Tag Archives: refresh

Motorsport

Porsche 911 GTS Facelift Spied Almost Completely Undisguised

Porsche is currently working on a refresh for the 911 family, and there is speculation that there will be some exciting changes for certain versions. In these spy shots, we can see a prototype of what appears to be the 911 GTS, identified by the wing at the back and the absence of center-locking wheels and side air intakes. This test vehicle is minimally camouflaged, allowing us to get a clear look at the design changes expected with the facelift.

Although this is not the first time we have seen lightly disguised 911 prototypes, the only camouflage here is the black tape on the headlights. The light units themselves will not receive a complete makeover, but the internal structure will be altered to include new amber turn signals, as seen in previous spy photos. The most noticeable design tweak at the front will be the switch to vertical slats for the grille and a slightly modified bumper shape. The center section of the grille also appears to be larger than before.


Motorsport

Glimpse The New Kia K5’s Dual-Screen Dash Before You’re Supposed To See It

The Kia K5 sedan, formerly the Optima, is getting a design refresh after launching in 2021. A new spy video captures the sedan cruising on US roads for the first time.

The cladding and wraps obscure many new design details, but the coverings can’t hide the redesigned headlights. Kia has repositioned the daytime running light above the headlight until. This change likely signifies the sedan will receive a major front-end makeover. The sedan has revamped taillight graphics, which should sit above a restyled bumper.

Signs suggest Kia will update the car’s interior, giving the model a curved, dual-screen display. A previous spy video captured the sedan’s cabin, but whoever drove it last covered up the dashboard before exiting. The new video also provides a peek, and it appears there are screens on the dashboard.

The Kia K5 uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine for the base offering. It makes 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The automaker also offers the sedan a more potent 290-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It churns out 311 lb-ft of twist, and Kia estimates the K5 can hit 60 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds. We don’t expect the company to make any powertrain changes as it struggles to sell the model.

Kia K5 sales continue to fall, tumbling 28 percent from 2021 to 2022 to 66,298. They are down through September of this year but by only seven percent. Kia has sold about 50,000 K5 sedans in 2023, nearly half of the number sold in 2021 – 92,326.

The model’s dwindling sales have fueled rumors that Kia will discontinue the model in the US alongside the Hyundai Sonata. The company will allegedly kill the model at the end of this generation, which won’t be until 2027 or 2028. If so, it’ll need a mid-cycle redesign to stay competitive.

While the sedan continues to wear a significant amount of camouflage and cladding, it is debuting later this year. Kia confirmed last month that the updated K5 and Carnival will debut before the end of 2023, and we’re a week away from the start of November.

Featured

Tata Safari Facelift Detailed In 13 Pics


The Tata Safari has undergone its first major refresh, giving it a sharper appearance inside and out, with an even more expansive features set

Tata Safari facelift

Tata’s flagship 3-row SUV, the Tata Safari, has just received its first major makeover. The carmaker has unveiled the updated SUV and while we await its prices, here’s how the Tata Safari facelift looks inside and out.

Front

The Safari’s front end has been redesigned, featuring a revised grille with chrome studs, vertically stacked LED projector headlights, a connected DRL strip, and a chunky skid plate. The ‘Safari’ moniker can be found between the headlight and fog lamp housings.

Side

Tata Safari facelift side

The side profile of the Safari facelift remains largely the same, with the addition of the ‘Safari’ moniker on the lower portions of the front doors and black roof rails.

Tata Safari facelift 19-inch alloy wheel

The facelifted Safari now comes with the option of 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, a first for this model.

Rear

Tata Safari facelift rear

The rear of the Safari facelift features an upright tailgate, a redone bumper with a new skid plate, and a connected wraparound LED taillight setup. The ‘Safari’ badging on the tailgate has also been updated.

Also See: Tata Safari Facelift Base Smart Variant Detailed In Images

Cabin And Features

The interior of the Safari facelift features a layered dashboard design, revised central AC vents, and a new 4-spoke steering wheel with a backlit Tata logo. The SUV also offers exterior-colour-coordinated interior themes depending on the chosen variant.

