Tag Archives: slow

News

First experience: Ford Explorer

What are you able to be taught from the incorrect aspect of the automobile in quarter-hour on sluggish suburban roads?

Well, we actually cannot confirm or refute Ford‘s lofty claims that the Ford Explorer can be extra dynamically adept than its Volkswagen Group platform-mates, though our chauffeur appeared to relish the chance to place it in Sport mode and throw it into among the tighter bends on our route, if that is any indication…

What struck me, watching from the passenger seat, was the extra overtly sporting posture facilitated by the ‘squircle’ (that is Ford parlance, categorically not mine) steering wheel, in contrast with a traditional spherical merchandise.

It appears to encourage a extra purposeful grip and exacerbates the responsiveness of the steering that, even from the opposite aspect of the centre console, appeared to be without delay extra direct and communicative than something I’ve tried on the MEB platform to date.

We have been within the single-motor rear-driven Explorer so had a ‘mere’ 282bhp at our disposal on the straightaways, which after all is greater than ample in such a practicality-focused proposition.

In Sport mode, there was a perceptible urgency to its acceleration, albeit delivered in a easy, fluid method that mitigated the uncomfortable head-lolling that you just is likely to be prone to as a passenger in different SUVs with this a lot energy.

I can inform you that the Explorer rode compliantly and quietly over the worst bits of our lap of Nice, with no particularly overt tyre roar or wind noise to talk of – though we solely breached the heady heights of 30mph on just a few events.

It’s most likely greatest to attend till we drive it to make any categoric conclusions on these dynamic attributes, however the parts I can speak about with a point of conviction at this stage occur to be those who Ford is keenest to point out off.

The inside design, for instance, is a reasonably radical departure from the Ford cabins to which we have turn out to be accustomed.

At as soon as extra daring in its putting, multi-layered surfacing and extra thoughtfully organized, it compares effectively with the likes of the Skoda Enyaq and Hyundai Ioniq 5 for outright aptitude and ergonomics, whereas giving promising indicators of how Ford could make its interiors as interesting as its exteriors – lastly.

Unfortunately, the Volkswagen Group’s affect extends to the much-derided haptic steering-wheel controls. Ford makes a lot of the development alternatives afforded by a six-month delay in launching the Explorer however confoundingly hasn’t rectified this. Here’s hoping for the facelift…

Motorsport

The New Aston Martin Vantage F1 Safety Car Has Many Buttons And Screens

The outdated Vantage Formula 1 Safety Car was as sluggish as a turtle, in accordance with reigning champion Max Verstappen. Aston Martin is now addressing the shortage of tempo with the next-generation mannequin that will get a large enhance in output of 153 hp for a grand complete of 656 hp. We’ll see it this coming weekend on the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix the place it will be joined by the DBX707 F1 Medical Car.

Compared to the road-going Vantage launched final month, the bespoke model in F1 function has a outstanding entrance splitter and a chunky rear wing. These gadgets are all a part of a extra complete aerodynamic package that additionally features a modified underfloor for higher air movement. Interestingly, even the sunshine bar mounted on the roof has been reshaped for higher aero.


Cars

Why The Toyota Prius Is Hated By So Many (And Why Their Owners Adore It)

One common criticism of the Prius is its perceived lack of speed. This criticism is only partly true, depending on the specific model of Prius. The first generation Prius, which debuted in 2001, had a zero-to-60-mph time of 13 seconds according to Car and Driver tests. The second generation, the version that gained widespread popularity, was only slightly faster with a time of 11.3 seconds. The current 2024 Prius, however, is much quicker at 7.1 seconds.

Another point of contention is the Prius’s styling. While aesthetics are subjective, the Prius has never been widely regarded as an attractive car, falling somewhere between an egg and something as unassuming as a doctor’s office. Additionally, the battery and electric motor components are typically expensive to repair or replace.

It’s fair to say that the Prius isn’t an exciting car, but it would be unfair to dismiss it as a bad car based solely on its lack of excitement. Just as a refrigerator at home may not evoke the same admiration as a masterpiece, it still serves a crucial purpose. Similarly, the Prius shouldn’t be devalued just because it lacks the flashy features and high performance of some other cars.

News

Most Hybrid Cars Depreciate Slower Than ICE-powered And Electric Vehicles

Recently, an article explained that Japan’s slow rollout of electric vehicles (EVs) isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it might be well-timed since EV sales have recently slowed down.

Despite continuing growth, EVs are spending more time idle on dealer lots compared to internal combustion engine-powered vehicles (ICE) and hybrid vehicles. This trend coincided with Toyota’s Chairman and former President Akio Toyoda’s observation that the world isn’t quite ready to fully embrace EVs, as reflected in recent sales figures.

A recent study by iSeeCars found that EVs are suffering the most from depreciation, while hybrids are holding their value well and spending less time on dealer lots. This prompts the question: why are hybrids gaining popularity while EVs haven’t lived up to automakers’ expectations?

To ensure accuracy, the data used for this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including iSeeCars and the Wall Street Journal.

Hybrids Are More Desirable Than EVs To Most

Hybrids are more favored than EVs for several reasons. Fluctuating gas prices and lingering concerns about high fuel costs make hybrids an attractive option for those looking to switch to electrified vehicles.

