More stories

  • in

    Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale Is a Limited-Run Piece of Rolling Sculpture

    The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale will be limited to a total of 33 examples.Alfa’s employing coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera to handle 33 Stradale production.The 33 Stradale cribs its name and likeness from the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale sports car of the late 1960s.Alfa Romeo is pulling from its past in order to prepare for the future. The latest halo car from the 113-year-old brand shares its name and likeness with the 33 Stradale mid-engine sports car of the late 1960s. That car served as the road-going counterpart to the automaker’s Tipo 33 race car. Though the reimagined 33 Stradale lacks a direct connection to any modern Alfa Romeo race car, the new 33 is no less lustworthy than its forebear. Just 18 examples of the original 33 Stradale left the factory. Alfa’s Halo CarThis time around Alfa’s expanding the reach of the 33 Stradale by adding an extra 15 units to the production run. Want one? Too late, all 33 spots for the surely close to—if not more than—seven-figure halo car are spoken for. These lucky (and wealthy) customers span the globe, per Alfa, including North America.The design of the 33 Stradale—with its low-slung looks, flowing lines, butterfly doors, and airy glass canopy—is arguably its pièce de résistance, and its retro-modern styling bridges the gap between Alfa’s past and its future. This applies to the art deco interior that mimics the cockpit of a jet airplane as well. Physical switchgear pockmarks the cabin, with the 33 Stradale integrating physical controls to engage the likes of its front-axle lift, launch-control system, and drive-mode selector, which offers the driver two settings to choose from: the default Strada mode that favors on-road comfort or the track-oriented Pista setting. Maserati Mechanical ConnectionLike Alfa’s last halo car, the front-engine 8C Competizione coupe and 8C Spider convertible of the late 2000s, the 33 Stradale pulls much of its mechanical hardware from the Maserati parts bin. This includes integral chassis components from the MC20. The two Italian sports cars even share the same wheelbase, and both gas-powered models’ powertrains consist of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that produces north of 620 horsepower and an eight-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.But internal-combustion engines are the powertrain of yesterday. Electricity will power many of tomorrow’s cars, and the 33 Stradale acknowledges this by way of its available battery-electric powertrain. Alfa Romeo is mum on specifics, but it claims the setup makes more than 750 horsepower and ought to provide around 240 miles of driving range on a full charge. Regardless, Alfa Romeo expects the battery-powered 33 Stradale to pack an extra half-ton of weight compared to the sub-3300-pound gas model. That additional mass ought to have little effect on off-the-line acceleration, though, as the automaker estimates both powertrains will push the 33 Stradale to 60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds, with the higher-powered electric variant hitting the mile-a-minute mark just a couple ticks ahead of the gasser. (For what it’s worth, a nearly 3800-pound MC20 needed 3.2 seconds to hit 60 mph under our supervision.)33 for 33Just how many of these hand-built Italian supercars leave Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera’s factory under battery or gas power once production commences in June 2024 ultimately depends on the preference of each individual customer. That said, we hear the majority of buyers are favoring the internal-combustion option.Though there’s always the chance this limited-run sports car does little more than celebrate Alfa Romeo’s past glory, we’re hopeful that the 33 Stradale previews the future design direction, approach to dynamic performance, and general extravagance of the next generation of mass-produced models from the historic Italian marque. More Alfa RomeoThis content is imported from poll. 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.Senior EditorDespite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg’s career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend. More

  • in

    Karizma XMR 210 Vs Rivals – Best Fully-Faired Machine?

