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    Aston Martin's 1139-HP Valkyrie Spider Loses Roof, Gains Thrills

    Aston Martin has already sold all 85 copies of the newly revealed Valkyrie Spider.The car has the same 6.5-liter Cosworth V-12 as the regular Valkyrie, working with a hybrid system to reach total output of 1139 horsepower.That top is removable, not folding, as the sinuous shape of the Valkyrie left no room for a mechanism.When we rode next to Aston Martin CEO Tobias Moers in a Valkyrie prototype at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month, he hinted that we would be seeing another Valkyrie variant. We didn’t have to wait long; the British sports-car company has just unveiled the open-topped Valkyrie Spider at Pebble Beach in California.Just 85 examples of the Spider will be built and, in bad news for any multimillionaires who are just reading about the car for the first time, Aston says the whole run has already been allocated to buyers. And that’s despite an undisclosed price that is likely higher than that of the $3.5 million coupe.

    Mechanically the Spider is unchanged from the roof-wearing Valkyrie, with power coming from a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated Cosworth V-12 that will rev to 11,500 rpm and make up to 987 horsepower by itself. This will work in conjunction with a hybrid system that takes the total output to 1139 horsepower. As on a race car, the Spider’s engine is mounted directly to the car’s carbon-fiber tub without an insulating subframe. From our passenger ride at Goodwood, we already know the engine is almost painfully loud when working hard, yet it sounds amazing. The lack of a roof will likely enhance both of those qualities still further for occupants.

    Aston Martin

    The Spider’s roof is removable rather than being a conventional folding hood; the Valkyrie’s tightly sculpted shape leaves nowhere for a bulky mechanism to go. The three elements are a central carbon-fiber spar that forms a targa-style link between the windscreen and rear of the car’s carbon tub, then a pair of hinged clear polycarbonate “roof windows” that clip in on each side. These locate against new front-hinged dihedral doors that have, necessarily, replaced the Valkyrie coupe’s roof-hinged gullwings. Unusually for a roadster, the side windows seem to always remain in place, since the minimal doors have no space for an opening mechanism.The upshot is that, with its roof in place, the Spider should be able to get close to matching the aerodynamic performance of the Valkyrie coupe—with most of the car’s downforce created by the vast diffuser and Venturi tunnels that run around the cockpit. Aston claims it will have up to 3080 pounds of downforce at 150 mph in its track mode. While roof-off performance won’t be as aerodynamically efficient, rushing airflow will likely make the car feel even more thrilling. Aston has not revealed if the Spider carries any weight penalty but says it will be able to achieve a top speed of more than 217 mph with its roof in place and 205 mph with it removed. Production of the Valkyrie Spider will follow that of the coupe, with customer deliveries starting in the second quarter of 2022. So what do you think, roof or not?

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    2022 Ford GT Supercar Gets a Special Edition Livery from 1964

    Ford has revealed the 2022 GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition, which honors the original GT prototype from 1964, as part of the GT’s final year of production. The Heritage Edition is finished in Wimbledon White with an Antimatter Blue hood, racing stripe, and side graphic to mimic the original GT prototype’s livery.The special edition is covered in carbon fiber, from the rear diffuser to the seats, and the interior is swathed in upscale Alcantara.Since launching for the 2017 model year, the Ford GT supercar has repeatedly paid homage to Ford’s endurance racing conquests at Le Mans in the 1960s. Now, to celebrate its final year of production, Ford is releasing yet another special version of the GT to honor its lineage. The 2022 GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition pays tribute to the five original GT prototypes that kicked the Ferrari-rivaling GT40 project, specifically mimicking the livery of the first prototype, GT/101, that debuted at the 1964 New York auto show.
    The 2022 Ford GT ’64 Heritage Prototype Edition features Wimbledon White paint with Antimatter Blue accents including on the hood, the racing stripe over the roof, and the “Ford” graphic on the side sills. The 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels are painted Antimatter Blue as well, and carbon fiber is sprinkled across the exterior, appearing on the front splitter, sills, mirror stalks, engine louvers, and rear diffuser. The Brembo brakes are finished in silver. No changes were made to the GT’s performance characteristics, with the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine still producing 660 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque.
    The interior also gets a healthy dose of carbon fiber on the doorsills, A-pillar, and center console. The carbon fiber seats are clothed in Lightspeed Blue Alcantara, which also appears on the dashboard, while the headliner and steering wheel are Ebony Alcantara.

