Latest news with #PaddyMcGrath
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Need for Speed franchise may have been cancelled by EA, and this game could be the reason why
Electronic Arts has reportedly put its long-running Need for Speed franchise on indefinite hiatus, according to claims from industry insiders and contributors to the EA-funded car culture website Speedhunters. The decision comes as developer Criterion Games has been fully reassigned to work on the Battlefield series . Matthew Everingham, a photographer and longtime contributor to Speedhunters, broke the news on Instagram, stating: "Speedhunters is on ice. EA shelved Need For Speed, and that means no more funding for the site. Grateful for everything — the trips, the stories, the lifelong mates." The announcement has sent shockwaves through the racing game community, as Need for Speed has been a cornerstone franchise for EA since 1994. The series' most recent entry, Need for Speed Unbound, was released in December 2022 but failed to achieve commercial success despite initial promise. Speedhunters, which has been closely affiliated with Need for Speed since 2008, hasn't published new content since April 2025. The site's store has gone offline, and its social media accounts now display blackout profile pictures, further supporting claims of the shutdown. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Criterion's Battlefield assignment leaves racing fans in the dust The writing appeared on the wall earlier this year when EA announced that Criterion Games, the studio behind Need for Speed Unbound, would be joining the multi-studio effort to revive the Battlefield franchise following the poor reception of Battlefield 2042. Former Speedhunters contributor Paddy McGrath provided insight into the site's precarious position in a Reddit comment: "There were so many times that Speedhunters was circling the drain over the last decade. We rarely knew ahead of time if our contracts would be renewed each year. A lot of brilliant and dedicated people put a lot of work in to keep things going as long as it did." EA has not issued an official statement regarding the franchise's future, though the company recently announced that Need for Speed Rivals' online servers will shut down on October 7, 2025. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Drive
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
It Looks Like Speedhunters Is Dead
The latest car news, reviews, and features. It might be time to memorialize Speedhunters. As much as it hurts to say, the car culture site that highlighted the global automotive scene better than anyone else in the late 2000s and early 2010s has been dormant for months, with its last story being published on April 3. Its online storefront has gone dark, and so has its Instagram account, with no new posts since March and an all-black profile photo. A source familiar with the matter told The Drive that the site has shut down, and I've reached out to Speedhunters' owner, Electronic Arts, for confirmation. A Reddit thread on r/ShootingCars pointed out the lack of activity just last week. Upon seeing that, I reached out to a handful of contacts who might know more about Speedhunters' fate. One responded, saying they heard from several contributors that it had shuttered operations. Former contributor Paddy McGrath spoke out in the Reddit comments to express his feelings: Comment byu/thefinancejedi from discussion inshootingcars Speedhunters was founded by Rod Chong in 2008 with backing from EA. It quickly blew up, with creators from every corner of the globe posting original content there daily. That's where so many of us saw photography from Larry Chen and Dino Dalle Carbonare for the first time, along with too many great shooters and writers to list. The brand was even in Need for Speed video games, collaborating with artists like A$AP Rocky thanks to its EA tie-in. Simply put, if you were into cars on the internet from the time it was founded until the late 2010s, Speedhunters influenced you. As McGrath indicated in his comment, some of the site's most familiar faces started popping up less frequently around 2020. Chen actually left in 2018. Carbonare stuck it out, however, as his most recent Speedhunters post was published on March 28 of this year. It's unclear what's next for Speedhunters, though the answer might very well be, 'Nothing.' So many of the creators who made the site what it was have gone on to different projects. Chen, for example, just published a book with 20 years' worth of photos in addition to YouTube and shooting for Pikes Peak, Formula D, and various automakers. Carbonare has his Dino DC channel on YouTube with nearly 200,000 subscribers, showing the sickest parts of Tokyo's automotive scene. For the sake of everyone who loves the site, let's hope that it's preserved in some way. It would provide at least some consolation for folks if we could look back on all the great insider stories that you just couldn't get anywhere else at the time. With EA being the giant it is, though, it may shrug this off like it's nothing. We'll see if that's the case. Got info about the Speedhunters situation? Contact me directly: caleb@
