A few years ago, when electric car models could be counted on one hand, operational range was a crucial design constraint in defining the technical and stylistic solutions for a new model. For station wagons, for instance, the focus was on creating space for substantial luggage without sacrificing sedan-like comfort in terms of performance and dimensions, excluding minivan or commercial vehicle configurations. Despite growing in size, especially in length, station wagons maintained a certain “restraint” in dimensions, making them suitable for urban use without requiring oversized parking spaces. It’s unclear…
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Hypercar Red Bull “Rb17”, like a Formula 1 car
Officially unveiled in July at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Red Bull “RB17” is a track-only hypercar with enclosed wheels, boasting 1,200 horsepower and designed to offer private customers the driving thrill typically reserved for Formula 1 cars. From the track, for the track. This philosophy captures the design journey behind the Red Bull “RB17,” the first hypercar by the Austrian brand presented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, held in England from July 11 to 14. The “RB17” is crafted to bring the excitement of Formula…
Read MoreAlpine’s debut in the full electric segment with Alpine “A290”
Alpine, the performance brand of the Renault group, has made its debut in the full electric vehicle segment by leveraging the experience gained by its parent company with the Renault “5 E-Tech” to create its first compact sports car with zero emissions. This model is offered in two maximum power ratings of 220 and 180 horsepower equivalent. More than an original model, it is a sporty reinterpretation of an already electrified icon. For its entry into the full electric market, Alpine opted for a safe route, avoiding the risk of…
Read MoreA spaceship has landed with Xiaomi “Su7”
Tokyo Motorcycle Show. Honda unveils its new “CB 750 Four,” and in an instant, the global motorcycle industry realizes it is technologically ten years behind the Japanese manufacturer. The bike’s features were indeed astonishing compared to the competition, so much so that the most popular phrase among journalists to describe it was, “a spaceship has landed.” Industry professionals, however, had a different opinion, deeming the new model “too advanced” and speculating that “it will never be produced.” In reality, the bike was already in production, and soon other “spaceships” followed,…
Read MoreWith Renault “Rafale E-Tech 4×4 300cv”, burst technologies
The French term “Rafale” can be translated into Italian as “Raffica,” a word that typically refers to an unexpected, forceful, and disruptive wind. A term that encapsulates power and speed, it was chosen in 1985 as the name for future French multirole fighters produced by the Dassault group, which later entered service in 2000. More recently, Renault drew inspiration from these ultra-modern and feared delta-wing combat aircraft to capture the spirit of its high-end D-segment SUV, launched in June last year with a 200-horsepower full hybrid-petrol engine. Renault also announced…
Read MorePorsche “911 Carrera Gts”: the icon gets a shock
Porsche renews its symbol of sportiness. The iconic “911” in its “Carrera GTS” version becomes electrified, debuting the new “T-Hybrid” technology—a compact and lightweight hybrid system that pairs a new turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 3.6 liters with two electric units integrated into the turbocharger and transmission. A simple three-digit number has been synonymous with Porsche worldwide since 1963. “911” is more than just a label; it embodies the very essence of the German brand’s sportiness, representing an iconic, timeless allure that has accompanied Porsche’s technological evolution, serving…
Read MoreFerrari “12 Cylinders”, 830 horsepower maximum power
There is an inextricable link between Ferrari and 12-cylinder engines. The V12 mechanical architecture represents the founding act of the Maranello company and has symbolized its motoring DNA for 77 years. Precisely for this reason, “12Cilindri” today becomes the name of a new two-seater sedan created to pay homage to the history of the Cavallino, giving the fashions and trends currently in vogue in the super sports car segment. Contrary to what is proposed by all the most prestigious brands, Ferrari has deliberately avoided any form of electrification to maintain…
Read MoreFord “Mustang Gtd Carbon”: limited edition
The 2025 “Gtd” version of Ford’s iconic “Mustang” was presented in a limited edition mid-last year, but deliveries have yet to begin, as they are expected between the end of this year and the beginning of 2025. This supercar is decidedly testosterone-fueled, a term justified by its strong technical and aesthetic content aimed at combining racing car performance with street muscle car design. For instance, the main design constraint given by Ford to its engineers when they started developing the “Mustang Gtd” was to create a car capable of lapping…
Read MoreAudi “S3” model year 2024
In an increasingly globalized automotive market where manufacturers seem almost exclusively focused on electrification processes, Audi reminds the entire industry that cars are also about passion and driving pleasure. This reminder comes with the restyling intervention that the German brand has decided to apply to the “A3” series, refreshed in both exterior and interior design details, along with the announcement of the revamped “S3” sports version. In this case, however, calling it a restyling is quite an understatement, as the Ingolstadt brand has profoundly renewed one of the most appreciated…
Read MoreOpel “Frontera” is back
“Frontera” returns, the historic name of the automotive industry which was the successful protagonist of the market between 1991 and 2003. It’s a shame, however, that Opel has decided to distort its legacy, delegating the comeback of an acronym synonymous with off-road vehicles to a crossover that has nothing to do with what to share with the original version. The choice, perhaps the result of the desire to resort to emotional names from the past to relaunch sales or the result of Opel’s entry into a universe, Stellantis, which had…
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