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Motorsport

All The Secrets Of The Italian 777 Hypercar

There’s a new hypercar on the road – or rather, there will be. The dynamic debut won’t happen until 2025, but the design and the engine have already been unveiled. We’re talking about the 777 Hypercar, a track-only vehicle created by the newly formed 777 Motors of Andrea Levy (President of the Milano Monza Motor Show).

The 777 is a creature born in a partnership between several companies, each capable of creating one of the world’s most exclusive (and incredible) cars. So let’s get to know it better.

We chatted with Levy, who told us all the secrets of his new hypercar.

777 Hypercar, LIVE photos

Track Only

Designed exclusively for the track, the 777 Hypercar is a collaboration of Italian automotive excellence, starting with Dallara, which is responsible for aerodynamics engineering and production.

The Emilia, Italy manufacturer was joined by Gibson Technology for the engine (more on that in a moment) and Sparco, the brand chosen to create the exclusive clothing line. The design of the car, however, came from the pencil of Umberto Palermo Design.

“I asked him to hide the monstrous performance of the 777 Hypercar and I would say he did it very well, softening those lines that we are usually used to seeing on cars that run the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The look then is reminiscent of a road-going hypercar.”

All About Lightness

Built on a carbon monocoque chassis (the car weighs 1,984 pounds / 900 kilograms), the 777 Hypercar relies on sophisticated aerodynamics to help it generate 4,629 lbs (2,100 kg) of downforce at a speed of 230 mph (370 kmh), with the hypercar able to withstand a lateral acceleration of up to 3.5 and 4.0 Gs.

Lightness was the starting point for the birth of the 777.

“I am a frequent track goer, both to watch races and to race my cars. What have I discovered over the years? Lightness is one of the keys to having fun, to going fast, to enjoying a car, and to turning a lot,” said Levy. “Lightness in fact allows a continuity of performance… my goal was to create a car that weighed no more than 900 kg.”

So the Italian hypercar was not born from an idea of power, but of weight. To be contained as much as possible.

“The power-to-weight ratio is important, but the weight must be low. At this juncture, the hybrid does not help. And as for engine choice, I always prefer the almost infinite progression of the [naturally] aspirated engine. Without resorting to downsizing. For me, a real sports car must have at least a V8.”

777 Hypercar, LIVE photos

With that in mind, to move the 777 Hypercar there could only be a naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V8 with 730 horsepower at 9,000 rpm. No supercharging. No electrification of any kind. Everything as it used to be, screaming performance (with a top speed of 230 mph / 370 kmh), but above all else, lightness. And also an eye to sustainability. In fact, the eight-cylinder runs on synthetic fuels, which allows for a 65 percent decrease in CO2 emissions.

An extreme car through and through, which uses the track as its home and hunting ground. No license plate. And above all, no regulations to limit its performance.

“Right from the start, I told the Dallara and Gibson engineers that we don’t follow any regulations. It is a difficult concept to understand, having no limits sometimes is scary. The car is derived from models that run in endurance racing, with an FIA LMP2 homologated chassis.”

“I asked, ‘What is the maximum driving pleasure for car enthusiasts?’ Not following regulations allows us to be freer and have more performance. The pole position in the 6 Hours of Monza this year was 1:35.358, the 777 runs in 1:33.”

777 Hypercar, LIVE photos

So, a pure, genuine racing car – one that doesn’t miss a thing. Not having to follow the rules of some championships, in fact, makes the 777 Hypercar a unique vehicle. It some ways, it is uncharted territory.

“Performance in motorsport has not improved in recent years. Why? Because the first goal of motorsport is the show. What happened in F1? Where one car got behind another and could not overtake, the regulations began to favor overtaking. And that’s because you have to have fun with it. My approach is completely different because I don’t race. And if I don’t race, everything on the market is no good, because it is designed to favor those who follow.”

