Ferrari's Replacement For The SF90 Will Be Wild
Will The SF90 Will Lose Two Cylinders?
Ferrari has been embracing what was once its least-used engine configuration, the V6 now finding itself in the halo F80, a car that many expected to be powered by twice as many cylinders – but our spies claim the V8 and triple e-motor setup will remain. On the one hand, a lighter, more compact V6 could provide performance and efficiency benefits, but on the other, leaving the Roma-replacing Amalfi as the only V8 doesn't entirely make sense. The V8 clearly still meets emissions regulations, and with electric motors, it'll be even easier to maintain cleanliness. In addition, having two V6 AWD 1,000-hp offerings in one lineup seems redundant, though Ferrari could argue the more expensive car is more capable on track. Still, there's a curious detail about this mule: it's not an SF90 with temporary bodywork – it's a 296 GTB. Look at the mirror housings and roofline, and the glasshouse in general. The ridiculous offsets of the wheels are another clue.
Far Away From Fiorano
Our spies caught this prototype in Germany, which means that Ferrari can't comprehensively develop Project F173M at its Fiorano test track. Ferrari's miniature circuit still offers learning opportunities, but frankly, it's too short, too slow, too flat, and too smoothly surfaced to fully explore and expand a car's capabilities – descriptors that have never been applied to the Nürburgring. Looking at the front of the car, we see more reasoning for Ferrari's foray far beyond Italian borders: the areas where headlights would normally be found appear to have become much bigger air intakes, indicating a new aerodynamic approach. The extended rear end may be indicative of a longtail design, but again, this appears to be a 296 mule (179.7 inches), so it would need some prosthetic assistance to match the bigger SF90 (185.4 inches). Nonetheless, it's tough to be sure what has been done for performance reasons and what is changing due to stylistic considerations; Ferrari's latest evolution in design embraces hidden or minimized lighting systems, and with tiny slits for eyes, these could be placed or shaped in any way. The rumor mill suggests the finished product will be revealed at a presentation in September, but early next year is also possible.
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Take a look at our Marketplace for the very best van offers from our massive network of dealers ... Stop-start fitted as standard Big fuel tank for a long range Better BiK costs than a pick-up truck Less than 30mpg official fuel economy Only one trim level offered No hybrid version - yet There's just one version of the Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial offered, and the only options that will bump up a list price of around £51,000 ( are black metallic paint, illuminated scuff plates or a tow bar. The Commercial model is a unique trim level that has some of the kit that comes with the Invincible SUV, so it's generous for a work model. 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Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below If you're looking for a tow vehicle, then the Land Cruiser Commercial is able to haul the maximum permissible weight of 3.5 tonnes. However, the 202bhp diesel isn't the strongest powerplant for pulling the heaviest loads, but at least permanent four-wheel drive is there to ensure traction is good. The Land Cruiser's six-cylinder rivals will likely make lighter work of towing a trailer or caravan. Proven running gear is used under the skin Service-activated 10-year warranty is available Toyota Safety Sense boosts active safety Some of the safety systems are sensitive in their operation Tailgate and mesh bulkhead leave load area visible Standard warranty is only three years without Toyota servicing Converting the Land Cruiser SUV into the Commercial version largely focuses on the rear passenger space, so the 4x4's suite of safety kit is carried over wholesale. 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Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The Land Cruiser Commercial comes as standard with a perimeter alarm with double locking and an engine immobiliser, while sensors can detect if a window is broken or the vehicle tilts as if it's being towed away. The Commercial model's steel window guards are mounted internally and boost protection, although this is offset by the clear tailgate glass and the mesh steel bulkhead. Reliability is a cornerstone of Toyota's reputation, and it's something that the Land Cruiser Commercial should be able to deliver with ease. As with the whole Toyota Professional commercial vehicle line-up, the Land Cruiser has a three-year warranty as standard, but this can be extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles with annual servicing at an approved Toyota service centre. Smooth ride and refined at motorway speeds Torquey diesel feels strong at lower revs Off-road performance is excellent Noisy engine when you work it hard Over-the-shoulder visibility could be better Some safety systems are over-active One area where the Land Cruiser Commercial has a distinct advantage over a double-cab pick-up truck is driving comfort. While the Land Cruiser shares its platform with the Hilux, it's designed as a passenger carrier first and foremost and doesn't need to carry a one-tonne payload, so Toyota has fitted it with four-link rear suspension instead of leaf springs. That results in a far more comfortable ride with none of the bouncing that's associated with trucks such as the Toyota Hilux. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below In fact, the driving experience is largely similar to that of the SUV variant, with decent comfort, especially at higher speeds, although a Land Rover Defender with air suspension will still be a better option for a refined ride. There are Eco and Sport modes, although with the former it always feels like you have to put in more effort to achieve the same results; at least Sport mode gives some added response. The diesel engine is noisy when pushed, though, but the eight-speed gearbox (compared with a six-speed unit for the Hilux) has smooth shifts and helps to keep the engine within its power band, so it only really becomes an issue if you're accelerating hard. Around town, the Land Cruiser is slightly shorter than a Hilux, so it's a bit easier to manoeuvre, although it is still nearly five metres long. Unlike the SUV, the Commercial doesn't have 360-degree cameras, but front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera will help in tight spots, as does the light steering, which is surprisingly easy to turn from lock to lock. One issue that we found with the Land Cruiser Commercial is the restricted visibility that the side window blanks offer. It's no more pronounced than you'll find in a panel van, but it does make it harder to check over your shoulder for obstacles. At higher speeds the Land Cruiser Commercial is just as capable as its SUV sibling. The ride is smooth, the engine settles to a distant hum once you're up to the national limit and there isn't much in the way of wind or road noise, either. With permanent four-wheel drive and low-range gears, the Land Cruiser Commercial is a capable off-road machine. An electronic diff lock is included to split power 50:50 between the front and rear axles, while there are hill-descent and uphill-start assist systems on offer, too. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Another neat feature is Crawl Control. This is selected via a dashboard button, and is a low-speed cruise control that maintains a set speed for tricky conditions, allowing you to concentrate on steering. It ranges in speed from 1-5mph, and the car's electronics apply power or braking to maintain the same speed, even over rocks or sand, while you can adjust the car's speed on the fly by using the rotary drive mode selector on the dashboard when Crawl Control is selected. Comfortable seats with plenty of adjustment Premium switchgear for a commercial vehicle Decent cabin storage on the dash and doors Strictly a two-seat commercial vehicle Some shiny plastics might not stand up to scratching Touchscreen system isn't the most intuitive to use With its obviously car-derived roots, the Land Cruiser Commercial is a cut above your average work van when it comes to material quality. It's not quite on a par with a Land Rover Defender, but it's plusher than the Ineos Grenadier and most pick-up truck rivals. Artificial leather seats boost the cabin's appeal, while the chunky switchgear adds a rugged look. One obvious difference between the SUV and Commercial model is the addition of a cheap-looking plastic blank that covers the rear electric window switches on the driver's door – these are no longer wired up and are covered to prevent accidental presses, even though nothing will happen if you do. There are different grades of plastic throughout the interior, although the gloss-black finish on the centre console is likely to get scratched easily – we'd prefer it if the Commercial model used the same matt silver finish that the Invincible SUV features. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below There's a decent amount of seat adjustment on offer, with the driver's seat being electrically adjustable. The steel mesh bulkhead is set a little further back than you might find in a panel van, so taller drivers with long legs should be able to set the seat back without it butting into the bulkhead. Reach and rake adjustment comes as standard on the steering wheel, too. Head and elbow room are good, while cabin storage is a match for that of the SUV variant. You get twin cup-holders next to the drive selector, plus a tray ahead of them to put a smartphone; this space has wireless charging on the SUV, but that's not offered here. The door bins are deep and the glovebox is handy, while the rear doors still have their standard cards, so there are extra bins for smaller items. There's a nine-inch touchscreen display in the Land Cruiser Commercial, so it's around three inches smaller than the system found in the SUV. Because it takes up less space in the same binnacle, there's extra gloss black plastic to either side of the screen. The display itself features all of the usual kit, such as sat-nav, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity. There is a column of shortcut buttons to the left of the screen to get you back to the home screen, adjust the audio volume or scroll through the different settings. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The home screen itself is split into four columns that help direct you to convenient functions, but some of the sub-menus can be a little messy and distracting. At least the climate controls are in a separate section below the screen, with a row of toggle buttons and a traditional digital display to operate it. There's a digital driver's display, too, which has fixed water temperature and fuel gauge read-outs on either side, with a small screen between them. This is configurable to show different information via the steering wheel, although the small keys are a little fiddly to use. We've already mentioned the Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial's rivals, with the Ineos Grenadier Commercial and Land Rover Defender Hard Top both starting at a similar price point. Of the two, the Grenadier is the one to choose if off-road driving will be your priority, while the air suspension that's fitted as standard to the Defender boosts its comfort and refinement on the road. It's also a much plusher machine from behind the wheel, with more premium materials and upmarket switchgear than either the Toyota or Ineos – we'd argue that the Land Cruiser Commercial falls between the two of them in terms of quality. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below One advantage that the Defender has over its competitors is two different body lengths, called 90 and 110. The numbers hark back to the classic Defender, but overall the two variants are a lot bigger. The Discovery Commercial uses largely the same running gear as the Defender Hard Top, but just comes with a five-door body, while the cabin is a step further upmarket, and it's more expensive. All of these models come with torquey six-cylinder engines, so towing should be a breeze. If you're after a towcar, then a double-cab pick-up truck is worth considering. As well as the Ineos Quartermaster (which is basically the Grenadier but with an open rear bed), the pick of the trucks is the Ford Ranger, with the Volkswagen Amarok and the Toyota Hilux (which uses the same chassis as the Land Cruiser) also worth considering. However, beware of business rates for double cabs – because they now pay Benefit-in-Kind tax based on their emissions, they will be costlier to run as a company car. If you can live with the two-seat configuration of a commercial 4x4, it will make better financial sense. Body style Height Width Length Land Cruiser Commercial 1,925mm 1,980mm 4,925mm Body style Height Width Length Volume Land Cruiser Commercial 1,090mm 1,286mm 1,685mm 2.0m3 As with the SUV, the Land Cruiser Commercial offers a decent range of ability. It's not the ultimate off-roader, but offers more than enough for commercial vehicle users to get to remote locations without much fuss. There's a mechanical diff lock as standard, while the electronics offer clever settings that take the strain out of off-road driving, although we'd recommend adding all-terrain tyres to make the most of its ability. As with the whole Toyota Professional commercial vehicle line-up, the Land Cruiser Commercial has a three-year/60,000-mile warranty as standard. However, just like the company's passenger cars (including the Land Cruiser SUV) this can be extended up to 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes sooner) with annual servicing at a main dealer. Some drivers aren't fans of the latest safety tech that's fitted to modern cars, although manufacturers do offer the option to deactivate settings. It's easier to do on some cars than on others, and in the Land Cruiser Commercial it's a bit fiddly. You have to select the assistance settings in the instrument binnacle via the controls on the multifunction steering wheel, and some are a bit of a scroll along to find. Once on the setting you need, just press OK to activate/deactivate. However, you will have to do this every time you start the car. Buy your next van with Auto Express. Our nationwide dealer network has some fantastic cars on offer right now with plenty of deals to choose from... Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Email
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Nico Rosberg reveals Lewis Hamilton ‘dagger in the heart' moment at Mercedes
Nico Rosberg has weighed in on former teammate Lewis Hamilton 's situation at Ferrari, with the seven-time champion struggling since his blockbuster move to the racing giant. Rosberg was a natural understudy to Michael Schumacher, who he partnered for three years at Mercedes before the latter retired, but the arrival of Hamilton to the team rocked the boat somewhat. Rosberg, speaking on the Sky F1 podcast, suggested that Hamilton could call on that experience to settle him at Ferrari. The Briton has endured his worst-ever season so far, recently describing himself as 'hopeless' after being knocked out in Q2 before a 12th-place finish in Hungary last weekend. He has yet to finish on the podium this season. 'Unfortunately, there's a whole load of lobbying you can do as a driver, which would benefit you,' Rosberg said. 'That was one of Lewis' greatest strengths when I was fighting him at Mercedes. 'He was really good at building strong relationships with all the leadership. Suddenly, I would find out 'Lewis last night went for dinner in Stuttgart with Dieter Zetsche', who was the CEO of Daimler. 'It was like a dagger in the heart just to hear that, because who knows what they were talking about? He was very good at doing that, and he will need to be using those skills now at Ferrari, because it never hurts to get more and more support from the team.' Rosberg's pointed advice comes with Hamilton markedly behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc by nearly every measure. The Monegasque took pole at the Hungaroring before finishing fourth, and is one place and 42 points above the Brit in the overall standings, in fifth. He has five podiums this season to Hamilton's none. Leclerc also leads his teammate 10-4 in the qualifying stakes, with Hamilton at an average deficit of 0.2 seconds to his teammate over the season so far. His poor qualifying lap times have put him on the back foot when it comes to picking up race day results - and perhaps too in the Ferrari pecking order.
