ON THE ROAD

ON THE ROAD

The Bronco comes with only the absolute essentials, making it ripe for customer personalisation by a full line of factory-backed accessories. But then it still has all that make a Bronco a Bronco – standard 4x4, easy to remove doors and roof, optional 35-inch tyres in the Sasquatch Package.

The all-new Bronco Sport is your wilderness guide with four unique series engineered to match the way you experience the outdoors. Each, expertly equipped to get you out there — To the mountain ranges, the woodland trails, and the scenic shores. Your adventure begins in a Bronco Sport, and it never ends.

The Bronco breed was born in 1966, and soon it became a winner, thumping wild hearts everywhere and setting the mould for the modern SUVs.

VOLKSWAGEN PUSHES UP EV RANGE

Volkswagen is on full steam ahead pushing ups its EV range. Reports say the VW Group is planning to spend £64 billion on electric, hybrid and digital technology developments in the next five years. The company is coming up with VD ID.4 and also a variant – the VD ID-5, fully electric crossover family drive. The ID-5 coupe will be available only in Europe, at least for now. VW ID series have been quite a name in the EV market. The ID-3, recently launched in China, is already highly talked about.

The ID-4 US production is soon to start and will soon be followed by UK launch. The new ID 4 GTX is due to reach the UK in the middle of next year.

The ID-5 is basically the revamped version of the 4, with a slanting roof unlike the conventionally designed body of the global model, reports say. The ID 5 range is expected to include single-motor rear drive and dual-motor four-wheel drive, including the top-of-the-line 302bhp performance set-up used in the headlining ID 5 GTX model.

TRAILBLAZER 2021: BOLD AND HI-TECH

The All-New 2021 Trailblazer is bold, spacious and has the technology and capability to help you get up and get out there. And with multiple trims to choose from, your style options are as open as the road ahead.

Its sculpted design and bold proportions give it a fresh, modern feel. And the standard two-tone roof on ACTIV and RS sets you apart from other cars on the road.

The surprisingly spacious interior features a versatile centre console that keeps items within easy reach. Your passengers stay comfortable with best-in-class rear-seat leg room and plenty of spots to store their things.

The 40/60 rear seats fold down to allow for 54.4 cu. ft.† of cargo volume, giving you plenty of space for whatever you want to load up. And for your biggest items, the available front passenger seat folds flat to offer room for objects up to eight and a half feet long.

CADILLAC ESCALADE: CURVED OLED DISPLAY

The 2021 Escalade offers available Super Cruise, the first truly hands-free driver-assistance feature for compatible highways. Super Cruise on Escalade offers several new enhancements, including Lane-Change-on-Demand functionality. Late availability starting early 2021.

The new Escalade has the industry’s first curved OLED display with twice the pixel density of a 4K TV. This leading-edge technology enables bold imagery, perfect blacks and the largest colour range available in the automotive arena.

Bold style is more than expressive–it’s expansive. Cadillac has extended Escalade 8 inches and lowered the floor, resulting in an additional 10.1 inches of third-row leg room.

The front Daytime Running Lamps pulsate twice, the rear LED Light Blades illuminate from bottom to top twice and the Cadillac Crest illuminates on the back of the Curved OLED Display. Additionally, an available puddle lamp with the Cadillac Crest appears in anticipation of your arrival.

The standard hands-free liftgate can be opened with a push on the Cadillac Crest or with a simple kicking gesture. Alternatively, it can also be opened by using your key fob or by pressing the overhead button within the vehicle.

NISSAN ROGUE 2021: A FAMILY AFFAIR

The 2021 Nissan Rogue is very much a crossover, 5-capacity family affair. The upgraded technologies go with the new cool factor with better aerodynamics and higher fuel efficiency. The 2021 Rogue comes in S, SV, and SL trim levels. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, a continuously variable transmission, and front-wheel or all-wheel drive make the upgrade worth the efforts. The compact SUV is 1.2 inches shorter clearance is 0.2 inches lower compared to the earlier edition.