For A Limited Few

The 777 Hypercar is extreme in every aspect, even when static. In fact, just seven examples of the 777 Hypercar will be produced, and each owner will receive training to make the most of the car’s performance. In addition, each customer will have the opportunity to train behind the wheel of the Dallara simulator in Varano de Melegari, Italy, and Indianapolis. And to continue the training directly from home, they will receive a professional simulator equipped with the same seat as the 777 – worth about $112,000 (€100,000).

777 Hypercar, LIVE photos

This special “home” simulator is built on a Dallara chassis and is able to perfectly replicate the behavior of the real car. Note that also included in the car’s equipment is a racing kit from Sparco and a helmet from Stilo that allows real-time communication between the driver, engineers, and mechanics during track days.

Track days in that of Monza, where the seven hypercars will have their home in a dedicated space inside the Autodromo, with seven events a year organized for owners. Basically, the 777s will remain guarded at the track, where they will be cared for and pampered, ready to let loose at a moment’s notice. But owners who want will also be able to take them home.

Already Looking To The Future

But there aren’t only seven hypercars planned for the future of 777 Motors. Concurrently, the brand will build the 777 Hypercar Unit-000, the experimental version that will become a kind of laboratory on wheels equipped with the latest autonomous driving, AI driver assist, and virtual coaching technologies.

777 Hypercar, LIVE photos

The car will be built in collaboration with Polimove, Ascari, and the Indy Autonomous Challenge. In addition, a new international research center will be built to produce this experimental super sports car, which will welcome and make use of engineering clusters and universities around the world in an open-source collaboration.

“A proprietary patent we are going to do on the lab car because different partners want to explore these issues. We are open to collaborations and we would also like to create a project within the project, once the virtual coaching is finished, and make it available to any supercar because we think it is unexplored terrain. Also because whatever we’re going to try – autonomous driving, AI, assistance systems – we’re going to try it on 230 mph (370 kmh) cars, and any testing is done on an extreme car.”

How To See The 777 Hypercar

The Italian hypercar can be discovered live at the 777 Motors Lounge, a multimedia open space that can be visited by appointment and is located at the Monza Autodrome, adjacent to the Juan Manuel Fangio statue.

Motorsport

2024 Audi RS6 “GT” Spied: The Ultimate Wagon

Audi has announced plans to exclusively produce electric vehicles starting from 2026. However, there is still time for one more high-performance internal combustion engine (ICE) model. The RS6, which has already received the Performance treatment, is now being tested at the Nürburgring with an even more powerful variant. According to various reports, this meaner version might be called the “GT” and could be introduced alongside a facelift for the standard RS6.

Although it may appear to be more of the same, there are some noticeable changes upon closer inspection. The front bumper has been redesigned with reshaped air intakes, and the bulging fenders now feature a vertical vent. At the rear, there is a new beefy spoiler inspired by the aggressive 2020 RS6 GTO concept. Audi has also made modifications to the bumper, which now includes horizontal reflectors to create the illusion of a wider car.


Technology

How To Easily Find Your Lost Apple TV Remote Using Your iPhone

Apple has introduced a new feature in iOS 17 for the iPhone and tvOS 17 for Apple TVs that makes it easier to locate your Apple TV remote using your iPhone. Similar to the Find My feature for locating misplaced Apple devices, you can now use Siri to track down your lost remote.

Once activated on your iPhone, a radar-like visual appears on the screen, flashing and pulsing to indicate the proximity of the missing remote’s signal. As you get closer, the blue background of the radar becomes larger and brighter, eventually filling up the entire screen when you’re in close proximity to the remote. To use this feature, you’ll need an Apple TV 4K updated to tvOS 17 and an iPhone running iOS 17 that is connected to the Apple TV.

