Have you been curious about what happens when you drop a pickup truck from a helicopter at 10,000 feet? Neither had we. But these YouTubers, as YouTubers are prone to do, needed a hook for their site So, they put this Toyota HiLux pickup through ever-more stringent tests, to prove if it is really a tough truck.
How do you drop a Toyota HiLux pickup from 10,000?
The WhistlinDiesel crew takes this madness in stages. First, they drop the pickup 500 feet from a helicopter. But before that, there is a lot of needless filler to stretch out the drama. The weight in the truck is at the front so there is just enough time for the pickup to go headfirst into the ground.
By all appearances, this results in bending the frame and compressing the front end as the truck landed on its grille. As an aside, the YouTubers claim that renting this helicopter cost them $100,000 per minute which, of course, it doesn’t.
The 10,000 ft drop takes about 30 seconds to hit the ground
Dropping a Toyota HiLux from 10,000 ft | WhislinDiesel
Filming from a second helicopter the pickup is taken back up by the first helicopter to 10,000 feet. Once released the HiLux begins to spin faster as it descends. Dropping takes about half a minute. Spoiler alert: the results are nasty.
It basically flattens the truck like a pancake. What would you expect? The YouTubers claim they’ll pry the hood up and see if it will start up. This will either prove or disprove that a Toyota HiLux is a tough truck. At least according to the WhistlinDiesel dudes.
Is there something else we would rather have seen them do with this pickup?
Dropping a Toyota HiLux from 10,000 ft | WhislinDiesel
While not especially worth much or intrinsic, it does feel like a complete waste of a useful vehicle. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but we guess one has to go to these extremes to get views. We’re sure this will do that.
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Whether it was to avoid hitting a deer or to steer clear of a stopped car in the middle of the road, chances are, you’ve had to slam on the brakes in your car at one point or another. But have you ever found yourself wondering what can happen when you slam on the brakes? As it turns out, doing so can not only result in an accident but can also cause damage to your car. Don’t just take our word for it, though.
Can slamming on the brakes hurt your car?
Brake pedal. | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Yes, slamming on the brakes can hurt your car. In fact, according to Firestone, slamming on your brakes could negatively affect your car’s anti-lock braking system (ABS). If your car’s ABS is triggered at a time when it’s not actually needed, say when hitting the brakes harder than usual, it could result in premature wear and tear. Unfortunately, that premature wear could result in less than stellar brake performance, Firestone reports.
That’s not the only damage hitting your brakes can cause, either. Doing so could also damage brake hoses and overheat your car’s brake pads. As Firestone explains it, the pressure created when slamming on your car’s brakes can cause tears and cracks in its brake hoses. Those tears and cracks could lead to additional problems, including fluid leaks.
As for your car’s brake pads? “When your brakes overheat, the brake pads can wear down quicker, and the rotors may warp—two things that could compromise your car’s stopping power and safety,” Firestone explains.
How slamming on the brakes could damage your tires
Car tire. | ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images
Slamming on your brakes doesn’t just have the potential to damage your car. Doing so could also damage your car’s tires. In fact, according to Express Car Care, slamming on your brakes could result in flat spots on your car’s tires. That’s right. Flat spots.
But how and why do these flat stops actually happen? As Express Car Care explains it, these flat spots happen when your car’s wheels lock up and your car skids. When a car skids, a small portion of its tires stay connected to the pavement. Because that small portion remains connected to the pavement, it could experience uneven wear or even a flat spot. “While this might not damage your tires enough for replacement, it can shorten the lifespan of your tires,” Express Car Care explains.
Slamming on the brakes could cause an accident
Car accident. | Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Slamming on the brakes could cause you to lose control of your car too. For example, do so while the pavement is wet or covered with snow, and your vehicle could spin out of control. Once you lose control of your car, it has the potential to hit something or someone. Colliding with another vehicle isn’t the only problem, however.
As a matter of fact, Firestone reports that even if you don’t wind up in an accident, hitting the brakes too hard could have some unintended consequences for passengers. Slamming on the brakes will more than likely throw your passengers forward, Firestone reports. “This sudden motion could make everyone’s heads jerk, causing neck or even brain injuries,” Firestone added.
