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The Drive
15 hours ago
- The Drive
The Sound of Halo's Mongoose Is Actually Two Very Different Vehicles
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Kids today will never understand how much Halo 3 meant to millennials of a certain age. It was one of those rare occasions where a long-awaited game met the hype, but it also arrived at the perfect time, as broadband networks were expanding across the country, and many of us entered the arena of online multiplayer for the first time. I must've sunk thousands of hours into it—and even today, I'm learning things about the game. Like how the Mongoose ATV's exhaust note was the combination of a scooter and a Pontiac Fiero. If you're a Halo nerd, you probably already know this. It was a detail shared in the 'Making of' film that shipped with collector's editions of the game way back in 2007. Looking back, the UNSC vehicles in Halo always sounded detailed and guttural in a way you rarely heard back then, even in racing games. (Don't get me started on Gran Turismo's vacuum cleaners.) In the documentary, Jay Weinland, the game's Audio Lead, explains that the Mongoose's particular growl is a combination of a Vespa he owned with an aftermarket muffler and a colleague's Fiero fitted with dual, six-inch pipes. You can hear it in the embedded video below at 50:22. The way Bungie captured that exhaust note isn't really different from how it'd be done today. You can see a microphone mounted to the edge of the sports car's rear deck, pointed down. It's pretty amusing seeing a random Fiero rigged up in such a way rather than, say, a sparkling new hot hatch. But gritty sources of sound make for a suitably gritty result. 'As I jump in [the Mongoose], you can hear the growl of the two-stroke,' Weinland explains in the video. 'And then you've got this really growly, you know, four-stroke—huge-sounding exhaust.' As Master Chief sets off, the sounds blend. Those weren't the only vehicles recorded for Halo 3 . Another engineer captured the hydraulic hiss of his Subaru wagon's tailgate opening, then morphed that into the whoosh that the automatic doors make in the game. Who knows what other sounds were created using cars? All of the discussion around audio capture in the film is actually very interesting, because it reinforces how designers hear the essence of a potentially good clip in everyday life, record it, and then tune it in post to make it fit in the game world. Who wants to guess where the Ghost's sound came from? No Googling. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
13 car models added to list that qualify for new £1500 discount
Motorists across the country can now enjoy savings of £1,500 on some of the UK's most sought-after car brands as Nissan, Renault and Vauxhall models join Citroën in the Government's flagship Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme. An additional thirteen Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been deemed eligible for the scheme, bringing this week's total to seventeen newly included models. This enhancement is part of the Government's £650 million initiative aimed at making EV ownership more affordable and straightforward, putting money back into the pockets of hardworking individuals, while also bolstering jobs and growth under the Plan for Change. In a bid to accelerate the transition to EVs, the Government is investing a whopping £4.5 billion, solidifying the UK's standing as a global frontrunner in EV adoption. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. READ MORE: Will strikes disrupt Ryanair flights to Alicante, Ibiza, Mallorca and Tenerife? READ MORE: Woman banned from driving after travelling at 46mph on the M4 With Britain projected to be Europe's largest EV market by 2024 and sales already up nearly a third this year, the future of motoring in the UK looks increasingly electric. Customers will see the discounts applied automatically at the point of sale, with no paperwork necessary. The scheme is capped at vehicles costing up to £37,000, aiming to support the most affordable options. The new eligible models announced on Saturday, August 9, are: Renault Alpine A290 = £1,500 discount Renault Megane = £1,500 discount Renault 4 = £1,500 discount Renault 5 = £1,500 discount Renault Scenic = £1,500 discount Nissan Micra = £1,500 discount Nissan Ariya = £1,500 discount Vauxhall Corsa Electric = £1,500 discount Vauxhall Combo Life Electric = £1,500 discount Vauxhall Astra Electric = £1,500 discount Vauxhall Mokka Electric = £1,500 discount Vauxhall Frontera Electric = £1,500 discount Vauxhall Grandland Electric = £1,500 discount These join the following Citroën models announced as eligible for the grant earlier this week: Citroën ë-C3 = £1,500 discount Citroën e-C4 = £1,500 discount Citroën ë-C5 = £1,500 discount Citroën ë-Berlingo = £1,500 discount Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "With discounts on seventeen car models announced this week alone, we're delivering on our promise to make it easier and cheaper for families to go electric. "This is about backing drivers, putting money back into people's pockets and creating the jobs and growth that will drive Britain forward, delivering on our Plan for Change." In the coming weeks, as manufacturers' applications are evaluated against the scheme's sustainability standards, more models are expected to be approved. The ECG forms part of a hefty £4.5 billion investment from the Government to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, simultaneously stimulating industry and fostering growth as part of the Plan for Change. Given that high upfront costs are often a deterrent to purchasing EVs, these discounts aim to reduce the price of models so they align more closely with their petrol and diesel equivalents. With over 82,000 public charging points currently available – equating to one new addition every half an hour – and more than 100,000 planned for the near future, the Government is constructing the infrastructure drivers require to confidently make the switch. Moreover, to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles, the latest £63 million charging package includes funding to simplify home charging for motorists and enable them to run their EVs for as little as 2p per mile. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'Another wave of cars qualifying for the Government's revamped Electric Car Grant is yet more welcome news. It's also very positive to see other manufacturers that don't meet the grant's green production targets lowering their prices. "Those looking to make the switch now have a wider choice of better value vehicles than ever before. This can only help speed up the transition to electric motoring." In collaboration with the industry, the Department for Transport is swiftly making these discounts available to drivers, providing guidance to facilitate manufacturers' applications. This initiative coincides with the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, obliging manufacturers to progressively sell a higher percentage of zero-emission vehicles each year. Recent amendments to the mandate offer the industry the certainty and stability it has been seeking, while vital trade agreements with the US, India, and the European Union bolster the UK's automotive sector and safeguard jobs. John Veichmanis, CEO at Carwow Group: "The confirmation that more affordable, practical EVs have been approved for the Electric Car Grant is exactly what the market needs. "Data from Carwow's platform shows that buyers are ready to act; demand for EVs under £37,000 jumped 124% in the week following the scheme's announcement. Interest in already-approved models has surged, and we expect these newly added vehicles to draw immediate attention. 'Car-buying decisions don't happen overnight, they often take months, so early clarity on eligible models is crucial. By lowering upfront costs, the grant plays a pivotal role in turning EV curiosity into commitment.'
