Tag Archives: secret

Motorsport

Mercedes-Benz EQS Loses Nearly Half Its Value After One Year, Study Says

It’s no secret that new vehicles take a giant hit on worth as soon as they go away the dealership lot. Some take larger hits than others. Then there’s the Mercedes-Benz EQS. The luxurious EV loses a whopping 48.7 p.c of its common new value after only one yr of possession, in keeping with a research revealed by iSeeCars. That equates to $65,143—primarily the identical as writing off a whole E-Class.

It’s not the one electrical automobile on iSeeCar’s listing of fastest-depreciating vehicles, both. Five of the highest ten autos within the research are EVs, beginning with the Nissan Leaf in second place. It solely loses $15,786 on common, however with a significantly decrease beginning value, we’re nonetheless speaking a few 45 p.c drop. Jaguar holds the excellence of getting the highest-depreciating combustion automobile with the F-Pace in third, dropping $28,555, or 35.4 p.c of its worth. Alfa Romeo is not far behind with the Giulia at 33.4 p.c, dropping $16,297 on common. The Kia EV6 nabs fifth 33.3 p.c, dropping $18,081 on common.

Make/Model Difference Used Vs New (share) Difference Used Vs New (Price) Average Used Price
Mercedes-Benz EQS -47.8% -$65,143 $71,231
Nissan Leaf -45.7% -$15,786 $18,756
Jaguar F-Pace -35.4% -$28,555 $52,010
Alfa Romeo Giulia -33.4% -$16,297 $32,467
Kia EV6 -33.3% -$18,081 $36,243
Hyundai Ioniq 5 -$32.9% -$16,805 $34,303
Volkswagen ID.4 -32.9% -$15,609 $31,870
Alfa Romeo Stelvio -32.3% -$17,495 $36,630
Nissan Murano -32.0% -$13,842 $29,458
Mercedes-Benz S-Class -31.5% -45,781 $99,598

What about autos that are not taking such a monetary beating? The research reveals a lot of love for hybrid autos, but it surely’s the plucky Kia Rio that turned our heads. It appears people within the US nonetheless need a reasonable combustion-powered subcompact, as a result of it solely misplaced $21 on common after one yr of use. It’s a drop of simply 0.1 p.c, that means a calmly used Rio nonetheless fetches a nearly-full sticker value. The incontrovertible fact that it was dropped from Kia’s lineup for 2024 could possibly be an element, too.

Make/Model Difference Used Vs New (share) Difference Used Vs New (value) Average Used Price
Land Rover Range Rover +2.8% $4,067 $147,311
Kia Rio -0.1% -$21 $18,682
Mercedes-Benz G-Class -2.3% -$4,587 $196,112
Ford Maverick -4.1% -$1,385 $32,505
Ford Maverick Hybrid -4.4% -$1,474 $32,039
Toyota Sequoia Hybrid -4.6% -$3,737 $77,653
Toyota Corolla Hybrid -5.0% -$1,359 $26,038
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid -5.3% -$2,131 $37,727
Honda Civic -5.5% -$1,577 $26,934
Kia Sportage Hybrid -5.9% -$2,085 $33,397

Saving face for Mercedes is the G-Class, which ranks third on the least-depreciating scale with a 2.3-percent drop, or $4,587 on common. Meanwhile, the Ford Maverick solely loses round $1,400 on common. It holds fourth and fifth place right here, representing the usual combustion mannequin and the hybrid at 4.1 and 4.4 p.c.

2022 Ford Maverick

The first-place Land Rover Range Rover has the curious distinction of promoting 2.8 p.c over its new sticker value on common after one yr. We suspect that is skewed as a result of new 2024 mannequin slowly reaching the market, pushing up demand for used SUVs as impatient consumers get bored with ready or refuse to pay excessive supplier markups. The iSeeCars group mentions this concept as properly.

The research evaluated over 1.6 million new and used listings from January by means of March 2024, incorporating 2023 and 2024 model-year autos. In this occasion, “used” equals a automobile having mileage inside 20 p.c of 13,476 miles, largely thought-about common mileage for a yr of use. Low-volume area of interest autos have been excluded from the analysis.

It’s attention-grabbing to see a transparent drop in EV costs versus sturdy residuals for used hybrids. This helps the softening demand for totally electrical autos we have seen, whereas hybrids stay fascinating selections for a lot of. The research additional breaks down new-versus-used autos by value brackets and areas within the US, which you’ll see on the supply hyperlink under.

