Category: Lifestyle

Carscoops 

Volkswagen updated its giant-selling Tiguan for the 2022 model year, but for 2024 the compact SUV is in line for a more serious makeover.

While the last refresh was merely a facelift, this year VW will unveil an all-new third generation iteration of the the high-rise family car that first appeared in 2007 and is now the brand’s most successful vehicle.

These pictures show that Tiguan III will ditch the current car’s angular bodywork and prominent horizontal lines for a softer, curvier look. The front and rear fenders are flared, making the SUV appear bigger and more luxurious, and not unlike its Touareg big brother. And we can bet that the tape measure will also prove that the impression of extra size isn’t an optical illusion.

The wheelbase of the standard five-seat Tiguan will grow slightly over the current car’s 105.6-in (2,681 mm) to liberate a little extra interior space. But that probably won’t be enough to satisfy space-hungry U.S. buyers whose base Tiguan today is the longer wheelbase (109.9-in / 2,791 mm) version, sold as the Tiguan Allspace in other markets, and available with a third row of seats. Unless VW performs a packaging miracle or really stretches out the base car, another two-tier lineup seems likely.

Related: 2024 VW Tiguans Gives Us Our First Look Inside Revealing Tablet-Style Screen

What we can say with certainty is that the front grille and rear bumper won’t look anything like these pictures would have you believe. This prototype features some clever tape disguise to mimic the grille and bumper design of the current Tiguan, but we know for a fact that the real grille will be much narrower, giving the face a similar look to the Golf Mk8, and the lower bumper will feature more painted surfaces.

The interior will also finally catch up with other VW cars and feature a tablet touchscreen and separate digital instrument cluster, though the freestanding tablet will be bigger and squarer than the one currently fitted to the ID.4, and ID.Buzz. You’ll still need to select an ID model if you want electric power, however. The Tiguan will stick with its familiar mix of gasoline, diesel, and hybrid engines, and there should still be a choice of front- and all-wheel drive transmissions.

Image Credits: Baldauf for CarScoops

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Carscoops 

BYD has published its full sales results for the 2022 calendar year and it is quickly closing in on Tesla as the world’s largest manufacturer and seller of EVs.

Last year, the Chinese car manufacturer sold 911,410 battery-electric vehicles, an extraordinary 184 percent increase from the number of BEVs it sold in 2021. When factoring all of the plug-in hybrid vehicles that BYD also sold, it managed to sell 1,868,543 cars, a 214.7 percent increase from the previous year.

Tesla still holds the crown as the world’s largest producer of battery-electric vehicles, selling a record 1,313,851 units throughout 2022. However, Tesla’s sales ‘only’ grew by 40 percent compared to the 184 percent of BYD. If the Chinese car manufacturer keeps up this momentum, it has the potential to overtake Tesla as the EV leader this year.

Image via Stefan Baldauf/SM Medien

The majority of vehicles sold by BYD are priced between 100,000 Yuan ($14,490) and 200,000 Yuan (~$29,000), making them considerably cheaper than alternatives sold by Tesla and fellow Chinese companies such as Nio and Xpeng.

Read: Tesla Delivered A Record 405,000 Vehicles In Q4 And 1.3 Million In 2022

“EVs priced below 200,000 yuan are popular among white-collar consumers because they want to save money,” sales manager at Yiyou Auto Service in Shanghai, Tian Maowei told South China Morning Post. “In the domestic market, BYD’s electric and plug-in hybrid cars are easy to sell because they are fitted with high-performance batteries believed to be as good as those used by the premium carmakers.”

BYD’s sales are particularly impressive when you consider that much of China was under strict Covid-19 lockdowns for much as 2022 due to the government’s zero-Covid policy.

A forecast by the China Passenger Car Association suggests that the growth of EV deliveries in China may slow to 30 percent in 2023 having more than doubled in 2022 because cash subsidies are being slowly phased out.

Image via Stefan Baldauf/SM Medien

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Well+Good 

When it comes to resistance training, there are several different types of strength you could be trying to build: muscular endurance, max strength, or power, just to name a few. But the one thing they all have in common is that, in order to continue seeing improvement and gains, you’ve got to apply a concept called “progressive overload” to your workout plans. A big part of that is figuring out when it’s time to start lifting heavier weights.

“Basically, progressive overload is when you are going to gradually increase your weight, your frequency, and/or your reps in a strength routine,” says personal trainer Bianca Vesco. If you don’t continually kick things up a notch, your muscles will get used to exerting a certain amount of strength or force, but no more than that. “Over time, our muscles are gonna adapt to whatever stress we put them under, and we must once again increase the weight or the intensity,” Vesco says, “and that is the marker of progress.”

