More stories

  • in

    Take on Le Mans With Lego Technic’s Peugeot 9X8 Hybrid Hypercar

    Lego Technic has revealed its newest set: a 1:10-scale version of Peugeot’s 9X8 Hybrid Hypercar set to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The 1775-piece model measures 5.0 inches high, 9.0 inches wide, and 19.5 inches long. It was built through a collaboration between Lego and Peugeot Sport, and from photos it seems they’ve done a fantastic job replicating the car’s design ethos as a sleek, futuristic racer. We’re especially fond of the glow-in-the-dark lighting elements up front, giving the Lego Technic 9X8 a more realistic vibe. It’s not just the design Lego got right. The building block company also managed to fit a scale version of the V-6 engine sending power to the rear wheels, along with a replica of the electric motor sending power to the front wheels (though there’s no actual battery power, unfortunately). Open Gallery“Our two brands have come together to create a product that celebrates a new era of hybrid racing and engineering,” Lego designer Kasper René Hansen said in a statement. “Re-creating the shapes and details of such an elegant car using Lego Technic elements wasn’t an easy feat, but it’s been an honor to work so creatively with the Team Peugeot TotalEnergies on this one and I’m proud that together we have been able to build the hypercar for real in Lego Technic form.”Lego says the Technic 9X8 will go on sale at Lego stores and Lego.com starting May 1, priced from $199.99.More Lego CarsRoad & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing. More

  • in

    Small Hyundai Electric Cars: Casper EV, followed by Exter EV?

    From Casper EV Launching in 2024 to Exter EV: The Next Big Thing in Electric Cars from HyundaiHyundai Casper EV Spied – Likely to spawn into Exter Electric in India
    Hyundai has been a frontrunner in electric vehicle technology. The latest Hyundai Casper EV spyshots throw light on realistic possibilities. Hyundai Exter small car is set to launch in India later in 2023. It’s highly likely that it will also have an EV variant shortly after.
    Shifting gears to the Casper EV, it’s exciting to see that Hyundai Casper is likely to use a 40 kWh battery and a driving range of over 300 km. This is a significant improvement compared to previous compact EV models (Ray EV and Spark EV) that struggled with limited driving range, and high prices. With the petrol-powered Casper model priced below 20 million won (Rs 12.5 lakh), Casper EV is expected to be priced between the high 20 million won to mid-30 million won (Rs 18.8 lakh) range, making it a more affordable option.
    Hyundai Casper EV Spied: The Ideal Choice for Korean Consumers Seeking Sustainability
    The compact/micro EV would offer a value proposition as a highly attractive option for consumers looking for an affordable electric car. Furthermore, as per Korean subsidy parameters, it’s likely that Casper EV will be eligible for subsidies, making it an even more attractive option for potential buyers.
    Although Casper EV spyshots are veiled in camouflage, there’s enough to glean info from. Daytime running lights and light design elements are familiar to its ICE counterpart. The side camo pocket indicates that it is a space for electric charging. Similar to the Kona EV, it’s likely that the Casper EV will have a charging port on one side.
    Hyundai Casper EV charging port in the front
    Are You Ready for the Future with Electric Cars? Hyundai Exter EV Might Just Be It
    It’s unlikely that the Casper EV will be twinning in design with the current model, so it’s exciting to speculate what the grille will look like. The wheels on the car were 17 inches, which suggests that they have not yet developed EV-specific wheels. Tail lights also appeared to be the same as the current Casper model. There were no visible exhaust pipes on the bottom, as expected for an EV model.
    [embedded content]
    Why are we excited about the Casper EV? Because of Hyundai Exter, which in probability, is based on K1 platform. It’s the same as seen on Hyundai Casper sold abroad, and Nios i10 here. Hyundai Casper and Exter are small cars.
    And small cars are more likely to switch to an electric powertrain sooner due to their lower power requirements and more efficient operation. Additionally, as the automotive industry continues to shift towards electric mobility, it would make sense for Hyundai to offer an EV variant of the Exter. This would bolster competition in a new segment in India.
    Hyundai Casper EV spied
    The list of Best Electric Cars for Indian Urban Commuters is fast Expanding
    It would be a smart move for Hyundai, as the Indian market has been showing increasing interest in electric vehicles. And as the government has set its own goals for electric car adoption by 2030, the EV push has begun.
    If the Exter EV is anything like the Casper EV, we can expect it to have a similar driving range and competitive price point. A price competitive EV for Indian consumers looking for an affordable electric car. With its compact size and efficient operation, Exter EV could also be a popular choice for urban commuters looking for a practical daily mode of transportation. Much like the MG Comet EV ready to make its India debut this week. More

