Ineos has released a teaser for their upcoming Grenadier Quartermaster pickup, which will be revealed on July 13 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The truck will also participate in the hill climb event at the festival.
The teaser image showcases the back of the truck, featuring circular taillights similar to those seen on the Grenadier SUV. The tailgate proudly displays the “Grenadier” wordmark.
The Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance is the most powerful S-Class yet, with 791bhp and 1055lb ft of power and torque. However, this increased power comes with the downside of adding 309kg to the car’s weight, bringing it to a total of 2520kg.
Equipped with AMG’s nine-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive system, the S63 E Performance can go from 0 to 62mph in just 3.3 seconds.
Although its performance numbers are impressive, the question remains: can this larger and heavier S63 deliver the same level of engagement and dynamics as its highly rated predecessor?
The S63 E Performance offers seven different driving modes: Electric, Comfort, Battery Hold, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, and Individual. This provides the car with incredible versatility for various driving conditions. In everyday driving, the Comfort mode utilizes both petrol and electric power sources to offer a refined and urgent experience on the motorway, giving the impression that there’s always more power to spare.
Switching to Sport+ mode unleashes the true sledgehammer performance of the S63 E Performance, with the electric motor’s torque compensating for any lag as the turbos spool up. This results in acceleration similar to that of a supercar, thanks to the 4Matic+ system and electronically controlled limited-slip differential that provide outstanding traction and determination when applying full throttle. However, due to the combination of two separate gearboxes and the 4Matic+ system, there can be some unruly shunt, particularly at low speeds and when accelerating quickly.
There is a common belief that in Formula One, it is the car and not the driver that determines the winner. People think that the technology of the car overshadows the skill of the driver. However, this assessment is unfair, as it ignores one crucial fact – F1 drivers are incredibly talented and can excel in driving any vehicle.
To prove this point, Red Bull, the owner of the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri F1 teams, organized a challenge between two-time world champion Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda using monster trucks. An F1 car, with its low center of gravity, weighs around 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds) and is powered by a small 1.6-liter engine that produces approximately 1,000 horsepower. It relies on aerodynamics for speed and can accelerate from 0 to 100 mph and back to 0 in less than five seconds.
In comparison, a monster truck has a very high center of gravity, making it susceptible to tipping over. Its large V8 engine generates about 500 horsepower, and each wheel weighs around 700 kilograms (1,540 pounds). Yes, you read that right – each wheel weighs slightly less than a modern F1 car.
Unlike F1 cars, monster trucks do not prioritize aerodynamics; instead, they rely on grabbing air when launching or jumping over obstacles. Both Verstappen and Tsunoda were surprised by how loud the trucks were, how bumpy the ride was, and the amount of dirt that sprayed into the cab as they raced around the track at the bottom of the Erzberg Mine in Austria.
Right from the start, Tsunoda demonstrated his speed, skillfully maneuvering the blue and white Ram truck around the course in 58.3 seconds. It was an impressive time, but Verstappen proved to be even faster, completing a lap in just over 55 seconds. Regardless of the vehicle – whether it’s an F1 car, monster truck, or a Honda HR-V – the two-time world champion consistently showcases his remarkable speed.
In addition to their dominance in the F1 world, Red Bull is also a master of social media publicity. Their YouTube channel features various extreme sports and puts their F1 drivers in captivating situations, such as off-roading an F1 car in Australia to herd cattle or commuting from New York to Miami.
In recent years, Ferrari has shown that its iconic red color is not the only option for its cars. Collectors now have the opportunity to add Ferraris in various colors to their garages. One of the models that exemplifies this new approach is the SF90, a hybrid all-wheel drive supercar that outperforms even the LaFerrari on the Fiorano Circuit.
Available for sale at Porsche Woodland Hills, this particular Ferrari SF90 Stradale stands out with its Grigio Ingrid exterior paintwork and a stunning Iroko-finished interior. What sets this car apart is the extensive use of carbon fiber options, totaling an impressive $200,000 worth of upgrades, including the wheels. Despite its unique specifications, this SF90 Stradale maintains a timeless and elegant look that would complement any collection.
