Latest news with #Acela
Motor Trend
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Driven: Bug Out in Ex-Military Style with the Hunter RMV Acela Sherpa X
Military surplus tech is a fantastic foundation to get premiere expedition-truck capability. That's why the folks at Hunter RMV chose the Acela Monterra GL 4x4 platform as the basis for this Sherpa X overlanding rig. While visiting the builder's headquarters in Minden, Nevada, we sampled what the Acela Sherpa X is capable of in its element. As Solid a Platform as You Can Get Hunter RMV uses the Acela Monterra GL 4x4 platform for good reason. These light medium tactical vehicles, or LMTVs for short, are repurposed for extreme-duty commercial-fleet use. Hunter RMV further modifies the trucks, which measure 12 feet, 2 inches to 12 feet, 10 inches tall depending on the size of the habitat affixed to the rear, to serve as the ultimate overlanding rigs. Powertrain specs are as burly as you expect, with a Caterpillar 7.2-liter turbodiesel I-6 engine developing 330 hp and 860 lb-ft of torque. An Allison seven-speed automatic transmission with an integral transfer case sends power to the full-time four-wheel-drive system. Although it's an industrial-feeling setup, the powertrain is about as smooth and refined as an enormous diesel mill can be. The Acela isn't very quick even with so much torque. The Sherpa X package tips the scales at a total of 20,600 pounds as equipped, though its GVWR ensures it can accommodate more than 5,000 additional pounds of cargo. While heavy, the Acela moves with purpose when you push the throttle and is geared for a top speed of up to 74 mph, but the company tests the truck as fast as 80 mph for safety. The dual-circuit four-channel air brakes provide good feedback and allow you to bring what would otherwise be an intimidating vehicle to drive to a stop with little effort. Riding on air springs in the front and rear, the Acela is remarkably comfortable on the road. You never forget how large the truck is, but driving this rig with confidence comes easy due to a slow but deliberate steering rack. The tiller sits in your lap like the frame of a paella pan, allowing you to get a good grip on the rim and maintain control over the expedition truck's every move. You don't have to sit up in the cab alone, either. A three-seat layout allows for a third passenger to sit between and above the driver and whoever rides shotgun. When you get to the end of the pavement and need to go off-road, a button on the console to the right of the steering wheel has four options for varying degrees of tire inflation, including one that's ideal for driving on trails. The central tire inflation system gets the pressure sorted in a matter of minutes and comes with the benefit of allowing you to remain comfortable in the cab. This rig also has a backup camera with predictive lines, which helps you reverse the truck without a spotter. Feasibility as an Overlanding Rig We drove Hunter RMV's Acela back to back with the larger Isuzu FTR 4x4 Predator XLE build, which measures 30 feet stretched over a wheelbase of 188 inches. The Acela feels more manageable on the trail at 26 feet, 3 inches long over a 153.5-inch wheelbase. If you plan to go deep into the wilderness on off-road trails, the Acela's dimensions are a bit more manageable than Hunter RMV's bigger offering. With the Acela's smaller dimensions comes a smaller living space—a 15-foot habitation box with 2.25-inch-thick composite walls. If interior space is a must-have, Hunter RMV's 22-foot Predator box offered with the Isuzu chassis is a better choice, but the Acela's Sherpa X offers much of the same comfort. In either case, a four-point articulating subframe improves stability when Hunter RMV's rigs are off-road. Quality of life inside Hunter RMV's Sherpa X box is as good as it is inside a small apartment. This model comes standard with heating, air conditioning, a skylight, and an exhaust fan. The interior is outfitted with an electronically lifting queen bed over a leather dinette that converts into a second bed. There's a kitchen with a fridge, freezer, induction cooktop, and a microwave oven, as well. A bathroom with a toilet and a sink is situated in one compartment while a separate shower is isolated to help cordon off water into one area of the camper. The Acela Sherpa X's electronics are powered by a Victron Smart Energy system that uses a 1,200-watt rooftop solar panel array, an 800-Ah lithium battery bank, and a 3,000-watt inverter. To help you stay off the grid for extended stints, Hunter RMV outfits a clean water storage tank with a capacity of more than 100 gallons as well as a 35-gallon gray-water tank with a secret dump valve. We got a taste of camping, overlanding style, with the Hunter RMV crew, taking advantage of its vehicles' various exterior features. The slide-out kitchen with a Traeger grill is good for preparing a tasty steak dinner, and the extendable overhead canopy provides shelter from the sun and traps heat from a portable propane fire at night. Should you want to clean off mud and dirt after a day in the wilderness, an outdoor shower is present, as well. As far as mobile basecamps go, the Hunter RMV Acela Sherpa X is the complete package. Sounds Great. How Much? Hunter RMV offers its customers a lot of customization and modulatory, which all allow for a flexible pricing model. Its Sherpa box rigs, like this one, range from $200,000 to $300,000. Hunter RMV hasn't finalized exactly what additional equipment will be included with this Acela Sherpa X, but it's reasonable to expect the final cost to rise to the upper reaches of that ballpark. If you want a fully customized build, pricing will likely climb to the half-million-dollar mark. In a world where expedition trucks can chart deep into the seven-figure realm, the Acela Sherpa X represents something of a bargain, especially when you consider it can be used as a full-time residence for those who are sufficiently adventurous. Its blend of military ruggedness and civilian creature comforts make it a common-sense choice for folks who wade deep into the hardcore overlanding water.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
