by Michael | Nov 16, 2022 | Best of, Offroad Zone
It’s not unreasonable to think that many off-road enthusiasts enjoy a proper white-knuckle ride every now and again. Crossing deserts, salt flats and rock formations, the most difficult off-road trails in the world are crucibles that put skills and vehicles to merciless testing. Here are the hardest Off-Road trails you can test your limits:
Baja, Mexico, is the site of the Baja 1000, an endurance race famous for the speeds its drivers achieve. In fact, those speeds are largely responsible for the routes’ difficult reputation. Most drivers should find the better part of the various trails to be an easy drive. However, the obstacles that are encountered, such as steep, sandy descents onto the beach, can be terrifying. It is one of the most prestigious off-road races in the world, having attracted competitors from six continents. The race was founded by Ed Pearlman in 1967
The Dakar Rally (or simply “The Dakar“; formerly known as the “Paris–Dakar Rally“) is an annual rally raid organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation. Most events since the inception in 1978 were staged from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal, but due to security threats in Mauritania, which led to the cancellation of the 2008 rally, events from 2009 to 2019 were held in South America.
The move to South America in 2008 was the end of an era for the Dakar Rally. However, that does not mean the original route between Paris, France, and Dakar, Senegal, is closed the off-road enthusiasts. Those who are happy to brave sand dunes, rocky terrain, scorching temperatures and other challenges can still make the 10,000km journey through northwest Africa.
The Rubicon Trail in California, USA, is so notoriously difficult, Jeep honored it by using the name for a vehicle model. It is approximately 35km long, which makes it sound as though it can be completed in a day. The reality is that the Sierra Nevada mountains route based on old Native American and gold rush era tracks usually takes three days to complete. This is due to the Granite Bowl, Walker Rock, Thousand Dollar Hill, and other obstacles.
It requires a great deal of time and money, but for those who have both to spare, the route from Casablanca to Cape Town is the ultimate bucket list adventure. Enjoying Crown Oask betting might be one way to afford the 12,000km route through 18 countries. It starts in Morocco and ends in South Africa. The most difficult part of the trip is crossing the Sahara Desert, one of the most inhospitable regions on earth. The beauty and comforts of Cape Town are the perfect end to what could be a life-changing off-road trip. Perhaps even more satisfying, however, is the feeling that comes with knowing one has journeyed almost the entire length of Africa.
The 73km route that is the Namib Naukluft Park Trail is widely regarded as one of the most arduous unguided off-road trails anywhere on earth. The two-day journey overnights at the Tjeriktit campsite. Part of the trail takes drivers and their passengers along narrow tracks that cross unbelievably steep mountainous terrain. Those tracks are based on those built by early pioneering farmers a fact that makes them even more impressive.
by Michael | Nov 11, 2022 | Best of
Legendary reliabilty is the common name of the diesel engines. Soon we will see it only in car museums. Here are the top 10 ever made:
The Peugeot 908 made its race debut at the opening round of the 2007 Le Mans Series season. Peugeot has an oil burner of beating any semblance of competition and surprising onlookers. Utilizing a 5.5-liter HDi diesel-powered V12 with twin turbos, the 908 puts out 730 hp and 890 Ib-ft of torque and weighs in at a featherweight 930 kg, allowing it to record a consistent 215 mph.
The OM617 is a straight-5 diesel automobile engine from Mercedes-Benz used in the 1970s and 1980s. The Mercedes-buit OM617 is a straight five-unit fitted to cars from the early 1970s, right through to the mid-1990s. The engine capacity was lowered to3.0 L 9 (2,998 cc) to satisfy engine displacement tax laws in Europe by changing the bore to 90,9 mm (3,58 in).
Gaining a turbo in 1976 saw the engine set 16 world land speed and endurance records at the Nardo test track in Italy, whilst a further update in 1978 saw it smash a further 9. Often considered unbreakable, the OM617 is a motoring God and was ahead of its time.
With a fuel consumption of 11.1 liters/100 – 25 mpg UK – 21 mpg US (Average), 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.4 seconds, a maximum top speed of 147 mph (236km/h), a curb weight of 5501 Ibs (2495 kgs), the Q7 4.2 TDI Quattro Tiptronic DPF has a turbocharged V8 cylinder engine, Diesel motor. The Q7 model is a TT car manufactured by Audi, with 5 doors and 5 seals, sold new from year 2007 until 2009, and available after that as a used car.
