All New KIA

Spain is a country that can be known through its history and its people, but also through its towns and the routes that connect them by road. On this occasion we head to the northeast of our country to get to know a part of the province of Lleida through a road trip in which we will visit some of its emblematic enclaves, we will savor them and we will see if it is feasible to do all this aboard a sustainable vehicle.

Are you coming on a trip?

Our route has as its guiding thread the N-260, a road also known as the Pyrenean Axis: not in vain, it links Port-Bou (Girona) with Sabiñánigo (Huesca) crossing the Lleida Pyrenees.

We are talking about a route that takes us to a beautiful natural environment, where each section offers you a different photo. After its recent renovation, driving around it is more comfortable and, above all, more pleasant.

In Puigcerdá, the N-260 forks and ends at the N-152: the path to choose for all those who want to head to France. The N-260, for its part, continues to La Seu d’Urgell and there connects with the N-145 road, which goes to Andorra.

This journey crosses Bellver de Cerdanya, Pont de Bar, Port de Cantó, Vilamur, Sort, Gerri de la Sal, Pobla de Segur, Senterada, Sarroca de Bellera, Coll de la Creu de Perves and Pont de Suert, where we find the N-230 that marks the connection with the Valle de Arán. We will not miss, either, the regions of Lleida Cerdanya, Alt Urgell, Pallars Sobirà and Alta Ribagorça.

Bellver de Cerdanya

Our first stop is Bellver de Cerdanya, one of the largest in the region. It is located on the side of a hill and the Pyrenees serve as a backdrop while the Segre river irrigates this town and its surroundings, full of farmhouses. A step away from here is the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park and the line that separates it from Condado de Urgel.

Its main tourist attraction is its historic center with medieval airs. This fortified complex, on a rocky hill, makes up a labyrinth of cobbled streets and centuries-old houses. Do not forget to visit the Church of Sant Jaume de Bellver de Cerdanya, the Gothic building that acts as a lookout for the town.

And it is that he Vall de l’Ingla was one of the sources of inspiration for Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer to write ‘The Devil’s Cross’. Located in Cerdanya, very close to the towns of Bor, Pedra i Riu or Bellver, you will be able to disconnect until you forget what day it is. Its samples of rock art and the colors of its landscapes are famous, especially in autumn when browns, greens and yellows become the muse of any artist.

Ardovol

The time has come to enter the LV-4037, a narrow road that joins the N-260 with Ardovol: our next destination. A mountain village crowned by a Romanesque church: On the way to it, you may come across some of the Friesian cows that live in the area.

Hills of Cerdanya

Returning to the N-260, we pass through Martinet to take a winding road: the LV-4036. From his hand we will reach a town well known for the practice of Nordic Ski: Hills of Cerdanya. If you prefer to get to know this environment at another time of the year, we will tell you a secret: in spring, summer and autumn, when the snow has not made an appearance, it offers countless hiking trails that run through native forests with the Pyrenees as a backdrop. . If you are looking for a way to do sustainable tourism in complete harmony with nature, this is your place.

ansovell

After leaving several towns behind, we turn off, again, on the LV-4052: they are waiting for us Arsèguel, Cava and Ansovell. Cava has roads that any cyclist would dream of, and also many drivers. We follow the path to Ansovell, the capital of the municipality of Cava, in the Alt Urgell region. Talking about this place is talking about its grouped houses with tile roofs and wooden balconies, the Cadí river and the parish church of San Martín. A Romanesque construction from the 12th century, with a single nave, whose vault is sunken.

Sanctuary Mare de Deu del Boscalt

This solitary hermitage, located at an altitude of 1,440 meters, is classified as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest: its views are impressive. The sanctuary has a couple of important dates: the first Saturday in May (when the residents fulfill their vow to have liberated the towns of Ansovell and Cava from the plague), and the first Sunday in September, the most important. Do not miss the boxwood that is next to the sanctuary: it is more than 200 years old.

bescaran

The bitten asphalt and the powerful curves serve as a guide for the next stop on this Pyrenean road trip: Estamariu. Located in the northern part of the Alt Urgell region, it awaits us bathed by the Bescaran river and protected by both the Coll de Jou and the Serra de Banat: Here everything is nature and it will not take long for you to notice how a sensation of authenticity invades you.