    Hero Karizma XMR 210Hero Karizma XMR 210 seems like the most bang-for-buck motorcycle in this list and is fit to bear the legend statusThe new Karizma XMR 210 launched in India is Hero MotoCorp re-opening its account in stylish fully-faired motorcycles after a long time. Yes, we’re aware that Xtreme 200S existed. Hero has priced it at Rs. 1.73 lakh (ex-sh, introductory). At this price point, it primarily targets Bajaj Pulsar RS200. But Yamaha R15 V4 and R15M make their presence known as well. Let’s take a look at which fully-faired machine you should bet on.Karizma XMR 210 Vs Rivals – 200cc Sports bike Royal Rumble!New Karizma is a significant departure from the facelifted 2014 Karizma lineup designed by EBR. That said, the most stylish of this bunch is definitely Yamaha’s R15 V4 lineup. This is the primary draw for Yamaha R15 and is likely to stay so for years to come. But if we think objectively, there is no real reason to buy a 150cc machine for this price. Especially when Karizma XMR 210 exists.The new 210cc engine on Karizma is by far the most technologically advanced. We’re talking about a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4V, DOHC 4-stroke engine that develops 25 bhp of power and 20.4 Nm of torque. These are easily the highest performance figures in this group. Karizma is the only one to have a sophisticated DOHC setup in this bunch.Karizma makes its peak power and torque at lower RPMs when compared to RS200. R15 has the least and uninspiring figures at very high RPMs too. Except for Xtreme 200S 4V, all motorcycles in this list boast liquid cooling and a 6-speed gearbox. Both Pulsar RS200 and Xtreme 200S 4V lack slip and assist clutch.Karizma XMR 210 Vs Rivals – SpecsR15M packs a quick shifter too, which makes a fatter brochure and is hardly justifiable for a 150cc machine. That said, R15 is the only one to get a Deltabox chassis and USD front forks. It weighs the lowest at 141 kg and has the shortest wheelbase at 1,325 mm too, which is closest to super-sport-level handling.Which is the most VFM?All motorcycles pack a 100-section front tyre. Only the Karizma and R15 gets fatter 140-section tyre. A rear mono-shock suspension is common between all motorcycles. Only R15 packs USD front forks, though. We might see USD front forks with Karizma XMR 210 in the future, with a new ‘Pro’ variant like Xtreme 160R 4V.Only Xtreme 200S 4V gets single-channel ABS in this bunch, whereas others offer dual-channel ABS. Karizma and RS200 get larger petal-style disc brakes. Only RS200 comes equipped with halogen bulbs in this comparo. It is a twin projector setup, one for low beam and other for high beam. R15 gets a single projector with a bi-LED function.Karizma XMR 210 Vs Rivals – PricingKarizma’s implementation of LED projector is the most sophisticated of this bunch. Just like its headlights, Pulsar RS200 lacks modern instrumentation with a semi-digital unit. R15 gets an LCD screen, while more expensive R15M sports a TFT unit. Both of them lack navigation though. This is where Hero takes the cake with both Karizma and Xtreme 200S by offering Bluetooth, notifications, and navigation as standard.Karizma XMR 210 goes a step further and offers colour display as well. Even at Rs. 1.87 lakh, Yamaha doesn’t offer LED turn indicators on R15 V4. Speaking of prices, both Yamaha offerings come off as significantly price-heavy, especially when compared to new Karizma XMR 210. No matter the gizmos, you just can’t beat the appeal of a superior engine with a bigger displacement. That is exactly what Karizma XMR 210 is bringing to the table. More

  • in

    TVS Apache RTR 310 Teased By MD – TVC Shoot Underway?

    TVS Apache RTR 310 teased by MDThe 313cc engine on the new TVS Apache RTR 310 teased, might generate similar numbers as current model – 33.52 bhp and 28 NmApache range of motorcycles has been the strongest weapon in TVS’ arsenal. Just like an Apache helicopter. The popular RTR street naked motorcycle range will soon see a new flagship in the form of Apache RTR 310 (name not confirmed). TVS MD Sudarshan Venu puts the engineering samples to their paces ahead of launch.TVS Apache RTR 310 – King of the streets?The company recently launched TVS X, a premium electric scooter. It is the first of its kind and sits on top of current crop of electric scooters in India. After launching TVS X, the Indian homegrown automotive company has shifted their gaze towards fortifying their premium motorcycle territory.This is TVS’ version of BMW G 310 R. This 310 platform was jointly developed by TVS and BMW. The latter has spawned three different motorcycles based on this platform and this will be TVS’ second product on this platform after Apache RR 310. In the teaser, we can see TVS MD Sudarshan Venu sitting on the motorcycle and expressing his enthusiasm.As opposed to previous set of spy shots, this test mule teased by TVS, has very minimal camouflage. Also, this camouflage has velcro in it to take it off with less fuss. It dons a white number plate with temporary registration from Bengaluru RTO. All of these could mean that this test mule is on the verge of a TVC shoot.New TVS Apache 310 Street teaserWhat to expect?We can see a handsome motorcycle with neat proportions. Front fascia includes a beefy headlight, USD front telescopic forks in gold finish, new ORVMs with premium-looking stalks, and a rectangular fully digital instrument cluster housing that could double up as a faux windscreen.These headlights might very well use LEDs and even projectors. Turn indicators are external and have LEDs in them. We can see a slight protrusion form its USD telescopic front forks, which could mean adjustability for compression and rebound similar to TVS’ BTO program for RR310. Fuel tank is muscular and lends a macho appeal.The liquid-cooled engine (33.52 bhp, 28 Nm, 6MT), single-sided exhaust, tubular frame and radiator units seem to be similar to current crop of 313-cc motorcycles from TVS and BMW partnership. What is new though, are alloy wheels, rear turn indicators mounted on tyre hugger, minimalist rear subframe panels, split seats, grabrails and more.Concept Vs ProductionWe can see axially mounted brake lever, but we can’t say if brake callipers are radially or axially mounted. Future BMW and TVS products sharing this platform might get these new components too. When launched, it will go against newly launched KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB300R, Bajaj Dominar 400 and its BMW counterpart G 310 R. More