  • in

    Here’s the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Prototype We Just Saw in the Desert

    Chevrolet Performance engineers showed a camouflaged ZR2 Colorado to an assembled group of journalists that had just finished a first drive of the 2023 Colorado ZR2.They did not expressly admit that it was the new ZR2 Bison, but we discovered the word “Bison” on a sticker attached to one of the prototype DSSV Dampers that was on the truck.No longer an accessory showcase, the Bison is now a higher-performing ZR2 variant that rides on unique long-travel suspension and 35-inch tires that conspire to raise the truck an estimated two inches over a standard ZR2.play iconThe triangle icon that indicates to playMcCarran, Nevada—Just as we were catching our breath and celebrating the finish of a three-day Vegas-to-Reno off-road blast across the Nevada desert, Chevrolet Performance engineers rolled out a distinctive camouflaged ZR2 that sent our jaws dropping. That it had massive 35-inch tires (actually, LT315/70R-17) on beadlock-capable rims was unmistakable, but a quick look underneath showed this to be much more than a garden-variety ZR2 with taller tires.Two Inches Taller For one, the truck stood about two inches taller than a regular ZR2 parked next to it. The one-inch-larger radius of the 35s explains half of that, so the rest is an additional inch of suspension lift. The Multimatic DSSV dampers were engineering sample “take-apart” pieces, which indicates this new ZR2 variant will have unique suspension tuning, which makes sense considering the taller stance and larger tires.But it also appeared that the new high(er)-performance ZR2 also had extra suspension travel above and beyond the 9.9 inches of front travel and 11.6 inches of rear travel found on a regular ZR2. This speculation was not merely due to the higher stance and extra fender gap, but also by the presence of unique Chevrolet Performance–branded hydraulic front and rear bump stops, there to cushion the landing and soak up the extremes of compression travel when driven at high speeds off-road.Why We Recognized This as a BisonWhat makes us think this higher octane ZR2 is a Bison? For one, the new ZR2 Desert Boss is the accessory showcase variant this year, and that leaves headroom for the Bison to be transformed into an extreme performance model. Secondly, and most certainly, we found the word “Bison” on one of the ID stickers affixed to one of the tunable engineering-sample DSSV dampers.Inside, there wasn’t much to see except different seat trim: black with a dash of red. No badges or embroidered logos were in evidence. And we didn’t see anything remarkably different under the hood during the brief, almost accidental glimpse that we got. But that’s not definitive because the usual plastic cover was there, and the standard ZR2’s 2.7-liter turbo engine’s output—310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet—could be ratcheted up by less obvious means involving software and turbo boost.Now We’re ExcitedWhatever the engine story turns out to be, the prospect of a genuine ZR2 Bison with a tangible performance difference has our motor running. And that is exactly what we feel the new ZR2 Bison will become, thanks to the prototype we saw with a taller stance, 35-inch tires, and long-travel suspension with hydraulic bump stops. The mid-size truck performance wars are in full swing, and we’re here for it. Technical EditorDan Edmunds was born into the world of automobiles, but not how you might think. His father was a retired racing driver who opened Autoresearch, a race-car-building shop, where Dan cut his teeth as a metal fabricator. Engineering school followed, then SCCA Showroom Stock racing, and that combination landed him suspension development jobs at two different automakers. His writing career began when he was picked up by Edmunds.com (no relation) to build a testing department. More

