China's Geely Brand Enters Italy With All-Electric, Hybrid SUVs
Geely plans to introduce two sport-utility vehicles, its all-electric EX5 and a Super Hybrid plug-in, in Italy during the fourth quarter, according to a statement Thursday. The company has partnered with Saudi-owned distributor Jameel Motors, which won an agreement in Poland in April.
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Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ariel Celebrates 25 Years of the Atom With Its Most Powerful Model Yet
Ariel Motor Company, the renowned British manufacturer of ultra-lightweight, no-compromise sports cars, is marking the 25th anniversary of the Ariel Atom with its most potent and exclusive variant yet: the Atom 4RR. Limited to just 25 individually tailored examples, this road-legal, track-focused machine will deliver an astonishing 525 bhp and 550 Nm of torque from a heavily reworked turbocharged Honda 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Built on the proven Atom 4R platform, the new 4RR features a host of internal engine changes, along with revised oil and fuel systems, to maximize performance. Ariel describes it as the ultimate expression of its 'serious fun' philosophy, aimed at drivers who want to push their skills and the Atom's engineering to the absolute limit. Pricing and full technical details will follow later this year. The new model not only celebrates 25 years of the Atom, but also underlines Ariel's heritage as a company dating back to 1871, when it produced the pioneering Ordinary, or 'Penny Farthing,' bicycle, the world's first series-production vehicle. As Ariel writes a new chapter with the Atom 4RR, here's a look back at the evolution of one of Britain's most radical sports cars: Launched at the turn of the millennium, the original Atom shocked the performance-car world. With a 120bhp Rover engine and Ariel's now-iconic exposed tubular space frame, it embodied an entirely fresh vision: extreme lightness, ultra-minimalist design, and a thrilling, highly configurable driving experience. The 'No Doors, No Windscreen, No Roof' ethos made the Atom a true driver's machine and helped cement its legend among purists. The second-generation Atom switched to Honda power, adopting the high-revving 220bhp Civic Type R K20 engine. From 2005, Ariel offered an optional supercharger pushing power to 275bhp, adding another level of performance, and introducing that unforgettable supercharger whine. Engineering and design updates further refined what was already a visceral driving experience. The Atom 3 brought a significant overhaul. A revised chassis, upgraded suspension, and updated bodywork made the car even more capable. Standard output rose to 245bhp, while a supercharged option lifted power to 300bhp. In 2010, Ariel built a very special edition: the Atom V8. This 25-car limited run boasted up to 500bhp and a spine-tingling 10,000rpm redline, taking the Atom philosophy to the extreme. Refining the Atom 3 platform, the Atom 3.5 improved engine management, steering, suspension, and bodywork, while retaining the same fundamental chassis. A year later, the even more hardcore 3.5R arrived with 367bhp, a sequential gearbox, and further suspension upgrades, cementing the Atom's place as a benchmark for raw, lightweight performance. Every part of the Atom was reimagined for the Atom 4, apart from the fuel filler cap, steering wheel, and pedals. As the first turbocharged Atom, it utilized a 2.0-liter Honda Civic Type R engine, producing 320bhp with switchable boost, and was backed by a stiffer chassis, advanced geometry, and adjustable driver aids, including traction control and launch control. With a stunning power-to-weight ratio and exceptional handling, the Atom 4 raised the bar for lightweight, road- and track-oriented sports cars. In 2023, Ariel further advanced the Atom 4 platform with the introduction of the 4R. This time, the same Honda turbo engine was tuned to 400bhp and 500Nm, resulting in the 4R achieving an extraordinary power-to-weight ratio of nearly 600bhp per tonne. Designed for the most dedicated drivers, the Atom 4R delivered electrifying track performance while remaining road-legal. As Ariel gears up to celebrate the Atom's 25th birthday, the 525bhp Atom 4RR stands as a fitting tribute to a quarter-century of engineering passion, fearless innovation, and that uniquely analog driving experience. With just 25 bespoke cars to be built, the 4RR will be among the rarest and most potent Ariels ever made. For those lucky enough to secure one, it promises a driving experience unlike anything else on the road or the track.
