All posts in “Stuff”

Dodge Charger Teaser Hints At Something Big

A Charger Hellcat Redeye?

Dodge’s Charger has charged on a lot longer than it has any right to. The company still manages to get a lot of sales out of the car despite the fact that it’s actually quite an old car dating back over a decade at this point. Dodge appears to be trying to get even more out of its four-door muscle sedan.

Recently, Dodge released a teaser video that showed a Dodge Charger underneath a sheet. The SRT logo was clearly displayed at the front of the car underneath the sheet. As the shot zooms out, the music intensifies, and the sheet begins to be pulled off the car. That’s when it ends. Right before you can really see anything. 

The speculation is that the Charger will be getting yet another high-performance version. That seems to be Dodge’s plan for just about anything. As vehicles age, they just throw more horsepower at them and keep churning them out. The Challenger is another example of the company doing this.

The most recent high-performance version of that car was the Hellcat Redeye, a 797 hp bull of a muscle car. It now seems that Dodge could give the Charger the Redeye treatment as well. It would likely come with the widebody package and the same engine that’s in the Challenger. However, we also wouldn’t be surprised if Dodge had some other crazy creation up its sleeve. Time will tell.

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June 26, 2019 / Comments Off on Dodge Charger Teaser Hints At Something Big
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These 5 Awesome New Bike Products Will Transform Your Next Ride

Outerbike is a combination of a trade show, a trailhead tailgate and one of those dreams in which you have all the toys you’ve ever wanted and your only worry in the world is wondering which to play with first. Unlike other industry events, Outerbike lets attendees demo the bikes, not just look at them, which makes it a great place to go if you’re interested in picking up a new mountain or gravel bike.

Sun Valley, site of the most recent iteration of the event, offers great riding and a real chance to see what a bike can do. Attendees get lift tickets, lunch, happy hours and unlimited access to the trails for three days. If you’re thinking of getting a new mountain bike, it’s the place to go. If you missed Sun Valley, don’t worry, there are three more events this year. Meantime, here are the five coolest things we saw this past weekend.

Cannondale Topstone

Cannondale’s latest gravel offering picks up the slack between their value-driven alloy Topstone and the shreddy-but-heavy Slate. The Topstone Carbon builds in 30mm of rear suspension using carbon flex and a pivot that Cannondale calls the “Kingpin.” A compliant handlebar, wide tire clearance and a range of bottle cage and accessory bolts (that are actually weight bearing and not just flimsy rivnuts) make this bike a great choice for gravel racing, light bikepacking and comfort commuting. We tested it on trails and dirt roads and it feels fast!

Open WI.DE Frameset

Open more or less invented the gravel bike with the groundbreaking UP a few years ago. Now the brand is reinventing it with the huge clearances on their newest drop-bar adventure bike. WI.DE stands for “winding detours” and that is where Open wants you to go with their new frameset. Clearance for 2.4-inch tires means you can shred singletrack, but a road crank means you can efficiently cover ground in your road position. This isn’t a road race bike or a mountain bike — it’s a little bit of both, and it looks like a lot of fun.

Pivot Shuttle – Race Build

Long travel bikes are great, but they suck to ride uphill. E-bikes are also great, but some aren’t designed as bikes as much as small motorcycles. Pivot makes awesome mountain bikes and added a motor to their trail bike to create the Shuttle, a bike that powers up the trail and shreds down, meaning you don’t have to pile into a smelly van to get to the starting line. With 29-inch wheels, 160mm of plush travel and a weight of 44.75 pounds, this bike is an endure ripper that just happens to have an electric boost — not a moped with some token suspension. If you’re interested in bigger lines and rougher trails but don’t want to drive back uphill, this might bike ticks all the boxes. Yes, it’s pricy, but some of the $7,899 price tag is amortized by potential savings on lift passes and/or beers for the poor person who would be shuttling you otherwise.

Rotor 1x 13

Rotor’s new 1×13 groupset is more than just an incremental step past the existing 11- and 12-speed standards. Why? Because a 2×11 setup has 13 unique combinations, meaning that you can get the same range and the same jumps as most existing road bikes without a front derailleur on Rotor’s new system. The closed hydraulic system will never need charging and won’t ever suffer from cable stretch. The system does use its own hub and offers four cassette sizes from 10-36 to the enormous 20-52 as well as chainrings in two tooth increments from 26-54t.

