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London’s ULEZ: what you need to know

Some cars that are older than the introduction of emissions standards can still meet the requirements, but they need a certificate of compliance (CoC) from the manufacturer. To prove compliance, you must send a copy of the CoC and your V5 to Transport for London (TfL) to register your vehicle. Owners of certain Lotus Elise S1 models (produced from 1996-2001) have reported success with this method.

Electric cars are compliant because they do not produce tailpipe emissions.

How much does London’s ULEZ cost?

Cars and vans going over a bridge

Driving a non-compliant car within the ULEZ costs £12.50 per day. The charging period runs from midnight to midnight. For example, if you enter the ULEZ at 10pm and leave at 6am, which covers two days within the zone due to the charging period, you will have to pay £25.00.

Recent media reports indicate that TfL has been sending warning letters and waiving fines for unpaid fees since the expansion. TfL’s chief customer and strategy officer, Alex Williams, stated that the letters suggest recipients should switch to a cleaner vehicle or register for automatic payments. The discretion period for fines will last for about four weeks from the 29th August expansion.

The template for these warning letters has previously been available online through freedom of information requests.

What is the ULEZ scrappage scheme?

Blue Mk1 Vauxhall Zafira behind a crane in a scrapyard

All London residents can now apply for a £2000 payment from TfL by scrapping a car that does not comply with ULEZ standards.

To qualify for the scheme, you must live within one of the 32 London boroughs, have been the registered keeper of the vehicle since 30th January 2022 or earlier, and the vehicle must be insured, taxed, and have a valid MOT. You should provide copies of the V5 and a valid insurance certificate as evidence.

If your application is approved, you must scrap the vehicle at one of TfL’s approved treatment centers within a month. The treatment center will provide a certificate of destruction, which you must send a copy of to TfL as proof of scrappage. Do not scrap the car until TfL approves your application and instructs you to do so, as this may prevent you from receiving the payment.

15 Fast Cars With 700+ Horsepower That You Can Buy Today

Summary

  • There is a wide variety of 700+ horsepower cars available in the market.
  • Although these high-performance vehicles may not be affordable for everyone, some options are more attainable.
  • Some of the top performers in the 700+ horsepower club include the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye, McLaren 720S, and Aston Martin DBS Superleggera.

The 700+ horsepower club was once exclusive, but now more cars are joining it every year. If you’re in the market for a 700+ horsepower car, you’ll have a wide range of options with different prices, styles, and tech levels to choose from.

While these high-performance cars may not be practical or affordable for everyone, it’s still impressive to see the advancements in automotive technology that have brought us these powerful machines.

Updated 22 August 2023: We are adding a few more cars with over 700 horsepower that are still on sale and can be had as brand-new models.

RELATED: Top 10 American Performance Cars

15 RAM 1500 TRX

702 Horsepower

Blue Ram TRX
Stellantis

The RAM 1500 TRX takes the 6.2-liter, supercharged Hellcat V-8 engine from the Dodge Charger and Challenger Hellcat models and puts it in a truck. With 702 horsepower, the TRX is a beast on and off the road. It features aggressive styling, all-terrain tires, and off-road suspension. The TRX can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 118 mph.

Specifications

Engine

6.2-liter supercharged V-8

Horsepower

702 horsepower

Torque

650 pound-feet

Weight

6,349 pounds

0-60 mph

4.5 seconds

Top Speed

118 mph

Base Price

$106,445

The RAM 1500 TRX combines the power of a muscle car with the versatility of a pickup truck. It offers an exhilarating driving experience both on and off the road.

14 McLaren 720S

710 Horsepower

Mahindra Thar EV Concept Breaks Cover In South Africa, As A 5-door!


The Mahindra Thar.e takes a significantly bolder and more contemporary approach to the off-roader

Mahindra Thar EV

The Mahindra Thar EV has made its global concept debut, officially called the Thar.e at the carmaker’s Independence Day 2023 event in South Africa. Importantly, it breaks cover as a five-door version, which gives us the first insight into its ICE version, which is scheduled to go on sale early next year.

