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BMW

Ryan Fox Makes History as First New Zealander to Win the BMW PGA Championship

September 18, 2023 Prafful Singh

Ryan Fox has emerged victorious at the 2023 BMW PGA Championship, becoming the first New Zealander to claim the title. In an exhilarating final round, Fox secured the win with a birdie at the last hole. The European Ryder Cup team also showcased their good form during the tournament, while BMW supported the event’s charity partner CALM. A total of 109,635 fans attended the flagship DP World Tour event.

With consistent rounds of 69, 68, 66, and 67, Ryan Fox finished with a score of 270 (18 under par) to capture the prestigious BMW PGA Championship. At the Wentworth Club, the 36-year-old golfer celebrated the biggest win of his career so far. This victory marked Fox’s fourth triumph on the DP World Tour and his first at a Rolex Series event. By sealing the win, Fox edged out Aaron Rai and Tyrrell Hatton, who both finished at 17 under par.

“Congratulations to Ryan Fox on winning the 2023 BMW PGA Championship on behalf of the BMW Group,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Human Resources and Real Estate. “Ryan demonstrated great skill and dedication to triumph over a world-class field. He truly deserves to be the champion. The supporters, volunteers, and everyone involved have contributed to making the BMW PGA Championship live up to its reputation as the ‘Festival of Golf’.”

Despite starting the Sunday three strokes behind the leader, Fox remained composed throughout the final round. Despite a rocky start with a triple bogey on the third hole and interruptions due to storms, Fox managed to avoid dropping further shots. His outstanding performance included eight birdies, with a particularly memorable birdie from the trees on the 15th hole.

Reflecting on his victory, Fox expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It feels fantastic. I played great, pretty much from the third hole on, didn’t miss a shot. The back nine was crazy. I made birdie from the trees on 15, first hole back after the delay. I’ve always struggled a little bit around here. I think I’ve snuck maybe one top 20 and struggled to make any cuts. To have a back nine like that, especially after how I started, was amazing.”

Meanwhile, several European Ryder Cup team members participating in the BMW PGA Championship demonstrated good form ahead of their duel against the defending champions, USA. The 25th September to 1st October event will take place at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy, with BMW as the Worldwide Partner. Notably, Tyrrell Hatton finished in the top ten alongside Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg, and Sepp Straka. Defending champion Shane Lowry and Matt Fitzpatrick also displayed strong performances.

For Ludvig Åberg, the 23-year-old Swedish golfer, the tournament provided an opportunity to showcase his talent. Although he ultimately missed out on victory, Åberg impressed fans with his fearless and brilliant golf. His performance was strong enough to convince European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald to select him as a wildcard for the team.

On the other hand, World number two Rory McIlroy faced a challenging weekend initially, needing a crucial birdie on Friday to secure a place in the tournament. However, McIlroy demonstrated his skills with a remarkable round of 65 on Sunday, the best score of the day. With this momentum, McIlroy now looks forward to the upcoming event in Rome with optimism.

The BMW PGA Championship also made a positive impact by supporting the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), an organization focused on preventing suicide. BMW made donations to CALM based on the number of birdies and eagles recorded during the tournament. In total, £24,450 was donated, including contributions from tournament spectators.

Motorsport

Toyota Expects 27 MPG Combined for 2024 Land Cruiser

August 14, 2023 Prafful Singh

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is predicted to become the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class, with an estimated combined fuel economy of 27 miles per gallon, as stated on the official US website of the Japanese company.

According to TFLTruck, the Land Cruiser has a higher combined MPG compared to most of its competitors, including the Ford Bronco Badlands, Land Rover Defender, and even the plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe when considering only the gasoline part of the powertrain.

The 2024 Land Cruiser is powered by a hybrid drivetrain that combines a 2.4-liter inline-4 combustion engine with an electric motor mounted within the eight-speed automatic gearbox. It is built on the same TNGA-F platform as the Lexus GX.

With a total of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, the inline-4 engine is expected to provide impressive performance. However, its estimated fuel economy is the standout feature at the moment.

