A Toyota Land Cruiser has become the fastest SUV in the world after clocking 230mph on a 2.5-mile runway at the Mojave Air and space Port in California.
Piloted by former NASCAR motorist Carl Edwards, the heavily modified Land Cruiser added 19mph to the previous benchmark set by the Brabus Bi-Turbo V12 GLK, which has a top speed of 211mph.
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Brabus can at least claim that their record was set by a production vehicle, whereas Toyota’s creation is based on a stock version of the Land speed Cruiser concept which made its debut at the SEMA show in Las vegas in 2016.
Starting out with a 375bhp V8 – capable of just 142mph in standard trim – Toyota engineers added a pair of “volleyball-sized” turbochargers to substantially improve performance, with reinforced pistons, rods and a custom-made racing transmission also fitted to cope with a staggering total power output just shy of 2,000bhp.
The ride height was also lowered to minimize air turbulence underneath the chassis at high speeds, and the frame of the SUV was narrowed by three inches to accommodate the Michelin Pilot incredibly sport tyres.
But while Toyota focussed on power and aero, no effort was made to save weight in buy to supply crucial downforce. Not including fuel and the driver, the Land Cruiser weighed in at its normal 2.6 tonnes.
“I wanted the Land speed Cruiser to supply the confidence you need, as a driver, to keep pushing even when the world around you becomes a high speed blur,” said test motorist Craig Stanton. “We made some setup adjustments, and it not only accelerates and shifts a lot more smoothly, but it also has enhanced stability.”
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Stanton reached 198mph in his warm-up run, before handing responsibilities over to Carl Edwards. The 37-year-old matched the existing 211mph record at the first time of asking, before a lot more power was dialled in for his second attempt.
Describing his record-breaking run, Edwards said: “At 225 mph, the thing was wandering a little bit. All I could think was that Craig said, ‘No matter what, just keep your foot in it,’ and we got 230 mph. “It’s safe to say that this is the fastest SUV on the planet.”
Should the record stand given that you can actually get the Brabus? have your say below…
Ford has showcased its engine administration system for the 2018 European Mustang that can set different engine volumes for different times of the day.
Called ‘Good Neighbour Mode’, the innovation was discussed at the Mustang’s 2018 European introduce at September’s Frankfurt Motot Show. It enables Mustang owners to select what time they can terminate their muscle mass cars and truck as much as its full roaring prospective as well as what time they can set it to begin up quietly without complaints from neighbours. The function can be accessed with the toggle menu in the instrument cluster.
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The concept is the brainchild of Ford worker Steve von Foerster, whose neighbours made constant complaints to him about his Mustang starting up in the morning.
While exhaust administration systems are already a function on some sports cars, the great Neighbour mode is the very first exhaust system that can be time allotted to begin the cars and truck up quietly, without a thunderous yelp from the Mustang’s V8. According to a poll by Ranker.com, engine revving is one of the most frustrating noises made by neighbours, beaten only by early-morning yard mowers.
Both peaceful Exhaust mode as well as peaceful begin features will be part of the new Mustang, which is capable of hitting as much as 82 decibels when in Track mode.
Since the American muscle mass cars and truck officially went on sale in Europe back in 2015, Ford has offered almost 30,000 examples of the sixth-generation model.
Is ‘Good Neighbour Mode’ a great idea? tell us what you believe of it below!
The BMW i3 is a fully electric automobile that’s been built on a bespoke platform, a trend that has since been followed by the likes of the Volkswagen ID.3 and a host of other battery-electric vehicles. The i3 is both fun and relaxing to drive, with strong performance coupled with a superbly efficient powertrain. build quality is high too, with a unique interior design making it appear more special than something like a Renault Zoe or Peugeot e-208.
