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News

Volkswagen ID GTI undergoing tests, using Mk5 Golf GTI as a benchmark

“Our focus is on the GTI itself, not just a model. What makes the GTI an icon? What can we add to it? The ID 2 aligns perfectly with the GTI; it’s stable, likable, and has that secret ingredient. These are the three elements we identified in our design to regain our status as a beloved brand. We made it approachable and friendly, which holds significant power. It’s not excessively aggressive. With a Golf GTI, you never feel embarrassed. In some hot hatches, there are certain situations where you might feel embarrassed. This is about ‘unpimping’ my ride, not a boy racer car.”

What does ‘stable’ mean in terms of design?

“It refers to something that appears strong and not flat. The original Beetle had specific shapes to provide stability to the sheet metal. Stability can encompass various aspects, but essentially, it means not looking like it’s about to topple over. That’s why we have a robust C-post to make it exude strength and stability.”

Which models will be part of the GTI range in the ID era?

“We won’t saturate the market with the GTI; that could jeopardize its appeal. Some segments might be better suited for other options. We’ll start with the lower hot hatch segment.”

What about the R brand? And GTX?

“Compared to the R brand, the GTI is more practical and caters to the real world rather than the track. In the EV world, R will undoubtedly have a future. The R brand is more focused on record-breaking and cars meant for the Nurburgring. On the other hand, the GTX will cover specific segments and feature four-wheel drive capabilities. The ID GTI we’re working on is front-wheel drive, keeping it true to the GTI’s heritage.”

What price range are you targeting for the ID 2 GTI?

“We can’t disclose that information at the moment. However, for the ID 2, our aim is to offer it for €25,000. Nothing else in the market will provide the same value at this price point. Similar to how we convinced people with a more affordable car like the Mk1 GTI, our focus is on creating an approachable vehicle that resonates with the masses.”

Is it more enjoyable to work on small cars compared to big cars?

“I had a great time at Bentley! I thoroughly enjoyed the work we did there. The Batur project was simply amazing, and it was completed in a relatively short time. I truly cherished that experience. However, I also find immense satisfaction in the work we’re doing now. My time at Bentley taught me a lot about brands and their essence. Within a year, Bentley created the Queen’s car and won Le Mans. The strength of Bentley is truly remarkable. I came to VW with the hope of achieving something similar, blending emotions with practicality.”

Featured

New Isuzu S-Cab Z Offers More Features at a Lower Price


The S-Cab Z is currently only available as a commercial pickup, but many believe Isuzu should introduce it for private use as well

Isuzu S-Cab Z

Isuzu has recently launched the new D-Max S-Cab Z as the top variant of its commercial pickup lineup. Priced at Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom), it is priced Rs 2 lakh higher than the regular S-Cab but offers several additional features for a more premium experience.

The S-Cab Z serves as a bridge between the base variant of the Isuzu D-Max and the Hi-Lander, which can be used as a private vehicle. Despite its additional features, the S-Cab Z is still priced around Rs 4.50 lakh below the Hi-Lander.

Similarities And Differences Between S-Cab Z And Hi-Lander

Isuzu S-Cab Z

Despite its lower positioning, the S-Cab Z includes several feature advantages over the Hi-Lander. These include LED projector headlamps, LED DRLs, leather-wrapped power steering, a 7-inch touchscreen system, rear parking camera, and day/night IRVM. Both vehicles also share features such as dual front airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, adjustable driver’s seat, automatic AC, and multiple USB ports. The S-Cab comes with a 78PS 2.5-litre diesel engine with a 4X2 drivetrain and a 5-speed manual transmission, while the Hi-Lander is powered by a 163PS 1.9-litre diesel engine with a manual stick and rear-wheel-drive only.

Also Read: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Vs Toyota Hilux

Should Hi-Lander Get A More Feature-Rich Variant? 

Isuzu Hi-Lander

Many believe that a similar Z (or equally equipped) variant should also be introduced for the Hi-Lander. The Hi-Lander is considered the base variant of the D-Max pickup for private buyers and costs Rs 2.5 lakh less than the V-Cross 4X2 Z variant. To offer an enhanced experience, a new variant with additional features could be introduced for the Hi-Lander, which would still be more affordable than the entry-level option of the V-Cross.

When Can It Launch?