The Ford Bronco Badlands equipped with a 4-cylinder 2.3-liter engine has an EPA-rated combined fuel economy of 17 MPG, while the Land Rover Defender 110 with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine achieves 18 MPG combined, according to the EPA. Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe has an EPA-rated fuel economy of 20 MPG when considering only the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, and a combined economy of 49 MPGe with a full battery.

Source: Fueleconomy.gov

Furthermore, the Toyota Tacoma, which shares the same TNGA-F platform with the new Land Cruiser, has an EPA-rated combined fuel economy of 20 MPG with a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine.

In Europe and Australia, the recently unveiled Land Cruiser will be offered with a 2.8-liter diesel engine producing 201 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, a turbocharged 2.4-liter gasoline unit with 278 horsepower and 316 pound-feet of torque will be available in Western and Eastern Europe, while a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter gasoline engine rated at 161 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque will be offered in Japan and Eastern Europe. However, the fuel efficiency ratings for these powertrains have not been announced, so it remains to be seen how they compare to the US-bound 2.4-liter hybrid combination.

It also remains to be seen how the manufacturer estimate will align with the official EPA rating for the North American market. Nevertheless, it appears that Toyota has a winner on its hands, at least in terms of MPG.

We would like to hear your thoughts on this, so please share them in the comments section below.

Featured

Tata Punch CNG Vs Hyundai Exter CNG – Specification And Price Comparison

August 7, 2023 Prafful Singh

The Exter CNG offers more features while the Punch boasts a 5-star rating and innovative boot design.

The Tata Punch CNG has finally been launched, almost eight months after being showcased at Auto Expo 2023. It is Tata’s fourth model to offer a green fuel alternative and goes head-to-head with the Hyundai Exter, which also offers a CNG option. For those considering between the two smallest CNG SUVs, here is a detailed comparison of their price and specifications:

Price Check

Tata Punch CNG	Hyundai Exter CNG
Pure CNG – Rs 7.10 lakh
Adventure CNG – Rs 7.85 lakh
Adventure Rhythm CNG – Rs 8.20 lakh	S CNG – Rs 8.24 lakh
Accomplished CNG – Rs 8.85 lakh	SX CNG – Rs 8.97 lakh
Accomplished Dazzle S CNG – Rs 9.68 lakh

Tata offers the CNG option from the base variant of the Punch, resulting in a lower starting price of around Rs 1 lakh. On the other hand, Hyundai offers the CNG option in just two variants and the top-spec Punch CNG is more expensive by about Rs 70,000.

Engine Specifications

Specs	Punch CNG	Exter CNG
Engine	1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol-CNG	1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol-CNG
Power	73.5PS	69PS
Torque	103Nm	95.2Nm
Transmission	5-speed MT	5-speed MT
Claimed Fuel Economy	–	27.1km/kg

On paper, the Punch CNG offers slightly better performance than the Exter CNG, and both come with a 5-speed manual transmission. Tata has not disclosed the fuel economy of the Punch CNG, but it is expected to be around 25 km/kg. Hyundai claims that its Exter CNG variants can achieve a fuel economy of 27.1 km/kg.

Also Read: Hyundai Grand i10 Nios vs Venue Vs Exter: Price Comparison

Boot Space

Thanks to Tata’s dual-cylinder setup, the Punch CNG offers a generous usable boot space of 210 litres. This allows buyers to go on weekend trips without worrying about luggage space. There are no official figures for the Exter CNG’s boot space, but it can be expected to accommodate slim laptop bags or handbags, and nothing more.

Features

Common Features	Punch	Exter

The Punch and Exter CNG versions are equipped with similar features such as projector headlamps, LED DRLs, electric sunroof, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. Since Tata offers the CNG option on a higher specification of the Punch, it also gets additional features like a push-button start-stop and auto headlamps. However, even in its mid-spec variants with CNG, the Exter has its advantages in the form of climate control and a larger infotainment unit.