NewsNew

AJP 240 EXTREME: FULL TEST

In secret, hidden workshops everywhere in the world, riders dump money and time into conventional four-stroke path bikes to make them higher and even to make use of them for racing. AJP has a greater choice that replaces all of the compromised funds path bike working gear with a high-end Portuguese chassis utilizing a stable and confirmed Chinese 233cc SOHC engine. It is lighter, slimmer and higher outfitted than any rudimentary path bike. The SPR 240 Extreme mannequin options Galfer rotors, Brembo brakes, metallic crimson hubs with black rims and Michelin tires, electric-start (solely, no kickstart backup), a tapered handlebar, and qc.

ajp spr 240 extreme

The AJP 240 is tremendous quiet, the seat peak it low and targets the budget-minded path rider. It is painted with high-end elements.

Additional options are a novel chassis with the gasoline tank toting each gas and having the Twinkie-shaped air filter mounted to the spine of the body. The shrouds (the place the tank would usually be) home a small battery on the appropriate facet and a big oil cooler on the left. The body is a hybrid with cast-aluminum swingarm and body spars, however the body cradle and steering head are product of metal, as is a part of the subframe system. Lights and high quality aluminum footpegs with replaceable tooth are commonplace. On the SPR 240 Extreme (tagged the X mannequin), Sachs suspension with a totally adjustable reservoir rear shock and sealed cartridge 48 fork deal with damping wants. The facet stand has an auto-up characteristic that received’t enable using off with the stand down.

Control efforts are mild with wonderful really feel. Shifting is crisp and clear with a brief lever throw. Riders with smaller boots could need to take away their foot from the footpeg to achieve the shifter. There doesn’t seem like room to mount a shorter shifter with out incorporating a linkage just like the Yamaha TT-R125. Premium Michelin enduro tires in 18-inch rear and 21-inch entrance deal with traction.

Firing the 240 up is simple, and particularly so for a carbureted bike. The choke lever is simple to achieve, and the air-cooled mill doesn’t need to be awake lengthy earlier than the choke will be clicked off. Unlike many four-stroke machines, the AJP makes use of a single throttle cable with no second cable to drive return the carb slide. The return cable pulley remains to be on the appropriate facet of the carb. Between the pulley and the aluminum facet spar, adjusting the idle is a problem. Our bike idled effectively sufficient. Like some older Husaberg four-strokes that share the identical air filter mounting, consumption sound is current however extra noticeable when stopped.

ajp spr 240 extreme
The clutch motion is mild with good engagement. It has good floor clearance and has good skid plate to guard its stomach.

There is little vibration, and the ability supply is equally easy. There isn’t a whole lot of snap to the ability, however it builds easily and continually because the rpm climb. You can scream the engine in a gear relatively than shifting. A contemporary short-stroke four-stroke engine would bounce off the rev limiter and sound like it’s coming aside, however not the air-cooled engine.

To preserve the bike quiet, it’s match with a compact, modern and light-weight exhaust system consisting of a protracted, non-tapered header with what appears like a two-stroke motocross muffler. It’s designed to stagger the exhaust observe by way of an inner barrier and re-enter the exhaust bore by just a few holes within the facet of the barrier tube. A bigger muffler might be equally quiet and add some snap to the low-rpm response.

While on the topic, the exhaust is sort of near the decrease floor of the subframe gas tank. There is not any warmth protect on the pipe or the gas tank, however we had no issues. The last bend within the header melted our over-the-boot using pant leg in just a few locations.

AJP has carried out the whole lot potential to take care of a low seat peak whereas sustaining roughly a foot of suspension journey. The standing place is good and slim. We discovered it roomy for riders over 6 toes tall. The seated place is tight for tall riders between the seat and pegs. We measured 20 inches from the peg tooth to the highest of the seat. That is in the identical vary as a whole lot of mini cycles within the 85cc to 150cc vary.

The seat is comfortably padded for a light-weight rider. It is eliminated by way of a intelligent latch recessed into the sting of the rear fender close to the molded-in plastic seize parts of the fender edge. We didn’t hit any mud, however suspect that eradicating the seat, or a minimum of discovering the latch, is perhaps powerful on a muddy day.

ajp spr 240 extreme

For the considerably quick wheelbase, the AJP is very secure and reassuring to journey at pace. At the identical time, it has correct steering to let it slice up tight trails. Suspension motion is reactive, and clearly tuned for path speeds and circumstances. We consider that extra miles will make the spectacular brakes and suspension even higher.

AJP presents a base-model SPR 240. It has a small skid plate, black hubs and a 43mm inverted fork. It additionally has extra primary brake calipers and grasp cylinders. It sells for $5499. We suppose the Brembo brakes and Sachs 48mm fork are well worth the value distinction on the Extreme “X” mannequin.