Safe driving habits can prevent brake wear and tear
In the end, slamming on the brakes can damage your car. It can also lead to an accident. The good news is that safe driving habits can prevent you from having to slam on your brakes. They can also help prevent brake wear and tear.
https://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Car-brake-pedal-1024x690-1.jpg6901024Gabrielle DeSantishttps://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/logo-usa-motor-jobs-white.pngGabrielle DeSantis2021-06-21 16:50:002021-06-21 17:28:32Here’s What Can Happen When You Slam On the Brakes
Compared to something like Formula 1, NASCAR may seem crude or old-fashioned to some. However, in recent years the racing series has started fighting back against this perception of stagnation. Leading this charge is the NASCAR Next Gen race car, which is a genuine paradigm shift where stock cars are concerned. And now, the wraps are off the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
The NASCAR Next Gen Cup car “is a revolution” for stock car racing, Road & Track says
NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 side | Chevrolet
Up until now, NASCAR’s Cup series stock cars have followed a simple formula, Road & Track explains. Although the race cars evolved, the current-gen ‘Gen 6’ cars still use live rear axles and four-speed manual transmissions. The rear suspension is based on ‘60s pickup tech, Autoweek points out. And every manufacturer and team involved developed their own parts at great expense.
That all changes with the NASCAR Next Gen Cup Series car. For the first time, the Cup cars are ‘spec cars,’ as in, they’re built according to standardized specifications, Autoweek explains. Apart from the engine and bodywork, every part comes from one of 30 different vendors and suppliers. That keeps costs down, which also prevents the sport from becoming a funding war, something that’s repeatedly plagued F1. This levels the playing field and gives smaller teams a better fighting chance.
The Gen 7 cars are new inside and out
However, that’s not the biggest change the NASCAR Next Gen, aka the ‘Gen 7’ car brings. Engine aside, the Gen 7 car “is different in every conceivable way,” R&T says. And that statement applies to everything from the bodywork to the suspension.
Starting with the exterior, the NASCAR Next Gen car has carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic body panels, rather than metal ones. And the body is symmetrical, as well as wider, lower, and shorter. It also has a redesigned aero package. Plus, instead of multi-lug 15” steel wheels, the Next Gen cars have center-lock 18” BBS aluminum ones. Those bigger wheels also come with wider tires (specifically, Goodyear Eagles) and accommodate larger brakes.
Besides the new wheels, the NASCAR Next Gen car also rides on new suspension. No more live rear axle, the Gen 7 car has independent rear suspension, Car and Driver notes. The Ohlins dampers are also new and more adjustable. And rather than recirculating-ball steering, the Next Gen Cup car has modern rack-and-pinion steering. Also, there’s a five-speed sequential manual with reverse in place of the old four-speed manual.
Finally, the NASCAR Next Gen car still has a tubular-steel chassis. But it’s now designed as a center section with bolt-on subframes to lower construction and repair costs. Plus, the center section has more roll bars, R&T notes.
The NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro looks even more like the road-going ZL1
NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 next to a 2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 | Chevrolet
Up until recently, the NASCAR Next Gen Cup cars have only been seen in prototype form. Recently, though, the three participating automakers—Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford—showed off what their Gen 7 cars look like. And for Chevy, that car is the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
One of the goals for the NASCAR Next Gen program was to make the Cup cars look more like their road-going namesakes. Hence the symmetrical and redesigned body. And in the case of the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, overall, it’s mission accomplished, MotorTrend reports.
To be sure, the Gen 7 Cup car isn’t identical to the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 on sale in dealers. The grille and headlights, for example, are stickers. And the road-going ZL1 doesn’t have side-exit exhausts or a fully-stripped-out interior. But at least visually, the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Cup car gives the NASCAR racer a more ‘stock’ look.
When will viewers get to see these race cars in action?
