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Nissan Safari Rally Z: A Tribute To Nissan’s Rallying Successes

In an era when automakers once expected their sports cars to clinch rally victories, Nissan’s tribute to its 1971 East African Safari Rally success in a 240Z is a compelling nod to those glory days. This one-of-a-kind rally Z, crafted by the skilled hands of Tommy Pike, makes its debut at the 2023 SEMA show, capturing the essence of past triumphs.

Tommy Pike’s creation has seen the rally Z lifted, thanks to the installation of KW Safari suspension, bolstered by a selection of NISMO components. The rugged appearance is complemented by 17 x 7.5-inch prototype NISMO Safari wheels shod in Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 tires, resulting in an impressive 2-inch increase in ride height.

Protection for the Z’s underbelly is paramount. Front bumper guards and a skid plate have been thoughtfully added to safeguard against rough terrain, while NISMO Off Road LED lights provide crucial illumination.

Inside the cabin, driver safety is a top priority, with Recaro Pole Position seats adorned with four-point harnesses.

Under the bonnet, the twin-turbo V6 has received the skilled tuning hand of AMS, pushing power output beyond the 400hp mark. This performance boost is made possible through a comprehensive list of enhancements, including a cat-back exhaust system, cold air intake, a carbon fibre engine cover, a coolant expansion tank, a street twin-disc clutch, and flywheel.

Visually, the Safari Rally Z Tribute is a striking sight, finished in red with a distinctive black hood. The design harks back to the iconic number 11 Datsun 240Z that secured victory in the 1971 East African Safari Rally, with Edgar Herrmann at the wheel and Hans Schüller navigating. This win marked a significant milestone for the brand, being the second consecutive victory following the Datsun Bluebird 1600SSS’s triumph in 1970.

Nissan’s homage to its rally heritage, as witnessed in the 2023 SEMA show build, serves as a powerful reminder of the bygone era when sports cars were expected to dominate rally circuits, and Nissan certainly left an indelible mark in those legendary races.

Retro-Inspired Bodykit for the Alfa Romeo Giulia

ErreErre Fuoriserie, a Turin-based coachbuilder, has unveiled a retro-inspired body kit for the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which was initially showcased as a concept in mid-2022. The finalised kit has undergone several revisions and has elicited mixed opinions.

The modifications to the Giulia begin at the front, where the saloon now boasts four circular LED headlights and a silver grille. Alterations have been made to the lower air intakes, and a new bonnet design has garnered widespread appeal. However, the side view and three-quarter profile have sparked controversy.

The front wheel arches have undergone significant flaring, which some consider excessive and lacking refinement. A pronounced shoulder line extends from the front of the bonnet to the tailgate, resulting in an eye-catching, somewhat over-the-top appearance. The doors, rocker panels, and skirts have been reworked, while the rear wheel arches have been squared off. The rear design takes an unconventional turn.

The C-pillars have been modified to accommodate two spoilers extending from the roof. The tailgate has been entirely reimagined, giving rise to a boxy shape, a departure from the original Giulia’s more subtle curves. Notably, the distinctive taillights stand out, and the rear end’s redeeming features may lie in the diffuser and the two central tailpipes.

Inside the vehicle, the interior updates have been executed more tastefully. Brown leather adorns the upper section of the dashboard, door panels, and seat bolsters, complemented by light grey Alcantara in other areas.

Beneath the bonnet, Bilstein suspension enhancements have been incorporated, and the Giulia’s 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine now generates 562hp. What sets this model apart is the inclusion of a rare six-speed manual transmission. ErreErre Fuoriserie plans to produce a limited run of just 33 units of this retro Giulia, with pricing details yet to be disclosed.

Volkswagen Offers Exclusive Preview of Upcoming ID.7 Tourer

Volkswagen has offered a tantalising sneak peek at the upcoming all-electric estate version of its flagship ID.7 model, which now goes by the name ID.7 Tourer. The highly anticipated model is slated for release in Europe in 2024 and promises a blend of spaciousness and impressive efficiency. Volkswagen plans to reveal the final design in the forthcoming months.

With the ID.7 Tourer, Volkswagen marks its entry into the all-electric estate segment, poised to make its debut in 2024.

An aerodynamic design is a cornerstone for achieving extended driving ranges. The ID.7 saloon, previously unveiled and now hitting European roads, stands as a testament to Volkswagen’s commitment to aerodynamics, boasting a remarkable Cd-value of 0.23. The ID.7 Tourer is no slouch in this department either, with a nearly identical Cd-value of 0.24. Even beneath the intriguing Indian summer camouflage, the ID.7 Tourer’s elegant and commanding design shines through.