A New Design Language

Mahindra Thar EV

The Thar.e still retains the boxy SUV silhouette like the current three-door Thar, but with several updated visual elements as a future product. The closed grille showcases the “Thar.e” illuminated letters and is flanked by squared elements. It even includes illuminated bars as a tribute to the slatted design of the original Thar.

The block-like proportions are complemented by the presence of chunky bumpers, bulging wheel arch claddings, and large off-road ready wheels.

The Thar EV will be offered in a five-door version, with its wheelbase ranging from 2,775mm to 2,975mm, approximately. It will be built on a customized INGLO P1 platform, which increases the wheelbase of the Thar.e by 325mm compared to the three-door ICE version.

A Futuristic Interior

Mahindra Thar EV

The cabin of the Thar EV is quite different from the current Thar. It features an upright dashboard design with a rectangular-shaped fully digital driver’s display and a two-spoke steering wheel.

The center stage is occupied by a wide console that houses the gear lever, low-range gearbox, and drive modes. The large touchscreen infotainment system is directed towards the driver as part of the cabin’s ergonomic detail.

Battery Specifications

Mahindra Thar EV

It is expected to come with a big battery pack and a range of over 400km. A dual electric motor setup is expected, while 4WD with terrain-specific drive modes might be standard.

While this is just a concept version, we might see a production-ready version not before 2026. It is expected to be priced over Rs 25 lakh (ex-showroom).

Read More on : Mahindra Thar Automatic

10 Secrets Porsche Owners Will Never Tell You

Summary

  • Porsche maintenance costs can be significantly higher than other vehicles due to the high-quality components used in their cars, making routine maintenance more expensive.
  • Owning a Porsche requires constant attention and meticulous care to maintain its pristine appearance and luxurious interior.
  • Learning and mastering the advanced features and technologies in a Porsche may have a steep learning curve, and some owners may struggle to fully utilize and understand them.

Porsche is known for creating well-engineered sports cars beloved by auto enthusiasts around the world. While owning a Porsche can be a wonderful experience, there are certain secrets that Porsche owners might not readily share with you. Here are 10 secrets that Porsche owners will never tell you.

RELATED: Here’s How Porsche Plans To Keep Internal Combustion Alive

10 Maintenance Intervals And Costs

porsche 959 workshop
Porsche

Maintaining a Porsche can be more expensive compared to other vehicles. Porsche vehicles are equipped with high-quality components, which contribute to higher maintenance costs. Routine maintenance for a Porsche, like the 2013 Porsche 911 Cabriolet, can cost around $1,163 over 12 months. Compared to competitors like the Audi Q5, Porsche maintenance costs are estimated to be 83% higher than the industry average.

Additionally, regularly driving a Porsche on the track may require more frequent maintenance, adding to the overall cost and inconvenience for the owner.

9 Constant Attention

911 T interior
Porsche 

Owning a Porsche requires constant attention and care. Porsche owners invest significant time and effort in maintaining their cars’ pristine appearance and luxurious interior. Maintaining the exterior paint, cleaning and caring for the interior, and regular performance monitoring are just some of the tasks they undertake to keep their Porsche in top condition.

8 Learning Curve Of Advanced Features And Technology

porsche 911 gt3 rs driving mode button
Porsche 

Porsche vehicles come equipped with advanced features and technology that may require a learning curve for some owners. Features like launch controls, driving modes, and connectivity options can take some time to fully understand and utilize. Owners may also need to learn advanced driving techniques to fully harness the car’s potential.

7 Personal Track Times And Incidents

Porsche 911 on track
Porsche

Many Porsche owners enjoy driving their cars on the track. However, not all owners have the necessary skills to achieve the best lap times or avoid incidents. Personal track times and incidents may be a secret that owners do not readily share.

6 Sacrifices Due To Priority For Passion

Porsche cayenne
Porsche

Owning a Porsche may require sacrificing some practicality and comfort. Porsche sports cars are designed for performance, while SUVs may prioritize performance over a smooth ride. Owners often prioritize their passion for automobiles over practicality, making sacrifices to enjoy the Porsche driving experience.