We suspect that the first curiosity on this machine will come from shorter and lighter riders. For them, this machine is a house run, and the AJP is pretty much as good because it will get.

Price: $5999

Contact: www.ajpmotos.com

News, Technology

Elon Musk Escalates His War With Google After Latest AI Accusations

It’s no secret that Elon Musk believes so-called “woke culture” is problematic. He has made innumerable public statements on the topic and has, in no unsure phrases, made it clear that he believes this political mindset to be poisonous. On February 22, following the launch of Gemini, Musk tweeted, “The woke mind virus is killing Western Civilization. Google does the same thing with their search results. Facebook & Instagram too. And Wikipedia.” He implied that he’ll launch his personal Gmail various and there is a persistent rumor about him creating his own search engine.

Musk has added a number of new prices to the checklist over latest days: he has accused Gemini of being racist and sexist and additionally claimed that he spoke on the telephone with a Google government who stated it could take just a few months to repair it. In a tweet recounting the alleged dialog, Musk claims his response was “that I doubted that Google’s woke bureaucratic blob would *allow* him to fix it.” He additionally declared, “Unless those who caused this are exited from Google, nothing will change, except to make the bias less obvious and more pernicious.”

His different posts on the topic have additionally develop into more and more alarmist. He shared a meme with the heading “What’s the difference between a conspiracy theory and the truth? About 6 months,” and he has said that “our whole civilization is at stake.” It would not simply appear to be Google that he is going after, although. He additionally not too long ago complained about Windows requiring customers to make a Microsoft account after they arrange a brand new PC and steered that this may give the corporate’s AI entry to his laptop.

Motorsport

BMW Says Buy A Manual M Car Now Before It’s Too Late

It’s no secret: Manual-transmission vehicles are a dying breed. The three-pedal, shift-it-yourself gearbox is out there on only a small handful of recent autos, and whereas there was some current excellent news with regards to market share, it is solely a matter of time earlier than the stick shift is gone ceaselessly. BMW’s M division is among the few manufacturers that also presents a guide possibility, nevertheless it warns the selection will disappear quickly.

In an interview with Italian-language journal Quattroruote, BMW board member Frank Weber confirmed M’s stick shift days are numbered.

“They are fun products, but let’s be honest, the volumes are getting smaller and smaller,” Weber instructed Quattroruote. “And so it doesn’t make sense to develop them anymore. If you want a manual M, you need to buy it now.”

BMW has mentioned prior to now buyer choice has pushed the corporate to proceed to supply guide transmissions, constructing a robust area of interest as rivals flip their backs on purists. In America, M presently presents the M2, M3, and M4 with an non-obligatory six-speed guide gearbox. In locations just like the United Kingdom, solely the M2 is obtainable with an obtainable stick attributable to a scarcity of demand for 3 pedals within the larger vehicles, in keeping with BMW. 

“We have customers who travel 25,000-30,000 kilometers (roughly 15,500-18,600 miles) a year and don’t want to stand in traffic changing gear,” Weber added.


News

BMW i16 is the unconventional i8 successor that by no means was

BMW designed a radical mid-engined hybrid supercar to succeed the i8 – however by no means put it into manufacturing. 

Kept secret for 4 years however now revealed by BMW head designer Domagoj Dukec on social media, the placing i16 may have been the M efficiency division’s second bespoke mannequin after the 1978 M1 supercar.

As it was, mentioned Dukec, “the world changed in 2020” on the onset of the Covid pandemic and “work on the project unfortunately had to be stopped”. 

M division has since launched the XM super-SUV as its second bespoke product – a dramatically totally different proposition to the supercar revealed right here. 

It’s a trustworthy evolution of the Vision M Next idea that BMW revealed in 2019, albeit with some delicate revisions aimed toward making it road-legal. 

Dukec described the i16 as having “all the style of a future classic” and famous the affect of the Giorgetto Guigiaro-designed M1 in its angular, cab-forward silhouette, vented rear arches and louvred engine lid.

The i16 was conceived to make use of the i8’s composite construction, little question in a bid to chop growth prices and thus bolster its viability as a manufacturing automobile, however it is not clear whether or not it could have used the identical plug-hybrid powertrain.

The i8 was BMW’s first PHEV, pairing a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with an electrical motor on the entrance axle for a complete output of 356bhp and a 0-62mph time of 4.3sec – making it a pure rival to the Porsche 911.

A battery within the transmission tunnel gave an electric-only vary of greater than 30 miles in later automobiles. 