If you’re interested, you can view the price and listing here.
In the second half of 2023, car enthusiasts can look forward to the launch of more than five brand new cars. From electric vehicles to facelifts, here are the top 10 upcoming car models:
The Kia Seltos compact SUV is getting a major update after four years. It will feature refreshed exterior and interior designs, along with new features like dual 10.25-inch screens, a panoramic sunroof, and radar-based ADAS technology.
The Maruti Invicto MPV, launching on July 6, is the brand’s most expensive model. It is a rebadged version of the Toyota Innova Hycross with minor styling tweaks. The Invicto comes with a 2-liter petrol engine and strong hybrid technology.
The Hyundai Exter is an entry-level SUV and a competitor to the Tata Punch. It will be available in manual and AMT transmissions, with a CNG version also offered. The Exter will feature an electric sunroof, an 8-inch touchscreen system, and six airbags.
The Honda Elevate is a compact SUV powered by a petrol engine. It will feature an electric sunroof, a 10.25-inch touchscreen system, and ADAS technology.
The Citroen C3 Aircross is a three-row SUV priced competitively against the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Honda Elevate. It will have a 110PS 1.2-liter turbo-petrol engine and offer a 10-inch touchscreen system, dual airbags, and TPMS.
A facelifted version of the Hyundai i20 hatchback is expected soon. It will sport a refreshed exterior design, and the interior will see minimal changes. The powertrain options will remain the same.
The five-door version of the Force Gurkha is likely to be available for sale in the next six months. It will have the same engine as the three-door version but with a stretched rear profile.
The BYD Seal is an electric sedan with a large 82.5kWh battery pack that claims a range of up to 700 kilometers. It offers features such as a rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, and radar-based ADAS.
The Tata Punch is not only getting a CNG version but an electric version as well. It will feature multiple battery packs, offering a claimed range of up to 350 kilometers.
The Nissan X-Trail is a full-size SUV that is expected to launch towards the end of this year. It will be a rival to the Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster, featuring a 1.5-liter mild-hybrid turbo-petrol engine or a strong hybrid powertrain.
(All prices mentioned are ex-showroom prices.)
Motor1.com regularly shares spy shots of upcoming vehicles, often on a daily basis. If you’re interested in staying up-to-date with the latest developments, take a look at this compilation of the most recent glimpses of these vehicles.
At first sight, this sedan appears to be a typical Audi S6. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that it features wider fenders and an unusual dual exhaust layout.
# Corvette E-Ray Behind-The-Scenes Video Reveals Elaborate Photo Shoot
It’s no secret that automakers invest a significant amount of time and effort into capturing the perfect photos of their new cars. While some official launch photos may seem hastily done, in general, the process involves more than just finding a cool spot and snapping some pictures. The official Instagram account for the GM Design studios recently shared a behind-the-scenes look at Chevrolet’s photo shoot for the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, revealing the elaborate setup and attention to detail involved.
One of the locations for the shoot was a winding road through a forest during the day. But simply driving on a dry road wasn’t enough for the E-Ray. A truck was brought in to wet the surface with water, and a smoke machine was used to add atmosphere. The video footage shared on Instagram gives a glimpse into the actual shoot and showcases the resulting official images.
Another location for the shoot was at night, and while it doesn’t appear as elaborate as the daytime shoot, the road is clearly wet, suggesting the use of water to enhance the visuals.
It’s important to note that the Corvette E-Ray is a significant vehicle for Chevrolet. It is the first Corvette to feature an electrified powertrain and all-wheel drive, making it the fastest-accelerating model in the Corvette lineup. Given its significance, it comes as no surprise that extra attention was given to capturing stunning images of the E-Ray.
This behind-the-scenes look at the Corvette E-Ray photo shoot raises curiosity about what the next Corvette trim, rumored to be the ZR1, will bring. Based on aggressive-looking camouflaged prototypes and a leaked report, the ZR1 is expected to be the most powerful and fastest production Corvette to date, with up to 850 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged version of the 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine.
