The era of the muscle car It was one of the most glorious times for the American automobile. What’s more, it has possibly been its peak of popularity and popular fervor. A time when raw power was at a ridiculous price, in which street racing was favored and in which drag racing cemented its reputation as a sporting discipline. A period of time between 1966 and 1972, which gave rise to cars as unique and with as much character as the precious 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS that occupies your screens.
long live muscle cars
During those years, V8 engines were the preferred religion of the young and not so young. The cars were modified straight out of the dealership, with exhausts, new camshafts and new differentials with shorter final drives as priority modifications – the primary goal being raw acceleration. The soundtrack of those days was the heavy, unstable gurgling of V8 engines., carbureted and with displacements that in some cases reached 7.5 liters. A genuine, authentic sound, captured perfectly by Chevrolet’s tagline: “the heartbeat of America”.
We have never lived through another time in which raw power has had such a strong cultural importance.
The video that we leave on these lines allows us to enjoy this sound, pure and unadulterated. A sound that any sports car would like to have as a soundtrack. This Chevelle was a midsize muscle car, and In its SS version of the year 1970, its heart was a 6.5 “big block” V8, whose final power was about 350 CV. A monumental figure, transmitted to the ground without electronic aids of any kind, in a package that barely weighed 1,600 kilos. If we add to this some Hedman exhaust manifolds and a Flowmaster exhaust high performance, the result is as spectacular as the one you have on these lines.
Both have reached the middle of their commercial life and we all know what usually happens at that moment: a facelift to keep up. BMW has given the BMW X5 and BMW X6 a ‘restyling’ that goes beyond the surface. The aesthetic modifications are subtle, but the big change is hidden under the touch-ups applied to the exterior and interior: the new BMW X5 and BMW X6 are more powerful and more autonomous… electrically speaking.
Let’s go from less to more: we start with the changes in the exterior design and in the passenger compartment. BMW expands personalization options with new body colors and new packages: the M Sport Pro makes its debut, while the M Sport is optionally available for the X5 and standard on the BMW X6.
Exterior and interior touch-ups
The new ones BMW X5 and X6 premiere redesigned headlamps: the daytime running lights are arrow-shaped and the conventional ones are thinner. The front bumper has been renewed with some new vertical air intakes and in the case of the BMW X5 the LED backlighting for the grille is available (slightly retouched), which the BMX X6 incorporated a couple of years ago. In the rear, the novelties are reduced to an ‘X’-shaped motif and the new light signature.
Inside the changes are also quite discreet. Both the BMW X5 and the BMW X6 have a new curved screen on your dashboard, which is divided into two: a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen with the iDrive8 system.
The center console has also been redesigned: although the traditional switch disappears to be replaced by a small control, the iDrive rotary button remains. There’s also a handful of tactile buttons below the more refined air vents, a curved wood trim and a version of the ambient light bar that we have already seen in the passenger area of the new BMW 7 Series and X7.
The engines of the new BMW X5 and X6
The mechanical range of the new BMW X5 and X6 is full of novelties. Bavarian SUVs are available with three engines that incorporate 48 V Mild Hybrid technology through an electric motor integrated in the transmission: it generates a power increase of up to 12 CV and 200 Nm of torque. All of them are also associated with the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
BMW X5 xDrive30d and BMW X6 xDrive30d: equipped with a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine of the latest generation of propellants, which delivers a maximum power of 298 hp and a torque of 670 Nm.
BMW X5 xDrive40i and BMW X6 xDrive40i: They have the latest generation of the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder gasoline engine, which develops a power of 380 hp (47 HP more than previous models) and a maximum torque of 520 Nm (70 Nm more); this torque can increase up to 540 Nm with the Mild Hybrid system.
BMW X5 M60i xDrive and BMW X6 M60i xDrive: the top of the range comes with the 4.4-liter V8, which gives this pair of SUVs a force of 530 hp and a maximum torque of 750 Nm.
BMW X5 xDrive50e: the plug-in hybrid
BMW has wanted to incorporate into its range an option capable of displaying the Zero label on its windshield: the BMW X5 xDrive50e, the plug-in hybrid variant that, for the moment, it is not available for the X6.
The BMW X5 PHEV is equipped with a latest generation inline six-cylinder gasoline engine and a new electric one. Together they have a combined power of 490 hp, a figure that represents an increase of 96 hp over the outgoing model. The torque also increases by 100 Nm to be 700 Nm.
The amount of energy that the battery integrated in the underbody can store has increased by almost 25% compared to the previous generation: it has a capacity of 25.7 kWh, which, according to the WLTP Cycle, promises a range of 94-110 kilometers. In addition, a new combined charging unit doubles the top speed in alternating current to 7.4 kW.