Isuzu S-Cab Z

While there is currently no information about Isuzu launching any updates for the D-Max for private buyers, a new variant for the Hi-Lander may not arrive until the second half of 2024. The Isuzu V-Cross, which is a more affordable alternative to the Toyota Hilux, is currently priced between Rs 22.07 lakh and Rs 27 lakh (ex-showroom).

Read More on : Isuzu V-Cross diesel

News

New Zongshen Yomi 125 Is A Scooter Cosplaying As A Chopper

When you have a strong desire for a chopper but can only afford a scooter, there are two options: either customize your scooter to look like a chopper or get yourself a Zongshen Yomi 125. The motorcycle you see in the image above is not a custom-built cruiser but rather a production motorcycle from Chinese manufacturer Zongshen.

Zongshen is a popular Chinese brand, and we have discussed some of their bikes in the past. While most of Zongshen’s bikes follow the standard two-wheeler design, the Yomi 125 stands out. Recently launched in China, the Yomi adopts the styling of a classic American chopper, albeit in a mini-bike caricature form. It features an elongated front end with a relaxed head angle and bodywork that imitates the custom look of American-made choppers.

New Zongshen Yomi 125 Is A Scooter Cosplaying As A Chopper

Underneath its exterior, the Yomi 125 is equipped with a small and beginner-friendly single-cylinder engine with a displacement of only 124 cubic centimeters. It delivers a modest power output of eight horsepower at 8,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and a torque of 5.4 pound-feet at 6,000 rpm. The top speed is claimed to be no more than 55 miles per hour. Interestingly, despite mimicking the appearance of a chopper, the Yomi 125 does not aim to replicate the riding experience of one. Instead of a belt-driven manual transmission, it features a scooter-derived continuously variable transmission (CVT) for convenience.

Nevertheless, the Zongshen Yomi 125 could be an attractive option for young individuals looking to experience the two-wheeled lifestyle. With a low seat height of just 65 centimeters, even the shortest riders can easily mount the bike. Furthermore, it weighs only 113 kilograms, making it extremely lightweight. In terms of pricing, the Yomi 125 is quite affordable at 9,800 Yuan (approximately $1,352 USD). However, there are currently no plans to sell the Yomi 125 outside of China, so it is unlikely to be seen on American roads anytime soon.

News

Autocar product test: What is the best interior trim cleaner?

Choosing a good cleaning product for the inside of your car is important, but it’s often overlooked. While the outside of the car gets regularly cleaned, dust, fingerprints, and odors can easily build up on the inside.

In this article, we will be looking at the best car interior trim cleaners available. Our testing criteria focused on products that are easy to use, cost-effective, and versatile. We didn’t prioritize the “mega-sparkle” effect, but instead looked for products that restore the natural finish.

BEST BUY: AutoGlym Interior Shampoo

Price: £8.15

What’s included: 500ml

Buy from: Amazon

AutoGlym’s Interior Shampoo is an excellent, versatile product that offers great value for money. It can be used to remove heavier dirt and stains or simply freshen up your interior. The application is easy – just spray it directly onto surfaces, massage it with a microfiber cloth, and wipe it off with a clean cloth. For tougher stains on seats, an interior brush can be used. This product is suitable for all car interior trims, including cloth and leather seats, dashboards, steering wheels, and seatbelts. It also leaves behind a pleasant smell.

Autocar says: 5 stars

RECOMMENDED: Dodo Juice Total Wipe Out

Price: £10.00

What’s included: 1000ml

Buy from: Amazon

Total Wipe Out by Dodo Juice is a great value for money product, offering a generous 1000ml quantity. It can be diluted further if desired. This versatile cleaner can be used on every surface, both inside and outside of the car. It effectively removes greasy marks without leaving behind any sticky residue or smears on glass. It leaves surfaces clean and matte, with a fresh fragrance that doesn’t overpower. It also restores that new car smell.

Autocar says: 5 stars

Others to consider

Gyeon Q²M InteriorDetailer (+ Q²M PolishWipe)

Price: £14.00

What’s included: 500ml

Buy from: Amazon

Gyeon’s InteriorDetailer is a great choice if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by fragrance after cleaning your car. It has a fresh and clean scent without being overpowering. This product leaves a streak-free, smudge-free matte finish. It is effective on various materials and finishes, and it easily removes fingerprints from piano black trims.