Tata Safari facelift touch-based climate control panel

Another new feature is the touch-based climate control panel, which now has voice-enabled dual-zone AC and gloss black finish.

The Safari facelift stands out with its dual display setup, consisting of a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment unit and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. It offers wireless smartphone connectivity, connected car tech, and a 10-speaker JBL sound system. Alexa connectivity and Harman AudioworX advanced with JBL audio modes are also included.

Tata Safari facelift middle row seats

The seating configuration remains unchanged, with both 6- and 7-seat options available. The 6-seater variants offer front ventilated seats and seat cooling in the second row.

Related: 2023 Tata Safari Facelift’s Variant-wise Features Revealed

Boot Space

Tata Safari facelift boot space

The Safari facelift offers a boot space of 420 litres with the third row folded down, which can be expanded to 827 litres by folding down the second row as well.

Powertrain

The powertrain remains unchanged, with a 2-litre diesel engine rated at 170PS and 350Nm, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The Safari facelift is even more fuel efficient than before.

Expected Price And Rivals

The Tata Safari facelift is expected to be launched in the coming weeks, with prices starting from around Rs 16 lakh (ex-showroom). Its main competitors will be the MG Hector Plus, Hyundai Alcazar, and Mahindra XUV700.

Motorsport

Experience the BMW M4 CS Refresh Testing at the Nurburgring

The BMW M4 is undergoing a refresh, known as a Life Cycle Impulse, and one of the variants is the CS. This video captures the CS version being tested at the Nürburgring and on the nearby roads.

The video begins with the M4 CS entering the circuit, allowing us to hear its acceleration. The engine note is slightly raspy yet also carries a deep bass tone. The driver pushes the car to its limits on the track, resulting in squealing tires.


News

Skoda Kamiq Gets a Tougher Look and Starts at £24,030

The Skoda Kamiq crossover has been given a mid-life refresh and the Czech automaker has announced that it will be priced from £24,030 in the UK.

The updated Skoda Kamiq will be available for order starting from 3 October. It will be released alongside the refreshed Skoda Scala hatchback, but with a more rugged appearance, improved safety features, and new optional extras.

Similar to the Scala hatchback, the Skoda Kamiq will come in three trim levels: SE, SE L, and Monte Carlo.

In the basic SE specification, the Kamiq will come equipped with 17-inch wheels and an 8.25-inch infotainment display. It will also have an 8.0-inch instrument display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors, LED headlights, and dual-zone climate control.

Stepping up to the SE L trim brings interior upgrades including ambient lighting, a larger 9.2-inch infotainment system, and a 10.25-inch digital cockpit. As for exterior changes, SE L models will have 18-inch wheels, chrome exterior styling, and privacy glass. Prices for the Kamiq in SE L specification start from £27,175.

The range-topping Monte Carlo trim starts from £29,275. It includes additional exterior design changes such as 18-inch black alloy wheels and a black theme for the door mirrors, front grille, and badging.

Monte Carlo models also come with a panoramic sunroof, a reversing camera, dynamic indicators, more powerful LED matrix headlights, and sports chassis control.

The Kamiq shares the same engine options as the Scala. It starts with a 1.0-liter TSI petrol engine producing 95bhp, paired with a five-speed manual transmission. A mid-range 1.0-liter TSI offers 115bhp and is available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG).

There is also a 150bhp 1.5-liter four-cylinder TSI engine paired with a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG.

The Kamiq was first launched in 2019, based on the same platform as the Seat Arona and Volkswagen T-Cross. In its mid-life update, it receives a larger front grille with new front and rear aprons, larger air intakes, and a “three-dimensional mesh” to highlight its width.

The rear lights now incorporate larger air curtains, and there is a silver rear diffuser for enhanced underbody protection.

The Kamiq’s headlights have been redesigned to be slimmer and fully illuminated by LEDs as standard, and for the first time, the Skoda name is spelled out on the rear of the car.

Inside the cabin, the Kamiq features more sustainable materials, with the roof lining and much of the door trim made of natural plant fibers. The wheel-arch linings and windscreen water reservoir are made of recycled plastics, and the upholstery, flooring, and floor mats are made from recycled fabric.