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Motor 1
‘He Won't Know It's Me:' Woman Tests Drive Car at Dealership. Then She Says She Wants to Drive Past Her Ex's House
Sometimes the best car dealer ads aren't flashy commercials with celebrity endorsements, but simple, relatable moments that capture the human side of car buying, complete with awkward requests and surprising accommodations. Town and Country Ford, a dealership in Bessemer, Alabama, struck gold with a humorous Facebook video featuring salesman Jay Mathis and a young woman looking to take an unusual stop on her test drive. The Set-Up The video, presented in classic shot/reverse shot dialogue style with intertitle captions over Tavares' disco classic ' Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel ,' captures a conversation that many salespeople have probably experienced but few would admit to accommodating. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . The exchange begins innocently enough with the woman asking, 'Should we just drive by his house?' Mathis, maintaining professional composure, responds, 'Ma'am, this is a test drive.' But the customer isn't easily deterred. 'So?" she says. "He won't know it's me.' In a moment that defines excellent customer service (or questionable judgment), Jay's response seals the deal: 'True… Let's go!' Above and Beyond Customer Service Trending Now 'Cleaning My Car Out Today:' Texas Man Leaves Water Bottle in Jeep. Then it Causes Irreversible Damage 'Never Seen Someone Do This:' Genesis Driver Pulls Into Love's Gas Pump. Then a Man Pulls Up Right Behind Her, Takes the Nozzle The video's caption reads, 'Get you a salesman who will go above and beyond because Jay Mathis will!' What makes the ad particularly effective is its authentic feel—this feels like a conversation that could actually happen on any dealership lot. The ad's twist is Jay's willingness to accommodate an unusual request while maintaining the professional boundaries of a test drive. His pragmatic 'True… Let's go!' shows us a salesman who understands that sometimes closing the deal means getting a little weird. Community Response The video resonated strongly with viewers who appreciated both the humor and Jay's customer service. Commenter Danie Youmans captured the sentiment many felt. 'He's ready to make a sale and do a pop up?" Youman wrote. "Give this man a raise.' The comment sparked a thread of potential customers, with Nicole Swift asking, 'What's this dealership. I will buy a car,' and multiple others expressing similar interest. Madeline Ruby Bermudez declared, 'I'm buying my next car from him,' while Autumn Love one-upped with, '[You know] what? Just for that I'm getting 2 cars!' Ashley-Champale Harris wanted more. 'Man needs many raises. My type of carrying on. I need a part 2 to see what happens when they pull up.' Real-World Test Drive Stories The video struck a chord with some because it mirrored their real-life experiences. Heather Cuperus shared her own story. 'I was on a test drive and all the sudden we were heading to the rougher spots of town and she looks at me and says, 'I hope it's ok we are driving past my ex's house.'' Other commenters shared their own unconventional test drive requests. Tisgreat Ness recalled, 'My neighbor convinced the salesperson to let him test drive to his house, because he was ready to pay cash that day, but his wife needed to see it and she was at home with the kids.' Whitney Chastain shared an even more touching example. 'My grandma and I had to pause a sale because she needed to get to chemo,' she said. 'The sales person said to just take the car with us and come back after lol.' The Marketing Win Beyond the humor, viewers appreciated the genuine feel of the advertisement. Alinea Moses noted, 'Not him buckling his seatbelt. So cuteeee, love this ad! will definitely remember this place when I'm car shopping again!' Marie Pettit agreed, 'Someone needs to promote the marketing manager.' The ad's effectiveness lies in its relatability—it doesn't promise unrealistic scenarios or perfect customers. Instead, it shows a salesman dealing with real human situations with humor and flexibility. The Dealership Experience What Town and Country Ford captured is the reality that car buying is often intertwined with major life events—divorces, moves, family changes, and yes, sometimes the need to drive past an ex's house. The video suggests that the best salespeople aren't just product experts, but people who understand that buying a car is rarely just about the car. The video's viral success demonstrates that authenticity in advertising can still cut through in an era of polished corporate content and AI slop. A simple conversation between a customer and salesman about an unusual test drive request feels refreshingly honest. Whether Jay actually let a client drive past their ex's house in real life remains a mystery, but the willingness to consider it—and the humor of acknowledging the situation—created marketing gold that traditional advertising rarely achieves. Motor1 emailed the dealership to ask where they got the idea. 'We got inspiration from another car dealership's video!' replied social media manager Laurel Ling, showing that along with a sense of humor, the dealership is happy to give credit to others. More From Motor1 'I Was Almost A Victim:' Dealership Owner Nearly Buys a Mitsubishi. Then He Looks Under the Windshield 'Didn't Want to Give Me My Money Back:' Florida Woman Buys Chevy Tahoe for $9,800. Then 2 Mechanics Deem it 'Undrivable' 'We Don't Cut Corners:' Dallas Man Calls Out $7K Honda Dealership Quote After Mechanic Fixes for $125. Then Dealership Responds 'I Only Go On Sundays:' Dealership Salesman Calls Out Customers for Saying 'I'm Just Looking' When He Approaches Them Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
