Latest news with #InspectorClouseau
Top Gear
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Renault 4 Interior Layout & Technology
Interior What is it like on the inside? It hardly takes an automotive Inspector Clouseau to figure out this car is an extremely close relative of today's R5. The whole of Renault's excellent screen and physical control system is here. The driver's screen is seven inches in the entry spec and 10.1 inches above that. Another full-size one sits alongside it as the touchscreen. The layout and definition is solidly competitive. In Techno spec it has a Google navigation with an effective EV route planner that calculates the shortest charging time for your trip by figuring out their power and availability. In Evolution spec you're using phone mirroring. Advertisement - Page continues below We love the number of physical controls. That includes metallic switches for climate control and stereo volume, and the shortcut switch for ADAS. The driver gets lots of steering-wheel buttons for cruise and display configuration, and because they're not haptic they actually work. The left-hand stalk is lights and indicators. On the right there are three stalks: one is the drive selector, which needs a long push/pull and often needs a second attempt. Annoying. Another the wipers and the third controls the stereo. Yes, it can take your right fingers a few attempts to tickle the correct one. Still quicker than screen-diving though. The material quality and fit 'n' finish are both very good. Entry cars get upholstery across the dash and while there are some cheap plastics (notably on the centre console) you'll forgive it for that quickly. Some surfaces are vulnerable to smudge marks, we must admit, and the various cubbies aren't that large. Best make it a can rather than a bottle of Lilt. Speaking of space, will my family fit in it? If it's small, sure. The R4 is nicely sized, thanks to an extra slice of wheelbase versus the R5. Provided the driver raises their seat a little, there's enough room for the extremities (toes, kneecaps, scalps) of an adult behind them. Advertisement - Page continues below There's not much elbow or shoulder room back here though, so longer journeys will be a bit taxing, and the rear bench is squishy but flat. At least there are a couple of USB-C ports to keep devices alive and pass the time. The boot is a deep 420 litres and the front passenger seat folds forward to take your DIY planks or cello. Knock the seats flat and space rises to 1,405 litres. The flat floor has a dual-split entry (check out the gallery up top), so you can still get at charging cables and whatnot while carrying something bulky. Very sensible. A section of the bumper lifts with the tailgate, so the floor is quite low. Good for loading dogs and white goods. Though not at the same time.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
The ocean's unicorn: Meet the pink Manta Ray that is only one in the whole world!
Nature has a way of surprising us just when we think we've seen it all. Whether it's a bird once thought extinct making a sudden return, a creature that goes beyond our understanding of biology, or an animal that is so rare that it seems more of a myth than reality. Despite many years of scientific and wildlife research, there are still many unexplored gems on Earth that continue to show surprises. Sometimes, these wonders are discovered in the most remote and unexplored regions. But occasionally, they appear in places visited by humans right under our noses, making the discovery all the more interesting. Such incredible discoveries give a glimmer of hope even in the face of extinction crises and the worst of adversities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is addicted. Undo Meet the rarest Inspector Clouseau! One such case is the return of the world's rarest fish after 85 years, and also only one of its kind. That's the case with 'Inspector Clouseau,' a male manta ray spotted near Lady Elliot Island on Australia's Great Barrier Reef . What makes him truly rare and precious is that he is pink. Bright, unmistakably pink in colour. Since his discovery in 2015, this 11-foot manta ray has only been seen ten times, despite living in one of the most dived areas on the planet. It has been nicknamed after the Pink Panther films, and 'Inspector Clouseau's' bubblegum hue is still a mystery. Scientists first suspected it might be due to his diet, similar to how flamingos turn pink from eating crustaceans. But a 2016 study ruled that out. How did this Manta Ray get it's colour? Project Manta, a research group focused on studying manta rays in Australia, now believes this pink colour is likely the result of a unique genetic mutation. If this trait is genetic, and Clouseau manages to mate with a female, it raises an interesting possibility that the mutation could be passed on. That means the world might one day see more pink manta rays. Though his appearance has been rare, he doesn't seem to be a loner. Observers have noted that he often hangs around with other male manta rays, possibly competing for female attention. Whether his pink colour helps or hinders him in the mating game remains unknown. Where can Manta rays be spotted? To catch a glimpse of Inspector Clouseau, you'll need to visit Lady Elliot Island. But if you're keen to swim with manta rays elsewhere, there are plenty of spectacular spots like, Socorro Island in Mexico, Palau, Fiji, the Maldives, Raja Ampat in Indonesia, and even Ishigaki Island in Japan. They can also be spotted at many other places like the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands, where unforgettable encounters with stingrays, where you can swim and even interact with them in the wild. As rare as pink manta rays are, they remind us that our oceans still have secrets. Sometimes, nature's surprises come not in the form of discovery, but in the unexpected twists of the familiar. Photo Credits: Kristian Laine (Peta Pixel)
