Uber Rare Ferrari 599 60F1 Alonso Gets Totaled by Idiot

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are Ferraris and then there are rare Ferraris. The 599 GTB 60F1 Alonso Edition only saw 40 examples leave Maranello. Though details are slim, it is best to say there may now only be 39 left after seeing these images of what looks like a totaled Ferrari 599. 

Actually, it is so rare that someone will step up to have it rebuilt. They’re only original once. But at least this one might see the light of day restored to its former glory. 

How did this Ferrari 559 crash?

599 GTB 60F1 Alonso crash | muc.collector

This happened in Munich. The driver obviously lost it on the rain-soaked roads based on the images. Damage includes the front end, passenger side, and probably the frame and other hidden delights. You never know for sure until you can get it on the rack and check it out.

There are guardrails seen behind the truck so the driver might have spun out and smacked one of the guardrails. We’re not sure if the Audi seen in the images was involved in the accident or just a Good Samaritan. Or, maybe they just stopped to make an offer on the spot for the Ferrari. 

According to Instagram user muc.collector, there has been one other Ferrari 599 totaled. That one was a silver GTO. Can we assume that the Ferrari 599 attracts bad drivers? Or have a curse? 

The late Sergio Marchionne once said, “The HMI (human-machine interface) function inside a Ferrari is probably the weakest link in the chain of technical know-how that’s embodied in the car.” He was the head of Fiat Chrysler, which owned Ferrari. It is the unspoken rule of Ferraridom. 

599 GTB 60F1 Alonso in showroom
599 GTB 60F1 Alonso | Wiki

The 599 GTB 60F1 Ferrari is so rare it is understandable if you have never even heard of them. It was launched to celebrate the 60th anniversary of winning Formula I. Those wins began in 1951 Silverstone, continuing to Alonso’s 2011 win at Silverstone in 2011 against Red Bull. 

Based on the 599 HGTE these are borderline race cars

These models were based on the 599 HGTE model. They were borderline race cars with stiff suspensions partially from the shorter springs, along with stiff anti-roll bars. Other inspiration came from the paint scheme of the 150º Italia from the 2011 Formula 1 World Championship. The forged alloy wheels are also unique to this Ferrari. 

In the end, they say you can buy a Ferrari but you can’t buy driving skills. We understand the driver was unhurt, which is the only good part of this crash. 

RELATED: Watch: Chucklehead Spins Then Crashes Brand New Ferrari 488 Pista

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The Worst Electric Lawn Mowers and What to Buy Instead

by Gabrielle DeSantis

According to data gathered by Consumer Reports (CR), electric lawn mowers are selling at a faster pace than gas-powered mowers. While that’s certainly good news, it’s important to keep in mind that not all electric lawn mowers are worth the money. Fortunately, CR has the inside scoop on the worst and best electric lawn mowers.

Are electric lawn mowers any good?

First things first, let’s talk about whether or not buying an electric lawn mower is a good idea. As it turns out, CR recommends several electric lawn mowers. These mowers are best for lawns that are less than 1⁄2 an acre and, because they’re electric, are also more eco-friendly than their gas-powered counterparts. Electric lawn mowers tend to be quieter too.

The bad news is that electric lawn mowers are typically more expensive. Unfortunately, though, there is a reason that electric lawn mowers are more expensive. In fact, according to CR, you can blame their high price on the cost of their lithium-ion battery. The good news is that prices are trending downward, and you can score an electric lawn mower for roughly $300 or less.

CR says to avoid these electric lawn mowers

Electric lawn mower. | Karl Gehring, The Denver Post

But which electric lawn mowers should you avoid? After all, that is the matter at hand here. Overall, CR reports that less than a quarter of the electric lawn mowers earned a CR recommendation. And when it comes to self-propelled electric lawn mowers? CR recommends about half of the self-propelled electric mowers that it tested.

Of all the electric lawn mowers it tested, two models struggled enough that CR reports they really aren’t worth the money. The Worx WG779, for example, earned a 43 overall score. According to CR, this electric lawn mower was given a Fair rating for its mediocre mulching and bagging performance. It also struggled with cutting evenness, and its battery only runs for about 25 minutes. 

CR also says to avoid the Sun Joe MJ401C-XR. It not only lacks the ability to mulch but doesn’t cut grass all that well either. In fact, according to CR, the Sun Joe MJ401C-XR earned a Fair score for cutting evenness. It also earned a Poor rating for side-discharging and a Fair score for bagging. Overall, CR says you would be wise to look for something else when it comes to this mower.