In April 2023
In the tuning of the new BMW X5 and X6 it’s standardadaptive undercarriage, which modifies the stabilizer bars based on weight distribution and reinforces them accordingly. Also noteworthy is the expansion of automated driving and parking systems: There are enhanced features for the standard Forward Collision Warning system (which can now also reduce the risk of collision with cyclists, pedestrians or oncoming traffic when exiting a road), Reversing Assist Camera, Parking Assist reverse gear, Parking Assistant (which also includes launch control functions) and Trailer Assist.
The two models will be manufactured at the BMW plant in Spartanburg (United States) and its global rollout will begin in April 2023. At the moment, the Bavarian brand has not revealed the prices for Spain… although an increase is expected.
It continues to be the best-selling motorcycle in Spain, maintaining the leadership it held throughout last year. An urban, versatile and complete motorcycle. A 125 scooter that you can drive with your car license.
Throughout the last few months, prices remained around €3,500, to start this new year with a better offer, which today situates it at €3,250. And not only that. It has just received the update with the new 2023 versions, which essentially involves the introduction of two new, more attractive and striking colors.
In the range of the cheapest 125 scooters, between €2,000 and €3,500, we have a Honda PCX 125 that is placed in the upper part, as one of the most equipped, competitive and complete.
The Honda PCX 125 is updated with two new paint finishes in gray and blue
Honda PCX 125 MY2023 in Matte Suit Blue Metallic.
Scooter 125 urban and low consumption
The Honda PCX 125 welcomes 2023 with an update that introduces two new colors, gray and blue, to complete a catalog of four paint finishes:
Pearl Jupiter Gray (new)
Blue Suit Matte Metallic (new)
White Jasmine Pearl
Matte Galaxy Black Metallic
This 125 scooter, with a high wheel and a seat at 76.4 centimeters, weighs 130 kilograms, has a double shock absorber on the rear axle and 12.5 CV to be one of the most practical motorcycles in the city, either for daily trips, or for urban freight delivery. Its consumption is 2.1 liters/100 kilometers, providing sufficient autonomy – around 385 kilometers – with an 8.1-liter tank and being possible to even lower the official theoretical consumption in practice.
It reaches 98 km/h and is designed to maintain cruises of 90 km/h without difficulties.
Honda PCX 125 MY2023 in Pearl Jupiter Grey.
Some details of the Honda PCX 125
Among its most outstanding features and equipment:
30.4 liter under seat storage, enough for a full face helmet
USB Type C charging socket in the glove box
LED lighting
Front tire with 14″ rim and rear with 13″ rim
Available a City pack with 35-litre hood, windshield, transparent handguards and heated grips
Other motorcycles as an alternative to the Honda PCX 125
Among the 5 most prominent rivals of the Honda PCX 125 we continue to highlight:
Peugeot Tweet 125 Active, remains at €2,320
Kymco Agility City, which recently dropped from €2,399 to €2,199
Piaggio Liberty S125 ABS from €2,712
SYM Jet 14, whose price rises from €2,799 to €2,999
Yamaha Nmax 125, which rises from €3,499 to €3,799
Thinking of a hybrid car with low consumption inevitably leads us to think of Toyota. However, the vehicles that meet these requirements are not always in the domains of the Japanese firm, and a clear example of this is the Fiat Tipo, a forgotten compact that for 219 euros per month and with a combined consumption of only 5, 3 liters thanks to a mild-hybrid system wants to be not only a good alternative to the Corolla, but also an interesting purchase.
However, it is necessary to clarify that the Italian house requires financing to be able to get hold of the Type for said monthly payment. In this way, we must read the fine print before venturing into its purchase, since otherwise we can find ourselves with a total price in installments. capable of ruining what promised to be a good offer.
This is the Fiat Tipo that wants to be the worst nightmare of the Toyota Corolla for 219 euros per month
But before talking about numbers, it is necessary to clarify that the Fiat Tipo that can be ours for 219 euros per month does so under a specific configuration. And it is that the Italian compact is welcomed to the Monotrim finish and the 1.5 MHEV enginethat is, access equipment and intermediate engine that, thanks to mild-hybrid technology, grants our protagonist the DGT ECO label.
This pairing translates into standard equipment made up of 16-inch wheels, automatic climate control, cruise control, electric and defrostable rear-view mirrors, multifunction steering wheel and 7-inch screen with connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto among others.
In terms of mechanics, the Tipo boasts a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged producing 130 hp and 240 Nm of torque. These figures are managed by means of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, thus allowing a 0 to 100 in 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 207 km/h. These are not extraordinary figures, but the high point of this mechanics lies in the support of the 48 V mild-hybrid system that helps reduce emissions and declare a combined consumption of 5.3 liters per 100, although yes, under the cycle WLTP.