Progressive overload will look different for everyone, depending on their fitness level and goals. “Strength training is never gonna be a one size fits all, which is an awesome thing,” Vesco says. But there are some universal signs that it’s time to start lifting heavier weights.

How to tell when the load you’re lifting is too light

If you’re new to lifting weights, the best way to figure out how to progress your practice is by working with a trainer, who can assess your form and help you figure out what a realistic next step is for you. But if you’re flying solo, Vesco recently shared a few easy ways to tell whether it’s time to start lifting heavier weights on her Instagram.

You can get through all of your reps pretty easily.
You’ve been using the same weights for months.
You have no problem zoning out during your sets.
You’re never sore or fatigued.

What the right weights will feel like

No matter where you are on your weight-lifting journey, the way trainers are taught to recommend weight is by suggesting something that feels challenging by your last two to three reps of a set. “If you’re, like, really rocking on progressive overload, that last rep, you struggle a little bit,” Vesco says.

Settling on the right weight takes some guesswork, and often, when you’re figuring it out, you may incrementally go up from one set to the next if the weight you used the first go-round felt too easy toward the end. Generally speaking though, the higher the reps, the lower the weight, and vice versa—but it should always feel challenging toward the end of your set regardless.

Keep in mind that progress isn’t linear

As a personal trainer, Vesco says she gives about 30 sessions per week and 80 percent of her clients are females. Every one of them is on their own, personalized training program following the principle of progressive overload. But that doesn’t mean that every time she sees them, they’re necessarily adding more weight or reps to their workouts.

Before each session, Vesco says she checks with her client to see how they’re feeling and takes that intel into account when making their training plan for that day. “It’s based on their energy levels,” she says. “Do they feel like they have the energy to push through three to five really, really heavy reps, or do they wanna stay in the six to 12 rep range and push a little bit lighter.”

She uses this feedback to tweak their fitness routines to what’s going to be most effective, and suggests you do the same. It’s always important to go into a workout with a plan, but it’s equally important to understand that plans can change—and to adapt accordingly. There are so many ways to get better, faster, stronger. By listening to your body, you’re more likely to achieve those goals, without overdoing it.

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Carscoops 

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) never fails to disappoint and one of the more intriguing vehicles presented at this year’s event is the Aska A5, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle.

The Aska A5 is roughly the size of a typical SUV and has been described as the first four-seater electric vehicle that can travel by road and up to 250 miles (402 km) by air on a single charge. While more of an airplane/helicopter than a traditional car, the A5 has wings and propellors that can fold away whenever it needs to be used as a car.

The company behind the eVTOL says it is powered by a proprietary power system combining lithium-ion battery packs with a petrol engine acting as an onboard range extender. It is unclear how much power the A5 has but Aska notes that it has four in-wheel electric motors to produce all-wheel drive traction while also improving aerodynamics and maximizing interior space.

Read: Stellantis To Build Archer’s Midnight Electric Flying Taxi In Georgia

While the A5 can take off like a helicopter, it can also take off along a runway like a traditional airplane. When flying, the wings and six rotors unfold. Aska notes that the wing has been optimized for “gliding, smooth landings, and efficient energy consumption.”

“Our unveil at CES represents something that has never been accomplished in the world, but which humans have dreamed of for decades: a fully functional, full-scale prototype of a Drive & Fly electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing, a real flying car,” co-founder and chief executive Guy Kaplinsky described. “We’re making history with ASKA and defining the next 100 years of transportation. ASKA is positioned as a new generation vehicle that combines the convenience of an automobile with the ease and efficiency of VTOL and STOL flight. ASKA is a vehicle that addresses not only consumers, there is also significant business potential in emergency response use, military use, as well as on-demand ride-sharing mobility services.”

In addition to selling the A5 privately, Aska plans to launch an on-demand ride service in 2026 with a fleet of its eVTOLs.

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Carscoops 

Hyundai and Kia are showcasing a host of innovative startups at CES 2023 through their ZER01NE Creative Talent Platform.

No less than 10 startups are running exhibits at the ZER01NE pavilion ranging from companies developing digital therapy for children with ADHD to advanced camera technologies that promise to provide a human-like wide field of view for smart robots.

The 10 startups have all benefited from the Hyundai and Kia ZER01NE Accelerator program that allows them to apply to one of 38 projects derived by the car manufacturer’s internal teams under the themes of auto tech, in-car user experience, charging, mobility services, smart logistics, smart construction, and materials.

Read: Hyundai Wants To Fund Startups And Use Their Technology In Its Cars

Five of the startups are being presented through the ZER01NE Accelerator program while the remaining five have been formed internally within the Hyundai Motor Group.

