Land Rover Helped Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson on His Space Flight

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Land Rover is an iconic British brand with a long history of transporting people on Earth. However, it also has a well-established partnership with Virgin Galactic and plays a role in that company’s spaceflights. Here’s what Land Rover has been up to lately and how Richard Branson’s recent spaceflight went.

Land Rover successes in 2021

Land Rover has been manufacturing 4x4s since 1948. The well-established automaker has had a busy year with various projects. For example, it released a redesigned Defender, which hadn’t seen a redesign in decades. And the new look earned the Defender the 2021 MotorTrend SUV of the Year.

In April 2021, when Prince Philip died in Britain at age 99, his body was transported to Windsor Castle during a ceremonial funeral procession. His coffin was carried in a custom Land Rover Defender 130 Gun Bus, which the prince helped design.

In addition, Jaguar Land Rover is working on a Defender EV prototype that will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The effort is part of the company’s goal to have zero tailpipe emissions by 2036.

Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group

Richard Branson in July 2021 | PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

British entrepreneur and billionaire Richard Branson founded Virgin Records in the early 1970s. The company later expanded into the Virgin Group, which includes Virgin Mobile, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin Voyages, Virgin Galactic, and others, Biography reports.

Branson is also known for his adventurous accomplishments, including being the first person to cross the Atlantic and the Pacific by hot-air balloon. He also recently completed a flight with Virgin Galactic, the “first private company to fly humans into space in a craft designed for commercial service,” Land Rover explains. Virgin Galactic also manufactures air and space vehicles.

Land Rover’s involvement in space

In July 2021, Land Rover supported Virgin Galactic’s first fully crewed space flight, the fourth crewed spaceflight overall for the company. Branson, Virgin Galactic’s founder, was one of four Mission Specialists aboard the flight, along with the two pilots.

The two companies have been in partnership since 2014. Land Rover vehicles “tow Virgin Galactic space vehicles, transport astronauts, and support day-to-day operations.” Land Rovers are also used for transporting equipment and clearing the runway before takeoff.

For this flight out of New Mexico, Branson arrived in a Range Rover Astronaut Edition, and after completing the flight, the spacecraft was towed back by a Land Rover Defender 110. The Range Rover Astronaut Edition was unveiled in 2019. This SUV was created by Land Rover SV Bespoke and was available only for Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut customers.

“This is an incredible technical and human achievement for the Virgin Galactic team as they took personal adventure to thrilling new heights. Land Rover is proud to have supported this exciting mission and we look forward to supporting all the flights into the future,” said Joe Eberhardt, president and CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America.

Land Rover vehicles will be used to transport future space travelers to their flights as well. Virgin Galactic already has 600 Future Astronaut customers on its list. Land Rovers will also continue in support functions.

Branson’s spaceflight

The craft Branson flew in, the SpaceShipTwo, is a winged plane with one rocket motor. Virgin Galactic has been developing this spacecraft for two decades, CNN reports. The spacecraft was taken up by a twin-fuselage mothership, called WhiteKnightTwo. It then flew under its own power to about 50 miles high. Then the spacecraft curled its wings upward and returned to Earth. During the flight, Branson and the other onboard experienced weightlessness and had amazing views of Earth.

Virgin Galactic is working to make suborbital trips a viable tourism opportunity. There is expected to be one more Virgin Galactic test flight before paying customers are allowed to travel to space. The company will likely be in competition with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.

RELATED: Tesla Wasn’t the First Automaker to Explore Space

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A Wingless Formula 1 Car Broke the Top-Speed Record at the Bonneville Salt Flats

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Everyone knows Formula 1 cars are fast on the track, but what about at other locations? One Formula 1 car even went to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to test this theory with a Honda vehicle, and the results were astounding. The Honda RA106 ended up setting the record for the top speed of any Formula 1 car in history. Not bad, Honda.

What is the land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats?

Honda’s RA106 Formula 1 car at the Bonneville Salt Flats | Chris McGrath/Getty Images for Honda Motor Co.

There have been a variety of attempts to break records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. According to Autoweek, George Poteet attempted the record at the 72ndannual SCTA Bonneville Speed Week. His vehicle, a blown fuel streamliner (BFS), the Speed Demon, set the new record of 470 mph.

