All posts by Francis Mitterrand

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250

In 1951, Toyota launched a series of four-wheel drive vehicles, the Land Cruiser, which over the years acquired the status of indefatigable cars capable of overcoming all types of terrain in all conditions. The new Toyota Land Cruiser 250 is the latest in the series.

The latest generation is 4925 mm long, 1980 mm wide and 1935 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2850 mm. It is built on a standard design for these models, capable of handling harsh conditions and easy to replace if damaged.

A long hood, upright windshield, short front overhang, a three-element front LED arrangement or a classic bi-LED projector with a round element along with vertically mounted direction indicators and daytime running lights, distinctive wheel arches, adorn the front of the vehicle. The fog lights are tucked into the bumpers while the front and rear corners are designed for better maneuverability and the lower parts of the doors have a scraped, concave surface. Depending on the version, the car will come with 18-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels with a new design.

Inside, the focus is on the driver. The multimedia screen is placed higher for easier visibility. The digital instrument cluster (9 or 12.3 inches, depending on trim level) displays gauges and data with sharp graphics, which are clearly readable in all lighting conditions. The multimedia system is accessed via a high-resolution touch screen (8 or 12.3 inches).

When it comes to the powertrain, the latest generation in Europe comes with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine with 204 hp (150 kW) at 3,000 rpm and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque at 2,800 rpm, paired with a new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission. Acceleration performance and driving characteristics have been improved, noise and vibration levels have been reduced and handling in difficult conditions has been improved.

For the year 2025, Toyota announced the arrival of the first generation Land Cruiser with a mild hybrid drive.

Source: Toyota

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Porsche sales results in Q1 2024

Even in times of global economic uncertainty, Porsche remains desirable and exclusive. In 2023, the sports brand delivered 320,221 cars, which was 3 percent more compared to the same period in 2022. However, Porsche sales in Q1 2024 did not continue on that path. In the first three months of this year, Porsche delivered 77,640 vehicles, which is 4 percent less than in Q1 2023.

This year is the year of electrification when Porsche launches several fully electric and hybrid models such as the Macan, Panamera, Taycan and 911. When it comes to models, positive sales results were recorded by the Porsche Cayenne with 28,025 units (+20 percent) , the 911 with 12,892 cars sold (+17%), and the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman models with 5,772 deliveries (+20%). Other models recorded a drop in sales compared to the same period in 2023. The Panamera was delivered in 6,139 units (-28 percent), while the Taycan achieved a huge drop compared to Q1 last year (-54 %) with 4,236 cars delivered. The Porsche Macan also recorded a 14% drop in sales (20,576 cars). However, the recently introduced all-electric Macan is announcing better results as a large number of orders have been received.

“Despite the ramp-up of the new launches, delays in delivery due to regulatory requirements in North America and the still challenging market situation in China, we were able to maintain deliveries at a stable level,” says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG.

When it comes to individual markets, Porsche had the best results in Germany where it delivered 11,274 cars (+37%), while in the rest of Europe it delivered 20,044 cars (+9%). Other markets recorded a decline in sales, which can be attributed to the currently tense economic situation in the Chinese market. In China, Porsche sold only 16,340 vehicles (-24%), while in North America it delivered 15,087 vehicles, which is 23% less compared to Q1 2023. In the rest of the world, 14,895 cars were sold (+14).

Source: Porsche

2025 Ford Mustang GTD

Officially, the Ford Mustang was the best-selling sports car in the world in 2023, and now the most powerful and most expensive Mustang is coming to the market soon, the Ford Mustang GTD.

Ford has opened the order book, and it should be noted that this model will first be available to customers in North America, and from June it will also be available to customers in Europe. This model should be Ford’s answer to the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS. In order to ensure that this car will not be resold and generate extra profit, buyers will have to get approval from Ford that they do not want to sell the car to people who will not drive it.

Most of the bodywork is made from carbon fiber, equipped with multi-adjustable suspension and a set of ultra-lightweight center-lock rims that are fitted with 325mm front and 345mm rear road-legal tires. The car will show its full potential on the track, primarily the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Ford is confident that on this most famous track, the Mustang GTD will achieve a lap time of less than seven minutes.

There is still no official information about the most powerful Mustang, and what is known so far is that it will be produced in limited numbers (1,000 units) and that it will be powered by a 5.2-liter V8 engine assisted by a mechanical supercharger with about 800 hp (597 kW) paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.

Each car will be hand-delivered to customers home and comes with access to GTD owner experiences. Price, $300,000 USD.

Source: Ford

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