The i8 was produced from 2014 to 2020, being discontinued to make method for a brand new line of bespoke electrical BMW fashions together with the iX3, i4 and iX. 

The Vision M Next hinted at what an i8 successor may appear to be, however plans to provide it had been shelved over considerations about excessive R&D prices and low gross sales potential. 

However, M boss Frank van Meel hinted to Autocar in 2022 that the door wasn’t completely shut to the prospect of a brand new hybrid supercar, saying: “It’s at all times one thing we are able to take a look at. As automobile guys, we’re at all times dreaming of constructing such automobiles. It doesn’t imply we’ll make them, however we hold exploring these concepts.”

He mentioned the cancellation of the i16 did not imply BMW was “not thinking of a super-sports car,” tellingly including that he was “always trying to figure out how it would work”.

Motorsport

Study Suggests Half Of Automotive Techs Want To Quit Their Job

It’s no secret that fashionable vehicles are extra advanced than ever. By default, meaning fashionable automotive techs have a bevy of methods to examine, diagnose, and restore when issues go improper. One would possibly suppose plugging in a code scanner makes a mechanic’s life carefree, however a brand new examine reveals the other; mechanics undergo appreciable stress. In truth, half wish to stop the enterprise utterly.

That’s the takeaway from a current examine by Wrenchway, which surveyed techs working in a wide range of fields, together with automotive and diesel restore. A small pattern of techs in associated fields similar to auto physique restore had been included, and the examine acquired suggestions from college students in addition to store managers. Wrenchway posed questions on topics starting from pay to day without work, device allowances, advantages, commute occasions, and profession paths. The biggie was whether or not respondents had thought of leaving the trade, to which a whopping 49 % stated sure.

Blind Mechanic Works On Yamaha Engine

Where does the dissatisfaction come from? According to the examine, stress over pay is the main issue. Physical and psychological calls for accounted for a smaller %, adopted by device prices. Poor administration, lack of respect, and advantages additionally factored. Digging deeper, the examine discovered variations between automotive and diesel-focused techs. Sixty % of auto techs take into consideration quitting versus 45 % within the diesel fold, however each level to pay-related stress because the predominant issue.

This brings us to the controversy of hourly pay versus flat price. In quick, many retailers pay workers a hard and fast price per job, no matter how lengthy it takes. This is a sticking level based on the survey, which discovered 65 % of techs would favor both a straight hourly scale, or an hourly scale with manufacturing bonuses. Nineteen % favored a flat-rate scale with a 40-hour assure, and simply 10 % stated they needed a flat price.

Tool prices and coaching additionally factored. Techs usually should pay for their very own instruments, and with such investments simply topping $10,000, the examine says it limits younger techs seeking to get began within the trade. As for established professionals, maintaining with ever-changing automobile methods requires appreciable coaching. Some retailers pay for that coaching, others do not. So this is not a discipline the place you get a job and easily get to work. Techs are largely accountable for investing their very own money into tools and coaching.

The survey paints a fairly bleak image of a critical industry. We did some fact-checking on our personal to see if anecdotal expertise backs up the information, and sadly, it does. For starters, we discovered no one at automaker dealerships prepared to talk with us, be it managers or mechanics. The people we did converse with are off-the-record, and so they discuss of powerful occasions on this trade. A mechanic primarily based in New Jersey with eight years on the job confirmed he is on the fence about leaving, pointing to pay and stress as huge components.

“I’m not super against salary pay,” he instructed us in an interview. “It puts less stress on technicians and it also shows that there’s some sort of trust between the owner and the technician. That’s a problem; a lot of private shops and dealerships are like revolving doors for technicians. They go in, they’re there for six to eight months, and they’re gone, off to the next job.”

This tech went on to say that if mechanics discover methods to be extra environment friendly on repairs, the flat price is lowered, principally reducing their paycheck. But it does not work the opposite method. If one thing takes longer, the mechanic actually works at no cost.

“They’re making up these repair times and not taking into account locations, like the East Coast where rust is prevalent.”

With regard to belief and respect, we spoke to a device seller within the Southeast who shared an identical story. Having visited restore retailers and mechanics for 10 years in his job, he says it is all about how administration treats their workers.

“I’d say the survey is pretty accurate, being 50/50 wanting to quit,” he stated. “I have one bad dealer that I visit, they had 50 techs a year and a half ago and now they’re down to 20. Good techs are hard to come by, and places that respect them will pay them well to stay. This dealer charges $320 per hour on labor, but for ‘b work’ like brakes or oil changes, the techs basically make $20 an hour.”