Motorsport

Refreshed 2024 Hyundai Elantra Debuts With Updated Nose, Tech Upgrades

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra has undergone a comprehensive refresh, featuring upgrades to both its design and technology. The vehicle is scheduled to go on sale this coming fall, although pricing details have not yet been released.

On the exterior, the Hyundai Elantra showcases a newly designed front end that the company refers to as “shark-nose” styling. Compared to the previous model, the updated sedan boasts a sharper front fascia, giving it a sleek and more aggressive appearance. The LED running lights have also been refined, featuring a slimmer design. Additionally, the front fenders now exhibit more defined lines. At the rear of the vehicle, there is a newly added U-shaped silver element surrounding the diffuser.


Motorsport

Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrio Facelift Spotted Speeding at Nurburgring

The Porsche 911 Turbo convertible is set to receive a refresh, and a recent spy video shows the car being tested at the Nürburgring race track. The driver showcases impressive speed while maneuvering the vehicle.

In comparison to previous spy shots, the front end of the car appears to be missing certain components. Earlier iterations of the vehicle featured vertical active slats in the outer inlets of the nose, as well as a pair of sensors in the center. These elements were also present in other 911 development vehicle variants.

The back of the car is particularly unique, with a trapezoidal exhaust outlet featuring two holes on the driver’s side, and an oval opening on the passenger side. The rear also boasts a wing on the deck, with a spoiler positioned just below it. The rest of the bumper is covered up to conceal any changes.

Although the interior of the 911 Turbo is not visible in the video, previous spy shots reveal the cabin of other upgraded 911s. These images show a fully digital instrument cluster and potential changes to the infotainment layout.

The details regarding the powertrain revisions for the refreshed 911 range remain a mystery. However, based on updates made to the previous-generation model, it is likely that the engines will receive a boost in power.

Additionally, spy shots have revealed that Porsche is working on a new GT2 RS. This vehicle features a wider body and large inlets in the hood, with a rear wing as tall as the roof. Rumors suggest that the output of this model could exceed 700 horsepower, surpassing the 690 hp produced by the twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat-six engine in the previous-generation GT2.

Motorsport

2024 Skoda Octavia Facelift: Sneak Peek at Interior and Exterior Changes

The Skoda Octavia is about to receive a refreshing update, and these spy photos give us a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come. Notably, we get our first look at the new model’s interior.

The upcoming Octavia still maintains its recognizable appearance, as seen in previous spy shots. The front grille presents vertical uprights with a dip in the middle of its upper border. Moreover, the headlights adopt a rectangular shape, while the lower fascia combines horizontal fins with vertical inlets on the outer edges.


Motorsport

2023 Ford Explorer Wood Model Showcases Detailed Interior and Working Suspension

Ford is preparing to launch an updated version of its popular Explorer SUV. The mid-cycle refresh is expected to debut for the 2024 model year. However, before the new design is revealed, you can feast your eyes on a captivating video from the Woodworking Art YouTube channel. The video showcases a remarkable wooden carving of the 2023 Explorer Limited.

This YouTube channel has previously amazed viewers with its wooden creations, including a 1967 Ford Mustang and a 2023 GMC Sierra, all meticulously crafted by talented carpenters from Vietnam. The attention to detail is nothing short of exceptional. The same level of craftsmanship is evident in their rendition of the 2023 Explorer, complete with a fully furnished interior featuring three rows of seats capable of accommodating up to seven passengers.


Motorsport

BMW M3 Refresh Spotted with New Headlights and Familiar Design

The highly-anticipated refresh of the BMW M3 is on its way, as seen in the latest batch of spy shots. The high-performance sedan is undergoing some design changes, with the G80 M3 set to receive its update. BMW unveiled the current model alongside the M4 in September 2020.

Based on the camouflage, it appears that BMW will focus primarily on the front of the car for the upcoming changes. However, it seems that the company will not be making significant alterations. While the front bumper remains hidden, it appears to be unchanged. Nevertheless, the new graphics of the headlights are visible. Additionally, there may be some hidden tweaks to the fascia and grille behind the camo.