The NASCAR Next-Gen car will continue using the current V8 ICE formula … but electrification is coming.https://t.co/f8T3yA7nEn
As of this writing, none of the NASCAR Next Gen cars, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 included, have competed in a race. But the wait is almost over. All three are scheduled to hit the track at the 2022 Daytona 500 on February 20th, 2022.
However, even after the Next Gen cars start racing for real, they won’t be done evolving. Although the Gen 6 cars’ V8s carry over, NASCAR is working on getting the Gen 7 cars hybridized. There’s no official word regarding when this will happen. But it’s still a sign that NASCAR isn’t stagnant.
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Jaguar has seemed to be struggling lately, with the new CEO killing the majority of Jaguar’s future products and completely eliminating SUVs. The automaker is also planning to eliminate all gas-powered vehicles by 2025. And the latest news is eliminating most of the available trims for the 2021 Jaguar XF. This last move might actually be a pretty good one since the 2020 XF trim had 10 available trims.
Why did Jaguar cut out most of the 2020 XF trims for the 2021 model?
The Jaguar XF | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images
Jaguar cut a total of seven trims from the 2020 XF, leaving three available trims for 2021. It also cut out the wagon, and will only come as a sedan. According to Car and Driver, the main reason was to simplify things. By eliminating several trims, Jaguar was able to really hone the XF and make the 2021 model better.
It also simplifies things for car shoppers. Particularly for first-time car buyers, too many options and trims can be overwhelming and potentially scare off buyers.
The interior got an upgrade for the 2021 model
As part of the process, the 2021 Jaguar XF interior saw quite a few upgrades. The dash and instrument panel both got redone, and the retractable dial-a-gear shifter was replaced with an electronic shifter for the eight-speed automatic transmission. You also have the option of doing the shifting yourself with steering-wheel paddles. The dash features open-pore wood treatment, which, apparently, actually smells like wood.
The Pivo Pro infotainment system has an 11.4-inch touchscreen and is intuitive and easy to use. You also get a 12-speaker Meridian hi-fi sound system, which, along with the larger touchscreen, is standard on all trims. The interior also feels a lot more luxurious than in previous years, and the back seat will easily sit your taller friends. It also seems better insulated against road and wind noise.
The exterior also got a little bit of a change, with more elegant lines, a new grille, new bumpers, and new taillights. It also comes with LED headlights and running lights. You can also opt for a package that blacks out part of the trim.
The 2021 Jaguar XF
Jaguar eliminated the V6 engine option and is offering two engine choices, both of which are 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The base engine puts out 245 hp and 269 lbs-ft of torque, while the second engine puts out 296 hp and 295 lbs-ft of torque. The base trim comes with front-wheel drive, and the other two trims both have all-wheel drive. The EPA-estimated fuel economy ranges from 23-25 MPG city and 33-34 MPG highway.
In terms of performance, the loss of the V6 takes away a lot of power. The top speed ranges from 130-155 MPH, and the 0-60 MPH speed ranges from 5.9 seconds to 6.8 seconds, not really coming close to Jaguar’s claim of 5.6 seconds. The quarter-mile time is slower also, ranging between 14.4 seconds to 15.1 seconds. And while it handles quite well on corners, with responsive steering and a well-balanced chassis, the all-season rubber tires slow the braking time.
Less is sometimes more, and for the 2021 Jaguar XF that truism mostly holds true. Killing off seven out of 10 trims allowed Jaguar to improve many aspects of the XF, and may prompt higher sales.
It does not hurt that the starting price for the XF is $45,145, a full $10,000 less than the BMW 5 Series and the Audi A6. Bringing back the V6 option would probably also help, but with Jaguar eliminating gas-powered vehicles, that is not likely. With a more mature and refined look and feel, as well as a much more attractive price, the XF could bring Jaguar back from the brink.
https://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Jaguar-XF-1024x683-1.jpg6831024Gabrielle DeSantishttps://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/logo-usa-motor-jobs-white.pngGabrielle DeSantis2021-06-21 16:11:002021-06-21 17:00:10Jaguar Just Killed Most of Its 2021 Jaguar XF Trim Levels