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With those contemporary looks and a familiar blue and white badge, the BMW i3 provides an engaging driving experience far removed from more conventional city cars; only the firm ride really counts against it. and while the i3’s cheap-to-run electric powertrain impresses, the packaging and design make it one of the most user-friendly and appealing electric automobiles you can buy. It may look expensive compared to rivals, but it definitely feels like a premium choice.
About the BMW i3
The BMW i3 electric hatchback has been around since 2013, yet thanks to its innovative and bespoke design, it still manages to look and feel more advanced than rivals based on regular production models.
The BMW i3 was updated in 2018 with a larger battery. The automobile came with a 22.6kWh battery at launch in 2013, climbing to 33kWh with a 2016 update – now there’s 42.2kWh battery that’s more in line with those fitted to the entry-level Nissan leaf (40kWh) and Hyundai Kona electric (64kWh). The i3 boasts an official range (measured on the latest WLTP scale) of up to 190 miles – an almost 30 per cent improvement over its predecessor.
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There are two versions of the i3 available: a conventional automobile with 168bhp and the i3s, a sportier model with 181bhp. BMW no longer sells hybrid ‘range extender’ models, which used three-cylinder petrol engines to charge the battery on the move.
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Aston Martin’s new DB11 is just about as fresh as supercars come, however additionally advancement is already under method that will culminate in a quicker as well as a lot more sporting DB11 S for next year.
Expected in the second half of 2018, these spy shots show the Bentley Continental Supersports rival being put with its paces on public roads. giveaways that this is no regular DB11 include the enlarged front air intakes, chunky splitter as well as lower stance, in spite of no evident modifications to the rear.
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Given the basic DB11 already pumps out 600bhp as well as understanding what previous Aston ‘S’ designs have gained, it’s affordable to presume that engineers will capture anything as much as 50bhp additional out of the twin-turbo V12 engine. While that won’t make a big difference to performance, it must bring acceleration a bit better to its 700bhp Bentley arch rival.
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We’re expecting a lot more obvious modifications to the chassis, however, as well as the lowered suspension of this prototype is evidence for that. Tweaks to spring as well as damper rates must make it feel sharper in the bends, while it might get stronger brakes as well as weight saving procedures in the platform.
Pricing details are unconfirmed, however with the basic vehicle priced at £155,000, we wouldn’t be shocked to see the DB11 S breaching the £180,000 mark. We’ll understand a lot more details nearer the car’s introduce date.
Do you like the look of the Aston Martin DB11 S as seen in our spy shots? tell us in the comments!
The BMW X5 eDrive plug-in hybrid is on its method to production, as exposed by these spy shots of a near-standard looking X5. It’s only when you look better that you can see the charging port flap mounted on the left-hand front wing.
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BMW has already previewed this design with a idea – exposed at the Frankfurt motor show in September – however numerous of that car’s styling details aren’t on this prototype. That might modification for production, though, where the blue-tinted BMW badges, bespoke front-end styling as well as distinct alloy wheel styles of the idea might re-emerge.
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Expect to see the exact same powertrain discovered in the idea as well as the exact same economic climate figures, too. That implies it’ll be fitted with a four-cylinder petrol engine as well as a 95bhp electric motor, provided with a four-wheel-drive system. capable of travelling around 20 miles on electric power, the X5 eDrive ought to boast figures of 74.3mpg as well as less than 90g/km of CO2. in spite of the outstanding economy, expect a 0-62mph time of around seven seconds.
There’s still a great deal of work to be done tweaking the eDrive powertrain up until BMW will be pleased to put the cars and truck on sale, so in spite of the advanced look of these prototypes we’re still expecting an on-sale date during 2015. After all, BMW will want to provide its i3 as well as i8 electric/hybrid designs a possibility to thrive.
When it does show up it will likely have competition from a plug-in hybrid version of the Audi Q7. While not precisely a competitor, Mitusbishi will begin selling a plug-in hybrid version of its Outlander SUV in 2014, boasting fuel economic climate of 144mpg.
plans from the European Union to have 30 million electric cars on the road by 2030 are “far removed from today’s reality”, according to an association that represents the Continent’s automobile makers.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ association (ACEA) highlights that last year, just 0.25 per cent (615,000) of the 243 million cars in the EU are zero-emission electric models.