Moots ROUTT YBB

Moots bikes might have a timeless look thanks to their largely round tube titanium construction, but they’ve got much more to offer than classic looks. The ROUTT YBB uses a “softtail” micro suspension that ’90s mountain bikers will recognize. Mountain bikes have moved on, but for gravel bikes, the 20mm of rear axle travel might be perfect for taking the sting out of long days, especially when combined with the huge 700x45mm tire clearance. Also making a comeback, thankfully, is a threaded bottom bracket that shouldn’t creak like many press fit designs on modern bikes. Moots is offering select builds for 2019; these options promise a faster build and delivery time than their standard bespoke builds while still allowing buyers to upgrade everything from the groupset to the decals to make their bike unique.

June 26, 2019 / Comments Off on These 5 Awesome New Bike Products Will Transform Your Next Ride
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It Looks Like Chevy Will Cancel the Camaro

Say Goodbye to the Chevy Muscle Car

The Camaro was canceled once before. That was in 2002. It made a comeback in 2010 and soldiered on until the present day. Now, it seems GM will decide to let the model die after its current generation’s lifecycle. Plans for the seventh-generation of the car have been shelved, according to Muscle Cars and Trucks. That means eventually the car will die a slow and sad death. 

According to the publication, the Camaro won’t disappear overnight. The model will continue on until 2023, so there’s still time for people to buy and enjoy the car in its current form. That form is arguably the best the muscle car has ever been. According to Carscoops, multiple publications reached out the Chevy after the report hit and the company neither confirmed nor denied the claims. Here is the official response:

We will remind you of our recently announced updates coming to the Camaro lineup this fall. An all-new LT1 model will provide customers V8 power with the design and affordability of our LT trim. The award-winning SS model will feature a new front fascia from the Camaro Shock concept. All of our updates are customer-driven to improve the car and its driving experience.

So, it’s business as usual then, right? Well, Chevy didn’t say they weren’t going to let the Camaro die after the car runs its lifecycle to the 2023 cutoff. They smartly didn’t say much of anything other than point to the fact that they have new versions of the current car in the works. According to sales data at Good Car Bad Car, Camaro sales have been on a downward trajectory since their peak in 2012, so it makes sense that Chevy would consider letting the model go. Time will tell what the company decides to do.

June 26, 2019 / Comments Off on It Looks Like Chevy Will Cancel the Camaro
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BMW’s Vision M Next Concept Looks to the Future

BMW Showcases New Tech in This Wild Concept

BMW has a vision for the future and that is the Vision M Next concept car. The vehicle pulls from the i8 hybrid as well as other previous BMW vehicles for inspiration. The model also has unique Laser Wire headlights, a new version of the BMW twin-kidney grille design and an overall sporty and futuristic look. 

The car’s focus is on the driver. According to Adrian van Hooydonk, the company’s senior design VP, the vehicle’s design is really about the future of sporty driving. 

Where the BMW Vision iNEXT illustrated how autonomous driving is set to transform life on board our vehicles, the BMW Vision M Next demonstrates how state-of-the-art technology can also make the experience of driving yourself purer and more emotionally engaging. In both models, the focus is firmly on the people inside. Design and technology make the ‘Ease’ and ‘Boost’ experiences more natural and more intense.

According to Carscoops, the Ease and Boost reference comes from the drive modes. Ease is the autonomous mode and Boost is the driver mode. The big news about this car is the Boost Pod, which is the instrument cluster and an augmented reality head-up display. The idea behind it is to eliminate distractions, so the driver can just focus on driving. 

The powertrain of the Vision M Next is a plug-in hybrid system that uses electric motors and a turbo four-cylinder engine. Combined power output sits at 592 hp. That makes the car good for a 0-62 mph time of three seconds flat. The car has a top speed of 186 mph and an electric-only range of 62 miles. 

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June 25, 2019 / Comments Off on BMW’s Vision M Next Concept Looks to the Future
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Porsche Has Retro-Inspired Special Editions Planned

Drawing Inspiration from the 1950s and 1980s

Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur made an announcement that it will build some retro-inspired models based on cars from the 1950s and 1980s. There isn’t a lot of information at this time, but the company said it’s building these cars as lifestyle cars and that means they will follow a similar playbook to the Porsche 911 Speedster with the Heritage Design Package, according to Carscoops.

