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The Mitsubishi Pajero, a nameplate with a storied history, may soon make a comeback, offering a glimmer of hope for the Mitsubishi brand amidst its ageing lineup. While not as headline-grabbing as the return of the Toyota MR2, the revival of the Pajero could signal a significant step forward for Mitsubishi.

Reports from Japan suggest that Mitsubishi is considering reintroducing the Pajero as a modernised, Japanese counterpart to the Land Rover lineup. Initially, the company explored the idea of basing the new Pajero on the Triton’s ladder frame but ultimately determined that it couldn’t achieve the desired level of comfort with this platform. Instead, Mitsubishi has shifted its focus to the electrified platform developed in collaboration with Renault Nissan Mitsubishi, the same platform slated for the next-generation Outlander.

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The Lotus Emeya hyper-GT has completed the final stage of its intensive global test and development program in one of the world’s harshest environments.

Over the winter, the all-electric grand tourer underwent testing in Ivalo, Finland, where temperatures dropped as low as -25 degrees Celsius. To further challenge the Emeya, the car was subjected to a local automotive ‘freezer,’ enduring temperatures as frigid as -40 degrees Celsius. This rigorous testing represents the culmination of a thorough three-year development program spanning 15 countries across two continents.

The testing regimen encompassed diverse terrain and conditions, including the challenging B-roads of the UK, the high-speed autobahn in Germany, the Alpine passes, and the remote landscapes of Inner Mongolia. Track testing at iconic venues like the Nürburgring Nordschleife and proving grounds such as Nardò in Italy ensured the Emeya’s performance across a wide range of scenarios.

Throughout the testing process, engineers focused on various aspects of the Emeya’s performance, including chassis systems, tyre development, driver assistance functions, battery usability in extreme weather, and thermal management systems. The goal was to ensure that the Emeya delivers optimal driving dynamics and comfort in all conditions.

Two types of testing were conducted: controlled testing, which maintains consistent conditions for precise evaluation, and real-world testing, which validates the controlled results in diverse environments and driving situations. Emeya’s development prioritised meeting global regulatory standards while staying true to Lotus’ DNA of engaging, desirable, safe, and predictable performance.

As an all-electric grand tourer, the Emeya boasts advanced control systems and four-wheel drive, ensuring stability, handling, and control even in extreme weather conditions. Customers can remotely prepare their Emeya using the Lotus App, adjusting cabin temperature, heated seats, and steering wheel to their preferences before entering the vehicle.

Additional features, such as heated side cameras and mirrors, and a specialised Snow Mode for the 55-inch head-up display, enhance visibility and comfort in wintry conditions. With its comprehensive testing and advanced features, the Lotus Emeya is poised to redefine the grand touring experience for customers worldwide.

Ford has once again teamed up with M-Sport’s road-going division, MS-RT, to introduce the highly anticipated Ranger MS-RT, signalling a significant addition to the European pickup market. Set to be available at Ford Pro dealerships, this customised pickup is slated to hit European roads later this year, sparking considerable excitement among enthusiasts.

Drawing inspiration from the Ranger’s racing counterparts in Asia, the Ranger MS-RT boasts a bold and aggressive stance. With its redesigned front end featuring distinctive bodywork, honeycomb grille, and integrated splitter, the pickup commands attention on the road. Its widened body by 82mm and flared arches amplify its presence, making a powerful statement. At the rear, a purposeful diffuser and subtle ducktail spoiler add to its aerodynamic profile, enhancing its sporty allure.

Enhancing its performance credentials, the Ranger MS-RT features specially tuned, firmer suspension, lowering the ride height by 40mm for improved handling dynamics. Rolling on 21-inch diamond-cut wheels wrapped in low-profile tires, it delivers both style and performance.

Hans Schep, general manager of Ford Pro Europe, describes the Ranger MS-RT as the “ultimate street truck,” offering a unique proposition in the European pickup segment. Despite its sporty character, it maintains its practicality, retaining a one-tonne load-carrying capacity and 3,500kg towing capabilities. Under the hood lies a robust 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, delivering 236bhp and 600Nm of torque to all four wheels through a seamless 10-speed automatic gearbox.

Inside, the cabin blends luxury with sportiness, featuring faux leather upholstery accented with special blue stitching and MS-RT badging. The ‘sports steering wheel’ with a blue 12 o’clock marker enhances the racing-inspired ambiance, ensuring an engaging driving experience.

With its fusion of performance, style, and practicality, the Ranger MS-RT is poised to captivate pickup enthusiasts across Europe.

