Porsche and Puma, known for their collaborative sneaker ventures primarily in the realms of lifestyle and racing, are now delving into the world of basketball footwear with their latest partnership.
LaMelo Ball MB.03
The first offering in this collaboration is the LaMelo Ball MB.03, the third signature sneaker for the Charlotte Hornets star. Drawing inspiration from Porsche’s iconic 930 Turbo, it features a striking black and yellow colourway reminiscent of the car’s factory gold paint job, complete with the Porsche logo adorning the heel.
Nissan has introduced updates to the Juke for 2024, aiming to enhance its competitiveness in the crowded small SUV segment. While the exterior design remains largely unchanged, significant improvements have been made to the interior, including a larger infotainment display and enhanced fit and finish. Additionally, Nissan has introduced a new flagship trim called N-Sport and reintroduced a yellow colour option.
The Juke N-Sport trim represents the pinnacle of the lineup, featuring black accents on the roof, pillars, wheels, wheel arches, mirrors, and grille, which contrast with the new yellow exterior colour. Inside, the N-Sport trim boasts yellow stitching, dashboard trim, and inserts made from recycled Alcantara, along with Juke emblems embossed on the seats.
The most notable change inside the cabin is the introduction of a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display, positioned atop a slightly redesigned dashboard with a driver-centric incline. This upgraded display comes standard and can be paired with a new 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster. The improved infotainment system now supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and features an enhanced voice recognition system.
Nissan has also made several other interior enhancements, including smoother leather-style material on the steering wheel, a larger glovebox, new seats across most trims, and a redesigned centre armrest for improved support. Additionally, the Juke now comes equipped with an electric handbrake, wireless charging pad, and USB-A / USB-C outlets for all passengers, aligning it with modern standards for 2024.
Exterior updates are minor, with revisions to the colour options and the introduction of new wheel designs, some of which are up to 19 inches in diameter. The highlight is the return of the yellow colour option, which was highly requested by customers and is now slightly paler compared to the previous iteration. Nissan’s colour and trim department has also refined the formulas for the pearl white and metallic black shades to enhance their appeal.
Lane Departure Warning is now integrated as standard equipment with the Juke update. While standard from the Tekna grade onward, emergency lane keep is an option.
The rear-view camera’s quality has also been raised from 0.3 to 1.3 megapixels to better utilise the high-definition centre screen. This means that movements including reversing can be executed even more confidently because of a sharper vision, particularly in low light. All Juke grades now come equipped with a rear-view camera as standard equipment. N-Connecta grade up and higher models can also order the Around-View Monitor, which combines images from four cameras around the car to provide a “bird’s-eye view” of the car’s position for parking manoeuvres.
The Juke offers two powertrain choices. The first is the Juke Hybrid, featuring a Nissan internal combustion engine optimised for hybrid use, delivering 94hp and 148Nm of torque. On the electric side, the primary electric motor generates 49hp and 205Nm of torque, supplemented by a 15kW high voltage starter/generator connected to a 1.2kWh liquid-cooled battery via an inverter. This configuration yields a power output 25% higher than the current petrol engine option, along with fuel consumption reductions of up to 40% in urban settings and up to 20% overall.
Alternatively, the non-electrified engine option for the Juke houses a compact and lightweight 1.0-litre three-cylinder DIG-T turbocharged petrol engine. Delivering 117PS and 180Nm of torque. Drivers can select between a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch (DCT) paddle-shift transmission, along with a driving mode selector (Eco, Standard, Sport) to tailor the driving experience to their preferences.
The upcoming Geneva Motor Show on February 26 will feature the YangWang U8 from BYD, among other models from the Chinese brand.
BYD intends to use the Geneva Motor Show to gauge public reaction to the YangWang U8 before potentially launching the luxury brand in Europe. While it aims to position the U8 as a competitor to vehicles like the Land Rover Defender 130, pricing details for the European market have not been disclosed yet.
Underneath its striking exterior, the YangWang U8 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine serving as a range extender for its 49.05 kWh battery pack. Propulsion is provided by four electric motors delivering a combined output of 1,184hp, offering nearly double the power of a Lamborghini Urus. BYD will also showcase key technologies of the YangWang brand, including the advanced DiSus Intelligent Body Control System and the e⁴ platform that forms the basis of the SUV.
Additionally, BYD will present other products at the Geneva Motor Show, such as the new Seal U DM-i plug-in hybrid SUV and the seven-seat, battery-electric BYD Tang. The Seal U DM-i is expected to be significant for BYD, particularly in markets where EV infrastructure is still developing, as it offers a compromise-free range for drivers.
Afeela, the joint venture between Sony and Honda, showcased an updated version of its first product, an electric sedan, at CES 2024. The sedan, which remains unnamed, features a revised design and more specific powertrain details. It will feature an all-wheel drive with a 241hp electric motor on each axle and a 91.0-kWh battery capable of charging up to 150 kW.
