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    VW Golf R 333 Edition Is Bright Yellow and Absurdly Expensive

    Volkswagen has revealed a new special-edition version of the Golf R hot hatch for Germany.It features a special color and lots of standard equipment, and only 333 units will be produced.Priced at €76,410, or nearly $82,000, the 333 costs nearly twice as much as a standard Golf R in the U.S.How high can the humble Volkswagen Golf reach? VW is testing the limits with a new version of the Golf R hot hatchback only for Germany. Called the Golf R 333 Limited Edition, this exclusive model features a price that will stop you in your tracks: €76,410, or nearly $82,000 at today’s exchange rates. Yes, for a VW Golf.What do you get for that massive sum? Exclusivity, for one, as VW is only building 333 of these special models. And street presence, as the 333 is finished in an eye-catching exterior hue called Lime Yellow metallic. It also has black 19-inch wheels, a black roof, and 333 decals along the sides. Inside, there’s a serialized number badge denoting which number each car is in the series.VolkswagenPerformance-wise, the Golf R 333 has a slightly more powerful version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 329 hp; that’s 14 hp more than we get in the U.S. car. A titanium Akrapovic exhaust is standard, as are grippy semi-slick tires. VW claims that it raised the top speed to 168 mph.VolkswagenAdmittedly, the Golf R we get in America is a steal compared to the overseas version. Our car has a base price of just $45,835 compared with the German version that starts at the equivalent of $58,905. But no matter how you look at it, the 333’s price is surprising. Diehard Golf fanatics in Germany can order this special Golf R starting tomorrow, June 2, and deliveries will start in October. We’re still scratching our heads trying to figure out who will be willing to pay this much for this vehicle, but we suppose that VW only has to find 333 of them.More on the Golf RThis 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 being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

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    New Ather 450S Launch Price Rs 1.3 Lakh – May 2023 Sales 15,256

    Ather Electric ScooterNew base model in the company’s lineup is Ather 450S with a smaller 3 kWh battery and directly rivals Ola S1 AirWith revised FAME II subsidies in effect starting from today, electric scooter prices are hiked significantly. In Ather’s case, 450X now costs Rs. 1.45 lakh and 450X Pro Pack now costs Rs. 1.65 lakh (ex-sh, Karnataka). Ather has come up with a new base variant that will cost Rs. 1.3 lakh (exclusive of state subsidy). This is the much-awaited Ather 450S.Company announced this for the first time on its website, divulging key details. Prospective customers can register their interest on the official website and bookings will begin from July. Ather didn’t reveal delivery dates as of yet. Let’s take a look.Ather 450S new base model launchedAther 450S Launched For Rs. 1.3 LakhFor starters, Ather 450S will cost exactly what 450X Pro Pack used to cost prior to FAME II Revision. This shows how devastating updated FAME II subsidies are for EV sales and cost. Ather 450S will sit below the previous base 450X and will feature a smaller battery and lesser range along with fewer features. How small of a battery and how small the range?Battery will be 3 kWh in size, which is good enough for an IDC (Indian Driving Conditions) range of 115 km per charge. In comparison, both 450X and 450X Pro Pack get a larger 3.7 kWh battery. Ather is not cutting any corners where performance is concerned. The new base model 450S gets the same 90 km/h top speed as 450X and 450X Pro Pack.Ather 450X prices May 2023Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO, Ather Energy, said, “The 450 platform has been immensely successful for us, and we wanted to make it available to a wider set of buyers. The 450S will be our new entry-level variant for those looking to enter the electric segment but are seeking the quality and assurance that Ather scooters provide. Within the category, the 450S will break new grounds and will offer first-of-its-kind tech features in the performance scooter segment, raising the bar in terms of riding pleasure and safety while still delivering on performance”Why the hike in price?Indian Government recently revised its FAME II subsidy scheme which cuts down on subsidy money to EV buyers. Earlier, EV buyers could enjoy a subsidy of Rs. 15,000 per kWh along with a maximum cap of 40% of ex-sh price for incentives. Now, that scheme is revised to Rs. 10,000 per kWh and the cap on incentives is brought down to 15% of ex-sh price.This raises costs associated with EVs and starting from today, June 1st, 2023, all EVs get costlier. This is the reason why Ather 450X now costs Rs. 1.45 lakh and 450X Pro Pack costs Rs. 1.65 lakh (ex-sh, Karnataka). Ather 450S launched recently, mainly rivals Ola S1 Air.Ather Sales May 2023Ather electric scooter sales stood at 15,256 units in May 2023. This was a 357% YoY growth as compared to May 2022, when they had sold 3,787 units. Sales had also registered growth MoM basis, as April 2023 saw Ather registering sales of 8,182 units. More