“All electric by 2030? No problem – but it’s going to take some work”
To meet the target, set for just nine years in the future, that those 615,000 EVs rise in number to 30 million, the ACEA highlights that close to a 50-fold increase in numbers would be required. That’s equivalent to a 4,778 per cent rise in the number of electric cars on the road.
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“Unfortunately this vision is far removed from today’s reality,” the ACEA’s director general, Eric-Mark Huitema warned. Highlighting that automobile makers in Europe already spend “much” of their annual €60.9-billion research and development budget on decarbonisation, Huitema added that “not all the ideal conditions are in place to make such a enormous leap” into such exponential growth of electric cars.
The ACEA also warns that it considers a additionally three million public chargepoints will be required by 2030 to reach these goals from the 200,000 points that existed in 2019. That indicates a 15-fold increase is needed to bridge the gap.
The organisation is calling on the EU to make national governments across Europe invest a lot more in charging infrastructure. At the same time, it is also pointing out that additionally challenges exist due to the average European automobile today being 11 years old and electric automobiles being a lot more expensive than their petrol and diesel counterparts. This, according to the ACEA, is stopping EV uptake and risking the average age of cars on the road rising further.
The alerting echoes a recent calculation from the climate change committee that for the UK to meet its emissions targets, nearly half the circa 35 million cars in the UK need to be EVs by 2030.
Check out the current on the 2030 new petrol and diesel automobile ban here…
Volkswagen has refreshed the all-electric ID.3 hatchback and ID.4 SUV line-ups, revealing price changes and revised trim structures, while buyers can now specify individual option packs, instead of having to settle for fixed specification cars.
On both ID.3 and ID.4 models, the entry-level City trim level has been renamed Life, while the business and tech equipment levels have been discontinued.
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Changes to the ID.3 price list bring two more versions beneath the £35,000 threshold to qualify for the £2,500 government plug-in automobile grant. Mid-spec ID.3 family pro (using a 58kWh battery and a 143bhp electric motor) and ID.3 family pro performance (the same 58kWh battery but a 201bhp e-motor) have both dropped in price and taken the grant on board. They’re now priced from £31,140 and £32,460 respectively, inclusive of the grant.
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Further up the range, the high-spec ID.3 Max and range-topping tour models both receive a price reduction of £3,800. It means the most expensive member of the line-up – the 340-mile tour pro S model with its 77kWh battery, is now available from £38,800.
The introduction of configurable options packs on both models means there’s a degree of flexibility in regards to equipment for ID.3 and ID.4 buyers for the first time. customers can choose any trim level, and add in the equipment they want.
The Infotainment plus package is £2,200, introducing an augmented reality head-up display on both cars. On the ID.4 it also introduces a larger 12-inch central infotainment display, while the ID.3 hatch sticks with its 10.1-inch unit but gets an upgraded seven speaker sound system.
Other optional packs uniform across both models include sport and sport plus packs for £340 and £1,140 respectively. The sport pack introduces sports suspension and progressive steering, while sport plus introduces adaptive dampers. Similarly, new packs introducing styling elements, enhanced driver assistance and safety technology and comfort features are available to individually specify.
Now check out our reviews of the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4…
1. BMW 2 series Coupe revealed
BMW has officially unveiled the new 2 Series, which will replace the old 1 series Coupe in the line-up. It will be publically unveiled at the Detroit motor show in January next year before hitting showrooms in March. The 2 series is BMWs attempt at an Audi TT and Peugeot RCZ rival, and will come with a range of petrol and diesel engines from launch. As the 2 series is much more sports-orientated than the car it replaces, only the much more powerful engines have been carried over from the 1 series Coupe line-up. prices are yet to be announced but they ought to start from around £21,000.