The best electric push lawn mowers to buy instead

The good news is that CR highlighted several mowers among its picks for the best electric push lawn mowers. Take, for example, the 21-inch Ryobi RY401200. This electric lawn mower earned Excellent ratings in handling, side discharging, mulching, and cutting evenness. Perhaps the only drawback to this particular mower is that it only lasts roughly 40 minutes on a single charge.

The 21-inch DR Power Equipment CE75021XEN0 also found itself among CR’s picks for the best electric lawn mowers. This particular mower earned Excellent scores for mulching and handling. However, it earned slightly lower ratings for side discharging and cutting evenness. However, the major selling point to this mower is that it has a very long run time of 80 minutes and doesn’t take all that long to charge.

CR’s picks for the best electric self-propelled lawn mowers

And if you’d prefer an electric self-propelled lawn mower instead? CR reports that the 21-inch Ego LM2156SP is one of the best electric self-propelled lawn mowers to buy. While it is on the pricier side and will have you spending about $750, CR gave this mower Excellent scores in nearly every category. This mower runs for about 60 minutes, too, and reportedly takes less time to charge than other mowers.

The 21-inch Ryobi RY401140US is also one of the best electric self-propelled lawn mowers to buy. It’s not only a CR Best Buy, but it also earned Excellent ratings in almost all categories. It also runs for roughly 60 minutes on a single charge. Perhaps the only downside to this electric lawn mower is that it is reportedly noisier than other battery-powered mowers.

The right mower makes cutting your lawn a breeze

There’s no beating around the bush here. Owning the right lawn mower can make cutting your lawn an absolute breeze. Fortunately, with CR’s picks for the worst and best electric lawn mowers in hand, choosing the right mower for your lawn is an even more manageable feat.

RELATED: The Best Electric Lawn Mowers for Any Yard

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Consumer Reports Suggests Avoiding These Popular New Cars

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Sometimes, cars are popular for reasons that don’t translate to long-term ownership. Consumer Reports collected a list of popular new cars that might give owners more trouble than necessary. In exchange, some other cars and SUVs might serve drivers better in the long run.

Consumer Reports says to avoid the Volkswagen Jetta

Consumer Reports doesn’t suggest the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta | Volkswagen

While the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is a popular car among drivers, Consumer Reports says it might not be worth the headache. The Jetta has a fairly low predicted reliability score of one out of five and an owner satisfaction score of three out of five. The overall score was 50 out of 100, which is still fairly low. The price is $18,995 to $28,045.

CR suggests the 2021 Toyota Corolla or the 2021 Nissan Sentra instead. The Corolla has high scores for both the predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. It was ranked number three out of 17 compact cars and had impressive fuel economy. Priced at $20,025 to $28,310.

The Sentra is a bit more affordable at $19,460 to $21,800 and still has impressive fuel economy. In addition, it is a green choice and has many standard active safety features.

The 2021 Ford Escape did not fare well in the Consumer Reports scoring. It scored an overall 46 out of 100 on the test and came in 15th out of 24 compact SUVs. In addition, the Escape has a fairly low predicted reliability score of one out of five and an owner satisfaction score of three out of five. Priced at $25,555 to $38,885, it is a bit expensive for what you get.

CR suggests the 2021 Mazda CX-5 or the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox instead. The Mazda CX-5 comes with two engine choices, seven trim level options and is offered in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. The non-turbo engine gets 187 hp, and the turbo version offers 227 hp. It is even a bit cheaper at $25,370 to $37,505. The Equinox is priced from $23,800 but has OK scores otherwise.

Consumer Reports doesn’t recommend the Honda Passport

The Honda Passport is considered a midsized SUV with alright fuel economy. It scored a 64 out of 100 overall and has average predicted reliability scores. It has an overall combined EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg with 14 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The 2021 Honda Passport starts at $32,790.

CR suggests you might like the 2021 Ford Edge instead. It has better reliability scores and starts at $32,750. Consumer Reports found the Edge got one extra mile per gallon for an estimated 22 mpg overall. That is 15 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. If that isn’t in your lane, the 2021 Nissan Murano has similar specs, scores, and prices.