Think Of EVs As Smartphones With Wheels

Understanding the lifecycle of EVs provides insights into their poor resale values. Similar to smartphones, EVs, particularly due to their large batteries, are subject to battery degradation. Although battery technology has improved, it is still evolving, and older EV models may become outdated as technology advances in the coming years.

On the other hand, hybrids are appealing as they offer the benefits of both ICEs and EVs, providing a balance between range, smoothness, and efficiency.

Here’s How Hybrids Are Holding Up Versus EVs

Based on the iSeeCars study, hybrids depreciate less than EVs, with an industry average of 37.4% over a five-year period compared to EVs’ 49.1% depreciation rate. SUVs and trucks also show different depreciation rates.

How Every Category Fares


Segment

2023

2019

% Improvement Since 2019 (Percentage Points)

Overall

38.8-percent

49.6-percent

10.8-percent
Hybrids 37.4-percent 56.7-percent 19.3-percent

Unsurprisingly, The List Is Dominated By Toyota

Toyota dominates the list of hybrids with strong resale values, reflecting the company’s pioneering role in the hybrid market.

Hybrids: Average Five-Year Depreciation


Here Are The EVs With The Best Resale

The Tesla Model 3 has the best resale value among EVs, but it still depreciates at a higher rate than hybrids.

EVs: Average Five-Year Depreciation


Hybrid Resale Values Reflect Their Desirability

Strong resale values suggest that hybrids are desirable in the used car market. For potential buyers, this means hybrids are a reliable long-term investment, while leasing an EV may be a better financial choice due to rapid technological advancements.

Sure, Go Ahead And Buy Your Dream Hybrid

Hybrids hold their value well, and their matured technology means they are a suitable choice for long-term ownership.

With An EV, Consider Leasing Instead Of Owning

Considering the rapid innovation in EVs, leasing an EV may be a wiser financial decision to avoid the significant depreciation and the potential need for costly battery replacements.

Car review

Peugeot e-308

Peugeot has been slower than its competitors to introduce fully electric powertrains into its popular C-segment cars. This puts it behind Renault, Volkswagen, Cupra, Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan. As a result, we can now confidently state the price range for a Golf-sized, zero-emissions hatchback in 2023. Unfortunately, the new Peugeot e-308 seems to be priced higher than expected.

One possible explanation for this is the influx of affordable Chinese electric vehicles. Additionally, since many buyers base their affordability on monthly finance payments, this may not be as big of a problem as it initially appears. Peugeots tend to hold their value well, after all.

However, in a market where you can find an equivalent Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric, Kia Niro EV, Volkswagen ID 3, Fiat 600e, or Jeep Avenger for under £37,500, the starting price of the electric 308 seems steep. In a time when customers are conscious of the value for money, it raises concerns.

To be fair, the price is no steeper than the newly released Vauxhall Astra Electric, with which it shares technical similarities. Nonetheless, if you already have reservations about electric vehicles, the e-308 is unlikely to change your mind.

The e-308 is currently available to order in the UK as a hatchback, with a longer SW estate version coming soon. It fits into the existing Peugeot 308 range at the middle and upper trim levels. Unlike the Citroën ë-C4, there is no lower-priced version with a smaller battery and less power to bring down the cost.

Technology

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.

News

Track Day Provider Compact Octane Offers Exciting Experience with Small Bikes

It is often said that riding a slow bike fast is more enjoyable than riding a fast bike slow. This statement has become a cliché, but for good reason. There is something inherently fun about a bike that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Moreover, small bikes are excellent for learning the ropes of track riding.

Heading to the track is a thrilling experience, but it requires some guidance. It’s not a good idea to show up at a local track day without any knowledge. Fortunately, there are many beginner-friendly track day organizers out there, including the new SoCal-based provider, Compact Octane.

As the name suggests, Compact Octane focuses on keeping things small and simple. This means motorcycles with engines 400cc and below. The organization believes that big fun doesn’t require a big bike. Bikes like the Yamaha YZF-R3 and Kawasaki Ninja 400 were designed precisely for learning the fundamentals. Compact Octane aims to make track riding safe, fun, and engaging for everyone, and there’s an interesting story behind their focus on smaller bikes.

The organization’s inspiration came from an incident during one track day in Southern California. Some of the founders of Compact Octane were riding their sub-400cc bikes alongside riders on bigger bikes. These skilled riders were able to outpace some of the riders on larger bikes in the corners. This created a tense moment when one rider on a bigger bike insisted on overtaking the smaller bikes. Unfortunately, the rider lacked the necessary skills to pass safely and ended up colliding with one of the smaller bikes during a turn.

This incident led to the founding of Compact Octane, a track day provider dedicated to making track days accessible and fun for beginners. The organization offers support to new riders to ensure they feel welcomed and not intimidated by more experienced riders on bigger bikes. They also provide gear rentals for beginners who have yet to purchase their own track gear, making the sport even more accessible.

On August 19, 2023, Compact Octane will host its first official event at the Streets of Willow and the Willow Springs International Raceway. The track day will be highly organized and structured, allowing riders of all bike types to participate. There will be three groups: Group A for advanced riders on bikes under 400cc, Group B for novice and beginner track riders on small bikes, and Group O, an open category for experienced riders on bigger, more powerful bikes to join in the fun.