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Read the full story: BMW 2 series Coupe revealed
2. Mercedes C-Class interior revealed
The interior of the next-generation Mercedes C-Class has been revealed, showing a stylish blend of wood, leather and brushed aluminium practically mirroring that of the executive S-Class saloon. A big TFT colour touch screen sits on top of the cascading centre console, operated by smartphone-type gestures and a scroll wheel. The Mercedes C-Class will be unveiled at the Detroit motor show next January.
Read the full story: Mercedes C-Class interior revealed
3. Honda S660 concept
Ferrari has finally set the world’s motoring press loose in the Ferrari LaFerrari hypercar. It’s the moment car fans have been waiting for because the 950bhp V12 LaFerrari was first revealed at the 2013 Geneva motor Show.
The LaFerrari has the unenviable task not only of carrying the flag as the fastest and many technologically advanced road-going Ferrari ever but also of eclipsing two talented rivals in the most titanic set-to the hypercar segment has ever seen.
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The McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder have already been driven by journalists so the Ferrari LaFerrari arrives with car reviewers well aware of the heights it should scale to be crowned hypercar champ.
Can it rise to the challenge? read on for our definitive round-up of Ferrari LaFerrari review verdicts from the world’s esteemed motoring press…
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Ferrari LaFerrari reviews: full road test verdict
What did the world’s press think of the amazing Ferrari LaFerrari? find out best here.
EVO magazine Ferrari LaFerrari road test:
Leading UK performance car mag and car express sister publication, EVO was among the first titles to get behind the wheel of the mighty Ferrari LaFerrari and a 5-star rating soon followed.
Its reviewer came away pleased by the shining character of the V12 engine:
Jaguar has kept us guessing about whether it would build a high-performance XF Sportbrake, but we now have an emphatic answer. rather than simply building a XFR Sportbrake, Jaguar has skipped straight to XFR-S specification for the most useful model in its range.
Unveiled at the Geneva motor Show, the Sportbrake joins the XFR-S Saloon and XKR-S as the third member of the ballistic R-S family. like its siblings it uses a 542bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 producing 680Nm of torque – enough to rocket it from 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds, 0.2 seconds slower than the XFR-S Saloon, and on to an identical top speed of 186mph, despite weighing around 90kg more.
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Jaguar’s designers have translated the Saloon’s pumped up styling into the Sportbrake’s much more sensible bodystyle, minus the wild rear wing of course. It does get a much smaller roofing system spoiler though, along with a deeper front bumper and front splitter to increase downforce at high speeds. extended and much more sculpted side sills, a deeper rear bumper, 20-inch alloys and a race car-style rear diffuser complete the exterior updates.
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Inside there’s sports seats covered in stitched carbon leather and a sprinkling of R-S badges, but the Sporbrake’s outstanding interior space remains. That implies 60:40 split folding rear seats and a boot that extends to 1,675-litres with the seats down.
Although the XFR-S Sportbrake uses the same basic chassis as the XFR-S Saloon, the rear suspension has been tuned specifically to cope with the extra weight. thanks to stiffer anti-roll bars, firmer springs and dampers and a new front suspension knuckle, overall ride stiffness is up by 30 per cent compared to the standard car. larger tyres, bigger brakes and an electronic differential ought to guarantee it goes, stops and turns just as well as the Saloon.
It won’t be quiet either – the central silencer in the exhaust has removed and replaced with an ‘X-piece’ for a flourishing exhaust note and crackles on the overrun.
Jaguar has also made changes to the standard XF range – introducing a R-Sport model. It gets the looks of a performance model, with a chunky bodykit, but is only available with the 161bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine returning 57.7mpg and 129g/km. purchase books for the new XF models open on April 1, with the XFR-S Sportbrake priced at £82,495. Its closest rivals will be the Audi RS6 Avant and Mercedes E63 AMG Estate.