Proving that it is possible to buy a luxury seven-seater SUV with a race car-derived diesel plant, Audi released the Q7 so that those with deep pockets plant, Audi released the V12 Q7 so that those with deep pockets could scare family members in complete leather cocooned comfort.
Recognized as the engine that spawned an interest in diesel tuning for European tuners, modifiers, and car fanatics, the humble VAG 1.9 PD provided solid and highly adaptable platform for those seeking big power. Skoda claims 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds, but contemporary road tests soon descovered the Fabia vRS was a fair bit faster. It may only have 126bhp, but 229Ib ft of torque (the same as a Mk1 Ford Focus RS) and a 1,31kg kerbweight means it punches well above its weight.
With a fuel consumption of 6.8 liters/100km – 42 mpg UK – 35 mpg US (Average), 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.4 seconds, a maximum top speed of 142 mph (228 km/h), a curb weight of 3538 Ibs (1605 kgs) the 159 2.4 JTDm has a turbocharged inline 5-cylinder engine, Diesel motor. 2.4 JTDm is a favorite with buyers seeking economy, power, and affordable breathtakingly seductive Italian looks.
The Trident Iceni is a V8 sports car that runs on biodiesel and promises a combination of hypercar performance and hybrid economy Drinking biodiesel, the British-designed and made Trident Iceni is propelled along by a 6.6-liter V8 which, in standard trim, churns out an impressive 398 hp and a truck-like 700 Ib-ft of torque.
For enthusiasts wanting even more power can opt for the performance pack, which will increase levels to 430 hp and 950 Ib-ft of torque, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of that sits just below 200 mph.
The 1HD-FTE is a 4.2 L (4,164 cc) straight-6 24 valve turbocharged diesel engine. Bore and stroke is 99 mm × 100 mm (3.70 in × 3.94 in), with a compression ratio of 18.8:1. Output is 167 hp (125kW; 169 PS) at 3,400 rpm with 380 N•m (280 Ib•ft) of torque at 1.400 rpm. The fuel system is direct injection and adopts the electronic fuel injection (EFI) system. Redline of this engine is 4200 rpm.
The 4 valves per cylinder are actuated by the SOCH, by using bridges so each roker actuates a pair of valves. Easy to work on and far more dependable than the diesel V8 that replaced it, the 1HD-FTE has become highly respected amongst off-road enthusiasts and those that demand a workhorse of an engine beneath the hood.
The Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel is the most powerful engine option for RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. Producing up to 400 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of clean diesel torque, this powerhouse helps RAM deliver best-in-class towing. Paired with the AISIN AS69RC six-speed automatic, the Cummins powered RAM 3500 boasts towing capacity in excess of 31,000 pounds.
This legendary engine provides unmatched fuel economy and class-leading 15.000-thousand-mile oil change intervals. That’s power and reliability you can always count on.
BMW decided to call time on its amazing quad-turbo engine and M50d models.
While V6 engines are shorter and easier to package, saving valuable above the front wheels, the protocol at BMW has always been to allow engineers to have the final say. As such, the company has remainded committed to in-line configuration of six-cylinder engines.
A modern mechanical marvel the BMW B57D30S0 is a 5.0-liter quad-turbo diesel power plant that, when fitted in the M550D pushes out 375 hp at 4000 rpm and a massive 546 Ib-ft of torque at 2000rpm.
The V10 TDI engine is a10-cylinder, water-cooled and supercharged 90 ° V engine with an aluminum engine block. The bearing bridge is cast in cast iron. In order to absorb the forces that occur, the block and the bearing bridge are crossed by tie rods made of steel. The forged and cracked connected to the pistons via a trapezoidal connecting rod eye trapezoidal and brass-reinforced piston pin boss. The cylinder head uses the cross-flow principle. The fuel injection takes place by means of a pump-nozzle system and two-valve technology. Both the ancillaries and two overhead camshafts are driven by spur gears.
