Land Rover Defender 130 patent images show the 'premium explorer' of the lineup
Posted in REVIEWS on January 24, 2022
Autoweek.nl found patent images Land Rover filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the coming Defender 130. We got our last look at the 130 trim in July 2021 when it was wearing skin-tight camouflage while testing near its home territory in England. The patent line drawings remove almost all of the suspense about what's coming, if any suspense remained. The one difference that we spot in the drawings compared to the Defender Read More »
New 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is 400bhp Baja-style SUV
Posted in CAR NEWS on January 24, 2022
Tags: News
The hardcore new Ford Bronco Raptor introduces a raft of off-road-focused upgrades to the reborn SUV to make it "capable of highway-speed desert-dune conquering and Baja rock-crawling". Like the standard Bronco, it remains a US-only proposition for now, but it's similar in its positioning and claimed capabilities to the Ford Ranger Raptor pick-up truck, which is sold here. It's the third entry into Ford's revived Bronco model line, following the full-size Bronco and road-focused Bronco Sport Read More »
Porsche introduces updated infotainment for 2022 models
Posted in CAR NEWS on January 24, 2022
Tags: News
Newly-configured Porsche 911, Taycan, Cayenne and Panamera models will now arrive with the firm's latest Porsche Communication Management (PCM) 6.0 infotainment system. The upgrade includes stronger links to mobile devices, a revised user interface and wireless Android Auto functionality. Natural voice control, and intelligent navigation that can better plan charging stops for electric vehicles is also part of the latest software. Another key feature that will be introduced is the integration of Spotify, which connects to the service directly Read More »
From the boardroom: Britishvolt aims for performance EV market
Posted in CAR NEWS on January 24, 2022
Tags: News
For commercial customers, Britishvolt will make LFP batteries (for lithium iron phosphate). These use cheaper cathode materials and are lower-maintenance, but the cost/ease trade-off is reduced energy density, meaning you lose range or need bigger packs. Tesla uses LFP for some standard-range Model 3s and it’s popular in China for both cars and commercials, but Britishvolt is targeting just the CV side. “We think for commercial vehicles, it’s extremely relevant," said Hoare. "It’s isolated from cost Read More »
KTM to launch X-Bow GT2 as 600bhp road-legal supercar
Posted in CAR NEWS on January 24, 2022
Tags: News
Dutch sports car and motorbike manufacturer KTM is developing a road-legal version of its X-Bow GT2 race car, which will rival low-volume lightweights including the Radical Rapture and Dallara Stradale. It will be KTM's second road car, joining its open-roof X-Bow sibling, which has been sold in various forms since 2008. It wears a completely bespoke body shell and is substantially different in its positioning to the X-Bow, touting power and performance specifications that line Read More »
Here's why the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is four-door only
Posted in REVIEWS on January 24, 2022
While the regular 2022 Ford Bronco can combine just about any powertrain, suspension and wheel combination in both the four-door and two-door configurations, the new Raptor version is restricted to the four-door only. And naturally, we were curious as to the reasons, particularly when the two-door would seem to be lighter, and its smaller size could aid in tighter off-roading. A Ford representative told us that one of the key reasons was for high-speed stability Read More »
Porsche's PCM 6.0 infotainment adds better electric charging planner and more
Posted in REVIEWS on January 24, 2022
Porsche announced its new PCM 6.0 infotainment system last year, but today the company has a few updates to share with us about this software. The most important update arrives for Taycan owners, who will get to experience a revamped charging planner. New in this update, the planner now prioritizes charging stations with a higher energy output. Porsche specifically says it will attempt to bring you to chargers that offer speeds of 150 kW and Read More »
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor specs, pictures reveal ultra-wide, bad-ass beast
Posted in REVIEWS on January 24, 2022
Here it is, the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor, and it looks every bit the exaggerated and overbuilt off-roader that we hoped for and expected. And with the reveal, Ford has detailed much of what makes the Raptor so beastly (if not quite everything, more on that shortly). So let's dive in. Exterior Probably the first thing you'll notice about the Bronco Raptor is that it's wide. The track has been increased by 8.6 inches, a Read More »
Used buying guide: BMW M3 E30
Posted in CAR NEWS on January 24, 2022
Tags: News
Suspension: If there’s any wandering or vagueness of response, it’s likely that the suspension bushes have worn. Rear subframe bushes also wear, as do the ball joints and lower steering coupling. All are relatively inexpensive and straightforward to replace. Engine: Listen out for a lumpy idle, which might point to air leaks in the inlet manifold blocks. All engines tend to sweat a bit of oil, but check the sump and head gaskets for serious Read More »
Inside the industry: Why Dacia's formula is a winning one
Posted in CAR NEWS on January 24, 2022
Tags: Opinion
‘Enough and no more’ is an appealing mantra that almost nobody truly follows. Why else would you aspire to own a particular brand of shoe, shop in a different supermarket chain or use a certain type of phone? But it is a mantra we can all apply to some aspects of our lives, as Dacia’s surging success shows. Drivers who want little more than they need just can’t get enough of its stridently value-focused cars: Read More »