The fully electric Mini Cooper offers a modern, eco-friendly driving experience while staying true to the brand’s hallmark driving pleasure. As part of the revamped Mini model lineup, the Mini Cooper E is presented in four redesigned trims, each offering its unique appeal. The Classic Trim, for instance, showcases expressive body colours and contrasting roof finishes, with the iconic Mini three-door model appearing particularly striking in Sunny Side Yellow, paired with a contrasting white roof and mirror caps.

Inside the Classic Trim, the cockpit surfaces are adorned with two-tone black and blue knit material, creating a stylish contrast against the high-quality synthetic leather seats made of Vescin, available in grey or black with a perforated houndstooth pattern.

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Mercedes-AMG is set to captivate enthusiasts with the unveiling of a stunning special model for the A 45 S 4MATIC+, aptly named the “Limited Edition”. The price for the extensive additional equipment is €14,280.00 (RM73,176.85) and will hit the market in April 2024, with the offer extending until the end of the year.

The defining feature of the “Limited Edition” is its exclusive paintwork in “AMG green hell magno”, a striking colour previously unavailable for the compact class. Adorned with eye-catching foiling featuring the AMG logo and prominent “A 45 S” lettering on the doors, as well as the AMG crest on the bonnet, this edition rides on matte black 19-inch AMG forged wheels in a seven-twin-spoke design. Yellow accents highlight the rim spokes, complemented by glossy black brake callipers with white AMG logos. Adding to its allure, the “Limited Edition” boasts refined details such as an exclusive fuel cap with the AMG logo and a light projector that illuminates the AMG coat of arms onto the ground upon entering and exiting the car.

Enhancing its appeal further, three equipment packages elevate the “Limited Edition”. The AMG Night Package features striking black and high-gloss black design elements, including the front splitter, exterior mirror housings, and beltlines, along with thermally insulating dark-tinted window surfaces from the B-pillar. The AMG Night Package II is highlighted by darkened struts on the radiator trim and black chrome typography on the front fenders and tailgate, as well as exclusive black door handles and Mercedes stars in the wheel hub caps. The AMG Aerodynamics Package, developed in the wind tunnel, includes special add-on parts and a fixed AMG rear wing to increase contact pressure and enhance driving characteristics at high speeds.

Inside, the “Limited Edition” showcases distinctive design elements, including black AMG performance seats upholstered in a combination of Artico man-made leather and Microcut microfibre, accented by yellow decorative stitching. The AMG performance steering wheel, aluminium trim elements with AMG pattern, and illuminated AMG door sills further elevate the interior ambiance. Completing the upgrades are AMG floor mats with “45 S” lettering and yellow decorative stitching.

Under the hood, the A 45 S 4MATIC+ packs a punch with its 421hp output, sprinting from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, with a top speed limited to 270km/h. The AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine offers spontaneous response, while the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with AMG Torque Control enhances dynamic driving with its variable distribution of driving force between the front and rear axles, as well as selectively between the left and right rear wheels.

Audi enthusiasts are in for a treat as the brand teases the highly anticipated new Audi S3, accompanied by camouflaged photos showcasing both the Sportback and Saloon variants. Powered by a robust 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine, the S3 promises nothing short of an exhilarating driving experience, boasting 328hp and 420Nm of torque at your command.

Thanks to recent enhancements, the 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder engine receives a notable boost, delivering an additional 23hp and 20Nm of torque. This ensures abundant power for dynamic drives, with robust pulling force and spirited acceleration available across a wide RPM range from 2,100 to 5,500rpm. Accelerating from 0-100km/h takes a mere 4.7 seconds, with the top speed gracefully capped at 249km/h.

Adding to the excitement, the turbocharger receives a pre-boost, ensuring rapid and smooth power delivery. Whether cruising or gently accelerating, the turbocharger maintains a steady spin, guaranteeing a consistent stream of power. Moreover, with the throttle valve remaining open during high-performance moments, drivers can anticipate enhanced engine responsiveness.

The extended duration of the throttle valve’s openness translates to accelerated torque delivery, resulting in an even livelier engine response, particularly noticeable in dynamic mode or with the new dynamic plus profile engaged.

Equipped with a torque splitter, the Audi S3 promises enhanced agility and stability, complemented by larger brakes and performance tyres to elevate handling prowess. Furthermore, a sportier transmission featuring Audi’s seven-speed S tronic transmission adds to the driving thrill, promising seamless gear shifts and heightened performance on every journey.

More information will be available when the Audi S3 makes its official debut.

Honda enthusiasts have been granted a tantalising glimpse into the future with a short video teaser of the upcoming CR-V FCEV, scheduled for its debut in 2024. While still shrouded in camouflage, this hydrogen-powered rendition of the beloved SUV hints at enhanced functionality thanks to the integration of a battery pack.