On the administration facet, we chatted with a small store proprietor in southwest Michigan who confirmed that discovering good techs is his largest problem.

“I heard from a teacher at a tech school recently, in a class of 50 students, only three or four actually go into their fields when they graduate,” he stated. “So I’m left with training young techs and finding out many don’t want to work hard. Of the employees I have found in the last 10 months or so, more than half left and went into something completely different.”

With automotive expertise evolving on an virtually each day foundation, the examine and our follow-up interviews recommend the world of auto restore must evolve, too. Do you have got any mechanic tales to share? Jump into the feedback; Let the world know what works and what does not on this very important trade.

News

Ford to reignite electrical automobile demand with inexpensive EV platform

A secret workforce of Ford engineers has been working for 2 years on a brand new platform for inexpensive electric cars, firm CEO Jim Farley has revealed.

Speaking as the corporate launched its fourth-quarter monetary outcomes for 2023, Farley mentioned the corporate is “adjusting our capital [investment], switching more focus onto smaller EV products”.

He added: “This is vital as a result of we made a wager in silence two years in the past. We developed a super-talented skunkworks workforce to create a low-cost EV platform.

“It was a small group, small workforce, a number of the finest EV engineers on the earth, and it was separate from the Ford mothership. It was a start-up.

“And they’ve developed a flexible platform that will not only deploy to several types of vehicles but will be a large installed base for software and services that we’re now seeing at [Ford] Pro.” 

Ford Pro is the corporate’s stand-alone industrial car division, liable for fashions such because the Transit and F-150.

Ford F150 Lightning front tracking

Investment in higher-volume, lower-cost electrical automobiles – doubtless destined to function oblique successors to the Fiesta and Focus – is available in response to Ford’s discovering that almost all patrons are unwilling to pay over the chances to go electrical.

Farley added that the supply of low-cost credit score pre-Covid and the pent-up demand for automobiles amid the semiconductor chip disaster, in addition to the speedy rise in early adopters of EVs, “gave us too optimistic a demand signal”. 

This drove a “temporary spike in supply” and Ford struggled to seek out patrons for the automobiles it had constructed because it realised that – after the early EV adopters had been on board – mainstream patrons weren’t ready to pay a premium to go electrical.

“As the Covid shock retreated, we learned that as you scale EVs to 5000-7000 units a month and you move into the [majority of customers], they are not willing to pay a significant premium for EVs,” mentioned Farley.

NewsNew

RICKY BRABEC & HIS HRC RALLY BIKE UP CLOSE: THE WRAP

Ten years in the past, Honda received again into rally racing with a secret undertaking referred to as the Honda CRF450 Rally. It began off as a closely modified CRF450X, however quickly had a DOHC motor and a chassis that was not like something within the Honda line-up of the time. Everyone assumed it was the forerunner for a future manufacturing bike. Everyone was fallacious. Honda by no means had any intention of providing the Rally on the market. It was designed and constructed by Honda Racing Corporation for one function solely: to win the Dakar Rally. Eventually it did, but it surely took years of attempting.


Skip ahead to 2024: the Monster Energy HRC Honda Rally Team gained for the third time in 5 years. This time, it was on an all-new model of the CRF450 Rally. “It was time,” says Johnny Campbell. “Two years ago KTM and Husqvarna had a new bike, so it was time to take everything we learned and start over.”
According to Ricky Brabec, the method of getting the brand new bike into race-shape wasn’t simple. “The hardest part this year was building a new motorcycle,” he says. “The new bike, the new chassis, the triangle, everything is a little different, so the way you ride is going to be different.
“It’s taken a lot of work to get it to where we’re happy with it. It’s a little bit smaller and lighter and I’m a bigger guy so it took some adjustment. In the sand dunes it’s easier to ride–it’s more of a moto-style bike. It floats in the sand better than the old bike. In the rocks, I still have mixed feelings about how the two bikes compare. We spent six months trying to make the bike work somewhat okay. Once we got it to a point where we thought it was okay, we said we’re going to go race [this] bike. Now, here we are after the Dakar, we have a whole year to go back and try to make it a little better. But how do we make something better that just won? So it’s really difficult; the suspension and modifications can be endless. You can go way too far, then reel it back in and change something else. So I’m looking forward to see what we can do with the new chassis. As of right now it’s only got one race on it.”