A monster powerplant, the Volkswagen Group diesel V10 has been fitted to both the Touareg SUV and Phaeton luxury saloon to offer passenger plane-towing power, as demonstrated on Top Gear, in a neatly packaged road-going product.
by Michael | May 28, 2022 | News
Renault is ready to give up up to 60% of its shares in the thermal engine division, which will include the Mioveni Mechanical Plant and the thermal engine activities of Renault Technologie Roumanie, already receiving numerous “partnership” offers. “The group has already received requests for partnerships,” according to Reuters, which said Renault did not want to comment.
Among Renault’s potential partners in the heat engine division are the Japanese group Nissan, already a partner with the French group in the Alliance, but also other car companies and investors.
Renault Will have a Electric and Combustion Power Division
Renault has previously officially confirmed that it is “considering” the separation of the company’s activities according to criteria related to the propulsion system. The electric vehicles and the software can be taken over by a new company, while the activities with heat engines, including Dacia, can be taken over by another entity. The Renault Group, which also owns the Dacia brand, announced that it is “considering the creation in France of an entity dedicated to Electric Vehicles and Software”. One of the arguments that led to this decision is the intention to produce in France the main components of electric mobility, as announced by the company.
The future entity for combustion engines would group the plants Motores (Spain), Sevilla (Spain), Cacia (Portugal), Bursa (Turkey), Mioveni (Romania), Curitiba (Brazil), CorMecanica (Chile), PFA (Argentina) , as well as the engineering and R&D centers RTS (Spain), RTR (Romania and Turkey), RTA (Brazil), to which are added the support functions related to these activities. And this entity will have about 10,000 employees, from outside France, by 2023.
Renault CEO Confirms the Creation of the 2 Divisions
Luca de Meo was present in front of the General Meeting of Renault SA Shareholders, where several proposals of the executive management were discussed and approved. The head of the Renault Group spoke to shareholders about the fact that there is an audit that has shown that a separation of activities dedicated to electric vehicles has great potential.
Such a separation “would correct the assessment of the group,” said de Meo, who stressed that he does not want to split the company in two, but to create two entities with about 10,000 employees each.
“We see electric vehicles as a growing business and ICE (n.r. internal combustion engines) as a stable cash generator,” De Meo said earlier. “There is an industrial need to separate the two teams, because they play different sports,” explained the Renault boss.
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by Michael | May 28, 2022 | News, Offroad Zone
Dacia Bigster (concept) was officially presented in Bucharest to journalists and dealers. It will enter series production by the end of 2024, and deliveries to customers will start in 2025. This SUV prefigured by Bigster will be one of the compact range, larger than Duster. About 90% of what is seen will be taken on the serial model. It will have 5 or 7 seats, without diesel engines. Gasoline and hybrid only. The production car will have recycled plastic elements and absolutely nothing chrome.
Even if it is still in the concept phase, this project from Dacia must overcome many challenges both in terms of propulsion and interior design:
1. Interior Quality
In recent years, Dacia has increased the prices of its models, and Dacia Duster, the Facelift version, launched in the summer of 2022, can reach 25,000 EUR, on the highest trim level. It is safe to asume that the Bigster will have a starting price of over 20.000 EUR, which will be very challenging for the production of this model. That’s because with the raising prices in oil and energy, with the war that’s going on in Ukraine at this moment, plus the exit of Renault from the russian auto market, it is almost impossible not to get a higher prince for a finished Dacia Bigster.
In order to be atractive for the potential clients, Dacia Bigster will have to be more of a premium car, like the Renault Arkana at the interior. If it will get cheap materials like the ones on the Duster, the customers will be more likely to choose other car models in its segment, just for the better looking interior design.
2. Engines
Another problem that is very challenging for the Renault Group and other car makers is the EU regulations for the CO2 emissions. With the upcoming regulations, Dacia must bring on new engine models, with hybrid technology, in order to keep the emissions low and still have enough power and torque for a C Segment model, like the Bigster. 
Even if the 1.3 TCe engine on the Duster is very capable, and develops 150 HP, it also eliminates more than 130 g CO2/km, which is already too much for Dacia, because it increases medium CO2 value of the Renault Group with every model sold. This is atracting fines that Renault has to pay to the EU and also increases the final price of a Duster when it reaches the dealer’s gate. This will also happen with Dacia Bigster, if the engines that will power the model will not have around 100 g CO2/km.