5 Customization Expenses And Hidden Modifications

Front shot of a silver 2023 Porsche 718 GT4 by DeMan Motorsport
DeMan Motorsport
 

Porsche owners often customize their cars with modifications ranging from custom paint jobs to performance upgrades. These customizations can be expensive, and owners may not readily share the costs with others. Additionally, some owners may have hidden modifications that are not immediately noticeable.

RELATED: 10 Things That Separate The Porsche 718 From The 911

4 Competition Among Owners

718 Cayman GT4 RS
Porsche

While the Porsche community is generally supportive, some owners may engage in friendly rivalries, comparing performance specifications and modifications. Owners may also participate in driving challenges and competitions, showcasing their cars’ capabilities. However, these competitions are often kept within the community and not openly discussed.

3 Limited Practicality In Some Models

718 Cayman GT4 RS trunk
Porsche

Porsche sports cars, like the 911, Boxster, and Cayman, prioritize performance over practicality. These two-door sports cars often have limited trunk space due to engine configurations. Owners may not openly discuss the limitations in practicality that come with owning these sports cars.

2 The Waitlist

911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition
Porsche

Some Porsche models, particularly limited editions and exclusive models, may have long waiting lists. Getting your hands on one of these coveted cars may require waiting for an extended period of time. Owners may find the wait frustrating, but it is a part of the Porsche ownership experience.

RELATED: 10 Classic Porsche Cars You Can Buy For Less than $20,000

1 DIY Repairs And Maintenance

Porsche winter event 2020 DIY
Porsche

Many Porsche owners take pride in performing DIY repairs and maintenance on their cars. They prefer to take care of their Porsche themselves and may even engage in restoring or modifying classic models. However, this level of dedication to DIY repairs and maintenance may not be understood by non-enthusiasts.

How To Improve Your Internet Connection on Your Android Phone

While it may seem insignificant, there is a simple trick that can greatly improve your internet signal on your Android phone. The way your phone connects to the internet is through various cell towers located in your area. As you move around, your phone constantly connects to different towers, searching for the best one to ensure a fast internet connection.

Sometimes, your phone may fail to connect to the best tower, resulting in a slow internet connection. To fix this, you can toggle your airplane mode on and off. When you turn on airplane mode, it disables all wireless communication on your phone. When you turn it back off, it will reconnect to the cellular network and automatically connect to the best available tower, giving you a faster internet connection.

To toggle airplane mode on and off, simply swipe down from the top of your screen to access the status bar on your Android device. Look for an icon that looks like an airplane and tap on it to turn on airplane mode. Wait for about 10 to 20 seconds and then toggle it back off.

Study: Used Car Prices Have Increased by Nearly 50% Since 2019

The prices of used cars have seen a significant increase in recent years. On average, prices have gone up by 47.7% since 2019. Additionally, the mileage on these vehicles has also increased by 46% compared to four years ago. This poses a challenge for buyers looking for affordable used cars, as they may need to spend more money on older vehicles with higher mileage.

These findings come from a recent study conducted by iSeeCars, a popular website that offers data and guidance for purchasing used vehicles. The study revealed that popular car models such as the Honda Civic and Toyota RAV4 are now 41% to 46% more expensive than they were in 2019. Full-size trucks like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500 have seen price increases ranging from 30% to 50% during the same period. In terms of actual prices, the average used car price has risen from $23,351 to $34,491 in four years.

Not only have prices gone up, but the average mileage on used cars has also increased by 45.7%. In 2019, the average mileage was 43,541 miles, which has now risen to 63,457 miles. Full-size trucks experienced an even higher increase in mileage, with an average of 49% to 53% more miles. The Honda Civic and Toyota RAV4 saw mileage increases of 81% and 139.6%, respectively.

