VinFast VF8 SUV arrives in US from South Vietnam

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A dual-motor, all-electric, all-wheel-drive drivetrain powers the VinFast VF8, a new midsize sport utility vehicle that combines performance and efficiency. The design of the vehicle was created by Pininfarina, the renowned Italian design house. The VF8 has a long wheelbase and short overhangs, which give it a balanced and attractive appearance. VinFast is a new electric vehicle brand from Vietnam, founded in 2017 by Vingroup, a leading conglomerate in the country. Vinfast aims to produce high-quality electric vehicles for the global market, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. VinFast has already established a presence in several countries, including the

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Luftgekühlt 9: Beauty at the beast

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Luftgekühlt, which translates from German to “air-cooled,” is a pilgrimage for dedicated Porsche fans. It showcases the best of what many consider to be Porsche’s Golden Years — the air-cooled period. Luft 9 highlights the fastest, most prestigious air-cooled products from Porsche’s 1931 founding leading up to the discontinuation of the air-cooled 911 in 1998. For the first time Luftgekühlt, often shortened to Luft 9, offered back-to-back days to commemorate all Porsches without regard to door count, means of cooling, motorsport success, and more. Air | Water exhibits vehicles from the Pre-A era to 992 — Mezger 997’s, Carrera GT’s,

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How to travel and where to go on your next trip

If you’re thinking about your next trip one dilemma may be where to go and what to do. Choices abound, and getting advice sometimes helps the decision-making process. Do you drive, fly or take the train? Should you consider the money rate exchange? What airlines are you considering? Here are some suggestions: Beach Adventure One of the most popular trips is visiting the ocean, a beach adventure. Beautiful beaches are located around the world. Consider the golden beaches of the Caribbean. How about Jamaica or Barbados? Beach holidays often afford the opportunity to view local wildlife, including dolphins or whales.

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5 issues that prevent drivers from driving (and how fix ’em)

Driving a vehicle is a huge responsibility. And while many of us see driving as second nature, there are legitimate reasons why it may not be appropriate, legal or safe to get behind the wheel. Below you will find five of the most common of these reasons, as well as how to correct them. Lack of Fuel Pressure A lack of fuel pressure will quickly stop you from driving your vehicle. Indications of a problem can include the engine backfiring, smoke coming from the exhaust, and difficulty starting the vehicle. The good news: If you’re maintaining your own vehicle, several

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#260, Cheap SUVs, racing icon dies and more

From time to time during the more than five years of The Weekly Driver Podcast, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia catch-up on automotive news instead of having a guest. This week on Episode #260 we visit four diverse topics — cheap SUVs, the death of speed racing icon Craig Breedlove, the most expensive states to own vehicles and no ignition new car It’s no secret, Hyundai and Kia have drastically improved in recent years. The related manufacturers’ vehicles have had some of the industry’s top ratings, from economy to luxury segments. The 2023 Hyundai Venue is also the country’s

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Is a Business Car Lease More Affordable than a Personal Car Lease?

When opting for car leasing, the choice is between business and personal leasing. While the processes for both choices are similar, business leasing is often more cost-effective than personal leasing due to differences in tax payment options. Solutions like GM Direct Hire can help businesses access vehicles without the hassle of ownership, making it easier to focus on operational needs. This cost advantage is a significant factor for those weighing business leasing over personal leasing. Business Leasing An arrangement for the long-term renting of corporate vehicles is a business lease, such as one from www.leaseenddepartment.com. If you work for a

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Honda Civic Type R claims front-drive crown at the ‘Ring

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There’s a new King of the ‘Ring. Honda’s legendary Civic Type R, a long-time fan-favorite for its extraordinary performance in a small package, captured the fastest lap for front-drive production vehicles at the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife. Honda dethroned the Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy-R with a 7:44.881 lap time. Unfortunately for U.S.-based fans of the Civic Type R, the model that contested the 12.93-mile “Green Hell” isn’t the same as the vehicle currently on sale in the United States. The record-setting Honda is the Type R “S” which boasts a lighter curb weight and other performance upgrades is exclusive for left-hand-drive

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#259, Reverend Gadget: preaches for EVs

Greg Abbott, an ordained minister for nearly 40 years, is also a steel fabrication artist, craftsman, prop builder and television personality based in Los Angeles, California. Mostly, he’s known as “Reverend Gadget” or just “Gadget” for his leading role in a custom car build team on the short-lived Discovery Channel series Big! Abbott, my guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast, has also been part of several other cable television programs, including his current show on EarthxTV. During the episode, Abbott discusses his advocacy of alternative energy sources by converting gasoline-powered vehicles to electricity. Abbott took the name “Reverend

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Toyota Research Institute’s Vision for Seamless AI-Human Integration