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    Bajaj Auto Sales and Exports May 2023 – Pulsar, Platina, Dominar, Chetak

    New Bajaj Chetak 2023Bajaj Auto reported significant increase in overall sales in May 2023 with domestic sales of both 2 wheeler and commercial vehicles seeing over 100 percent increaseBajaj Auto has posted a 29 percent YoY growth in total sales which comprised domestic sales as well as exports of two-wheelers and commercial vehicles in May 2023. The company has also reported a 17 percent YTD growth despite the fact that exports of 2 wheelers and commercial vehicles have dipped during the April-May 2023 period.Bajaj Auto YoY Sales May 2023Bajaj Auto sales in May 2023 saw two wheeler sales rise significantly in domestic markets by as much as 103 percent. Sales stood at 1,94,811 units in the past month, up from 96,102 units sold in May 2022. Exports of two wheelers however dipped by 26 percent YoY to 1,12,885 units, down from 1,53,397 units sold in May 2022.This took total sales of two wheelers to 3,07,696 units in the past month, up 23 percent YoY from 2,49,499 units sold in May 2022. It was the Bajaj Pulsar that was at No.3 on the list of top 10 best-selling bikes in April 2023 while the Boxer topped export lists.Commercial vehicle sales grew YoY both in domestic and global markets by 80 percent to 47,452 units in May 2023 from 26,369 units sold in May 2022. Domestic CV sales improved by 107 percent to 35,590 units in the past month from 16,206 units sold in May 2022 while exports were higher by 36 percent to 13,862 units from 10,163 units sold in May 2022.Bajaj Auto Sales May 2023Total sales (domestic + exports) of 2 wheelers and commercial vehicles thus went up 29 percent YoY to 3,55,148 units in May 2023 from 2,75,868 units sold in May 2022 thus relating to a 79,280 unit volume growth.Bajaj Auto YTD Sales April-May 2023Taking into account sales during the months of April-May 2023, Bajaj Auto has seen total sales up 17 percent. Sales which had stood at 5,86,642 units during the April-May 2022 period grew to 6,86,426 units in the same period of 2023.In the two wheeler segment, domestic sales improved by 99 percent YTD to 3,76,639 units in April-May 2023 from 1,89,335 units sold in the April-May 2022 period. Exports on the other hand dipped by 36 percent to 2,19,042 units from 3,41,875 units thus taking total two wheeler YTD sales up 12 percent to 5,95,681 units in April-May 2023 from 5,31,210 units sold during the April-May 2022 period.Bajaj Auto Sales YTD May 2023Commercial vehicles have recorded a 158 percent YTD growth in domestic markets to 64,934 units, while exports fell 15 percent to 25,811 units. Total CV sales thus grew by 64 percent to 90,745 units in April-May 2023 from 55,432 units sold in April-May 2022 period.Total domestic sales of two-wheelers and CVs in April-May 2023 thus stood at 4,41,573 units in April-May 2023, up 106 percent from 2,14,485 units sold in April-May 2022. Exports dipped 34 percent to 2,44,853 units in the April-May 2023 from 3,72,157 units shipped in the same period of 2022, thus taking total sales to 6,86,426 units up 17 percent from 5,86,642 units sold in April-May 2022 period. More