We now come to a mountain village, which is part of the municipality of Les Valls del Valira: Bescaran. A place where tranquility reigns and, at the same time, It is perfect for practicing any sport… and also driving off-road. And if you come in autumn, you will have the opportunity to pick all kinds of mushrooms: a great example of sustainable tourism.

There are points that we cannot miss such as the Cabaña del Moro or the Ca l’Albós manor house, but without a doubt the most relevant is Bescaran Monastery. Its origin is unknown and only the bell tower of San Martín remains: built between the 11th and 12th centuries, it has six floors and the last three have friezes with Lombard-style arches and mullioned windows. It is a style similar to the one that we can see in the Romanesque ensemble of the Vall de Boí made up of eight churches and a hermitage, declared World Heritage Sites in the year 2000.

Seu d’Urgell

The road now takes us to La Seu d’Urgell: quite a reference since it is the capital of the Alt Urgell region. Along the way, the Segre and Valira river basins will be in charge of giving us indescribable landscapes. In this city we meet the only fully Romanesque cathedral preserved in Catalonia: It dates from the 12th century and is a treasure as it is a unique specimen.

La Seu d’Urgell is also known for being the capital of cheese: For more than two decades, in October, the Artisan Cheese Fair of the Pyrenees has been held with products from Catalonia, Aragon, Navarra, the Basque Country and France. So dropping by one of its cheese shops to make a purchase is almost a must. You can use this parenthesis to tune up your car: electric cars are welcome in this town in the Catalan Pyrenees as it has a station equipped with multiple poles.

Port of Canto

We set off again: Port de Cantó awaits. This mountain pass, located at an altitude of 1,725 ​​metres, is located on the border between the municipalities of Soriguera, in the Pallars Sobirà region, and Montferrer i Castellbò, in the Alt Urgell region. Its curves will sound familiar to you if you are a fan of two wheels because it is usually a regular in La Vuelta a España and also in the Tour de France.

It is mandatory to stop at one of the multiple viewpoints that dot the road to contemplate the drawing left by the basins of the Segre and Noguera Pallaresa rivers. And we can’t avoid taking a detour onto an unpaved road to test the attributes of our car. on snow: the combination of winter tires and the all-wheel drive system put the adventurous point to this part of the trip.

Sort

This road trip comes to an end and our last stop is the town of the Lottery: yes, we are talking about Sort (which, in Spanish, means ‘luck’). In addition to buying a tenth to see if the town lives up to its name, be sure to visit this charming town protected by the mountains. In this impromptu walk you must go through the bastion of the town: the Castle of the Counts of Pallars. From here you can enjoy spectacular views of the hills of the Costa Negra.

The capital of Pallars Sobirà is, at the same time, the cradle of adventure sports such as canyoning, rafting or mountain biking. You will always have a hiking trail at your disposal because the Pallars Sobirà region has direct access to the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park (the only national park in Catalonia) and to the Alt Pirineu Natural Park: a protected natural area covering 80,000 hectares. Whatever your choice, spend a few minutes observing the landscape that surrounds you: it will never be the same as the colors change with each season and, almost, with each moment.

And, by the way, if you have time, don’t forget the Butterflies Museum located in Ribera de Cardós and the Ecomuseu de los Valles de Àneu: it is an entertaining and didactic way to better understand the natural and cultural reality of the region.

A gastronomic recommendation: Fogony

Before we have talked about cheeses, but, perhaps, it is not enough to recharge batteries. Just as we have plugged in our Peugeot along the way, it is time to fill our tank and for this we want to make you a proposal: Fogony. A family restaurant with one of the best value for money… taking into account that It has a Michelin star. Here, Zaraida, Jose and their son Pep defend local proximity products on a menu where there is no shortage of cannelloni, trinxat, coca or meats such as lamb, rabbit or pig’s trotters. Dishes with a star at an anti-crisis price.

The gastronomy of the area will not disappoint anyone. Its mountains and rivers provide game meat and fish such as trout. This route is also gastronomic, so You will not be able to miss the typical escudella, the butifarra, the chorizo ​​or sausages such as the xorís or the secallona. And mushroom dishes, of course. You have before you your next route: have you already packed your bags?

