in Motor News
Toyota Shows Off a Trio of Custom Supras at Virtual SEMA
SEMA might be virtual this year, but Toyota still made sure that it had a few customized Supras for the event. More
News
Subterms
More stories
- in Future Cars
The Ford Explorer “Cherokee Truckster” Is Neither Jeep Nor Proper Family Truckster
See all 8 photos
But what if the Griswold’s road trip took place a decade later? Would the family still hit the road in a station wagon? Maybe. Then again, Clark might have decided to join the hoards of families embracing truck-based SUVs such as the still rather new Ford Explorer. For better or worse, such a vision of this alternate timeline exists and is pictured here. The rather unfortunate vehicle bears the name Cherokee Truckster.
Presumably a tie-in between the fictional Wagon Queen brand and Ford, the 1994 Ford Explorer Cherokee Truckster proudly wears its Blue Oval and Explorer badges. However, the Cherokee Truckster kit adds an unmistakably Family Truckster-inspired style to Ford’s family SUV. Green paint? Check. (This is reportedly one of just three Explorers to leave the factory in this hue.) Tacky faux wood paneling? Yep. Loads of luggage tied to the roof racks? You know it.
This special Explorer also features a host of era-specific additions, too, such as oversized running boards, large mud flaps, and tacky chrome bits surrounding the wheel wells and lower door panels. Look past the exterior bits, though, and this looks like any run-of-the-mill XLT-grade 1994 Explorer, from its gray cloth interior to its 4.0-liter V-6 engine.
Then again, would you expect Clark Griswold, of all people, to pay extra for a vehicle with meaningful comfort and convenience or performance upgrades? Of course not. Clark’s the sort of sucker to get upsold on an extra such as the Cherokee Truckster package—one that adds little substance, but reeks of terrible taste.
Not that we’d ever say such things about the individual or family that ultimately signs the title of this Cherokee Truckster (at least not to their faces), which is set to hit the block at Mecum’s upcoming Kissimmee, Florida auction. Credit our colleagues at Motor1.com for making us aware of this piece of vehicular fan fiction. More
- in Motor News
Automotive Design Star Luc Donckerwolke Is Back at Hyundai Group
After an absence of several months, Luc Donckerwolke rejoins the Hyundai Group.
The highly regarded designer, who had been with the group since 2016, will return in a new and global, Europe-based position overseeing design.
Donckerwolke is expected to focus particularly on Genesis and the Ioniq sub-brand.2022 Genesis GV70 Revealed, and It’s a Big Deal
Tested: Genesis GV80 Brings Guilt-Free Opulence
2022 Genesis G70 Gets Same New Look as G80
After a break of just over half a year, Luc Donckerwolke is returning to Hyundai. The star designer had left in April at his own request, but his relationship with the Hyundai Group, where he continued to be deeply admired, was apparently never broken.
Donckerwolke returns on the executive vice president level, but in a new position that will allow him to spend more time in Europe: Located in Hyundai Motor Europe’s Technical Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, he will assume the title of chief creative officer (CCO) and head design communications for the Hyundai Group.Luc Donckerwolke (L) and Genesis CEO Manfred Fitzgerald with Genesis Essentia concept, 2018.
GREGORY BERG/GenesisDonckerwolke had worked for the Hyundai Group since 2016 and had most recently taken over from Peter Schreyer as global chief designer. There, he shaped the design language of the Group’s various brands decisively. Among his most important cars there are the new Genesis G80 and Hyundai Tucson as well as the Hyundai Prophecy and Genesis Essentia concept cars.
Before joining Hyundai, Donckerwolke held various positions in the Volkswagen Group, including as chief designer for Lamborghini, Seat, and Bentley. Some of his most remarkable cars there are the Lamborghini Murciélago and the current Bentley Continental GT.
Going forward, he will put particular emphasis on the luxury brand Genesis, in whose rise he played a decisive role, as well as the EV brand Ioniq and models powered by hydrogen fuel-cell technology. At the same time, he is expected to initiate joint projects with leading industry designers and conceive new concept cars.
The global design department of Hyundai and Genesis will continue to be led by SangYup Lee, while Karim Habib remains responsible for Kia. Six months ago, we wrote that Donckerwolke left Hyundai “on very amicable terms.” His return is proof of how much he was missed at Hyundai, and how much potential still lies in the Korean auto industry.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More
- in Motor News
Ferrari SUV Mule Photos Prove the Purosangue Is Closer to Reality
Captured images of the upcoming Ferrari Purosangue SUV confirm a four-door layout and a coupelike roofline.