The Irish Sun
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
BMW M5 is so good I had to test it twice and jumped at the chance to drive this Bumblebee Beast again
NOW the dust has finally settled on Bumblebee 1000's Talladega Nights road trip and life has returned to normal. I can reflect on another amazing adventure and an awesome time spent behind the wheel of the ballistic new BMW M5. 6 BIG, BEAUTIFUL, BALLISTIC, 727BHP BUMBLEBEE WEAPON: The M5 once again was the perfect choice to take part in Bumblebee 1000's latest charity road trip Credit: Jacob Liggett I drove the M5 at Bumblebee's first road trip of 2025 in April, and was trying to source the new M2 for this one in June, but that didn't work out. However I was more than happy to be back behind the wheel of this beast again as it's the most powerful M5 ever, producing a supercar-rivalling 727bhp and impressive 1,000Nm of torque. And it's also the first plug-in hybrid M5 ever, with a huge 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 crammed under the bonnet that works alongside a 145kw electric motor and 18.6kWh battery. But all of the above adds weight, a lot of it, making it the heaviest M5 ever too — weighing in at 2,510kg — so with a full tank of petrol, four passengers on-board plus the driver, you could be tipping the scales at three tonnes. 6 SOUND OFF: Despite its quad exhausts the M5 could do with being lot louder Credit: Jacob Liggett Key Facts: BMW G90 M5 Cost: From €137,055 Engine: 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8, 145kW electric motor Power: 727bhp Torque: 1,000Nm 0-100kph: 3.5 seconds Top Speed: 305kph Economy: 48.7mpg Real world: 30.2mpg Emissions: 43g/km Rivals: Mercedes-AMG E53, Audi RS7, Porsche Panamera 6 SUPERCAR POWER: M5's 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8 and hybrid system produces 727bhp Credit: Paddy McGrath It can launch from 0-100kph in just 3.5 seconds, and with the optional M Drivers Package fitted, max out at 305kph, which makes the new M5's performance figures all the more impressive. BMW has done a great job trying to hide the weight, and it's only when cornering hard or under heavy braking that you really notice its heaviness. My test car came fitted with the optional M Carbon-Ceramic Brakes that are incredible, as is the Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering. This allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 1.5° allowing the M5 to become a lot more nimble and sure-footed than you'd think for a heavy, five-seater saloon. Most read in Motors 6 BOOT SIZE: The M5's boot offers 466 litres of luggage space Credit: Jacob Liggett 6 THE KING OF CARBON: The M5 is available with carbon fibre mirrors, carbon boot spoiler, carbon ceramic brakes Credit: Paddy McGrath On Bumblebee 1000 you cover a lot of miles, so being very comfortable over long distances is another plus point for the M5. The battery takes 2 hours 30 minutes to fully charge providing you with a handy 70km electric-only range too, plus as the M5 is a PHEV, the annual road tax is only €140. BMW quote a 148.7mpg figure, and impressive stats like those are possible with a fully charged battery and very gentle driving. But with so much power available and when driving in an environment like Bumblebee, the big Beemer is a thirsty beast. 6 COOL SEATS: BMW's curved dual screens take centre stage and there's heated and cooled front seats Credit: Paddy McGrath After the road trip ended, the fun was over and I returned home from the Portlaoise Plaza at a more leisurely pace. And here I recorded 30.2mpg, not bad for a car that has a top speed of over 300km. It could be louder though. That big V8 should really be allowed to sing, but sadly the M5 is too quiet for its own good. Inside, BMW's brilliant curved dual screens dominate the dash, and like the exterior, there is carbon trim everywhere. Read more on the Irish Sun The front sports seats are superb, heated and air-cooled, with an illuminated M badge and there are heated seats in the back. The M5 saloon starts at €137,055 and the Touring model is €139,515 but that's before you start ticking boxes and there are loads of options to choose from.
