Latest news with #Baja1000
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The Meyers Manx LFG Is Part 911, Part Dune Buggy
For a few years now, the newly revived Meyers Manx has made cool beach buggies with a variety of powertrains—VW flat-four, three-cylinder radial , and all-electric. Now, though, it's building something quite a bit more powerful with UK Porsche shop Tuthill Porsche. Debuting at Monterey Car Week, the LFG is an all-wheel drive, flat-six powered tribute to the Baja 1000-winning Meyers Manx of 1967. And yes, LFG stands for exactly what you think it does. The LFG's carbon-fiber bodywork is the handiwork of Freeman Thomas, the designer of the Audi TT and the Volkswagen New Beetle. The press release from Meyers Manx was light on specs, but it does say that the car is available with a number of engine choices, including Tuthill's four-valve air-cooled flat-six from the wild 911K. It also gets a six-speed sequential gearbox, and front, center, and rear limited-slip differentials. There are twin adjustable coilovers at each corner, and BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, naturally. Photo by: Meyers Manx Photo by: Meyers Manx Photo by: Meyers Manx While the LFG has an enclosed cockpit complete with air-conditioning, you can remove it in two minutes for the classic open-air buggy experience. Meyers Manx and Tuthill Porsche will also hold driving tours for owners to get the most out of their cars. Meyers Manx and Tuthill Porsche didn't announce a price, but expect it to be in the hundreds of thousands at least. The two plan on building 100 examples, and the first driving tour for owners is set for 2027, the 50th anniversary of Meyers Manx's Baja 1000 win. "The car looks fun, mischievous, it has a character that I have genuinely never seen or felt," says Tuthill Porsche head Richard Tuthill in a statement. "But underneath, it's proper—could we go to the moon and back in it? Probably yes, it has the capability to go wherever we point it, and we can do it safely and comfortably." More From Monterey Car Week This Is the New Lexus Supercar Concept—And It Looks Spectacular BMW Says Goodbye to the 8 Series With Stunning Heritage Colors The Acura RSX Is Back—But It's No Sports Car It's Your Last Chance to Buy a Ford GT Stay informed with our newsletter every weekday back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla Cybertruck Suspension Explodes In Owner's Driveway, Forum User Claims
The Tesla Cybertruck is just a bad truck. It's been recalled eight times so far, might snap its frame if you tow with it and was famously defeated by a regular old car wash. Now, one Tesla owner's forum user claims to have encountered a new issue with their Cybertruck — the truck's suspension exploding in their driveway. According to Tesla Owners Online user DeanS, their Cybertruck was parked in the driveway at about 3 p.m. on a Saturday when they heard "a shotgun-like bang." When they looked outside, they reportedly saw "what looked like 'smoke' or dust" coming off their Cybertruck's bed. While the truck's battery hadn't suddenly burst into flames, they say diagnostics later showed the problem was with the passenger-side air suspension. Oops. They then had the truck towed to a Tesla service center, where they were told "the damage was due to an 'outside influence' and not covered by warranty," leaving them with a $250 bill if they wanted the truck released. Sadly, they didn't say how much they expect it to cost to repair a blown air suspension where "the spring pushed itself through the [bed frame] and broke some hard components." Everything about that sentence sure sounds expensive, though. What a shame. According to DeanS, they believe "[e]xtreme heat caused air to expand blowing the air suspension," since the Cybertruck "was literally sitting in [their] driveway, and had not been driven in 12+ hours." While they got some support for that theory, with one user calling it "a clear design error," others were quick to point out that air suspensions don't really explode on their own, at least under anything approaching normal conditions, even in Texas. Read more: These Are The Dumbest Car Crashes You've Ever Seen What Did They Do? When asked about what they'd done before the suspension exploded and whether or not they'd attempted to recreate the Baja 1000 in their Cybertruck, DeanS didn't give many details but did say that "[l]iving in a rural part of Texas not all of the roads are paved, so yes it's driven off-road, through pastures, hay fields, etc." Hmmm... Anyway, user zroger73 pushed back strongly on the whole "it just sat in the hot sun too long" theory, writing: Given that you appear to be in Texas and your distance from Houston, the temperature of the vehicle's components would likely have fluctuated less than 80°F assuming a low temperature of 70°F overnight and a maximum temperature of 150°F in direct sunlight at 3:00 PM. According to ideal gas law, that's less than an 8 PSI