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    Himalayan 450 Speedo Spied – Clean View, Simple Design

    Himalayan 450 Speedo SpiedHimalayan 450’s speedo ensures a clutter-free cockpit in comparison to the multi-dial setup seen with current Himalayan 411Royal Enfield has been testing the new Himalayan 450 since several months. Test mules have been spotted multiple times across India and overseas locations as well. Latest spy shots reveal a clear view of Himalayan 450’s speedometer. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Nitesh from Chennai, for sharing these exclusive spy shots.Himalayan 450 is expected to be launched later this year in September. It is likely to debut at 2023 EICMA. The bike could be offered in the price range of Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. Himalayan 450 will go up against rivals like KTM 390 Adventure, BMW G310GS and Yezdi Adventure.Himalayan 450 Speedo detailsWith Himalayan 450, all the instrumentation has been packed into a single, circular shaped console. It is quite big, possibly slightly larger than the round rear-view mirrors of the bike. Anywhere between 4 to 6 inches of diameter is a fair guess. The RPM gauge is placed towards the outer circumference of the console whereas the gear position indicator and speedometer are displayed centrally. Other information such as fuel indicator, trip meter, etc. are likely to be displayed on the digital screen.Himalayan 450’s speedometer console is placed at around 60° – 70° angle, which provides a clear view to the rider. It is also placed higher with the help of mounting brackets. A quick glance should be enough and riders won’t need to take their eyes off the road completely.Himalayan 450 Speedo SpiedRoyal Enfield has done a good job to choose a simple and practical design for Himalayan 450’s speedometer. It is much better than the instrumentation seen with existing Himalayan 411.Current Himalayan has four separate dials. There are two analogue dials, with one for fuel gauge. The main console is a semi-digital unit with analogue speedometer and digital trip meter and clock. There’s a fourth digital dial for gear indicator. This setup has its own benefits and visual appeal, but a single console seems more practical. Himalayan 450 speedometer is likely to have Bluetooth based connectivity features.Himalayan 450 performance, specsRoyal Enfield Himalayan 450 will be getting a new liquid cooled engine, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. It is expected to deliver around 30 bhp of max power and 40 Nm of peak torque. A decent gain over the current Himalayan 411 that churns out 24.31 PS and 32 Nm.Himalayan 450 Speedo SpiedQuite a few users have reported performance issues with current Himalayan, which can be overcome with the new Himalayan 450. With higher power and torque, Himalayan 450 will be in a better position to take on the likes of KTM 390 Adventure.Other key highlights of new Himalayan 450 include LED lighting, tall windscreen, stubby exhaust, USD front forks and rear monoshock suspension. The bike is expected to have a long wheelbase, which will improve cross-wind protection and straight-line stability. Himalayan 450 could get a smaller sized front wheel to make it more appropriate for shorter riders. Current Himalayan has a 21-inch front wheel as standard. More

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    Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari Enzo Expected to Sell for $5+ Million

    Formula 1 legend Fernando Alonso is planning to sell his Ferrari Enzo at an auction in Monaco in June, with an estimated sale price of over $5 million. Monaco Car Auctions announced Monday plans to sell Enzo “Scocca n.1” (which translates to shell #1) at its L’AstraRossa event happening on June 8, complete with a Ferrari Classiche Red Book to certify its authenticity. The car has only been driven 4800 kilometers (around 3000 miles) since new.Alonso raced for Ferrari from 2010 to 2014, long after the Enzo ended production. It’s unclear when he acquired the car, or why he’s selling it now. Perhaps he doesn’t want to be seen behind the wheel of a competitor automaker, as he’s currently in contention for the F1 championship driving for Aston Martin. Ferrari made just 400 Enzos. An average example now changes hands for over $1 million. This car, being such a low-numbered production version with serious ownership provenance, will likely change hands for much more. Monaco Car Auctions estimates it’ll sell for over 5 million euros (about $5.4 million) during its June 8 event.Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing. More

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    Indy Will Replace Fan’s Car Destroyed by Flying Tire