So what can you expect of the cars? They’ll all be based on the 911. The cars will feature specific design elements that harken back to the era of Porsches that they draw inspiration from. This will include things like updated, custom interiors with corduroy and tartan.

The cars themselves will be quite expensive, though Porsche has not yet stated an actual price for the vehicles. We would imagine they’ll let some more details and maybe an image leak out before announcing pricing. The company will also produce different Heritage Design Packages for the regular 911.

This means there will likely be a design package for the regular version of the car that you can add for a lower price than the special editions planned. This will let you get some of that specialty without having to fork over the big bucks. Just what’s in those packages has not yet been determined. 

June 24, 2019 / Comments Off on Porsche Has Retro-Inspired Special Editions Planned
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14 of the Best, Most Important Products from Outdoor Retailer, Summer 2019


In this episode of This Week In Gear: Steve Mazzucchi, Meg Lappe, Tanner Bowden and Nick Caruso highlight loads of new products from the floor of the Outdoor Retailer show in Denver, Colorado.

This episode of This Week In Gear is presented by Seiko: Built for adventure and styled for the city, the Seiko Prospex Street Series are true diver watches upgraded for real life.

Featured Products

Oru Kayak (Currently Unnamed)

This newest kayak from Oru will come out in 2020. Designed with origami in mind, the boat is made of the same type of corrugated plastice the U.S. Postal Service uses to fashion those indestructible mail bins you see everywhere. It packs down in under three minutes into a smaller package than any other product from Oru to date – small enough you can check the kayak when you travel by air – and it only weighs 20 pounds. Oru plans to offer their new boat for under $1,000.

Taxa Outdoors Cricket

This rugged camper was designed by the man in charge of living habitat design for the International Space Station. It’s small and lightweight enough to tow behind a small vehicle, and can be kitted out with amazing gear right from the factory. Sleeps two adults and two kids and features laser-cut panels. Fully loaded, the Cricket will run almost $29,000.

Primus Firestick Canister Stove

When it’s available next spring, the Firestick will come in steel ($90) and titanium ($120). It’s only four inches long and weighs only four ounces yet generates 8,530 BTUs.

Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD Power Bank

The new Sherpa power bank from Goal Zero carries enough charge to power up your phone four times and your laptop twice. It features two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, plus a readout that displays remaining battery percentage. it’ll be available July 2 for $170.

Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask

Hibear’s new insulated bottle features an easy-to-clean design with integrated cocktail and coldbrew/pour-over coffee making tools, plus a silicone mug so you can share your swill on the trail.

Kimi Werner, Champion Spearfisher & Costa Untangled Sunglasses

Kimi Werner knows our oceans better than most, and is passionate about protecting and preserving them. She teamed up with Costa to support their Untangle Collection, which is made from upcycled used fishing nets. Kimi talked with us about the brand’s mission and the perilous state of our oceans, discussing how we as gear enthusiasts and consumers can do our part to keep them as healthy as possible.

Vasque Clarion 88 GTX

Vasque reached way back into its 1988 catalog and reissued one of those original designs. The Clarion 88 GTX comes in two colorways for men, and though it is a throwback boot with a lifestyle look, it’s built to be a true hiker that can tackle any trail. It’ll be available in August exckusively via Vasque.com.

3 of Our Favorite Knives at OR

Among the hundreds of knives at OR this year, these are some of our favorites. Like its siblings released earlier this year, the Leatherman Free T4, available June 24, features magnetic mechanisms for one-hand opening and closing. The handmade Helle Kletten, available this fall, with its 2.1-inch blade and birch handle, is the Norwegian brand’s third-ever folding knife and also its smallest. Benchmade’s 380 Aller, available now, features a 1.6-inch blade and weighs less than two ounces; with the integrated prybar/screwdriver, bottle opener and money clip, it’s more of a multitool than a knife.

Featured Knives:
• Leatherman Free T4 ($60)
• Hell Kletten ($199)
• Benchmade 380 Aller ($160)

Rivian R1T

Rivian is making huge waves in the automotive industry and even bolder moves in the off-road community. The R1T truck features a 400-mile range and tons of adventure-ready options. From the factory, buyers can opt for bed-rail-mounted tents, integrated kitchen setups, full underbody skidplates and more. Plus, the trucks electric motors negate the need for differentials and a hydraulic system does away with the need for sway bars. Instead, the R1T is a torque-on-demand overlander that will bring the outdoors to anyone. It will be available at the end of 2020 for a base price of $69,000.