With Nissan’s V-Motion grille design, the front is sleeker. new Rogue features a stacked LED running light and LED headlight arrangement for a sleeker. Nissan calls the Rogue’s cabin a “Family Hub” that provides comfort and utility for all.

Nissan says the 2021 Rogue has a direct-injected version of the SUV’s familiar 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 181 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque. Those figures represent increases of 11 hp and 6 lb.-ft. compared to the previous Rogue.

The Rogue is equipped with standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), and featuring 10 standard airbags along with what the automaker is describing as “extended crumple zones,” the new 2021 Rogue should prove safe.

Nissan installs a larger 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the new Rogue. It sits high on the dashboard where it is easy to reference and use, and Nissan supplies power/volume and tuning knobs for the stereo as well as a row of main menu shortcut buttons for faster access to system features.

Birla Tyre Unveils New Brand Identity To Position Itself As A High-Performance Brand

Birla Tyres

Birla Tyre has launched a new brand identity featuring a redesigned logo and corporate website, marking a major step in its transformation journey under new ownership. The company, now backed by a consortium led by Dalmia Bharat Refractories (DBRL) as Resolution Applicant, and strategic partner Himadri Speciality Chemical (HSCL), aims to position itself as a premium, high-performance and future-ready brand.

The company plans to roll out a multi-platform marketing campaign and focus on re-entering key markets, expanding distribution and strengthening its product portfolio.

The refreshed identity reflects Birla Tyre’s renewed focus on speed, innovation and excellence. The new logo includes a custom wordmark symbolising forward motion and a tiger motif – called ‘Tyger’ – representing power, agility and leadership. The blue and orange colour scheme signifies trust and optimism.

Anurag Choudhary, Chairman and Managing Director & CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemical, said, “This rebranding is more than merely a visual transformation; it is a reaffirmation of our dedication to purposeful development and progress.” 

Dr Chandra Narain Maheswari, Whole Time Director & CEO, Dalmia Bharat Refractories, said, “Our new logo encapsulates the essence of Birla Tyre, which is founded on four fundamental pillars: a legacy that motivates boldness, a product line that is prepared for the future, an unwavering commitment to continuous innovation and a oneness with world around us. As this new identity signals Birla Tyre’s readiness to meet the evolving needs of the automotive industry with energy, innovation, and purpose.”

Rally Poland Opens Under Cloud of Tragedy Following Driver's Death

Rally Poland Opens Under Cloud of Tragedy Following Driver's Death

The 2025 Rally of Poland commenced amid an atmosphere of mourning following the tragic death of Italian motorsport driver Matteo Doretto in a racing accident.

The 81st edition of Europe's second-oldest rally competition, taking place across the challenging gravel roads of the Masurian Lakes region from June 13-15, has been overshadowed by the loss of the rising Italian talent.

"His loss is a tragedy that deeply saddens us," said Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli Rally Activity Manager. "On behalf of Pirelli, I would like to extend our most heartfelt and sincere condolences to his family and friends."

Despite the sombre mood, 63 crews took to the start line for what remains one of the European Rally Championship's most demanding events. Notable competitors include Jon Armstrong driving a Pirelli-equipped Ford Fiesta, alongside Jos Verstappen and Andrea Mabellini, both piloting Skoda Fabias fitted with Pirelli tyres.

The rally features 14 special stages covering 190.40 timed kilometres across terrain known for its technical difficulty. The Masurian Lakes route presents drivers with uneven, often sandy roads where grip proves elusive even for experienced competitors.

"It's a very difficult and high speed rally, where attention to detail is very important," commented Testoni. "With every car passage the terrain gets rougher, forming deep ruts that can challenge even the most experienced drivers."

Weather conditions are forecast to remain dry, though organisers caution that conditions can change rapidly on such challenging terrain.