Honda continues to be pretty tight-lipped with info on the Gen 2 Rally bike. Johnny introduced it to our photograph studio within the week following the 2024 Dakar Rally, however our directions have been clear: no pictures of inside elements, no removing of physique elements, no disassembly. “The motor isn’t that different from the previous one,” he stated. That didn’t inform us a lot, as a result of we had by no means seen the earlier one–it was at all times obscured by the large gas tanks. We knew solely that it had two overhead cams relatively than the Unicam design that Honda used for the manufacturing motocrosser, and that the gearbox had six speeds.

“All that stuff is the same. It’s a wet sump motor with no external oil tank and an overall layout that isn’t too unusual. You can tell from the outside that the generator is pretty large, and internally, it’s completely different from the production 450, mostly for durability. The gears are polished and there are a lot of machined, handmade parts. The oil system is pretty robust.”


The first time that Ricky Brabec and the U.S. arm of the Monster Energy HRC rally group received to experience the bike was in July of 2023. From there, Ricky and his new teammate Skyler Howes labored on refinement. The suspension was the first topic of many of the testing. “But the seat is really important, too,” factors out Johnny. That is smart while you’re coping with a 5000-mile race.
There are sure parts that might be acquainted to any desert racer. Under all of the rally tools there’s an old-school Scott’s steering damper. You would assume that Honda’s engineering division wouldn’t stand for such previous expertise. “They can’t come up with anything better. They tried.” The rider additionally has an on-the-fly map change with two choices. “They have maps for everything. If the stage is really long, it can be one made for durability that keeps the engine cooler. If it’s a sprint, it might be for power.” At this yr’s Dakar, there was one stage that pressed the restrict of the bike’s gas vary. “We knew going in that it would be tight,” recollects Johnny. “The first refueling point was at 200 kilometers. Ricky had to estimate his fuel burn at that point and adjust his riding style to make the second leg, which was 219 kilometers. He did a good job. His teammate Pablo Quintanilla ran out of fuel.”

Ricky Brabec (9) and Adrien Van Beveren

RACE DEBUT

You definitely can’t argue with the outcomes. Of the 14 days that made up the 2024 Dakar Rally, the brand new CRF450 Rally was one of the best finisher 9 instances. Ricky gained stage 10, however for probably the most half he managed his race brilliantly, staying simply shut sufficient to the entrance to keep away from the dreaded activity of opening the route for others to comply with. “Ricky reached another level of maturity this year,” displays Johnny. “He was really determined to prove that his win in 2020 wasn’t luck. There was no question that he was the best rider.”
Ricky says the bike is just one piece of a really advanced puzzle. “Rally is totally totally different from something you’d have stateside. It’s a number of days, however you’re at all times attempting to place your self for the subsequent day near your competitors. That method you’ve got much less time to lose towards your competitors. It’s roughly like a chess sport. If you go to race Baja, the 1000 is one stage, 24 hours straight. Dakar is 12 phases, however we sleep at evening. Each day may be totally different. One day may be sand dunes, however you don’t wish to open the monitor. Then in the future may very well be stuffed with rocks and in the future may very well be simple. So now it’s a must to choose the way you wish to place your self for these three days. Obviously you wish to win, so on a quick day with no navigation, you can begin in entrance. But you don’t wish to begin in entrance in sand dunes since you’re going to lose quarter-hour. So it’s all a sport. You must have info for the subsequent three days or two days to place your self for the third day. But you possibly can have all of the technique on the earth, and you’ll have a nasty day, your technique goes out the window, so that you want a plan. The stress of realizing that you just’re anticipated to win is heavy and if you happen to make one mistake, even when it’s a small mistake you are feeling just like the world is crumbling round you. We’re solely human and we make errors so we simply attempt to do our greatest daily.

Skyler Howes

“It does assist having extra Americans on the group, particularly with Skyler Howes residing so shut. In earlier years we lived shut, however we by no means skilled collectively, as a result of that’s competitors with a distinct producer. We type of cut up methods. Now we’re on the identical group, so I believe the coaching is simply going to get elevated. The Japanese know we dwell pretty shut so I believe they’re going to help our program. Johnny Campbell, Skyler and I all dwell equal distances, so it’s simple to get a central assembly level for all of us. I believe it’s actually superior, I by no means had an American teammate. I imply I like my teammates, however they don’t dwell down the road. I additionally really feel just like the engineers will pay attention extra intently as a result of there are three of us all saying the identical factor.

MORE STRATEGY

“Team orders are a thing,” says Ricky. “But this year we were all so close on time, that there were no team orders. They said you guys were all within reach of winning, so you can go at it. So then it’s up to you. Johnny and I will bounce back and forth on strategy. Plan A is the perfect rally, but we’re also balancing out plans B and C. There’s strategy with the team when you have a rider like Pablo Quintanilla, who lost an hour and a half on stage six, so we use him as strategy. We can say we need him to push tomorrow so he can win, and open the next stage so that I can follow him. But if we’re all close, there’s no strategy.”