Also Read: Hyundai Exter Gets These 7 Features Over The Tata Punch

Safety Features

Common Features	Punch	Exter
Rear Parking Camera Rear Parking Sensors ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts	Dual Front Airbags	Six Airbags Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Electronic Stability Control Hill Start Assist Vehicle Stability Management Rear Defogger

Clearly, the Exter offers a more comprehensive safety package compared to the Punch, with six airbags, TPMS, electronic stability control, hill start assist, and vehicle stability management. However, the Punch has proven its safety credentials with a 5-star safety rating from GNCAP.

On paper, the Exter leads in terms of safety features and possibly fuel economy. However, the Punch offers more features in its higher specifications, along with greater boot space and more variants to choose from. A comprehensive road test will provide a better understanding of their real-world performance.

ALL-ELECTRIC FIAT 500e NAMED BEST ELECTRIC CITY CAR BY DIESEL&ECOCAR MAGAZINE FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING

July 12, 2023 Prafful Singh

FIAT 500e collects title for ‘Best Electric City Car’ in Diesel&EcoCar Magazine’s EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards for the second year in a row
Judges commend 500e for its range, affordability, design, and maneuverability
Buyers can benefit from FIAT’s new E-Grant and receive £3,000 towards a new 500e

The FIAT 500e has been awarded the title of ‘Best Electric City Car’ in Diesel&EcoCar Magazine’s EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards for the second consecutive year. This latest achievement further adds to the car’s collection of national and international accolades.

The 500e was put to the test by Diesel&EcoCar Magazine’s expert panel of journalists, who compared it to the leading electric vehicles in the market. The judges particularly praised the 500e for its excellent range, affordability, design, and maneuverability, making it the perfect choice for urban driving.

Ian Robertson, Editor & Publisher of Diesel&EcoCar Magazine, commented: “The 500e retains its position as our favorite all-electric city car. It is affordable to purchase outright, and with various low-cost financing options available, it will likely be many motorists’ first electric vehicle. It is incredibly easy to drive, with its smaller battery pack providing a range of 118 miles for city dwellers, and the 42kWh version offering a 199-mile range for longer journeys. Its quick acceleration, tight turning circle, and compact size make it an outstanding car for urban areas, and its interior represents a significant improvement from the older 500 models. It is more spacious than it appears and, of course, its adorable appearance cannot be ignored.”

Damien Dally, Managing Director of FIAT & Abarth UK, said: “We are delighted to receive further industry recognition for the 500e from Diesel&EcoCar Magazine by winning their Best City Car Award for the second year in a row. FIAT is leading the way in the nation’s transition to electric vehicles, making the 500e more accessible than ever with our new E-Grant initiative, which offers customers £3,000 towards the purchase of a new 500e or 500e Convertible.”

The Fiat 500e is the first fully-electric Fiat that has been designed from the ground up. It offers a range of best-in-class features, including Level 2 Autonomous Driving technologies, various battery options, and an impressive driving range of up to 199 miles (WLTP) – the longest range of any electric city car on the market today.

To further enhance the 500e’s appeal, the car is equipped with 85kW fast charging, allowing the battery to reach 80% range in just 30 minutes and enabling a range of 30 miles in approximately five minutes.

Additionally, thanks to its fully-electric nature, the 500e is exempt from congestion charges and the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone), making it the ideal vehicle for urban areas. Furthermore, the 500e convertible is the only 4-seater convertible in its segment.

For more information about FIAT’s new E-Grant and how buyers can receive £3,000 towards a new 500e model, click here.

ENDS

Featured

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Launches Its 2023 Team Driver Hat Collection

July 6, 2023 David

In an effort to be the most successful and stylish team, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team continues to redesign its gear collection for each race in the season. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, the team drivers, have both created personalized hat collections that feature their race numbers and logos. The new 2023 Team Driver Hat collection from Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 is now available in a range of vibrant colors in time for the Silverstone Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton’s 2023 team driver hat has a base design with an iconic houndstooth pattern and the Mercedes-Benz badge prominently stitched on the front. It also features a green print, Hamilton’s #44 racing number, and the ‘wings’ logo on the back. On the other hand, George Russell’s 2023 SE Silverstone neon green team hat has a more subtle monochrome “dad hat” style, with Russell’s #63 racing number embroidered on the peak of the brim. All official sponsor logos are incorporated throughout the design of both hats.