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Putting Humans First Gill Pratt possesses a unique ability to simplify intricate concepts, making him an ideal spokesperson for Toyota Motor Co. as its chief scientist and CEO of the Toyota Research Institute (TRI). In a recent gathering at TRI’s Silicon Valley headquarters, Pratt engaged with tech reporters and analysts, including SAE Media, to discuss the increasing attention paid to artificial intelligence (AI). It’s a key area of research for TRI’s 200 scientists and engineers. With humor, Pratt addressed concerns surrounding ChatGPT, the controversial chatbot developed by OpenAI in late 2022, and its potential to write term papers for college

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Bentley Le Mans collection wears pieced, race-winning engine

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Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans is among the most prestigious accomplishments in motorsports. Two decades ago, the Breitling-liveried Bentley Speed 8 finished two laps ahead of the pack, taking the marque’s sixth victory. To commemorate the achievement and the 20 years since that victory, Bentley has produced a limited run of 48 Le Mans Collection Continentals. Each of the Collection’s 48 Continentals keeps the Speed 8 memory alive by incorporating a piece of the 2003 race winner in each of the new vehicles. How is Bentley doing that? It’s as unique as it gets in automotive manufacturing. After

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2023 Genesis GV60 launches as top luxury EV crossover

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Six years after the carmaker’s launch as a standalone luxury brand, the 2023 Genesis GV60 debuts as the marque’s first dedicated electric vehicle. It delightfully further blurs the definition of automotive innovation and gadgetry. Available in Advanced and Performance trims, the GV60 is operated by two electric motors and a 77.4-kWh battery pack. Using a 120-volt (Level 1) household-style outlet, the GV60 takes about 68 hours to charge. A 240-volt (Level II) outlet will charge the GV60 in around seven hours. Using a DC Fast-Charging (Level III) station, the GV60 will advance from a 10 to 80 percent charge in

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#258, NASCAR at 75 detailed by four authors in new book

Jimmy Creed, born and raised in Talladega, Alabama, is a decades-long journalist whose interest in motorsports and specifically NASCAR racing began when he was a young boy. Creed knows the city’s famous racetrack as well as any journalist. He cultivated his knowledge in his long tenure as the sports editor of The Anniston Star in nearby Anniston, Alabama. As one of four writers who’ve collaborated to write NASCAR 75, a definitive volume of the legendary sport, Creed is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia speak with the veteran journalist about his

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2023 Honda Civic Type R morphs into hot sports car

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After 51 years, 11 generations and approaching 28 million in sales, the Honda Civic remains among the most enduring and dependable vehicles. It’s available as a coupe, sedan and hatchback and in Si and Type R high-performance options. It’s offered in Sport, Touring, LX, EX and Sport trims and it ideally defines its name’s origin. The Civic’s moniker means “a car created for citizens and cities.” Civics are everywhere, albeit with a caveat. What once defined the needs of citizens in cities is no more. And the vehicle, classified in its tenure as both a subcompact and compact and with

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2024 Lamborghini Revuelto: A new bigger, badder bull

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The Lamborghini Revuelto is the new bull in town. It has a new hybrid system, dual-clutch transmission, superbike-inspired styling and new driving modes. It has a V12 engine free of forced induction. It produces more than 800 horsepower without hybrid assistance. Combined with its electric motors, power output soars to 1,001 horsepower. The Revuelto supercar succeeds the Aventador after its decade of reign and it changes Lamborghini history. The Italian carmaker replaced one mechanically menacing bull on wheels with a stronger hybrid bull. A beautiful bull The new Revuelto boasts beautifully distinct styling. Lamborghini’s designers remixed the 2021 Sian FKP37,

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2024 Subaru Crosstrek: rugged, versatile, value-priced

Many of the country’s most popular vehicles had lousy sales numbers in recent years because of supply chain difficulties. The lingering issue didn’t affect Subaru as much as other carmakers’ double-digit drops. Subaru‘s sales were about four percent lower in 2022 than the year prior. But the Crosstrek, the carmaker’s subcompact sport utility vehicle, had its best year in 2022. It had more than 155,000 sales, about 35,000 more than in 2020. Introduced in 2012, the Crosstrek is now the manufacturer’s best-selling vehicle. It offers an appealing combination of versatility and value. Subaru‘s signature is its symmetrical all-wheel drive. Since

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Essential travel preparations for a joyous journey

Traveling on the open road on a long-distance trip to explore can be adventurous and fantastic. Preparing for a joyous journey can make it further rewarding. Here’s a list of considerations for your vehicle to help make cruising down the highway or along country roads more enjoyable. Perform A Thorough Car Inspection Before starting a lengthy journey, it’s imperative to examine your automobile to make sure everything is in working order. An excellent place to start is by examining the tire wear and pressure levels. Examine each light’s condition and replace burned-out bulbs. Check the belts and hoses for debris

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