“I had to do something because Jonny (Walker) was just kind of running away with it,” said Hart. It was a big relief after winning the first moto. We got a new suspension setting for this week, and I almost instantly knew that this weekend was going to be good.” Photo Jack Jaxson
FMF/KTM’s Trystan Hart won the Idaho EnduroCross double header, taking the overall wins on both days in front of a sellout crowd at Hero’s Arena in Idaho Falls. Despite the wins, defending champ Jonny Walker still leads the overall championship standings.
Hart finished 1-2-1 and 1-2-2 over the two days, allowing him to close the gap in the championship standings. Hart and FactoryONE Sherco’s Cody Webb are now tied for second place with 92 points each.
FRIDAY
On Friday, Hart dominated with a 1-2-1 moto score. He mentioned that good starts were crucial and he managed to hold a good gap throughout the races.
Walker experienced some difficulties, as he finished second and fourth on the two days.
Walker went down in the third moto, but still came away with second overall for the night with a 2-4-3 score.
Webb had a successful night, finishing third overall with a 5-3-2 score.
Both Trystan Hart and Cody Webb had a great weekend in Idaho, and now fully in the hunt for the championship. Photo Jack JaxsonDespite several falls, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Colton Haaker was fourth on Friday night after going 4-1-5, although his win in the second moto was flag-to-flag.
On Saturday, Hart continued his winning streak with a 1-2-2 score, securing his overall win. Haaker and Webb also had impressive performances, with Haaker winning the second moto and Webb dominating the third moto.
Colton Haaker is trending way up after the Idaho Double header. He’s having a bit of bad luck, but a moto win is good for the headspace. Photo Jack Jaxson
Webb expressed satisfaction with his consistent performance and mentioned that he is back in the hunt for the championship.
Although Walker still holds the point lead, he struggled with the track and finished fourth overall on both days.
Cody Webb: “It was a good weekend, I feel like I didn’t quite have that aggressiveness tonight, but I had the consistency, and I put myself in the right place at the right time, and now I’m back in the hunt.”
In the EX Women’s Pro division, Rachel Gutish won all four motos and showcased her technical skills.
In the overall standings, Walker remains in first place with 103 points, followed by Hart and Webb tied for second with 92 points each.
A user on the Windows 11 subreddit, meanwhile, asked their fellow posters to keep a running list of Copilot’s useful features so far. The top comment listed off a bunch of attempted prompts, with only three having been successful: Opening apps, toggling light and dark modes, and starting a focus session. Everything else, such as closing apps, searching within documents or emails, installing apps, and personalizing desktop or taskbar settings, was off-limits. The top reply to that comment clarified that Copilot could only open apps, not any other files, even files generated by Copilot.
Another commenter on the same post believed that he had gotten Copilot to “output all of its internal functions.” He gave the caveat that there could be more, but all of the ones he listed worked. That list included searching the web, creating AI-generated art, adjusting audio volume, launching apps, screencasting, launching a troubleshooter, opening the device manager, muting the audio device, turning on Bluetooth, changing the desktop color theme, turning on “do not disturb” mode, setting volume and focus sessions, changing desktop wallpaper, and snapping windows.
All told, that’s not a lot. It seems like it will be a while before Copilot does everything in Windows that users are expecting of it.
General Motors has reached a tentative agreement with Unifor to continue Chevrolet Silverado production in Canada. Earlier this week, the union went on strike for a brief period at three GM facilities, including the Oshawa Assembly plant responsible for manufacturing the popular and profitable pickup truck.
Unifor had authorized the strike after GM refused to “meet the pattern agreement,” as stated by Lana Payne, the union’s national president. This strike followed an agreement between Unifor and Ford of Canada, which offered wage increases of up to 25 percent in the country. Now, GM is also following suit.
Honda has recently developed a powerful V8 engine, with a capacity of 5.0-liters. This naturally aspirated engine, equipped with VEC technology, can generate an impressive 350 horsepower. However, if you were hoping to drop this engine into your Honda Civic, you’ll be disappointed to learn that it is exclusively designed for marine applications. The engine made its debut at the Genoa International Boat Show in Italy.