Now, what are Fiat’s requirements to allow the Type to be ours for 219 euros per month? The first is to face an entry of 6,138.01 euros, a figure that allows us to access 36 installments of 219 euros and a fairly high last one, of 14,755.65 euros. To all this we must add a TIN of 6.99%, an APR of 10.57% and an opening commission of 757.93 euros in cash.
These are high figures that cause interest to rise to 3,643.83 euros, a figure that makes the total price in installments is a dizzying 29,535.59 euros. Now, is it worth financing the Fiat Tipo? If we compare the numbers with the 24,498 euros that a unit of the same configuration paid in cash costs, the answer is no, but everything will depend on our economic situation, the comfort that payment in installments brings us and the competition of the Italian compact.
The Fiat Tipo in What car do I buy?
And we can find this through What car do I buy?, the comparator of Diariomotor where we will not only discover if the Fiat Tipo is worth more or less than its rivals, but also the largest offer of new vehicles and secondhand of the moment.
But, what happens if the only one that convinces us is the Fiat Tipo but we don’t get the money for a new one? What can we look for in the used market?. And it is there that we can not only save thousands of euros, but also find more powerful and better equipped units for a lower outlay.
In 2022, 79% of Spaniards use some electronic payment system to pay for their purchases or services: before 2020, 87% opted for cash. These data from the OCU show that there is a change in trend, perhaps motivated, in part, by the legislative reform that took place almost two years ago: since then there is a limit to pay in cash, so If you were thinking of paying the invoice for the workshop in this way, think twice because the fine from the Treasury could be a few thousand euros.
Until 2021, cash payments had a limit of 2,500 euros: they decided to lower it to avoid cases of fraud in which some professionals charged for a product or service without issuing any invoice. Thus, almost two years ago, Law 11/2021 on measures to prevent and combat tax fraud changed this cap.
Pay cash with limits
Since then, as long as a professional is involved in the transaction, The maximum amount that can be paid in cash is 1,000 euros or its equivalent in foreign currency. That is, with this method, you will not be able to pay in the workshop for a repair that exceeds said figure. The same occurs with payments between professionals: a freelancer may not pay another or a company more than 1,000 euros in cash in exchange for a service or product.
Keep in mind that when they talk about cash, they are not only referring to coins and bills, they are also included all means in which the payer cannot be identified: bearer checks and any other physical means (including electronic ones) designed to be used as a means of payment.
In addition, the Treasury has wanted to prevent picaresque: this cap affects the price of the product or service, that is, the amount cannot be divided into smaller parts to be paid in cash. If the mechanical service costs 1,500 euros, you will not be able to make three payments of 500 euros.
The Treasury fine
The Treasury monitors the correct compliance with this limit and to avoid temptations it has established a fine for offenders: It will be 25% of the amount paid. So, at least, the penalty you can receive is 250 euros. If the mechanic’s service is more elaborate, you could face a penalty that exceeds the barrier of 1,000 euros.
The Bank of Spain points out that This punishment will not only be for the person who pays, but also for the person who receives the money in cash: The amount will be shared jointly. If, in addition, one of the parties involved in the transaction denounces the operation before the Tax Agency in the following three months, they will be released from the fine. It is not the only way to reduce the penalty: there are reductions of 30% for compliance, 40% for prompt payment and 65% for minutes with agreement.
The exeption
As a good rule, Law 11/2021 has an exception that allows you to make a cash payment that exceeds 1,000 euros. This limit will become 10,000 euros when the person making the payment meets two conditions: be a non-professional and have a tax domicile abroad. Therefore, a tourist who fixes the car in our country will be able to pay in cash for any workshop repair that costs less than 10,000 euros.
Despite the fact that SUV they still represent the bulk of sales for the vast majority of manufacturers today, the truth is that this is not an obstacle for some brands to decide to “investigate” and offer alternatives to a clientele that, why not say it, has no obligation to limit your choice for this type of vehicle. The latest example is found in Peugeot and its new release, the Peugeot 408, a sort of crossover that It aims to make you forget about SUVs for €9 a day.
Presented in mid-2022, the truth is that The Peugeot 408 surprised locals and strangers with an aesthetic that, without a doubt, cannot be classified within the SUV segment, nor within the saloon segment, at least as we know it. With the intention of directly targeting models such as the (tremendously) successful CUPRA Formentor or the Renault Arkana, the Peugeot 408 began its marketing phase just a few weeks ago.