The most expensive fine that you can pay as a driver is not the one that subtracts all your points or that imposes an economic penalty of hundreds (or thousands) of euros. It is the one that can come from the hand of the latest scam of the Directorate General of Traffic: from time to time, the DGT is the victim of a scam attempt and the first of 2023 has begun to reach the email of many users. We teach you to identify it so that it does not cost you too much.

The ‘modus operandi’ is well known: an e-mail with which they intend to impersonate the identity of the DGT. To do this, they throw several hooks. The first is the subject of the email, ‘Fine not paid’, enough to attract the attention of the driver. The second is the explanation (‘An unpaid traffic ticket addressed to you or your vehicle has been identified in our system’) and the solution to pay that penalty and avoid problems with Traffic: download a file, complete it and send it.

Objective: your bank details

The download link does not direct the user to the DGT, but leads to downloading a compressed file (.zip) that does not contain any fine: is actually an executable file that contains malware with which the device (computer, mobile phone, tablet…) will be infected.

The Internet User Security Office (OSI), which has identified this latest phishing campaign, explains that it is a Trojan that is characterized by extract bank information: “There are different variants, but among its most common functionalities it would allow actions such as manipulating windows, recording keystrokes and obtaining addresses from the victim’s browser.”

How to recognize a false ticket?

The truth is that it is not difficult to identify false DGT fines if you know how. These scams try to appear credible imitating the form of official document, but sometimes (as in this case) they don’t even show the anagrams of the General Directorate of Traffic or the Ministry of the Interior: this is the first clue.

The second is The email from which they send the alleged sanction: It does not correspond to the official domain of the DGT. On this occasion it is ‘multas@cobra01.accesscam.org’ which, obviously, does not correspond to that of the public body. Looking at this information we can know if we are a potential victim of cybercriminals.

The third point that you should look at is the text of the email itself because, normally, include grammatical and spelling errors, misspelled words and often use terms that the DGT never uses in their communications: “You must complete the form to resolve a traffic infraction (instead of traffic) that is in agents.”

The fourth and last key is the most relevant: it should be remembered that the DGT does not send fines by email, Neither do radar photos and it never asks to download any files. Not even when we are subscribed to the electronic notification system.

The General Directorate of Traffic sends the sanctions by certified postal mail to the address of the offender or through the Electronic Road Directorate (DEV): with this system it sends A notification by e-mail or by text message to the mobile. In these notices, it informs of the existence of a sanction in the electronic mailbox, which can only be accessed after identification.

when it’s late

To users who receive this email, the Internet User Safety Office advises do not reply to it, mark it as spam, delete it and run an antivirus updated to make sure there is no trace of the malware. What if it’s already late? If you have executed the file, you will need to follow these steps:

• disconnect computer from the network you are connected to to prevent it from infecting other devices
• Carry out a full scan of the device with an antivirus and then proceed with disinfection: in case of doubt, it is advisable format to restore factory settings
• Take screenshots and save both the email and possible communications related to the matter to have evidence of fraud: with them you can file a complaint in the State Security Forces and Bodies.

⚠️#OSInotice | Have you received an email mentioning that you have not paid a #penalty fee? Be careful! There is a campaign #phishing supplanting @DGTesin which the invoice is a #malware. #Safety notices

/ud83d/udc49More info: https://t.co/YXGFMPYuQrpic.twitter.com/WfmGcoLLtD

— OSI Security (@osiseguridad) January 31, 2023

As a general rule, when you buy a very exclusive and special car, you tend to try to keep it in good condition to avoid the dreaded depreciation, to the point -as much as it hurts- of not using it. Well, the owner of this Lamborghini Countach has decided to swim against the current, not only using the car, but also modifying it. without any fear that this implies that it loses value.

And it is that we must remember that the reinterpretation of the mythical Countach has meant acting as the culmination of the Aventador along with the Ultimae and carrying out a limited production of 112 units. Without a doubt, a reason for practically its owners to choose to keep it as gold in cloth and not change paint, tires or suspension as our protagonist has done.