Previously, Danny Thompson had the record from 2018 in his Challenger II vehicle. He broke the record that was set by Poteet previously. Thompson and the Challenger II his 448.75 mph that year. The record from Poteet that Thompson beat was 439 mph.

The Honda RA106 Formula 1 car at the Bonneville Salt Flats

The Honda RA106 at the Bonneville Salt Flats
The Honda RA106 at the Bonneville Salt Flats | Motor Sport Magazine

The 2006 Honda RA106 was driven by Jenson Button on the Honda Formula 1 team. The RA106 didn’t have much luck on the F1 circuit. It did win the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix and made it to the podium three times out of 18 total races. This car was the last Honda-powered vehicle to win a Formula 1 Grand Prize until Max Verstappen won the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix.

According to Motor Sport Magazine, Alan van der Merwe took the Honda car out to the Bonneville Salt Flats back. If you recognize that name, van der Merwe is currently drivers the Formula One Medical Car. So van der Merwe and the Honda RA106 headed out to the Bonneville Salt Flats to try and beat the record.

While the Honda looked fairly identical to the one used on F1 tracks, the team replaced the engine with an unrestricted V10. Additionally, the team replaced the typical rear wing with a stability fin, and van der Merwe added appropriate tires.

The current Formula 1 fastest car record stands at 246.90 mph (397.360 km/h). The goal for this project was 248.54 mph (400 km/h). Van der Merwe managed to go 256.75 mph (413.205 km/h) on one run but couldn’t replicate the speed on the second run. However, he did join the Bonneville 200 MPH Club for the 250 mph fun.

Life after F1 Grand Prix racing

While some Formula 1 cars retire after the official tracks, this one made an impact under different circumstances. The Honda RA106 holds the fastest top speed of any Formula 1 car in history, which is quite an accomplishment. Some other notable high speeds were from 1985 and after.

In 1985, Keke Rosberg went 60.94 mph in the Williams FW10. In 2014, Juan Pablo Montoya beat Rosberg’s record in the BMW FW26 by going 161.45 mph. After that, Kimi Räikkönen went 163.78 mph in the Ferrari SF17H. And finally, Lewis Hamilton holds the current record of 164.26 mph in the Mercedes W11.

So you might not see many Formula 1 cars at the Bonneville Salt Flats anytime soon, it can be done, and it has been done. Don’t underestimate the power of a retired Honda and a passion for going fast!

RELATED: What Are the Differences Between IndyCar, Nascar, and Formula 1 Races?

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This Looks Like a 1969 Ford Mustang-But It’s Not

by Gabrielle DeSantis

What we have here is a 1969 Mustang. Except, it isn’t a Mustang, it is a 2009 Hyundai Accent. No, you say? Yes, this started as an Accent and this whole transformation was done in India. 

We wonder if the builder even ever saw a 1969 Mustang in real life?

Fake 1969 Mustang fastback from India | DC India

While the builder could have replicated an F40 or Miura, he chose a 1969 Mustang fastback instead. Though we don’t know the particulars, it could very well be that the builder never actually ever saw a 1969 Mustang fastback in the flesh. That’s only one of the things we wonder about this build.

The next thing is that for as well proportioned as the rear of the “Mustang” is, the front needed a whole lot of extra sheet metal in front to take in all of the front-wheel-drive and e engine components. If the builder has started with a rear-wheel-drive econobox instead of the Accent, the proportions of the front would be on the same level as the rear.

Whether you start with the right car or not you’ll end up paying the same to build it

Fake 1969 Mustang fastback from India
Fake 1969 Mustang fastback from India | DC India

Unfortunately, these home-built creations sometimes start with whatever is lying around. It doesn’t always have to make sense. But in the end, you’ll end up with the same time and money either way. So, you might as well start with the optimum starting point. 

That said, it looks pretty good within the context of what it is. Probably made out of fiberglass, even the window lines defy its Accent origins. And the interior mimics a 1969 Mustang interior as well. 