Big Agnes Scout Platinum 1P

Big Agnes has revealed a 13-ounce, one-person tent –º the lightest they’ve ever made. The Scout Platinum 1P features single-layer, waterproof materials that prop up with hiking poles. That means more room in the tent and far less weight in your pack. Available next year, the tent will retail for $450.

Eddie Bauer Mountain Ops Down Jacket

Eddie Bauer’s new down jacket is made for outdoor work. Available this fall for $399, the jacket design was informed by input from mountain guiudes, so it’s ready to tackle the cold with no nonsense.

Yeti Dog Bed

Yeti, maker of much of our favorite indestructible coolers and other gear, has revealed its new aptly named Dog Bed. The two-piece bed features washable covers and waterproof components. The Dog Bed will be available this fall for $300.

Watch Now: This Week In Gear, Episode 11

In last week’s episode: Josh Condon reports back after attending the first American Ducati Riding Experience; we introduce the limited-edition Proof by Priority Bicycles; Ben Bowers tests Bluffworks’ travel blazer; Zen Love explains how to correctly set a watch; and Meg Lappe tests Garmin’s latest smartwatch for runners. Watch Now
Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here. In some instances, brands have provided access to, or loans of, the products included in this episode.
June 22, 2019 / Comments Off on 14 of the Best, Most Important Products from Outdoor Retailer, Summer 2019
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Ford Has a New Version of the GT It Will Show at Goodwood

A More Extreme Ford GT?

The 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed should be a fantastic event with some of the most impressive and amazing cars in the entire world. Now, there is another good reason to pay attention to the event. Ford recently teased a shot of a new version of its GT that will appear at Goodwood. The company released the images and the information that it would share “exciting Ford GT supercar news” on July 4 at 4:45 a.m. EDT.

Hermann Salenbauch from Ford Performance and Larry Holt from Multimatic will be the two people who will give the announcement. Right now, what those two men will be discussing is a bit up in the air. Ford did not let any more information slip out beyond the fact that it will be exciting news. 

The car in the teaser image is just more or less a dark outline. However, that dark outline does show a huge rear wing and what appears to be a roof scoop. There are a few possibilities. It could be a special one-off build, a new limited edition run of the car, or some kind of new racing variant. 

Ford already has plenty coming to Goodwood, including the new Focus ST, the Mustang Shelby GT500, the Ranger Raptor, and Ken Block’s vehicles and Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s wild rides. We have a feeling, though, that the GT news will steal the show.

June 21, 2019 / Comments Off on Ford Has a New Version of the GT It Will Show at Goodwood
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The Pininfarina Battista Gets a Design Update

A New Face for a Car That Will Rip Your Face Off

The Turin Auto Show in Italy is in for a treat. The Pininfarina Battista will be there sporting some design updates. A concept version of the car appeared at the Geneva Motor Show, and the one at the Turin Auto Show will be an updated design, featuring a new face for the car

The car gets a single wide, low piece up front instead of the dual-fin setup that was on the concept. It’s actually a much more attractive car. It will be shown in a gorgeous new color, Blu Iconica (blue). The new look comes after extensive aerodynamic testing was performed on the car. Luca Borgogno, the car’s designer seemed pleased with the finished result. He also sounded thrilled with the ability to showcase the next stages of the vehicle.

Since its debut at this year’s Geneva auto show, the Battista has stunned audiences all around the world with its beauty and purity of design. I am pleased to be presenting it with these latest masterstrokes that make the form of the car even more beautiful and elegant, and true to Pininfarina’s design principles.

The Battista features a four electric motor powertrain setup. The car offers 1,877 horsepower and 1,696 pound-feet of torque. That translates to a 0-60 mph time of two seconds and a top speed of 217 mph. Pininfarina will build only 150 of the cars and they will each cost $2.26 million. 

June 20, 2019 / Comments Off on The Pininfarina Battista Gets a Design Update
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The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 Makes 760 HP and 625 Lb-Ft of Torque

The Beast Is Here

Ford revealed its Mustang Shelby GT500 at the North American International Auto Show. When it did so, the company left out the power numbers for the car, leaving everyone to speculate as to how much the supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 would actually produce. Now the company has let those numbers and some other stats out. 