Each of the 10 startups has its own individual exhibition area at CES where visitors can meet personnel and learn about the innovations being developed.

“Many of the disruptive breakthroughs that are shaping the transformation of mobility are coming from startups operating outside the automotive industry,” vice president and head of Open Innovation Execution Group at Hyundai Motor Group Dr. Yunseong Hwang said. “Therefore, it is essential that Hyundai Motor Group leaves no avenue unexplored when researching future technologies.”

No less than 96 startups have worked together on 80 collaborative projects since the Hyundai Motor Group introduced the ZER01NE Accelerator program in 2018. A number of startup collaborations have been successfully executed by the Hyundai Motor Group in recent years, including the implementation of vehicle air quality management systems into its factories in India thanks to provider Embiome.

The car manufacturer says it “will continue to leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of the very best and most innovative technologies to develop sustainable mobile solutions and benefit humanity.”

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Carscoops 

ZF is best known for making transmissions, but they’ve used CES to unveil an autonomous shuttle.

Simply called Next Generation Shuttle, the model features Level 4 autonomous driving technology which relies on lidar, radar, camera, and audio sensors to give the model a detailed view of its surroundings.  ZF’s autonomous driving software, known as Virtual Driver, then processes all of that information to enable the vehicle to drive itself in urban environments.  The company also noted there are multiple redundancies to ensure “full functionality” as well as high reliability.

Putting the software and sensors aside, ZF said the shuttle will have selectable battery capacities between 50 and 100 kWh, and this will enable the model to travel up to 80 miles (129 km) on a single charge.  The vehicle will have a top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h), but the company is looking to double that to 50 mph (80 km/h) in the future.

Also: ZF CEO Says Robotaxis Won’t Become The Norm Before 2030

Speaking of performance, the shuttle features front and rear steering as well as a kneeling function.  This promises to enable the model to “dock precisely and provide barrier-free boarding and disembarking.”

On the styling front, there isn’t much to report as the model looks like a fairly traditional shuttle.  That being said, it features a streamlined design with LED lighting units and expansive side glass.  We can also see numerous sensors and sliding doors.

ZF only provided a few glimpses of the cabin, but the model can accommodate up to 22 passengers, although only 15 will find seats.  We can also see a classy color scheme as well as a faux wood floor and a handful of displays showing information about upcoming stops.  ZF added that the interior is customizable and “conforms to requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act” as it includes an automatic ramp and wheelchair restraints.

Besides introducing the shuttle, ZF announced a strategic partnership with mobility services provider Beep.  The agreement calls for several thousand shuttles to be delivered to customers in the coming years. If everything goes according to plan, public transport operators will be able to offer passengers autonomous, emission-free rides 24/7 without having to hire drivers.

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Carscoops 

BMW has surprised attendees at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas with the unveiling of the i Vision Dee, a futuristic mid-size sedan that aims to provide a Digital Emotional Experience (DEE, hence the name).

The German car manufacturer’s latest concept has an exterior that has been pared down to focus attention on the digital experience that it provides. It adopts a three-box sedan shape and features a number of characteristic BMW design elements that have been revised, including the kidney grille, twin circular headlights, and the Hofmeister kink.

This simple design philosophy continues into the cabin of the car where there is an intriguing steering wheel with a central vertical spoke with touchpoints that can be operated by moving the thumb. BMW says the cabin has been designed in such a way as to “ensure nothing distracts from the digital experience and the new feeling of enhanced driving pleasure.”

An innovative new Head-Up Display has debuted on the i Vision Dee. It projects across the entire width of the windshield and previews a full-width Head-Up display that will be used by BMW models based on its Neue Klasse platform from 2025 onwards.

An intriguing ‘Mixed Reality Slider’ is also present. It uses shy-tech sensors on the instrument panel to allow drivers to decide how much information they want to see on the Head-Up Display. Dimmable windows have also been fitted.

Read: BMW’s Neue Klasse Platform Can Support A Quad-Motor Setup With Up To 1,341 HP

BMW has also implemented the latest iteration of its E Ink technology. First showcased on an iX presented at CES 2022 in black and white, this new version of E Ink is colored and allows for a fully variable and individually configurable exterior color. It can display up to 32 colors with the surface of the i Vision Dee divided into 240 distinct segments.

“With BMW i Vision Dee, we are showing how the car can be seamlessly integrated into your digital life and become a trusty companion,” head of BMW Group Design Adrian van Hooydonk said in a press release. “The vehicle itself becomes your portal to the digital world – with the driver always in control. Implemented the right way, technology will create worthwhile experiences, make you a better driver and simply bring humans and machines closer together.”

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Carscoops 

Honda and Sony has announced their jointly developed car will be sold under the newly developed Afeela brand.