This is possibly the only modified modern Lamborghini Countach in the world

It is one thing to go to Lamborghini’s Ad Personam department and opt for a unique configuration in the world. And another is to resort to the aftermarket service as is the casesomething that we are not going to judge because we are glad that someone chooses not to worry so much about the value of the car in a few years and prefers to enjoy it and modify it to their liking.

Be that as it may, in the case of vinyl, the paint is reversible, as are the tires and the suspension system. But for now we find a Countach topped with a chameleon color that, depending on the angle from which you look at it, changes, mixing shades like purple, orange and pink.

As for the wheels, we find some ANKRY X|Series S3-X0 finished in gold and that seek to generate a nice contrast with the bodywork. The suspension is not known what type it is, but what is clear is that it reduces the body, surely improving behavior and, for some, aesthetics.

Images: instagram

Let everyone do what they like with their money, of course. But this does not prevent me from seeing it as sacrilege to turn a majestic Jaguar XJ into a pick-up, something that has happened in the United States and has caused a great uproar on eBay, the page where the creation is for sale. and that can end up in your garage for $29,000or what is the same, 26,700 euros to change.

That is if the auction does not cause this Jaguar XJ that once saw better days sells for a lot less or a lot more, you never know. And it is that the uncertainty generated by this type of “homemade” transformation means that the balance can tip towards either side, but at the time I write these words the highest bid is at $12,000 along with the 29,000 dollars for which the ex-English saloon can be yours right now.

This Jaguar XJ turned into a pick-up could end up in your garage

But focusing on the unit in question, we find an XJ from 1998 that hides a colossal V8 in its bowels. Specifically, we are talking about a 4.0-liter atmospheric engine producing 284 hp and 375 Nm of torquefigures that, managed by means of a five-speed automatic transmission, allow a 0 to 100 in 7.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 240 km/h.

However, these figures may have varied for better or for worse. with its new pick-up condition. And it is that to give it said configuration, the creator has sacrificed the majestic rear seats of the XJ and the trunk to turn the back into a single and uncovered cargo area.

However, Is all this transformation really worth the $29,000 they ask for the Jaguar XJ? We must bear in mind that it is a unit that, either as a saloon or as a pick-up, has traveled a total of 150,000 kilometers, which is not too much but does not make it a candy either. And even more so if we take into account that we can find units on the used market for around 10,000 euros or even below.

As a general rule, the footballers’ union does not stand out for having too much taste when it comes to configuring cars, leaving extravagant results or those that do not escape the ordinary. But in every rule there is an exception, and in this case it is the David Beckham of 2001, who bought an elegant, subtle Ferrari 360 Spider and now it can end up in your garage.

And it is that at the beginning of the century the former English player was still playing in his homeland, specifically at Manchester United. His salary at that time already allowed Sir Beckham to acquire vehicles of this kind, and the 360 ​​Spider was, among others, one of his choices to move around England, enjoying not only its glorious atmospheric V8, but also a quite successful color combination.

The Ferrari 360 Spider that belonged to David Beckham can be yours

Our protagonist was brave enough as to avoid the cliché that every first Ferrari has to be red. And so he demonstrated it not with the 360 ​​Spider, but with the gray 550 Maranello that he had and the Superamerica that he acquired in the same color. In this way, the Italian supercar that ended up in Beckham’s credit did so with a configuration that paired the Nero -black- of the bodywork with an interior finished in Sabbia -beige- leather.

Specifically, the 360 ​​Spider came into the hands of the English in July 2001, and since then it has only traveled 12,550 kilometers, although yes, going through other owners. Be that as it may, the car has faced all the revisions in the official house and, at least aesthetically, it seems that it is in top shape to be enjoyed properly.

Delving into the configuration of this unit, we find the BBS wheels of the Challenge Stradale variant, carbon fiber seats and Tubi exhaust to make the V8 melody reach its maximum splendor. What is less accurate, from our point of view, It’s the F1 automatic gearbox.having been much more commendable the six-speed manual with a grid-type change.

Regardless of this, we find a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V8 which develops 400 hp and 373 Nm of torque. With these figures, the Maranello supercar is capable of covering 0 to 100 in 4.6 seconds and reaching a top speed of 290 km/h, very respectable figures but which, excuse us for insisting, are diminished by a glorious melody.