  • in

    AAA Steps Up to Offer Insurance for TikTok-Famous, Stealable Hyundais

    The never-ending TikTok-challenge saga is actually, slowly coming to an end.Hyundai has announced that its software updates, which make the cars no longer as easy to steal as they are in the popular videos, are now available for all affected models, a few months ahead of schedule.AAA also announced that it will offer owners of affected models insurance options, following the news earlier this year that both Progressive and State Farm either raised rates on the affected models or simply declined to offer new policies.Hyundai just finished rolling out a series of model-by-model software updates for the nearly 4 million of its vehicles that, until the update, remained vulnerable to an ultra-easy theft method popularized on TikTok. The ProblemThe software rollout started in February, and availability for the later models is happening a few months earlier than Hyundai’s previously announced schedule. Hyundai’s new code is meant for affected vehicles without a built-in electronic immobilizer. The update makes it so that the TikTok method won’t work because the cars now require a physical key to deactivate the new “ignition kill” feature. Hyundai (and Kia, which also has affected vehicles) has made it clear how important it is to install this update and said any Hyundai dealership could perform the update, which should take less than an hour.One Insurer That’s Not Walking AwayIn addition to that, the automaker announced last week it is partnering with AAA to offer insurance coverage for affected vehicles. That may not sound like much of a deal, but earlier this year, both State Farm and Progressive said they would no longer accept new policies for the easily stolen models or raised prices, so having at least one guaranteed coverage provider sure is better than none. Granted, now that the software solution is rolling out, the vehicles are no longer as virally tempting, which should mean AAA won’t have to pay out as many potential dollars to recover stolen Hyundais as insurers were facing before.Hyundai and AAA said the new coverage options would be available in “most” states, excluding Alaska, Massachusetts, and Washington, because AAA does not operate in those states. How to Know If You Have an Affected VehicleIf you have an affected vehicle or think you might, you can get more information at the official HyundaiAntiTheft.com website. If you aren’t able to get the software update for your car, Hyundai is offering a program for no-cost steering wheel locks or other anti-theft devices, like alarm kits. Every Hyundai vehicle built since November 2021 has a built-in engine immobilizer.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.Contributing EditorSebastian Blanco has been writing about electric vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen cars since 2006. His articles and car reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Automotive News, Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Trucks.com, Car Talk, and other outlets. His first green-car media event was the launch of the Tesla Roadster, and since then he has been tracking the shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles and discovering the new technology’s importance not just for the auto industry, but for the world as a whole. Throw in the recent shift to autonomous vehicles, and there are more interesting changes happening now than most people can wrap their heads around. You can find him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a new EV.  More

  • in

    Maxus Mifa 7 Electric MPV Photos Leak – To Get Swappable Battery

    Maxus Mifa 7 electric MPV is smaller than Mifa 9, showcased at 2023 Auto Expo in IndiaMaxis Mifa 9 Electric MPVNew Maxus Mifa 7 electric MPV images have leaked online. It is the brand’s newest electric MPV. It slots below Mifa 9 electric MPV, launched mid-2022 in China and Europe. Mifa 9 electric MPV was showcased at 2023 Auto Expo and is rumoured to be evaluated for India’s electric car space as well.Maxus Mifa 7 Electric MPV – Smaller Than Mifa 9We hope Mifa 7 makes it to our shores instead because it has one thing which Mifa 9 doesn’t. Swappable battery tech. There will be two versions for Maxus Mifa 7. A BEV and a BEV with a swappable battery. Maxus brand falls under SAIC-GM-Wuling JV. We don’t expect every vehicle made by this JV to hit our shores.Wuling Air EV is announced as MG Comet for India. Chances are that the Maxus Mifa 7 and Baojun Yep e-SUV could make it to our shores under MG branding. Like Maxus D90 sold as MG Gloster and Baojun 530 sold as MG Hector. Mifa 7 will sit above BYD e6 in terms of pricing, features and size.Speaking of size, Maxus Mifa 7 measures a length of 4907 mm, a width of 1885 mm, a height of 1756 mm and a wheelbase of 2975 mm. On the outside, we have a sleek MPV design with sliding doors. Futuristic facia and aerodynamic wheels grab attention. Side beltline reminds me of Honda Odyssey. Rear profile is kept minimal. Smoked clear lens for tail lights add character.Maxis Mifa 9 Electric MPVMaxus Mifa 7 interior images do nor reveal most details in the leaked photos. Six-seat and seven-seat layouts are to be on offer. Images suggest that Maxus will offer a Black roof option too. Notable elements are roof rails and an optional panoramic sunroof. Unlike Mifa 9, Mifa 7 is less likely to get electric sliding doors.Swappable Battery TechUnlike Mifa 9, Mifa 7 is likely to get a swappable battery option. Mifa 7’s battery size is not known. Mifa 9 gets a 90 kWh CATL battery with a claimed range of 560 km per charge (CLTC testing). But Mifa 9 measures 5270/2000/1840/3200 (length/width/height/wheelbase). Mifa 7 is a smaller vehicle, expected to get a smaller battery.Maxus Mifa 7 electric motor makes 180 kW (241 bhp) and has a top speed of 180 km/h. Even though battery size is unsure, it will have NMC ternary battery from CATL-SAIC JV. Kerb weight is impressive at 2,220 kg. For reference, a Tata Hexa without heavy EV components, weighs more than that.Maxis Mifa 9 Electric MPVSwappable battery tech is currently hot in China. Nio (maker of EP9 electric hypercar) currently operates 1330 battery swapping stations in China and 12 in Europe. Chinese-State-owned SAIC has teamed up with CATL regarding the same. Starting with Rising Auto R7, Roewe, MG and Maxus brands are soon to get battery-swapping tech. The company hopes to establish 300 battery-swapping stations by the end of 2023 and 3000 by the end of 2025.Source More