The French model, with a length of 4.69 meters, is placed within the range between two of the most important models of the lion manufacturer, the Peugeot 30o8 (4.45 meters long) and the Peugeot 508 (4.75 meters long). Built on the same platform as both, the EMP2, the Peugeot 408 shares many elements with models like the Peugeot 308, with which it shares engines and interior layout. It is possible to get hold of the 408 for €9 a day, but… What do we get in exchange for that amount? What are the conditions of this offer?
A 130 CV Peugeot 408 for €9 a day, is it a good option?
The lion’s firm already offers a series of promotions to get the Peugeot 408 under conditions, a priori, more advantageous. Specifically, Peugeot has launched a promotion through which we can take home a 408 1.2 Puretech for €273.26 under a multi-option financing system.
For it, we must pay an entry of €8,337.50 and, after paying the aforementioned fee for 48 months, choose between returning the vehicle, exchanging it for a new one or keeping it by paying a final value of €17,049.43. The mileage stipulated for this promotion is 40,000 km, which means an annual mileage of 10,000 km. In case we decide on this option we will have paid a final price of €38,230.15 over the €33,350.00 RRP.
These amounts represent an APR of 5.93% and a TIN of 3.99%
The model in question is a 408 1.2 Puretech with an Allure finish and an 8-speed EAT8 automatic transmission since, as we already know, the Peugeot 408 is not going to have any diesel-powered mechanical option. With this engine, the 408 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 210 km/h. Its average consumption is only 6 liters, but since we do not have any electrification system we will have to settle for the C label of the DGT.
On the other hand, the equipment of this variant is already very complete despite being the step of access to the range. It includes, as standard, elements such as LED headlights, the keyless entry and start system, dual-zone climate control, 17″ wheels, 10″ digital instrumentation and parking assistance system with rear camera, among others.
The Peugeot 408 in What car do I buy?
If the Peugeot 408 is among your possible purchase optionsin our comparator portal What car do I buy You will be able to get, in the fastest and most comfortable way possible, the best real prices on the entire internet. In addition, you will find all the information you need not only about this model, but of any other vehicle that may interest you, including any other of the French brand.
Remember to also take a look at our complete buying guides that accompany the files of each model, with which you will be able to know in a simple and visual way what are the key points of each model, further seasoned by the reviews and opinions of the editorial team of Diariomotor.
CUPRA Formentor: from €33,040
He CUPRA Formentor with a price from €33,040 It is, without a doubt, one of the clearest alternatives to the Peugeot 408. A car with crossover features, but moving away from the usual dimensions of an SUV, which, without enjoying such a daring and original design as that of the Peugeot, is committed to differentiating itself. from SUVs in many other aspects, such as offering a more agile drive typical of a compact or sedan.
Talking about the BMW Z1 is talking about a car that began as an experiment and ended up becoming one of BMW’s most iconic sports cars (it was the starting point for its roadster family) and from the 1990s. Its appeal did not stop there: it remains captivating today, despite the fact that more than three decades have passed since its production ended. Today’s protagonist it keeps a secret: it is a BMW Z1 that, without having been released, accumulates almost a million kilometers.
The first of the BMW roadster family was presented, in 1986, as a prototype. A year later we found out about the production version and in 1988 its production started: before this moment arrived, the Bavarian brand accumulated 5,000 orders. In the short space of time that its production lasted, from 1988 to 1991, shaped 8,000 units Powered by a 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
His name anticipated his goal: the ‘Z’ stands for ‘Zukunft’, which in German means future. BMW conceived the Z1 with a double objective: firstly, to probe the world of convertibles and, secondly, to do it with striking solutions… both for the late eighties and early nineties and for today. Its body panels could be easily removed in a few minutes and its doors were retractable: they were lowered and hidden inside that removable body.
A BMW Z1 with 999,997 kilometers
Now that we have reviewed the particularities of the BMW Z1, we can focus on the specimen at hand: a unit that is almost unused… despite the fact that Its odometer shows 999,997 kilometers. There is a secret behind this apparent longevity.
At that time, the cars had an analog odometer and left the factory with 999,997 kilometers because, in this way, BMW assured its customers that the model in question had not traveled more than three kilometers when it was received. In this way, after setting it up and taking it to the dealership, the odometer would reset and go to zero.
His story
Indeed: this BMW Z1 has not even traveled those three kilometers of margin: it has only been driven once. It was delivered new to Jens Winther, driver of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 1990 and has been preserved in its original state until 2014, when its current owner bought it from the Danish driver.
Now it has been auctioned by RM Sotheby’s and the figure for which it has been sold is almost as incredible as its mileage: 86,250 euros. Bearing in mind that there are only 8,000 units and that There can’t be many that seem frozen in time like this, The truth is that it is a fairly moderate price.