The GT500 will make 760 hp and 625 lb-ft of torque. That’s more horsepower than the Chevy Corvette ZR1, which is regarded as a crazy-powerful machine and has won many awards for being just that. While Dodge’s Demon still has more horsepower, the GT500 is a bit of a different animal and will be a track monster as well as a true staight-line speed machine.

Official performance times have not yet been released, but Ford promises 0-60 time of mid-three seconds and a sub-11-second quarter mile time, according to Road and Track. The car will also be a track monster due to aerodynamic developments and various technologies. How good the car is will be determined at a later date, but it’s safe to say this is the most extreme Mustang yet. 

As The Drive points out, this will be the first time since the 1960s that Ford has sold the Mustang GT350 and the GT 500 at the same time. For those who thought the 1960s were the peak of muscle car performance, you were wrong. Here’s the perfect example. 

June 19, 2019 / Comments Off on The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 Makes 760 HP and 625 Lb-Ft of Torque
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Bugatti Could Reveal a Special Edition at Pebble Beach

A Special, Limited Edition

The Bugatti Divo appeared at Pebble Beach during the Monterey Car Week last year. This year, the company will reveal another special edition car, according to The Supercar Blog. The publication cited an anonymous source that said the company will showcase a new model at Pebble Beach. 

The car will be sold in very limited numbers. The publication was not told how few of the special edition models would be made. The source did tell the publication that many of the build slots have already been spoken for and most of the production run are already sold. 

Of course, the new limited edition hypercar will demand a price higher than the Chiron. It will likely be a vehicle based on the Chiron, like other Bugatti special edition cars, such as the Divo. The Supercar Blog says that Bugatti has plans to release at least two new cars each year.

The stunning La Voiture Noire was the first car for this year, but there’s still room for another. That’s where this latest special edition model will come in. We will keep following this story and report on any updates that arise. Right now, information is scarce and it’s mostly speculation. 

June 18, 2019 / Comments Off on Bugatti Could Reveal a Special Edition at Pebble Beach
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The Toyota GR Super Sports Concept Goes to the Racetrack

Gearing Up for Another Le Mans Already

Fresh off its second win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Toyota is already testing its future race car. The vehicle is the GR Super Sports. The company has a concept version of the car that it’s already taking to the racetrack. In a recent video (included below), the car can be seen testing.

While little information about the car is out currently, it’s clear that Toyota is serious about continuing to power on. The company has its sights set on the World Endurance Championship with this particular car. According to Carscoops, the vehicle will make its debut in 2020. 

The official name of this car is unknown. The Super Sport Concept appeared at the 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon and used many of the same components as the current Le Mans-winning TS050 Hybrid. The powertrain was very similar and utilized the same internal combustion engine and electric motor setup, though it’s likely improved for the new car. It will likely make around or more than 1,000 hp. 

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June 18, 2019 / Comments Off on The Toyota GR Super Sports Concept Goes to the Racetrack
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Porsche’s 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4 are Ready for Action

Meet the New Range-Toppers

Porsche has unveiled the new 718 Spyder and Cayman GT4. The new top-of-the-lineup cars feature some updates to the body, borrowing from other Porsche models in some cases. However, the big news for the model is the newly developed 4.0-liter flat six-cylinder engine that makes a whopping 414 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. In the 718, as we’re sure you know, that’s a lovely bit of power. 

The car’s engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. That transmission and engine combination makes these road cars good for a 0-62 mph time of just 4.4 seconds. The Spyder can sprint all the way up to 187 mph and the Cayman GT4 can do a slightly stronger 189 mph. The car’s new fancy engine isn’t just built for power and performance, though. It offers cylinder deactivation for fuel savings, not that we expect many owners to care much. 

The exteriors of both cars are unique. The Cayman GT4 borrows some things from the GT4 Clubsport, including the large rear wing and other various aerodynamic elements. Those additions add around 50 percent more downforce, ensuring the car sticks to the road as you whip it around. The Spyder has a unique style with a double-bubble design at the rear. It the middle rests a floating third brake light. Additional adjustments include an active rear spoiler that deploys at 75 mph and a rear diffuser. 