Adrien Van Beveren, Ricky Brabec and Ross Branch: the 2024 Dakar Rally podium. Photo Marcin Kin / DPPI

THE HARDEST PART

Despite all of the technique and the fatigue, the testing and the preparation, the toughest half about Dakar stays the human issue. The early moorings on the liaison are powerful,” Ricky says. “You just think about being home, a warm bed. You think ‘Oh, man, a steak sounds nice, I wonder what my friends are doing … it’s really cold.’ Once the racing starts, that all goes out the window. One day we started at 4:30 and our stage started at 10:00 a.m. So we had 5 hours on the highway just falling asleep. When the stage starts you have the road book and tunnel vision. Honestly I think the liaisons take a lot out of you.”

That’s all for now! See you subsequent week.

–Ron Lawson
News

Why the Skoda Enyaq is a 5-star What Car? electrical SUV

What’s the key formulation for a top-tier award-winning automobile? In the case of the fully electric Skoda Enyaq – which is accessible as each an SUV and a subtly sleeker coupé – there’s a seemingly easy answer.

It all begins with hanging fashion, spectacular vary and quick charging, allied to a driving expertise that’s refined and fascinating in equal measure – which means you take pleasure in extra smiles and extra miles behind the wheel. 

Add in a high-quality, spacious, adaptable inside, in addition to plenty of spectacular tech – significantly sensible, linked in-car infotainment and superior driving aids that make absolutely electrical journeys simpler, safer and extra pleasing. Then mix all of it in a package deal that provides spectacular worth for cash. There’s your profitable formulation.

That’s definitely the decision of our sister title What Car? – which has given the Skoda Enyaq a five-star rating, along with the 2022 What Car? Award for Best Electric SUV For Value and third place within the 2022 What Car? Award for Safety.

“We’re big fans of the Skoda Enyaq,” What Car? mentioned. “It’s a fairly big electric family SUV that offers plenty of space and a healthy range between charges. It’s comfortable and practical, it gets a reasonable amount of standard kit, and it’s very well priced. In short, it’s a sensible choice that’s ideally suited to family buyers.”

The Skoda Enyaq SUV and Coupé vary supply a easy line-up of various fashions to suit your want. It begins with the entry-level Skoda Enyaq 60, whereas the Skoda Enyaq 85 provides extra vary, larger efficiency and even quicker charging. The Skoda Enyaq 85x provides all-wheel drive functionality for even larger driving confidence, whereas Skoda Enyaq vRS fashions ship thrilling efficiency and much more fashion.

All of those fashions have lately been up to date to supply much more vary, even quicker charging, much more efficiency and enhanced in-car tech that’s even simpler to make use of, there are many the reason why the Skoda Enyaq is a five-star automobile. And that’s why we’ve determined to deal with the 5 greatest ones right here.

Take a test drive in the Skoda Enyaq

#1 Range & charging

It all begins with vary: Because with regards to selecting your good absolutely electrical SUV, we all know that vary actually issues. Having the arrogance of an enormous predicted-range determine that permits you to do plenty of brief every day journeys on one cost from house, whereas additionally minimising the necessity to top-up on longer journeys, is completely essential. 

That’s the place the Skoda Enyaq scores extremely. As What Car? highlighted in its five-star evaluate, the Enyaq has lengthy boasted spectacular vary that stands it in good stead amongst its electrical SUV friends – together with rivals just like the Tesla Model X and Hyundai Kona Electric. But the lately up to date Skoda Enyaq delivers much more. 

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“`html 10 PHEV SUVs That Don’t Skimp Out On Cargo Capacity

It’s no secret that today’s drivers are becoming increasingly environment-conscious. Even in the SUV segment, the surge in plug-in hybrids is driven by this trend. There are still debates about the “eco-friendliness” of these EVs and PHEV SUVs. But if you’re considering moving away from your ICE-powered vehicle and still need the practicality and versatility of an SUV, opting for a PHEV SUV could be a wise choice.

Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs provide a middle ground between regular gas cars and full electric vehicles (EVs). They are a solid choice if you want an eco-friendly ride with a pure-electric range but don’t want to deal with all the challenges that come with a fully electric SUV. It’s kind of the best of both worlds.