In conclusion, the Corvette E-Ray photo shoot showcased the dedication of the GM Design studios and the meticulous effort put into capturing stunning images of this special Corvette variant. As we await the debut of the next Corvette trim, it’s exciting to anticipate the elaborate photo shoot that will accompany its introduction.
Disney is going to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2023, and to mark the occasion, it has collaborated with Vespa on a limited edition Disney Mickey Mouse Edition scooter line. This collaboration is not the first between Disney and Vespa, as Vespa scooters played a prominent role in the 2021 Disney Pixar film “Luca”. The collaboration is a combination of culture and business partnership.
The Disney Mickey Mouse Edition by Vespa will be available in a limited-edition lineup of Vespa Primavera 50cc, 125cc, and 150cc scooters in 2023. Both Vespa and Mickey Mouse are iconic symbols of Italy and Disney respectively, so this collaboration brings the two icons together in a rideable form.
The Vespa Primavera is already known for its round mirrors, which are informally called “Mickey Mouse mirrors”. The Disney Mickey Mouse Edition by Vespa takes inspiration from Mickey’s design and clothes, with a yellow front fender resembling his shoes, black and red as the primary colors reflecting Mickey’s design, and white accents representing his gloves. The scooter also features white-on-black line drawings of Mickey and his signature debossed onto the black saddle.
Michele Colaninno, Piaggio Group’s chief executive of global strategy, product, marketing, and innovation, commented, “Today, as then, this collaboration between Vespa and Disney represents the celebration of two historic companies that have a common dream: to allow everyone to express their imagination freely.”
The pricing and availability of the Disney Mickey Mouse Edition by Vespa vary by region. The 50cc and 150cc versions will be available in the US in August 2023, with the 50cc version priced at $4,699 and the 150cc version priced at $6,049. In Canada, only the 50cc version will be available at an MSRP of $5,345. For accurate information, it is best to contact your local authorized Vespa dealer outside the US and Canada.
There is nothing more quintessentially American in the vehicle universe than the pickup truck. Most of the top-selling vehicles in America are full-sized pickups, such as the Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado, and Ram 1500. Mid-sized pickups also make it into the top ten list. At the opposite end of the spectrum, ranking low on these lists is the compact pickup.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz seems to be positioned to attempt to change this dynamic, and in doing so, change the bigger-is-better world of American pickups. Does it have the image, features, and specs needed to accomplish this goal in the land of wide open spaces and brawny trucks? Sadly, it does not seem to have what it takes.
With the Santa Cruz, Hyundai is big game hunting in the largest segment of the American vehicle market with a pint-sized predator. We all know what will happen when a fox takes on a grizzly. The Santa Cruz is a marvel of pickup downsizing. It’s a beautiful vehicle with plenty of luxury, and cool tech, and is fun to drive.
J.D. Power even rated it as one of the most reliable pickups on the road. So what’s not to love? In almost every way, the Santa Cruz is more a car than a truck, and in that lies its difficulty in appealing to people who love trucks. Except for gas mileage, in the eyes of a truck lover, it’s one truck compromise after another.
American full-sized pickups are just as luxurious as any car but also strong, bulletproof, versatile, and durable (think Ford Tough). How can a compact pickup like the Santa Cruz compete with a huge luxury battleship that can take a beating?
There are almost as many reasons why Americans love full-sized pickups as there are different models. For many truck buyers, pickups are the Swiss Army knife of vehicles. With one truck, you can rule all the roads and carry all the loads. There is nothing a full-sized pickup can’t do except possibly find a large enough parking space close to your preferred entrance.
With a full-sized pickup, you can haul the kids and all their friends in the cab while hauling enough construction material in the bed to build them a tree house. You’ll have enough ground clearance and 4×4 power to go off-road almost anywhere, as well as make it safely home through snow-covered roads without ending up in a ditch. You could even connect a snow plow and blaze your own trail.
Driving a full-sized pickup, you will not feel like a bite-sized appetizer in the land of giant trucks. If protection from wild bumpers and wilder road rage matters to the potential buyer, bigger always feels safer, whether accurate or not. When it comes to trucks in America, perception is king.