JetBlue's Latest Big Partnership Isn't With Another Airline
JetBlue is teaming up with Brightline, the nation's first private, intercity rail operator. As part of the new initiative, JetBlue customers will be able to book itineraries that feature both a flight and a train trip. As The Points Guy reports, JetBlue's new collaboration with Brightline arrives after the New York based airline announced a new partnership with United Airlines. "This partnership enables travelers to book a single ticket for both air and rail, offering a fast, reliable, and eco-friendly rail transportation option while seamlessly connecting to JetBlue's extensive network," Barbara Drahl, Brightline senior vice president of marketing and commercial strategy, said in an official statement Tuesday. As part of the new collab, JetBlue-Brightline connections will include complimentary shuttle service between airports and nearby stations. Whether you're flying in coach or opting for JetBlue's premium cabin, passengers can expect product overlap. On air and rail bookings, passengers flying via JetBlue economy tickets will shift to a standard "Smart" fare on Brightline, while passengers flying Mint will then shift into Brightline's premium cars. "Together we're expanding transportation options for all of our customers to get to where they want to go, whether they're starting their journey, heading to their final destination, or adjusting plans along the way," said Dave Jehn, JetBlue's vice president of network planning and airline partnerships, in a statement announcing the news. JetBlue's new initiative with Brightline arrives two years after the latter extended its Florida rail service, linking the Sunshine State's coast with the terminals at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The train runs from Orlando to Miami, with intermediate stops in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, and Aventura. It reaches speeds of up to 125 miles per hour, the fastest train in North America aside from Amtrak's Acela service. JetBlue's Latest Big Partnership Isn't With Another Airline first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alstom opens new passenger rail car manufacturing plant in New York
This story was originally published on Smart Cities Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Smart Cities Dive newsletter. Alstom, a global supplier of rail vehicles, locomotives and related infrastructure, opened a $75 million manufacturing facility Monday in Hornell, New York, adding to its existing production site. The 135,000 square foot plant will begin producing 200 multilevel commuter rail cars for Metra, Chicago's commuter rail system. The fourth plant on the site will manufacture stainless steel car body shells for passenger rail vehicles, bringing production back from Brazil. Buoyed by growth in its Americas region, Alstom's plant expansion enables it to reshore production of car body shells to the U.S. That could be essential for the company to win contracts that must comply with the Buy America Act, which requires that at least 70% of each rail car be made in the U.S. and that final assembly must take place in the U.S. Some of Alstom's current projects include multilevel rail cars for New Jersey Transit, an automated people mover system at Los Angeles International Airport and Amtrak's new Acela train sets for the Northeast Corridor. The new facility will create 258 jobs and retain 390 existing jobs, Alstom said in a news release. 'These are generational, family-sustaining union careers that benefit the entire community,' International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers President Brian Bryant said in a statement. Alstom benefitted from federal, state and local grants, job and tax credit programs toward the new plant. 'I was proud to secure $3.4 million in federal funding to put Alstom on the fast track to expand and house this new manufacturing facility,' Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. The high-tech facility includes automated welding robots to make precision welds for assemblies up to 80 feet long. Alstom says that will improve quality and lower costs for transit authority customers. 'When we invest in American manufacturing, we create good jobs that have a ripple effect across the entire region,' Michael Keroullé, president of Alstom Americas, said in a statement. 'Plant 4 upholds our long-standing commitment to making trains in America.' Recommended Reading FTA awards $631M to 3 transit agencies for new rail cars Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla bull slashes stock price target 43%, citing Musk and Trump