The BF350 is Honda’s first V8 outboard motor and represents the pinnacle of their marine engine lineup. When purchasing the engine, buyers can choose between an Aquamarine Silver or Grand Prix White exterior case. Additionally, there are chrome-plated logos to enhance the aesthetics of the motor.
If you have an iPhone Xs, iPhone Xr, or a later model running on at least iOS 16, you can make use of a hidden feature called Live Text to perform various tasks while traveling. One of these tasks is the ability to translate foreign languages and convert foreign currencies. To use this feature, first check if Live Text is enabled on your iPhone:
Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap on Camera.
Make sure the toggle next to Show Detected Text is turned on.
Once Live Text is turned on, follow these steps:
Open the Camera app.
Aim the camera at the price you want to convert, such as a sign in a restaurant, a menu, or a price tag on an item you want to buy.
Zoom in and ensure that the price is within the yellow frame on the screen and appears clear and in focus.
Tap on the Live Text icon located in the bottom-right corner of the viewfinder.
Jam Kotenko/SlashGear
If done correctly, the steps above will capture the text and offer various options for using the selection, such as Copy, Select All, Look Up, or Translate. If the captured text is a foreign currency amount, you will also see an additional option for currency conversion in the lower-left corner of the camera’s viewfinder. By tapping on it, you can see the converted amount in the currency applicable to the region you selected during the initial setup of your iPhone. If Live Text captures multiple price tags, you can choose which one you want to convert by selecting “More.”
The 20th edition of Red Bull Romaniacs, held from July 25 to 29, 2023, is considered one of the toughest hard enduro events in the world. Completing the race is already a significant achievement, let alone winning it.
In the 2023 edition of Romaniacs, KTM riders dominated the podium. Manuel Lettenbichler claimed first place, followed by Trystan Hart. Although Husqvarna’s Billy Bolt initially held onto third place, KTM rider Teodor Kabakchiev surpassed him and took the spot.
One interesting aspect of the event is Billy Bolt’s motovlog, where he provides insights into the experiences of the riders. This motovlog gives viewers a glimpse into the highs and lows of participating in a week-long event like Romaniacs.
5Photos
It is worth noting that Billy Bolt participated in Romaniacs 2023 while still recovering from a shoulder injury. Due to this injury, he couldn’t train as much as he wanted to before the event. In his motovlog, you can even spot the shoulder tape. Despite feeling some weakness, he managed to endure the race without any pain and believes he is now ready to resume full physical training for the next round in Canada.
Although Bolt didn’t make it to the podium at Romaniacs 2023, he considered the race a learning experience. He expressed his intention to be better prepared for the event next year based on what he learned.
Finishing fourth in the race allowed him to maintain his third place in the overall 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship standings. Manuel Lettenbichler currently holds the top position, followed closely by Trystan Hart. Teodor Kabakchiev is trailing behind Bolt by six points, and Michael Walkner from GasGas occupies fifth place overall.
Automakers are facing a challenge when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs). How can a car convey its actions to the driver without the sound and sensation of a traditional gasoline engine and gearbox? This problem becomes even more prominent for high-performance EVs that are meant for the race track. BMW M, as it develops its first electric model, is well aware of this issue and is exploring software-based solutions to address it.
Boss of BMW, Frank van Meel, recently mentioned to WhichCar.com that they are considering simulated gears, acoustic cues, and vibration feedback as methods for the M’s EV to communicate with the driver. Van Meel explains that drivers don’t have the luxury of looking at the speedometer when they are on the track. In a gasoline-powered car, the engine’s sound and sensation, the position of the gear shifter, and the rev indicator provide valuable information to the driver about the car’s behavior at its limits without the need to divert attention to the instrument cluster.
Most of the big automakers have faced the prospect of complete collapse. Fortune has favored some of them, with salvation coming from one or more of the manufacturer’s car models. Unbeknownst to many, some of the world’s top car companies were saved by their SUV offerings. Here are 10 SUVs that saved some of the biggest automakers.