Show your support for your favorite Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 drivers and cheer on the team with the newest lifestyle release, the all-new Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 2023 Silverstone GP team driver hats. These hats are now available for purchase through the Mercedes-AMG F1 store. If you’re interested in purchasing a Mercedes-Benz, you can browse all currently available models on duPont REGISTRY’s website.

View All Mercedes-Benz For Sale

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BMW

BMW M Motorsport Struggles in the Season Opener at Oschersleben

June 9, 2023 Prafful Singh

The BMW M Motorsport team had a tough start to their title defence in the DTM season opener at Oschersleben in Germany. Despite their best efforts, the BMW M4 GT3 was unable to compete for top positions, making it difficult to make up positions on the tight circuit where overtaking is challenging.

The best results for BMW M Motorsport came from Schubert Motorsport at their home race, with René Rast finishing fifth on Saturday and Sheldon van der Linde, the reigning DTM champion, finishing eleventh on Sunday. Marco Wittmann, on the other hand, retired from both races.

Schubert Motorsport used the race weekend to treat their guests to a diverse programme of events off the racetrack, including the handover of a limited-edition BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition to van der Linde by the team’s principal, Torsten Schubert, BMW M CEO Franciscus van Meel, and Head of BMW M Motorsport Andreas Roos. The Champion Edition, based on a BMW M4 Competition, boasts a special design inspired by the colours of van der Linde’s BMW M4 GT3.

Andreas Roos, the Head of BMW M Motorsport, acknowledged that the Oschersleben race was not the start to the season that they had hoped for. He assured that they would analyse the data and prepare for the next race weekend at Zandvoort, particularly taking a closer look at the damage to René Rast’s car.

René Rast was pleased with his performance, managing to match the pace of van der Linde and Wittmann during Saturday’s qualifying session and finishing fifth on the race debut as a BMW M works driver. Sheldon van der Linde acknowledged that it was a difficult weekend for the team, and they needed to work on their qualifying performance. Marco Wittmann lamented the disadvantage caused by his car’s top speed and the penalty that impacted his chances of scoring points.

VauxhallUk

VAUXHALL WINS BIG AT THE GREAT BRITISH FLEET AWARDS 2023

June 8, 2023 admin

Vauxhall takes home the title of ‘Fleet Manufacturer of the Year’ at the Great British Fleet Awards 2023
Vauxhall Corsa was also awarded the ‘Best Fleet Supermini’, Vauxhall Astra was named ‘Best Lower Medium Fleet Car’, and Vauxhall Vivaro took ‘Medium Van of the Year’ at the awards
Vauxhall is one of the few brands able to offer fleets a fully electric van across its entire LCV line-up
By 2028, Vauxhall’s entire car and van range will be fully electric – seven years ahead of the Government deadline

Vauxhall has been awarded the title of ‘Fleet Manufacturer of the Year’, at last night’s Great British Fleet Awards 2023 in Milton Keynes organised by Fleet World. The Vauxhall Astra, Corsa and Vivaro were also celebrated, taking home the ‘Best Lower Medium Fleet Car’, ‘Best Fleet Supermini’, and ‘Medium Van of the Year’ titles, respectively.

The ‘Fleet Manufacturer of the Year’ title reflects Vauxhall’s position as one of the UK’s most versatile fleet operators. Across its Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment, it is one of the few manufacturers in the country able to offer fleets an electrified variant across its entire model line-up, alongside diesel versions. Vauxhall has been the UK’s best-selling e-LCV manufacturer for the past two years running.

Vauxhall’s passenger vehicle range has also grown significantly over the course of the past 12 months, with the brand now selling electrified variants across every model with the exception of the Crossland. By 2028 it will be an electric-only manufacturer, seven years ahead of the UK Government deadline. Vauxhall’s commitment to electrification, and its versatile product range is making it easier for businesses to go green.

The Vauxhall Vivaro was named the ‘Medium Van Of the Year’ at last night’s awards. The award winning Vivaro has been the UK’s best-selling electric light commercial vehicle for two consecutive years. Available with a 50kWh or a 75kWh battery, the Vivaro Electric achieves a WLTP range of up to 205 miles from a single charge and comes with a maximum payload of up to 1,226kg. The Vivaro Electric is joined by the Combo Electric and Movano Electric.