The ID.7 Tourer is presently clad in a seasonal camouflage pattern, echoing the multi-layer paint scheme showcased on the ID.7 saloon at this year’s CES in Las Vegas. The imagery of the camouflage exudes an Indian summer aesthetic, with seamlessly integrated QR codes at the rear.

The ID.7 Tourer offers a luxurious interior with its short overhangs and extended wheelbase. When carrying a full complement of five passengers, the car’s cargo capacity extends up to 545 litres, reaching the height of the rear seat backrest. Fold those seats down, and the nearly two-metre-long cargo space can expand to an impressive 1,714 litres.

Like all members of the ID. family, the ID.7 Tourer is built on the MEB platform from the Volkswagen Group. The advantages of this modular system, including short overhangs and an extended wheelbase, yield a spacious and elegant full-sized hatchback with an expansive sense of roominess and a substantial increase in trunk capacity.

Following the successful production of the ID.4, the ID.7 Tourer is the second model based on the MEB platform to be manufactured at Volkswagen’s Emden plant, reaffirming the company’s commitment to electric mobility in Germany’s north-western region.

As the automotive world continues its electric revolution, Volkswagen’s ID.7 Tourer stands as a compelling addition, combining efficiency, style, and the promise of a brighter, sustainable future.

Bulldog Racing Unveils New John Cooper Works Logo

The highly anticipated season finale of the Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring 2023, one of Germany’s most electrifying motorsport spectacles, served as the ideal stage for Bulldog Racing to introduce the new John Cooper Works logo in action. Against the backdrop of thrilling, rain-soaked racing action, the dynamic design of the logo brilliantly encapsulated the performance of John Cooper Works.

The fresh John Cooper Works logo epitomises the passion and the sporty essence of the brand. It is set to replace the former JCW logo on all models within the new Mini family, unveiled in September.

In the heart of the action, the Mini John Cooper Works Edition, featuring a 6-speed manual transmission and proudly displaying the starting number #616, delivered a commendable performance throughout the rain-soaked race. It secured a respectable 53rd place out of the 158 cars that initiated the race, completing 13 laps. In the category of production-based cars with a displacement of 1,600 to 2,000 cc and turbochargers, the black Mini John Cooper Works Edition soared to 13th place among the 23 cars that commenced the race.

Behind the wheels were Sebastian Sauerbrei (GER) and Friedhelm Thelen (GER). Sebastian Sauerbrei achieved his personal best placement in a 24-hour race this year, steering this exact car. Friedhelm Thelen, a Nürburgring expert and the team leader of Bulldog Racing, added his expertise to the thrilling event. The Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring 2023 showcased the seamless blend of motorsport and the captivating unveiling of the new John Cooper Works logo, celebrating the enduring legacy of John Cooper Works and Mini’s racing DNA.

Ford Shifts Strategy as EV Sales Stall

Ford, along with several other automakers, has made significant investments, totalling billions of dollars, in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Nevertheless, the transition to electric vehicles has encountered unexpected hurdles, with EV sales showing a slowdown. In response, Ford has been compelled to reduce prices and offer discounts on previously sought-after models like the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning in an effort to attract buyers.

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MySchoolBus Initiative a Triumph, Prompts Call for Nationwide Expansion

The MySchoolBus initiative in Kuala Lumpur has proven to be a resounding success, delivering benefits to a staggering 15,128 schoolchildren, as reported by transport expert Rosli Khan, who is advocating for its expansion. This recommendation comes as a response to declining school attendance in Perak, which has been attributed to the discontinuation of the Hup Yik bus service, citing high maintenance costs and low ridership as the primary reasons.

MySchoolBus was introduced by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) with a generous allocation of RM23 million and involved a fleet of 900 school buses.

According to FMT, Rosli, expressing bewilderment over the government’s allocation of RM600 million in the 2024 budget for Prasarana to acquire more feeder buses, highlighted the underutilisation of the current fleet and its limited benefit to users. He proposed that the substantial allocation could be more effectively employed to expand the highly successful MySchoolBus program on a nationwide scale.

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Latest News

Nissan Safari Rally Z: A Tribute To Nissan’s Rallying Successes

Retro-Inspired Bodykit for the Alfa Romeo Giulia

Volkswagen Offers Exclusive Preview of Upcoming ID.7 Tourer

Bulldog Racing Unveils New John Cooper Works Logo

Ford Shifts Strategy as EV Sales Stall

MySchoolBus Initiative a Triumph, Prompts Call for Nationwide Expansion

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