Gaming

How To Safely Clean Your Nintendo Switch And Joy-Cons

Hand holding Switch Joy-cons Natsia27/Shutterstock

Modern electronics are always changing, improving, and even innovating, but there’s one thing many of them still haven’t found a fix for: day-to-day dirt. It doesn’t help that humans, by our very nature, aren’t perfectly clean creatures. Sure we wash our hands, wash laundry, take showers, and so on, but since we’re all mammals composed of organic matter we also produce oil from our skin. Between years of unavoidable oily buildup and regular old dust particles (and the odd mishap), your regularly-used gadgets can and will get dirty.

Your Nintendo Switch and its Joy-Con controllers are no exception. If you play in handheld mode often, chances are good that you’ll begin to see that telltale buildup that most game players have gotten used to over the decades. If you primarily play in docked mode with a different controller, on the other hand, you likely won’t have much (if any) oily buildup content, but the console is far more susceptible to gathering dust since it isn’t being moved often.

Fortunately, cleaning both your Switch console and Joy-Cons is a relatively simple process. And as long as you’re careful, and don’t deviate from Nintendo‘s recommended instructions, you won’t have to worry about damaging the hardware, either.

How to clean your Nintendo Switch and Joy-Cons

Yellow Nintendo Switch Lite case Esolex/Getty Images

A big thing to remember with cleaning your Switch (or any electronics, really) is to never pour water or cleaning solutions onto it directly and never submerge your devices in water or cleaner. Using an appropriate applicator (i.e., wipe, cloth, etc.) is much safer as it uses far less liquid and gives you much more control over where said liquid goes.

  1. Get a hold of a clean cloth. This can be a clean rag or soft screen wipe. Paper towels or napkins will also work so long as you aren’t wiping off the screen, as they’re more abrasive and could potentially create scratches.
  2. Make sure the Switch and Joy-Cons are powered down completely (i.e., not just in Sleep Mode), and unplugged if applicable.
  3. Dampen the cloth with water, then wring out the excess. If it’s too wet, the excess moisture could get inside the housing — or at least take longer to dry.
  4. Gently wipe the surface of your Switch or Joy-Cons with the damp cloth. Rinse and wring out the cloth, then repeat as needed.
  5. Wait for the surfaces to dry completely before turning anything back on. Similarly, wait until the Switch is dry before putting it back in its dock.

In the event that you need to disinfect your Switch or Joy-Cons rather than simply clean their surfaces, Nintendo suggests following the same steps as above — only using a “consumer-grade disinfectant” with no more than 70 percent alcohol instead of water.

News

3 Best German Roadsters For Summer

There’s nothing better than letting in some fresh air and taking in the sunshine by dropping the top on a roadster. A car enthusiast’s dream is made of summer weekend drives on curvy roads with a sweet car in which to do it in. The roadster format was made for these types of drives. They aren’t out to set world lap records or change history. No, they have a much more difficult job, and that’s putting a smile on your face from the start of the drive, your journey along the way, and until you kill the ignition. The roadster must entertain in a way that other cars simply cannot. They aren’t complicated, but you’ll know a good one when you drive one.

As it happens, Germany has taken care of the roadster segment and gives us three strong offerings. From Porsche, we have the ever-popular Boxster. BMW continues to refine the Z4. Do not forget about the Mercedes-Benz SLK/SLC. We have seen four-cylinders to eight, manual transmissions, autos, and lightning-fast dual clutches. From hard-tops, soft-tops, and some in-between weird solutions, these three have explored the limits of the two-seat roadster, and they’ve made the world a little more pleasant for it. These are undoubtedly three of the best German roadsters for your summer weekend drives.

Roadsters must include:

  • Convertible Top
  • Two Seats
  • Entertaining Engine
  • Interesting Design
  • A Unique Driving Character

RELATED: BMW And Roadsters: The Unholy Combo That Never Went BMW’s Way

BMW’s Fabulous Roadster

To arrive at the Z4 we know today, we have to go all the way back to 1988, with the original BMW roadster, the Z1. That car was a feat of engineering providing an open air solution never seen before. With doors, windows and all, folding down into the floor like a magic trick, drivers were left with a door-less driving experience not unlike removing the doors from a jeep.