The study by iSeeCars analyzed over 10.8 million used vehicles aged one to five years. Apart from the price and mileage increases, the study indicated that finding a $20,000 car with less than 44,000 miles is becoming increasingly difficult. In 2019, 20% of the used car market met these criteria, but that percentage has now dropped to 11%, with the average vehicle having over 63,000 miles.

However, there is some good news as well. Another study by iSeeCars found that used car prices have actually decreased this year. Overall prices dropped by 4.7% from September 2022 to March 2023 and 8.7% compared to the previous year. Notable models with the largest price declines include the Tesla Model 3, as well as SUVs from Nissan, Infiniti, and Land Rover, all of which saw prices drop by around 20%.

Bigger, bolder Vauxhall Crossland to launch with EV in 2024

The Vauxhall Crossland will undergo significant changes and be offered with an electric option in its second generation next year. Vauxhall announced earlier this year that all its models will have an EV option by 2024, with the Crossland and Grandland crossovers being the last to transition.

Vauxhall CEO James Taylor considers the electrification of these two popular model lines as a major milestone towards the brand’s ambition of becoming fully electric by 2028. Already, the Corsa, Astra, Mokka, Combo, and Vivaro are available with battery power. Additionally, Vauxhall plans to introduce two more electric-only models – the Manta crossover and a successor to the Insignia – in the next five years.

While Vauxhall has not revealed the design of its upcoming EVs, it has confirmed that an “Experimental” concept will be showcased at the Munich motor show in September. However, the electric version of the Crossland’s replacement has been spotted for the first time, showcasing a radically different appearance with chunkier edges and a stronger SUV styling.

The new Crossland features Vauxhall’s distinctive ‘Vizor’ front end, slimline LED headlights, and a contrasting wraparound ‘grille’ panel. The increase in size indicates a focus on enhanced practicality for family buyers. The current Crossland is comparable in size to models like the Ford Puma, Nissan Juke, and Seat Arona, but the larger dimensions of the new model could place it in competition with the Kia Niro, Skoda Karoq, and Dacia Duster.

Modded Nissan Skyline R34 Sedan with 800 HP Shoots Flames from Exhaust

The Nissan Skyline has gone through significant changes since its first-generation model debuted in 1957. With the return of the GT-R name in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Skyline became a performance powerhouse and gained legendary status by the time the R34 model arrived just before the end of the Millennium.

The R34 was available in three body styles, with the sedan having a relatively sedate appearance. However, appearances can be deceiving, as That Racing Channel presents a modified Skyline sedan that shoots flames out of its big, round tailpipe.

The car’s RB26 engine received extensive upgrades, though the specific modifications were not mentioned in the video. The 2.6-liter straight-six engine now produces 800 horsepower after receiving head and block work and a new turbo. This power is delivered through the stock transmission to the car’s factory all-wheel-drive system. In the video, the car emits an aggressive exhaust note and features noticeable turbocharger noise.

The car was built by Drag International, a South Florida shop specializing in upgrading Japanese domestic market (JDM) products. While an 800-hp Nissan Skyline R34 might seem modest compared to the shop’s other creations, which can generate up to 1,500 hp, this particular Skyline still has its stock gearbox, which may not be ready to handle additional power.

Regarding the future of the Skyline, there have been rumors that it may become an electric SUV; however, nothing official has been announced by Nissan. Currently, the Skyline exists as a rebadged Infiniti Q50 since the thirteenth-generation model began production in 2014.

In the US, the GT-R exists as a separate model and has been updated for 2024. Nissan has hinted at the possibility of the model becoming fully electric in the future, but concerns about the technology’s viability in a high-performance application remain. Other automakers also face similar challenges as they transition to battery power, as more horsepower typically leads to reduced range, and finding the right balance with current technology is difficult.

For now, Nissan’s 3.8-liter V6 engine will continue to power the GT-R. The company is actively working on expanding its electric vehicle lineup and aims to have 19 fully electric models available for sale by the end of the decade. Additionally, Nissan plans to introduce 27 new hybrids. The future of the Skyline and GT-R will be a part of this overall strategy.