Verdict 9.0 / 10 Unlike some of its competitors, Honda has no intention of giving up on the sedan market. Its Accord and Civic are today’s most popular vehicles for first-time buyers, Generation Z, and Hispanic customers, and the automaker isn’t about to cede that crown by abandoning the segments that made it a household name in the US. But tastes and environmental sensibilities demand some evolution, which is why the 2023 Accord is leaning heavily into electrification. Although not a fully electric vehicle (yet), the redesigned sedan is ditching the lusty turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in its top trims, with an efficient hybrid powertrain taking its place. Although the base LX and slightly better-equipped EX trims soldier on with Honda’s adequate 1.5-liter turbo, every other model (Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring) now comes exclusively with the hybrid powertrain. I’ll freely admit that Honda’s decision to go heavy on electrification had me a bit skeptical … [Read more...] about 2023 Honda Accord First Drive Review: Hybrid-Heavy Honor Roll
2023 petersfield place drive
The major change Alfa Romeo made after being “stuck in a corner” last year · RaceFans
Two anticipated trends in 2023 Formula 1 car design were evident in the first new chassis presented for the upcoming season today. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free While Red Bull, Haas and Williams relied on models or old cars to reveal their new liveries over the past week, Alfa Romeo became the first team to show something approaching a genuine 2023 machine. Their video broadcast showed Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu revealing the car in a similar configuration to what they will run when testing begins in Bahrain in two weeks’ time. The team also issued images of its car in launch specification. One obvious change is the shift towards a darker livery, just as fellow Ferrari power unit customers Haas have done. Teams have been removing paint and exposing the carbon fibre beneath for years in an effort to save weight, but the introduction of new regulations last year prompted many to go a step further. It’s striking that Alfa Romeo, who began last … [Read more...] about The major change Alfa Romeo made after being “stuck in a corner” last year · RaceFans
Why the pandemic’s economic impact on F1 goes far beyond a disrupted calendar · RaceFans
Two statistics lay bare the astonishing impact Covid-19 has had on Formula 1. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free First, since the pathogen intensified its spread across world in March almost half this season’s scheduled 22 races have been cancelled or (optimistically, in the view of some) postponed. Second, the obligatory annual team shutdown – usually a three-week break in summer – has now been in place for three times as long. Although speculative calendars are increasingly doing the rounds, these count for nought as long as authorities restrict the movement of people across the world. What use is a calendar which schedules races in countries which refuse to admit foreigners or make concessions for sport activities? The pandemic’s effect on the 10 teams has been disastrous . Most have furloughed staff, some are expected to be ‘retrenched’, ‘de-hired’ or similar, while a number of independent teams have availed themselves of advances on future F1 revenues … [Read more...] about Why the pandemic’s economic impact on F1 goes far beyond a disrupted calendar · RaceFans
Here comes spring TV, even if you’re not caught up on fall TV
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 William Shakespeare once wrote, "Why then, can one desire too much of a good thing?" He just needed a TV. Though in fairness to the bard, we might have finally reached that point of excess. After all, Apple TV Plus released two seasons of the excellent "Slow Horses" last year. And though everyone is still trying to catch up on 2022's best shows - we're not even 12 months removed from "The Bear" and "The White Lotus"! - 2023 is already off to a prodigious start. The first episode of HBO's zombie video-game-turned-series "The Last of Us" was the network's second-biggest premiere of the past 13 years, eventually reaching more than 10 million viewers - only hinting at the deluge of shows to come. Meanwhile, Rian Johnson of "Knives Out" fame is attempting to revive television of a bygone (see: pre-streaming) era with his Natasha Lyonne-starring case-of-the-week dramedy … [Read more...] about Here comes spring TV, even if you’re not caught up on fall TV
Alex Albon: Williams in a better position but there’s still a long road ahead