This brought BMW a ton of attention, but when they were ready to launch their next roadster, they focused not on nifty tricks, but rather a more driver focused vehicle. That vehicle was to be called Z3. Launched as a roadster the Z3 became a popular option with an M version coming later. Although not a roadster, the coupe version with its funky proportions has become desirable, particularly in M form.

Eventually the M Coupe (known as the clown shoe) and M Roadster received BMW M’s highly sought after S54 engine which was an inline-six that revved past 8,000 rpm turning your open top BMW into a piston-filled concert hall. That S54 inline-six carried over into the next generation car which was to be the first Z4, a car that firmly put the Boxster of its time in its place. No clown shoe this time, however the E85 generation Z4 M Coupe and Z4 M Roadster continued on as more driver focused sports cars.

Today’s BMW Z4

2023 purple BMW Z4
BMW
Front view of 2023 purple BMW Z4 parked. 

The current generation Z4 has not been well received by fans of the classic roadster. It is often criticized for being less exciting than its Toyota Supra cousin, but at a higher price. The truth is that both cars offer a different experience despite having similar powertrains and chassis. The BMW is more suiting to a grand touring style roadster experience, which, compared with the boy-racer attitude of the Supra, makes them both very appropriate for their respective demographic.

The Z4 might be a bit softer-edged, but the very strong B58 straight-six engine that lurks beneath is no slouch. BMW claims 382 horsepower, but these numbers are almost always sandbagged. It’s a fast car, straight up. The Z4’s seats strike a perfect balance of comfort and support for the twisties.

Clearly BMW hasn’t forgotten its Z roots, and now available in their luxurious shade of purple called, “thunder night metallic”, or a strong blue called, “Misano” you can have your German Summer roadster in fun colors along with that sweet straight-six soundtrack. Unfortunately there is no dedicated M variant of the current Z4, but for now, it soldiers on as a top-tier German roadster, ready for weekend cruises, or technical canyon driving.

RELATED: 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 Roadster Review: A Star Is Reborn

The Classy Mercedes-Benz SLK

Not to be out-roadster’ed by BMW, Mercedes wanted to offer their own two-seat sporty compact. The SL was a much more sophisticated, larger, and expensive machine, and so, the SLK was born. SLK started out as a very compact two-seater, the original R170 SLK entered the market in 1996 with the 134 horsepower SLK 200, and was manufactured all the way through to 2004.

Supercharged “Kompressor” variants brought some much-needed power to the SLK, and in 2001 an AMG version called the SLK 32 emerged with a 3.2 liter supercharged V-6 putting out a very respectable 349 horsepower. For the second generation SLK, Mercedes-Benz really brought the heat with the 360 horsepower V-8 flagship SLK 55.

The Black Series that followed packed 400 horsepower and an exhaust note that was more muscle car than anything. For the final generation, the SLK became the SLC and eventually Mercedes dropped the V-8, and stuck with the 3.0 liter twin-turbo V-6 pushing 385 horsepower in its final form. In 2020, we said goodbye to the SLC, but its strong presence as a German roadster will always be remembered.

The Mercedes SLK Is No More, But That’s OKAY

2023 gray Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz
Front view of 2023 gray Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG parked. 

The SLK/SLC may have died off, but the SL still exists, and that has become the drivers car no one expected. Despite a weight gain, the SL now embodies a new character, one more reminiscent of its Roadster past. The new SL might not be cheap, but a sports car/roadster experience these days, is a dying breed. It’s an experience that must be savored, and with its tried and true twin-turbo V-8 spitting out up to 577 horsepower, for a little while at least, the two-ish seat roadster from Mercedes-Benz lives on.