In the late 90s, it looked like Nissan wouldn’t survive beyond the turn of the millennium. The company’s fortunes changed when Renault invested $5.4 billion in Nissan, acquiring a 37 percent stake. Given free rein at Nissan to turn the company around, Carlos Ghosn slashed costs, shutting down inefficient factories in Japan, laying off personnel, and restructuring deals with suppliers. The aggressive plan worked, with Nissan regaining profitability fairly rapidly.
To reclaim its 70s glory days, Nissan needed a car to outsell its rivals. An attempt at new generation Almera failed, as Nissan’s hierarchy realized it wouldn’t be as profitable as required nor satisfy customer demands.
Therefore, Nissan debuted an audacious concept, the Qashqai, a blend between a hatchback and a SUV. Despite being affordable, compact, and designed for family use, the Qashqai represented a huge risk for Nissan. However, the Qashqai defied bleak predictions by the media. Primarily manufactured in Sunderland, U.K., the Qashqai became a global sensation: by 2017, Nissan had sold 3.3 million units. The vehicle’s stunning success helped Nissan reestablish itself as one of the world’s leading automakers.
9Ford Escape
Ford
An action shot of a 2003 Ford Escape
Unlike its competitors, GM and Chrysler, Ford didn’t need government money to survive the 2008 recession. It borrowed money, sold brands like Land Rover, Aston Martin, and Volvo, and improved its most profitable vehicles, making them more fuel efficient without compromising their capabilities. Despite Ford forgoing investments in crossovers, the Ford Escape unexpectedly proved essential in Ford’s ascent to profitability.
In 2011, the Ford Escape, which had received minimal upgrades since its debut in 2001, was the top-selling SUV in America, with Ford moving over 200,000 units. It ranked second behind the F-series on the list of top-selling Fords. A year later, Ford released the third-generation Escape, which proved even more popular than the second-gen: sales peaked at over 308,000 in 2017. Ford Escape sales have dropped steadily since that high. Nevertheless, the Escape will forever be remembered as an unlikely hero for Ford during one of the company’s lowest ebbs.
8Jeep Cherokee XJ
Art Konovalov / Shutterstock
Front three-quarters shot of a blue Jeep Cherokee XJ
In the late 1960s, Jeep was struggling under the stewardship of Kaiser Motors. Its flagship car, the Wagoneer SJ, was either underpowered when purchased with a 4.2-liter engine or too thirsty when sold with a 5.9-liter or 6.6-liter V-8. American Motors Corporation (AMC) bought Jeep in 1970 and, with investment from Renault, set about designing a replacement for the SJ.
Dick Teague and Francois Castaing built the Cherokee XJ, whose impact reverberated across the automotive industry. It was a light, powerful, fuel-efficient, and family-friendly SUV that felt at home off-road and on paved roads. The Cherokee XJ was an overwhelming success, winning favor with automotive media outlets and the American public. The XJ re-established Jeep as a brand worth owning. Chrysler’s then-chairman, Lee Iacocca, bid for and acquired AMC, particularly due to the monumental success of the Cherokee XJ.
A front 3/4 action shot of a 2022 Aston Martin DBX
Aston Martin has faced extinction numerous times but has always found a way to survive, like a cat with its proverbial nine lives. The company started selling the DBX around the time a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll acquired the company. Stroll’s strategy to make Aston Martin profitable involved charging higher for vehicles and cutting the brand’s debt.
Aston Martin DBX sales would also prove crucial in the company’s revival. The manufacturer’s first SUV is its most popular vehicle. The vehicle accounted for half of Aston Martin’s sales in 2022, a year that saw Aston Martin’s sales rise 26 percent to 1.4 billion. Aston Martin has yet to regain profitability, but the company is optimistic that the plan will pay off. The DBX has played and will keep playing a crucial part in Aston Martin’s resurgence.
