Tag Archives: suggest

Motorsport

Toyota Supra Sales Are Down Nearly 50 Percent This Year

Toyota’s newest gross sales figures for the primary quarter of 2024 counsel the fanfare surrounding the Supra at its launch is dwindling. The automaker solely bought 484 examples of the sports activities automobile within the first three months of the yr, down a whopping 44.4 p.c in comparison with the identical interval final yr, when Toyota bought 871 coupes.

Supra gross sales have been falling since they peaked at 6,830 models in 2021. They fell to 4,952 in 2022 and even additional to 2,652 in 2023. This yr isn’t trying as if the trajectory will enhance. This quarter marked the primary time gross sales for Toyota’s coupe dipped beneath these of the revamped Nissan Z. The Z’s gross sales elevated by 44.0 p.c in Q1 2024, going from 466 to 671 coupes for a similar interval in 2023.


News

Electric Renault Clio due as family-friendly 5 sibling

Ultimately, sources counsel, providing an electrical Clio alongside the 5 is extra about offering clients with larger selection than filling each hole within the line-up.

In any case, Renault bosses don’t see the 5 as a alternative for the Clio. Indeed, product efficiency boss Bruno Vanel has beforehand informed Autocar that “Clio is a brand in itself”, hinting on the significance of retaining the well-known identify for one more technology.

Renault Clio front quarter tracking

Renault is dedicated to holding prices down for its small electrical vehicles, so any electrical Clio would little question command only a small premium over the 5, which is being launched subsequent 12 months at round £25,000. A beginning value of slightly below £30,000 would neatly fill the hole between the 5 and the Mégane, which is presently out there from £34,995.

However, Renault engineering boss Gilles Le Borgne prompt providing an electrical Clio shouldn’t be an instantaneous precedence for the new-generation automobile’s launch in 2026 as a result of, in concept, “you can have a whole life of ICE, hybrid Clio before the ICE ban” in 2035.

Nonetheless, he stays a vocal proponent of providing ‘multi-energy’ powertrain choices on the identical platform, as long as it’s reasonably priced – and worthwhile – to take action.

“It’s like religion. We always fight over multi-energy. Perhaps you know my background,” mentioned Le Borgne, referring to a 30-year tenure on the PSA Group, throughout which he oversaw the event of electrified powertrains for Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Vauxhall-Opel. “I used to be the one combating for multi-energy on the opposite facet of the river – and I’ve no faith.

“I’m very practical. When I can use multi-energy, I do.”

Motorsport

BMW iM3 Trademark Hints At High-Performance EV

BMW might be preparing to launch a high-performance electric car called the iM3, according to trademark filings in Europe.

Records from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and Germany’s Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt (DPMA) indicate that BMW has applied for the iM3 mark. However, similar filings have not been found with the US Patent and Trademark Office, and the European filings are currently pending approval. We have reached out to BMW for more details and will provide an update if we receive a response.


Motorsport

Volkswagen Teases Possible New GTI For IAA Munich, But What Is It?

Volkswagen has released a seven-second clip on the X social media platform to hint at the unveiling of a new car next week. While it’s unclear what exactly the car is, it is believed to be a GTI model based on the red line featured in the teaser. The Golf GTI facelift can be ruled out since the regular hatchback is yet to receive its mid-cycle update, which is expected to happen in the first half of 2024. This suggests that the teased GTI could be something different, potentially a GTI variant without a combustion engine.

In recent months, Volkswagen trademarked a new GTI logo featuring a lightning bolt, hinting at the incorporation of electric power in future GTI models. VW’s Board Member for Technical Development, Kai Grünitz, also confirmed the development of a “sporty version” of the ID2.all, an electric vehicle that will maintain the front-wheel-drive layout characteristic of the GTI. This suggests that the new GTI might be badged as a “GTX” instead. However, considering the widespread popularity of the GTI name over the lesser-known GTX, there is uncertainty about which naming convention Volkswagen will ultimately choose.

The upcoming IAA Munich event, starting on September 4, is expected to reveal more details about the teased GTI model. It is highly likely that the teaser is related to a GTI variant, as the presence of the Jetta GLI with a similar red stripe in Europe wouldn’t make sense. More information will be available soon.