The cars get a lower stance by just over an inch and Porsche Active Suspension Management is standard for these models. The cars get a locking rear differential and an updated traction control system with different settings to choose from. Aluminum fixed monoblock caliper brakes or optional carbon ceramic brakes stop the car.

You can now order either or both of the cars if you want. The Spyder costs $96,300, and the Cayman GT4 starts at $99,200. There’s a destination fee of $1,250. If you do order one, you’ll have to wait until 2020 for delivery. 

June 17, 2019 / Comments Off on Porsche’s 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4 are Ready for Action
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The New Dendrobium D-1 Electric Hypercar Prototype Broke Cover at Le Mans

An Updated Version of the Car

The car that was shown off at the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans by the British company Dendrobium started its design life at Vanda Electrics. According to Motor Authority, Dendrobium took over the project from that company and moved its design and development along. The car was presented as a concept at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. From there Dendrobium decided to continue to work on it. Now it has a prototype, which is the car it brought to Le Mans. The Dendrobium D-1 is getting closer to being a production car. 

The car’s specifications are impressive. Also, Dendrobium got serious and brought aboard McLaren F1 designer Peter Stevens to help craft and fine-tune the car’s aerodynamics. That is likely a smart move because with power output numbers like this car has, you’ll want an aerodynamic vehicle. The company also put on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R to ensure that power was being properly utilized. 

In terms of powertrain, there are two electric motors. The company has one at each axle. The combined power output is 1,800 horsepower and 1,475 lb-ft of torque. That’s an insane amount of power and Dendrobium states that it translates to a 0-60 mph time of just 2.7 seconds and a top speed over 200 mph. 

Not all of the car’s specifics have been revealed. Range, for example, is still a question and some of the finer points of the powertrain are still shrouded in secrecy. The company has a similar business plan to Rimac, which seems to have worked out well for the Croatian company, and could help Dendrobium become a serious force to be reckoned with. 

June 17, 2019 / Comments Off on The New Dendrobium D-1 Electric Hypercar Prototype Broke Cover at Le Mans
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Toyota’s TS050 Hybrids Achieve a One-Two Finish at 24 Hours of Le Mans

A Repeat Win for Toyota

The 24 Hours of Le Mans race for 2019 was not without its drama, but the end result was one that was expected. Toyota managed to come away with a one-two finish, and its second win of the race. This was in part thanks to the team’s hard work, partly due to the superb talent of its team of drivers, and partly due to the GAZOO Racing TS050 Hybrid cars. 

Despite this, the #8 car, which actually won, was not the expected car to win. The #7 car was the in the lead for most of the race and it only slipped to second place after some issues with flat tires. This led to the car having to pit twice and that made room for the #8 car to take the lead. 

TS050 HybridTS050 Hybrid

Despite the kerfuffle at the end of the race, Toyota came out on top. Being that it was the only major automaker to compete in the LMP1 class, this was really not a huge surprise. We shouldn’t let that take much away from the Toyota team, though. It was a worthy win, and the TS050 Hybrid cars are true track beasts. 

The TS050 is a prototype racing car that utilizes a 2.4-liter bi-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain to rocket around the racetrack. It uses a seven-speed sequential gearbox to get that power down to the track. The powertrain makes around 1,000 hp, which was plenty to secure the car and its drivers the win in 2018 and now in 2019. 

June 17, 2019 / Comments Off on Toyota’s TS050 Hybrids Achieve a One-Two Finish at 24 Hours of Le Mans
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Ducati’s American Riding School Gives Pro-Level Instruction On the Track, Trails and Road

In this episode of This Week In Gear: Josh Condon reports back after attending the first American Ducati Riding Experience; we introduce the limited-edition Proof by Priority Bicycles; Ben Bowers tests Bluffworks’ travel blazer; Zen Love explains how to correctly set a watch; and Meg Lappe tests Garmin’s latest smartwatch for runners.

This episode of This Week In Gear is presented by Flipboard, where quality content from the world’s best publishers and storytellers of every type is discovered.

Featured Products

Ducati Riding Experience Motorcycle School

Ducati’s fantastic motorcycle riding school, taught by pro riders, has finally come to America. We go out west for a lesson.