3. 4×4 Transmision and Offroad Capabilities
The exterior design of the Bigster is showing great offroad capabilites if the main lines will be kept for the final version. We;re talking about the front and rear bumper, as for the ground clearence. If this design will keep these 3 basic elements unchanged, Bigster will do even better than the Duster in offroad. 
There is one problem, the 4×4 system and if it will have one. As we know, the Renault Arkana is sold only with the 2WD in Europe, but in Russia, you can buy it with the 4WD system that is also used on the Duster models. This could also be a market choice for the upcoming Bigster, but we hope it wont.
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by Michael | May 26, 2022 | Best of
Although action games are most popularly played on a gaming console, there are plenty of great options on your iPhone and iPad too. They boast spectacular graphics, engaging gameplay, and nonstop thrills.
Five years ago, Carl Johnson escaped from the pressures of life in Los Santos, San Andreas, a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs and corruption. Where filmstars and millionaires do their best to avoid the dealers and gangbangers. Now, it’s the early 90’s. Carl’s got to go home. His mother has been murdered, his family has fallen apart and his childhood friends are all heading towards disaster.
Immerse yourself in one of the most iconic action games of all time and see if you have what it takes to take out all the bad guys. It offers a console-level experience even on your iPhone and iPad. Both the single and multiplayer modes will keep you engaged with amazing graphics and intense challenges. Then there’s the competitive Ranked Mode in which you can use skill and strategy to battle to the top.
This shooting game is a must-try for all action fanatics. You can choose from different modes such as Sniper, Assault, Bounty Hunter, Heavy, etc. It guarantees hours of edge-of-the-seat excitement when playing with your squad of friends or even as a single-player against other players worldwide.
Your mission is to save the world from the brink of anarchy by shooting your way through challenging situations. You can play the way you like with customizable, intuitive controls.
Enjoy the best of RPG and classic fighting in this top action strategy game for iPhone and iPad. Equip your characters with lethal weapons and armor sets and try out a host of realistic Martial Arts techniques.Punch, kick, jump, and slash your way through six different worlds teeming with menacing demons. Go ahead and annihilate your enemies with intuitive controls and an immersive interface that’s been designed for touchscreens.
It’s time to arm yourself with an arsenal of powerful weapons and kill all the zombies. Do you have what it takes to protect the world? Take on seven action-packed chapters, with 60 stages and hundreds of thrilling challenges.
The story keeps evolving, and multiple endings are possible based on what actions you take. Moreover, the gameplay is varied – you can shoot from military gun emplacements, slay the hordes from vehicles, and even go after the zombies on foot.
Here’s one of the most popular global gaming sensations in recent times. Among Us is set in a spaceship that’s preparing for launch. The aim is to find the player among the crew who’s an imposter plotting to kill everyone.
You have to use basic vertical and horizontal movements to move from room to room to accomplish your tasks. If you’re the imposer, your goal is to sabotage and murder your crewmates. And if you’re a crew member who suspects something, call an emergency meeting and try to get the imposter voted out before they destroy you.
Gangstar New Orleansis an action-driven game made for those who want to become real Gangstars and wreak havoc everywhere they go. Set in the fascinating city of New Orleans, Gangstar New Orleans is the largest open world ever released on mobile, filled with unique underworld characters, engaging story missions, intense car chases, and explosive shooting action! In New Orleans, anything can happen!
Dead Cells is a roguelite platformer that doesn’t let its clever procedurally generated algorithms get in the way of what it does best – quicksilver combat. Whether you’re hammering baddies with a giant sword or pinning them with a powerful multi-shot bow, it never feels less than deliciously tactile.
Step into a futuristic world where humanity is under attack from a deadly alien invader, and it’s up to you to save the day. Embark on over 200 missions across four diverse planets.
You have a range of weapons at your disposal, from handguns and assault rifles to shotguns, machine guns, sniper rifles, and more. Join forces with friends to defeat enemies and gain not just glory but also plenty of loot. Explore different multiplayer game modes and diverse PvP arenas.
If you thrive on nostalgia, you’ll love this classic Mario game. It includes four modes, namely, World Tour, Toad Rally, Remix 10, and Kingdom Builder. Super simple one-touch controls make this a breeze to play. It’s slightly more challenging to collect the pink coins along the way. Run through a plethora of courses to rescue Princess Peach. Compete with friends and build your own kingdom.
Price: Free (All 6 WOrlds – $9.99)
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