Does the Santa Cruz deliver comparable hauling capacity, off-road ability, bigger is safer perception, or have enough space for the whole gang as a full-sized pickup? Sadly, it does not. How can it compete with something almost twice its size? A stock Santa Cruz, with its slightly below-average ground clearance of 8.6 inches, is not on many lists of the best off-road trucks, while many full-sized and mid-sized pickups top those lists.
The Santa Cruz is also hurt by an impression of being underpowered compared to its larger brethren. In showrooms filled with big V-6 and V-8 pickups, the Santa Cruz’s four-cylinder engine just doesn’t provide enough perceived fire in the belly. Even the turbocharged 2.5-liter four with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque seem weak by comparison, and this weakness appears confirmed by its towing capacity.
Compared to typical full and mid-sized American trucks, the Santa Cruz feels more like it was designed for the urban cowboy and cowgirl lifestyle than people who get their boots dirty. All this does not make it a bad vehicle, and it does not mean you can’t go off-roading with your Santa Cruz, but it does seem to put it at a serious competitive disadvantage in the eyes of the typical American truck lover. The Santa Cruz is a gorgeous, well-made piece of metal, and maybe that’s why it will break many hearts. It’s got the looks but not the coveted truck oomph.
|
Engine |
2.5-liter Naturally aspirated/ turbocharged Inline-four |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
up to 281 horsepower |
|
Torque |
up to 311 pound-feet |
|
Drive |
FWD/AWD |
|
Transmission |
CVT / Eight-speed DCT |
|
0-60 mph |
6.0-seconds |
|
Top Speed |
133 mph |
Most people in the American truck market likely view the Santa Cruz more as a compact compromise than a full-blooded, born in the U.S.A. pickup truck. The Santa Cruz, with its limited towing capacity of 3,500 to 5,000 pounds, cannot even trailer most mid and full-sized pickups. Compared to the over 10,000 pound towing capacity of full-sized pickups, the Santa Cruz feels like it’s missing that critical towing tool that makes a pickup the Swiss Army knife of vehicles. So if you want to pull anything more than smaller travel trailers or boats, the Santa Cruz is not the best truck for the job.
When most truck lovers think of a four-door pickup, they imagine a spacious crew cab with over 40 inches of rear legroom. On paper, the dimensions of the Santa Cruz’s four-door cab sound fine, with 36.5 inches of rear legroom, but one look inside sends a different cramped message. Again, it’s a case of perception. Can four or even five adults fit inside this compact truck? In theory, yes, but it doesn’t look like they will enjoy a long ride in the back.
For many American truck shoppers, the Santa Cruz’s pint-size pickup bed is likely the biggest obstacle of them all to true love. One of the reasons people buy pickups is to have the option of hauling big things around in that big open pickup bed. It really doesn’t matter that most people use their pickups to haul little more than bags of groceries on a regular basis. It’s the potential that counts. Once again, it’s the Swiss Army Knife effect.
Not that many years ago, the standard size of a pickup bed was eight feet. That’s changed, and long beds are now 8 feet or more, standard beds are 6.5 feet, and short beds are 5.8 feet. In this field, the Santa Cruz clocks in with only 4.3 feet of bed space. That’s half the length of a long bed. This is not a truck that’s going to be hauling larger pieces of furniture, big household appliances, construction materials, or even luggage for a family of four on a road trip. With its 27 cubic feet of cargo capacity under its included tonneau cover, this is a truck that does not even give you the enclosed cargo capacity of many compact hatchbacks.
Goldilocks, the Three Bears, and most American truck buyers would have a hard time considering the enclosed cargo capacity of the Santa Cruz anything other than ice-cold porridge. Again, none of this makes the Santa Cruz a poor choice for many people. It’s just one more thing many American truck customers will find missing from their must-have list.
Could American truck lovers learn to love a pint-sized Santa Cruz? If sales figures are any indication, the answer is no. Even among compact pickup trucks, the Santa Cruz is being outsold. The Ford Maverick is arguably the closest competitor to the Santa Cruz. In 2022 Ford sold 74,370 Mavericks, while Hyundai sold 36,480 Santa Cruz pickups. In that same year, a total of 2,702,515 pickups were sold in America.
