Tag Archives: springs

BMW

360 levels of freedom: The MINI Cooper S Convertible in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs. In the center of the desert and extremely cool — that is Palm Springs. Countless date palms, scorching springs and turquoise-blue swimming swimming pools with views of the encircling peaks of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation Park make this place a well-tempered wellness oasis. From October to May, a lightweight breeze from the canyons carries a nice cooling breeze to the sunlit metropolis streets. Numerous cafés, bars and resorts invite you to benefit from the incomparable local weather and the freedom-loving ambiance. That’s how laissez-faire goes in American.

What could possibly be higher than opening the electrical tender high in a sporty-elegant MINI Cooper S convertible (gasoline consumption mixed in l/100 km: 6.6-6.2 (WLTP)/CO2 emissions mixed in g/km: 151-141 in response to WLTP). All it takes is eighteen seconds at a velocity of as much as 30 km/h. The wind is blowing in your hair and the standard MINI open-air go-kart feeling will increase the sensation of freedom when driving south on Palm Canyon Drive.

Between swimming pools and palms.
As early because the Nineteen Thirties, Palm Springs was thought-about a retreat for Hollywood stars within the desert. Here, far-off from the curious eyes of the paparazzi, they have been capable of chill out in a pleasantly dry local weather with views of the spectacular panorama. It’s no marvel that the biggest variety of mid-century fashionable structure and design classics on the planet is situated right here.

Even right now, fashionable villas in expansive bungalow type characterize the picture of Palm Springs. With its elegant gear, the MINI Cooper S Convertible is an ideal match for the dignified backdrop of town. The incomparable look of the convertible is additional emphasised by the unique encompass of the radiator grille and the entrance and back lights in high-gloss piano black.

“The Movie Colony” is situated not removed from downtown. It’s not with out purpose that the district bears its identify. The historic villas of quite a few Hollywood stars are situated right here, together with Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Leonardo di Caprio and Elizabeth Taylor. They all appreciated the discreet and carefree ambiance on the swimming pools and below the palm timber, that are consistently swinging within the wind. The all-round view from the MINI Cooper S Convertible not solely gives an unobstructed view of the subtly designed mid-century structure as you drive previous. Right behind, rugged mountain ranges rise on the horizon round Downtown Palm Springs and contribute to the valley’s distinctive ambiance.

From right here, a breezy journey alongside Indian Canyon Drive takes you to the Palm Springs Art Museum and its vital assortment after simply a short while. With over 12,000 fashionable artworks and a singular assortment of works of structure and design, it stands for the varied tradition of Palm Springs.

A inexperienced oasis below the open sky.
After so many cultural impressions, it’s time for a brief break. Thanks to quick overhangs and compact outer dimensions, the MINI Cooper S Convertible matches simply into one of many common parking areas within the shade. Fortunately, the unparalleled open-air feeling in Palm Springs is retained even outdoors the Convertible. Because not solely the climate, but additionally the various culinary scene in Palm Springs invitations you to take pleasure in one of many many terraces or in one of many typical poolside cafés. The fashionable Californian bistro Lulu’s is centrally situated between the principle roads in downtown Palm Springs and is a favourite for lovers of prolonged brunches. From sandwiches and contemporary salads to French-inspired delicacies, you will discover the whole lot you need right here.

After the cease, the journey continues in direction of the nationwide park. The tall date palms line the road and supply cooling shade. They are the calming trademark of the subtle metropolis and create a deep inexperienced distinction to the wild mountain panorama that surrounds Palm Springs. In the late nineteenth century, palm timber have been imported from the Middle East. Since then, they’ve been producing candy dates right here below excellent weather conditions, that are used to organize scrumptious shakes in lots of bars within the metropolis.

MINI Cooper S Convertible: driving pleasure with unobstructed all-round visibility.
On the curved path to the west, the route repeatedly gives fascinating views of the quite a few canyons. The automated sports activities transmission of the MINI Cooper S convertible additionally enhances snug open-air driving pleasure. And with 178 hp, the automobile accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, making the path to the Tahquitz Canyon on the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains quick. Just a couple of minutes from Palm Springs metropolis heart, alongside a gorgeous climbing path, you will discover historical rock carvings of the Cahuilla natives and a powerful 30-meter excessive waterfall. This proximity to nature makes Palm Springs so enticing for a lot of guests and allows various, energetic sightseeing.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway rewards you with a very spectacular all-round view of the rugged mountain panorama and into town. Over a size of 4 kilometers, the cable automotive provides breathtaking views of the Chino Canyon. A particular spotlight is the rotating gondola, which rotates round its personal axis as soon as through the journey. Once on the nearly 2,600 meter excessive summit, guests can expertise their white marvel through the winter months, as a result of there may be common snow on this heigh within the San Jacinto Mountains — whereas the palm paradise within the valley is only a quick open-air journey away.

ToyotaUk

Toyota Mississippi Puts High School Students to Work

 $1.9 million investment brings 4T Academy to local schools

BLUE SPRINGS, Miss. (Nov. 1, 2023) – Juniors and seniors at New Albany and Union County Schools will soon have a unique opportunity to learn and earn. Toyota announced Wednesday—in collaboration with local partners—the investment and launch of its 4T Academy, a hands-on training program designed to place students directly into Toyota production jobs right out of high school.

Toyota’s commitment of $1.9 million to implement this game-changing program is match funding following a grant awarded to New Albany School District and the 4T Academy from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

The announcement was made Wednesday at the automaker’s Workforce Readiness Forum where lawmakers, community leaders, and educators convened to address common issues and goals surrounding talent development, retention, and educational support.

