Latest news with #Raptor
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
PODCAST: How long can BYD Shark stay SA's fastest bakkie?
After beating Ford Ranger Raptor, double cab will have a hard time holding onto its crown. The BYD Shark this month put its money where its mouth is and dethroned the Ford Ranger Raptor in spectacular fashion as the fastest production bakkie in South Africa. The 321kW/650Nm BYD Shark, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) which showed up for the fight as the most powerful local bakkie, destroyed the Raptor on the drag strip. It clocked a 0 to 100km/h time of 5.66 seconds to better the 6.90 seconds set by the Ford Ranger Raptor two years ago. The 292kW/583Nm Raptor took the crown from the 190kW VW Amarok back in 2021. Compared to the new benchmark, the Amarok's 8.14 seconds seems very modest. ALSO READ: Sub-R1m BYD Shark becomes South Africa's most powerful bakkie BYD Shark makes a Pitstop In this week's episode of the Pitstop podcast, we analyse the data from the BYD Shark's high-performance test. Road Test Editor Mark Jones explains how the Chinese bakkie managed to top the Ford Ranger Raptor is almost every aspect of the test. It must be said that the Raptor's real forte is not on tarmac, but off-road. It is a performance off-roader, which just happened to the fastest on the tarmac too because of its sheer power. At the time of its introduction, it featured a full 102kW of power more than the Amarok and The Citizen Motoring did not see its record in any danger any time soon. ALSO READ: BYD Shark dethrones Ford Ranger Raptor as fastest bakkie in SA The power game But we will not make that mistake again, especially not with what is in the pipeline in terms of Chinese products. The JAC T9 PHEV produces 290kW/670Nm, while the range-extending electric Riddara RD6 features 315kW/595Nm. The Maxus eTerron 9 is a full electric bakkie that produces 325kW of power and 700Nm of torque.
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Toronto Raptors draft pick Collin Murray-Boyles wants to see Drake rocking his jersey
'It is on the list,' newest rookie says Get the latest from Mark Daniell straight to your inbox Collin Murray-Boyles walks the red carpet upon arriving for the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. Photo by Adam Hunger / AP Collin Murray-Boyles has one goal now that he's part of the Toronto Raptors: to see Drake rocking his jersey. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Murray-Boyles, who became the newest Raptor when the team selected him with the ninth pick in Wednesday night's NBA Draft, said seeing the Toronto rapper wearing his uniform from his courtside seats is 'on the list' of things he hopes happen when he makes his debut with the club later this fall. 'How high on the priority list is the goal to become boys with Drake and have him rock your uniform?' a reporter asked him in an interview. 'I guess, it is on the list, but it's going to obviously take a lot of work,' Murray-Boyles, 20, said laughing. 'I'm ready to work, ready to rep the city. So we're going see.' But Murray-Boyles admitted seeing Drake wearing his jersey would be 'amazing.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. When he was speaking to Amazon's Taylor Rooks, Murray-Boyles went a step further telling the NBA sideline reporter that he plans to tag Drake when he touches down in Toronto. 'First thing I gotta do when I get to Toronto is post on my Instagram Story, put a Drake song in there and I'm going to @ him,' the former South Carolina forward said laughing. Collin Murray-Boyles' reaction to getting drafted to the NBA's Toronto Raptors 🤩 Taylor Rooks: 'What's the first thing you gotta do when you get to Toronto?' Collin: 'Post on my Instagram story, put a Drake song in there, and I'm gonna @ [Drake]' — Viral Drake (@viraldrizzy) June 26, 2025 Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Murray-Boyles' plea to Drake matched former Kansas Jayhawks guard Gradey Dick's shoutout at the 2023 NBA Draft. After he was taken with the 13th overall pick, Dick asked reporters to 'Get Drake a jersey. I need Drake to wear my jersey.' Drake has been the global ambassador for the Raptors since 2013. He told ESPN that he landed the gig after he 'came into the venue one night and … was extremely outspoken about what I felt could change.' 'That sparked a discussion and (we) sat down and decided we had the same visions,' he told the outlet. 'It just turned from a discussion to a reality.' One of music's brightest stars, Drake said he cared ' about the city more than anything in the world' and namechecked a slew of former Raptors for turning him on to the game of basketball. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I was a Vince Carter guy. I was a Damon Stoudamire guy. I was a (Tracy McGrady) guy,' Drake said. 'I've supported the franchise through our ups and downs. More than anything, I'm a Toronto guy. I'm a city guy,' he said. Drake shares a laugh with the Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan after the Raptors beat Philadelphia 76ers in Toronto on Tuesday April 12, 2016. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk / Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun Over the years, the multi-Grammy winner has formed bonds with various Raptors players, including Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard. But his friendship with former Toronto great DeMar DeRozan hit a sour note when the forward sided with Kendrick Lamar in a high-profile beef between the two rappers. During Carter's jersey retirement last November, Drake said that if the organization ever decided to give DeRozan the same honour he would cause a stir. 'If you ever put up a DeRozan banner, I'll go up there and pull it down myself,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But as the team's roster has turned over — Lowry, Leonard and DeRozan are all with new clubs — Drake has become friendly with the newest members of the Raptors. When the squad drafted Scottie Barnes and Delano Banton back in 2021, Drake posed with the rookie recruits in his home basketball court. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He is also pals with Dick, tapping the young shooting guard for an appearance in the music video released by his six-year-old son Adonis called My Man Freestyle . 'I had plans to meet Drake when he came back to Toronto but we happened to just be there randomly but he was like 'hey, why don't you hop in for a little cameo?'' Dick told reporters back in 2023 of their chance run-in at OVO Athletic Centre during his first NBA pre-season. 'I just saw people running around with cameras and I was like 'what's going on?' It was Drake filming a video with his son.' Meanwhile, Murray-Boyles' plea to Drake wasn't his only viral moment Wednesday night. The member of the Southeastern Conference's All-Freshman Team sparked a flurry of online chatter when he was caught uttering a one-word expletive after being picked by the Raptors. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Murray-Boyles appeared to shake his head and seemingly said 'f***' after his name was called before he smiled and embraced his family and girlfriend, South Carolina basketball star Chloe Kitts. Collin Murray-Boyles hugs girlfriend and South Carolina women's basketball player, Chloe Kitts, after being drafted ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025. Photo by Sarah Stier / Getty Images Afterwards, Murray-Boyles said his reaction was just him expressing his disbelief that his name had been announced. 'What I said was not a bad thing by any means,' Murray-Boyles said, adding that Toronto was the first team he had worked out for after declaring his eligibility for the draft. 'I'm just very thankful for it. That was a surreal moment to hear my name called by this organization that has a good history and have really good players right now.' He later returned to social media to share a throwback picture of himself as a youngster in a Raptors T-shirt. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'F***,' he captioned the picture. 'Dreams do come true!' mdaniell@ Read More Toronto Raptors Canada Canada Celebrity Canada
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Quantumscape stock soars 17% as investors bet big on battery future - here's why it's a gamechanger
QuantumScape (NYSE: QS) shares skyrocketed over 17% on June 26, closing at $6.68, after the company revealed a major leap in its solid-state battery manufacturing process. With trading volume surging past 101 million shares, investor excitement around QuantumScape's new 'Cobra' separator technology has reignited hopes that the long-hyped solid-state battery dream may finally be turning real. This is a crucial development that shifts QuantumScape's story from speculative science to a credible pathway toward mass production. Shares jumped over 42% in pre-market trading on June 26, marking a renewed bullish sentiment around the company's future. What triggered QuantumScape's 17% rally? The stock's rally was driven by the company's announcement that it has started baseline production using its next-generation Cobra separator process . According to QuantumScape, Cobra is a 25× faster, more compact, and lower-cost method of producing its unique solid-state battery separator — a key part of enabling EV-scale production. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40세 넘고 PC만 있으면? 이 게임 완전 내 거임! Hero Wars 플레이하기 Undo This matters because solid-state batteries have long promised to deliver: Longer range than lithium-ion Faster charging No risk of battery fires or dendrites But commercializing them at scale has always been the missing piece. Cobra may change that. Live Events Also Read: US stock market today: Dow jumps 200 points, S&P nears record, Nasdaq climbs as Trump eyes Fed shake-up and Nvidia leads top movers What is the Cobra process, and why does it matter so much for QuantumScape? The Cobra process is a new separator manufacturing technique that represents a 25x speed improvement over QuantumScape's previous system, known as Raptor. Unlike Raptor, which had limitations in scaling, Cobra is designed for gigawatt-scale battery production, a game-changer for solid-state battery technology. This new process also occupies just a fraction of the floor space of its predecessor. That's critical for economic feasibility at mass production levels. CEO Dr. Siva Sivaram noted during the Q1 FY2025 earnings call that Cobra was expected to reach this stage later this year—but they've now delivered ahead of plan, significantly boosting investor confidence. Also Read: Jensen Huang's comment sends Cyngn stock soaring 500% - what is this little-known company that has everyone talking How is Volkswagen tied into QuantumScape's future? Volkswagen (VWAGY) owns about 14% of QuantumScape and has been a longtime backer. Through its PowerCo joint venture, VW has already pre-paid royalties to license QuantumScape's technology for battery production up to 40 GWh per year—enough to power around 1 million electric vehicles annually. With such strong OEM backing and clear pathways to commercialization, Cobra gives QuantumScape the potential to leapfrog rivals and become a centerpiece of the EV battery supply chain by 2026. Can Cobra really unlock mass battery production for electric vehicles? QuantumScape's batteries use a solid-state, anode-free design, which is considered a holy grail in battery tech for electric vehicles (EVs). But manufacturing these advanced batteries at scale has always been the biggest hurdle. Cobra's dramatically faster heat-treatment process and reduced physical footprint now make that hurdle easier to clear. According to QuantumScape, the new process lays the foundation for their QSC-5B1 prototype cells, which are expected to begin field testing in 2026. This could accelerate commercial adoption, especially as the company partners with auto giants like Volkswagen AG and Murata Manufacturing. Their capital-light, fabless model means they'll license technology rather than build massive factories themselves—limiting risk while capturing value. What do analysts think about QuantumScape stock now? Despite the surge, QS stock still trades below many analysts' average price targets (roughly $4.80–$5.50) and carries a high-risk, high-reward label. Here's where it currently stands: Price (as of June 25) : $6.68 (+17.7%) 52-week range : $4.11 – $11.49 Market cap : ~$3.25 billion Volume : Over 101 million shares traded Short interest : ~21% (as of mid-June) Buy ratings : Only ~14% of analysts currently rate it a Buy While Cobra tech improves visibility, execution risk remains high , especially around scaling production, meeting quality standards, and securing long-term EV contracts. Could QuantumScape become the Tesla of batteries? If QuantumScape delivers on its promise — especially with QSE-5, its first commercial-grade cell — it could revolutionize how EVs are powered. Its batteries could: Charge to 80% in 15 minutes Offer 30–50% more range Operate safely without liquid electrolytes The EV battery market is expected to surpass $500 billion by 2035, and solid-state batteries could command a significant share. QuantumScape, if it sticks the landing, may be first to market with a commercially viable solid-state cell, giving it a first-mover advantage. Is QS stock a buy after the breakout? QuantumScape's 17% stock jump is more than just hype — it's backed by a tangible technical breakthrough. The Cobra separator is a major step forward in proving the scalability of solid-state battery tech. But while the upside is huge, investors should still treat QS as a long-term, high-risk tech bet. Bottom line : If you're bullish on the EV future and believe solid-state batteries will be the next big leap, QuantumScape deserves a spot on your radar. Just be ready for volatility — because breakthroughs in battery tech don't come without bumps. FAQs: What is the QuantumScape Cobra separator breakthrough? It's a new solid-state battery tech that makes production 25x faster and cheaper. Why did QuantumScape stock jump 17%? Because investors loved the Cobra separator news—it shows real progress toward EV battery mass production.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Legendary car brand is axing ‘beast' 4×4 in Europe despite increasing popularity
A LEGENDARY car brand has axed its "beast" 4x4 in Europe despite its increasing popularity. This move represents a significant transition for the company. 1 Ford 's Ranger pickup, with the popular 2.0-litre diesel engine is set to be axed as the brand shifts focus to its new plug-in hybrid model. The 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine, often described as a beast of machine, will be removed from the Ranger in early 2026. What does this mean? A Ford spokesperson confirmed the decision to Professional Pickup, leaving the pickup relying on the 3.0-litre V6 EcoBlue engine and the new 2.3-litre EcoBoost plug-in hybrid. Ford of Europe will continue offering the Ranger with the 3.0-liter EcoBlue V6 turbo diesel. The Ranger Raptor is presently available with either 2.0-liter EcoBlue or 3.0-liter EcoBoost muscle in this part of the world. This move represents a significant transition for Ford's best-selling pickup, and shows the brand's confidence in the PHEV as a viable mainstream option for both work and leisure buyers. The shift to a PHEV powerplant will raise entry costs, with the plug-in model commanding a premium of around £2,500 over the existing 2.0-litre diesel models. However, Ford is positioning the Ranger PHEV as a highly capable alternative, with up to 27 miles of electric-only driving and a total power output that exceeds the current four-cylinder and even V6 diesel models. Crucially, the PHEV will retain the Ranger's full one-tonne payload limit and 3,500kg towing capacity — a key requirement for many business users. Why did they make the decision? New tax changes have created headaches for company pickup drivers, but Ford's decision to drop the EcoBlue engine is unrelated. Ford is forced to immediately shut down factories and halt car production as CEO admits 'day to day' struggle for brand Instead, EU