  • in

    Royal Enfield Track Racing School Launch – Coimbatore, Bangalore, Kolhapur, Ahmedabad

    Royal Enfield Racing School LaunchRoyal Enfield’s Trailblazing Track School – Fostering Racing Passion, Skills, and Safety for Aspiring Racers on the Indian Motorsports HorizonRoyal Enfield has made a significant leap in the world of motorsports with the launch of the Royal Enfield Track School in India. This new initiative, underlining their commitment to the ‘Pure Sport’ ethos, aims to open the doors of track racing for aspiring racers and track enthusiasts, offering them the chance to refine their skills on the racetrack.Opening New Horizons: Royal Enfield’s Commitment to MotorsportsRacing fever has been steadily growing in India, and the Royal Enfield Track School is poised to take this passion to new heights. Building on the resounding success of the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup, this endeavour seeks to foster a racing culture in the country and inspire young, passionate racers to explore the thrilling world of track racing.Royal Enfield Racing School LaunchRoyal Enfield Track School aims to empower riders to conquer their challenges and push their boundaries while enhancing their motorcycle skills. This not only makes them better and safer riders on the track but also on the road. It offers participants a unique opportunity to elevate their riding prowess in a controlled and supervised environment, equipped with top-notch motorcycles and expert instructors.Scheduled to commence on September 9-10 at the renowned Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore, the track school will subsequently venture into other cities, with sessions in Bangalore on October 15, Kolhapur on November 5, and Ahmedabad on November 26. The expansion of the program to various regions ensures that many aspiring racers from different parts of India can participate.Participants in the Royal Enfield Track School will have the privilege of using the Royal Enfield GT650 twin-cylinder motorcycle for their training. These future racers will be coached by seasoned racing specialists who will guide them through the intricacies of track racing. The program aims not only to develop their racing skills but also to instill a deep understanding of motorcycle dynamics and safety measures.Aims and Ambitions: The Goals of the Track School InitiativeIn the near future, Royal Enfield plans to unveil additional Track School locations and dates, further broadening the reach of this initiative and enabling more individuals to embark on their racing journey.This launch doesn’t stand in isolation. Royal Enfield Track School is part of Royal Enfield’s global Motorsports program, which encompasses various initiatives such as the GT Cup, women’s racing programs, American Flat Track team in the United States, DTRA flat track racing in the United Kingdom, drag racing in Europe and India, and Slide Schools in six countries. This wide-ranging commitment to motorsports underscores Royal Enfield’s dedication to promoting the racing culture worldwide. More

  • in

    Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Fully Leaks Ahead Launch On 1st Nov 2023

    Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 LeaksHimalayan 450 arrives at just the right time, as new threats emerge from rivals like upcoming Hero Xpulse 440 and possibly a 400cc Triumph ADV bikeRoyal Enfield has been proactive in introducing new products at regular intervals. This explains its dominance in middleweight segment. The next big launch will be Bullet 350 and Himalayan 450. Both have now leaked ahead of launch. We discussed the Bullet 350 new gen in a previous post. In this post, we will take a detailed look at the new Himalayan 450.Himalayan 450 design and featuresAll new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is a major upgrade from the existing 411cc Himalayan. While existing Himalayan is one of the preferred ADV options in domestic market, it hasn’t been able to deliver similar results across international markets. New Himalayan can probably do better with more power and a range of premium features.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 LeaksAs compared to the existing model, new Himalayan 450 has evolved in both form and function. However, test mules have been spotted with a basic black paint all across. Some were also wrapped with plastic corrugated sheets and cardboard. It makes it difficult to visualize how appealing the bike will be in its final form. Or will it be in this same black finish in its final form.Royal Enfield is known to use exciting colour options and tantalizing graphics to create absolute masterpieces. In that context, it remains to be seen if Himalayan 450 can be just as aesthetically pleasing as rivals like KTM 390 Adventure. The potential is certainly there, as Himalayan 450 has a lean profile. While the bike has minimal panelling, styling possibilities exist around the headlamp cowl, suspension setup colour/casing, fuel tank and side covers.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 LeaksIn addition to being aesthetically superior to the current model, new Himalayan also packs in a range of premium features. Some of these will be seen for the first time with a RE bike. For example, Himalayan 450 will have LED headlight and USD front forks. The new 450cc engine will have liquid cooling, as compared to the flagship 650 twins that feature oil-cooling.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 LeaksOther key highlights of Himalayan 450 include round headlamp and rear-view mirrors, a large windscreen, raised front beak, side mounted racks, wire spoke wheels, split-seats and upswept exhaust canister. The bike is equipped with a large fuel tank, probably with a higher capacity. Existing Himalayan has a fuel tank capacity of 15 litres. A large fuel tank will come handy when riding across remote locations.Himalayan 450 performance, specsWhile official details have not been revealed, Himalayan 450 is expected to generate around 35 bhp of max power and 40 Nm of peak torque. This is significantly higher than the current model that produces 24.3 bhp and 32 Nm. New Himalayan will have better capabilities across both highways and off-road tracks. It is expected to be equipped with a 6-speed gearbox, with slipper and assist clutch. Existing Himalayan has a 5-speed gearbox.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 LeaksHimalayan 450 will have 21-inch wheel at front and 17-inch wheel at rear. Royal Enfield will also launch Scram 450, which will have 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels. The bikes will have disc brakes at both ends, with dual-channel ABS. Himalayan 450’s ground clearance will be around the same as the current model that offers 220 mm. Launch is scheduled for 1st November 2023. Pricing and other details of new Himalayan 450 will be revealed then. More

  • in

    Tesla Cybertruck Production Seems Like It Might Finally Be around the Corner

    After years of memes, broken promises, and a lot of waiting, evidence is mounting that Tesla’s Cybertruck is actually nearing production. The manufacturer took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce the first Cybertruck was built at the company’s Giga Texas facility on July 15. Internet sleuths have spotted increased sightings of Cybertrucks on public roads, as well as delivery trucks loaded with what appear to be production vehicles.So far it’s been four years of memes, internet arguments, broken promises, and a lot of waiting, but evidence is mounting that the Tesla Cybertruck may actually be nearing full production. Think back to the time before the Cybertruck (unbroken windows and all) rolled onto stage for the first time—we’ll give you a moment. It’s been so long, you’ve probably undergone some major life events such as getting married, going through a divorce, having kids, or, like all of us, living through a global pandemic. Major life events or not, it appears the Cybertruck is rounding the final corners before entering mass production. FREDERIC J. BROWN|Getty ImagesProduction for the Cybertruck was originally planned to start in late 2021. It was later pushed back to begin sometime in 2022, before Musk kicked the can farther down the road to 2023. According to The Verge, Musk confirmed in January that the Cybertruck won’t enter full volume production until sometime in 2024, but early manufacturing efforts were slated to begin this summer. First Truck Built July 15That timeline appears to be the most accurate to date, with the manufacturer announcing on the recently renamed X.com that the first Cybertruck was built at the company’s Giga Texas facility on July 15. This content is imported from twitter. 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.The slow ramp-up in production is further corroborated by increased sightings of Cybertrucks on delivery trucks. Internet sleuths and excited Tesla fans have been posting spy photos of delivery trucks laden with multiple Cybertucks. There have also been more sightings of test vehicles seen driving on the road. Unsurprisingly, given the CEO’s track record, one of the test vehicles has been seen with both Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra inspired wraps. Why? Honestly, we don’t know. This content is imported from twitter. 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.Pricing ChangesBack at the start of the whole Cybertruck saga, Tesla announced the vehicle would carry a starting price of $39,900 in the base single-motor RWD version. The dual-motor AWD truck was planned at $49,000, and the tri-motor AWD was supposed to launch with 500 miles of range and a starting price of $69,900. Unfortunately for a lot of consumers, those figures seem pretty out of reach at this point. The Ford F-150 Lightning, which launched around $40,000, shot up in price by more than $10,000 before falling back down to settle around a $52,000 entry point. The Rivian R1T starts even higher, at $74,800, and the GMC Hummer EV is even more expensive at nearly $87,000. Musk all but confirmed there’ll be a price increase over the initial prediction. According to a report by Forbes, the CEO backed away from the price, saying, “It’s going to be hard to make [it] affordable because it is a new car, a new manufacturing method.” We won’t really know for sure until Tesla itself confirms the initial selling price, but if the last year of price fluctuations are anything to go by, anything shy of a receipt could be wrong. More on Tesla and the CybertruckAssociate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