The Proof by Priority Bicycles

The Proof, Priority Bicycles’ newest creation and a tribute to American craftsmanship, is the first bicycle the company has designed, built, painted and tested entirely in the United States. Drawing inspiration from bourbon labels and distilleries and beautiful hand finishes, the Proof utilizes a custom Gates carbon drive belt, and each example bears the signature of its builder. Only 100 will be produced, each made to order. At Gear Patrol, we are passionate about our mission: commitment to discovering only the best products.that’s why we’re proud to offer the Proof bicycle exclusively in the Gear Patrol store for only $800 – $199 off regular retail price.

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Bluffworks Gramercy Travel Blazer

Made of technical fabric that totally resists wrinkles and feels just like wool, Bluffworks’ Gramercy Blazer is fully machine washable and sports hidden pockets and other travel-friendly features.

Garmin Forerunner 245 Music

This is the smartwatch made for runners who want to travel light. Along with its training and performance tracking features, the watch will store 500 songs downloaded from Deezer or Spotify for phone-free running.

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How to Correctly Set a Watch

Setting a mechanical watch incorrectly can break the movement within. Avoiding these two steps will extend the life of your watch and help you avoid any pitfalls.

Watch Now: This Week In Gear, Episode 10

In last week’s episode: Will Sabel Courtney reviews the Porsche Cayenne S; our staff recommends great Father’s Day gifts; and Will price explains why Burrow’s Nomad is the best sofa you can buy online. Plus, 5 things to know about Apple’s superlative new Mac Pro. Watch Now
Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here. In some instances, brands have provided access to, or loans of, the products included in this episode.
June 15, 2019 / Comments Off on Ducati’s American Riding School Gives Pro-Level Instruction On the Track, Trails and Road
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The McLaren GT Will Tour Europe

A Grand Tour for the GT

The new McLaren GT is a true grand touring car, and the company wants to prove it by taking the car to various countries in Europe. This is a move to let buyers see the car ahead of production. It will also expose the GT to a far wider in-person audience than McLaren would be able to do otherwise. According to Carscoops, the GT will start out in the UK and then travel to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Spain. 

The rest of the McLaren lineup will join the GT at the various locations across Europe. Everything from the 570S to the new Senna will be there as well. While those other cars will be on location, the GT is the main event for each spot.

David Gilbert, McLaren Managing Director for Europe, said that it only makes sense for the GT to take a tour of Europe because that’s what it’s designed to do. “We would like to invite McLaren customers and followers to visit us on the McLaren GT’s summer Grand Tour, which will be a great opportunity to admire the new car’s elegant design as well as a chance to discover more about the whole McLaren range.”

McLaren GTMcLaren GT

Here are all the cities the car will stop:

  • Bristol/Birmingham and Leeds – June 17
  • London/Ascot and Manchester – June 20
  • Utrecht – June 25
  • New Forest – June 26
  • Glasgow and Brussels – June 27
  • Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Lugano – July 2
  • Munich, Dusseldorf, and Milan – July 4
  • Zurich, Stuttgart, and Barcelona – July 10
  • Paris – July 17

Check your calendar and see if you can get away for a little while to take a look at McLaren’s latest and best grand touring car before it even hits production. 

June 14, 2019 / Comments Off on The McLaren GT Will Tour Europe
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The Alpine A110S is the 288 hp Lightweight Monster You’ve Always Wanted

Alpine Adds More Horsepower

The new Alpine A110 is a lightweight little sports car that has a lot of people excited, but there were some naysayers out there who claimed it was short on power. That’s no longer the case with the A110S. Alpine decided to turn up the power to its 1.8-liter four-cylinder by upping the boost on the turbocharger. That move manages to add 49 hp. 

While the hp bump is a significant one up to 288, the torque stays the same at 236 lb-ft. We’re not complaining, though. That’s a respectable number and with the revamps to the engine, the car now has access to that torque higher in the rev range. All that is good news from a performance standpoint and that’s led to the car achieving a 0-60 mph time of just 4.4 seconds. 

Alpine couldn’t just up the horsepower and not touch the rest of the car for the A110S, so it also increased the spring stiffness by 50 percent and made the anti-roll bars 100 percent stiffer. It also gets some new 18-inch wheels and sits 4mm lower. The upgrades to the car do increase the weight a little bit to about 2,455 pounds, but the car is still a light lighter than its competition and with the extra power, it should be an absolute riot to drive. 