6Bentley Bentayga
Benley
A front 3/4 shot of a Bentley Bentayga
Bentley, a Volkswagen subsidiary, was necessarily in need of ‘saving’ when it launched the Bentayga – it had recovered well from the late 2000s slump. Nevertheless, it needed to sell more vehicles. Therefore, it introduced the Bentley Bentayga, a luxury SUV that would help Bentley break its sales records. The Bentayga would also expose Bentley to a younger demographic.
Within a year, the Bentayga established itself as Bentley’s main draw, significantly outselling the manufacturer’s other offerings. Bentayga sales shielded Bentley from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which caused a 15 percent drop in new car sales in 2020. That year, Bentley delivered over 11,206 vehicles, a two percent increase from 2019, with the Bentayga forming the bulk of those deliveries. In 2022, the Bentayga accounted for 42 percent of Bentley’s sales, helping the manufacturer sell over 15,000 cars in a year for the first time since its founding in 1919.
5Proton X70
Automachi via Wikimedia Commons””>
Automachi via Wikimedia Commons
Front 3/4 shot of a Proton X70 parked
Proton, a Malaysian car company, was barely alive in 2017 when it sold a 49.9 percent stake to Geely. The government had given up trying to save the company. Despite protests from Malaysian nationals that a national brand had been sold to a foreign company, efforts to revive the once-storied brand began. CEO Li Chunrong introduced several cost-cutting measures, and the company began developing the Proton X70 SUV.
The X70 SUV rejuvenated Proton. Cheap yet spacious and technologically up-to-date, the Proton X70 was a big hit. Since 2019, the Proton X70 has occupied the top spot as Malaysia’s best-selling C-segment SUV. X70 sales increased by 13.1 percent from 2021 to 2022. The X70’s high sales inspired the development of other successful Proton SUVs – the X50 and the X90. The X50 was Malaysia’s best-selling SUV in 2022.
Oshndoc via Wikimedia commons””>
Oshndoc via Wikimedia commons
Front 3/4 shot of a 2010 Jeep Wrangler JK Islander parked outdoors
When Chrysler acquired Jeep in the late 1980s, it was strapped for cash and looked to profit from the Cherokee XJ’s impressive sales. In 2008, Chrysler, one of the three biggest automakers in the U.S., faced complete collapse. Despite getting help from the government, Chrysler needed huge sales to claw its way out of trouble. In stepped the Jeep Wrangler JK.
The most successful Jeep Wrangler generation debuted in 2006 with the 2007 model. It outsold the previous-gen 2006 model by nearly 50 percent. It maintained its popularity with the American public until the last one rolled off the production line in 2018 – Jeep sold around 180,000 Wrangler JK’s annually. The Wrangler proved pivotal in Chrysler’s renaissance.
3Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover
A front 3/4 shot of a Land Rover Discovery Series I
The most famous Land Rover is arguably the Defender. However, Land Rover owes its success as much to the Defender as the Discovery. The Discovery was the first model that Land Rover developed for the wider public. It was based on the Range Rover, with both vehicles using the same chassis, 4WD system, and suspension.
In many ways, the Discovery was a precursor to the modern crossover. It was advertised as a family car capable of occasional off-roading. It had the off-road capabilities of a Range Rover but was cheaper and more spacious than the upmarket Range. The Discovery was a hit, offering Land Rover the finances to keep building vehicles.
2Volvo XC90
Volvo
Front/side profie of a Volvo XC90
Volvo was under Ford ownership when the XC90 debuted in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until eight years later that the XC90 proved crucial to the automaker’s success. Following the 2008 financial crisis, Ford sold Volvo to Geely, which, unlike Ford, allowed Volvo technicians to develop the XC90 from scratch. Volvo worked on the second-generation XC90 for five years.
The Swedish manufacturer released the XC90 in 2015. The resources poured into the vehicle’s development paid off – the motoring world praised its design, powertrain, cost, and safety features. Customers responded by buying the vehicle in droves. The XC90 highlighted Volvo’s pedigree as a carmaker and guaranteed its survival in the car world.