    The 2022 GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition will be displayed alongside the only 1964 GT prototype still wearing its original livery, chassis GT/105, during Monterey Car Week. The prototype that the new special edition honors, GT/101, was scrapped after Le Mans and Monza crash testing back in the day. There is no word on just how limited the ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition production run will be or how much it will cost to take home one of these special-edition supercars, but it should be more than the $500,000 that it costs to buy a “standard” GT.
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    Simple One Electric Scooter Booking At Rs 1,947 – Battery Pack, Range Details

    Simple Electric Scooter Battery PackRange anxiety is a key reason why people continue to prefer petrol powered two-wheelers
    Since the time Simple Energy started working on their electric scooter, the team was pretty clear that they need to free people of their range anxiety. It was evident that their electric scooter will have a better chance to succeed if it can deliver higher range than rivals.
    That dream has been realized and will be showcased to everyone on August 15. Bookings will commence on the same date and deliveries are expected by January 2022. Booking amount is set at Rs 1,947. The amount Rs 1,947 is chosen as the Simple One is launching on 15th August, Independence Day. The pre-booking would begin from 5 pm onwards and the vehicle can be booked on the company’s website.
    Speaking on this, Mr.Suhas Rajkumar, Founder, and CEO, Simple Energy said, ” Through Simple One, we hope to create a benchmark in the EV Industry. 15th August is a historic day for us too. We look forward to an electrifying year ahead.” In addition to this, the Simple also shared some information on the portable battery pack, which appears to be grey in colour, and weighs over 6kgs. This battery pack is custom-built for Indian usage, making it easier for anyone to take it back to your house to charge it.
    Simple One will have a 4.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, a claimed range of 240 km in eco mode, a top speed of 100kmph, and 0-50 kilometers per hour acceleration in 3.6 seconds. Other key features are a mid-drive motor along with a removable battery and futuristic design. It also comes with smart features like a touch screen, onboard navigation, Bluetooth, etc The e-scooter will be priced from Rs1,10,000 to Rs.1,20,000.
    Simple Electric Scooter Charging – Simple Loop
    How Simple One achieves 200+ km range?
    Simple Energy has always strived to reach the 200km mark for their Simple One electric scooter. It has been achieved with continuous improvements in multiple components. The motor is one such component that the company has developed in-house. Simple Energy is currently the only OEM in the country to have designed, developed and manufactured its own powertrain.
    This has allowed the company to carry out desired optimizations that can improve the motor’s efficiency and scooter’s range. Customizations would have limited scope if the powertrain was designed and manufactured by another entity.
    The powertrain developed by Simple Energy has already been patented. The company may use its expertise in this area to create a new revenue source. However, there are no plans to directly share the motor design with other entities. In addition to the engine, Simple Energy has patents for various other components. These include the scooter’s design, cycle parts, thermal management system and battery pack.
    Tech integrations have also helped improve overall efficiency of the powertrain. A lot of research has gone into developing an aerodynamic design for the scooter. This reduces drag and helps improve range. Another example of continuous improvement is the weight of the scooter, which has been reduced from 130 kg earlier to less than 110 kg in its present form. Even electrical systems including headlight have been customized to reduce auxiliary power consumption.
    Simple One acceleration and top speed
    Even in the Eco mode, Simple One will be able to achieve speed of around 45-50 kmph. This is pretty decent for city ride conditions. There will be three other ride modes that will allow higher speeds. Top speed will be around 100 kmph. Simple One will also offer best-in-class acceleration of 0-40 kmph in 3.1 seconds. This is better than Ather 450X that does 0-40 kmph in 3.3 seconds. Simple One can achieve 0-60 kmph in 3.6 seconds.
    Almost complete localization
    Simple Energy has been able to achieve close to 99% localization. Except the battery cells, all other components used on Simple One are sourced locally. This will help reduce cost and avoid delays in production and deliveries. Simple One electric scooter is expected to be launched at Rs 1.1 – 1.2 lakh. The Simple One will be launched in 13 states in India in Phase 1. More