difference. The Cybertruck's air reservoir is tested to 261 PSI. The working pressure is significantly lower than that. The pressure in each air spring is even lower - roughly 60 PSI given the size of the Cybertruck's air springs and the curb weight. They then concluded that "the most likely cause of failure in my opinion is external damage that weakened the casting rather than a defect or design flaw with the suspension system. When the casting broke causing the suspension to collapse, the bladder or air line was cut causing a sudden and uncontrolled pressure release which explains the 'smoke' you saw." That certainly sounds a lot more plausible than the air suspension spontaneously exploding, completely unprompted. Especially since DeanS already admitted to off-roading their Cybertruck regularly. On the other hand, this is a Tesla Cybertruck we're talking about, so you never know. Maybe the Cybertruck's air suspension really does just do that. H/T: CarScoops Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Top Gear
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
King of the Slammers: desert driving in the bonkers Ford Bronco El Bandito
What goes up, must come down, and there's no greater high than driving El Bandito... We're out in the high desert, 45 minutes or so from Las Vegas. Just over the hill there's a firing range and an old graveyard for military helicopters... all around it's sand, rock, wickedly jagged terrain, patches of spiky yucca and haunting Joshua trees. Soon the area will be torn up by the deranged Ford Bronco El Bandito and its 5.2-litre supercharged V8, which could drown out a raging firefight and a whole squadron of Black Hawks. But first we have to say hi to El Bandito's handlers and start capturing the photography and video required. 'So,' I begin. 'Um, do you think it might be possible – and it's fine if you can't – but maybe you could...' I'm prevaricating because what I'm about to say sounds completely absurd and I've only just met this guy. 'Well, this might be a bad idea. But, do you think you could jump it over my head?' There's silence for the blink of an eye before the answer comes with a grin. 'Sure, we can do that. There's a spot just over there that'll work.' And the tone for the day is set. Anything goes. I guess that shouldn't come as a surprise as El Bandito is an outlaw that doesn't conform to any ruleset, but draws heavily from the worlds of Ultra4 racing and its headline King of the Hammers event, plus the gruelling, evocative and plain bonkers Baja 1000. The idea that anything is too wild for these two off road motorsport events is pretty mind blowing, but El Bandito is, I guess, the ultimate all rounder. If your commute happens to take in rocks the size of a family hatchback, sand dunes, desert washboard and frequent flight, that is. Photography: Mark Fagelson The guy happy to leap around 2,500kg of truck over my head is Loren Healy and El Bandito is the product of his company, Fun-Haver Offroad, in conjunction with Ford. Healy has won King of the Hammers twice, is a five time Ultra4 champion and has victories on the Baja 1000, too. He's cool, laid back and incredibly enthusiastic. Later I'll find out his super relaxed persona changes to something akin to demonic possession when driving, but for now he just seems like the nicest guy on the planet. 'This thing is my dream Bronco project,' he says. 'And – I say this all the time – it's the most fun vehicle I've ever driven. There's just something about it.' There's a lot about it. So let's try to understand what's required to hit huge boulders at 70mph and not immediately die. Loren takes up the story. 'To me this is a whole mix of luxury pre-runner, an Ultra4 truck that would take on King of the Hammers, a Trophy Truck and a production Bronco.' We have different ideas of luxury – the Bandito doesn't have a windscreen or windows, let alone air conditioning and massage seats – but it's really that hardware that matters. So, the front mounted engine is the supercharged 5.2 V8 as seen in the Mustang GT500 or Raptor R but now fitted with a 3.8-litre Whipple blower and good for 1,000–1,100bhp. It drives through a 3spd TH400 transmission with manual lockout supplied by Gearworks and single speed transfer case built for monster truck applications. El Bandito is 4WD, which has become the preferred way in Baja in the last few years. Previously, mid-engined, RWD trucks were the weapon of choice. Rather amazingly, El Bandito was built up from a preproduction Bronco that had been used for durability testing. Bronco '55' was due to be crushed but Healy bought it for $1 and the project was born. What's left of 55? Not a huge amount. The doors, the dash architecture and the badges, I guess. But Ford is very serious about being 'the Porsche of off road', and many more production derived Broncos and Raptors are seeing huge success in off road events in North America. El Bandito, of course, goes one giant leap beyond.