    The Indianapolis Motor Speedway says it will replace a car damaged by a flying tire detached from an IndyCar racer during a crash at the Indy 500, reports the Indianapolis Star. A collision between Felix Rosenqvist and Kyle Kirkwood on lap 185 during Sunday’s race resulted in a tire flying over the turn 2 grandstands and into the parking lot, landing on a Chevrolet Cruze owned by racing fan and Indianapolis native Robin Matthews. Video of the aftermath shows the Cruze in a sorry state, with a smashed hood, quarter panel, and headlight. 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.A spokesperson confirmed to the Indianapolis Star that Penske Entertainment, the Speedway’s owner, will provide Matthews with a new vehicle.”I didn’t see it come down,” Matthews told the Indianapolis Star after the incident. “I came down and they said, ‘Robin, it’s your car!’ I thought, ‘No.’ I thought somebody was pranking me. It’s a car. It’s fine.” Miraculously no one was seriously injured, with only one spectator receiving treatment at an infield medical center for minor injuries related to flying debris. “I’ve talked to the Dallara guys, and we’re going to look at it,” IMS owner Roger Penske said to select media this week regarding the detaching tire. “We have tethers on those [wheels] and I’ve never seen a wheel come off of those. That, to me, is the probably the scariest thing, and we’ve got to fix that so it doesn’t happen again. Our technical guys are going to have a look at it.”The ClassicRoad & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing. More

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    Faraday Future FF 91 Adds a $309,000 Launch Edition

    Faraday Future has revealed the FF 91 2.0 Futurist Alliance, which it says will begin reaching customers this summer.The startup asks a $5000 deposit against the total price of $309,000 plus an as yet unnamed destination charge.There are also two other models coming: the Futurist model for about $250,000 and the not-yet-priced FF 91 2.0.The Faraday Future FF 91 has existed in theory longer than some of our younger editors have been members of the working world. And what a trip it’s been since CES 2017, when the company first unveiled its production-intent design. Of course, the production part of that process has proved quite tricky for the EV startup, but deliveries will allegedly begin this year, and there’s a fancy new FF 91 trim to celebrate the occasion. EVs on the Near HorizonFaraday Future this week announced the FF 91 2.0 Futurist Alliance. Limited to just 300 units globally, the Futurist Alliance costs a meaty $309,000 (not counting the typical, yet unmentioned destination fee), starting with a $5000 deposit. The exclusivity extends beyond just the trim name, with three specific paint options, a new set of wheels, and something the company calls “one-on-one bespoke private AI and special tuning.” What doesn’t require buzzword-parsing skills, though, are the Apple Watch and personalized driver training that also come with this lofty price tag.If that’s too rich for your blood, there’s always the $249,000 Futurist model, which only requires a $1500 deposit. The base model, FF 91 2.0, carries a yet-unknown price but the deposit is only $1000.Faraday Future’s Past and Present381 Miles of Range If you’re worried about spending house money on a six-year-old car, worry not—its innards are newer than that. In fact, that’s where the “2.0” comes from; it’s a reference to the fact that the FF 91 has undergone significant revisions since its initial CES debut. A 142.0-kWh battery resides under the floor, powering three motors (two rear, one front) to the tune of a net 1050 horsepower, which is enough for a manufacturer-estimated 2.3-second sprint to 60 mph. This battery is no range slouch, either, with an EPA-estimated 381 miles of range.With EPA figures and post-crash-test approval, the FF 91 seems about as real as a car can get. However, according to the company’s press release, the early delivery process will be a bit dense. It starts with “co-creation delivery for the first industry expert Futurist Product Officers (FPOs).” This is a registration-based spot that, according to FF’s website, grants access to “exclusive experiences with FF products, provide feedbacks [sic], generate creative ideas, and see your ideas turn into reality.” So, if you want the earliest crack possible at the FF 91, not only do you have to pony up six figures of simoleons, it sounds like you also have to give them free ideas to implement in future cars.That’s only the first stage of the delivery process. It’s unclear if the FPOs will actually receive their cars at the planned “co-creation event”—which is not actually on May 31 but instead on June 6—but rather just receive training on the vehicle’s myriad systems, because FF goes on to say that these folks will “take possession of the reserved FF 91 vehicle at the beginning of the second phase of delivery.” The third phase is mentioned nowhere in the release, with the exception of the paragraph confirming a tripartite process.Buckle up. It’s looking like Faraday Future’s Wild Ride still has plenty more track left to travel.Senior EditorCars are Andrew Krok’s jam, along with boysenberry. After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009, Andrew cut his teeth writing freelance magazine features, and now he has a decade of full-time review experience under his belt. A Chicagoan by birth, he has been a Detroit resident since 2015. Maybe one day he’ll do something about that half-finished engineering degree. More