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    Omega Electric Scooters Unveiled Ahead Of Launch – 85 Kms Range

    Omega Electric Scooter – FIARE
    Omega Seiki Mobility electric scooters Zoro and Fiare ready for launch in the 2021 festive season
    Omega Seiki Mobility Pvt. Ltd. (OSM) has unveiled its first two-wheeler electric scooters, Zoro and Fiare. Bookings will get underway at the end of August 2021. A product showcase was scheduled last week at OSM’s flagship showroom in Pune. Available in 7 colours, Zoro and Fiare have a top speed of speed of 45 km/h. Ride range is pegged at 85 kms in a single charge. Both electric scooters will be available in 7 colour options.
    Uday Narang, Founder, Omega Seiki Mobility said “We are excited about bringing our electric 2 wheelers to further accelerate development of sustainable solutions. Climate change is a serious challenge and Omega Seiki Mobility is committed to providing solutions and the company is doing its bit in moving the world to sustainable mobility through our products.”
    Electric scooters for B2B applications
    The manufacturer is on the lookout for avenues where it can explore new opportunities to provide solutions that are useful to the users, especially in the wide-ranging B2B sectors. OSM is working closely with dealers to create a seamless experience for customers. And are on track to meet dealer expansion targets for the year.
    FAME II policies are aimed at encouraging domestic manufacturing of EVs by giving tax incentives and reducing their cost to customers. The move is a clear acknowledgement in formulating tools that boost the e2W segment, which until now has not taken off to the extent expected. Scooters are a popular segment. Current availability of specifically drafted subsidies will help more and more folks take note of the growing electric scooter segment.
    Omega Electric Scooter – ZORO
    Cost per km travel
    Industrywide goals are to turn to electric 2 wheelers that are emission free and have the potential to reduce global carbon footprint of 2 wheelers considerably. This is a significant step towards sustainable mobility. Modern day electric 2 wheelers are built on innovative technology ensuring they deliver superior performance as well as lowest cost per km travel.
    Simultaneously, systems must be developed to ensure no compromise on safety. Increasingly, there are now a large number of low-speed products that do not require a licence or registration, providing easy access to low cost personal transportation.
    Over time, the electric two wheeler segment is shaping into a dedicated platform to support and spearhead growth of the electric vehicle industry. An increasing number of manufacturers are excited about the opportunity to launch e2W ranges in India.
    If paradigm shifts in the way personal commute transforms are expected, manufacturers would need to be pioneers. And focus on development of innovative transportation solutions, which can help reduce impact on our environment, and contribute towards a cleaner world. More

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    Hero Splendor Helps Create Largest Hero MotoCorp Logo With 1,845 Motorcycles