The production car is set to go on sale in 2022.
It’s expected to be substantially more expensive than the Lamborghini Urus, which is priced in the $220,000 range.
Enzo Ferrari understood that many Ferrari customers want to be able to share the thrills of driving the company’s products with more than one friend at a time. The 1960 250 GT/E was the first production Ferrari two-plus-two, and the brand has offered at least one model with rear seats pretty much continuously since then. But Enzo always refused to countenance the creation of a Ferrari with rear doors, something he regarded as reserved for vulgar sedans. Which is why the forthcoming Purosangue is set to be doubly radical, both as Ferrari’s first SUV and as the first works-produced model to have four doors.Ferrari’s First SUV Is Coming in 2022
Lamborghini Urus: Perhaps the Ultimate SUV
2021 Bentley Bentayga Gets a New Look
Surprise at Ferrari’s bold new direction has faded since the initial shock of learning the company is developing a sport-ute. Former boss Sergio Marchionne famously told financial analysts, “You’d have to shoot me first,” when asked about such a direction. But times have definitely changed; Marchionne died in 2018, and the galloping success of the Bentley Bentayga, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and Lamborghini Urus has proved that ultra-luxury consumers are as keen on a raised ride height and taller seating position as buyers of cheaper cars are.
KGP Photography
These latest spy shots confirm that development work is continuing, as we would expect given our expectation of seeing the production Purosangue—Italian for “thoroughbred”—as soon as 2022. Distant images of a heavily disguised prototype reveal little about the finished form of the final version, but the lowered driver’s window effectively confirms the presence of four doors and a B-pillar. Beyond that, we can see a low, coupe-ish roofline and sizable brake discs—doubtless carbon-ceramic—and quad exhaust tailpipes we would expect from any Ferrari.
The Purosangue will be based on Ferrari’s modular front-engined platform, one that has been designed to maximize dimensional freedom and accommodate different powertrains. With a rear-mounted transaxle, it is likely that the production car will use an electrically powered front axle rather than a mechanical connection, probably a two-motor system similar to the one on the recently launched SF90. Similarly, we expect the production Purosangue to use a hybridized V-8 like the supercar’s, with some amount of plug-in range. Ferrari has also acknowledged it is working on a hybrid V-6, although that seems like a less likely choice of powerplant given the Lamborghini Urus’s V-8. Ferrari may also choose to follow Rolls-Royce’s example with the option of V-12 power, although likely only in less emissions-conscious parts of the world.
We will have to wait until closer to the Purosangue’s launch in 2022 for more details and to find out how Ferrari’s designers have handled the challenge of combining the brand’s styling cues with an SUV. But we can already tell you that it won’t be cheap, with an anticipated price that will almost certainly be closer to the $335,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan than the $222,000 Lamborghini Urus.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More
- in Bike
Honda Sales Oct 2020 Crosses 5 Lakh Units – Thanks To New Activa
New Honda Activa 6G
Honda 2Wheelers India reports YoY sales growth for 3rd monthHonda domestic sales is just shy of 5 lakh units at 4,94,459 units. Volume gain is reported at 6,640 units, up from 4,87,819 units at 1.36 percent growth. Domestic sales accounts for 93.79 percent of total sales. Exports grew to 32,721 units at 8.98 percent growth. Volume gain is reported at 2,695 units, up from 30,026 units. Total sales is reported at 5,27,180 units, up 1.8 percent from 5,17,845 units.
MoM domestic sales fell by 1.28 percent. Sales has dipped from 5,00,887 units at volume decline of 6,428 units. Exports gained 25.96 percent up from 25,978 units. Total MoM sales gain is minimal at .06 percent up from 5,26,865 units.
Honda Two Wheeler Sales Oct 2020 vs Oct 2019 vs Sep 2020
Looking Forward To Q4 2020
With sales in October 2020 being a strong tailwind for most manufacturers, sales momentum has been noteworthy. This bodes well as the industry goes into Q4 2020 on the back of a weak start to FY21 on account of nationwide lockdown owing to Covid-19 pandemic. While a sudden standstill threw processes off-track, recovery now has been phenomenal. Of course this won’t be enough to recuperate losses incurred a few months earlier, it will help post a strong quarter to end 2020.