A shot of an old Cayenne with the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
In the early 1990s, Porsche recorded heavy losses. Looking to capitalize on the rising demand for small sports cars, the German manufacturer introduced the Boxster. The Boxster steadied the ship, offering time for Porsche’s higher-ups to dream up the idea of the Cayenne, a sports SUV. The idea was novel and absolutely brilliant.
The groundbreaking Cayenne was an instant hit. Porsche had expected to sell 25,000 examples annually; the first-generation Cayenne’s annual average sales were just under 35,000. The Cayenne was a masterstroke from Porsche that helped it regain its footing in the car industry. While some claim that the Boxster was the car that kept Porsche afloat, there’s no disputing the Cayenne’s pivotal role in Porsche’s revival.
Most of the big automakers have faced the prospect of complete collapse. Fortune has favored some of them, with salvation coming from one or more of the manufacturer’s car models. Unbeknownst to many, some of the world’s top car companies were saved by their SUV offerings. Here are 10 SUVs that saved some of the biggest automakers.
In the late 90s, it looked like Nissan wouldn’t survive beyond the turn of the millennium. The company’s fortunes changed when Renault invested $5.4 billion in Nissan, acquiring a 37 percent stake. Given free rein at Nissan to turn the company around, Carlos Ghosn slashed costs, shutting down inefficient factories in Japan, laying off personnel, and restructuring deals with suppliers. The aggressive plan worked, with Nissan regaining profitability fairly rapidly.
To reclaim its 70s glory days, Nissan needed a car to outsell its rivals. An attempt at new generation Almera failed, as Nissan’s hierarchy realized it wouldn’t be as profitable as required nor satisfy customer demands.
Therefore, Nissan debuted an audacious concept, the Qashqai, a blend between a hatchback and a SUV. Despite being affordable, compact, and designed for family use, the Qashqai represented a huge risk for Nissan. However, the Qashqai defied bleak predictions by the media. Primarily manufactured in Sunderland, U.K., the Qashqai became a global sensation: by 2017, Nissan had sold 3.3 million units. The vehicle’s stunning success helped Nissan reestablish itself as one of the world’s leading automakers.
9Ford Escape
Ford
An action shot of a 2003 Ford Escape
Unlike its competitors, GM and Chrysler, Ford didn’t need government money to survive the 2008 recession. It borrowed money, sold brands like Land Rover, Aston Martin, and Volvo, and improved its most profitable vehicles, making them more fuel efficient without compromising their capabilities. Despite Ford forgoing investments in crossovers, the Ford Escape unexpectedly proved essential in Ford’s ascent to profitability.
In 2011, the Ford Escape, which had received minimal upgrades since its debut in 2001, was the top-selling SUV in America, with Ford moving over 200,000 units. It ranked second behind the F-series on the list of top-selling Fords. A year later, Ford released the third-generation Escape, which proved even more popular than the second-gen: sales peaked at over 308,000 in 2017. Ford Escape sales have dropped steadily since that high. Nevertheless, the Escape will forever be remembered as an unlikely hero for Ford during one of the company’s lowest ebbs.
8Jeep Cherokee XJ
Art Konovalov / Shutterstock
Front three-quarters shot of a blue Jeep Cherokee XJ
In the late 1960s, Jeep was struggling under the stewardship of Kaiser Motors. Its flagship car, the Wagoneer SJ, was either underpowered when purchased with a 4.2-liter engine or too thirsty when sold with a 5.9-liter or 6.6-liter V-8. American Motors Corporation (AMC) bought Jeep in 1970 and, with investment from Renault, set about designing a replacement for the SJ.
Dick Teague and Francois Castaing built the Cherokee XJ, whose impact reverberated across the automotive industry. It was a light, powerful, fuel-efficient, and family-friendly SUV that felt at home off-road and on paved roads. The Cherokee XJ was an overwhelming success, winning favor with automotive media outlets and the American public. The XJ re-established Jeep as a brand worth owning. Chrysler’s then-chairman, Lee Iacocca, bid for and acquired AMC, particularly due to the monumental success of the Cherokee XJ.