“The 4T Academy will provide our students the skills, experience, and confidence they need to move into high-wage careers in manufacturing right here in their backyard,” said Erik Skaggs, president of Toyota Mississippi. “Imbedding innovative programs like 4T in our schools changes the landscape of workforce readiness and puts students in the driver’s seat for their careers.”

Students enrolled in 4T will follow a state-approved curriculum pathway in traditional high school classes while learning and training in a mock factory environment to gain essential skills needed for production jobs at Toyota. This state-of-the-art classroom will be housed at New Albany School District’s (NASD) future “New Albany Center for Innovation”—an enhanced version of its current School of Career & Technical Education.

The 4T Academy will have a collaborative classroom space, electric and pneumatic tool-training stations, a simulated vehicle production line, virtual reality simulators, cobots, and many other high-tech components—all integral to developing talent while still in high school. Seniors enrolled in 4T will earn an hourly wage while on the production floor, getting certified and working alongside industry experts to build the world’s best-selling vehicle, the Toyota Corolla.

“We are excited to work with Toyota Mississippi to implement the first 4T Academy in Mississippi,” said Lance Evans, superintendent for New Albany School District. “As a result of this partnership, our students will be afforded opportunities that are very unique to our region. When schools and industry partner together, the results are meaningful to not only students and schools but also families and our community.”

Toyota also announced a gift of $100,000 to support the Center for Innovation as it undergoes renovation.

Toyota’s 4T Academy started at Toyota Indiana in 2020 while partnering with Purdue IN-MaC—a partnership that has continued through its expansion to Toyota West Virginia in 2022, and plans to launch at other Toyota manufacturing facilities in the U.S. are underway. For more information on 4T, visit www.4TAcademy.com

ToyotaUk

Toyota Mississippi Names New President

BLUE SPRINGS, Miss. (September 25, 2023) – Toyota Motor North America announced that Erik Skaggs has been promoted to president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi (TMMMS), effective October 23.

Skaggs joined Toyota in 1993 as an engineer at its Georgetown, Kentucky site. He has held leadership roles in quality control, body operations, and production before becoming a general manager in 2015. In 2020, Skaggs transitioned to Toyota Mississippi as the vice president of manufacturing and most recently served as vice president of administration.

Skaggs expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead and continue the development of Toyota Mississippi. He highlighted the commitment and dedication of the workforce and community and looks forward to future opportunities for growth and development as a company and community partner.

The current president, David Fernandes, will transition to his new role as senior vice president of manufacturing at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville, Alabama, after three years of strong leadership in Mississippi.

Fernandes mentioned his privilege of being a part of the plant’s development alongside hardworking and dedicated employees who prioritize the safety and quality of their vehicles. He also acknowledged Northeast Mississippi’s reputation for inspiring others through education, community development, and workforce initiatives.

Under Fernandes’ leadership, the plant opened a new 15,000-square-foot interactive experience center and produced over 500,000 Corollas, the world’s best-selling vehicle.

Toyota Mississippi represents a $1.2 billion total investment with approximately 2,400 employees.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for over 65 years. The company is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through its Toyota and Lexus brands, as well as its nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of over 33 million cars and trucks at the nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin manufacturing automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. Currently, Toyota offers 24 electrified options, more than any other automaker.

News

First drive: Inverted Range Rover Classic

The Inverted Range Rover Classic has undergone several upgrades. The rear springs have been made stiffer to handle the battery’s weight, and adjustable dampers from Fox (known from the Ford Raptor) have been installed. While the rear brakes are standard, the front brakes now feature four-pot calipers and discs from Alcon.

Many components are sourced either from a donor Tesla (such as the brake booster) or from aftermarket suppliers (like the battery management system).

Despite being Inverted’s first project, the Inverted Range Rover Classic feels comfortable to drive, especially once you select the appropriate setting. The standard mode has a lot of dead travel at the top of the throttle pedal and no regenerative braking. However, if you switch to Off-Road mode, it functions similar to a Tesla: the dead spot is replaced by regenerative braking, although the brake pedal still only affects the friction brakes. Inverted offers customization options for the amount of regen based on customer preferences.

Unlike a Tesla, power delivery is not instant. You need to keep your foot on the pedal for a while as the power gradually increases. While this may sound inconvenient, the vehicle always has enough power, adding a sense of engagement. Just imagine the thrill of unleashing 450bhp on a 1970s off-roader. Sport mode provides a more direct response but is still gradual enough for a smooth driving experience.

Inverted claims that the motor has the potential to deliver 600bhp, although 200bhp would suffice. It is important to note that this is not a vehicle designed for high-speed driving. The grip levels are modest, there is significant body roll, and the steering is both slow and humorously vague, lacking self-centering.

Motorsport

Ford Supports Team Rubicon with Vehicle Donation and $2.5M Contribution

When natural disasters occur, Team Rubicon, an organization led by veterans, mobilizes to assist affected communities worldwide. In a generous gesture, Ford has donated 17 vehicles and contributed $2.5 million to this cause. These vehicles include the F-150 XL PowerBoost hybrid, F-350 Super Duty trucks equipped with Ford’s 2.0-kW Pro Power Onboard system, F-150 Lightning Pro trucks, and Broncos with the Sasquatch package to access remote areas.

Overall, Ford and its charitable Ford Fund group have invested $5.8 million in Team Rubicon, establishing the initiative named “Team Rubicon Powered By Ford”. This collaboration will enable Team Rubicon volunteers to carry out their crucial work effectively.