Now, how much do you have to pay to get the Ferrari 360 Spider that belonged to David Beckham? classic engine hubthe company in charge of managing the sale, asks 110,000 pounds for the copy, or what is the same, 124,700 euros to change.

As a general rule, in England it is easy to find units of the 360 ​​Spider for around 70,000 pounds, a figure that is equivalent to approximately 80,000 euros. In the case of markets such as Spain, the Italian convertible can be found between approximately 60,000 and 80,000 euros, but given the condition, mileage and previous owner, the unit that concerns us today has been valued upwards.

It was earlier this month that we broke the news that the first 2024 Ford Mustang to leave the Ford factory would be going up for auction for a good cause. And it is that although it is not a special or limited edition, having the first unit of what promises to be the last great American sports car not only gives a certain morbidity, but is also a sign of revaluation. Although it is true that the future is uncertain, so far someone has paid $490,000 for thisor what is the same, 451,000 euros to change.

At the moment, the oval firm has us on tenterhooks with the outlay that we will have to face for the new Mustang. And although logically it will be superior to the previous generation, at no time will it come close, even remotely, to the almost 500,000 dollars that have been disbursed for this one, but, what has been the reason for paying such an amount of money?

They have paid almost 500,000 dollars for the first Ford Mustang of new consignment

In addition to having the charm of being the first new-generation Ford Mustang to be produced, the auction that took place was for charity. Specifically, all the money will be donated to the Children’s Diabetes Research Foundationbut not only the $490,000 that has been paid for the car, but also an extra $50,000 courtesy of the Ford dealer San Tan and another $25,000 for Michelle Mauzy, philanthropist and member of Barrett-Jackson, the company that has been in charge of the auction.

Thus, the total earmarked for the foundation reaches $565,000, money that will be well invested. But with regard to the Ford Mustang, we find a first unit that leaves the factory of the American firm finished off in the color Vapor Blue to match with 20-inch wheels finished off in black. and hiding the GT variant in its bowels.

This translates into a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that, for the occasion, produces 487 hp. It is a figure that can be orchestrated either by a six-speed manual gearbox, or by a ten-speed automatic and torque converter type. However, we do not know which has been chosen for this first unit that has flirted with half a million dollars.

Be that as it may, what is clear is that this Mustang will not only be special for having been the first to be manufactured, but also because of the conglomerate that it offers in these troubled times. And it is that everything indicates that we will surely be facing the last Ford Mustang to resort to that special pairing offered by the V8 and the manual gearbox, and that this seventh generation was about to be a hybrid is a clear indication of this.

And that may have helped this auction far outpace the first Mustang Bullitt, which reached a maximum bid of $300,000. However, it has not been able to come close to the first unit of the Shelby GT500, which closed at a very low 1.1 million dollars.

Images: Facebook

The decision process to buy a new car has never been so complex. The increase in the prices of new cars in recent years is compounded by uncertainty regarding the introduction of Low Emission Zones, which have not yet been defined in many cities. What will happen to my car? If I buy a new car, what technology is worth it? Does it make sense to buy a car with a C label? And a hybrid with an ECO label?

From this reflection we have come to the conclusion that neither diesel nor gasoline are the right option. Hence, in this article it is essential to address this issue by analyzing the existing alternatives to these engines. And that the only smart purchase in 2023 that can meet the needs of most drivers and suit all pockets are hybrids. And we have also told you about the different types of hybrid that we can find on the market, from gasoline micro-hybrids, which are usually the cheapest, to diesel micro-hybrids and full hybrids. All of them with the precious ECO label.

Plug-in hybrids and full electrics may also be an option. If they fit into your budget, you have a garage where you can install a charging point and depending on your needs and habits.

We should avoid diesel and gasoline engines with a C label, but also CNG cars and the best alternatives are diesel and gasoline micro-hybrids, full hybrids, and LPG

Gasoline with label C and without hybridization

Although they are the majority option, the one currently chosen by most drivers, gasoline engines without hybridization and with a C label are a declining value. They are still the cheapest. Most volume passenger cars still have a C-labeled gasoline engine in their cheapest versions. But we’d only pick a C-labeled gasoline engine if our budget is really tight.