RELATED: 1996 – 2004 Porsche Boxster (986)

Porsche’s Mid-Engine Masterpiece, The Boxster

Porsche had a different mission for the Boxster. This car was never put into production to compete with the others, although it did, and now dominates the segment. The original (986 generation) Boxster appeared in 1996 the same year as BMW’s then-new Z3.

Porsche had played with the idea of going with a mid-engine architecture as both a departure from the rear-engined 911 (which was often difficult to manage), and have an entry level model. The Boxster solved both of these problems and quickly became a hit for Porsche. In truth, the Boxster, until the 718 came to be, rarely deviated from a winning recipe, and has continued to garner attention throughout the generations.

From Boxster To 718

2020 green Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0
Porsche
Front view of 2020 green Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 parked. 

The sweet little Boxster of yesteryear is gone. Today the 718 takes its place and for good reason. Although the architecture remains mid-engined, the 718 Boxster range now starts off with a four-cylinder, and you have the option to ask Porsche if they will sell you a 718 Spyder RS with a 911 GT3 engined shoehorned into it.

This is a far cry from the humble Boxster that debuted in 1996. The 718 GT4 RS and accompanying 718 Spyder RS both posses the savage 493 horsepower variant of the 4.0 flat-six that enthusiasts lust after from Porsche. Available only with Porsche’s lightning-fast PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission, these are the ingredients for a near-perfect sports car.

The Spyder RS combines the mechanics of the GT4 RS with the special open-top experience of Porsche Spyder vehicles. Not only is it the ultimate roadster, German or not, it’s one of the most visceral vehicles on sale today. The 718 Boxster is expected to go all-electric for the next generation, so if possible, take advantage of the magical 982 generation while it’s still available. That being said, used Porsches are typically reliable second-hand sports cars.

Specifications And Price

Horsepower

Torque

Weight

Original MSRP

1988 BMW Z1

170

164-pound feet

2,760 pounds

$25,000

1996 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200

134

181-pound feet

2,755 pounds

$15,000

1996 Porsche Boxster

204

140-pound feet

2,755 pounds

$39,900

2023 BMW Z4

382

369-pound feet

3,457 pounds

$65,300

2020 Mercedes-Benz SLC 43

385

384-pound feet

3,527 pounds

$65,645

2023 Porsche 718 Spyder RS

493

331-pound feet

3,214 pounds

$162,150
Motorsport

Alfa Romeo Supercar Officially Confirmed For August 30 Debut

Alfa Romeo has announced that it will officially unveil its highly-anticipated supercar on August 30. The announcement was made at an event in China where the facelifted Giulia and Stelvio models were introduced. Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato expressed his excitement about the project, stating that it is a dream come true inspired by a daring team.

The supercar has been shrouded in mystery, with only a few teaser images released so far. The latest teaser image reveals a round taillight, hinting at a retro-flavored design possibly influenced by the T33 Stradale. The choice of August 30 for the world premiere may be linked to the 2023 Formula 1 Italian GP at Monza, which is scheduled to take place that weekend.

Rumors suggest that the supercar could be called the “6C,” as indicated by the taillight’s depiction of a “6” and a “C” combined. This would suggest a six-cylinder engine, following the four-cylinder engine of the 4C and the V8 engine of the 8C. If this speculation is accurate, the supercar may be powered by a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 engine, similar to the one found in the limited-run Giulia GTA.

Alfa Romeo’s new flagship model aims to fill the void left by the cancellation of the GTV and 8C revivals. CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has assured that the new supercar will be an all-Alfa effort, dispelling any rumors of it being a rebranded Maserati MC20. Imparato has described the car as “iconic, super-sexy, and recognizable.”

Given its limited production run, the 6C is expected to be the most expensive Alfa Romeo ever produced. It is expected to be a collector’s item, particularly as electrification looms on the horizon for the brand. The world premiere of the supercar will take place at Alfa Romeo’s museum in Arese.

