Maxxd.com

Author: Olly

  • 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450, Ken Block and Ford: The Week In Reverse

    We said goodbye to the Toyota Land Cruiser, had our first seat time in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 Coupe, and witnessed the end of Ken Block’s exclusive partnership with Ford. It’s the Week in Reverse, right here at Motor Authority.

    We spent a week with the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser to remind ourselves why it’s the ultimate SUV for a select few and the wrong tool for the job for most consumers, before it leaves the market at the end of 2021. 

    The 2022 Ford Ranger was spotted undergoing testing on public roads. The next-gen Ranger will adopt a mini F-150 design with blunt, upright front end and squared-off design. Expect a debut to take place in 2021.

    We slid behind the wheel of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 Coupe and found it to be a comfortable, sporty cruiser with one flaw: the overly complicated steering wheel controls. Planted and precise, the E450 coupe with all-wheel drive and the AMG sport package makes for a terrific partner.

    Cadillac teased its flagship Celestiq electric car during its 2021 CES presentation. The hand-built flagship electric car will feature a four-quadrant smart glass roof, and the front end design looks similar to that of the upcoming Lyriq electric crossover SUV.

    Ken Block’s marriage to Ford has come to an end. While the relationship didn’t end with a divorce, the exclusive 10-year contract has ended, which leaves Block a free agent to pursue other automakers. Block’s relationship with Ford is unlikely to end completely, but expect the hot shoe to strike up partnerships with other automakers in the near future. Block used to work with Subaru before his contract with Ford.

    Source

  • CIVIC TYPE R FK8 LIMITED EDITION REVIEW

    With Honda offering a Civic Type R FK8 Limited Edition, it was time to get behind the wheel to find out whether it’s a touch gimmicky or whether this limited run of cars elevates the FK8 to a new level. Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel! 

    [embedded content]

    What is the Civic Type R FK8 Limited Edition all about?

    The FK8 Limited Edition is a track-focused variant. Only 100 of these bumble bees are coming to Europe, with only 20 coming to the UK. It comes without the infotainment system, nor the air con. Limited Edition by name, limited by nature… Alongside this, some sound proofing has found its way to the bin and the result is a car that’s 47kg lighter. Oh, and it’s very yellow.

    That weight saving doesn’t seem all that impressive from the off, but there are further changes, don’t worry. While the power hasn’t been increased, the suspension has been modified and now includes stickier track-focused tyres wrapped around lightweight BBS wheels. Honda decided to retain the rear seats unlike Renault in favour of everyday usability.

    Power remains the same 316bhp and 295lb-ft of torque from the 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-pot engine with a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds and a 169mph top speed.

    Source

  • THE LOSS OF A FAST CAR LEGEND

    These are words I didn’t expect and certainly wished I’d never have to write, but it’s with great sadness to announce that Ricky Parker-Morris passed away last week.

    Obituary written by Jules Truss. 

    Tricky, as he’s known in Fast Car, will need no introduction to old-school readers, as he was the magazine’s main photographer and technical writer from the mid-nineties until the late noughties. For the new school? Well, just mention his name in car culture circles and you’ll be blessed with smiles and stories.

    I first met Trick back in 2002 when he came into Fast Car HQ to shoot the products. Being an aspiring photographer and long-time reader of the magazine, he was somewhat of an idol of mine, and I was genuinely nervous to meet him. Did I need to be? Absolutely not! He treated me as a mate from day one, like he did with everyone he met.

    Tricky loved a wind-up. You’d learn to never fall asleep while in the passenger seat during a road trip and if you did, you’d probably wake up with whiplash or hypothermia. On the days you finished a shoot early, he’d insist on going to the pub instead of going back to the office. You’d then get a mysterious phone call from the boss asking where you were, unaware that he’d sent a sneaky picture of you enjoying your pint.

    One of the fondest memories I have is of a Pirelli press trip to Rome. We were given the keys to an Impreza WRX in the morning and by the time we’d stopped for pizza in the afternoon, the brakes had pretty much caught fire. The memories we made will last a lifetime and everyone he worked with will say the same. I have so many more stories to tell, but they just aren’t suitable for print!

    Despite all the silliness, Tricky’s passion for the magazine was infectious. He was on top of his game and produced stunning images that helped propel Fast Car to pole position. Even though his last commission was a decade ago, he’ll always be associated with FC and remained an ambassador for the brand up until his passing; his race car still wears the Fast Car livery today. A race car he built with his brother in the early 90s as a Fast Car project and successfully resurrected a few years back to take class and overall wins in the Special Saloons series.

    Before Ricky worked on FC, he was an engineer, then a race driver instructor at Brands Hatch. He then worked tirelessly as a site manager refitting hospitals after his stint on the mag came to an end. His spare time would be spent with his family, racing his 309 with his brother and being a Classic Sports Car Club Committee Member and Driver Representative for the Special Saloons and Modsport Series.

    Tricky was a top photographer, a talented wheelman, and a guy who could party with the best of them, but more than that, he was the best bloody bloke you could ever meet, a loving brother to Danny, a dedicated son to Helena, an amazing dad to Bailey–D and a caring husband to Toni.

    We’ll see you on the other side Trick; I know you’ll have a beer or white wine spritzer waiting for us! ‘Ave it LARGE up there fella; we love and miss you!

    Source