A front 3/4 action shot of a 2022 Aston Martin DBX
Aston Martin has faced extinction numerous times but has always found a way to survive, like a cat with its proverbial nine lives. The company started selling the DBX around the time a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll acquired the company. Stroll’s strategy to make Aston Martin profitable involved charging higher for vehicles and cutting the brand’s debt.
Aston Martin DBX sales would also prove crucial in the company’s revival. The manufacturer’s first SUV is its most popular vehicle. The vehicle accounted for half of Aston Martin’s sales in 2022, a year that saw Aston Martin’s sales rise 26 percent to 1.4 billion. Aston Martin has yet to regain profitability, but the company is optimistic that the plan will pay off. The DBX has played and will keep playing a crucial part in Aston Martin’s resurgence.
6Bentley Bentayga
Benley
A front 3/4 shot of a Bentley Bentayga
Bentley, a Volkswagen subsidiary, was necessarily in need of ‘saving’ when it launched the Bentayga – it had recovered well from the late 2000s slump. Nevertheless, it needed to sell more vehicles. Therefore, it introduced the Bentley Bentayga, a luxury SUV that would help Bentley break its sales records. The Bentayga would also expose Bentley to a younger demographic.
Within a year, the Bentayga established itself as Bentley’s main draw, significantly outselling the manufacturer’s other offerings. Bentayga sales shielded Bentley from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which caused a 15 percent drop in new car sales in 2020. That year, Bentley delivered over 11,206 vehicles, a two percent increase from 2019, with the Bentayga forming the bulk of those deliveries. In 2022, the Bentayga accounted for 42 percent of Bentley’s sales, helping the manufacturer sell over 15,000 cars in a year for the first time since its founding in 1919.
5Proton X70
Automachi via Wikimedia Commons””>
Automachi via Wikimedia Commons
Front 3/4 shot of a Proton X70 parked
Proton, a Malaysian car company, was barely alive in 2017 when it sold a 49.9 percent stake to Geely. The government had given up trying to save the company. Despite protests from Malaysian nationals that a national brand had been sold to a foreign company, efforts to revive the once-storied brand began. CEO Li Chunrong introduced several cost-cutting measures, and the company began developing the Proton X70 SUV.
The X70 SUV rejuvenated Proton. Cheap yet spacious and technologically up-to-date, the Proton X70 was a big hit. Since 2019, the Proton X70 has occupied the top spot as Malaysia’s best-selling C-segment SUV. X70 sales increased by 13.1 percent from 2021 to 2022. The X70’s high sales inspired the development of other successful Proton SUVs – the X50 and the X90. The X50 was Malaysia’s best-selling SUV in 2022.
Oshndoc via Wikimedia commons””>
Oshndoc via Wikimedia commons
Front 3/4 shot of a 2010 Jeep Wrangler JK Islander parked outdoors
When Chrysler acquired Jeep in the late 1980s, it was strapped for cash and looked to profit from the Cherokee XJ’s impressive sales. In 2008, Chrysler, one of the three biggest automakers in the U.S., faced complete collapse. Despite getting help from the government, Chrysler needed huge sales to claw its way out of trouble. In stepped the Jeep Wrangler JK.
The most successful Jeep Wrangler generation debuted in 2006 with the 2007 model. It outsold the previous-gen 2006 model by nearly 50 percent. It maintained its popularity with the American public until the last one rolled off the production line in 2018 – Jeep sold around 180,000 Wrangler JK’s annually. The Wrangler proved pivotal in Chrysler’s renaissance.
3Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover
A front 3/4 shot of a Land Rover Discovery Series I
The most famous Land Rover is arguably the Defender. However, Land Rover owes its success as much to the Defender as the Discovery. The Discovery was the first model that Land Rover developed for the wider public. It was based on the Range Rover, with both vehicles using the same chassis, 4WD system, and suspension.
In many ways, the Discovery was a precursor to the modern crossover. It was advertised as a family car capable of occasional off-roading. It had the off-road capabilities of a Range Rover but was cheaper and more spacious than the upmarket Range. The Discovery was a hit, offering Land Rover the finances to keep building vehicles.