Motorsport

Mitsubishi Compact SUV Returns In Fresh Teasers, Debuts August 10

Mitsubishi is in desperate need of fresh products, and thankfully, new vehicles are on the horizon. This time, it’s not another rebadged Renault partnership like the previous Clio/Colt and Captur/ASX collaborations. Instead, Mitsubishi is fully responsible for this upcoming compact crossover. After first teasing it in late May, the company is now offering another preview to generate excitement ahead of the official premiere on August 10. The debut is scheduled to take place at the 2023 Indonesia International Auto Show.

For this new model, expect a toned-down version of the 2022 XFC Concept specifically tailored to the ASEAN region. Mitsubishi considers this market a core focus for the brand. The goal is to differentiate this compact crossover from the crowded segment by incorporating off-road capabilities. It is said to offer a respectable ground clearance of 222 millimeters (8.7 inches), slightly surpassing the Ford Bronco’s 8.3 inches. However, it falls short compared to the 333 mm (13.1 inches) provided by the Ford Bronco Raptor.


News

Here’s Why China Has Significantly More EV Models Than The U.S.

China is currently leading the electric vehicle (EV) race. There’s no denying it and that’s the reality whether you like it or not. Whether that will be sustained in the years to come is still unknown, of course, but in the here and now, China is the world’s EV hotspot. Thanks to government policies and the realization that they can’t compete with other nations who already have nearly a century of experience with the internal combustion engine (ICE), China built an economy around EVs and the components needed to build one. The result? China is the world’s biggest EV market, accounting for more than half of global EV sales in 2022, and that also means their EV choices are far more diverse than any nation–more so the United States.

Related: 10 Chinese Electric Cars We’d Love To Drive

China Has No Legacy, So It’s Building One

Blue 2023 BYD Atto 3 parked
BYD
3/4 front view of a blue 2023 BYD Atto 3 parked in front of a house

Okay, so the word “choice” could be an oxymoron since government policies led Chinese automotive companies to develop EVs and then make its citizens buy them. Decades and billions of dollars later, there are already more than 100 EV companies in China all vying for the money of its citizens. This is on top of prominent Chinese premium EV brands like Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto who are making headlines globally, while other more mainstream brands like BYD, GWM’s Ora, and Geely’s Zeekr are already taking away market share from Volkswagen–the biggest automaker in terms of overall sales in China.

Or at least that used to be the case. BYD has dethroned Volkswagen to become the best-selling automaker in China, thus creating a problem for the German brand that used to command a significant market share in China. With Volkswagen having fewer and at the same time, more expensive EVs than BYD, you could say that the downfall of the brand in the world’s biggest EV market is already unsurprising. Ask anyone why they like a car from a certain nation, and you’ll probably end up with remarks on German cars being luxurious and extraordinarily stable at high speeds; Italian cars being beautiful and resonant in terms of engine noise; or Japanese cars being highly tunable and reliable. China? Well, their brands don’t carry decades of legacy, which in the EV age was a good thing for them. Ferrari, for instance, is known for its singing V-8s and V-12s, but if you take that away, what defines Ferrari? On the other hand, Chinese EV startups are still building their legacy, giving them infinite room to innovate and carve out their own identity at a time when everyone else is still protecting their identity from the ICE age.

Related: Will You Dare To Drive BYD’s Three-Wheel Supercar?

Strength In Numbers… And In Innovation

Blue HiPhi Z
HiPhi
Front three-quarter view of the HiPhi Z

China’s wide range of EVs not only outnumbers that of what the United States has to offer but the design and technology that’s been poured into their EVs is also unbelievably good. Nio is one of the most prominent premium EV brands in China, and people are willing to pay Tesla money for its EVs. The brand’s hallmark features like its cute Nomi personal assistant and battery swap technology that Tesla has abandoned are stuff you won’t find in EVs from Western brands.

