Tag Archives: published

News

Some Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raids Recalled In EU Due To Turn Signal Issue

A safety recall has been issued for certain Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raids in the European Union (EU) due to a problem with the turn signals. The recall was published by the European Commission’s Safety Gate on August 10, 2023, and is a result of the improper fitment of a cable binder on the indicator grip switch’s wiring harness. This improper fitment can cause the turn indicators to not blink correctly when the switch is activated, which can confuse other road users and increase the risk of a crash.

The safety recall was initiated by Germany and has since been expanded to include other affected products in countries such as Croatia, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, and Sweden. However, it is important to note that this recall only applies to Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid motorcycles produced between April 1, 2022, and July 31, 2022. It does not apply to other Ténéré 700 models or World Raids produced outside of this date range. Additionally, the World Raid variant was only sold in certain countries.

Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid Cable Binder Recall in Europe - 2023

The recall filing on Safety Gate includes a detailed photograph of the cable binder in question. It appears to be a type of fancy cable tie that is commonly used on motorcycles. The cable binder is located on the handlebar, near the left-hand switchgear. While the fitment is described as “improper” in the filing, further specifics regarding the nature of the issue are not provided.

Owners of affected motorcycles are advised to contact their local Yamaha dealer for information on the recall service to address this issue. The official recall number for this safety recall is A12/01782/23. The European Commission states that the product does not comply with the regulation on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles.

Motorsport

Toyota Applies for Land Hopper Trademark in Japan

On August 8, 2023, Toyota submitted a trademark application for Land Hopper in Japan. The paperwork was published by the office on August 17. This registration falls under the class that covers automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. Other regions’ patent directories, reviewed by Motor1.com, did not show any other applications for Land Hopper.

The discovery of this filing was initially made by a member of the Toyota Land Cruiser Forum. Speculation among commenters in the forum suggests that Land Hopper might be intended for the small crossover vehicle teased in Toyota’s latest Land Cruiser presentation. In the background of the image, Land Hopper can be spotted on the left.


Motorsport

Lamborghini Teases Mysterious Huracan Sterrato That Could Be A One-Off

Lamborghini has released an intriguing teaser video on social media, giving us a glimpse of a mysterious Huracan Sterrato. Although the car is concealed, the badges and other details indicate which model it is.

The accompanying post hints at the fusion of automotive engineering and artistic brilliance, urging us to make it special and unique. Lamborghini has previously used its Unica app to tease the Sian before its official debut.

 

Based on the post, it is speculated that this could be a one-off vehicle. The teaser video reveals glimpses of the car, showcasing a marbled blue exterior and blue stitching on the logo. Towards the end, we get a brief view of the Huracan with the Sterrato’s off-road upgrades, including the roof-mounted air intake, nose-mounted auxiliary lights, and front fender extensions. One badge on the car reads, “Opera Unica for Porto Cervantes 2023.”

Lamborghini previously unveiled the high-riding Huracan in November. It featured a 1.7-inch suspension lift and an updated version of the Integrated Vehicle Dynamics system. The track width was also increased, with 1.2 inches in the front and 1.3 inches in the back. Additionally, the car was equipped with aluminum panels for added protection to essential components.


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.

Cars

This Innovative Car Cover Can Protect Electric Vehicle (EV) Batteries From Extreme Weather

A team of researchers has developed a remarkable car cover that can regulate temperatures all year round, protecting EV batteries from shifting weather conditions. This groundbreaking technology, described in a research paper published in the journal Cell, is a passive structure that can achieve all-season temperature regulation effectively.

The team prioritized design simplicity and scalability, ensuring that the cloak can be easily manufactured on a large scale without any technical or material sourcing difficulties. Additionally, this innovative cover is fire retardant and can withstand various environments, including thermal, cryogenic, vibration, and corrosive environments.

Known as a phononomic metafabric, the car cover has exhibited excellent fire retardant and thermal stability. To test its capabilities, the team subjected the cloak to a butane torch with a temperature of approximately 1,400 degrees Celsius. While the surface of the cover reached approximately 800 degrees Celsius, it quickly cooled down to 10 degrees Celsius.