(Bloomberg) — One of Wall Street's most bullish Tesla Inc. analysts slashed his price target for the stock by 43%, citing a brand crisis created by Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump's trade policies. Housing Agency Aims to Relocate Its DC Headquarters Boston Mayor Wu Embraces Trump Resistance as Campaign Heats Up This Skinny Mexico City Tower Is Just 14 Feet Wide on One Side The Irish Hot Press Is the Low-Tech Laundry Trick the World Needs Metro-North Is Faster Than Acela on NYC-New Haven Route After Signal Updates 'Tesla has essentially become a political symbol globally,' Daniel Ives, a Wedbush Securities analyst who's rated the carmaker's shares a buy for the last four years, wrote in a report to clients Sunday. 'It is time for Musk to step up, read the room, and be a leader in this time of uncertainty.' Ives reduced his Tesla share-price target to $315 from $550, which had been the second-highest among the 72 analysts tracked by Bloomberg. Ives' biggest concern is the potential for Tesla to get caught up in backlash against the US president's tariff policies in China, where Tesla generated more than a fifth of its revenue last year. President Xi Jinping's government plans to impose a 34% tariff on all imports from the US starting April 10, matching the level of Trump's so-called reciprocal tariffs on Chinese products. 'This will further drive Chinese consumers to buy domestic such as BYD, Nio, Xpeng and others,' Ives said in his note issued Sunday. 'We now estimate Tesla has lost/destroyed at least 10% of its future customer base globally based on self-created brand issues, and this could be a conservative estimate.' Tesla shares plunged 15% in the two days after Trump announced he would apply at least a 10% tariff on all countries' imports into the US, with even higher duties on some 60 nations to counter trade imbalances. The stock has fallen 50% from its record high reached Dec. 17. With Shake Shack in First Class, Airline Food Is No Longer a Joke India's Destination Weddings Fuel a New Tourist Economy China Tells Kids to Study Manufacturing to Fill Factory Jobs LA Fire Victims Are Betting on a Radical Idea to Help Them Rebuild Trump's IRS Cuts Are Tempting Taxpayers to Cheat ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starmer Vows Steps to Bolster UK Against Trump Tariff Threat
(Bloomberg) -- Supply Lines is a daily newsletter that tracks global trade. Sign up here. Housing Agency Aims to Relocate Its DC Headquarters Boston Mayor Wu Embraces Trump Resistance as Campaign Heats Up This Skinny Mexico City Tower Is Just 14 Feet Wide on One Side The Irish Hot Press Is the Low-Tech Laundry Trick the World Needs Metro-North Is Faster Than Acela on NYC-New Haven Route After Signal Updates UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he'll announce measures this week to support Britain's economy and businesses amid the threat posed by Donald Trump's tariffs. Writing in the Telegraph, Starmer said, 'The world as we knew it has gone. We must rise to meet the moment.' Listen to the Bloomberg UK Politics podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen The US president last week announced sweeping global tariffs, including a 10% levy on British goods, despite a weeks-long push for an economy deal by the UK government. While the levy was half that handed to the European Union, it was enough to threaten thousands of jobs and potentially wreck the UK's hopes of boosting economic growth and battling its way out of stagnation. 'This week, the Government will do everything necessary to protect Britain's national interest,' Starmer wrote. Labour will 'turbocharge' plans to improve domestic competitiveness and stands 'ready to use industrial policy to help shelter British business from the storm.' Downing Street will need to move quickly as companies are already grappling with the fallout from Trump's tariffs. UK automaker Jaguar Land Rover on Saturday said it's pausing shipments of its cars to the US as it looks at ways to address the new trading terms. Measures that could be unveiled as early as this week may include emergency reforms to regulation that will cut red tape as well as tax breaks for struggling sectors, the Telegraph reported separately. The government is also planning to bring forward plans to water down electric vehicle targets to ease the burden of net zero on the car industry, according to the newspaper. Speaking on Sunday, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones confirmed the government will this week unveil new plans to support industry following close engagement with British businesses. He declined to elaborate on what those steps could be. In the face of Trump's tariffs, the UK is continuing negotiations with the Americans and must 'keep calm and fight for the best deal,' Starmer wrote. 'I will only strike a deal if it is right for British business and the security of working people. And I will continue to make the case for free and open trade, because turning our back on that now will be a grave mistake.' While the UK isn't 'happy' about the tariffs, contrary to claims by Trump, Jones said that countries responding with their own levies isn't the right strategy. 'We have been clear that we are disappointed by the tariffs. We don't think a trade war where all of these retaliatory tariffs are in place is good for anyone,' he said on the BBC. 'We think the way through that is to identify the points of friction as we want to lift those to improve trade.' Amid the ructions caused by Trump's tariffs, the UK is also working on strengthening ties with other allies and trading partners. Over the weekend, Starmer spoke with world leaders including European Comission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well Olaf Scholz and Friedrich Merz of Germany. The leaders all 'agreed that — as with defence and security — this is a new era for the global economy,' according to a statement from Downing Street on Sunday. 'Europe must rise to meet the moment and ensure the impact on hard-working people is minimised, while working closely with other countries to help maintain wider economic stability.' (Updates with Downing Street statement in 11th and 12th paragraphs.) With Shake Shack in First Class, Airline Food Is No Longer a Joke India's Destination Weddings Fuel a New Tourist Economy China Tells Kids to Study Manufacturing to Fill Factory Jobs LA Fire Victims Are Betting on a Radical Idea to Help Them Rebuild Trump's IRS Cuts Are Tempting Taxpayers to Cheat ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