While sales momentum was expected, it seems the industry for the most part has bounced back much better than some of the stifled expectations discussed earlier. HMSI covets precious podium spot and has been sitting pretty at number two for years now. Through October 2020, it continues to do so. As expected, HMSI’s strong march forward is propelled for the most part by the ever popular Honda Activa scooter.
Interestingly, though Honda two-wheeler sales are obstinately strong, it still has always been difficult for the manufacturer to catch up with Hero MotoCorp’s sales. Both manufacturers function as strong protagonists of the industry, and foster and nurture the nation’s strong reputation as being a larger the life two-wheeler market. On any given month, cumulative sales from the top two manufacturers could hover around the 10 lakh mark. Interestingly, the two close competitors don’t really compete too closely across segments.
Personal vehicle purchases
Hero MotoCorp gallops forward basis its Splendor, and Honda sales is furthered by its Activa scooter. Current sales growth spurt at present is getting a shot in the arm through a cascading sentiment that’s tipping people’s decision making towards two-wheeler purchases. Need for a personal commute option is now paramount as more folks are cognisant about maintaining safe distancing.
Public transport options though resumed on most routes doesn’t comes with the guarantee of safe distancing, meaning more or more people would rather have a bike. A range of finance options too is ensuring ease of purchase. Business resumption has meant the supply chain and logistics is now uninterrupted.
Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Ending October, nearly 100% of our network is opened and charged up post recording YOY increase in retails during the first 2D’s of festival (Durga Puja and Dussehra). Riding into the festive season on a high note, our newly launched H’ness-CB350 has garnered great response in a short span of time. In less than 1 month of start of sales of our debut 350ccc mid-size motorcycle, our production is booked till November, even as new bookings continue to rise.” More - in Motor News
Toyota Reveals More 2021 Mirai Details, Including Trims and Colors
Toyota has shown more photos of the production 2021 Mirai, a hydrogen-powered sedan.
It will come in XLE and Limited trim levels and a choice of four exterior colors.
The Mirai will arrive in the U.S. in late December, Toyota says.
The second generation of Toyota’s hydrogen-powered car, the Mirai, is remarkably different than its predecessor, adopting a new rear-wheel drive layout and a much more luxurious interior than before. Toyota has now shown more photos of the production version of the 2021 Mirai after first previewing the new model with a thinly veiled concept last year.
Toyota also now says that the Mirai will be offered in two trim levels: XLE and Limited. The XLE is pictured here in Supersonic Red and the Limited in Hydro Blue. Oxygen White and Heavy Metal (which we assume is grey) will round out the exterior color options.Toyota
Toyota
Toyota Mirai Concept Heralds Gen-2 Fuel-Cell Car
2017 Honda Clarity vs. 2016 Toyota Mirai
We already knew that the new Mirai is significantly larger than the old one, and that it will offer new features such as a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, heated and cooled seats front and rear. Its larger hydrogen fuel cell promises around 30 percent more range, meaning it should go around 400 miles on a tank, and its electric motor now powers the rear wheels rather than the fronts.
Toyota
We don’t know about pricing for the new Mirai yet, but we assume it will be more expensive than the current car, which starts at $59,545. Most customers will likely lease the Mirai rather than purchasing it outright, and it’s likely to be offered only on the West coast in areas where hydrogen fueling stations exist. Toyota offers $15,000 or 3 years of free hydrogen with the current car, and we’d expect a program like this to continue for the new Mirai.
Further details should be available soon, as the Mirai is scheduled to go on sale in December.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More
- in Bike
BS6 Ducati Multistrada 950 S Launch Price Rs 15.49 L – Deliveries Start Soon
BS6 Ducati Multistrada 950 S
BS6 Ducati Multistrada 950 S has been made available in a single variant and will be offered in a single paint scheme- Ducati RedItalian superbike manufacturer Ducati has launched the much awaited Multistrada 950 S in its latest iteration. The updated adventure bike has been priced at Rs 15.49 lakh (ex-showroom, pan India) and will be available for display at showrooms in a few days time.
Deliveries of the upcoming adventure tourer are expected to begin from the second week of November. Bookings have already commenced at a token amount of Rs 1 lakh. It is the entry-level motorcycle in the brand’s Multistrada range of ADV bikes both in terms of affordability and engine displacement.
