paint scheme, with a silver top and a red bottom. It rides on five-spoke wheels with metallic accents near the rim. An illuminated “California” badge can be seen below the rear license plate. The pop-up roof is shown in the raised position.

VW refers to the vehicle premiering in Düsseldorf as a concept. However, spy photos (see below) show the production version of the new T7 California without any camouflage. From what can be seen, the two vehicles appear almost identical on the outside, although there may be differences in the interior.

VW has confirmed that the pop-up roof adds an additional 6.5 feet (two meters) of height when deployed. The company has also equipped the van with a new touchscreen control panel for adjusting features such as the thermostat, lights, and cooling box.

Hotter Alpine A110 Spied With More Aggressive Body

A new batch of spy photos provides a fresh look at the upcoming high-performance version of the Alpine A110. While the name of this variant is unknown, it is clear that it boasts a more aggressive appearance compared to other existing trims.

The front fascia of this A110 prototype is reminiscent of the Alpine A110 R model, with the addition of canards on the outer corners. Furthermore, the hood features two large openings near the base of the windshield.

How To Buy The Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato

The Lamborghini Huracán is a highly sought-after supercar known for its powerful V10 engine, impressive performance, and luxurious features. However, Lamborghini has recently introduced a special variant called the Huracán Sterrato, which has off-road capabilities. This model is equipped with lifted suspension, dirt-ready tires, and advanced systems that allow it to conquer off-road terrains.

Only 1,499 units of the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato will be produced, making it a limited and exclusive opportunity for supercar enthusiasts. If you’re interested in owning one, duPont REGISTRY is a trusted source for luxury and exotic cars since 1985. They can help you find the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato of your dreams.

What makes the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato special?

The Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato features an updated version of the LDVI (Lamborghini Integrated Vehicle Dynamics) system. This system includes specific calibrations for different driving modes and introduces the RALLY mode, which is specially designed for low-grip conditions. It is the first time the Huracán line has a dedicated off-road mode.

What does “Sterrato” mean?

The term “Sterrato” is Italian for “dirt road” in English. It signifies the all-terrain capabilities of the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato.

How does the Huracán Sterrato compare to the standard Huracán?

The Huracán Sterrato is distinct from the standard Huracán due to its off-road-oriented features. It has larger tires, lifted suspension, and advanced systems specifically tuned for off-road performance. These modifications transform the Huracán from a road-going supercar to a capable off-roader.

If you’re interested in purchasing a Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, you can visit the duPont REGISTRY website to explore available listings and find your dream car.