Hyundai Accents are a commuter car that makes for a compromised 1969 Mustang

Fake 1969 Mustang fastback from India
Fake 1969 Mustang fastback from India | DC India

The Hyundai Accent is mostly a crappy commuter car that came and went in the US in a flash. Stomach pump engines and cramming yourself into the driver’s seat just doesn’t work in the US. But in India, it is a very popular car, mostly due to its price, economy, and size. 

So they’re abundant and cheap; which is a perfect combo for beginning a project slinging fiberglass and Bondo. Especially, since there is a chance it will become stillborn and end up in a wrecking yard half-finished. Kudos to this builder for not only finishing his project but executing it so well.

We hope he enjoys it and drives the dog snot out of it. Cruising the hot spots and enjoying the sights of Indian nightlife, with the paint shimmering under the stars. Got it? 

RELATED: These 28 Photos Show How the Ford Mustang Has Evolved Over the Years

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3 Best Midsize SUVs of 2021 According to TrueCar

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are many great midsize SUVs on the market right now, and they include well-known names like the Toyota Highlander and the Subaru Outback. However, due to how competitive the midsize SUV segment is, there are many incredible options available. That being said, here’s a look at three midsize SUVs that may be the best of them all.

2021 Kia Telluride

2021 Kia Telluride | Kia America

According to TrueCar, the Kia Telluride, one of the most-praised SUVs, is only the third-best midsize SUV right now. It ranked higher than the Subaru Outback, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Toyota Venza, the Hyundai Santa Fe, and the Lincoln Aviator, which all landed outside the top five. The Ford Explorer ended up in fifth place, while the Nissan Pathfinder got fourth. 

In any case, as TrueCar said, the Telluride is one of the best picks right now for all the same reasons that other car critics have given. It has a great interior, many standard tech features, and a good V6 engine which provides a balance between power and fuel economy. The Kia Telluride is a spacious and safe SUV, and since it starts at about $33,000, it’s quite affordable.

There are few flaws with the Telluride, and TrueCar only gave one. TrueCar said some rivals have more in-cabin storage options, but that’s not a big deal for most customers. As such, while the Telluride may not be TrueCar’s first pick, it’s still a great pick nonetheless.

2021 Kia Sorento

One of the two cars that beat the Telluride, according to TrueCar, was the Kia Sorento. It was recently redesigned, and since it’s a three-row midsize SUV from Kia, it shares a few similarities with the Telluride. For example, just like the Telluride, TrueCar wrote that the Sorento has a great interior that comes with plenty of standard tech features. 

However, there are some big differences between the two Kia siblings. The Sorento has an optional hybrid powertrain, which TrueCar praised, while the Telluride doesn’t. Another difference is size. While both are in the same segment, the Sorento is smaller than the Telluride, both in terms of measurements and cargo capacity. However, the Sorento is a cheaper pick, as it starts at just over $30,000. 

TrueCar also noted that the Sorento has a few more flaws than the Telluride did. For example, TrueCar said that the Sorento doesn’t have “sporty” handling and has a below-average towing capacity. In any case, its price tag and the value that it provides are ultimately what make the Sorento a top pick.

2021 Toyota Highlander

The best midsize SUV of the year, according to TrueCar, is the Toyota Highlander. Like the runner-up Kia models, the Highlander provides a great mix of everything a family would want from a midsize SUV. TrueCar said that the Highlander’s cabin is great because it uses many high-quality materials, and it’s also outfitted with many standard tech features that are easy to use.

While the Highlander isn’t the sportiest SUV in the segment, according to TrueCar, it does provide “the comfort and handling characteristics of a sedan.” Furthermore, just like the Sorento, the Highlander has a great hybrid option, but even without it, its standard V6 engine is decently fuel-efficient as is. 

That said, the Highlander’s not the perfect SUV. As TrueCar wrote, its third-row isn’t going to seat adults that well. On top of that, since the Highlander starts at about $36,000, it is more expensive than the Kia Telluride and Kia Sorento. Regardless, as TrueCar said, the Highlander provides a “hard-to-beat mix of practicality and comfort.”

RELATED: There’s 1 Huge Reason the 2021 Toyota Highlander Stands out in Its Class

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