Design
The Multistrada 950 is an amalgam of Multistrada 1260 and Multistrada 1260 Enduro in terms of design elements incorporated. Its front end features a distinctive horizontally extended full-LED headlight and an adjustable windscreen. It receives new side wings and a revised tank that have been borrowed from the larger Multistrada. It retains its traditional beak from its predecessor.
On the other hand, the rider’s seat, passenger seat, rear grab rail, the design of the exhaust and swingarm and the wheel sizes are inspired from the Multistrada 1260 Enduro. The seat is very scooped and gets additional cushioning. The knuckle guards come with integrated turn indicators which adds a nice touch.Dynamics
The new Multistrada 950 S sits on a tubular steel Trellis frame which is linked to a new, lighter double-sided aluminium swingarm which enhances its ADV looks. The freshly designed light 19-inch aluminium alloy wheel at front gets 320mm twin discs with callipers from Brembo. The rear wheel is equipped with a 265 mm rotor disc. It is linked to a suspension unit with a travel of 170mm to ensure ride comfort is complemented by agility. It also receives a class-leading 20-litre fuel tank capacity.
In terms of features, it comes with a range of electronics onboard including Bosch Cornering ABS, Vehicle Hold Control (VHC) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC). It also features semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) which continuously adjusts the 48mm diameter fork and rear shock absorbers. Other notable features include 5-inch TFT colour instrument panel with Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Ducati cornering lights, Ducati quick shift up/down and cruise control.It gets two 12-V power sockets- one in the front dash, the other underneath the seat. It also gets a USB phone charging unit, different riding modes assisted by ride-by-wire technology and self-servo wet slipper clutch. It also receives backlit switchgear controls and a hands-free system.
Powertrain & Transmission
Coming to the performance aspect, the new Multistrada 950 S gets a BS6 (Euro-5) compliant 937 cc liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder Testastretta 11° engine which pushes out 113 hp at 9,000 rpm and 96 Nm of torque at 7,750 rpm. It is paired with a six-speed gearbox with a bi-directional quick shifter. More - in Motor News
2021 Infiniti Q60 Starts At $42,675
The starting MSRP for the 2021 Infiniti Q60 is just $300 more than last year, which is fair since the base model is nearly identical to 2020.
The mid-level Luxe trim is the one we recommended last year, and the slight changes for 2021 mean that this is still the one to get, but now it comes with heated seats and steering wheel as standard.
Rear-wheel drive is standard for the Q60, and all three trim levels can be upgraded to all-wheel drive for $2000.
After keeping the 2020 Q60 pretty much the same between model years, Infiniti has added a few new features and colors for 2021. There are no major changes here—the new sedan keeps its stylish design—but it now starts at $42,675, a modest $300 increase over last year’s model.
All 2021 Q60 models are powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 engine that produces 300 horsepower (400 hp in the Red Sport 400) and 295 lb-ft of torque (350 lb-ft in the Red Sport 400), paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission.Infiniti Pares Down Sedan Lineup for 2020
2019 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400
Infiniti’s QS Inspiration Previews Future Sedans
The new Q60 comes in three trim levels: Pure, Luxe, and Red Sport 400, with rear- and all-wheel-drive versions of all three. Choosing AWD adds $2000 to the FWD price. The new exterior paint colors are Grand Blue and Slate Gray, with Dynamic Sunstone Red a $900 option on either the Luxe or Red Sport 400 trims. For 2021, the Red Sport 400 trim starts at $59,125 and offers options including a Performance package ($1206) with special exhaust and air intake and a carbon-fiber package ($2280) featuring various trim and a rear spoiler.
Infiniti
The middle-level Luxe trim gets the lion’s share of the changes for 2021. Starting at $51,225, the Luxe upgrades the Pure’s offerings by making a heated steering wheel and heated front seats standard, along with semi-aniline-leather-trimmed seats. The Luxe trim now also offers remote engine start as part of the $2050 Essential package, which also introduces rain-sensing wipers to the Q60.
Infiniti
The Luxe replaces the standard six-speaker audio offering with a 13-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system. It also comes standard with predictive forward-collision warning and automated front emergency braking with pedestrian detection, neither of which are available on the Pure. Blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and backup collision intervention are standard on the Red Sport 400 trim and available as part of the Essential package on the Luxe. The Red Sport 400 model can be ordered with the $1700 ProActive package, which comes with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and prevention, active lane control, and other features.
Infiniti is taking orders for the 2021 Q60 now, and deliveries will start before the end of the year.This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More