And at least we would try to analyze if the product we are going to buy has alternative engines with an ECO label and how much they cost. We would also recommend looking for alternatives, other competitive products and the category of car that we want to buy, that with an adjusted price have the precious ECO label.

The best alternatives to gasoline without hybridization:

1. LPG cars are probably the best alternative if the budget is limited, they have an ECO label and are usually very cheap.. Even Dacia already has a whole LPG range that, in most products, is available from the cheapest versions of its cars. As we told you in our guide on LPG, cars that run on LPG are actually bifuel vehicles, which run interchangeably on gasoline or gas.
2. Gasoline micro-hybridswithout a doubt, are the ideal alternative to C-labeled gasoline engines. There are more and more cars that, at least, offer a micro-hybrid gasoline alternative in their range. In some cases, there are even products in which micro-hybrids have completely replaced the C-label diesel and gasoline. In many cases, for €2,000 or €2,500 more we can choose a superior mechanical, micro-hybrid, with an ECO label and even with more equipment (see examples of the Hyundai Kona with an ECO label and the Kia Stonic with an ECO label).

Diesel with label C and without hybridization

Diesels are no longer the majority option when buying a new car and more gasoline cars are already sold, but also more hybrid cars than diesel. Mainly for two reasons:

• The first, that there is less and less diesel available on the market. There are many products in which there is no longer the possibility of choosing a diesel engine, and yes mechanical gasoline with C label, hybrid, and electric. Especially in the more compact segments.
• The second, that diesel is no longer attractive to the buyer. Because of all the controversies that have surrounded diesel engines in recent years, because of the existence of more competitive and economical gasoline engines and, above all, because micro-hybrid and hybrid alternatives are increasingly attractive.

Diesel is facing the greatest of uncertainties this year. Not only because the arrival of new Low Emission Zones will impose traffic restrictions that will affect, above all, cars with an ECO label. But also to the consequences of the reduction in imports of refined diesel from Russia, due to the sanctions applied for the invasion of Ukraine, for which it is expected that the price of diesel may increase significantly in the coming weeks.

Again, If we recommend not purchasing a diesel with a C label, we must necessarily talk about alternatives:

1. They are the most unknown option. But on the market there are diesels that enjoy the ECO label thanks to micro-hybridization. Micro-hybrid diesels are an interesting option. But it is true that the offer of micro-hybrid diesel products is limited, limited to some passenger cars for all Hyundai and Kia audiences and, above all, premium, high-end cars. We would only recommend them to those drivers who need to travel several tens of thousands of kilometers a year, mainly by road, and assuming that in the coming weeks the price of diesel could increase significantly.
2. The full hybrid is also an increasingly competitive alternative to diesel. And the reason is none other than the fact that the price difference between diesel and gasoline is getting smaller. For example, right now you can buy a SEAT León with label C for €22,990 and a Toyota Corolla hybrid and with ECO label for €24,650. There are only €1,660 difference between one and the other.

Under no circumstances, CNG cars

But if we have to talk about a risky option, that would be bifuel CNG cars. On the market there are not only bifuel LPG cars, but also some alternatives that can run interchangeably with compressed natural gas and gasoline. For a time these options enjoyed some repercussion. Especially because of the commitment made by brands such as SEAT and Volkswagen, which invested in adapting their models to work with this technology and offer mechanics with an ECO label.

• The first reason to avoid these engines is, once again, the uncertainty in the evolution of CNG prices. In recent months we have seen prices fluctuate significantly. As of today, CNG is being refueled at around €1.7/kilogram. Last summer its price exceeded €3/kilogram.
• The second reason lies in the adaptations that have been made to most of the CNG cars available on the market. Although they can run interchangeably with gasoline or CNG and, therefore, when CNG prices skyrocket we could use them using gasoline, many of these cars have been designed with small gasoline tanks, to encourage their use with CNG. So if we want to use them solely and exclusively with gasoline, we will have to continually visit the gas station.

The best alternative to CNG, without a doubt, and that we have already mentioned in this article, is LPG. Most of the LPG cars available on the market do tend to have larger fuel tanks. And at the moment it is still cheaper to refuel and use LPG than gasoline.

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