emissions regulations require manufacturers to meet stringent fleet CO₂ averages or face substantial fines. With diesel variants like the Wildtrak emitting 230g/km, switching to a low-emission PHEV cuts pickup emissions by more than half, to 72g/km, helping the manufacturer towards its fleet average targets. The Ranger PHEV nets 68 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometer in WLTP testing, whereas the high-output version of the 2.0-liter EcoBlue is listed with 230 grams. By comparison, the 3.0-liter EcoBlue and EcoBoost emit 264 and 315 grams, respectively. Available in single- and bi-turbo flavors, the 2.0-liter EcoBlue made its debut in February 2018 with the unveiling of the original Ranger Raptor. When is this going to happen? The 3.0-litre V6 diesel, currently used in high-spec models such as the Wildtrak and Platinum, will continue for the foreseeable future. With 240hp and 600Nm of torque, it offers strong performance for operators needing extra muscle, and is likely to remain a core part of the range until at least the end of the decade. The Ranger Plug-in Hybrid arriving with dealers now, with customer deliveries expected to begin shortly. Production of the 2.0-litre models will cease in early 2026. The Sun has approached Ford for comment. Meanwhile, a major recall issued by Ford over concerns for passenger safety will also affect its UK models. The recall was issued earlier this week in the US over a major safety defect that could leave passengers trapped in their cars. And Britain's best-selling car brands have been revealed with the 'devastatingly handsome' Ford STILL topping the charts – see full list. Plus, Ford is forced to immediately shut down factories and halt car production as CEO admits 'day to day' struggle for brand.
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Former EV high-flyer surges on battery breakthrough
Comebacks hit different on Wall Street. Everyone loves a redemption arc, especially when it's tied to a once high-flying stock. After the Covid-induced stock market boom, the hangover hit hard. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Zero rates and stimulus cash effectively pumped everything from EVs to meme stocks. However, once the Fed started hiking and inflation kicked in, the air came out fast. Many speculative names, especially those without profits, took the biggest hits. EV stocks, whether pure plays or pick-and-shovel plays, jumped on hype, future promises, and Tesla's glow, but reality hit hard, and they're still mostly under pressure. One beaten-down EV stock, though, is finally making noise again, thanks to a major step forward in breakthrough battery tech. QuantumScape (QS) stock burst onto the market in late 2020 as one of the most hyped EV pick-and-shovel plays. Related: Tesla's robotaxi rollout runs into trouble Shares began trading at $24.80 after its SPAC merger on November 27, 2020, peaking at $132.73 on December 22 (a whopping 435% gain) before pulling back. Backed by Volkswagen and Bill Gates, QuantumScape promised a major battery breakthrough. By using a solid-state design with a ceramic layer, the company aimed to block dangerous lithium spikes and deliver more power, faster charging, and better safety than liquid-based cells. In other words, you get much more juice in the same space, blazing fast charging, and no overheating. Think of it like swapping your old smartphone charger for a high-powered supercharger; what took half an hour now finishes in 10 minutes flat. Needless to say, it's a massive deal for pushing EVs into the mainstream. However, turning those lab dreams into factory reality was much harder than expected. QuantumScape hit wall after wall due to manufacturing delays, yield issues, and tech hitches. As timelines dragged and cash burned fast, the hype faded. By mid-2022, shares were deep in the single digits, losing more than 80% in value. However, yesterday's development suggests that it could potentially mount a major comeback. More EV Stock News: Struggling EV semiconductor company files for bankruptcyMusk's AI chatbot weighs in on Tesla stock and RobotaxiVeteran Tesla analyst makes boldest robotaxi call yet QuantumScape's next-gen Cobra separator is finally part of its core production line. That marks the first time Cobra's been used in full-speed, high-volume manufacturing, a massive leap in scaling up for gigafactory-level output. Related: Circle stock goes parabolic after Capitol Hill surprise Cobra is built to replace the old Raptor setup, and it's a major upgrade. It quickens heat treatment by 25 times and takes up much less space. That makes production much faster and more compact, which is the boost QuantumScape needs to hit scale and keep its expenses in check. Also, Cobra isn't just quicker; it's a lot smarter, too. Shrinking the footprint and streamlining thermal processing bring QuantumScape closer to building a full-scale, end-to-end battery plant. That sort of progress gives it more street cred with automakers and makes it easier to lock in future deals and funding. Following the development, QuantumScape stock went parabolic. In pre-market trading today, the stock has gained over 43% to open at $6.17. Year-to-date, though, the stock is down 17%. This development could spark a major turnaround. Related: Veteran Wall Street firm makes surprise call on tech stocks The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