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major car brand ‘to launch EV version' of popular model next year – and it will be faster than its flagship vehicle
Set to go electric — and it could leave the current top model behind HOT HATCH Major car brand 'to launch EV version' of popular model next year – and it will be faster than its flagship vehicle A MAJOR car brand is set to launch an electric version of one of its most popular models next year – and it's tipped to be even faster than the current flagship. Volkswagen is reportedly preparing to unveil an electric GTI hot hatch, based on its ID.3 model, with a launch expected in 2026, according to 5 The new ID.3 GTI will carry the legendary GTI badge Credit: Getty 5 The ID.3 GTI will deliver around 335hp, that's 13hp more than the current GTX model Credit: Supplied 5 This electric version will reportedly be rear-wheel drive Credit: Photo by Paddy McGrath This comes after the German manufacturer first stepped into the electric hot hatch space last year with the ID.3 GTX. The new ID.3 GTI will carry the legendary GTI badge, though it won't have the fuel injectors that gave the original its name. And unlike traditional GTIs, which have front-wheel drive, this electric version will reportedly be rear-wheel drive. According to Auto Motor and Sport, the ID.3 GTI will deliver around 335hp, that's 13hp more than the current GTX model. VW is also said to be working on major upgrades to the chassis, steering, and suspension to give drivers a more exciting and responsive experience behind the wheel. Interestingly, the electric GTI wasn't part of Volkswagen's original plan. But with delays to the next-generation electric Golf, now expected near the end of the decade, the carmaker is opting for a second facelift of the ID.3 to extend its life on the market. This update is set to bring the ID.3's design and technology closer to the upcoming ID.2 range. The ID.3 first launched in 2019 and saw a refresh in 2023. Inside the Volkswagen ID With the latest facelift, expected in 2026, the ID.3 GTI will take centre stage as VW's new electric performance star. VW has already shown off the ID. GTI concept, which previews the company's first electric car to wear the iconic badge. However, the larger ID.3 GTI now looks likely to beat it to showrooms. Pricing details are still under wraps, but in Germany, the current ID.3 GTX starts at just over €47,000, while the upcoming ID.2 will launch from around €25,000. Naturally, the GTI versions will carry a premium. Several other VW electric models have already received the GTX badge, including the ID.7 saloon, ID.7 Tourer estate, and even the GTX minivan. It's still unclear whether Volkswagen plans to eventually replace GTX with the more recognisable GTI name across its electric range. There's also speculation that an electric R-badged model could follow. And with rumours that VW may redesign the GTI logo to feature a lightning bolt in place of the 'I,' the brand's electric future is certainly shaping up to be electrifying. 5 Interestingly, the electric GTI wasn't part of Volkswagen's original plan Credit: Volkswagen AG
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major car brand ‘to launch EV version' of popular model next year – and it will be faster than its flagship vehicle
A MAJOR car brand is set to launch an electric version of one of its most popular models next year – and it's tipped to be even faster than the current flagship. Volkswagen is reportedly preparing to unveil an electric GTI hot hatch, based on its ID.3 model, with a launch expected in 2026, according to Advertisement 5 The new ID.3 GTI will carry the legendary GTI badge Credit: Getty 5 The ID.3 GTI will deliver around 335hp, that's 13hp more than the current GTX model Credit: Supplied 5 This electric version will reportedly be rear-wheel drive Credit: Photo by Paddy McGrath This comes after the German manufacturer first stepped into the electric hot hatch space last year with the ID.3 GTX. The new ID.3 GTI will carry the legendary GTI badge, though it won't have the fuel injectors that gave the original its name. And unlike traditional GTIs, which have front-wheel drive, this electric version will reportedly be rear-wheel drive. According to Auto Motor and Sport, the ID.3 GTI will deliver around 335hp, that's 13hp more than the current GTX model. Advertisement Read more on Motors VW is also said to be working on major upgrades to the chassis, steering, and suspension to give drivers a more exciting and responsive experience behind the wheel. Interestingly, the electric GTI wasn't part of Volkswagen's original plan. But with delays to the next-generation electric Golf, now expected near the end of the decade, the This update is set to bring the ID.3's design and technology closer to the upcoming ID.2 range. Advertisement Most read in Motors Latest The ID.3 first launched in 2019 and saw a refresh in 2023. Inside the Volkswagen ID With the latest facelift, expected in 2026, the ID.3 GTI will take centre stage as VW's new electric performance star. VW has already shown off the ID. GTI concept, which previews the company's first electric car to wear the iconic badge. However, the larger ID.3 GTI now looks likely to beat it to showrooms. Advertisement Pricing details are still under wraps, but in Germany, the current ID.3 GTX starts at just over €47,000, while the upcoming ID.2 will launch from around €25,000. Naturally, the GTI versions will carry a premium. Several other VW electric models have already received the GTX badge, including the ID.7 saloon, ID.7 Tourer estate, and even the GTX minivan. It's still unclear whether Volkswagen plans to eventually replace GTX with the more recognisable GTI name across its electric range. Advertisement There's also speculation that an electric R-badged model could follow. And with rumours that VW may redesign the GTI logo to feature a lightning bolt in place of the 'I,' the brand's electric future is certainly shaping up to be electrifying. 5 Interestingly, the electric GTI wasn't part of Volkswagen's original plan Credit: Volkswagen AG 5 The ID.3 first launched in 2019 and saw a refresh in 2023 Credit: Alamy Advertisement