Upon its anticipated arrival later this year, the Honda CR-V FCEV is poised to make history as North America’s first production vehicle to combine a battery pack with a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. This innovative fusion equips the SUV with the flexibility to be charged akin to a conventional EV when access to a hydrogen pump is scarce.

This groundbreaking feature alleviates the CR-V FCEV’s dependence on the limited hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, while its bi-directional charging capability empowers owners to harness stored battery power for various electronic devices, as showcased with a coffee maker in the teaser video.

Although specifics such as battery capacity and hydrogen tank size remain undisclosed, driving range details are eagerly anticipated. Nonetheless, the new powertrain, developed in collaboration with General Motors, promises significant cost savings compared to the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, while boasting double the durability.

Visually, the fuel-cell EV flaunts a redesigned front end, characterised by a sleeker grille and enlarged bumper intakes, setting it apart from its gasoline-powered counterpart, the CR-V. Notable alterations include the addition of a charging port on the front fender and distinct clear taillight clusters.

Production of the Honda CR-V FCEV is slated to take place at the Marysville plant in Ohio, with distribution plans encompassing not only North America but also the Japanese market. As anticipation mounts, enthusiasts eagerly await further revelations about this pioneering SUV poised to redefine automotive innovation.

Proterial, a Japanese metal materials maker formerly known as Hitachi Metals, has unveiled a breakthrough in electric vehicle (EV) motor technology. The company has developed a new alloy that it claims can significantly reduce power consumption by up to 5%, leading to the potential for smaller and faster motors.

The innovative amorphous alloy, processed into material for EV motor cores, boasts an impressive energy loss reduction of over 90% compared to the non-oriented electrical steel sheet commonly used in motors today.

With plans to commence mass production as early as 2025, Proterial has overcome various challenges in developing the alloy. The material is approximately five times stronger than traditional electrical steel sheets, which has posed durability issues for the tools used in its processing. Additionally, the alloy’s thinner composition has presented complexities in handling.

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Despite the discontinuation of the BMW i3 in 2022, the electric vehicle (EV) continues to enjoy popularity in the secondhand market. However, a recent revelation has shed light on the potentially daunting costs lurking behind the allure of these eco-friendly cars. One i3 owner was left reeling after receiving a jaw-dropping quote of $71,208 (RM339,163) for a new battery pack for their 2015 i3 REx. This amount not only exceeded the car’s initial value but also surpassed that of a brand-new BMW i5 eDrive40.

While EV battery replacements are known to come with hefty price tags, this particular figure appears especially exorbitant, even by BMW standards. Similar estimates for battery replacements have typically hovered around the $16,000 (RM76,208) mark, making the quoted amount all the more shocking.

BMW i3 EV 2022

Following the posting of this astronomical quote on Reddit, other i3 owners shared their eye-watering estimates, with one individual facing a bill of $30,000 (RM142,890). The inconsistency in quotes for the same job has raised eyebrows within the EV community.

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The automotive world bids farewell to an icon as the Audi R8, one of the most revered mid-engined supercars renowned for its high-revving, naturally-aspirated engine, prepares to roll off the production line for the final time. Initially slated for discontinuation by the close of 2023, recent developments confirm that production is still underway at Audi’s Böllinger Höfe factory, albeit with a definitive end in sight by the end of March.

Liza Kellner, spokesperson for Audi TT and R8, affirmed, “The last Audi R8 will leave the production line at the end of the first quarter of 2024, marking the end of an era for this iconic sports car at the Audi Böllinger Höfe site in Neckarsulm.” Kellner emphasised that Audi’s strategic focus on electrification, exemplified by the ongoing production of the all-electric Audi e-tron GT at the same facility, has led to the decision to retire the R8.

2021 Audi R8 V10 RWD

Explaining the shift in the discontinuation timeline, Kellner noted, “The statement regarding the R8’s discontinuation by the end of 2023 was made in 2019. Consequently, the adjustment of the actual end date by a few weeks is not unexpected.”

The Audi R8’s swan song comes in the form of the GT RWD, the final iteration introduced in most markets in late 2022. Limited to a production run of just 333 units worldwide, this model features a potent 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 engine, churning out 612hp and 565Nm of torque, delivering exhilarating performance to the rear wheels. Additionally, Audi unveiled the R8 Coupe Japan Final Edition, a limited-run variant restricted to a mere eight units, further underscoring the R8’s iconic status.

As enthusiasts rush to secure their allocations of the Audi R8 before it fades into automotive history, the enduring appeal of this legendary supercar is evident. Last year witnessed Audi selling 631 new R8s across the United States, more than double the figures from 2022, reflecting the unwavering passion and admiration for the R8 among automotive enthusiasts worldwide.

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