Travel Weekly
31 minutes ago
- Travel Weekly
Following other cities, Cannes will begin 'regulating, organizing' cruise calls
PARIS (AP) -- The French Riviera resort of Cannes is imposing what its city council calls "drastic regulation" on cruise ships, halving the number of very large ships allowed in its harbor and capping the daily number of passenger visits at 6,000 starting next year. The city is joining a growing global backlash against overtourism, which recently saw uproar over Jeff Bezos' and Lauren Sanchez' Venice wedding, water-gun protests in Spain and a surprise strike at the Louvre Museum. "Less numerous, less big, less polluting and more esthetic" -- that's the aim of Cannes city councilors who voted June 27 to introduce new limits on cruise ships in its ports. The aim is to ban all ships carrying more than 1,300 people by 2030, city hall said in a statement. Starting next year, a maximum of 6,000 cruise passengers will be allowed to disembark per day, and the number of ships carrying more than 5,000 passengers will be cut by 48% in 2026. Larger ships will be expected to transfer passengers to smaller boats to enter Cannes. France, which drew in some 100 million visitors last year, more than any other European country and more than the country's population, is on the front line of efforts to balance economic benefits of tourism with environmental concerns while managing ever-growing crowds. "Cannes has become a major cruise ship destination, with real economic benefits. It's not about banning cruise ships but about regulating, organizing, setting guidelines for their navigation," mayor David Lisnard said in a statement. Cruise operators have called such restrictions damaging for destinations and for passengers. Two cruise ships were scheduled to dock in Cannes on June 29, each bigger than the upcoming 1,300-passenger limit and with a combined capacity of more than 7,000 people. Their owners did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the new restrictions. The nearby Mediterranean city of Nice announced limits on cruise ships earlier this year, as have some other European cities. Others are implementing additional taxes on ships. This report was published by the Associated Press.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Test-Driving The Family-Friendly 2025 Mazda CX-90 In North Carolina
2025 Mazda CX-90 Kristin Shaw During the summer months, North Carolina can be oppressively hot and humid, but it's also lush, green, and packed with things to see and do. That's especially true for Chapel Hill and Durham, part of the research triangle where the University of North Carolina and Duke University are based. While you're visiting the area, you're going to need wheels; why not have one that's comfortable, elegant, and reliable, like the Mazda CX-90? My family and I stayed in Chapel Hill and drove up to the Virginia International Raceway for a session with Teen Driving Solutions for my 15-year-old son. The driving school started at 8 a.m. sharp and finished before 5 p.m. both weekend days, and then we climbed back into the CX-90 to stay in our rental house. Here's what you need to know about the Mazda CX-90 to evaluate its suitability for your family. Mazda CX-90 interior Mazda Mazda's interiors are reliably sleek and beautifully styled. For $60,000, our CX-90 included seating for seven passengers, heated front seats, an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, three-zone heating and cooling, and window shades for the second row. Mazda CX-90 Mazda If you're driving the CX-90, you're getting an SUV equipped with radar cruise control with stop and go ability, smart braking support, blind spot monitoring with vehicle exit warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist, plus rear seat alert, driver attention alert, and an anti-theft immobilizer system. The CX-90 PHEV is powered by 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to complete the hybrid system. Use 91 octane fuel, and you'll get 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. While I was driving it, the CX-90 accelerated evenly and easily with no drama. I didn't need to haul a small camper or trailer this time, but if I had, the CX-90 could have towed up to 3,500 pounds. Mazda CX-90 Mazda Standard in every CX-90 PHEV is a 12.3-inch full color center display, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It all works well and phone pairings happen without a hitch. However, the CX-90 still uses Mazda's command control knob in the console to control the system. It has long been my least favorite thing about Mazda vehicles, and I'm looking forward to the day the brand updates to a touchscreen. Mazda has said for several years that it uses the command control knob to help keep the drivers' eyes on the road. I can see the intent, and it's a noble pursuit. For those who own a CX-90, they'll likely set their favorites and carry on without any fuss. TrackOut is a vacation home near the Virginia International Raceway. TrackOut Drive The CX-90 Straight To These Overnight Stays We chose the Hyatt-owned Rizzo Center in Chapel Hill's Meadowmont Village, which is just a few minutes from the blue-festooned campus of UNC. Rizzo Center was a hit with my teen and a good friend of his, as they enjoyed the gym, the basketball court, and the ice cream treats in the freezer on every floor. While we were at the Virginia International Raceway, we rented the TrackOut house five minutes away from the track. This vacation home has eight separate bedrooms, all with full bathrooms en suite, or you can rent out the entire house. It has a full kitchen and motorsports-themed decor, and you can't beat the proximity if you're going to the Teen Driving Solutions advanced driving school or to run some laps in your own car. Don't race the Mazda CX-90 on the track, though. Save those tires for the drive home. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Mazda's Electrification Plan Is Paying Off, And This Is Why By Kristin Shaw Forbes 2024 Mazda CX-90 Test Drive: A Luxury Flagship And Family Staple By Scotty Reiss Forbes Inside Nissan's Pursuit Of The Perfect Cupholder By Kristin Shaw