Once again propping up the standings last season, Alex Albon admits Williams have “got a long road ahead” but believes they’re “definitely” in a better position now than they were 12 months ago. Last season the arrival of Formula 1’s all-new ground effect aerodynamic cars didn’t herald the recovery Williams had hoped, instead the team once again found themselves bottom of the log. Their fourth P10 in the past five seasons, Williams are a long way from their last spate of glory days in the 1990s when Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve were winning World titles. Such were their troubles last season, Albon speaking of “pretty obvious weaknesses” with the FW44, it’s hard to see Williams making significant progress this season. The driver, though, believes they are in a better position today than they were 12 months ago. PlanetF1 recommends F1 stats: Which drivers have scored the most points without winning a race? Gallery: All the angles as Williams unveil Gulf-inspired … [Read more...] about Alex Albon: Williams in a better position but there’s still a long road ahead
2024 Mercedes eSprinter Debuts With Nearly 250 Miles Of WLTP Range
Mercedes originally announced the eSprinter five years ago for European markets but the electric van never made it to the North America. That will change in the second half of 2023 when the EV workhorse will be launched in the United States to fight the Ford E-Transit. Unveiled today, the production-ready model may look familiar on the outside but it actually rides on a new "Electric Versatility Platform" developed after a €350-million investment. To be sold in Canada as well from H2 2023, the second-generation eSprinter is motivated by an electric motor mounted at the back. Mercedes-Benz Vans will offer a base version with 134 horsepower (100 kilowatts) and a more potent configuration with 201 hp (150 kW). Tipping the scales at about 286 pounds (130 kilograms), the e-motor will generate a maximum torque of 295 pound-feet (400 Newton-meters). 2024 Mercedes eSprinter 20 Photos … [Read more...] about 2024 Mercedes eSprinter Debuts With Nearly 250 Miles Of WLTP Range
Texans brace for the end of nearly three years of pandemic Medicaid coverage
One day, Alexandria Robertson’s carefully crafted life suddenly started falling apart. She returned from vacation in January 2020 to learn she’d been laid off from her corporate job in the Austin area. Her car was totaled in an accident. At the same time, she found out she was pregnant with her first child. “I was pregnant. I had no job. I had no car. And I had no health insurance,” Robertson said. “I at the time just did not have money for the expenses of having a baby.” Robertson qualified for Medicaid, but since Texas is one of just 11 states that haven’t expanded the program, she would be covered only up to two months after childbirth. But then, just a few weeks later, COVID-19 descended on the United States. For the length of the public health emergency — which turns three next month — no one would be moved off of Medicaid. The state is urging people on Medicaid to ensure their information is up to date at YourTexasBenefits.com and to respond to renewal notices … [Read more...] about Texans brace for the end of nearly three years of pandemic Medicaid coverage
Ferrari CEO wants the ‘ultimate prize, second is the first of those who have lost’
After a title fight that faded out almost as soon as it began, Ferrari are “working relentlessly” to get back into the fight says CEO Benedetto Vigna. Ferrari’s 2022 championship and it’s, at times, comedy of errors nature has been widely dissected not only by the media but Ferrari themselves. Taking up the reins following Mattia Binotto’s resignation, new team boss Fred Vasseur told the media in his first briefing that he’s “in the process of reviewing everything”, the Frenchman not afraid to make changes down the line if he feels it is necessary. But while Ferrari’s strategist bore a significant portion of the blame last season, they weren’t alone when it came to make errors. Ferrari’s mechanics botched a few pit stops, the drivers crashed, the engine was unreliable and the car was overweight. All of that, Vigna hopes, has been resolved over the winter. PlanetF1 recommends Christian Horner explains reason for snubbing ‘flattering’ past Ferrari offers Watch epic … [Read more...] about Ferrari CEO wants the ‘ultimate prize, second is the first of those who have lost’
Zhou: Less pressure this year after “nervous” start in 2022
Listen to this article Zhou says that he never felt more nervous than he did before his first grand prix start in Bahrain last year, a race in which he scored a point with 10th place. As the only newcomer on the 2022 grid, he went on to enjoy a solid season, despite being hit by reliability issues that cost him valuable points, and the team took up its option to keep him for this year. "For sure less," he said when asked if he felt pressure ahead of the 2023 season. "This year of course I need to perform, I need to make a good step up, and I need to do much better than last year. "Last year for me everything felt very new, and you don't know how you can do. "You can do as many simulator runs as you can but it's not the same on track, and also handling the pressures. Here with the team, more the outside world, for me last year was the pressure that I really need to let's say show my potential. "Which I was very happy that I was able to do. But coming to this … [Read more...] about Zhou: Less pressure this year after “nervous” start in 2022