The Fleet World judges named the Vauxhall Corsa as their ‘Best Fleet Supermini’, a fitting title for the UK’s best-selling supermini of 2022, while the Astra took home the award for ‘Best Lower Medium Fleet Car’.

Both Corsa and Astra continue to be popular options for both private and fleet buyers. Astra offers efficient petrol and diesel variants as well as a highly efficient Plug-in Hybrid model capable of travelling up to 43 miles (WLTP, EAER) on electric power alone. Corsa has been available as a fully electric variant since 2020. The latest Corsa Electric provides up to 222 miles of range (WLTP) from its 50kWh battery, while a 0-80% charge takes just 30 minutes to complete from a 100kW rapid charger. The Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer Electric will be joining the Vauxhall range later this year, providing even more electric vehicle options for fleet customers.

John Challen, Editor, Fleet World, said: “Vauxhall has always been committed to the demands of fleet drivers and the latest Astra is just one example of how it still has its eye on the ball. The arrival of plug-in hybrid and electric versions of its core fleet models ensures that the brand will remain a popular choice as the market moves away from diesel and petrol power.”

James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “I’m delighted to see that Fleet World has recognised Vauxhall as ‘Fleet Manufacturer of the Year’. It is a true indication of Vauxhall’s commitments to fleet users and how the latest Vauxhall range continues to adapt to meet the needs of today’s drivers as we move towards a fully electric car and van range from 2028.”

With the recent launch of the Astra GSe and the Astra Sports Tourer GSe, fleet users can now enjoy uprated electrified drivetrains and improved handling thanks to suspension and steering upgrades. Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe are both eligible for a Benefit-in-Kind rate of just 8% and 12%, respectively.

-ENDS-

FiatUk

ALL-ELECTRIC 500 WINS DUO OF AWARDS AT THE 2023 WHAT CAR? AWARDS

June 8, 2023 Prafful Singh

All-electric Fiat 500 retains title as Best Small Electric Car for the City and Best Convertible for Value
Fiat’s first fully-electric car scoops duo of awards courtesy of it driving performance and stylish looks

The all-electric Fiat 500 has picked up from where it left off in 2022, gaining further recognition amongst industry experts. For a second year in a row, all-electric 500 has picked up Best Small Electric Car for the City and Best Convertible for Value at the 2023 What Car? Awards.

When awarding the all-electric 500 with Best Small Electric Car, judges praised its design and driving capabilities.

Steve Huntingford, Editor at What Car? said: “The instant response from the Fiat 500’s 117bhp motor helps you nip in and out of traffic with ease, while the car’s tiny dimensions and light steering make it great for urban manoeuvres and squeezing into tight spaces. We’re also big fans of the smart, modern interior and the relatively high driving position, with the latter boosting visibility.”

Damien Dally, Managing Director Fiat and Abarth, said: “2022 was an incredible year for all-electric 500, having achieved so many accolades from industry experts.

“It’s very promising to see our first fully-electric car kick off the year in style and equally rewarding that we have been able to retain the title of Best Small Electric Car for the City and best Convertible for Value at the prestigious What Car? Awards.”

The all-electric Fiat 500 is the first fully-electric Fiat designed from the ground up. The car provides a raft of best-in-class features such as Level 2 Autonomous Driving technologies, a variety of battery options and a substantial driving range of up to 199 miles (WLTP) – the longest range of any electric city car on the market today.

To put the all-electric 500 even further at the forefront of customers’ minds, the car boasts 85kW fast charging, enabling the battery to reach 80 per cent range in just 30 minutes and, more impressively, 30 miles in around five minutes.

Additionally, courtesy of the fully-electric nature of the car, all-electric 500 is congestion charge and ULEZ-exempt, making it the perfect vehicle for the city.

The all-electric 500 convertible is also the only 4-seater convertible in its segment.

To find out more, please visit www.fiat.co.uk or to locate the nearest Fiat retailer, visit www.fiat.co.uk/retailers.

END

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