Besides revealing the new brand name, the companies introduced a new prototype which is designed to preview an upcoming  production model.  Pre-orders are slated to begin in the first half of 2025 with sales beginning later that year, however deliveries aren’t slated to begin in North America until the spring of 2026.

The companies didn’t got into many specifics, but said the Afeela name was selected as it “expresses ‘feel’ which is at the center of the mobility experience considered by Sony Honda Mobility.”

Putting the questionable name aside, the car features a streamlined design and looks much more production ready than the Vision-S concept that was unveiled at CES three years ago.  While the companies were coy on specifics, the model features a bland, but curvaceous with slender headlights and a distinctive “media bar.”

 The latter acts as an interactive display and it change show everything from the Afeela brand name to animations depicting the weather. Sony Honda Mobility said they envision the media bar will have a wide range of possibilities that will be fueled by “various partners and creators.”

The company went on to say the car’s “minimal decorative lines and form remind that of a spaceship.”  We’ll beg to disagree, but the model looks suitably futuristic as it sports a minimalist design and aerodynamically optimized 21-inch wheels.  They’re joined by a flowing, contrasting black roof and a clean greenhouse.  Other notable highlights include a rear light bar and a pronounced shoulder line.

In terms of size, the Afeela prototype measures  192.7 inches (4,895mm) long, 74.8 inches (1,900mm) wide, and 57.5 inches (1,460 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 118.1 inches (3,000mm).  That means the model is slightly smaller than the Mercedes EQE, which is 196.6 inches (4,994 mm) long and has a more generous 122.8 inch (3,119 mm) wheelbase.

Developing …

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Carscoops 

The Honda Civic Type R is the benchmark for hot hatchbacks in the eyes of many. In 2022, Toyota decided to muddy the waters with its GR Corolla. Now, the two top-tier hot hatches are getting tested on the drag strip.

These two cars might sound similar on paper. In fact, the two specific cars here weigh within two pounds of one another. A quick peek under the sheet metal tells another story though. For one thing, the Honda puts its power down through the front wheels alone while the Toyota uses a clever AWD system.

The Civic Type R makes its reputation with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that develops 315 hp (235 kW) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque. Toyota’s GR Corolla with its three-cylinder turbocharged engine typically makes 300 hp (223 kW) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque. The Morizo Edition in this test develops the same power but a total of 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque.

More: Toyota Launches Lotteries To Decide Who Gets GR Corolla RZ And Two-Seat Morizo Edition In Japan

The gents over at Throttle House start this test with both cars standing still at the start of the quarter mile. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the AWD GR Corolla rockets off of the line so quickly that it’s quickly out of the picture from the camera in the Civic Type R.

Somewhere near the end of the track, the Honda reels the Toyota back in a bit but it’s roughly two car lengths back when the line is crossed. Things change when the two cars take off from a roll. Initially, the Toyota takes off again but that success is short-lived.

The Civic Type R doesn’t just walk around the Corolla, it manages to jump ahead by a couple of car lengths itself before the line. Clearly, neither one of these cars was crafted to be a drag racing king but it’s interesting just how close the two are in such a situation.

Regardless of which hot hatch you might personally prefer it seems that one thing is true. We’re all winners for having both as options now (if you want to pay a huge markup) and in the future.

Image Credit: Throttle House on YouTube

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Carscoops 

Mazda Australia has expanded the local BT-50 range with the launch of the new LE grade.

The 2023 Mazda BT-50 LE comes equipped with a host of distinctive features, the most notable being the integration of a polished bull bar that was locally engineered and designed not to hinder the crumple zones, airbag, and various safety assistance systems.

The high-end variant of the popular pickup truck also includes a stainless steel polished sports bar with an integrated brake light.

Read: Mazda BT-50 Updated With 1.9-Liter Turbo-Diesel Down Under

A plethora of other features come standard on the BT-50 LE. These include dual-zone climate control, satellite navigation, advanced keyless entry, reverse camera, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

“One of the many strings to the Mazda BT-50’s bow is the sheer breadth of customization options available through the Mazda Genuine Accessories program, all of which come with a five-year warranty when fitted at delivery,” Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi described in a statement. “With the new Mazda BT-50 LE, we’re offering the best of both worlds – an enhanced and individual look, combined with even more added versatility.”

All Mazda BT-50 LE models sold in Australia come exclusively in Dual-Cab Pickup 4×4 guise and are outfitted with a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder. This engine is good for 140 kW (188 hp) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque and is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system with low range. Ingot Silver Metallic is the only paint option available.

Local pricing for the Mazda BT-50 LE kicks off at AU$64,295 ($43,542) before on-road costs.

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