In the realm of autonomous and electric vehicles, the Apple Car, a project that has seen its fair share of twists and turns, stands out as a technological and automotive marvel in the making. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what we know so far about Apple’s ambitious foray into the automotive industry.
Project Titan: The Genesis
Originating in 2014, “Project Titan” marked the inception of Apple’s ambitious venture into the automobile domain. Initially focusing on a fully autonomous electric vehicle, the project has undergone numerous transformations over the years, ranging from shelving plans to reviving and scaling down the vision.
In a bold endeavour, renowned tuner ABT Sportsline has set its sights on Lamborghini, unveiling its latest creation – the ABT Urus Scatenato, aptly named for its promise of unleashed, raging performance. Limited to a mere 99 units, this exclusive offering marries power and exclusivity in a breathtaking display of automotive prowess.
Taking its expertise from enhancing VW Group vehicles, ABT begins its transformation with the performance-oriented Lamborghini Urus, adding a remarkable boost of power and subtle design refinements. The base model Urus Performante already boasts an impressive 666hp from its twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine. However, ABT’s Power R technology elevates this figure to an astonishing 810hp, a remarkable addition of 144hp.
In a recent alarming incident, a woman narrowly escaped an apparent abduction attempt by an e-hailing driver. The victim, an employee en route to an event, recounted her harrowing experience, highlighting significant safety concerns associated with e-hailing services.
The incident occurred last Wednesday, as the employee, Neera, opted for an e-hailing service to reach her destination after taking the Subang Jaya LRT train. As reported by NST, Neera attempted to make a cash payment, but the driver remained unresponsive, leaving her feeling uneasy.
The situation escalated as the driver veered into an obscure route and drove past an empty building. Distressed and sensing danger, Neera called emergency services (999) for help. Despite assistance from customer service officers, the driver maintained silence, heightening Neera’s fear. In a brave act of self-preservation, Neera decided to jump out of the moving vehicle near the empty building, seeking refuge and safety.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Festival has undoubtedly cemented its reputation as the premiere one make race series in Malaysia. Over six seasons, TGR has provided fans with thrilling wheel to wheel racing where professionals, celebrities as well as amateur drivers compete to be crowned champion of the series at the end of the season.
The series requires teams to compete in a race spec Toyota Vios with all cars having the same state of tune. To level the playing field, drivers who are particularly quick are required to have weight ballasts that slow down their cars.
In the six seasons of racing, the Toyota Vios has been the mainstay of the series. Teams fork out about RM100,000 to buy a race prepared Toyota Vios and this also gives the access to two seasons of racing.
As season six draws to a close, UMW Toyota Motors took the opportunity to officially unveil next season’s race car.
Based on the latest generation Toyota Vios, the new race car shares the same concept as the old – with a stripped out interior and a six-point roll cage that not only offers safety for the driver but also adds stiffness to the car that gives it more agile handling.
Besides the roll cage, the new Vios also sports a new platform that adds further rigidity. This combined with new aerodynamic enhancements make the Vios more planted in corners, improves responsiveness and also provides faster lap times as compared to the previous generation race car.
The new Vios challenger is still powered by the same 1.5-litre engine producing 106PS and 138Nm of torque. The power figures are the same as the street car but the biggest difference is the transmission. While the road going model uses a CVT gearbox, the race car sends power to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission.
The Vios also includes a new race exhaust manifold, exhaust mid-section and muffler, a limited slip differential and race tuned suspension.
Season seven of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival will continue next year and interested parties can get in touch with the management of the series at 60163673300.
The complete list of modifications to the Toyota Vios is offered in the table below:
In the realm of exceptional and exclusive collector’s items, the Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport stands tall, limited to a mere 77 units, it’s a beacon of distinctive design and raw performance. A fusion of high-performance competition aesthetics and modern design elements, the Rennsport pays homage to Porsche’s rich motorsport history without being confined to a retro look. Built on the fundamental performance factors of the original GT3 model, the 911 GT3 R Rennsport continues to prioritise function while captivating the senses in an exceedingly emotional and attractive manner.
Aesthetics and Craftsmanship
Crafted by Grant Larson and Thorsten Klein from the Style Porsche team, it exhibits a powerful presence. Larson states that this model is a logical successor to the modern Porsche 935, drawing on the current 911 GT3 R of the 992 generation. Although elements like the bonnet and roof are shared with the standard GT3 R, nearly all other body components have been meticulously redesigned. The visual enhancements include a widened stance, a lower profile with beautifully designed wheels, and meticulous attention to proportions to create a spectacular visual appeal.
Distinctive Design Elements
The distinct design elements of it begin at the front, where aerodynamically optimized geometry meets striking aesthetics. The air intake and outlet panels of the front wheel arches boast a radically modified shape, giving a more self-assured appearance. Notably, the exterior mirrors have been replaced by a digital equivalent – a system comprising three cameras integrated into the vehicle’s outer skin, providing improved visibility.
Honda, a long-time player in the hybrid car realm, is venturing further into the world of electric vehicles (EVs) with the upcoming 2024 Honda Prologue. This marks a significant step for Honda, known for its environmentally conscious automobiles, as it delves deeper into full electrification. The Prologue, a Honda Passport-sized crossover, is Honda’s substantial foray into the EV market.
Power and Platform
The 2024 Honda Prologue will share the Ultium platform and battery with electric GM models like the Chevrolet Blazer EV. However, Honda is confident that its unique suspension tuning, styling, and cabin design will distinguish the Prologue and appeal to potential customers. The SUV will boast an 85.0-kilowatt-hour battery, providing a manufacturer-estimated range of 482km for the most efficient versions.
The Prologue will be available in single- and dual-motor variants, with the all-wheel-drive version generating 288hp and 451Nm of torque, promising a satisfying performance.