    Hero Splendor Motorcycles Creates Largest Hero LogoThis monumental feat was achieved at the Hero MotoCorp manufacturing facility in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
    Ten years ago, Hero parted ways with long-time partner Honda to venture solo into the Indian auto industry. This led to the birth of Hero MotoCorp which went on to become the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the world. Recently, Hero MotoCorp celebrated its tenth anniversary in the Indian two-wheeler market.
    The company decided to mark this occasion in a rather unique and memorable way. Hero MotoCorp has now entered the Guinness World Book of Records after creating the largest replication of its brand’s logo to become ‘Largest Motorcycle Logo’ in the world and the bikemaker used its oldest existing model for this purpose.
    More Details
    As many as 1845 units of Splendor Plus motorcycles were used at the company’s manufacturing facility in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, to create this enormous logo. The motorcycles were assembled in an empty field measuring 1000ft by 800ft which folks at the plant had to level first in order to make it a flat canvas.
    The entire process took 90 days and over 300 man-hours worth of work. A total of 100 people were involved in completing this mammoth task. Below video shows the detailed process carried out in achieving this unique record.
    [embedded content]
    Although the record was set on July 29, it was formally announced by Hero on August 9, the day when the completed 10 years of its solo operations in India. The bikemaker has also released a video of the same on social media.
    Since the pandemic has struck globally, an adjudicator from Guinness World Records was virtually present to witness the record. The adjudicator was accompanied by other independent witnesses who were also appointed as per the Guinness guidelines.
    Splendor Plus Details
    Hero Splendor Plus is one of the most affordable motorcycles in the country at present with a starting price of Rs 63,000 (ex-showroom). It is powered by a 97.2cc single-cylinder fuel-injected engine which develops a power of 7.91 bhp and a torque of 8.05 Nm. This unit is paired with a 4-speed gearbox.
    The latest iteration is also offered with Hero’s XSens technology. This feature turns off the engine when it idles for more than 5 seconds in traffic and turns back on once the clutch lever is pulled. This helps in extracting better mileage out of the motorcycle.
    The company also organised an event recently to mark its tenth anniversary in the Indian market which highlighted future products from the company. These included upcoming battery-powered two-wheelers, the first of which was teased at the event. However, the bikemaker cannot use its ‘Hero’ brand for its dedicated EV lineup due to a conflict of interest between itself and Hero Electric. More

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    Ola Electric Scooter Launch Time Is 2 PM On 15th Aug

    Ola Electric ScooterOla Electric will be revealing all details related to their new e-scooter on 15th Aug – Price, delivery schedule, etc
    Ola Electric scooter will be launched in India on August 15, 2021 at 2 PM. This was officially revealed today by Ola Electric. Ahead of official launch, it has already seen outstanding demand. Ola’s e-scooter is opened for bookings at a refundable amount of Rs 499 and to date, the company has received bookings from over 1,000 cities across the country.
    Bookings crossed 1 lakh orders within 24 hours of opening order books on 15th July 2021, thus making it the most pre-booked scooter in the world. Ola electric scooter deliveries will start across all cities in India on the same day.
    Best in Segment Features
    Ola electric scooter will be offered in 10 colour choices. It will receive a digital instrument cluster, cloud based connectivity, 12 inch tubeless tyres with alloy wheels, LED head, tail lamps and turn signals and best in segment 50 liter under seat storage capacity.
    Segment first features will include keyless experience accessible via the user’s smartphone. The company has also revealed in a recent video that the upcoming electric scooter will get reverse mode.
    Ola Electric Scooter Launch Time Announced
    Ola electric scooter is expected to come with up to 3.6 kWh battery capacity which will make the scooter eligible for FAME-II subsidy. The specs are not yet revealed, but speculations suggest it would offer about 150km range on full charge and acceleration from 0-45 kms in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 100 km/h.
    Dimensions will stand at 1,860mm length, 700mm width and 1,155mm height. Saddle height will be at 800mm, wheelbase at 1,345mm and kerb weight at 74 kgs. It will get telescopic suspension at the front and rear. It will be offered in multiple variants of which one will be the Ola S1 Pro.
    Charging Network
    As is seen in the case of other electric two wheeler makers, Ola is also in talks with Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) for supply of electric two and three wheelers with charging infrastructure. The upcoming Hypercharger Network will also offer Ola customers with high speed charging facilities along with high speed hyper chargers and home chargers which are offered as standard with the Ola e-scooter. Though there are no price indications as on date, it is likely to be priced somewhere between Rs 1-1.20 lakhs.
    Ola Electric expects to produce over 10 million electric scooters per annum and generate around 10,000 jobs. The electric vehicles would be built at the company’s mega factory in in Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu with total project outlay pegged at Rs 2,354 crore. The plant which will consist of 10 assembly lines and have the capacity to roll out 1 scooter every 2 seconds. There will be over 3,000 AI enabled robots and the plant will also have the greenest forest cover of 100 acres on site. More