Motorsport

Alpine A110 R Autobahn Run Proves French Coupe Doesn’t Get Enough Attention

It’s safe to say that the Alpine A110 doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves. This small sports car boasts a lightweight design and a powerful turbocharged engine. With its origins rooted in the expertise of Renault’s engineers, this vehicle offers a winning combination. In its most extreme version, the A110 competes favorably with the Porsche 718 Cayman. Still skeptical? Just take a look at the video above.

The footage showcases an Alpine A110 R during a high-speed test conducted on the Autobahn. This particular variant represents the most potent and upgraded version of the sports coupe, which debuted in October of last year. While power is undoubtedly important, there’s an even more impressive figure – the car weighs just 2,385 pounds (1,082 kilograms). Achieving this weight was made possible through a deliberate implementation of carbon fiber, thereby reducing the car’s overall weight by approximately 75 pounds (34 kilograms).


News

Take The Thrill Of Racing Home With These Scented Candles From Motul

Are you a dedicated motorcyclist? Whether you are or not, if you love motorcycles, you can now bring that passion into your home with scented candles from Motul. These candles, created in collaboration with Flying Tiger Motorcycles, will make any room smell like your favorite racing engine oils. So if you want to fill your living room or bedroom with the aroma of a MotoGP or Supercross paddock, these candles are perfect for you.

Take The Thrill Of Racing Home With These Scented Candles From Motul
Take The Thrill Of Racing Home With These Scented Candles From Motul

Motul has collaborated with Flying Tiger Motorcycles to create two scented candles for road racing and off-road racing enthusiasts. The first one is the Motul 300V Scented Candle, which captures the fragrance of the company’s race-proven motor oil. This unique candle incorporates actual Motul 300V into its blend, providing an authentic experience. Its container is designed to resemble a canister of race-proven motor oil, adding to its appeal.

For off-road enthusiasts, there’s the Motul 800 2T Scented Candle. This candle combines a soy wax blend with Motul 800 2T motor oil, creating a delightful scent. Like the 300V Candle, it also comes in an oil canister container, making it a stylish decoration for your garage or living room.

If you want to add these scented candles to your collection, you can visit Motul’s official website. Each candle is priced at $40 USD, but as of now, both the Motul 300V and 800 2T Scented Candles are out of stock.


Take The Thrill Of Racing Home With These Scented Candles From Motul

5 Photos

Motorsport

1953 Volvo Military Truck Looks Indestructible, And It’s For Sale

A unique piece of Volvo history is currently for sale in Australia on Collecting Cars. It’s a 1953 Volvo TP21 “Sugga,” which could be considered a precursor to the modern SUV.

The TP21 Sugga, meaning “sow” in Swedish, was first introduced in 1953. It was equipped with a 3.67-liter flathead inline-six engine that produced 90 horsepower. The vehicle also featured a four-speed manual transmission, selectable four-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case, and locking front and rear differentials. Volvo primarily produced these trucks as personnel carriers and radio vehicles for military use.

According to a report from Hemmings, some of these TP21 Sugga trucks were still in service with the Swedish military until the 1990s.


Motorsport

Exploring the World’s Only 12-Rotor Engine

Is it real? Is it a myth? Does it actually work? Can it really produce 5,000 horsepower? These are some of the questions that have intrigued us ever since we first heard about the world’s only 12-rotor engine. Finally, we have most of the answers, and there’s a lot to learn about this unique creation, including all the potential issues that can arise in a rotor engine.

But let’s start with some background information. The only 12-rotor engine in existence was built by Tyson Garvin of Apex Manufacturing and Design more than 15 years ago. Rob Dahm, a popular YouTuber who frequently discusses Wankel engines, received this incredible 15.7-liter engine a few months ago and is now releasing a second video showcasing its immense power.

In its current form, this engine is said to be capable of reaching 10,000 rpm and generating up to 800 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. Although the exact power output is not known at the moment, reports suggest that it could potentially produce up to 1,400 horsepower with its current configuration. Even more power could be achieved with the use of race fuel and turbocharging.

But why would someone build such an extraordinary engine? According to Garvin, his main goal was to use it for speed boat racing, but there were some design flaws that limited its applications. The good news, however, is that the 12-rotor engine has the same dimensions and bolt pattern as Chevy’s big block engines, making it compatible for various engine swaps.

“A rotary engine has no known true failure,” explained Garvin. “The tip seals and other parts can wear out, but there’s nothing that will break just for the fun of it like a Big Block Chevy. You can only get so much power out of a Big Block Chevy for extended periods of wide-open throttle. So we measured a Big Block Chevy and figured out how many rotors we could fit in that space. Eventually, we came up with this design, which has the exact shape of a Big Block Chevy.”