The Ford Explorer is a midsize SUV

The 2021 Ford Explorer scored 42 out of 100 overall on the Consumer Reports tests. “Even though it was recently redesigned, the Explorer is only a midsize SUV in a category with some strong competitors,” the author noted. It has an OK fuel economy of 21 mpg and a pretty high price of $32,675 to $54,350. The predicted reliability was one out of five, and there are just better options for a similar price on the market.

A popular alternative is the Kia Telluride. Edmunds calls the 2021 Kia Telluride a top-rated SUV. The company also gave the 2021 Kia Telluride the best midsize 3-row SUV for 2021. The EPA-estimated fuel economy comes in at 21 mpg overall, 19 mpg in the city, and 24 mpg on the highway. It starts at $32,190. Another solid choice is the 2021 Mazda CX-9. It gets an overall 22 mpg overall and starts at $34,160. The predicted reliability and owner satisfaction both scored well overall.

There are a lot of popular new cars and SUVs recommended by Consumer Reports. Some of the options on this list might not be reliable enough for the rigamarole of everyday life. There are plenty of dependable new cars and SUVs on the road, but the most popular new cars might not work for all needs.

RELATED: Leaked 2022 Kia Telluride Photos Show New Logo, Specs

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2021 Infiniti QX80 Crash Tests Leave Something To Be Desired

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’re looking for a luxury large SUV, you may be interested in in the 2021 Infiniti QX80. There’s a lot to like about it. It has a nice interior and a quiet drive. However, if safety is your primary concern, you may be wondering: is the 2021 Infiniti QX80 safe? 

2021 Infiniti QX80 | Infiniti

How did Consumer Reports test whether the QX80 is safe?

A gold 2021 Infiniti QX80 sitting at a crosswalk.
2021 Infiniti QX80 | Infiniti

Consumer Reports buys and tests a variety of vehicles every year. They purchase the vehicles independently to avoid any bias or conflict of interest. Then they test them in their Connecticut facility, which has plenty of space for road tests and other evaluations. Consumer Reports combines their own testing with the results of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association’s crash test ratings. Sometimes these aren’t available, in which case they’re not included. 

How did Consumer Reports determine if the QX80 is safe? The overall score for the 2021 Infiniti QX80 is a 64. This isn’t just a safety score. It also includes road test results as well as predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction. These are assessed through looking at past reliability scores as well as owner surveys. 

So how did the 2021 QX80 do in safety tests?

A gold 2021 Infiniti QX80 sitting outside of a store.
2021 Infiniti QX80 | Infiniti QX80

The performance aspect of the road test is part of how safe a vehicle is. If a vehicle can’t accelerate quickly enough or doesn’t handle well, those factors can contribute to the likelihood of an accident. The 2021 Infiniti QX80 did well in acceleration, getting a four out of five. 

On the other hand, the Infiniti QX80’s handling score wasn’t very high, at just two out of five stars. Additionally, its emergency handling score was only a one out of five. 

Brakes are obviously important, and the 2021 Infiniti QX80’s brake score was a three out of five. It took the QX80 139 feet to stop on dry pavement and 155 feet to stop on wet pavement. 

The headlights scored a four out of five stars. 

A gold 2021 Infiniti QX80 sitting outside of a restaurant.
2021 Infiniti QX80 | Infiniti

Whether the QX80 is safe is determined in part by its safety features. The 2021 Infiniti QX80 comes with all of the advanced safety features recommended by Consumer Reports except for daytime running lights. These are not even optional in the QX80. The Infiniti QX80 comes with standard front side airbags and head protection standard with rollover. 

The IIHS didn’t test the 2021 Infiniti QX80, but the NHTSA did. The NHSA overall crash, which combines the frontal and side crash, as well as the rollover tests, was four out of five stars. The overall frontal-crash rating was only three stars. The overall frontal-crash rating on the driver side was only two out of five stars. The passenger side was slightly better, at three stars. 

Side crash test ratings were better than front crash test ratings in the 2021 Infiniti QX80. Side crash test ratings include an overall score, a driver side score, passenger side score, and pole-crash. These were all five stars. Rollover ratings were mediocre, at three out of five stars for both the 2WD and 4WD. 

Overall, the 2021 Infiniti QX80 could definitely be safer. The front crash test ratings leave something to be desired. If you’re looking for a safe large luxury SUV, keep looking.

RECALLED: Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX80 Recalled For Faulty Fuel Pumps

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