The rally serves as the third round of this season's ERC Fiesta Rally3 trophy, for which Pirelli provides exclusive tyre supply. Competing crews have access to three variants from Pirelli's Scorpion gravel range: the K4A hard compound, the K6A soft compound designated as the prime choice for this event, and the K8B supersoft option.

Regulations permit each crew to utilise 16 tyres total, including those selected for qualifying sessions. Trophy category vehicles will run on Scorpion 175/70-15 specifications in both K4 hard and K6 soft compounds.

Rally Poland's reputation for difficulty stems from its unique surface characteristics, where the sandy base becomes increasingly rutted as more vehicles traverse each stage. The deteriorating conditions throughout the weekend create an additional strategic element as crews must balance speed with mechanical preservation.

The event's location in the Masurian Lakes region, known for its natural beauty, provides a stark contrast to the intense competition unfolding on its roads. The rally has maintained its position as a crucial championship round despite the technical challenges it presents to both drivers and machinery.

TyreSafe Welcomes Self-Driving Innovations, But Maintains Caution On Effectiveness And Safety

TyreSafe

UK-based tyre safety watchdog TyreSafe has welcomed the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)’s announcement highlighting Britain’s fast lane position for self-driving vehicles.

While the safety watchdog has acknowledged the potential the technology holds for enhancing road safety and reducing collisions, it maintains a caution towards the effectiveness and safety benefits of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – and by extension, fully autonomous vehicles. This it shared are intrinsically linked to the fundamental safety and maintenance of a vehicle’s tyres.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “We are incredibly optimistic about the future of mobility and the significant strides being made in self-driving technology. Anything that has the potential to save lives and dramatically reduce serious collisions on our roads is something TyreSafe wholeheartedly supports.”

“However, it is crucial to remember that even the most sophisticated ADAS systems rely on optimal vehicle performance, and tyres are the sole point of contact between the vehicle and the road. Without sound tyre safety management – ensuring correct pressure, tread depth, and condition – the integrity and performance of these advanced systems can be severely compromised,” said Lovatt.

He highlighted the persistent issues that is seen among current vehicle owners, when it comes to proper tyre maintenance. 

“For many years, tyres have consistently been identified as the primary cause of MOT failures for vehicles up to seven years old. This underscores a widespread complacency regarding tyre safety that we must collectively address,” he added.

As per the latest statistics, over 35 percent of MOT failures were attributed to previous tyre-related advisories, which translates to 768,410 drivers ignoring warnings and subsequently failed their next MOT due to tyre issues. The trend of vehicles failing MOTs on wheel and tyre-related advisories is unfortunately increasing, indicating a growing disregard for these critical safety components.

“The promise of self-driving vehicles is immense, but their safety cannot be fully realised if the foundational elements are neglected. As we move towards a more autonomous future, the importance of tyres – their condition and correct maintenance – becomes even more paramount. TyreSafe urges all stakeholders, from manufacturers to policymakers and drivers, to recognise that tyre safety is not just an advisory; it is a non-negotiable prerequisite for safe, efficient, and technologically advanced motoring,” concluded Lovatt.

Vaculug Appoints Darren C As Regional Operations Manager For West

Vaculug Appoints Darren C As Regional Operations Manager For West

Vaculug has announced the appointment of Darren C. as the company’s Regional Operations Manager for the West, overseeing key areas including Manchester, Birmingham and Wales. Darren brings with him extensive experience, knowledge and skillset and will be a valuable asset to the team, said the company.

Marcus Kirkness, Fleet Operations Manager at Vaculug, said, “These are truly exciting times at Vaculug. We’re incredibly pleased to have Darren join our team. His knowledge of the tyre industry, combined with his experience in managing customer fleets and delivering top-tier customer service, will be instrumental as we continue to expand our customer base. Darren’s expertise ensures we remain agile in addressing challenges and fulfilling our commitments swiftly and effectively."