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    2024 Range Rover Sport SV Arrives Touting 626 Horsepower

    Land Rover has revealed the 2024 Range Rover Sport SV, which arrives as a replacement for the current Range Rover Sport SVR.A BMW-sourced 4.4-liter V-8 replaces the outgoing 5.0-liter, the new version boasting an impressive 626 horsepower. The first model year, 2024, is exclusive to invited customers and has already been sold out. The new Range Rover Sport SV has arrived with a little less bravado and a lot more horsepower. The 575-hp 5.0-liter V-8 from the current SVR is out, with the BMW-sourced 4.4-liter V-8 from the recently revealed Range Rover SV taking its place. Despite its smaller size, the 4.4-liter engine brings a lot to the table. First and foremost, the V-8 era lives on, even if it is a hybridized twin-turbo. The new engine boasts 626 horsepower, good to motivate the big SUV to 60 mph in a claimed 3.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 180 mph.In an attempt to shed some weight from the behemoth SVR frame, Land Rover added an optional set of 23-inch carbon wheels that shave off 78 pounds. Optional carbon-ceramic brakes shed a further 75 pounds of unsprung mass over the standard brakes. So enamored with the idea of reducing weight for the new model, Land Rover even dropped the “R” designation from the current Range Rover Sport SVR, ushering in the 2024 Range Rover Sport SV. All New EverythingThe suspension has been completely overhauled with Range Rover’s new 6D Dynamics suspension system. The new suspension setup features height-adjustable air springs and hydraulically cross-linked dampers to reduce pitch and roll while cornering or accelerating. Depending on drive mode, the new SC rides between 0.4 and 1.0 inch lower than other Range Rover Sport models. Along with the trick suspension and revised subframe, Land Rover also fit the new SV with 305-section rear tires, all of which come together to provide a claimed 1.1 g of lateral acceleration even while fitted with all-season tires—an impressive figure for a vehicle this size. For comparison, the figure marks a 22 percent increase in roadholding over the outgoing SVR. For further context, in Car and Driver’s testing of a 2023 BMW M3 Competition xDrive, we managed 1.03 g on our skidpad.Related StoriesNot to be left out, the plug-in hybrid Range Rover Sport is updated as well. The plug-in gets a new transmission and electric motor setup and now produces a combined 542 horsepower, granting a name change from P440e to P550e. The updated hybrid system now allows for an estimated electric only range of 51 miles on a full charge. Like all other new Range Rovers, the new SV also comes with the company’s latest version of the Pivi Pro infotainment system with controls for the volume and climate control on a new sliding sidebar. According to Land Rover, 80 percent of functions can be completed within two taps of the screen, and Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant is now built in.Invite OnlyPricing hasn’t been revealed for the new SV yet, though the las model started around $120,000. With Land Rover’s push to market this as the ultimate Range Rover Sport, we imagine the new version will start closer to the $140,000 mark. The first year of production for the new SV is exclusive to selected customers through an invitation. The entire model year will be limited to a special SV Edition One specification with unique branding on the front splitter, center console, treadplates and puddle lamps. Whether that constraint is production induced or merely a marketing scheme is unclear, but every SV Edition One has already been allocated. 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 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