2Volvo XC90
Volvo
Front/side profie of a Volvo XC90
Volvo was under Ford ownership when the XC90 debuted in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until eight years later that the XC90 proved crucial to the automaker’s success. Following the 2008 financial crisis, Ford sold Volvo to Geely, which, unlike Ford, allowed Volvo technicians to develop the XC90 from scratch. Volvo worked on the second-generation XC90 for five years.
The Swedish manufacturer released the XC90 in 2015. The resources poured into the vehicle’s development paid off – the motoring world praised its design, powertrain, cost, and safety features. Customers responded by buying the vehicle in droves. The XC90 highlighted Volvo’s pedigree as a carmaker and guaranteed its survival in the car world.
A shot of an old Cayenne with the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
In the early 1990s, Porsche recorded heavy losses. Looking to capitalize on the rising demand for small sports cars, the German manufacturer introduced the Boxster. The Boxster steadied the ship, offering time for Porsche’s higher-ups to dream up the idea of the Cayenne, a sports SUV. The idea was novel and absolutely brilliant.
The groundbreaking Cayenne was an instant hit. Porsche had expected to sell 25,000 examples annually; the first-generation Cayenne’s annual average sales were just under 35,000. The Cayenne was a masterstroke from Porsche that helped it regain its footing in the car industry. While some claim that the Boxster was the car that kept Porsche afloat, there’s no disputing the Cayenne’s pivotal role in Porsche’s revival.
The 30th edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed showcased an impressive mix of road and competition cars, featured exciting new reveals, and dealt with the unpredictable British weather.
Keep reading for a detailed report of the show and a comprehensive roundup of all the new vehicles that made an appearance.
Report on the Goodwood Festival of Speed
It’s safe to say that there are no boring cars anymore.
Every new car, regardless of how ordinary, extravagant, uniquely styled, expensive, loud, heavy, or unconventional it may be, is of great interest to someone. While some cars capture the attention of a larger audience, the 30th running of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, affected by the weather, proved that all cars deserve to be celebrated, or at the very least, discussed.
When the shiny new “First Glance” cars hit the hill for the first time, a highlight of the festival every year and the busiest hour for the Autocar team, the sense of variety and fascination was undeniable. Not a single car failed to invite intrigue and conversation.
One car that mesmerized the crowds was McLaren’s roar-inducing Solus track car, powered by a screaming V10 engine. It topped a diverse collection of road and race cars and claimed bragging rights in Sunday’s Timed Shootout.
The cartoonish Bugatti Bolide also made an unforgettable impression as its thunderous W16 engine propelled it up the climb with incredible speed. However, spectators couldn’t help but be curiously intrigued by Kia’s new seven-seat EV9 SUV, the Ineos Grenadier fuel cell prototype, the Ford Explorer crossover, and the MG 4 XPower hatchback. These vehicles, while less exotic, made their mark with the screech of tires and the gentle hum of electric motors.
This wasn’t the first time that electric vehicles made an appearance at Goodwood, but their presence was welcomed rather than resented. Although the hillclimb event may have been quieter this year with an equal number of combustion-engined and electric entrants, any lingering resentment toward the electric vehicles was rare to find.
The prevailing themes of this year’s festival were the embrace of variety and experimentation as manufacturers warmly adopted emerging propulsion technologies and diversified their vehicle offerings.
However, there will always be staunch traditionalists who find solace in the incomparable blend of classic road, race, and rally cars that continue to captivate enthusiasts with their raw sensory appeal, be it the unburned four-star fuel or the unfiltered exhaust notes.
Porsche celebrated its 75th birthday at the Festival, showcasing legendary Le Mans cars, Dakar dominators, and streamlined mid-century sports cars that were shipped over from Stuttgart. These iconic vehicles, along with the vast range of vintage racers, ultra-exclusive supercars, Formula 1 stars, and Group B heroes, provided endless entertainment for fans of all ages throughout the festival.
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