Afeela plans to launch the sedan in the U.S. in 2026, following its debut in 2025. While orders for the sedan will open in 2025, actual sales are expected to commence the following year.
In addition to the sedan, Afeela intends to introduce two more electric vehicles in the coming years. In 2027, an electric SUV closely related to the sedan will be introduced, followed by a more affordable compact model in 2028. These models will share a platform to reduce costs and development time.
The compact model, roughly the size of a Toyota Corolla, will likely share parts with Honda’s lineup of EVs. To keep costs down, certain equipment and functions may be omitted from the compact model.
Reports indicate that the Afeela sedan will be priced at over 10 million yen in Japan, approximately RM318,189.
The Bugatti Type 35 is not just a car; it’s a testament to the visionary genius of its creator, Ettore Arco Isidoro Bugatti. Born into a family steeped in creativity and the arts, Bugatti’s unconventional approach to automotive engineering revolutionised the industry with the Type 35.
Debuting in 1924, the Type 35 shattered conventions with its groundbreaking design and technical innovations. Unlike its contemporaries, it featured a low and sleek body, cast alloy wheels to reduce unsprung mass, and encapsulated rear suspension for improved aerodynamics.
Underneath its elegant exterior, the Type 35 boasted a pioneering 2.0-litre inline eight-cylinder engine with thin-wall construction and 24 valves. With an aluminium crankshaft and meticulous attention to weight reduction, Bugatti achieved a class-leading performance of 90PS while keeping the car’s weight to just 750kg.
Bugatti’s commitment to lightweight engineering extended to every component, including a new hollow front axle and a unique rear axle configuration. These innovations, combined with precision steering and a lightweight chassis, delivered unparalleled agility and driving pleasure on both road and track.
The Type 35’s engineering excellence was further evidenced by its beautifully balanced drum brakes and pressurised petrol tank, enabling drivers to push the limits of performance with confidence.
Even a century after its launch, the Bugatti Type 35 remains a symbol of automotive innovation and excellence. Its legacy lives on in every Bugatti vehicle, carrying forward the design and engineering values established by Ettore Bugatti himself. As Luigi Galli aptly concludes, the Type 35 is an integral part of Bugatti’s DNA, alongside other iconic models like the Bugatti Atlantic and the Bugatti Royale.
It’s a bittersweet moment for Alfa Romeo enthusiasts in North America as the Italian automaker announces the end of sales for its high-performance Quadrifoglio models, scheduled to cease production in June of this year.
Larry Dominique, Alfa Romeo’s senior vice president for North America, shared this news on LinkedIn, advising interested buyers to place their orders soon to acquire a Giulia or Stelvio Quadrifoglio before they’re no longer available in their current form.
Dominique emphasised that this isn’t the end of the story for Alfa Romeo, hinting at the brand’s transition to an electrified future. The final opportunity to order a 2024 Giulia or Stelvio Quadrifoglio will close at the end of April 2024, with the last internal-combustion-powered Quadrifoglio models for the U.S. and Canada exiting the Cassino plant in June 2024.
In response to shifting consumer demands, particularly towards electric vehicles, Continental, a major German auto supplier, has announced plans to reduce its global workforce by 7,150 jobs by 2025.
The job cuts, affecting various areas of the company, will see 1,750 positions eliminated from research and development, with an additional 5,400 job cuts as part of a previously announced cost-cutting program.
Philipp von Hirschheydt, Continental’s automotive chief, emphasised that the restructuring aims to prioritise investments in future technologies for software-defined vehicles. The company remains committed to supporting affected employees by seeking suitable solutions.
Reports from some Tesla Cybertruck owners have emerged, suggesting that their vehicles are showing signs of rust after exposure to rain. On the Cybertruck Owners Club forum, a member shared their experience of picking up their truck on February 1st, accompanied by a warning from an advisor about potential rusting issues due to rain. The forum post highlighted concerns about rust development, which seemingly contradicted the expectation of rust resistance associated with stainless steel, the material used for the Cybertruck’s body.
He further noted that their Cybertruck began exhibiting rust spots after just two days of exposure to rain. Photos shared by the user purportedly depicted small rust specks on the stainless-steel body.
According to Mead Metals, a metal services company based in Minnesota, stainless steel can indeed rust under specific environmental conditions, primarily as a result of water exposure but also due to contact with harmful chemicals, saline solutions, grease, or prolonged heat exposure.
The manual transmission, once a staple of driving enthusiasts, is facing a dwindling presence in the automotive market. BMW’s M division, one of the few brands still offering manual options, has hinted that this choice may soon disappear.
In an interview, BMW board member Frank Weber acknowledged that the demand for manual transmissions is shrinking. He noted that while these manual M models are enjoyable to drive, the diminishing sales volumes make it impractical to continue developing them. Weber advised potential buyers interested in manual M cars to make their purchase soon, hinting at the impending discontinuation of these models.
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.