India Today
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Brad Pitt's F1 is a familiarly unfamiliar ride across your favourite racing circuit
When it comes to sports movies, there's a common theme you can always expect. It might be about an athlete battling personal demons to achieve glory, or an underdog team that's written off by everyone going all the way. The climax is usually predictable - the hero or heroes emerge victorious, sending everyone home exception was 'Coach Carter', starring Samuel L Jackson, where the Richmond Oilers didn't win the championship, yet claimed victory in life. So, is 'F1' any different from the famous sports movies we've already seen? Well, the answer is: not directed by Joseph Kosinski, follows the story of Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a one-time rising star in the world of Formula One. After a major accident, he exited the world of racing and endured years of personal turmoil. A gambling addiction and multiple failed marriages left him broke and working as a taxi driver. But Hayes finds solace again in racing - be it behind the wheel of a Porsche at Daytona or the Baja 1000 on the California Peninsula. Then comes a visit from Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), his former teammate and now the team owner of APXGP. With the team on the verge of being dismantled and sold, Cervantes reaches out to Hayes to save them, despite the American not racing in Formula One for three answers the call and, in doing so, meets young prodigy Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). The film then becomes a story of how both men race against each other, mentor one another, and ultimately work as a team to secure the greatest victory. There's a touch of romance between Hayes and APXGP's technical director, Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon), and, of course, plenty of pure racing joy - exactly what you'd expect from a good sports of the mentoring scenes between Hayes and Pearce bring back memories of the 2006 film 'Cars', especially the bond between Doc Hudson and Lightning McQueen. It also echoes 'Driven', a 2001Sylvester Stallone film, where a similar mentor-prodigy dynamic played out. The themes may be familiar, but 'F1' brings in the unpredictability and adrenaline rush of a real Grand Prix what makes 'F1' familiarly unfamiliar?A ride through life in the world of Formula OneAre you a Formula One fan? Then let me say this upfront: suspend all your knowledge of the sport, and some laws of physics. That's what I was told before entering the cinema hall. Some of the demolition-derby action from Hayes in the structured world of F1? Let's just say... don't try this at world of Formula One is not just about thrills and spills. It's also a high-pressure game where scoring even a single point can secure your seat for the next season. It's a world of politics too - internal boardroom struggles where people try to overthrow each other for you're not a regular F1 follower and are watching 'F1' because of good reviews or simply for Brad Pitt's rugged charm (he's 61 and still giving the young guys a run for their money), then bring a pen and going to get a deep dive into the world of motorsport that'll capture your interest and leave you wanting to know more. From team tactics and pit-stop strategies to aerodynamics - how the smallest tweak can take a car from the back of the grid to the front - these are the finer details that pull you in and make you forget the familiar sports movie MusicIndia Today's Anisha Rao reviewed the 'F1' music album and highlighted how the film's music seamlessly "blends global sounds, heart-thumping beats, and lyrical stories that echo the spirit of racing: high-speed, high-stakes, and full of heart".In many sports movies, soundtracks can feel forced, even distracting. But, not here. The background score, composed by the legendary Hans Zimmer, is a perfect fit. And Don Toliver's 'Lose My Mind' (featuring Doja Cat) makes you feel like you're slipping into the cockpit of a Formula One car, fully suited isn't a single moment where the music feels out of place. I'm no music expert or a film critic, but for me, the score blended in seamlessly - and left me looping 'Lose My Mind' and Ed Sheeran's 'Drive' on repeat long after the end credits ClimaxThe real payoff comes at the end. Over the years, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has hosted some of Formula One's most dramatic moments - from nail-biters to controversies, including the infamous Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton title film taps into that legacy. Hayes and Pearce put aside their differences and race. And as for what happens next - well, I'm not spoiling it. Go watch theatre I was in erupted with cheers and applause as the chequered flag waved. 'F1' took me on a thrilling ride around one of my favourite circuits - where I knew every turn, every fast straight, every DRS zone. Yet, somehow, it still surprised said, 'F1' didn't overstay its welcome. There was no lag, no overkill - just a story that felt both familiar and fresh, and a ride I was glad I signed up for.- Ends
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Brad Pitt's ‘F1: The Movie' - gritty mid-credits tease in Baja Desert, a sequel or spinoff on its way?
The power-packed movie of , 'F1: The Movie,' is finally on the big screen with a bang. The fans are rushing to cinemas to watch the fictional former driver Sonny Hayes' comeback story. The film is directed by and is already being appreciated by fans, who are now wondering about a credit scene. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Does the movie have a special post- or mid-credits scene ? As per The 'F1' movie doesn't have a special post-credits scene. Instead of the Brad Pitt-starring movie having a mid-credit just like other big-budget films, which is rolling interest in the fans. Explanation of the mid-credit scene In the mid-credit scene, Sonny Hayes arrives in Baja, California, a rough, desert region known for off-road racing like the Baja 1000. Covered with dust and reflective, he approaches a local off-road racing team and inquires, 'Still looking for a driver?' The scene then cuts to Hayes behind the wheel, tearing through the sandy tracks as the credits roll, showcasing his insatiable passion for competition. This moment reflects an earlier scene where Hayes, before Ruben's F1 offer, scutinized joining the Baja circuit, a basic showing of his love for diverse racing challenges. The sequence, accompanied by Hans Zimmer's fluctuating score, captures Hayes's relentless drive. Chance of sequel or spinoff? As per the same sources, while the scene leaves the room with unanswered questions to leave space for future stories, it doesn't honestly demand a sequel. The open-ended nature of Hayes racing into the desert could also lead to a spinoff exploring off-road circuits, but F1's 141-million-dollar budget and focus on Formula One's global appeal make a Baja-centric follow-up not very likely. Other storyline paths, like Hayes mentoring a young driver or facing a competitive team, are more feasible for a sequel, as it's given the film's whole cast, including Damson Idris as his teammate.