What about in terms of design? China’s EV brands also have you covered. With so much choice in the first place, there’s practically an EV for every design taste. Perhaps one of the EV brands that stand out in China in terms of design is HiPhi. With three models called the HiPhi X, HiPhi Y, and HiPhi Z, boring is one adjective you will never associate with how they look. A lot of car enthusiasts complain about how cars look too similar nowadays. Well, HiPhi seems to have gotten the memo and none of their cars conform to generic cookie-cutter standards. From aggressive lines, rakish curves, and even LED taillights that are able to display pre-programmed GIFs or animated icons, HiPhi is able to push the boundaries of design and not conform to how the world sees car design.

2023 BYD Yangwang U8
BYD Yangwang
front 3/4 view of a 2023 BYD Yangwang U8 driving off-road

Off-roaders are currently a sensation in North America, and you can bet that China’s EV start-ups have them, too. One of the most recent to make headlines worldwide is the BYD YangWang U8. Comical name aside, the U8 is part of BYD’s new YangWang sub-brand of high-end EVs, including the U9 supercar. Even though this is a large off-roader, it has supercar-like specs with its quad-motor 1,100-horsepower drivetrain and three-second 0-62 mph time. It can even 360-degree tank turns and float on water thanks to the body being waterproof.

Related: How China Became A Dominant Force In The EV Race

And The Chinese Market Has Spoken, Too

NIO ET7 at the Auto Shanghai 2023
NIO
Shot of a blue NIO ET7 at the Auto Shanghai 2023

It’s common knowledge that China is also the world’s biggest car market, which is why a plethora of global brands treat China as an important market for their bottom line. This is especially true for German luxury brands, where they’ve practically doubled down in their operations in China thanks to Chinese buyers considering these cars as their aspirational vehicles. Unfortunately, these brands saw disappointing foot traffic at the recent Auto Shanghai 2023. With the traditional designs of German luxury cars and their lack of EV options (Porsche even chose the show to hold the global unveiling of the Cayenne, which is not available as an EV), wealthy Chinese buyers instead lusted over the booths of brands like Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto.

That was the case when New York Times interviewed the Cao family living in Shanghai. Formerly the owner of two Porsches, Mr. Ben Cao downsized to one Porsche 911 and the other car is now an electric luxury SUV with a range-extender gasoline engine from Li Auto called the L9. The reason why he chose the L9? Mr. Cao says that most designs of foreign automakers are dull. “They are far behind, no matter whether it is the U.S. ones and even the German ones,” he said. “They don’t even seem to be in the same age.”

Buick Electra E4
Buick China
Three-quarter shot of the Buick Electra E4

Foreign automakers in China are introducing EVs that look like their gasoline counterparts in a bid to create a gradual transition, but for Chinese buyers, these cars end up looking too boring and not groundbreaking enough. As mentioned, since Chinese EV start-ups have freedom from legacy, this gives them room to be creative unlike the established foreign brands whose cars suddenly seemed out of date. This is a sentiment echoed by Felix Kilbertus, Chief Creative Officer at Pininfarina. He told the New York Times at the Auto Shanghai 2023, “Some of that comes from the freedom from legacy.”

Related: 10 Ways Solid State Batteries Will Change EVs Forever

But, There’s A Catch

Rear end of a 2024 Nio ET5 Touring
Nio
Rear end of a 2024 Nio ET5 Touring

In order for these Chinese EVs brands to compete with established brands globally, they have to not just offer better products but also sell them at a lower cost than established brands. As a result, most of these Chinese EV startups, with the exception of BYD, are generating losses instead of profits. Nio, however, is finally narrowing down its losses and expects to be profitable by the end of 2023. It must be noted that this pattern of losses and then eventually becoming profitable is the same path that Tesla took when the brand was launched by Elon Musk. Also, with more than 100 EV start-ups in China, choices for EVs are indeed very diverse, but it also means that market saturation for EVs is going to come sooner rather than later.