There are some standout PHEV SUVs in terms of cargo space from automakers like Kia, Hyundai, BMW, Land Rover, Volvo, and Toyota, across different segments. These PHEV SUVs are cargo-friendly and offer plenty of space for various needs. Here’s a mix of three-row and two-row plug-in hybrid SUVs that excel in cargo capacity.

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In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources like Edmunds and Car And Driver. The first four entries in this list feature three-row PHEV SUVs, and the next six feature two-row PHEV SUVs, for the sake of diversity.

1 Volvo XC90 Recharge

Maximum Cargo Capacity: 85.7 Cubic Feet

Representing the Volvo XC90 Recharge in the increasingly popular PHEV SUV segment, the XC90 Recharge starts at $71,900, offering a compelling combination of luxury and performance. Boasting a sleek and modern design, the Volvo XC90 Recharge extends Volvo’s commitment to safety and innovation. Utilizing the same powertrain as the XC60, this PHEV SUV produces a combined power output of 455 horsepower with 523 pound-feet of torque.

Volvo XC90 Recharge Cargo Capacity

Behind First Row

85.7 cubic-feet

Behind Second Row

34.1 cubic-feet

Behind Third Row

11.2 cubic-feet

Total Passenger Volume

103.8 cubic-feet

Total Seating Capacity

7 passengers

(Figures collected from Volvo and Car and Driver)

As a three-row seven-seater PHEV SUV, the Volvo XC90 Recharge offers ample storage and seating space. With the third row upright, the XC90 Recharge has 11.2 cubic-feet of space, 34.1 cubic-feet behind the second row, and 85.7 cubic-feet behind the first row. You can adjust the seating and storage capacities by folding the second and third rows based on your needs.

2 Land Rover Range Rover

Maximum Cargo Capacity: 83.5 Cubic Feet

The Land Rover Range Rover comes in many trims with different wheelbase options to choose from. Standing as the outlier in the lineup, the Land Rover Range Rover P550e Autobiography starts at $141,100, and is offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a standard wheelbase. Powered by a powerful inline-six engine, the Land Rover Range Rover P550e produces a combined output of 542 horsepower with 590 pound-feet of torque.

Land Rover Range Rover Cargo Capacity

Standard Wheelbase

Long Wheelbase

Behind First Row

83.5 cubic-feet

92.8 cubic-feet

Behind Second Row

40.7 cubic-feet

40.9 cubic-feet

Behind Third Row

40.7 cubic-feet

40.9 cubic-feet

Total Seating Capacity

5 passengers

7 passengers

(Data was collected from Land Rover)

As a versatile three-row, five-seater PHEV SUV, the Land Rover Range Rover P550e uses the standard wheelbase that’s 118.0 inches long and seamlessly integrates spaciousness and functionality. With 40.7 cubic-feet of space behind both the third and second rows and an enormous 83.5 cubic-feet behind the first row, it ensures adaptable storage configurations. You can also choose to fold down either the second or the third row to customize the seating and storage capacities to better suit your needs.

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3 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring

Maximum Cargo Capacity: 77.7 Cubic Feet

In the expansive realm of powerful PHEV SUVs, the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring is hard to ignore. Starting at $70,190, the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring redefines luxury and performance. With a powerful V-6 engine under the hood, it makes a statement on the road with a combined power output of 494 horses with 630 pound-feet of torque. From its sleek exterior to the meticulously designed interior, everything reflects a commitment to excellence.

Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Cargo Capacity

Behind First Row

77.7 cubic-feet

Behind Second Row

41.8 cubic-feet

Behind Third Row

18.3 cubic-feet

Total Passenger Volume

140.5 cubic-feet

Total Seating Capacity

6–7 passengers

(Figures collected from Lincoln and Edmunds)

As a seven-seater in the realm of PHEV SUVs, the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring ensures ample storage and seating capability. Maintaining 18.3 cubic-feet behind the third row, it expands to 41.8 cubic-feet behind the second row and a generous 77.7 cubic-feet behind the first row. A power liftgate comes standard, while a hands-free is also up-for-grabs.

4 Kia Sorento PHEV

Maximum Cargo Capacity: 75.5 Cubic Feet

Solely available in the SX Prestige trim, the Kia Sorento PHEV starts at $49,990. Among the very few three-row PHEV SUVs, the Kia Sorento PHEV is a prime contender, providing exceptional value without breaking the bank. Equipped with a full parallel Hybrid system, this PHEV SUV delivers a combined power output of 261 horsepower with 258 pound-feet of torque.

Kia Sorento PHEV Cargo Capacity

Behind First Row

75.5 cubic-feet

Behind Second Row

38.5–45.0 cubic-feet

Behind Third Row

12.