  • in

    2025 Lotus Emeya Electric Sedan Will Be Revealed Next Week

    Lotus has announced that its electric sedan, previously known by its code name of Type 133, will be called the Emeya.The Emeya will be revealed on September 7 and should launch in the U.S. for the 2025 model year.Teaser photos for the Emeya show sharp LED headlights and a full-width rear taillight.Lotus is busy reinventing itself for the electric age. While the British automaker’s venture into EVs began with the 1972-hp Evija hypercar, the second Lotus EV, the Eletre SUV, is far more down to earth, eschewing Lotus’s typical focus on handling prowess in favor of a comfortable ride and a luxurious cabin. Now Lotus is preparing another four-door passenger car, a sedan code-named the Type 133, that’s set to be unveiled next week, and officially confirmed today that the sedan will be called the Emeya. LotusLotus didn’t reveal much about the Emeya ahead of the scheduled September 7 unveiling, but a darkened teaser photo shows piercing headlights that consist of a pair of hockey-stick-shaped, angled LED strips. These design elements line up roughly with the photos our spy photographer captured in February, which showed a split headlight design with pointy “eyebrows” above a full-width lower light unit. Those spy photos also revealed the electric sedan’s sleek bodywork, with the Emeya sporting a slinky shape designed to efficiently cut through the air in the name of improved range. A second teaser released today showing the back end confirms that the Emeya will feature a rear light bar, with a single thin LED band serving as the taillights.More Lotus NewsThe Emeya is expected to serve as a rival to the Porsche Taycan, the Tesla Model S, and the Lucid Air. The Emeya should arrive with at least 250 miles of range and a price starting north of $80,000. Although the Emeya will be revealed in just a few days’ time, it likely won’t arrive in the United States until the 2025 model year. This content is imported from poll. 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.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

  • in

    2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Walkaround Leaks – New Details Revealed

    2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 WalkaroundAll-new Bullet 350 will retain its iconic design, all while offering an improved overall ride experience to usersRoyal Enfield has worked diligently and proactively to introduce new models and updated versions at regular intervals. It has helped expand options available to consumers and tackle the threat from new and existing rivals. In the process, one can see the rise of new bestsellers such as Hunter 350.New Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Launch Teaser – 1st Sep 2023Next on the agenda is all-new Bullet 350, one of the most awaited bikes in 2023. As per the official teaser, the new Bullet will be launched on 1st Sep 2023. A bump in sales is expected in the initial months after launch. Bullet already registers consistent sales every month. It is usually the 3rd best selling Royal Enfield bike, after Classic 350 and Hunter 350.2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 WalkaroundIt is hard to resist Bullet 350’s old-world charm. The classic design, minimalistic panelling, step-up single piece saddle and liberal use of chrome are some of the key highlights of Bullet 350. It doesn’t seem appropriate to carry out any drastic changes on the bike. Especially when there are already other styling options available with products like Classic 350, Meteor 350 and Hunter 350. Bullet fans like the old-school look and feel, which will be continued with the new-gen version.However, users can expect improved ride dynamics with the new Bullet 350. It will be based on the new J-platform. Bullet is the only bike that hasn’t been upgraded to the new J-platform. Users have noted wide ranging improvements with the new J-platform such as reduced vibrations and smoother power delivery. Aural experience has also been improved, with the exhaust note now more refined and tasteful.[embedded content]New Bullet will carry forward the same ride ergonomics and go-anywhere attitude. With its upright, comfortable riding stance, Bullet can easily handle both city streets and highways. Powered by the new smoother engine, users can expect to cover longer distances without feeling fatigued. Equipped with the new engine, Bullet 350 will generate 20 hp of max power and 27 Nm of peak torque. With the engine upgrade, the old UCE engine can finally be relegated to history books. It produces 19.1 bhp and 28 Nm.2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 WalkaroundHardware specs will be largely the same with the new Bullet. It will have telescopic front forks and twin shock absorbers at rear. The bike has 19-inch wheels at both ends. Braking setup will comprise disc at front and drum brake at rear for entry variant while top variant will get disc brake in the front as well as at the rear. ABS will be standard.Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Brochure LeaksNew Royal Enfield Bullet 350 priceIt remains to be seen what kind of pricing strategy Royal Enfield utilizes for new Bullet. Before Hunter 350 was launched, Bullet was the most affordable Royal Enfield bike. Hunter 350 is currently available at a starting price of Rs 1.50 lakh. Such aggressive pricing is one of the key reasons why Hunter has emerged as the second best selling Royal Enfield bike. New Bullet 350 could be launched at a slightly higher price point, somewhere around Rs 1.60 lakh. (ex-sh) More