Thankfully, in the United States, there are also a couple of EV start-ups like Lucid and Rivian who are making waves with their vehicles. Like China’s EV start-ups, these two brands still aren’t profitable, though they aim to eventually make a profit in the coming years. Ford and GM have also doubled down on their EV development, which means while the United States still won’t have as many EV choices as China right now, that gap will definitely be narrowed down eventually.

ToyotaUk

Celebrating Pride Month: Toyota Employees Reflect on Their Experiences

Toyota provides a welcoming space for everyone, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community. Spectrum is a business partnering group (BPG) at Toyota where LGBTQ+ employees can embrace their identity, discuss relevant issues, and find support.

In honor of Pride Month, we are featuring the perspectives of three Spectrum members. They will share what pride means to them, why they joined the BPG, and how it feels to work for a company that is committed to diversity and inclusion.

Family Ties

Jose Melendez, a body weld team leader at Toyota Mississippi, joined Spectrum to show respect and support for his daughter, Katherine, who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He attends every Spectrum event to demonstrate his solidarity.

Melendez is proud to work at Toyota because it fosters an inclusive environment where everyone is valued and given opportunities to grow. He feels included and appreciates that Toyota prioritizes his safety.

His advice to those considering joining a BPG like Spectrum is to be open-minded and accepting, recognizing that everyone has the right to be their authentic self.

Limitless Possibilities

Sabrina Williams, a quality team leader at Toyota Indiana, sees Pride Month as a time to reflect on the progress made toward equality and celebrate individualism. They emphasize the importance of self-affirmation, self-acceptance, and visibility within the LGBTQ+ community.

Williams has been involved with Spectrum since their first meeting and now serves as the chair of the Toyota Indiana chapter. They appreciate that Toyota celebrates and supports their LGBTQ+ identity through BPG involvement and inclusive policies that create a safe space for all employees.

Like Melendez, Williams believes that Toyota provides opportunities for success and supports employees’ drive for advancement. They feel that being part of a BPG like Spectrum allows employees to bring their authentic selves to work and fosters a sense of belonging and community.

Williams takes pride in the support they receive as a leader within Spectrum, enabling them to pursue ideas that promote inclusivity in the workplace.

Embracing the Unexpected

Lauren Warner, a productivity analyst at Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), didn’t anticipate working at multiple locations when she joined the company five and a half years ago. Nevertheless, Warner embraces the unexpected and appreciates the variety that comes with working at Toyota.

In addition to her role as a productivity analyst, Warner is the chair of Spectrum’s Plano chapter. She credits her team for keeping the BPG running smoothly and effectively.

Spectrum held a Progress Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on June 1, marking an important milestone in recognizing and celebrating inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ community. Warner mentions that at the Dallas Pride festival and parade, they showcased cars painted in the colors of the Progress Pride Flag. Lunch-and-learn sessions are planned throughout the year to provide informational and educational opportunities for everyone.

Overall, Toyota employees in Spectrum find pride in working for a company that prioritizes diversity, inclusion, and the well-being of its employees.

Reviews

2023 Toyota Prius Review: A Stylish Hybrid

There is a strong argument that suggests all new vehicles should be hybrids. The Prius, although not the only hybrid option available, offers the convenience of saving gas without requiring any significant changes to driving habits. You don’t need to plug it in, which makes it extremely easy to use.

What sets the 2023 Prius apart is its attractive design. It is a hybrid that catches your attention. I even found myself turning my head to look at one as it passed by, and I was already driving a Prius myself!

Starting at under $28,000 (plus destination charges), the Prius feels like a fantastic deal. Even the higher-spec $35,000 Limited model is competitively priced considering its features. For those with an interest in electric vehicles and access to parking and charging facilities, the Prius Prime, with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain, offers additional benefits. Nevertheless, there is plenty to appreciate in a stylish and practical car that is fuel-efficient and reasonably priced.