  • in

    Yamaha FZ-S V3 Matte Black Is Back – Launch Price Rs 1.21 Lakh

    The new change with Yamaha FZ-S V3 lineup is the Matte Black colour – Re-introduced after a long gapYamaha FZ-S V3 Matte BlackFZ lineup is the largest volume generator for the Japanese brand. In February 2023, FZ contributed 17,262 units and was the only one to register positive growth in MoM and YoY analysis. FZ lineup consists of V3 and newer V4 models. Only FZ V3 spawns regular and S variants, while the latter gets Deluxe sub-variant as well. Keeping the entry-level FZ lineup updated is key for Yamaha.Team Blue has reintroduced Matte Black colour with its ever-popular FZ-S V3. Only Standard variant of FZ-S V3 gets this new colour. Deluxe variants continue to get Metallic Black, Metallic Grey and Majesty Red shades. The new colour with Standard variants sit alongside Matte Red and Dark Matte Blue colours.Yamaha FZ-S V3 Matte Black Colour ReintroducedYamaha FZ-S V3 Matte Black costs Rs. 1,21,400 (ex-sh, Delhi). Price is similar to other colour shades offered with Standard variants. Yamaha had discontinued this colour some time ago but is now bringing it back to the table. FZ-S V3 doesn’t get any mechanical revisions. Componentry is retained too. Hat tip to Nikam Yamaha for sharing the update.The new Matte Black brings freshness to an existing colour palette. Matte Black shade is the dominant colour and gets contrasting silver finishes to add a dash of sophistication. More so, than Matte Red and Dark Matte Blue shades. Silver accents are present below tank shrouds, side body panel, front fender and exhaust cover. Gold-coloured rims are part of Deluxe variants only.2023 Yamaha FZS-FI PricesMechanically, it is the same ol’ Yamaha FZ that we are familiar with. The same 149cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine with a 2V head is present. It generates 12.2 bhp of power at 7,250 RPM and 13.3 Nm of torque at 5,500 RPM. It gets a 5-speed gearbox. FZ offers an upright riding position, perfect for its intended purpose as an entry-level street bike.Yamaha FZ-S V3 componentry includes conventional telescopic front forks, a 7-step adjustable rear mono-shock, a wide handlebar, 282 mm front and 220 mm rear disc brakes with single-channel ABS, 100/80-17 front and 140/60-17 rear tyres, and more. Seat height is 790 mm, kerb weight is 135 kg and fuel tank is 13L.Yamaha R3 and MT-03 InboundYamaha recently showcased their multi-cylinder lineup at a dealer event recently. YZF-R3, MT-03, MT-07 and MT-09 were showcased to dealers for feedback. Yamaha intends to bring some or all of these to India later this year.Hottest of the bunch are likely to be YZF-R3 and MT-03. Both these motorcycles get with a 321 cc parallel-twin motor capable of dishing out 42 PS of power at 10,750 RPM and 29.6 Nm of torque at 9,000 RPM. R3 weighs 169 kg and its naked counterpart MT-03 weighs 168 kg. Prices could be in the Rs 4-5 lakh range. More