However, it turns out that Garvin’s statement may not be entirely accurate, as revealed by Rob Dahm in his latest 20-minute video. Dahm discusses the various issues and challenges associated with the 12-rotor engine, despite its remarkable capabilities. There is still much to learn about this engine and its flaws.

First Drive

Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor RWD 2023 first drive

During the UK launch of the Polestar 2, the Polestar team mentioned that they don’t typically do facelifts. Instead, they focus on subtle model-year updates and keeping their cars fresh through over-the-air updates. For 2023, the visual changes are minimal, with the fake grille now serving as the SmartZone for the driver assistance systems. Additionally, new wheel designs have been introduced, with the 20-inch option receiving positive reviews.

For the 2023 model, the main changes aim to reduce the Polestar 2’s energy consumption. Similar to the Volvo XC40 and Volvo C40 Recharge, the Polestar 2 now features a more efficient inverter and motor, which are mounted at the rear and power the rear wheels instead of the front. This change also brings a significant increase in power, with the long-range, single-motor version upgraded from 228bhp to 295bhp and capable of rapid charging at 205kW.

Consequently, the Polestar 2 has achieved a more favorable WLTP energy consumption figure of 4.2mpkWh, surpassing Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 streamliner, despite its less aerodynamic shape. Additionally, with a larger battery capacity and improved efficiency, the official range has increased to 406 miles, outperforming the Hyundai, Tesla Model 3 Long Range, and BMW i4 eDrive40.

Returning versions of the Polestar 2 include the Standard Range, Long Range Dual Motor, and Performance Pack, all benefiting from enhanced efficiency and more power. It’s worth noting that the entry-level car now claims a range of 331 miles, potentially making it the most appealing option in the lineup.

Two main questions arise from these updates: can the revised Polestar 2 deliver on its range claims in real-world conditions, and does the rear-wheel drive configuration make it more enjoyable to drive?

In terms of the first question, it’s important to acknowledge that no EV can fully match its laboratory claims, including the Polestar 2. However, after driving the car on various road types in mild conditions, it achieved an indicated energy consumption of 3.4mpkWh, translating to a range of 267 miles. This performance is comparable to the Ioniq 6, demonstrating a commendable result.

NewsNew

Trystan Hart Secures 2023 U.S. Hard Enduro Championship with Silver Kings Victory

Trystan Hart: “The race went really well here in Idaho, not a lot of drama for me – I caught the guys early on and then Cody [Webb] and I battled for a bit before he had a huge high-side down the hill. The track got harder and harder closer to the finish and I was just coasting on the trails, which I don’t normally do, but I was conserving energy in case there were any more surprises. It was a good race, I was so nervous bringing it home!”

Trystan Hart from FMF KTM Factory Racing has successfully defended his AMA U.S. Hard Enduro Championship title by winning the Silver Kings Hard Enduro race. This year, Hart has maintained his winning form from last season and continued his perfect record in Round 6 at the Silver Mountain Ski Resort, also securing the AMA West Extreme Regional Championship.

Hart took the lead during the early stages of the Main Event, finishing with a total time of 2:52:36 and securing a winning margin of 40 seconds. This victory marks his third consecutive crown in the series.

Ryder LeBlond: “It was a gnarly day on the mountain here at the Silver Kings Hard Enduro. This was definitely a real hard enduro – probably one of the toughest ones I’ve done in the United States so far, it was just a long, brutal beat down. We had some good battles all day, which was fun, and at the end there I was able to break away from the group and grab P2 for the day, which is awesome.”

Ryder LeBlond from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing finished in second place, with Cody Webb from Sherco taking the final spot on the podium. Despite a detour that cost him significant time, Colton Haaker put on a solid performance and secured fourth place at the Silver Kings event.

Colton Haaker: “Super steep, super long, and I got some cramps. I had a great time, just had a small mishap at the first checkpoint where I went down the silver route for about 20 minutes and had to double-back to hit the gold run. I was in the lead, then that put me back to 15th, charged through the race, and pulled it in for a fourth-place finish. All in all, great day, and the bike was awesome.”

1.) Trystan Hart

2.) Ryder LeBlond

3.) Cody Webb

4.) Colton Haaker