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    Chevy Silverado EV Will Have Rear-Axle Steering

    Chevrolet announced that the upcoming electric Silverado pickup truck will offer rear-axle steering. Rear-axle steering will tighten the truck’s turning radius by slightly turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the fronts. Chevy claims the Silverado EV will have up to 400 miles of range, and it’s expected to enter production as early as 2023. Chevrolet will soon offer an electric Silverado to compete with the countless other electric pickups coming from brands including Ford, Rivian, and Tesla. General Motors claims that the electric Chevy truck will offer up to 400 miles of range, and now we know that it’ll also have available rear-axle steering, like its GMC Hummer EV stablemate.

    Chevrolet

    Rear-axle steering tightens the vehicle’s turning radius by slightly turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the fronts. It seems like the Silverado EV’s system won’t be as advanced as the GMC Hummer EV’s Crab Walk mode, which can use its rear-axle steering system to turn all four wheels at the same angle, moving the truck diagonally. Rivian’s R1T electric pickup has a different but similarly cool tank-turn feature. It uses its four individual motors, one on each wheel, to spin the wheels forward on one side and in reverse on the other to spin around on dirt like a tank.

    The electric Chevy Silverado, like the Hummer EV and the rest of General Motors’ future electric vehicles, will utilize its Ultium battery platform. It’s likely to be available with multiple powertrain configurations and battery-pack sizes providing up to 400 miles of range. Chevy also said the truck will be available from work-oriented versions to more highly equipped trucks, much like Ford’s new electric pickup, the F-150 Lightning. Chevy’s rear-axle steering will be offered as optional equipment along with 24-inch wheels. Chevrolet hasn’t announced when the electric truck will arrive, but we expect production to start sometime in 2023 or the year after. Look for more details on the electric Silverado soon as more EV pickups, including Ram’s electric 1500, make their way to the market.
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    Hot Wheels Is Going Electric with a Bike

    Hot Wheels and Super73 partner to create the Hot Wheels X Super73-RX, an e-bike with Hot Wheels style.The electrically powered bicycle can travel 40 miles at 20 mph using only the electric motor.The bike will retail for $5000 and come with a special Hot Wheels Ford Bronco diecast. Mattel’s die-cast superstar Hot Wheels is no stranger to strategic partnerships. There have been limited-edition Hot Wheels computers, Hot Wheels Power Wheels, and virtually every other kid-focused item at your local toy store. Now Hot Wheels is venturing into a partnership that should help the big kids and adults—for an e-bike. Hot Wheels is partnering with e-bike manufacturer Super73 to release a limited-edition Hot Wheels bike based on the company’s flagship Super73-RX.

    This bike will feature a 960-watt-hour battery, which translates to about 40 miles of riding at 20 mph. You can stretch that further by opting for a different drive mode that relies on some pedaling from the rider. Ultimately, you can also ride as many miles as you can pedal, whether there’s any juice in the battery or not—it is a bicycle, after all.While this is mostly a standard Super73-RX, the Hot Wheels livery does add some extra style points to this electric bicycle. The aptly named Hot Wheels X Super73-RX is finished in black but sports orange and blue Hot Wheels graphics on the battery tank, and Hot Wheels embroidery on the seat.This e-bike is full of high-priced tech, and the price reflects that. This Hot Wheels edition Super73-RX will set you back $5000, and it’s also only available in the continental US, which means folks abroad, or even in Alaska or Hawaii, won’t be able to order one directly. This built-to-order bike will also need a 12-16 week lead time before it hits the shipping crate. That said, if you’re a diehard Hot Wheels collector, or are just interested in jumping on an e-bike, this could be the machine for you. Oh yeah, and helping to offset that price: Hot Wheels is also including a special Ford Bronco die-cast that matches your new bike.

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