  • in

    Hero Xtreme 160R Spied With USD Front Forks – Pulsar NS160 Rival

    Hero Xtreme 160R is currently priced in the range of Rs 1.18 lakh to Rs 1.3 lakh, ex-shHero Xtreme 160R USD Front Forks SpiedMajority of Hero’s sales are driven by budget commuters like Splendor, Super Splendor, Passion, Glamour and the likes. In premium 160cc commuter space, Hero has Xtreme 160R, which doesn’t sell as much as the company would have liked. Hero can change this around and turn the tides toward its favour by making key changes to this machine.New Hero Xtreme 160R USD Forks Launch SoonWe’re talking about decisive factors like the USD front forks which were recently introduced in rival Bajaj Pulsar NS160. Latest test mule of Xtreme 160R has been spotted with USD front forks, indicating that it might launch soon.Apart from USD forks, there are going to be new colours as well as certain design changes to establish an iterative change with 160R. These changes were hidden under the camouflage. That said, we could spot the presence of a muscular grab rail.What Will Be Continued From Outgoing Model?There are a lot of good bits about Hero Xtreme 160R that will be carried over to this upcoming update. For starters, Hero Xtreme 160R is a well-equipped motorcycle with LED headlights, LED turn indicators, hazard light function, LED tail lights with smoked effect housing, fully digital instrument cluster with negative LCD and gear position indicator, muscular design and more.Hero Xtreme 160R USD Front Forks SpiedOne of the highlights of Hero Xtreme 160R has been its lower kerb weight. At just 138 kg (for rear drum variant), it is one of the lightest motorcycles in the segment, second to only TVS Apache RTR 160 2V. With impeccable ride and dynamics already established, Hero seems to have a solid baseline on which this update might build on.Hero Xtreme 160R USD Front Forks SpiedAlso, the 163 cc single-cylinder engine making 15 bhp of power and 14 Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed gearbox is likely to be carried over. Single-channel ABS with rear optional disc brake will also be carried over, instead of a dual-channel option.What Do We Expect From This Update?With the launch of Bajaj Pulsar NS160 with USD front forks, Hero doesn’t want to be left behind in offering its customers a good riding package. In comes Hero Xtreme 160R with USD front forks which will offer enhanced corner-carving capabilities. Expect prices of Hero Xtreme 160R USD variant to be higher by about Rs 5k-10k, than the current version.Hero Xtreme 160R USD Front Forks SpiedWe hope Hero offers the same instrument cluster as Xpulse 200, 200T and Xtreme 200S on Xtreme 160R. This enables Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation as well. There is a tiny possibility of Xtreme 160R getting promoted to 200cc class with upcoming Karizma’s 210cc engine, now that Hunk is being tested with the same 160cc engine. More

  • in

    Window Shop with Car and Driver: YouTube Star Cars

    This content is imported from youTube. 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 Best Cars For Starting A YouTube Channel | Window Shop with Car and Driver | EP111Watch onYouTube IconYouTube Icon”Window Shop” or “Window Shopping” or whatever it’s called at any moment is something watched on YouTube. And that is a beast always craving fresh content. So, let’s be fresh and contentious.Working from a suggestion from a WS viewer (no one here dares to claim they’re a “fan”), the Car and Driver panel was tasked with finding one car on the Internet around which to build a YouTube presence that attracts millions of eyeballs, leads to the establishment of yet another car auction site, and then results in massive wealth when Peter Chernin throws money at it. Hey, it’s happened once. It can happen again.Join senior editor Elana Scherr (who already has a YouTube channel called “Challengeher”), executive editor K.C. Colwell (whose channel would include cow tipping), blessed contributor Jonathon Ramsey (who earns his love), editor-in-chief Tony Quiroga (from atop Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs), and the wholly tertiary John Pearley Huffman (pre-emptively banned by YouTube before actually uploading a video) in a challenge that allows blowing up to 30,000 pretend dollars.Among cars mentioned: a Porsche model designated greater than a 913 but not quite a 915. A Frankenstein mash-up of Lincoln and Lamborghini, which is insane but alphabetically compatible. An old near-truck from a company that’s long dead. Either a Suzuki dump truck or an Autozam, depending on the moment. And a Fisker, picked by some lunatic.More Window ShoppingCar and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoSenior EditorJohn Pearley Huffman has been writing about cars since 1990 and is getting okay at it. Besides Car and Driver, his work has appeared in the New York Times and more than 100 automotive publications and websites. A graduate of UC Santa Barbara, he still lives near that campus with his wife and two children. He owns a pair of Toyota Tundras and two Siberian huskies. He used to have a Nova and a Camaro. More