June 13, 2019 / Comments Off on The Alpine A110S is the 288 hp Lightweight Monster You’ve Always Wanted
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One of the Original James Bond Aston Martin DB5s Will Go Up for Auction

A Killer Aston Martin and Piece of Movie History

If you’re an Aston Martin fan and a fan of the worlds most famous secret agent, then you need to get the RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction event in August. One of James Bond Aston Martin DB5s will cross the auction block. The car is one of just four Goldfinger-spec vehicles ever produced. This particular car has all the gadgets and goodies still on it from the film. 

While some of the other Goldfinger cars Aston loaned to the movie production company for the film, this particular model was actually built as a Goldfinger-spec model from the factory. It was supossed to be the hero car for the film. This means the gadgets and additions to the car, like the in-dash radar, revolving number plates, retractable bulletproof screen, and other gadgets were designed to work for more than just one take. In short, this is the Goldfinger-spec DB5 you really want. 

The car was restored by Roos Engineering in Switzerland, which is an Aston Martin as Heritage Specialists appointed shop. The restoration took four years. It not only got the car perfect, but it also helped make sure the 13 film additions (the gadgets and gizmos) functioned as they did the day the car left the factory. 

The car has also had very few owners. Over the past five decades, there have been only three private owners. This car should fetch an amazing price at auction. 

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June 13, 2019 / Comments Off on One of the Original James Bond Aston Martin DB5s Will Go Up for Auction
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Could the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato Go to Production in 2021?

The Rumor Mill is A-Churnin’

We reported on the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato when it first popped up as a concept model not very long ago. Now the rumor is that Lambo is seriously considering putting it into production. We thought it would be cool if they built the car, but we didn’t expect the company to actually do it. Is it a sign of the times that a concept this wild could actually go to production? 

Recently, the good people over at Automobile Magazine managed to drive the model and began to speculate as to if it would be built. As they put it, “Signs point to yes.” While nothing has been officially confirmed, Automible says sources told the publication that Lamborghini would produce between 500 and 1,000 units. The price for such a production vehicle? About $270,000. 

Lamborghini Sterrato concept

Lamborghini Sterrato concept

The reasoning goes like this, The company needs to get about five more years out of the Huracán. Next year, 2020, will be for a Super Trofeo Omologato (STO) version of the car. The following year will be for the Sterrato, and the year after that will be for some kind of hybrid model. In 2023, the Superveloce is the likely car. 

Of course, Lamborghini could switch up the order of those vehicles. With that in mind, the 2021 car might not be the Sterrato. It could be one of the other versions mentioned. However, with interest high in this model, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this car come in 2021. 

June 13, 2019 / Comments Off on Could the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato Go to Production in 2021?
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Bentley’s All-New 2020 Flying Spur Said to be World’s Best Luxury Sports Sedan

A Big Sedan With Strong Performance

Bentley finally graced us with the appearance of the third-generation Flying Spur. The car features the same underpinnings as the new Continental GT and is said to be sportier than ever before. The company claims the car is the “world’s most advanced luxury Grand Touring sports sedan.” We hope that’s correct. 

Judging by some of the additions to the car, we’d speculate Bentley is right about that. The car gets an aluminum and composite chassis, active 48-volt anti-roll bars, all-wheel steering, all-wheel drive, and Bentley Dynamic Ride for wonderful ride quality. 

Powering the big sedan is a variety of engines with the range-topping one getting a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine. That powerplant puts out 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed dual clutch transmission wrangles all that power in a way the all-wheel-drive system sees fit. 

The new Flying Spur can do a 0-60 mph time of just 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 207 mph. It’s not all about straight-line speed, though. The company adjusted the weight of the car, too, which ensures it’s a better handling car on the road. 

Inside, you get an obscene amount of luxury materials and technology, including luscious leather throughout the cabin, real metal and real wood trim, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, and remote control for the infotainment system for the rear passengers.

The wheelbase of the car was stretched by over five inches. Most of that length went to making the interior as spacious as possible. It also helps further smooth out the ride of this luxurious beast of a machine. We can’t wait to see one in the flesh. 

June 11, 2019 / Comments Off on Bentley’s All-New 2020 Flying Spur Said to be World’s Best Luxury Sports Sedan
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