So the Santa Cruz garnered only 1.3-percent of that pickup market. By comparison, in 2022, Ford sold 653,957 F-Series pickups which equals about 24-percent of the market, while the Chevy Silverado got 19-percent and the Ram 1500 took home 17-percent of all pickup sales. In 2022, only two ICE powered pickups had lower sales figures than the Santa Cruz.
So the Santa Cruz does not appear to have what it will take to attract American truck buyers in droves. Smaller is probably not the answer for breaking into the American pickup market. In the future, long before 2035 and the phase-out of ICE, big pickup trucks in America will have to become more energy efficient, but it’s unlikely that will be accomplished with smaller engines in smaller packages like the Santa Cruz. That route simply won’t fly in the land of the freeway and home of big open spaces.
For the American pickup lover, improved energy efficiency will come from electrification that delivers even more horsepower and more fun per mile. Until then, the bottom line is that the Santa Cruz may be perceived as neither a typical pickup nor a typical car, and as neither fish nor fowl, it risks satisfying few people at the American truck-buying dinner table.
The Tata Tiago EV is one of the most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) available in India, priced between Rs 8.69 lakh and Rs 12.04 lakh (ex-showroom). It comes with two battery pack options: 19.2kWh and 24kWh, providing a range of up to 250 kms and 315 kms, respectively.
We recently tested the Tiago EV with the larger battery pack and an electric motor rated at 75PS and 114Nm. While its 0-100kmph acceleration times may not be extraordinary, this entry-level electric hatchback is still faster than several popular cars with similar or higher performance outputs.
Here is a list of these cars and their respective 0-100kmph acceleration times:
|
Model |
Tested Figures (0-100KMPH) |
|
Toyota Glanza MT |
13.54 seconds |
|
Maruti XL6 AT |
13.67 seconds |
|
Maruti Grand Vitara AWD |
13.99 seconds |
|
Toyota Innova Crysta Diesel AT |
14.11 seconds |
|
Citroen C3 |
14.32 seconds |
|
Mahindra Bolero Neo |
15.13 seconds |
|
Tata Tiago Petrol MT |
15.29 seconds |
|
Maruti Celerio AMT |
15.77 seconds |
|
Citroen eC3 |
16.36 seconds |
|
Tata Altroz DCA |
18.25 seconds |
Key Takeaways:
The car closest in performance to the Tiago EV on this list is the Toyota Glanza, which features a 90PS 1.2-litre petrol engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The Tiago EV’s win is particularly impressive considering that manual cars usually have a quicker launch.
The Maruti XL6 is approximately 0.2 seconds slower than the Tiago EV and is equipped with a 105PS 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Maruti Grand Vitara AWD comes with a 5-speed manual transmission and shares the same engine as the XL6.
The Toyota Innova Crysta is the most powerful car on the list, featuring a 150PS 2.4-litre diesel engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. However, the mentioned model is no longer available for sale as the diesel variant of the MPV only comes with a manual transmission now.
The Citroen C3 is almost a second slower than the Tiago EV, while its electric version lags by nearly 3 seconds. The electric version of the Citroen C3 is a direct competitor to the Tiago EV, offering less power at 57PS but more torque at 143Nm.
The only other diesel car on this list is the Mahindra Bolero Neo, equipped with a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Despite its 100PS power output and 260Nm torque, combined with a 5-speed manual transmission, it is still over a second slower than the Tiago EV in reaching 100kmph.
The petrol version of the Tata Tiago is around 1.5 seconds slower than its electric counterpart.
At the end of the list, we find the Maruti Celerio AMT. Despite having only 67PS and 98Nm from its 1-litre petrol engine, the Celerio is significantly lighter with a kerb weight of just 820kg.
A surprising inclusion on this list is the Tata Altroz DCA. It is equipped with the same 1.2-litre petrol engine as the petrol version of the Tiago, but in this case, it is mated to a refined 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. However, it is nearly 5 seconds slower in reaching 100kmph compared to the Tiago EV.
The Tiago EV may not have impressive numbers on paper, but one of the biggest advantages of an electric powertrain is its instant performance delivery.
Read More on : Tata Tiago EV Automatic