Even in extremely cold conditions, with temperatures as low as -196 degrees Celsius, the cloak maintained its stability, solar reflectivity, and emissivity. Given its exceptional resistance, this technology can also be applied to regulate temperatures in buildings, spacecraft, and even future extraterrestrial habitats (as mentioned in this article).

Motorsport

Mercedes CLE Cabriolet Fully Revealed In Official Images

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled more images of the CLE Cabriolet, the convertible version of the newly introduced CLE Coupe. The convertible model will be available in the market after the hardtop variant. These images provide a detailed preview of the upcoming model but do not mark its complete debut.

While official information is limited, it has been confirmed that the CLE Cabriolet will feature a cloth foldable roof, similar to its predecessors. The CLE range, in both coupe and convertible forms, is introduced as a replacement for the C-Class Coupe/Cabriolet and E-Class Coupe/Cabriolet. This explains why the CLE is longer than the new C-Class Sedan and slightly longer than the outgoing two-door E-Class.


Motorsport

Jeep Wrangler Owner Discovers Reliability is Better than Expected After Four Years

In the recent Initial Quality Study conducted by J.D. Power, Jeep has been ranked in the middle regarding reliability of brand-new cars. However, there is a popular belief that the company’s latest models are not as reliable as one would hope for.

Due to this perception, the person featured in the video was hesitant to purchase a Jeep, fearing that it would frequently require repairs. However, their spouse had a different opinion, resulting in the acquisition of a vibrant orange 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL Unlimited.

This American off-roader, produced in October 2018, remained unsold at the dealership until September 2019. Humorously, it was believed that no one desired a Jeep that could be spotted from space by satellites. Ultimately, the vehicle ended up in the possession of the video presenter’s wife, who has not experienced any significant issues while driving it for over 40,000 miles. On average, she adds approximately 10,000 miles to the odometer every year.


News

MG 4 XPower: Powerful Electric Hot Hatch with 429bhp and 239-mile Range

Learn about the specifications of the MG 4 XPower hot hatch, which will be officially unveiled later this summer.

The XPower features a high-performance electric powertrain that delivers an impressive 429bhp and 443lb ft of torque, more than double the power of the MG 4 Long Range.

With this power, the XPower can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds, on par with top petrol-engined hot hatches such as the Mercedes-AMG A45 (3.9sec), and has a top speed of 124mph.

While the hot hatch uses the same 62kWh battery as the Long Range model, the range has been reduced from 281 miles to 239 miles due to the significant increase in performance.

Charging the XPower from 10% to 80% takes 35 minutes when using a 150kW charger.

Inside, the XPower is similar to the regular Trophy model, but with some changes including Alcantara bucket seats and metal pedals.

The XPower also comes equipped with a “dynamic driving management” system that provides data such as lap times and a g-force meter.

It is not yet known if the XPower will have any styling changes to reflect its sporty nature, such as a wide-arch body kit or rear spoiler. In China, where the car is called the Mulan Triumph edition, it features bright-green paint and a wider, lower stance.

MG Mulan Triumph Edition front

A major car dealer listing suggests that the XPower will come with 18-inch alloy wheels in a “cyclone” design and orange-painted brake calipers.

The starting price for the XPower is expected to be £36,495, excluding optional extras. Additional features include an exclusive British Racing Green paint finish priced at £800.

The XPower is anticipated to be showcased as the “sporting” model alongside the MG Cyberster electric roadster and the new EX4 concept car at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Little information is available about the EX4 at this time, but MG has described it as a “dramatic” prototype that has been designed and built in Britain.

ToyotaUk

Test Your Knowledge of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia

Never tow beyond a vehicle’s published towing capacities

The all-new 2023 Toyota Sequoia builds on its iconic history. A perfect blend of performance and efficiency, the Sequoia features a powerful i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain that aims to elevate the full-size SUV segment.  

Test (or improve) your knowledge of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia with this quiz: 

Thanks to its eye-catching new appearance, luxurious comfort, and impressive technology, the all-new 2023 Toyota Sequoia is the perfect combination of performance and efficiency.